Manufacturers Count J$250B in Melissa Losses
Jamaica’s manufacturing base has emerged from Hurricane Melissa with a heavy bill and a clear mandate. The Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) estimates J$250 billion in damage across the sector. At roughly J$161.04 to US$1, that is about US$1.55 billion. The figure is preliminary and likely to climb as assessments deepen, but it already […]
Jamaica Faces Nearly US$7B in Damage from Melissa
Prime Minister Andrew Holness told Parliament that Hurricane Melissa left Jamaica with a preliminary damage bill of US$6–$7 billion—roughly 28–32% of last year’s GDP. About 40% of the island took the brunt of the hit. The other 60%—the parishes less affected—must lift output now so the economy can rebalance while hard-hit communities rebuild. What this […]
Higher Food Inflation Expected After the Passing of Hurricane Melissa
Jamaicans are doing what we always do after a major storm—checking on family, clearing the yard, and heading to the shop to restock. The good news: major distributors say the island still has healthy stocks of the basics—flour, rice, oils, tinned goods—with more shipments in the pipeline. So there’s no need to panic-buy staples. The […]
Jamaica Receives Record Payout After Hurricane Melissa – A Lesson in Financial Preparedness
Jamaica is set to receive a record-breaking $11.4 billion payout from the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) after the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa. This is the largest payout in CCRIF’s history and will be released to the government within just two weeks — offering fast financial relief when it’s needed most. With this […]
How Jamaica’s “Hurricane Insurance” Bond Really Works — and What It Means for Everyday Investors
When Hurricane Melissa tore through Jamaica this October, it didn’t just test our strength as a nation—it also tested one of Jamaica’s financial safety nets: the catastrophe bond, or “cat bond” for short. You might’ve seen people online talking about investors “losing millions” or the Government getting a big payout. But what exactly is this […]
Would You Work in a Hurricane for a Bonus?
As Jamaica braces for the impact of Hurricane Melissa, the country is split — not just along weather lines, but economic ones. Melissa has rapidly strengthened into a Category 5 storm, threatening the island with destructive winds, flooding, and days of potential power outages. While most citizens are preparing to stay indoors, a growing number […]
How Much Does It Really Take to Live Comfortably in Jamaica?
With inflation rising, food costs climbing, and housing prices soaring, more Jamaicans are asking a simple but serious question — how much does it actually take to live comfortably in Kingston today? Across social media, this discussion has been gaining momentum. From TikTok debates to Instagram polls, Jamaicans are opening up about the real cost […]
5 Key Investing Tips Every Woman Should Know
From confidence to compounding—here’s how women can take control of their financial future. More women are stepping into the world of investing and taking charge of their financial futures. Yet, studies show that many still hesitate to invest, often leaving money in savings accounts where it grows slowly. The truth is, investing isn’t just about […]
100% Tariffs: Panic or Opportunity?
There’s a lot of buzz right now about possible 100% tariffs on goods from China. That means the U.S. government could double the taxes charged on things imported from China — from electronics and clothing to car parts and furniture. It sounds scary, and for some businesses, it is. But here’s the thing — big […]
How to Create a Mindset of Financial Abundance
Last week, we explored the key differences between a rich mindset and a poor mindset — how the way you think about money shapes the way you handle it. This week, we’re taking it one step further: how to create a mindset of financial abundance that attracts wealth, opportunities, and growth. A financial abundance mindset […]