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Recently I had an “aha” insight about women and investing when I had the oil changed in my car. The only reason I brought myself to finally have it done was because I was driving to Houston the next day with my sons, and I wanted everyone to be safe. While I was at the car service shop, I looked at my tires and noticed that they needed to be immediately replaced, which was a major inconvenience to get done before travel the next day.
Always analyzing my behavior with the hope of improving it, I realized that I don’t take care of my car in a timely and better manner because I never learned to do so as a teen. The fact that the thought “I need my dad here!” popped into my head was my first clue behind this reasoning. My dad loved tinkering with our family cars, and he always took impeccable care of my mother’s, and my car, after I bought my first, an orange VW bug, at age 16. Deep down, I avoid the responsibility, plain and simple. We never run out of toilet paper, or even milk, for that matter. As a girl in the 1970’s, supplying the home with food was clearly the woman’s responsibility, while caring for the car was not.
This led me to wonder if many people, especially women, feel about money the way I feel about my car responsibilities. It also led me to examine ways in which I may not be doing the very best job I can be doing with my money management. As I have written before, organization is a challenge for me, as is getting the financial information to my CPA in plenty of time. I also find that I do best with a structured routine to follow my investments.
What are the areas where you may not be completely embracing responsibility, especially around your money? Take a few minutes to write down the things that most need your attention now. If the phrase “women and investing” was an oxymoron in your childhood home, think about how that can change.
photo credit: zappowbang
Great post Camille!
I know exactly what you mean about tires and car issues… My phrase is “I just press and go!”
When I first started my biz years ago, I was totally unaware of managing my money. Strange since just a few months ago as an employee, I was constantly watching my investments, my money, my CD’s, etc.
I think even as business owners, we need to watch our $$ even more closely and/or get someone to manage the daily issues surrounding this.
@SandraBaptist
Thanks for your comments, Sandra. By having help with the day to day management in your small business, you certainly have more time for the big picture!