Why Women Make Great Investors

Women really do make great investors. Why? Because investing is about more than just math and numbers. 

Women are becoming more and more deeply invested in their own financial success for many reasons: Careers are being pursued and marriage is being delayed, divorce rates are higher than ever, single-mums and women who are the sole or main breadwinner in the family are increasing, cost of living is rising steadily, job security is virtually non-existent...the list goes on. There are no guarantees in life and situations can change drastically in the blink of an eye. Independence and self-sufficiency are more than just words; they are a gateway to freedom. Women are no longer content or willing to be dependent on others for their quality of life. 

A lot of the Myths about Women and Money floating around out there are simply false. Statistics show that women are blowing the stereotypes out of the water when it comes to money and investing: Women are MORE likely to join a retirement plan, women save on average 10% MORE than men, women actually spend LESS than men, and women are MORE likely to diversify their investment portfolio. 

True power and independence happen not when you HAVE money, but when you know how to MAKE money. 

Just ask any lottery winner or divorcee who has blown through a divorce settlement trying to sustain a champagne lifestyle on a beer budget! A lump-sum goes away pretty fast when there is nothing in place to replenish it. The first step is learning about Assets & Liabilities; the next step is doing something with that knowledge. 

As Rich Woman Coach Nichole explains in a video Coaching Tip about Women and Investing on Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad website, there's a lot more to successful investing than just numbers and calculations. The Rich Woman coaches identified their top 5 characteristics that make women great investors: 

• Asking for help 
• Planning 
• Multitasking 
• Diligent research 
• Value shopping 

Let's take a closer look at these strengths, how they each contribute and add up to a Great Investor Profile: 

Asking for Help. Women typically know how to ask for help when they know they need it. And in my experience, more often than not, they prefer to ask other women. Have you noticed all the networks and clubs and resources that are geared towards supporting women in financial and business endeavors? The Daily Worth, WomenOwned.com, Ladies Who Launch, National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), My Wealth Spa to name a few. Many of these were created or developed just in this past decade. Women seek and value mentors that can support and assist them in a non-intimidating, non-judgmental forum. Although men often view women's lunchtime or evening gatherings as a sewing circle gossip session, women frequently use friends and colleagues as sounding boards for new ideas, thoughts and perspectives. Brainstorming and round-table sessions are becoming more and more mainstream, even in the 'Old Boys Club' organisations because there is strength and power in teams and in seeking outside opinions and help. 

Planning. Most women become good planners by necessity. Often in addition to full-time employment or business owneship, women take on, or inherit by default, the monumental task of running the household, juggling kids activities, making and keeping family appointments, planning and organising family holidays, meals, etc. It takes a lot of planning and organisation to make sure everything runs smoothly from day to day and week to week. Investing demands a similar kind of planning and organisation to be efficient and get the most out of your capital. The ability to make and stick to short and long-term goals is important but having a system to monitor and track it all is priceless, especially when it comes to finance and investing. 

Multitasking. Women are also known to be exceptional multitaskers. Handling several issues or tasks at once is all in a day's work for most women. This translates well into the world of investing because there are always many different things going on in many different markets and across many different asset classes. Women who are able to see various market factors and how they can affect an investment will be much more able to predict possible outcomes and proactively make adjustments as needed. Diversification is also easily appreciated and accepted by women who are more likely to hedge their bets as opposed to going all in on black or red at the Roulette table.

Diligent Research. Women know how to do their homework. They are used to budgeting, comparing prices, finding the right pediatrician, school, camp, mechanic, gardener, insurance, etc. In finance and investing, this means that women know how to investigate and identify investments that will work best for them. Investing involves a LOT of research. 'Due Diligence' is an investment term that refers to the process of verifying data presented, investigating the investment parameters and terms so that the investor can make an educated decision to purchase or decline. As a real estate investor, I screen and analyse literally hundreds of properties before finally deciding to offer in on one or two. Diligently investigating the investment and the people involved is a crucial step in protecting your investment funds up front and finding a good fit for your specific purposes. 

Value Shopping. Warren Buffet once said, "Price is what you pay; value is what you get." Women seem to intrinsically know how to stretch a budget and shop for bargains. They are aware of what's available, what the going rates are and will go clear across town to get something at a discount. Women know that it makes sense to get a designer gown at half price if they are willing to find and sew on a couple of missing buttons. Investing for value or value-add opportunity follows the same principles as shopping for any kind of bargain. You need to have a good idea of the general market value so that you have a benchmark to evaluate the investment you are looking to purchase and know when it's priced below its true value, or when a few simple steps are all it takes to realise its potential (add value, like sewing on a button). Once you know what to look for, it gets easier to spot the gems. Finance and investing may seem like a spider's web of intricacy and detail but understanding the rules and knowing how to filter out the junk makes it a lot easier. Women have the skills and qualities to excel in the investment arena on their own terms. Women really do make great investors! 

"A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong she is until you put her in hot water." 

~ Eleanor Roosevelt ~ 

Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jacqueline_Ross/778975

Do Women Need a Female Financial Advisor?

Would it surprise you if I told you that women are better money managers than men? It starts with a different relationship with money. Women do not view money as the ultimate goal, tend not to flaunt it with objects that are symbolic of success, and don't involve it in their identity to the extent as men. Becoming a millionaire is usually not the final accomplishment and stopping point for women. Instead, money is a tool that enables women to enjoy the benefits and freedoms of life. 

When I commenced my Investing journey and spent time researching on various forums, it became clear to me that women are more careful and thoughtful about risking their money. We are not trying to score a goal during extra time in the market, but look for stability and safety in an investment. "How safe is this," was the most common question and should be asked at every turn. So, women tend to have a similar relationship with money. That is, for us women, money is not a game to see who has more, nor is it a status symbol. Since, men just view money differently, their riskier mind-set interferes with the core money relationship women have. 

But, what bothered me the most about being researching the financial industry and meeting Financial Advisors, is that women were treated differently and even inferior by other men. It was not uncommon to see a male financial advisor talk to my husband when we as a couple met for advice. I understand that it is a male dominated field, but there is no excuse for this behavior as I was practically ignored, despite undertaking all the financial aspects (including investing) in our household. Speaking with other women, they have all had similar experiences.

In retirement, low risk investing is not only practical, its essential because you don't have time to start over. A study found that female hedge fund managers out-preformed men by 10% over a nine-year period in 2019. A hedge fund, originally named to hedge against market losses, has evolved. Now it is a managed fund (not indexed) that is less regulated in terms of using leverage. Using leverage dramatically increases investor risk. 

The study points out four primary differences. 

1. Women are less competitive and less preoccupied with beating an index

2. Women take fewer risks in the market as with other areas of life

3. Women do more homework and stay in investments longer

4. Women realise they are not in control

Realising you are not in control of all factors gives women the perspective to not panic. So, women need a female financial advisor because: 

1. Your relationship with money is similar on an emotional level

2. Safety and sustainability of your money is the priority, especially in retirement

 3. Female advisors tend to establish a more personal relationship with clients

4. Women, with the same experience as men, are better investors on average

There is a deeper sense of trust with another woman

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/H_Lee_Johnson/2155805

Women Facing Poverty in Retirement

Women often reach retirement age with fewer pension benefits and retirement assets than men. All workers need to save more for retirement, but women face added challenges because we have lower earnings, experience higher job turnover, and have a longer life expectancy. Women generally begin retirement with smaller pensions than our male counterparts but usually live longer than men. Our retirement pot is intended to be a supplemental source of income in retirement, but too many women are forced to rely on it as our sole source support in retirement. As a result of these issues, elderly women in the many western nations have high poverty rates. 

Women Save Less than Men for Retirement 

Among the reasons that women save less than men is that women earn less than men; lower earnings equal lower retirement savings. The Equal Pay Act was passed between Mid 60's and early 70's in the majority of western nations and yet half a century later, women make only 81 cents for every dollar earned by men. According to the National Women's Law Center, "This persistent pay gap translates to more than $10,000 in lost wages per year for the average female worker."

Equal pay is not just a women's issue; it is a family issue. Women make up half of many countries' workforce and mothers are the primary breadwinners or co-breadwinners in nearly two-thirds of families. Wage discrimination harms many families by limiting their economic security now and their retirement security in the future. 

Women Have Different Work Patterns 

Women generally spend less time in the workforce due to family care-giving responsibilities, from raising children (and grandchildren) to caring for elderly parents. Also, women are more likely to work in part-time jobs that don't qualify for a retirement plan. Such job interruptions mean less opportunity to save for retirement and to contribute to a retirement fund. 

Married Women Often Rely on Spouse's Savings 

It is not unusual for many married women to rely on their spouse's retirement savings. Under traditional pension plans, benefits to married workers were paid as a lifetime annuity with benefits for the spouse. You will need to understand the details within your spouse's retirement plan to find out if you qualify to claim any entitlements on that plan should your spouse pass away and you receive the benefit automatically, 

You will also need to ensure you discuss the retirement fund should divorce proceedings arise, please don't just accept the house as a settlement without discussing all options prior to an agreement being reached.

Women Invest More Conservatively Than Men 

Studies indicate that women invest more conservatively than men. Women tend to emphasise safety over return. They often save less for retirement and then sacrifice long term growth with a low risk investment strategy. The interest rates on a bank account will not suffice given current inflation rates.

Women Need More Money for Retirement 

Women have longer life expectancies than men. Life expectancy for women now is approximately five years more than that for men. Consequently, women spend longer in retirement. For married women, 70% of them will outlive their husbands. Unmarried women (including widows) age 65 and older rely on a retirement fund for 50 percent of their total income. Because women tend to live longer than men, they are in greater danger of outliving their other sources of retirement income. 

Startling Statistics 

The latest Census Bureau data show a significant and alarming increase in poverty and extreme poverty among women, men and children. The shocking statistics is that 1 in 5 working women retire with $0.

Changes Needed to Close the Retirement Savings Gender Gap 

• Continue to work to eradicate the wage disparities between men and women 

• Increase retirement coverage for lower-wage, part-time and temporary workers

• Provide additional retirement support for women whose primary role is care-giving

• Require policy changes for countries which do not support an easy transfer of retirement funds for partners of spouses

• Allow tax-free transfers of retirement assets between spouses

• Provide investment education specific to the overly cautious investment strategy chosen by many women. 

Ultimately, the basic saving strategies are the same for men and women: start saving early, contribute as much as you can to your company retirement plan and don't take money out of your retirement plan to meet short-term needs. 

However, it is especially important for women to stay focused on saving for retirement as pay inequity and the work patterns of many women reduce our future retirement income. 

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Stacey_L_Spencer/784370

Investment Tips for Women

Avoid procrastination and become one of the many Femvestors. 

Yes, ladies we are busy. We're managing our careers, raising a family, furthering our education, running a home or fostering a business. Who has the time to think about investment options? Often these professional women have no workable investment plan. 

Compared to men, women face different obstacles when it comes to planning for our financial future and retirement. We face different life challenges and investment risks. We also live longer, which means we need to consider different investment strategies when planning for retirement. 

Here we've listed a few investment tips for women who want to take the plunge, but don't know where to begin. 

Start now! 

No matter how young you are, it's never too early to start saving. Waiting for something? Well don't. When planning for your financial future, the old adage 'There's no time like the present' holds true. But if you haven't managed to start investing from a young age, then that don't let it stop you from starting now. Late is better than never if you still need to plan your investment strategy. The time is now; avoid procrastination. 

Plan your financial goals 

Think about your future and educate yourself about your investment options. Where do you want to be financially in 5, 10 or 15 years time? What sort of lifestyle do you envisage? How would you like to see your wealth grow? What are your retirement plans?

 Using the SMART system for goal setting can help you realise objectives that are specific, measureable, attainable, relevant and timely. 

Get clued up 

Inform and educate yourself. The internet is loaded with useful resources that will help you plan your investment strategy, including our blogs and daily posts online. All of these cover the investment basics.

Know your options 

Do research into equities, money markets, property and bonds. These words might not mean much now, but if you want to make a smart choice, then knowing your investment options is a good place to start.

Get involved 

Many women consider it traditional that the man should take care of all financial matters, but this is no longer appropriate. Only you can be responsible for your future financial security. By getting involved in the financial decisions of your family, you can learn and educate yourself about your investment options. 

Join an investment club 

Investment clubs offer a community where people can pool their resources and knowledge for the purposes of investing. First-time investors can also learn about their investment options and different markets from more experienced club members. 

Women-only investment clubs are also growing in popularity. Enquire with your friends to see if they can recommend a club for you. Meetup is a good starting point if you are struggling.

Get professional "Fiduciary" advice 

Once you have done your homework and thought about your investment goals, make sure you also get the advice of a trusted advisor. Being prepared before you meet with them will mean you get the most out of the session(s). But while it's good to prepare yourself and to know the basics, there is no replacement for professional advice, especially when it relates to taxes, estate planning and fees.

Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Kathy_E_Roberts/1202759

Women Can Love Investing (Yes Really!)

Ladies- We can learn to love investing. Investing is a passion of mine. I find it empowering, freeing, and confidence building! You can learn to have your money work for you and make you money, so you're not dependent on working the rest of your life. It's awesome to see money being made with your computer and not from your labour! Once you learn to invest, it's like having your own golden goose. The golden goose provides more money for you over the years and works hard, so you don't have to. 

Did you know women are better investors than men? There have been studies of men's and women's investment clubs and women consistently made more money with their investing. The reasoning is that women think through their investment decisions longer before selecting them and hold their investments longer. 

Another reason women make good investors is because investing is like shopping. We're used to comparing prices, knowing brands, and watching for sales! Investing is the same way. You figure out what you want and you wait for a good price to buy it. Heck, you do that every week!

99% of women will have to manage their own money at some point in their lives (the average age of widowhood is 59). Do you want to learn about money when you're grieving and least able to deal with it or when you choose to? 

Making money is simply a function of 3 things: the money you have to start with, the time you have to compound, and the rate you earn. The more of any of those 3 things you have, the easier it is. If you don't have a lot of money to start with, but you have a lot of years before you need the money, or you can compound (earn) a high rate, you can build wealth. 

If you want to learn how to swim, you can't cling to the side of the pool. Eventually you have to let go and try to swim. When you get good at swimming, you can eventually go into the deep end. You don't try that on the first day! It's the same thing with investing. If you want to build wealth, you can't keep your money in a savings account. You must give yourself time to learn to invest and let your money create a golden goose for you! 

The reason it's important to take some measured risk with your money, is because it allows you to get a higher return. For example, if a savings account was paying 1% interest. At 1%, it will take 72 years to double your money. Not a great way to accumulate money to retire! But the stock market has returned 10% on average over the long-term, which will double your money in a little over 7 years! That will build wealth - the savings account won't - and you will be able to have a comfortable retirement. That's why you need to invest in stocks! 

I often hear women say they don't feel "worthy" of having a lot of money. I think a lot of this stems from the fact as women, we don't know our self- worth. Studies have shown that men know what they are worth in their job and women don't. At first, it was surprising for me to hear this, but then it made sense. Women are taught to be of service, to put our needs behind others, to be polite, to defer to others. If we translate that behavior to money, it means we don't feel worthy. We give the power away. We will have fears around it and "trust" others to handle it for us. We don't need to do that. Not anymore. 

I'm here to say women, you can do it! You can overcome your fear of loss or overwhelm. Investments don't require much time to manage once you've got the hang of it. I spend less than an hour a week handling my personal investments. However, most of my time is spent reading about investments and looking for new opportunities than tweaking the investments themselves. 

I started in my late twenties with $0, I read lot of books and attended several training courses about millionaires and investing. I also looked at where Billionaires invested, listened to podcasts and taught myself how to invest in stocks and became a millionaire at age 38. It begins with having a wealthy mindset and ends with creating your legacy. Only one step involves investing! Did you know that you don't even have to have a lot of money to start investing? You can open an investment account online for free. There's no excuse not to learn! 

If you have a mentor, it can help take the fear of overwhelm away. A mentor can show you how to navigate easily, just like a tour guide can in a foreign country. Over time, you will gain confidence and realise it's not as difficult as you first thought. Like anything with practice, it gets easier - and the rewards are much better! You can learn to build serious wealth which will make your life a lot easier, less stressful, and give you a better marriage and family life. 

What is a stock? A "stock" is simply a share of ownership in a company (think of companies like your favorite brands in handbags, shoes, food, etc.). Companies sell shares of stock in their company when they want to raise money. Suppose designer Stella Mcartney wanted to open boutiques around the world? She could sell shares in her company and raise the money to do that. 

The "stock market" is simply where lots of companies are selling shares. Initially they sell shares from their company to raise the money and from there investors buy and sell them to and from each other. It's kind of like eBay, except you're buying and selling shares of companies!

But isn't it risky? Isn't it like gambling? There is risk, but you can mitigate risk several ways - buy spreading it out among multiple companies you own, by buying companies that have a low fluctuation of price, by not owning just stocks and adding in other types of investments. Some people speculate, but most people are not trying to "get rich quick", they are investing for the long-term, which is the safest way to invest. The longer you stay invested, the more likely it is you will make money with your investments. If you stayed invested during the crash of 2008, the stock market is up 80% from the low point. 

The Dalai Lama has said, "The Western woman will save the world." I believe that's true. Women are cooperative, intuitive, and we like to share with others. I see a lot of women giving to the less fortunate, like helping women start businesses with "micro" loans. The average loan someone in a foreign country needs to start a life-changing business to feed their family is only $27! The women in villages teach others in the village how to run a business, so the effects are far reaching and magnified. 

Isn't it time you empowered yourself to learn about money and investing? Isn't it time you felt your own worth and independence? Learning to create wealth yourself will do that for you and investing is a way you can build a lot of wealth. You just have to decide to do it and find a mentor to reduce the learning time and improve your success rate. Soon you will have your own golden goose and love investing too! 

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Linda_P._Jones/303130 

Strategies For Women To Secure Your Financial Future

Regardless of marital status and current financial situation, even if you are well off right now things can change fast- redundancy, divorce, separation, business foreclosure, medical conditions, high household debt or even debts incurred by your partner that you are liable for (such as gambling or personal loans). 

Nevertheless, here are some techniques to secure your financial future. Noting that the below will go along way towards protecting you, no matter what life has in store: 

If you're married, open your own savings account, in addition to the accounts you have with your husband or partner - which should include a joint emergency fund worth about 10% of your combined income - put aside 10% of your personal annual income in your own name, Why? Because either one of you can clean out a joint account at any time furthermore, having a savings account in your own name - without your husband or boyfriend - ensures that you have funds available in case of disaster, illness, or disability. 

Get your own credit card. Having at least one card in your own name that you use regularly establishes your credit history; if you're married, it will give you some protection if anything goes wrong with your husband's credit. Good credit is crucial for everything from getting a low mortgage rate to opening a mobile phone account. Open a retirement account if you do not have one. 

Here is a scary statistical study: 2.5 million US women age 65 and over live in poverty - more than twice the number of men in poverty in that age bracket. So, whether you're single or married, you need your own retirement account. Not only does your own retirement account protect you in case of divorce, its fun to control the investment options. Join your plan at work if your company offers one. Although many experts recommend saving 10% of your income for retirement, even if you're saving only the minimum, a little bit will make a big difference over time. 

Plan for the worst, if anyone depends on your income or your husband's income - like your kids, an aging parent, or even yourself - you both need enough life insurance to support those dependents in case one of you dies unexpectedly. Most single people without kids don't need insurance, unless they support another family member. 

A rough rule of thumb: Insure your husband/partner for 7 to 10 times his salary, if the family depends on your income; use the same rule for your own life insurance. And if either you or your partner is not working, consider a minimum of $250,000. Most people won't necessarily need life insurance forever - usually just until your kids can earn their own income. That's why it's a smart move to buy "term insurance," which covers you for a set period of time - say, 20 years. 

If you support a family member who will never be able to live independently - like a disabled child or parent - or if you'd like your spouse to be protected through your old age, you should consider "permanent insurance," such as whole-life policies. These cost more but cover you for your entire life as long as you pay the premiums.

Get organised. In an emergency, you don't want to waste time rummaging for important papers or passwords. Once a year, list all your bank accounts, credit cards, loans, investments, insurance policies, and other financial data in one place - keep it all on paper with any PIN numbers or access codes in a safe-deposit box or other safe location, or in a secure computer file. You also need to list the name of your lawyer, where your will is, and details about any other assets you have. 

Build your own relationships. Develop your own relationship with any financial professionals that you use in your family, The worst time to try to make that happen is after an emotional situation, like a death or divorce. Attend all appointments and sit in on all phone calls with financial planners - and ask as many questions as it takes for you to truly understand your financial picture. Above all, don't sign any financial documents without knowing what they mean. If you take steps now to build relationships and understand your finances as a whole, you - and your money - will be better off. 

Lastly, invest your money to the wisely. Here are the things to be considered in choosing your investment options: Security, Legality, check for hidden charges and Low transaction fees, offers premier services, Convenience and Stability

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Christopher_Panlaqui/148070

Ladies- Top 7 Things to Consider Before You Start Investing

There is a lot of due diligence and groundwork that goes into understanding the financial markets before you start investing.  There are a few things you as an investor must consider before approaching any "Fiduciary" Asset Management Company or getting started on your own investment journey. 

Here are the top 7 things you should consider before you start investing to make more money: 

1. Pay Off Prior Debts

No investment can start without you actually paying off your debts and clearing your credit. A clean slate for all your debts is very essential to begin investing stress free, with a clear mindset and focusing on returns.

2. Create your Cash Emergency Fund Before you start investing 

It is very important for you to have a separate account prepared just in case of emergencies. There is no questioning the volatility of the market and you can't really depend on exiting from the market in profit when in dire need. Having an emergency fund lets you start your investment journey with a bit more ease. 

3. Create Financial Goals 

One of the most important questions often asked is how to invest money and earn quick profits! However, there is much more to investing than just expecting big returns. It is equally important to have your financial goals set it place and invest accordingly. Be it buying your home, education fund for your children or saving for retirement

4. Understand Financial Tools

There are so many options in the market which offer numerous benefits. The bigger question often is what you as an investor wish to achieve, quick profit, long term stability, lesser risk or just saving for the future? It's not tough to make more money with your investments as long as your priorities are already quite clear. 

5. Due Diligence on Investment Options 

Asset Management Companies have a variety of financial products that an investor can pick from and ensure that they make more money. If you want to know how to invest money wisely on the other hand then it is best if you do your due diligence on all the financial products in the market and then make an informed decision to earn profits. 

6. Research on market trends 

How to invest money wisely is indeed a question every investor should be asking themselves or the investment making company who is helping them build a portfolio. Keeping updated about the market, staying on top of news in the world markets and knowing the current business trends makes it easier for investors to pick their most optimal investment. 

7. Evaluate your risk tolerance

Every woman has their own risk bearing capacities. An investment making company will often ask you the risk level your profile fits in as an investor as it helps them decide where and how to invest money and earn quick profits. How to invest money is often a question answered at the expense of how much risk are you willing to take for the same, 

As simple and lucrative investing and making profit sounds, the truth is that unless you have a foundation in place and thorough research to build up, your investment portfolio won't be solid. Asset Management Companies are there to help investors with their portfolio, right from researching and investing to managing and reinvesting investors' wealth.

If you are new to the world of investing then these pointers will make sure that it doesn't seem intimidating anymore! 

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Linda_Terrill/2561984

Ladies- How to Start Investing Today With the Money You Spend Right Now

Many women enter a job market right after school and jump right into life feet first. Money comes in from a job, then goes right out to liabilities, food, entertainment... all necessities and pleasures in life. This is often called being stuck in a "rat race". Every month is the same thing... money comes in, money goes out. Once you're stuck in it, it's very difficult to get out. But not impossible. 

Now, money you make in your job is dependent on your ability to perform a task or function and amount of time put into that task or function. Essentially, it is trading time for money utilising a learned skill. But this can't possibly go on forever, can it? 

In addition not only are we paid less for the work performed, we generally take time out to raise children and/or look after our parents. And when we don't invest in things that will bring in income whether we work, not work or can't work any more, we don't have anything to help us live as comfortably as we are today.

Until most women get into a career role that offers good benefits (including a work related retirement fund), money is rarely put towards investments. Money is made and spent as fast as it's made, giving a women necessities and comforts of life at the time - and then some, but not allowing much for a prosperous future once our income stops. 

Every women at some point in their life must face the reality that a job or even a partner is not going to give us everything we want or need in life - especially a life after retirement age. Investing is something best figured out early in life. 

To understand how important investing is, you must first understand what investing is. An investment is a method of making money from a one-time effort. Sometimes this effort can be intense and take some time, but it can provide income for many years to come without having to put forth that same effort or time. 

If you research to buy a house to use as an investment, you only have to do that research one time. Once you buy an investment, it will make money for you with very little effort. If you write a book and sell it online, you only had to write a book one time-it will make money for as long as it is active on a website or in a bricks and mortar book store. If you research a company stock and find the right one, you invest some money in it, money then starts doing work and then making money without you having to do anything. 

These are just simple investment examples that do take some effort. The point is that making money from investments is a lot easier than making money at a job if you know what you're doing. A huge difference between an investment and a job is how much time and effort someone has to put into making money. The cool thing about investing in the stock market (whether it be traditional buy/hold/sell trading, retirement fund investing such as ISA's or 401K, or options trading) is that you only have to learn how to do it once, keep repeating what you learned, and let each dollar you invest do all of the rest of the work for you so you can enjoy life as it was intended.

Of course there is one HUGE problem that every women faces before she can invest. Where do you get money to use to make money? When living life in a "rat race", you eventually get caught up in an impossible circle that is very hard to get out of.

Don't worry! 

You have money... you just don't know it yet! 

There are ways to make a few changes in your life to start building up "capital" for investing - no matter what type of investing you are looking to start. It will be slow at first, but it will definitely morph into something you won't believe possible.

One way to build up investment capital fairly quickly is opening a "Round Up" Savings Account. This type of capital growing account actually helps you save and build money based on your every day purchases. You attach your bank accounts or credit cards that you spend money on to your Round Up account and for each purchase you make, this account rounds up to the nearest dollar and deposits that rounded up cash into an investment platform that helps your savings grow faster. Not much work, is it? This special investment account does the rest. 

For example, if you spent $20.57 on something, it rounds that up to $21.00. The round up, or $0.43, is placed in your account which is divided among several stocks based on account settings. 

If you make 50 purchases from your checking account in a month averaging $0.35 a round up, you will save $17.50 in that month. That's $210.00 in a year saved just by rounding up these purchases. 

Money invested in this round up account goes up and down with stock market movement. At 5% gain in a year, it will go up by $10.50 more. And some stocks that your money is invested in earn dividends that are automatically reinvested into your account. 

This doesn't sound like much, but over time, it will continue to grow. This is an investment in itself and can grow pretty fast if you are consistently adding to it. If you have extra money you'd like to save during a month, you can also make deposits to apply them to your account to grow your account even faster. 

A Round Up Savings Account is simply a stepping stone to get you to a higher level of investing, which can be a stock trading, option trading, a retirement investment account, real estate, or anything else you can invest that money in to make more money. 

Once you build up some good investment capital in your Round Up account, you can withdraw it whenever you want and use it to purchase assets (things that earn you money - unlike liabilities where you lose money) or to invest in stocks to make even more money over time.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jason_Moser/18449

Ladies - Are You in Debt and Don't Even Know It?

Many women think that because they are managing to pay their bills and nobody is knocking on the door to take their stuff away that they are not in debt. Think again! 

To find out if you are in debt, you must calculate your net worth. Simply subtract the total liabilities from the total assets. For this exercise, it doesn't matter how big or how small the number. It doesn't necessarily matter if the number is negative. Your net worth is just a starting point to have something to compare against in the future. Repeat this process at least once a year and compare it with the previous year's number. By comparing the two, you can then determine if you are making progress

To Calculate Your Assets

• Start by listing your largest assets. For most people, they could include the value of their home, any real estate properties, or vehicles like personal cars or boats. In the case of a business owner, this list would also include the value of their business, which has its own more complicated calculation. Make sure you use accurate estimates of market values in current dollars.
• Next, you'll want to gather your latest statements for your more liquid assets. These assets include savings accounts, cash, CDs, or other investments such as brokerage accounts or retirement accounts
• Finally, consider listing other personal items that may be of value. These could include valuable jewellery, coin collections, musical instruments, heirlooms, or a rare wine collection. You don't need to itemise everything, but you can try to list items that are worth $500 or more
• Now, take all of the assets you have listed in the first three steps and add them together. This number represents your total assets

To Calculate Your Liabilities

• Again, start with the major outstanding liabilities such as the balance on your mortgage or car loans. List these loans and their most current balances.
• Next, list all of your personal liabilities such as any balance on your credit cards, student loans, or any other debt you may owe.
• Now, add up the balances on all of the liabilities you listed above. This number represents your total liabilities.

So What is Debt? 

As per Merriam-Webster, debt is an amount of money that you owe to a person, bank company etc. It can include the amount borrowed and interest accumulated. Debt can include credit card debt, mortgage debt, car debt, student loans etc. 

You can get out of debt if you are committed and diligent. It may take a while and if you stay focused on your goals, the rewards will be worth it. 

Here are a few tips that can help. Pick one, two, three or all four. The faster you work at this, the faster you will succeed. 

1. Control your expenses 

Since you have little control over the amount of money that comes in, you have to control the money that goes out. 

• List all your current income streams
• Make a list of all of your monthly expenses 
• Compare your income to your expenses 
• Stay on track and avoid any new debt 

2. Reduce spending on Credit Cards 

One way to get out of debt is to stop using your credit cards. The easiest way to do this is to keep them in the freezer and only defrost them for emergency situations

3. Lower Your Interest Rates

Credit cards have unbelievably high interest rates and you end up paying more in interest than the original amount you borrowed. You can get credit card companies to lower their interest rate. You just have to call and ask. 

For example: 

• On a $5,000 balance and you paid $150.00 per month at 20% interest, it will take you 50 months to get rid of your debt · You will pay $2,359.09 in interest. 
• On a $5,000 balance, if you paid $150.00 per month · 16% interest, it will take you 45 months to get rid of your debt · You will pay $1,656.82 in interest. That's $702.27 less! 
• And talk to your bank manager about the interest rate on loans and mortgages. If you don't ask, you will never get, as they will surely not offer. 
• Check out the different kinds of mortgages to see which one is better suited to your current situation. Ask about Variable Rate vs Fixed Rate Mortgages. 

4. Double Up On The Minimum Payments

It is amazing how much you can save by this one tip alone. For example: 

• If you pay the minimum on a $5,000 debt, it will take you over 300 months to get rid of your debt. You will pay over $9,194.47 interest
• If you pay double the minimum on a $5,000 debt. It will take you 120 months to get rid of your debt and you will pay $2,445.32in interest. 
• That's 180 months (15 YEARS) and $6749.15 less! 

I know you will tell me that you continue to have balances on your credit card because you usually don't have any free cash left after you pay all your bills and the minimum credit card payments. You must review your income and expenditure every month and find expenses that you can cut out. 

Every time you can do this, use the extra money to double up the minimum payment of the credit card with the most debt. Once that card is done, then do the same for the next card etc. 

For mortgages, consider making bi-weekly payments instead of monthly payments. Take a look at this example: 

•  You have a $200,000 mortgage with a Fixed rate at 7% on a 30 year term
•  If you have a bi-weekly mortgage payment, you will save a total of $68,925 in interest as opposed to making one payment a month.

 5. Debt Counseling 

If you are really overwhelmed with the very idea of getting out of debt, there are many government agencies and organisations that offer debt consolidation, debt relief plans and counseling to help you. They can help you avert bankruptcy and be free of collection agencies. They can get you down to one monthly payment for all your debts (make sure they are legitimate and operating in your best interests)

Because we all deserve to be financially free

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Carol_Ferguson/323793  

Women and Money - The Girls Want to Get a Grip While Men Want to Get Ahead

There's nothing like a pandemic for highlighting where we've been going wrong with our money management. But do recent events mean that both men and women will become more financially prudent? 

I am fascinated by the subtle, yet important, differences in men's and women's financial views. Women are very keen to get a better a grip on their finances, while men are set on making as much money as they can, focusing on maximising income.

Here are the top financial views: Women's top 5 money outcomes: 

1. Take charge of my finances more (66%) 

2. Get better value for money (63%) 

3. Plan my financial future (62%) 

4. Be more responsible with money (59%) 

5. Plan how to make more money (56%) 

Men's top 5 money outcomes:

1. Plan how to make more money (73%) 

2. Plan my financial future (70%)

 3. Get better value for money (70%) 

4. Take charge of my finances more (56%) 

5. Cut back on my personal spending (52%) 

When we think about how good we are with money, it's often our past money blunders that spring to mind. The time we blew a windfall on a fancy car, instead of paying off some debt. The money we left for too long in a poor investment fund. The years we delayed starting a retirement fund. 

When the economic climate is reasonably healthy, our finances can withstand those kinds of knocks a little better. It's when times gets tough that we are hit with the folly of our past behaviour. And of course, money we waste without thinking during prosperous times becomes a drain during leaner periods. 

Not switching a mortgage to a lower interest rate, for example, could cost thousands of $$$$ over the mortgage term. Even that daily cappuccino and magazine adds up to hundreds a year. I have also found many people will have a direct debit going out of their bank account that they should cancel, an online subscription they'd forgotten about or a charity donation they thought was a one-off that's been taken every year.

When discussing past money mistakes, its clear that a women's big mistake was not being as upfront as men about asking for money. Whether it was pushing the boss for a pay rise or negotiating better self-employed rates, many women had less because of a fear of asking for money or undervaluing what they had to offer. 

In looking at the differences between men and women's spending behaviour, Women tend to engage in more emotional spending. For many women that usually means they hit the shops/spend online when feeling depressed, unhappy or stressed. Women are also more likely to name kids' treats as one of their money weaknesses. This is another example of how, when it comes to money, women aren't so good at putting themselves first. After all, women are socialised to take care of others and pushiness is not a quality that's encouraged in girls, but it's clear that later on in life this can leave us poorer. 

Women (and men's) most common past money mistakes: 

1. Emotional spending 70% (men 61%) 

2. Reckless spending 64% (men 39%) 

3. Reluctance to ask for money 62% (men 47%) 

4. Spending on kids/dependents 46% (men 30%)

 5. Fear of money 44% (men 48%) 

 Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Karen_Pine/520953