MoneyWiseWomen

5 Traits to Look for in a Marital Therapist

One of the most important decisions you can make when you are working to save your marriage is choosing the right marital therapist. Trust, patience and compassion are the basic tools of a good therapist, but there are more specific skills needed when the therapy involves couples. Look for these five characteristics in any marital therapist before you begin your first session.

1. Unwavering Pro-Marriage Stance

The main reason you and your spouse have decided to attend marital therapy is to save your relationship. Your therapist needs to believe that staying married is the best choice for both of you. If the therapist is not sure that marriage is the best answer, it will be difficult to work through some of the more complicated issues your relationship might be facing. A good therapist will remain neutral when it comes to taking sides with you or your spouse, and have faith in the marriage's future barring abuse or a dangerous situation for either spouse. In most cases, staying married is the best outcome for your health and your financial well being.

Why Women Experience Money Malfunctions

This isn’t the first time I shared this topic, but I think it bears repeating. Why are there so many women who don't have their financial act together? I think there are lots of reasons, but the main reason -- women are nurturers and caregivers. We take care of everyone, but ourselves. We take care of our children, husbands, partners, grandchildren, and parents. Why? Because we've been programmed by our families and society -- to give to others first and wait to see if there's anything left over for us. For years I thought I was selfish if I did something for myself. It took forever to get past that feeling of selfishness. It didn't change until I read this definition: Selfish is when you are not doing something someone else wants you to do.

The Practical Aspects of Divorce

I just finished interviewing Jamie Thomas, Founder of the Divorce Network for the Money Wise Women Get Smart telesminar on the Practical Aspects of Divorce. Jamis is a wealth of knowlege and shared lots of great tips, ideas and suggestions if you or someone you know is getting divorced.

 

Some of the biggest problems/obstacles facing someone contemplating divorce:

We Must Invest in Our Women -- Especially in Hard Times

Today's Seattle Times (October 10, 2010) had an Op Ed about Investing in our women especially in hard times. The authors said "As community members, we too must invest in women. Whether you choose to act with your wallet, your time, or both, your action will make a difference. The critical role that women play in maintaining our families and community demands that we identify solutions that will foster not only an equitable recovery, but also innovative long-term solutions for women and girls -- and ultimately for all of us."

Learning About Credit Reports & Scores from Gerri Detweiler

Last night I interviewed Gerri Detweiler, President of Ultimate Credit for the monthly Money Wi$e Women Get Smart Teleseminar. WOW! Gerri is a wealth of knowledge about everything relating to credit reports and scores. The one-hour interview went by way too quickly! I learned several things from Gerri that I want to share with you.

Protecting Yourself In Divorce

What can be divided exactly in half and still yield two unequal parts?                                                 The answer: marital property!

How often have we heard someone complain after a divorce that they thought they were getting a fair settlement because they split up the assets ‘equally’, only to find that equal wasn’t really equitable? And now, after the divorce, they find they don’t have enough to live on, or are facing an unexpected tax bill.

This is an all too common dilemma as divorcing couples frequently wait until after the divorce decree is finalized before seeking financial counsel. Preoccupied with the intense emotions they’re experiencing, one or another (or both) of the spouses will neglect to pay attention to the financial aspects of their break up.

A Womans Lifetime Lender - Protecting Women and Their Families

Women are primary targets of subprime lenders and unscrupulous lending practices according to a recent Consumer Federation of America report.  Minority women were reported as the most prone to victimization. 

The statistics are alarming and the destruction that these unethical practices cause is already being seen in our communities. Awareness and education are necessary in order to preserve the financial well being of single women and their families.