How Women Can Get Ahead Financially: Managing Money for Venus in a Mars World

Women make roughly 80% of what men earn so that means women have to be extra vigilant in saving and spending their hard earned dollars. HOW WOMEN CAN GET AHEAD FINANCIALLY shares tips on borrowing, investing, and saving money. It addresses the common problems women encounter with their finances. The book discusses everything from grocery shopping, renting versus owning a home, buying a new or used car, saving tips on utilities, investment and retirement accounts, and managing one's wardrobe. Budgeting expenses is presented with a practical, easy to use worksheet.
In clear, concise easy to understand language, the author shares ways to trim excess spending and use the money to save for other things--a car, a new home, a vacation, and retirement. Several examples are provided that assist the reader in better understanding the financial concepts that are shared.
The savings portion explains that everyone needs more than one account for savings. Investments in stocks and bonds are a means to save for the long term. Retirement accounts such as 401k or 403b for public employees, IRA's, Roth IRAs, and the new MyIRA are explained in layman's terms. Ways to reduce income taxes by putting money into tax deferred accounts is presented along with how low income earners can get assistance in funding their IRAs when filing their federal tax returns each year.
The section on borrowing, investing, and saving presents avenues to paying for college and technical schools along with how to save money on car loans. In clear, understandable terms, the author shares how to make investment decisions and not overspend for expenses and fees when purchasing stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Saving money includes several suggestions on where to put your money to preserve it.
The last chapter describes how to determine whether to own or rent a home. It thoroughly details the process of finding a real estate agent, locating the perfect house or condo, getting a pre-approved mortgage, improving your FICO score for getting a good mortgage rate, and making an offer. The author shares formulas to determine how much you can afford to pay for a house based on your income.
While this book was targeted at women in a man's world--HOW WOMEN CAN GET AHEAD FINANCIALLY: MANAGING MONEY FOR VENUS IN A MARS WORLD, is perfect for new college graduates as well as middle aged and those soon to be retirees of either sex. Lots of practical tips on stretching your dollar and becoming financially secure in this book.