Women: Assert Your Financial Independence
March is Women’s History Month and this year’s theme is character, courage, and commitment. Women have come a long way in the last century and some are outpacing men as the breadwinners of the family. According to the Center for Disease Control, women outlive men by an average of six years. Women are also marrying later in life so they can pursue their career. Divorce rates are also higher than they have ever been before. For the reasons mentioned above being financially independent should be a goal for every woman.
How we handle our finances is a testing ground that reveals our true character. If you have good character you will make the right decisions to help you reach your financial goals. A woman of character will focus on how she can help others. Knowing that by helping others reach their goals she will reach hers. When you do the right thing success is sure to follow. Helping others also boosts your confidence and being confident is the first step to becoming financially independent. To become financially independent we must eliminate bad debt such as credit cards. We can do this by not overspending, paying back what we owe, not borrowing anymore and by accumulating some savings. A woman of character does not fall prey to get-rich-quick schemes because she won’t make hasty decisions based on incomplete information.
It takes courage to follow our dreams and stand on our own two feet financially speaking. This is especially true for women entrepreneurs. You must let go of your fear and old thought patterns that are holding you back. If you are constantly thinking I will never have enough money, I’ll always be in debt or my business will never prosper then you are right. A great way to get past these thoughts is to create a vision board. Put a photo of your credit card with a zero balance on it. Take a one-dollar bill and put five zeros next to the one and put that on your board. Also put photos of the life that you want (which you will have) due to your successful business. Another thing to do is before you go to sleep each night say, “I am financially successful in my (whatever type of business you are in).” When you follow your passion, you will be encounter negative people who will tell you it can’t be done. This is where your courage comes in to keep going as you may have to let go of these people who are holding you back. As Don Blanton said, “Success is right around the corner from failure, you just can’t see the corner.” I am speaking from experience so I know this will work for you as well.
Women: Assert your Financial Independence
By Dawn Santoriello, LUTCF