Women Misbehavin'

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Eating Virtually

Posted by gansie on July 16, 2010

You probably know this already but I also keep a food blog. I haven’t just been exploring my new virtual life on YWM, but also on Endless Simmer.

When I first started working from home—SO CLOSE TO MY FULLY STOCKED FRIDGE—I was afraid I’d be dangerously snacking all day. But as I’ve gotten used to my home office, I’ve also gotten used to a normal work-from-home eating routine. I might snack a bit more, but it’s usually fresh fruit from the Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market, and not the chocolate I’ve stashed away in my desk drawer.

Here’s more of my virtual eating revelations.

Continued: I’m Not Eating Ice Cream Every 15 Minutes [Endless Simmer]

Posted in Lifestyle, Virtual Office | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

Make This the Summer of You

Posted by gansie on June 22, 2010

Yesterday was the first day of summer. Remember to relax. Do something for yourself. Maybe learn Japanese. Or get outside and take pictures.

Make this the summer of you.

Posted in Education, Lifestyle | Tagged: | Leave a Comment »

We All Need To Be Our Own Best Friends First

Posted by sherrysaunders on June 10, 2010

Becoming Your Own Best Friend, a new book published by Professional Woman Publishing, is a fascinating compilation of expertise and creative knowledge shared by twenty-five amazing women. The topics covered range from the personal to the professional including:  Overcoming Childhood Trauma, Overcoming the Need to be Perfect, Sisterhood: The Importance of Friendship, and In the Still of the Night, the importance of solitude.

Business and Professional Women’s Foundation trustee and Secretary Venita Garvin Valdez, is one of the book’s chapter authors.  Venita’s chapter “When the Vows Break, How to Handle Divorce” is a beautiful mix of personal story and practical steps leading to a “healthy” divorce,” while becoming your own best friend during such a life altering change.  

Venita is the Chief Executive Officer of the Domestic Abuse Shelter (DAS), Inc., which serves

Venita Gavin Valdez

victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in the Florida Keys from Key Largo to Key West. Garvin Valdez has been with DAS for eleven years. She is also a certified trainer in cultural diversity.  

Check out the book and become your own best friend.

Posted in BPW, Feminism, Friendship, Lifestyle, Mental health, Woman Misbehavin' | Tagged: , , , | 1 Comment »

“Men, Babies, It Doesn’t Matter: We’re Soulmates”

Posted by egehl on June 7, 2010

I read the reviews (which weren’t good), but that didn’t matter because I was excited to see my old friends on screen.  We’ve been friends for 12 years now, which is hard to believe, and I have enjoyed watching this dynamic foursome grow and navigate the crazy world of relationships, finding happiness and getting older. 

Like many women who were fans of Sex and the City during its years on television, I was excited to find out how my ladies were doing after the first movie.   In particular I was curious to see how Big and Carrie were handling marriage after a long and tumultuous road leading up to it. 

After seeing Sex and the City 2, I left with a very warm and content feeling that this wonderful foursome can still teach women some very valuable lessons.  Regardless of how movie reviewers or movie goers feel about the quality of the movie, it still had very striking and important themes that really resonated with me and offered some lingering food for thought.

I feel a sense of appreciation for these characters and their storylines because even today it’s one of the few ways for women to connect, relate and empathize with each other around central challenges, issues and fears that we all experience yet still feel uncomfortable talking about. 

Since its inception, Sex and the City struck a chord with millions of women because finally here was a show that talked about the many issues we’ve all been grappling with but never had the courage to talk about even with our girlfriends.  It opened up lines of communication to discuss taboo topics and gave us permission to feel more comfortable to laugh and relate to our girlfriends about  the many, crazy intricacies of relationships and sex. 

The beauty of the four characters is that even after 12 years women can relate to all four of them in some way.  They each represent a part of us: Type A, cut to the chase Miranda with her career focused mind and need for intellectual fulfillment, play-it-safe Charlotte with her unending hopeful desire for traditionalism and stability, unpredictable Samantha with her boldness and risk-taking to stay true to herself and finally playful Carrie with her constant journey of self-realization and struggle with how to move forward after her mistakes.

For me, Sex and the City 2 touched upon some important messages and themes that women of any age can relate to:

Make your own rules:  Carrie and Big are the definition of bucking society.  They have decided not to have children and contemplate whether they should allow themselves to spend two nights apart from each other every week.  In her usual manner, Charlotte gives a disapproving reaction to this idea and in many ways she represents the society we all think we face that deems what’s acceptable and what’s not.  In the end, Carrie realizes that what she and Big need in their marriage is a very individual and personal decision and trying to conform to what’s viewed as “right” isn’t going to make her or anyone happy.  Each of us needs to decide what’s right for us, our partners and our relationships–not based on the status quo.

Balancing work and family is hard:  Miranda has always been the character that struggles with this the most because of her intense, high-powered job as an accomplished lawyer and having her son Brady.  The movie portrays her no differently except this time she has an obnoxious boss that feels threatened by her.  It’s obvious that she’s had to miss a lot of Brady’s milestones because of work, but she feels caught between the need to be intellectually challenged and attending to her son’s needs.  By the end of the movie, Miranda is able to strike a happy and healthy balance for her and her family but it wasn’t without a lot of soul searching and compromise to get to that point. 

It’s OK (and important) to be honest:  Like Charlotte, many women hesitate about being brutally honest that motherhood is exhausting.  They feel guilty that it will be a reflection on how they feel about their children.  In a sweet scene between Charlotte and Miranda, they nervously take turns talking about the challenges of motherhood and in a moment of pure honesty Charlotte admits her two girls are driving her crazy.  You could tell from Charlotte’s face how much weight had been lifted when she said what she had been feeling for weeks out loud.  Women need to be honest with each other because others are feeling the same thing  but just won’t admit it. And inevitably everyone feels better when they can share their experiences and lean on their girlfriends.

Take risks:  Granted we may not be able to live like Samantha, or want to for that matter, but you have to give the girl credit—she takes risks.  And not just sexual ones.  One of the funniest parts of the movie is when she became immensely frustrated by the sexual repressed city of Abu Dhabi, where they were vacationing, and shook condoms in the faces of the uptight men who expect women to remain very subdued.  She was insulting them on multiple levels but took the risk to be herself and make her voice heard.

Growing older can be funny and sexy:  Like many women going through menopause, Samantha attempts to trick her body into thinking it’s younger.  She takes elephant size pills, uses lots of creams and can’t be without her hormones.  Hollywood is so obsessed with youth that I loved seeing a beautiful middle-aged woman on screen.  We didn’t see the usual stereotypes but instead a woman who is vibrant, excited about life, sexually empowered and with the attitude that she can do anything regardless of age.

And finally the most poignant lesson, enjoy what you have:  There isn’t a woman on this planet that doesn’t think at some point the grass will be greener on the other side.  As women it’s natural for us to always think about and want what’s next, but unfortunately that sometimes prevents us from truly embracing and enjoying what we have in the present moment.  For single ladies, they crave being married.  For married ladies, they think about starting a family.  For ladies living in small places, they want a bigger place.  And so on and so forth.  The biggest take away I got from the movie was while it’s OK to want something more, treasure what you have today. 

As seen throughout all four characters what happens next in their lives with babies and marriage, while happy and wonderful, also brought new challenges.  Ironically as mentioned in the movie they spent the prior 10 years working toward their current situation so how could they complain? The greener grass, while a worthy goal, doesn’t mean your life will be better just different.  No matter what stage in life you are it will have its pluses and minuses and achieving something else or securing something more won’t be the fix all many of us fantasize.   So live in the moment ladies!

Posted in Feminism, Friendship, Gen Yner, Health, Lifestyle, Worklife Balance | Tagged: , , , , , | 3 Comments »

Romantic Ideals and Fantasies

Posted by egehl on June 3, 2010

This country loves a romantic fantasy.  We hope and expect that couples will stay married forever and wonder if someone is still single later in life what’s wrong with them for never marrying. 

The separation of Al and Tipper Gore sent shock waves through the media this week.  They seemed like the perfect couple and so in love, as everyone says, so what could have gone wrong? 

Why they’ve decided to split after all this time has become a topic of national discussion, and even within their inner circle of close friends.  None of us really knows what happens behind closed doors and just because a couple seems happy to the outside world doesn’t mean they aren’t struggling with challenges and changes in their private daily lives.   In my view, to say a 40 year marriage isn’t successful just because there’s a separation is silly.  We are human and no couple is immune to feeling the evolution and changes that comes with life and aging.  

In the end, it seems that two people very amicably grew apart.  And I think in many ways that touches upon the fears of many people who look toward unions like the Gores as ones to strive for and regard as invincible.  However separate lives and separate interests, which seems to be the case in this situation, can over time eventually distinguish an important energy between a couple.  

On the flip side of this romantic notion of marriage is the expectation that everyone should enter into this sacred union, especially by the time they reach a certain age.

Predictably single older women will quickly go from being regarded as single to unmarried once they surpass 40.  When President Obama announced Elena Kagan was his next Supreme Court nomination attention quickly turned to her personal life.  She’s single so speculation soared whether she is gay, and if not, why doesn’t she have a husband? 

The White House has been very eager to clarify her unmarried status and squash any guessing that Kagan was gay so instead they went for the sad, unfortunate unmarried explanation to insinuate she fit the spinster category. 

It’s a funny and ironic example that no matter how professionally successful a woman might be, and in this case possibly becoming only the third women ever to serve on the Supreme Court, above all else she will be judged and regarded based on whether there’s a ring on her finger. 

Kagan has told a friend in the West Wing that she is not gay, just lonely. And frankly I can’t say I am surprised that an extremely bright and accomplished woman has had a hard time finding a mate.  Whether she’s gay or not, it takes a lot of time and energy to get to the level Kagan has achieved and something has to go to the back seat.  And if she is gay, since roughly one in nine Americans are then it makes sense that one of the nine Supreme Court justices should be as well. 

As Maureen Dowd so aptly puts it, “Why is there this underlying assumption that Kagan has missed the boat? Why couldn’t she be eager to come to Washington to check out the Obama-era geek-chic bachelors, maybe get set up on a date by Michelle Obama, maybe host some single ladies fiestas with Sonia Sotomayor, maybe even sign up for JDate with a new and improved job status?” 

I continually think society’s take on singlehood, marriage, separation, homosexuality, infidelity and everything in between is interesting yet not surprising.  We want so badly to have this puritanical view of the whole thing and act “shocked” when human mistakes or “abnormal” decisions and outcomes are still constantly revealed. 

Everyone cannot be placed into this cookie cutter model of what’s expected in one’s personal life without room and acceptance for change or difference.   While I think it’s worthy and admirable to hope for the best and ideal in all situations, human nature will continue to challenge it.

Posted in Families, Feminism, Lifestyle, mature workers, Rant, Woman Misbehavin' | 2 Comments »

Advice for Women Entrepreneurs

Posted by egehl on May 10, 2010

Lately I have spoken with a number of friends who are self-employed, artists, consultants or jack-of-all-trades.  All of them are interested in starting their own business or turning their craft into a money maker, but feel a bit overwhelmed on how to reach their goals.  Each one is happy they have followed their passions however they are struggling financially and hoping to create and cultivate a stronger business venture. 

Women-owned small businesses are increasing in number, range, diversity and earning power.  As women business owners expand their companies, they contribute to the growth of our national economy which is more important than ever. And luckily it seems that now is a great time for women to start their own business because there is less competition and available low interest rates. 

Many women fantasize about starting their own venture because they can focus on what they love to do with the freedom of making their own schedule, and being their own boss.   Women start their own business for a variety of reasons including motherhood and desiring a better work-life balance, craving more autonomy in their professional life, not finding the right job opportunity, or realizing they can offer a niche that needs to be filled. 

Women with a keen and focused entrepreneurial spirit should follow their dreams now because ironically a good time to start a business is during a bad economy.  And this is positive news for the many women who have lost their jobs, have been unable to find new employment, or are ready to think more creatively about other options.

If you are thinking about becoming self-employed either by creating a small business or doing free-lance work here are some tips to keep in mind (and for more resources check out Womanowned.com):

Self-Assess

There are a number of things you have to consider before diving into starting your own business.  How old you are will affect your business goals.  You must come to terms with having no job security for a while and nothing to fall back on if times get tough.  In addition you should ask yourself a few questions such as, Does starting a business match up with your lifestyle and personal goals?  Are you prepared to handle the risk? What are your personal wealth goals?

Brainstorm and Research Ideas

Research your idea and find out if it fills a needed niche in your community.  Your first idea may not be the best therefore adjust your plans accordingly to figure out your product or service, and how to provide it effectively.   Then figure out if your final idea will generate money and offer you real financial security. 

Understand the Market

Decide what type of business you should start and whether something similar already exists. It could be more advantageous to buy an existing business or merge with one, instead of starting a brand new one. 

Start-Up Funding

Every new business needs start-up capital. You will have to research and understand whether loans, credit, or savings will help get your business off the ground.  You can make the process easier by understanding what you need and how to manage it.  This aspect of your start-up process is very important because you want to make a sound financial decision that will give you needed capital, yet not be an unwise investment. 

Networking, networking, networking

It’s important to build relationships with many people so that your business can succeed.  Tell a lot of people about your immerging venture because marketing is key to any successful venture.  Get out in the community often and seek free ways to showcase your work such as festivals, fundraisers and volunteering. 

Seek Professional Help

If you lack strong business and marketing skills, it may be worth taking a class or seeking professional assistance from an expert.  For those women without a business background, they are prone to focusing solely on their area of expertise and not enough on the business side such as marketing, auditing, cash flows and maintaining clients. 

Join local networking groups, business associations and professional organizations to meet other like-minded individuals.  In addition, engage in peer-to-peer learning with other entrepreneurs who can share their experiences and advice.

Posted in Career Advancement, Economy, Families, Financial Security, Lifestyle, Successful Workplaces, Worklife Balance | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

The Woman Protecting the Man of Steel

Posted by gansie on May 5, 2010

We love our network of working women. YWM encourages you to find heroines on television (yes, they do exist). Today’s guest blogger is Maggie Bridger.

The Legendary Chloe Project was born out of a desire to show appreciation for a young woman who, on the show Smallville, has served as Clark’s best friend, confidante, and moral compass.

Over the years, we’ve watched Chloe grow into her own heroine, saving Clark almost more frequently than The Man of Steel has saved her. Chloe has become an inspiration not just through her heroism but through her dedication to the truth and to developing her journalism career. She appears to be one of the few young women on television today who is career focused, intelligent and forthright.

It has propelled her into the position of role model for us.

Chloe is a career focused young women. From the pilot, we’ve seen her dedication to truth in journalism and using it to benefit the public. Many of us cheered when she was first hired at The Daily Planet in the beginning of the fifth season and throughout the next few years as we watched her publish front page articles for a major metropolitan newspaper as a college student.

As far as heroism, Chloe has been helping Clark in his battles against aliens and villains for over five years, since she learned his secret. In the episode, Solitude (5.08), she saved Clark’s life, allowing him to stop his mortal enemies, Zod and Brainiac, from taking over the world. We saw her stand again against Brainiac in later seasons. The amazing thing about her is that, for the most part, Chloe Sullivan is a young woman who by sheer intelligence and tenacity holds her own in a world of aliens and superheroes. She’s become Clark’s rock and a major player with the Justice League, all without flashy martial arts skills or special abilities.

It is awe-inspiring to see a young woman who can run with Green Arrow and the future Superman all through her own will and determination.

Finally, she’s selfless. She’s gone so far as to sacrifice not only her life for Clark, but also her mind. In one episode, Abyss (8.09), her memories were being systematically stripped from her by an infection. Rather than expose Clark to danger, she opted to let that infection continue and to lose herself in order to keep him safe. That kind of dedication to her friends is not only endearing but something to aspire to.

Apart from playing Chloe Sullivan, the actress Allison Mack also shines as a sterling example of what a young woman in Hollywood can achieve. Not only is she a gifted actress and one who has been praised for years for her talent, but she is also the type of woman who is exemplary, an anti-celebutante who sets a solid example for her fans.

She has become a producer for two films—-Alice and Huck and Blink—the latter via her production company, Parvati, Inc. By striking out boldly, this triple threat actress/director/producer inspired us to take a chance and create our own production, a commercial tribute to her and her character, Chloe Sullivan.

“Legendary,” executive produced by up and coming actress, Liz De Razzo, is a unique fandom movement of young women and men, deciding to honor a character and an actress who remain positive role models of growth, creativity and strength.  The sixty second commercial is currently in editing. When it is completed, we hope to air on the CW affiliate KTLA in May. It’s already been written up by such sources as the CW Boston Affiliate’s twitter and by Richard Sands of TV Guide Magazine Online.

Legendary Chloe is the first project from Legendary Women, Inc. We are a co-ed group dedicated to the positive representation of women in the media. Follow/contact at @legendaraychloe or admin@legendarychloe.com.

Posted in Feminism, Lifestyle, Media | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 11 Comments »

Women’s Role in Protecting Our Environment

Posted by egehl on May 3, 2010

I was thinking this morning that it’s a shame “the worst” must be a description associated with my state yet again.  The worst natural disaster in history and now the worst environmental catastrophe since the Exxon Valdez spill.  As an oil slick barrels toward our fragile coastline and dwindling wetlands, I am reminded again how much we take our environment for granted until it’s at risk.

I am saddened by the explosion and destruction of the Deep Horizon exploration rig in the Gulf of Mexico which resulted in the presumed deaths of 11 people and injuries and stress to many more who were able to survive the catastrophe.  The looming threat from the oil spill to my state’s wetlands and local communities will have a huge impact on our economy and protection against future storms as the oil destroys more of our natural defenses.  In addition, our commercial fishing industry–a critical $2.4 billion economic engine for the region–is in grave jeopardy, which will impact thousands of families and businesses. 

Since Hurricane Katrina, our state has struggled so hard to promote the restoration and protection of our coast because of land loss.  Our coastline has barely recovered after five years so it’s difficult to think of it being hurt on top of what’s already happened—and just a month before hurricane season. 

Recently we celebrated the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, and the catastrophe in the Gulf is a reminder of how fragile our environment is and the consequences that can happen due to human interference. 

Women play an important part in environmental protection and in fact right now two women are playing a significant role in the oil clean up, Homeland Secretary Janet Napolitano and EPA Secretary Lisa Jackson.   Ironically Lisa Jackson is from New Orleans which is advantageous for Louisiana as she helps to lead the Administration’s efforts to address the oil slick.

On a local level I got an email this morning from a good friend, Sharon, who is the Executive Director of Bayou Interfaith Shared Initiatives (BISCO), a nonprofit organization in Thibodeaux, LA that is part of the efforts to prevent the oil’s mass destruction.  She is working with local, state and federal officials and making sure that the local people are part of the discussion and solution.   BISCO will be one of the first groups to respond on the ground when emergencies like this occur and their leadership will help guide government officials.  Sharon’s leadership is another example of the influence women can have when their communities need help. 

Worldwide everyday women play a significant role in preserving our earth as mothers, consumers, small business owners, bread winners and activists.
 
Environmental issues such as climate change, clean water, air pollution and preserving natural resources are important to women and their families, and women have the opportunity to inspire and lead others to act consciously about how their actions can help or harm the earth.  Women make up the majority of the earth’s population and are vulnerable to detrimental changes to the planet therefore we have a vested interest in taking care of it.  
 
Especially in third world countries, millions of women are struggling with environmental risk factors that can harm them.  These include issues such as air pollution, contaminated water, lack of adequate sanitation, disease vectors and degraded ecosystems.  Women depend on natural resources for their economic and physical health, and providing for their families. 
 
Nearly all of the United Nations millennium development goals have implications for women and the environment.  Since 2005, the U.N. has supported women’s roles in protecting biodiversity, indigenous knowledge and overseeing environmental resources.

Women should be empowered so that their actions lead to a healthier, more peaceful planet.  Because women have a special vulnerability when it comes to the earth’s sustainability, their involvement with environmental efforts is crucial.  And there are many efforts taking place worldwide that are addressing climate change, corporate accountability, United Nations reform and women’s political participation. 

Women can be real catalysts for change for our environment through their everyday actions, by holding political office to lead a national response, or through their grassroots organizing to empower their local communities to be informed and poised for action.

Posted in Families, Global, Health, Lifestyle, Sustainability | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

Spotlight on Maternal Health

Posted by egehl on March 17, 2010

It’s rare, but steadily increasing at a disturbing rate.   As women, we take for granted that getting pregnant is not a health risk.  If you get pregnant in this country there is a less than .0002% chance of dying due to a pregnancy-related death.  Nevertheless even though the risk is very small, the maternal mortality rate is four times higher than the goal the federal government set for this year and the numbers are rising.

What’s to blame for this rise in deaths?  Three reasons have been surmised including the stark rise in obesity rates, increased frequency of C-sections and more women without health insurance. 

Cesarean deliveries now account for almost a third of births, and women who get this procedure have a higher risk of hemorrhage, infection, DVT-caused pulmonary emboli and uncontrolled blood pressure.  One in five pregnant women is obese which has spurred increased rates of high blood pressure and diabetes, and resulted in more C-sections.  Finally, more women are without health insurance and lack adequate coverage to afford appropriate prenatal care to avoid potentially harmful symptoms. 

Because it’s rare, maternal mortality gets little public attention in the United States aside from last year’s worry over the swine flu.  However doctors are taking notice nationwide, especially in California where pregnancy-related deaths have nearly tripled over the past decade.  

Other factors in monitoring maternal health are age, race and income.  Age can pose a risk depending on whether the woman is on the younger or older end of the spectrum.  More women are having children in their late 30’s and beyond when complication risks are greater.  However on the flip side, teen pregnancy rates have increased in recent years and younger women are more prone to overlook taking necessary prenatal precautions. 

Black women are at least three times more likely to die from pregnancy complications than white women because they are more susceptible to high blood pressure and are more likely to get inadequate prenatal care.  And if a woman of any race lives in poverty her chances of experiencing pregnancy and delivery complications will multiply. 

Deaths resulting from childbirth can be directly related up to 42 days after child birth, not just what happens in the delivery room. In 2006, there were 13.3 maternal deaths for every 100,000 births. A decade ago, the rate hovered around 7 – and by this year, the U.S. government had hoped to lower it to 3.3 deaths.

It’s devastating to think of the children who will never have the opportunity to know their moms. Therefore women should be mindful of the precautionary steps they can take to monitor their health and prevent unforeseen risks. 

Women should always seek early prenatal care to control underlying disorders and check for DVT risk.  Pregnancy will make every woman’s blood clot more easily. Women who’ve already had a clot, have family members with clots, suffer from obesity or who have varicose veins are most at risk. 

C-sections can be lifesaving but women should understand how to reduce their chances of needing one.  And if a woman gets one C-section she will have to do it again if she has more children.  This must be kept in mind because repeat C-sections increase hemorrhage risk. 

While women can be secure that their chances of having a healthy pregnancy and delivery are high, we must not take it for granted.  Changes in our society and public health are changing our country’s maternal health and we should remain vigilant so that our mothers and babies have the best chance for a healthy life.

Posted in Families, Health, Lifestyle | Tagged: , , , | 1 Comment »

Saving for the Future

Posted by egehl on March 15, 2010

Ok I will admit it, I don’t save enough for a comfortable retirement.  And I know I am not alone with this confession.  I give the bare minimum to my 401k account but without a raise in over two years, and more bills than I know what to do with, it’s hard to squeeze out those extra dollars. Nevertheless I know that saving for my retirement is important especially because I am a woman.

One of the many repercussions of the financial crisis is how hard the downturn has hit our savings accounts, hampered our ability to donate to a 401k and caused many people to stop saving altogether.  Many Americans have had to endure remaining stagnant financially because their organizations cannot afford to offer a raise, opportunities to move up and make more money do not exist, and leaving for a higher paying position is impossible because of a non-existent job market.

Women face many unique challenges when it comes to saving for retirement and these contribute to why poor, elderly women are a growing segment of our population.

Because women live longer, they often outlive their savings and depend more on a Social Security check, which barely covers today’s living expenses. With a longer life expectancy, women have to think about extended health care and long-term care costs which are steadily increasing. Two-thirds of all working women earn less than $30,000 a year in jobs without pensions. The chronic wage gap exasperates this as women’s overall lifetime earnings are less therefore they cannot afford to put away significant savings.

Many women will experience interruptions in their earnings if they decide to stay home to raise their children. Over a lifetime, women will spend 27 years in the workforce, while men will spend almost 40 years. This time out of the labor force means they will receive about half the pension benefits as retired men, and a smaller Social Security check.

When it comes to investing for the future, women typically have less certainty about their decisions than men.  Personally, I have never felt knowledgeable or confident about making investment decisions.  And according to a recent survey, I am not alone.

There was an online survey of more than 1,000 of MassMutual’s retirement plan participants that indicated that while women were just as optimistic as men in regards to the market outlook, women were notably less confident in making their own investment decisions, compared to men.　

Overall more men enjoy managing their investments than do women. Women tend to shirk away from managing their accounts so much so that 39.3% of women prefer to spend as little time as possible on investment decisions, compared to 28% of men.  I can attest to that. Personally if I had my druthers I would never have to think about financial management. It’s not how my brain works and frankly I have little interest to learn and navigate a very complicated system that seems like another world to me. However I know it’s important and something I need to care about for my future well-being. 　

Now that women represent half the workforce, and many of them are their family’s sole bread winners, it’s critical that women become more comfortable with their financial decisions and understand how their choices impact their future. However it’s hard. How do you plan for 30 years down the road when you’d be happy to just pay today’s bills?

There are ways to educate yourself about making wise choices. If you cannot afford to hire a financial advisor, take advantage of the many books and resources out there designed specifically for women. A central place for valuable information is the nonprofit, Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER).

If your workplace has a 401k plan take advantage of it even if you can only donate a small percentage. Saving a little bit adds up over time and utilize your 401k plan advisors for guidance on how to invest your money. If you want to get even more involved, women have started investment clubs nationwide and a simple Google search can help you locate what’s in your area.

The bottom line is whether we like it or not women have to take charge of their financial future. And if we want to have the life we are enjoying now when we are older that is going to require significant savings. It’s never too late to start saving and give yourself realistic goals. You will be surprised how even a small nest egg can grow.

Posted in Economy, Families, Lifestyle | Tagged: , , | 1 Comment »

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