Life presents smart women with huge decisions. We can react in the moment; reacting is about doing what “feels right”. Reactions are made from the heart, with maybe a bit of cultural training and some PTSD from hard knocks added. The better alternative is to respond to these challenges, as responding is a much higher-quality decision process. It involves sound analysis and alignment of our head and heart.
How do we need to respond to the usual bends in the road of life? These are some typical life-span opportunities where we have choice:
What financial arrangements should we make when we cohabit or marry?
How much is “compatible enough” for love to last?
When do I buy my first house, and how big should it be?
How many children can I afford emotionally and financially?
Should I stay home, or go back to work when I have young children?
When should I make a career move if I think I am in the wrong career or want to move up?
Should I help my children with cars and college, or let them take ownership of money?
At what rate should I be saving for retirement?
Should I let my adult children move home if they are in financial trouble?
How much life insurance do I need?
Should I stay in an unhappy marriage rather than divorce?
What are the financial risks and benefits of remarriage if I divorce or become a widow after 40?
What can I do to reduce my risk of illness and high medical costs?
Should I carry long term care insurance? If so, when should I get it?
How often is it reasonable for me to see my grandchildren and have a good attachment?
If I work part time, what effect will that have on my retirement?
When is the perfect time to retire, and what will I do then?
Should I stay in my home, or sell it and downsize after age 65?
Should I claim social security sooner or later?
I have been in a fascinating conversation with Karen Wedel Fleming, a Certified Financial Planner at AdAstra Financial Group, about how our money is affected by our life choices. Karen and I will collaborate on a project to empower women with information and thoughtful questions; our first workshop called “Life, Love, Growth, and Money” will be on June 10 and 17, 2015. Each evening of the two-part workshop is from 5:15 to 7 p.m., and the fee is $60 for both evenings, the wine, and snacks. Please phone either Karen’s office at 265-8400 or my office at 776-2371 to sign up. Space is limited to 25 women. You can also sign up online at my website and use paypal. This workshop will be repeated in the early Fall of 2015.
Arm yourself with information as you wind your way through life. Be sure you are ready to respond and not react!