http://www.care2.com/greenliving/how-in-control-are-you-of-your-finances.html
How in Control Are You of Your Finances?
Cheryl Saban, Ph.D., Intent.com
A discussion about finances in books celebrating a woman’s worth may appear to put so much emphasis on monetary solvency that one could argue in favor of the money-equals-worth equation. But I sincerely hope you don’t reach this conclusion, because that is not the intent. Money doesn’t buy you worth any more than it can buy you love. However, you would be wise to recognize that one’s personal bank account–your money in the bank, gives you options that you don’t have without it–freedom, autonomy, independence and personal power. Please use the following questions to think about where you are in your path to financial independence.
- Am I dependent upon others for my livelihood? What can I do to buck-up my own financial security?
- Am I comfortable with the salary I’m receiving? If not, when will I ask for a raise?
- What can I do to feel more in control of my finances?
- Was your mom a stay-at-home mom, or did she also work outside the home?
- Do you think that men and women should share household duties equally?
- Did your teacher usually ask boys to answer the math questions?
- Were you encouraged to study medicine, science or engineering?
- Did you grow up planning to pursue a career in addition to having a family, or were you raised to think the two were mutually exclusive?
- Were you taught to handle your own finances, or was this always controlled by someone else?
- What compensation do I receive for the work I do at home? Is it equitable? If not, what would I change?
- Do you and your spouse/partner place an appropriate value on your contributions?
Intent.com provides content and community for who you aspire to be–personally, socially and globally.
More from Robyn, selected from Intent (42 articles available)
related stories
-
(1 comment)
-
(3 comments)
-
(11 comments)
Robyn
Melissa
Deepak
Eric
Dave
Dr. Brent
Isha
Susan
Delia
Michelle
Wendy
Megan
Hilary
Ann
Judi
Ronnie
Kelly
Lily
Terri
Betsy
Cait
Andrew
Jana
Annie B.
Veronica
4 comments
add your comment »The Social Security Administration uses the term "non-working spouse". This is a problem with semantics. I would prefer a term which clearly indicates that people who do not contribute to the Social Security Old Age Assistance program for a significant period of time are not eligible to receive these benefits. As it is, some are receiving what is essentially welfare.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Maybe Instead of taking away the benefits for non-employed (far from non-working) spouses the governemnt should keep it's greedy paws off the money being put in. If a company had played with and spent their works retirement benefits like the government does the people doing the playing would have gone to jail. Maybe Congress should spend sometime contemplating jail time for stealing our parents retirement income and forcing us to pay for it.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
The importance of know about finances and having a voice in the running of the family assets is imperitive.
As far as Social Security is concerned...it should never be involved with the stock market. As a former financial planner, even when I was very involved with the market, I would never have recommended that SS be changed in that regard. I could go on and on about finances, our health probs...etc. Suffice it to say, both partnets should be aware and involved in the assets of the family...whatever they are!
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Robyn, this is an appropriate and timely question. Thank you.
No matter what one's age is, it's important to know the provisions of Social Security Old Age Assistance Benefits. (Information about Social Security Disability and benefits for children of deceased workers is also important, but I'm addressing only old age benefits here.)
Once again the media tell us that changes must be made in the Social Security Old Age Assistance program. In the past, such changes have included the need for younger workers to work longer to be eligible to receive full benefits. Now there are whispers about extending this age further, and even having beneficiaries submit to a "means test". This is unfair.
When the Social Security Old Age Assistance benefits program was founded, workers and employers contributed to the program and, upon retirement, workers received benefits. In time "non-working spouses" also began receiving benefits (up to half as much as the retired worker, in addition to the worker's benefits). The first place to save on payouts of these benefits should be to phase out Old Age Assistance benefits for non-working spouses.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Facebook account: