What You’ll Get Here…

You may hear about my huge antique French farm table find from a newspaper ad, flying my family free to Italy, or my used luxury car finds. But what you’ll get here that’s way bigger is my realization that, while a nice portfolio of stocks and bonds is bliss, being financial independence is way bigger than picking the right stock, fund or financial advisor. It’s about living in a way that supports your financial goals, having the confidence and knowledge to grow your money (whether alone or with a well chosen financial advisor), and also creating income streams using either your highest skills, your money, or both to fund the lifestyle you desire.

Financial independence simply cannot happen if you don’t have positive cash flow, spend your days doing work that is unfulfilling or you’re worried about depleting your investment accounts after retirement. In summary, extra income + smart investing = financial independence.

As a woman, I first began knowing nothing about investing, but I knew it was super important for me and my family, probably much like you if you’re here. You’ll get what I’ve learned from investing my own money for well almost 4 decades! It’s not a holy grail for investing; there isn’t one. There’s only owning your financial journey, choosing what you want, and taking actions to make it happen.

My humble goal and mission is that my work will move you a little closer toward financial independence.

You’ll also get ideas and solutions to increase your income because, like me, you’ve probably noticed that earning 6% in an investment account won’t get you rich unless you already are or you have decades to save, especially during insanely low interest rates.

So, I also write about how I created both investment income and tax friendly small business income from multiple “mini” businesses.

Most of all, let’s drop the saboteurs of wealth creation such as limited thinking, shame and guilt, after centuries of subtle destructive messages around money and women. Let’s make conscious choices that fund wealth accumulation, and step into our financial power so we can live the way that we want, and encourage future generations of women to do the same.

But Who Am I, Camille Gaines, and Why Would You Listen to Me? 

Short Version

In 2007, I built FinancialWoman.com, researched and wrote about women and money for over a decade based on a deep passion to share what I had learned while personally investing, a desire to create income streams while creating positive change, and destroy the financial education gap between men and women that I had seen my whole life. This adventure led to eventually launching two more online “mini” businesses, and then learning how to do and run all of this with the help of a great team, because I saw that extra income + smart investing = financial independence. 

I have personally invested in just about everything (stocks, bonds, real estate, small business, oil) for well almost 4  decades after being mentored by my father, the most successful investor I have ever seen. It is my humble goal to invest as well as Dad one day, teach women how to invest with confidence and help others create income streams before and during retirement so they can live the way they want.

You Might Be Wondering…

But wait! Is your website about investing or income? It’s about both, because financial freedom is about both… Extra income + smart investing = financial independence.

Am I a Financial Advisor, like most financial education websites? No. I did not choose to be a financial advisor, meaning I don’t manage wealth for others for a small percent of their net worth each year. I have, however, been fortunate to hire and work with numerous financial advisors over the years so I am able to share what I learned from this experience. I have also led workshops for financial professionals that promote financial education for women. I teach what I have learned from my own financial journey, including personally investing my own money, so you get completely unbiased information.

Do I work with private clients as a financial coach? Yes, as time permits. I still love working individually with women as we can move quickly based on exactly what she needs in 1 of 2 areas with the goal of wealth accumulation: investing smarter and 2. increasing income. I also work with small groups that you put together which reduces your cost and increases the synergy! Click here to contact me for private or small group coaching. 

Am I in favor of using financial advisors, or investing DIY? I am in favor of doing what works in order to accumulate enough money to live the way you want. Many women don’t have enough money to work with a financial advisor yet, so a low cost index strategy is ideal for them to master. Others want to manage their own money and are completely capable of doing that with less costs. Other women already work with a financial advisor,  but they desperately want to understand their investments better so they can feel more confident and stop living in fear and uncertainty because what we don’t understand feels scary.

For many, a male in the home manages wealth. Often men (confident men!) encourage their spouses to learn from me so a spouse can manage her own finances with confidence if the time comes, and the odds are overwhelming that it will.

And many women are too busy making money to manage their investments, but they want to understand investing so they can hire the right financial advisor or work better with their current financial advisor.

My Own Investing, Life and Money Related Education and Experiences (a.k.a. painful but powerful learning experiences)

Always ask why you should listen to anyone before actually listening to them and acting on their advice. Ask what has prepared them to help you. Officially, I’m an Accredited Financial Counselor®, which requires experience, testing, code of ethics, and continuing education. But here’s some of what I’ve actually done that I believe has prepared me to teach about investing and create income streams, from the 1980’s through 2019, sort of in order, but I’ve done several things, like investing, for decades now…

Employed for 5 years in accounting for commodities trading at a NYSE firm (20’s)

Bought my first home based on a 2 year plan and implementation (mid 20’s)

Invested in my first mutual fund (age 22)

Began investing in the stock market (age 22)

Invested in stock market through retirement plan; made enough to leave corporate accounting job (hooray!) and work for self in commercial real estate (mid 20’s)

Bought, set up and leased my own first residential rental property (20’s)

Late 1980’s – Began avidly reading Forbes®, Barron’s®, Value Line® about a hundred books on investing and became passionate on the topic after discovering the importance of this role while also raising a family and living overseas (Barron’s® and the beach…heavenly!)

Structured, invested and managed multiple diversified portfolios in stocks, bonds and funds (late 1980’s to present)

Invested in small acreage on Lake Austin in Austin, Texas (early 1990’s)

Researched, interviewed, hired, and monitored various money managers and financial advisors (beginning early 1990’s)

Evaluated and invested with hedge funds, partnerships, oil and gas funds

Hired and worked closely with CPA’s and attorneys for estate planning, real estate and taxes

Took the Federal Income Tax college course twice in 1980 and 1996 which provided a great foundation

After my dad’s sudden death, helped my mother navigate through individual stock and bond portfolio management, estate issues, taxes, and grief. (mid 1990’s)

Realized that earning 6% in balanced stock and bond markets alone would not reach my financial goals so became passionate about learning alternative wealth strategies, including oil and gas, real estate, conservative option strategies, and small business ownership – mid 2000’s aha!

Survived the 2000-2002 technology bust AND the 2008 stock market devastation but it sure did hurt, as most powerful lessons do

Began studying securities technical analysis avidly to better understand market cycles to lessen probability of buying near the tops and selling near the lows (mid 2000’s)

Mid 2000’s bought fourplex outside Austin (anticipating growth in that direction) which generated income (and appreciation) during and following recession; currently own and manage

Developed and implemented an index and covered call income strategy that returned 18% for the year while maintaining only a 1% downside risk by capitalizing on high options premiums due to volatility in 2009. (Goal was income with low risk at the time as we came out of the depression.)

Wrote my first book, Earn Grow, Give,  and made Amazon best-seller status (2011)

Spoke at Texas Conference for Women, and emceed for David Bach at conference (2012)

Received a JV Publishing offer from a Venture Capitalist to expand Financial Woman (2012)

Coached women on reaching their financial goals in group and private programs (2007-current)

Co Founded financial education company which grew to multiple 5 figures monthly income within 15 months (2010)

Small business marketing and strategy consulting with a focus on increasing and leveraging income (2011 – now)

Conducted virtual and live workshops motivating and inspiring women to reach their financial and life goals for financial advisors and other groups

Launched a successful private label products company with a charity element for children in the USA based on the Give principle in my book (2015)

Sell covered calls (2006 through current)

Hire and oversee small global, but mostly US based, outsourced team of 6 to 12 people to manage all these endeavors with balance

Invest and manage investment portfolio and diversified multiple income streams

Programs I’ve Completed So Far:

University of Mississippi – BA Business Administration

Accredited Financial Counselor (Current; obtained 2014)

Texas State RampCorp (Small Business Startup Program for Women) 2012 and 2013

Digital Marketer Certified Funnel Consultant 2014

Digital Marketer “War Room” Mastermind Program with Ryan Diess and Perry Belcher 2013 and 2014

Sheri McConnell Certified Membership Business Model Consultant 2012

Loral Langemier’s Round Table – 2007

Texas Real Estate Broker’s License (Current and Inactive)

Over a hundred money management, investing, income generation and small business programs (marketing, branding, expansion)

Many, many mentors, authors and experts…

Every day I learn more…

Biggest Takeaway’s ….

Mindset is everything; this is why almost all lottery winners (and many celebrities) lose their money

Deciding what you want runs a close second to believing you can have it as being a top priority

Taking deliberate actions, often outside of your comfort zone, is essential for both wealth expansion, as well as personal growth

Capitalizing on trends expedites wealth accumulation

Earning 6% a year on an investment account won’t get you wealthy unless you already are. Increasing income, small business and capitalizing on trends boosts wealth

Wealth building merits and demands your time and attention; this takes discipline, but it’s quickly worth the reward as the results multiply

Hindsight is 20/20, but foresight, and taking action on that foresight, is where you can actually get positive results for the rich life that you want

Weird and Fun Things about Me…

Survived 9 months in a body cast following major surgery in the Houston heat (Anyone else have scoliosis?)

Scuba dived in the South China Sea after being dropped off in the middle of a harbor from a tiny (tiny!!!) boat

Went on African photo safari; flew in hot air balloon over lions in the Serengeti Plains

Learned tons about parenting, love, and Asperger’s Syndrome when I birthed and raised 2 sons (or did they raise me?)

Lived an incredible lifestyle abroad on the ocean for 13 years (Huge life experience!!!)

Asked “What is the S&P 500?” at an international cocktail party (1986) and have been learning about it ever since

Served on vestry, finance committee, growth committee and as warden in Episcopal church

Eating Paleo has changed my life & health (and allowed me to drop 12 pounds without trying)

Began greying at age 14; stopped coloring at age 40 (last year – LOL!)

I’m a bit of a nerd; love nature, my labrador, Blanco, and finding opportunities in anything; an estate diamond, a piece of real estate or an undervalued stock!

Click here if you want me to work with me