Control Your Money, Honey
Many women today often plan on marrying someone wealthy and if they don’t they plan on having him take control of their financial future. I can relate to the bratty attitude in wanting to chuck it all and find someone to just take care of me while I live the good life with all the other botoxed housewives. It would be impossible to grow up in todays society and not be affected by the reassurance that a nice ass will get you the home you’ve always dreamed off (let alone the limitations the media’s feminine role models portray for those of us dreaming of partnered independence). Unfortunately though, a man is not the financial plan your Charles Schwab advisor will want for you, and neither should you.
Incorporating financial planning into a lifestyle is not as difficult as you may believe. There are many resources available that explain concepts clearly and can incorporate some excitement in them so you’re enthusiastic about the possibilities you can make for yourself.
Some resources that I’ve found to be quite informative are:
Books:
David Bach The Millionaire Next Door
Although his style of writing may not excite you, the simple math exemplified in other people’s investment might make you reconsider your “latte” purchase long enough to sign up for that 401K.
Suzi Orman
There are numerous titles to choose from and you can catch her on CNBC Saturday 8:00 PM
If her harsh words and stringent attitude doesn’t make you cringe, her personal wardrobe choices might. Nevertheless, she’s a powerhouse of financial knowledge that is easy to grasp and even if you can’t get past the character display, watch a few times and you’ll be entertained while learning something.
Blogs:
Trent writes about investments and frugality while incorporating his own money catastrophes and experiences. His simple two cents will help encourage you to make better choices, purchases and lifestyles changes. Don’t expect him to understand your need for anything pretty, but you will be able to get some great pointers on how to save up for it along the way.
This is a meatier site for those who’ve graduated from learning simpler investments and other small money matters. Ramit definitely knows what he is talking about and sometimes his ego seems to get in the way, but he’ll challenge you if you let him.
This blog is one of the best in the niche. With clear, concise and fluid writing J.D allows the reader to be informed while still feeling connected. His realistic perspectives keep cynicism at bay while mandating a clear understanding between cheap and frugal. This balance gives strong, intelligent and sophisticated people the advice and knowledge they need to make decisions for themselves without being overwhelming.
Although the list is rather short this isn’t a financial blog and my intention is to give you the incentive you may need to take interest in your future. Besides, just checking out any of these sites will give you direction on where to head further for additional resources.
No matter what age you are your finances are your problem, whether or not you’re married or even working your future is still in your hands alone. Incidents can occur that can render you spouseless and feeling like it can’t happen to you doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare wisely. Know where your family’s investments, debts and expenses are and create separate divisions for yourself as well. Self education also means you could contribute opportunities and ideas that were otherwise overlooked. The earlier you start the more freedom you will have once the chains of life (mortgage, status symbol BMW) start weighing down and prohibiting you.
It’s exciting to have control over your income and it’s even more thrilling to watch it grow, much more then any new purchase – you’ll see.
For more Makeitbetter subscribe here.
Bravo! Encore! Wohooo! Absolutely the best first paragraph I have ever read on the subject of women’s relationships with money and its implications to a happy marriage.
I am a survivor of a wonderful 10 year, ultimately failed, marriage to a beautiful woman who never grasped that I could not FIX our finances if I was the only one doing the heavy lifting. Now, going on five years later, we are still friends and can talk about these things.
Still it was a surprise when she confessed that my FAILURE to make every $$ situation work (her business, relocating challenges, credit card debt, student loans) magically disappear was the foundation of our marriages failure. (Sorry day time drama television audiences there was no cheating, drugs/alcohol, abuse, or parenting issues.)
The worst day of our relationship was a month after our divorce was finalized she called to ask why I wasn’t going to be making the payment for her auto, house and bills. I realized then that this wonderful woman had a lot of growing up to do. I had been blind to her relationship to money and she was blind to the relationship between money and our marriage.
As adults we must accept responsibility for our own decisions, no one else is going to face the consequences. You can overcome ANYTHING once you realize it CAN be overcome. The first step is scary, agonizing and horrible but it CAN be made. The next step is going to be easier but not if you never take the first.
Then I realized that the guilt and pain I had over the marriages failure could begin to heal.
December 21st, 2007 at 1:35 pm