MoneyWiseWomen

You Don't Have to do it Alone!

I've always been a very independent person. And like most women -- a caregiver and nurturer. Last Wednesday I fell down on cement step in my backyard and broke my ankle. Fortunately, my husband Steve was with me because I could NOT have gotten back into the house on my own. Steve drove me to the doctor's where they determined my ankle was broken and put me in a boot. The next morning we flew to Phoenix for nine days to speak at a women's conference and celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary with my parents.

Living a Life of Prosperity: Inside & Out

What is prosperity? According to Webster’s dictionary prosperity is the condition of being successful or thriving; or economic well-being. Shakti Gawain, author of Creating True Prosperity describes prosperity as the “experience of having plenty of what we truly need and want in life, material and otherwise.” According to Ellen Peterson, author of Choosing Joy, Creating Abundance “prosperity is not what you have or how much you make; it’s actually how you think.” While Maria Nemeth, author of The Energy of Money says “Prosperity comes when you participate fully in every aspect of your life. It’s state of growth.”

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

Minimize Your Risk of Identity Theft

Turn on the news or pick up a newspaper and you'll probably find something about identity theft because it continues to be the fastest growing white-collar crime in the United States. Identity theft victims spend long periods of time and their own money cleaning up the mess than identity thieves have made.

You can minimize your risk of identity theft by taking the following steps:

1. Don't give out your Social Security number without determining if it's really necessary. Your employer and financial institution need your Social Security number for wage and reporting. Other businesses may ask for your Social Security number for general record keeping. Before giving your Social Security number ask the following questions:
   
   Why do you need it?
   How will it be used?
   How do you protect it from being stolen?
   What will happen if I don't give it to you?

Finding the Best Gasoline Prices

I finally sat down and read the March issue of Real Simple magazine. They had a great article on solving your biggest money worries. The article had lots of good ideas and tips along with numerous websites. The website that really intriqued me was http://gasbuddy.com . Visit this website, enter your zip code and you'll find the gas stations near you that offer the lowest price per gallon. I checked it out this morning and discovered that Costco and Safeway have the lowest prices. Check it out!

Warmly,
Marcia

Understanding Financial Terms & Concepts

Learning to develop sound financial skills takes time. It's not going to happen overnight. Remember when you were in school and took a foregin language class? Did you learn to be proficient and literate in one lesson? No, you probably took classes for at least three years. It takes time, studying and practice to learn, whether it's a foreign language or financial fitness. Some terms and concepts you've probably heard about but may not understand include:

• Dollar Cost Averaging – you invest a fixed amount of money on a regular schedule. The amount can be $10, $25, $50, $100 or more.  You don’t need a large sum of money.  The most important thing is that you invest the same amount regularly and don’t wait to start. Time is not your friend when it comes to investing. Don’t pay attention to the price of the investments at the time. Your monthly investment will purchase more shares when the prices are low. Many people are in a panic because of what's been happening in the stock market. Instead of being in a panic  -- think of it as a sale, you get more for your money when the prices are low. Dollar cost averaging doesn’t automatically make a profit. However, if you invest on a regular schedule and stick to it you will probably do better than the investor who tries to time the market to purchase low and sell high.

Creating a Healthy Financial Life

The January Issue of the Chief Learning Officer magazine states that Financial Education Could be the New Employee Assistance. It says 70% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck and USA Today cites concern about personal finances as the number one cause of stress on the job. Does this resonate with you?

Are you ready to create a healthy financial life for yourself and your family? You don’t have to do everything all at once. It’s really all about taking one step at a time. But, if you don’t take the first step you’ll never reach your goal. And, everyone’s goals are different. The goals I have today are much different than the goals I had when I began getting my financial act together. What’s most important is to get started and get started today because time is not our friend when we procrastinate. I’m going to share a few steps with you:

Digging Yourself Out of Credit Card Debt

If you’re tired of being in credit card debt and ready to dig yourself out you can do it – one small step at a time.

Begin by making a list of your credit card debt including the account, current balance, interest rate and minimum payment. I know this scares the heck out of a lot of people because they know they owe a lot – just not how much. But as Eleanor Roosevelt said “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience you stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”

The Bucket List

I recently went to the movie The Bucket List with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. It's about two men who are dying. They rite down the things they want to accomplish before they "Kick the Bucket" and then they set about doing everything listed on their bucket list. Some of the things they did was visit the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids, skydive and drive race cars.

Morgan Freeman challenged Jack Nicholoson with two questions:

1. Have you found joy in your life?
2. Has your life brought joy to others?

Increase Your Financial IQ: Attend a Money Wi$e Women Conference

Are you capable, prepared and knowledgable to handle your family's finances? If you can't answer this with a resounding YES, it's time to attend a Money Wi$e Women Conference. If you're ready to increase your financial IQ; kick start your financial well-being; learn the steps to avoid money malfunctions or fine tune your financial survival skills -- it's time to attend a Money Wi$e Women Conference.

Are you a financial fraud? Do you look financially successful on the outside, but on the inside you're not so good looking? You have a good job, nice looking house and car, wear designer clothing, take great vacations, but you don't have your financial act together. Maybe you recognize yourself better by the old saying "Trying to keep up with the Joneses". If this resonates with you -- it's time to attend a Money Wi$e Women Conference.

The first 2008 Money Wi$e Women Conference is January 12 in Seattle. Keynote speakers are Ann Tardy, author of LifeMoxie! Ambition on a Mission: 9 Strategies for Taking Life by the Horns, Sunny Kobe Cook, author of Common Things, Uncommon Ways and founder of Sleep Country U.S.A. and myself. If you haven't heard Ann and Sunny speak -- you've got to attend! We've also got an amazing lineup of breakout sessions.

Out with Old & In with the New

I love this time of year because it's out with the old and in with the new. Something comes over me -- I just kind of go crazy. I spend a couple of week clearing my clutter, getting my financial paperwork in order, cleaning my closets and so on. I usually start the week after Christmas and keep working on it until I'm done. You don't want to visit my house during this time because it's a huge mess. I get my shredder out and shred old receipts, bills and paperwork. I rearrange my financial records, business records and so on. I just bought four plastic bins for storage.

Are there any other women out there like me? I'd love to hear your tips for clearing your clutter and organizing your records.

Warmly,

Marcia

What About Using Cash?

Do you realize that our society is moving far, far away from using cash? I hadn't really thought about this too much until I started thinking about the fact that government agencies require beneficiaries to have their benefit checks direct deposited into a bank account. Many employees don't physically receive their paycheck because it's deposited directly into their bank account. Additionally, we used debit and credit cards to make purchases and pay bills. Many people also pay their bills online. All these things are a great way to make things easier, but we never see or touch our money. It makes our income and debt just numbers. Realizing this has really made me stop and think. What are your thoughts. I'd love to hear your thoughts and feelings on this issue.

Warmly,
Marcia

Teaching Kids About Money

After every Money Wi$e Women Forum women ask me why the schools aren't teaching financial issues to kids. Actually, lots of schools are teaching kids about money basics. And, there are lots of programs out there dedicated to providing financial education to kids. The Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy is a national organization dedicated to preparing youth for life-long financial decision-making. Financial institutions also have programs to teach today's youth. In Washington state Boeing Employee Credit Union takes their financial seminars to schools. Topics include start saving now, building your budget, invest in you, get good credit and many more topics. I'm sure there are plenty of other financial institutions that have programs on financial basics for students. Check with your bank or credit union.

Mission Possible: Saving Women from Money Malfunction

Several months ago Suzanne Kincaid, founder of Founder of the InVeStworks system introduced me Ann Sloan. Ann writes a monthly article for Women's Networking with the National Networker. Ann and I met for coffee and I shared my passionate for educating and empowering women to achieve financial fitness. Networking has been a been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I love connecting people, sharing other's talents and collaborating with others. Friends have called me a yenta and a people magnet. I love it! And, I know without a shadow of a doubt that Money Wi$e Women's success is based on networking -- women telling other women about the organization. Women are relationship builders. We want to help others succeed.

I hope you'll take a few minutes to read Mission Possible: Saving Women From Money Malfunction and share it with others.

Warmly,

Marcia

Give Yourself the Gift of a Debt-Free Holiday Season

Now’s the time to sit down and plan how you’re going to get through the holiday season without a pile of debt. I’m going to give you some tips for a stress and debt free holiday season.

If you’re like me and buys gifts year round and tucks them away – pull out the gifts and go through them. If you don’t check out what you’ve already bought, you may end up buying another gift you don’t need. Trust me on this one – I’ve done it more than once!

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?

Experiencing Financial Success

Want to read about one woman's experience after attending a Money Wi$e Women Forum? Cassie recently sent an email to share her financial success and graciously agreed to let me share with the Money Wi$e Women Online Community. Here's what Cassie had to say:

My husband and I have a nice chunk of money in savings, we started investing in stocks and mutual funds and metals and investment property. We no longer make so many of those “frivolous” purchases of years gone by and are taking a proactive approach in building a well-round portfolio. I can honestly say though it has taken about three years to get here, it truly started with the first Money Wi$e Woman Forum in Boise. I just wanted to say thanks for all the things that you continue to do to help us ladies continue on our path to self fulfillment. You have truly touched my life…despite they fact we have never met face to face! Thanks a million.

Financial Tip -- Change Your Financial Situation

There are two ways to change your financial situation -- earn more or spend less. In other words, you can increase your income or reduce your spending. Increasing your income may be much more difficult to achieve than reducing your spending.

Carry a small notebook or blank checkbook register to track your spending for 30 days. Write down everything you buy, how much you spent and what you bought. Include the purchases made with cash, ATM car, check, debit card, credit card, etc. After 30 days review your spending to see where you can plug the holes. Most people find something they're spending more money on than they realized.

Warmly,
Marcia

Oprah's Debt Diet

Yesterday's Oprah show was all about money and her Debt Diet challenge. Featured on the show were everyday people in debt and not knowing how to dig their way out. Financial experts David Bach, Glinda Bridgforth and Jean Chatzky worked with them; advising them on the steps to take: Determine how much debt you have; track your spending to find extra money to pay down your debt; learn to pay the credit card game and stop spending.

Never, never, never give up

This weekend I watched the movie, The Pursuit of HappyNess -- an inspirational and amazing story. It's about Chris Gardner and his pursuit of a better life for himself and his young son. Chris wants to become a stock brocker with Dean Whitter and sets about making it a reality.

It's More Than Money It's Your Life: Book Reveiw and Recommendation

Marcia Brixey's Book Review and Recommendation: 

It’s More Than Money It’s Your Life! 

by Candace Bahr & Ginita Wall

This is a great book to read if you’re just getting started!  It’s designed for women who want to start a Money Club for Women. The seven truths about money are the same messages I share with audiences at Money Wi$e Women Forums and they set the tone for the book:   

Truth #1 – A Man is Not a Financial Plan

Truth #2 – You Can’t Succeed Unless You Start

Truth #3 – Wealth is Not a Four-letter Word

About The Money Interview and Video

See me in action and view my recent interview on KCTS show About the money which I share how you can become a Money Wi$e Women.

In order to view the video you will need to install Real Player Basic (it's free)

Be sure to let me know what you think!

Regards, Marcia

Welcome to Money Wise Women Online Community

I founded Money Wi$e Women almost five years ago to provide women with a safe place to learn about money.

Women who attend Money Wi$e Women Conferences tell us that they’ve learned:

• I’m not alone
• That even small steps can be significant and have an impact
• Finances have been scary to me. I now have the information to make goals and decisions.
• It opened my eyes to know that I can get my finances in order and be confident that I can reach my goals. Be realistic.
• I feel empowered to create positive change in my life and now realize I can’t afford to wait any longer.

Marcia Brixey

Marcia Brixey
Founder, Money Wise Women

Marcia Brixey is the author of The Money Therapist:  A Woman's Guide to Creating a Healthy FInancial Life. She is also the Founder and President of Money Wise Women Educational Services, a non-profit organization that hosts Money Wi$e Women Conferences -- A No Sales Pitch Approach to Learning About Money. Marcia is passionate about educating and empowering women to achieve a healthy financial life.

Ms. Brixey’s work and lifetime experiences enable her to share insights on achieving financial fitness. Her enthusiasm, passion and down-to-earth approach inspire her audiences to take action.  She hosts Money Wi$e Women Forums throughout the Pacific Northwest.  Ms. Brixey’s been the featured speaker at numerous conferences and meetings, including the Prudential Financial Stepping Out Conference in Santa Clara, CA and Chicago IL; Choice Hotels Convention in Orlando, FL; Invest in Yourself Strategies for Women Conference in Costa Mesa, CA; Women and Money Conference, Bellingham WA; Northwest Women’s Show, Seattle WA and Portland OR; Clemson University Professional Women’s Conference, Seattle WA and Portland OR; Women at Work and Play Conference, Portland OR; eWomenNetwork meetings and Staples Small Business Events in the Seattle metropolitan area.  She has also been a guest lecturer onboard Celebrity Cruise Lines. Ms. Brixey is a member of the National Speaker’s Association.

Marcia is a former columnist for The Kitsap Sun newspaper, which serves the Kitsap Peninsula in Western Washington. Ms. Brixey has been a guest on Northwest Afternoon (Seattle, KOMO TV), About the Money (Seattle, KCTS TV), View from the Bay (San Francisco, KGO TV) and Good Day Sacramento. She’s a regular guest on KING TV Morning News (Seattle, NBC affiliate). Marcia’s been interviewed on radio stations KYPT 96.5 FM, Seattle WA; KKNW 1150 AM, Seattle WA; and WOND 1400 AM in Atlantic City NJ.  Ms. Brixey hosted a weekly talk radio show “Let’s Talk About Money” for several months in 2004.  She’s a mentor for the Department of Labor Women's Bureau Wi$e Up Women program. Ms. Brixey received the 2006 YWCA Woman of Achievement award in Kitsap County.

Marcia was inspired to take early retirement from her public relations job with the Social Security Administration in August 2002 after reading the quote “Our purpose in life is to find our gift, perfect it and give it back to others”.  Ms. Brixey’s 26 years of experience with the Social Security Administration includes District Manager, Supervisor, and Public Relations Specialist.   She graduated from California State University, East Bay with a B.S. degree in Business Administration.

Contact Information:

PO Box 2508, Silverdale WA  98383
(360) 308-0056
Mailto://mww@wavecable.com
http://www.marciabrixey.com