MoneyWiseWomen

A Financial Minute with Jenifer: The Proposal

I've been having a lot of great conversations with couples lately about how to stop fighting over money and get back to a loving relationship, so I thought we'd spend some time sharing the distinctions that are helping them make love--and money--last. (By the way, these principles apply to any partnership, business or personal, where there is money at stake; so don't hesitate to read this through that “lens.”)

Start Investing – NOW! Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late!

One of the most important things women can do to ensure their financial fitness is to just start investing – now! Don’t wait because time is not in your favor. And, women think we have to be perfect and know everything before we start to do anything. Many people think you need a lot to start investing, but you can invest as a little as $10.00 per week.

The Money Therapist: A Woman's Guide to Creating a Healthy Financial Life

I'm really excited about my new book The Money Therapist: A Woman's Guide to Creating a Healthy Financial Life (Seal Press), which was released in April.

Six years ago I founded Money Wi$e Women to ensure every woman is financially articulate, confident, secure and independent. Since November 2002 more than 5,000 women (and men) have attended 50 Money Wi$e Women Conferences throughout Washington State; Portland, OR; Boise, ID; Sacramento, San Francisco and Visalia (my hometown), CA. My book is yet another way to eduate and empower more women.

Visit TheMoneyTherapist.net if you want to hear a podcast interview about The Money Therapist. Purchase The Money Therapist: A Woman's Guide to Creating a Healthy Financial Life on Amazon.com .

Warmly,
Marcia

A Financial Minute with Jenifer: Who Do You Need To Be?

Many professionals I meet, when they discover I'm a Financial Success Coach, will ask me, "What do I need to do to make more money?"

I have the distinct pleasure of coaching some very high earners, and rather than ask how much more they need to do to meet their financial goals, they focus on who they need to be - what areas of their personality they need to develop or change to reach greater levels of accomplishment.

A Financial Minute with Jenifer: OM

Chanting. Meditation. Prayer. All over the world, people are lifting their voices and thoughts to the heavens to raise their consciousness, improve their circumstances and be of better service. Somewhere inside, they believe they are meant for more than their struggles may point to. When that internal confidence is at its strongest, so, too, are the results.

It is important to create a physical environment of financial success; today, we will build the internal environment - the mental focus you need to accomplish your goals.

We’re going to develop a more specific, guiding "Money Mantra", a statement of purpose, intention or belief that supports you in your financial endeavors.

I'd Like You to Meet the Wealthy Barber. Here's my short, succinct advice on finances.

I came across and article titled The Best Financial Advice Ever and it reminded me of one of my favorite books on financial advice that I'd like to share with you.  The book contains simple advice on money, investing, and insurance, and is a paperback I've had for years called The Wealthy Barber:  Everyone's Commonsense Guide to becoming Financially Independent by David Chilton.

A Financial Minute with Jenifer: What would you ask if there was no shame in asking?

Many of the people I coach tell me that their financial challenges come from not having been taught much as children about how money works. Consequently, as adults, they find themselves holding back from asking detailed questions about what impacts their financial life, because they’re too embarrassed or ashamed to admit they don’t know the answers. So they’re feeling around in the dark, hoping it will all work out. Problem is, it usually doesn’t.

A Financial Minute with Jenifer: How Dare They!?!

One of the commercials for the Chrysler Town & Country mini-van tells the story of a woman who goes on a shopping spree, and hides all her purchases in the ever-present cargo holds in the van, because she can’t admit to her husband what she’s shopped for.

My initial reaction to the ad was one of pure indignance;  I wondered how they dared to label women that way.  When I thought more about it, what frustrated me more was that this was only one example of financial infidelity—the practice itself is still so prevalent that it easily makes for this kind of advertising fodder.

A Financial Minute with Jenifer - ROI

A buzz word of the financial industry, it means “return on investment,” and is definitely something to consider before committing to any venture.

That being said, there are few investments that come with any guaranteed ROI, so how do you choose the ones in which to put your trust?

Some would suggest that you start by researching the investment to calculate reasonable expectations of return based on its past performance. I say you need to back up at least two steps before that one to be sure you're making the soundest decision you can.

A Financial Minute with Jenifer: The Art of Happiness

In reading “The Art of Happiness,” by H.H. The Dalai Lama, I was reminded of the distinction between happiness and pleasure. True happiness is something we cultivate from within, and therefore it brings a deeper sense of satisfaction. Pleasure is fleeting, and, by that nature, feels like something we need to repeatedly chase in order to experience it.

That's not to say that pleasure is necessarily a bad thing, but it is a danger when the pursuit of it runs our financial lives, when we literally buy into material things as a substitute for getting in touch with what really makes us happy.

A Financial Minute with Jenifer: A Second Chance...To Make A First Impression

How do you recover from big mistakes with money and make a new future? We've talked about our money "stories"—the information we have about how money works,  and the identity with money we create. Some people live their whole lives with these stories without a lot of drama. But, what if your role in that story has brought you less than happy endings?

I've had my share of those experiences. A business loss of many years ago was something I alternately chalked up to other people's misdeeds or the price of playing big. There was some truth to those statements, but the bigger truth was that I didn't ask for help soon enough. Too much of my story was about saving face, pretending to know more than I did. 

Playing the Lottery or Investing in the Stock Market: Which is the Bigger Gamble?

By Karen Ramsey

Oh the things you could do if you won a million dollar lottery jackpot! Luxury vacations! New cars! Early retirement! The dreams of how to spend the potential windfall of a lottery jackpot are themselves almost worth the price of the $1 ticket. For most people, unfortunately, dreams end up being the only thing that a lottery ticket purchase affords them. Reality gives way to the long odds of the lottery. Rare is the opportunity to stand in front of a crowd of flashing cameras while holding a giant cardboard novelty check filled with dollar signs and zeros. How rare is it?

Kid$Wealth Money Kits!

7 Keys to Raising Money Smart Kids by KidsWealth CEO Michael DaSilva If you are looking for a fantastic Christmas gift for the children you love, then I am here to recommend a special gift that never gets lost or broken, and never goes out of style. The gift I speak of is FINANCIAL SUCCESS. This is exactly what the KidsWealth Money Kit teaches children age 4-12.

Imagine.....

Give Your Grandchildren the Gift of Life

When you are trying to choose just the right gift for your grandchildren, you can have a tough time sifting through the newest trends and fads. Last week it was this pop star, next week it may be a new cartoon character. On top of that, you don't want to get something that won't last 10 minutes out of the package.

Future Dreams Take Financial Planning

I have never met a mom wno wasn't working--or any other woman, for that matter. More than ever before, women are handling their own or their family's finances. It's not about what you have; it's what you do with it to secure your future.

We all have unique needs and resources, but everyone wants to protect what they've worked so hard to acquire. It's all about taking what you have, making the most of it, and building a solid financial future that is uniquely yours.

Financial Literacy: Survey finds young adults are optimistic about their financial future

Financial Literacy:
Survey finds young adults are optimistic about their financial future

How confident are you about your financial future?  A recent report detailing the State of America’s Financial Education (SAFE) shows two-thirds of young adults and recent graduates are optimistic about their financial outlook despite the country’s economic difficulties and their present state of financial readiness. 

Are You Financially Exposed?

Many people realize the need for life insurance but keep putting it off until it is too late. You may think that life insurance is confusing, expensive, and complicated.  You may think you don't know enough to make the right decisions for you and your loved ones. Postponing this decision leaves you and your family exposed financially.

Life Insurance Should be Part of Your Financial Plan

You may think you have a solid financial plan. The paycheck you bring home on a regular basis may be more than adequate to meet the immediate needs of your family. There may even be some left over for vacation, retirement, or even college savings.

Life Insurance: Plan Today for the Unexpected Tomorrow

Life insurance is a practical way to protect your family's financial hopes and dreams, yet millions of Americans have no life insurance coverage. In fact, only 61 percent of adult Americans had life insurance protection--a decline from 70 percent in 1984. Only 41 percent have individual policies, while others depend upon group insurance, leaving them underinsured as well as vulnerable to being uninsured if they lose their job.

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month

If you were no longer there to provide for them, would your family be able to keep their home? Could your children attend college? If you answered 'no' to either of these questions, it may be time to look at your life insurance coverage.  September has been designated Life Insurance Awareness Month by the Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education (LIFE). The Foundation is encouraging people to examine their life insurance policies to determine if they are adequately protected.

Millionaires do not work for money

Paul Zane Pilzer, advisor to two Presidents and author of “Unlimited Wealth”, predicts there will be 10 million millionaires within the next decade from the electronic distribution of information and education.  Will YOU be one of them?

Millionaires do not work for money.... 

Top 10 Reasons Women Experience Money Malfunctions

I recently read some alarming statistics about women and money:

• More women file for bankruptcy than graduate from college.
• Only 35% of women have some sort of retirement account.
• The median debt for women has doubled in recent years.
• 40% of the average women’s income goes to service mortgage debt.
• Up to 90% of women will be responsible for their own finances at some point.
• Average age of widowhood is 56 years.

Why are there so many women who don’t have their financial act together?

Seven Strategies for Saving

Are you doing your best to save for your future? It can be very challenging to begin a savings program. After necessities such as food, clothing, and housing, there can be little left to put aside for future goals.

Unfortunately, failing to save could mean the difference between enjoying a comfortable retirement and giving up some basic needs. Often it is a matter of making the decision to begin saving now in order to buy a new home or car later. The goals you set are important to you. Making changes to prepare for those goals can make a difference.

For that reason, State Farm(R) has taken a look at various ways to get a person's savings plan on track. We've come up with seven strategies that you can use today.

Prosperity Parties!

Have parties - Prosperity Parties, Empowerment Parties, Abundance Parties, or FUNdraising Club Party - whatever term you would like to use.  Make up some fun invitations by mail and/or email and send them out to everyone you know.  Or, have two parties - one for personal friends and one for organizations, business associates, communities members, etc.

Money Can Be a Great Teacher

To build a strong financial foundation, you must have a strong inner foundation. You must have inner power. This type of power comes from within, and it is your greatest ally in helping you achieve what you deeply desire. As it concerns money, you must have an empowering relationship with money to have abundance. What you think about money and your attitude towards it is absolutely key to creating wealth

Movies like The Secret and The Sphere are great films because they teach people about the power of the mind. But they don’t teach people how to overcome obstacles or how to apply the powerful principles in their everyday lives. In this blog, you will learn about the types of deeply rooted beliefs about money that are obstacles to achieving wealth. In my next blog, you will learn what you can do in your everyday life to create changes in your life.

A Financial Minute w/ Jenifer: What Would You Do...

What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?

A great life-coaching question. Here's the financial version:

Where would you invest if you knew you couldn't fail?

And why?

If you knew you couldn't fail, from what standpoint would you be choosing your investments? Maybe you would buy stocks of companies whose products you enjoy, or ones that support your strong environmental stance. Maybe bonds would appeal to you because of the community infrastructure they support. From this new perspective, you might buy real estate investments for the sake of what you could do to improve a neighborhood.