Wooo boy! Did you click through to this post, just because you read that headline, and wanted to prove me wrong? Well – I hope you can. Because I consider myself to be very good with money – I’m a frugal mom, grew up in poverty, and learned a lot of creative ways to stretch a dollar from my own mom. But still – studies have been showing lately that while many women are great at making those dollars in the family budget go farther by doing things like clipping coupons, searching for deals, and doing DIY projects – women are seldom as skilled at handling their financial life when it comes to “big picture” stuff like retirement, investments, or college savings. Which means – I definitely don’t think that all women are bad with money, that women can’t be good with money, or that we’re somehow not smart enough to handle it all. But I do think it’s an area where most women can use some new info, some extra help, and some tips to make them more independent. So ladies – let’s chat.
What prevents women from handling finances
There are many things that stop us from being an in control of our finances as we should be. The Business Time says, “One survey found that a full 90 percent of women identify themselves as the chief bill-payer and shopper for the household. And yet we lag behind men in actions crucial to building wealth and security, such as investing and having a long-term money plan.” One of the main reasons that they offer, and that I agree with – are that traditionally, women didn’t discuss money. Women didn’t handle money. Sometimes women didn’t have money – because they weren’t allowed to work, or weren’t allowed to manage the money that they did make. So, while finances have always been a hot topic with many men – it’s something that’s maybe a little newer for women to discuss. And that – all on it’s own – makes a big impact. I also agree with most of the other reasons presented in the article – check it out to learn more.
Steps to take control of your finances
Like I mentioned above, I feel pretty confident in the way that I handle my money. I’m amazing at using coupons and sales to stretch our budget. I keep the thermostat set low all winter – and make everyone throw on an extra sweater if they’re cold. I make my own cleaners, grow food in a garden out back, and am very good at DIY’ing things to reuse things we have. But when it comes to the big stuff, like taxes, insurance, retirement, and more – I rely on experts. One I love is Genworth Financial. I’ve been reading them lately, as I research long-term care options {since I’ve watched my mom be a care taker for several other family members, and know how tough it all can be. Taking care of it early is a stress reliever for everyone.} They have loads of great advice, and I can’t recommend them enough.
Tell me – What do YOU think is something that holds you back from being more financially savvy? Or – do you feel that you have it all well under control? Share your thoughts in the comments.
{Disclosure: Information for this post is sourced from Genworth Financial in partnership with the SheHeard Influencer Network. All of the opinions and stories in this post are really mine – as always, yo.}
I find it hard to invest extra money because the extra money just isn’t there anymore. If and when there is anything extra it seems a car breaks down or the kids need shoes, etc. Financial things haven’t been good since the crash of 2008. Rising food and gas prices seem to take up everything!
Something like 46% of the incomes “recovered” since the great recession “recovery” have gone to the top 5% wealthiest people in this country, leaving the rest of us much worse off than we were. This level of wealth inequality has not existed in America since the Great Depression. Add to that the fact that women are routinely paid less than men–even when they are doing the same jobs–thanks to the failure to pass the “Lily Ledbetter Law” and the “ERA” that might have brought womens’ incomes up. If a woman has a child, her ability to earn the kind of money that men do is further restricted even when the father pays child support. Many young people are now starting their lives with huge college debt. Invest money??? For women–and increasingly for men–there is nothing left at the end of the month to invest.