I’m a money lady.
I’m your average late-twenty-something-urban-gal – but I’m doing something that (unfortunately) isn’t so average. I’m determined to take charge of my money and use it to live the life I want. I can’t help it, I do love to spend cash. I balance out my inner consumer for because I’m oddly frugal, I don’t value stuff, and because being smart about money -especially for women- is so important (soap box detailed below). This blog is my story – tips, triumphs and hiccups included.
1) I’m frugal: I cannot spend money unless I’m getting a deal. I will search and search and search until I find the best possible deal. The consumer in me has a rotating, ever-present to buy list and the cheapy in me searches for the big deal. It’s like a riddle that must be solved. I’ve listed my favorite websites under FIND A DEAL to the right.
2) I don’t value stuff. Really, stuff sucks when you think about it. Too many people spend their lives searching for more stuff to fill their growing homes with – and when it comes time to spend money on an experience like a holiday or skiing, they don’t have money. I don’t want to be one of these people. Stuff doesn’t make you happy. Stuff breaks. Stuff gets old. Experiences mold your character and because of that you’ll never lose them. Also, stuff happens to be killing our planet. Even if you score a deal, what is the carbon footprint for that $3 shirt? HUGE. So, if you don’t need it, don’t buy it.
3) Saving -especially for women- is critically important. Society sends women all sorts of dangerous messages – most of all is the assumption that single ladies don’t need to worry about financial security. Deep down too many women think that they don’t need to worry about finances until later (later meaning when they find a mate). Trouble is most men start building financial security right from the get go. This puts women at a huge disadvantage. HUGE. You’ll live 7-10 years longer, most women take on average 10 years off from working to take care of kids/home and these days most marriages end in divorce. A man cannot be your financial plan. True independence starts with smart finances. And don’t tell me that this will scare off a potential partner, because being smart about money will make finding and keeping the right relationship soooo much easier.
