Community Corner

Women & Wealth Symposium Brings Reality to Financial Discussions

Women who attended event at Waukesha County Technical College were challenged to think about their retirement story as they become financially independent.

Imagine losing a parent at a young age, being a mother faced with the death of a beloved husband, being faced with homelessness or being unable to help loved ones facing a financial crisis because you’re living paycheck to paycheck.

For many of the speakers at the Women & Wealth Symposium at the Waukesha County Technical College this week, the tragic situations were a harsh reality that didn’t keep them down. Instead, they each found ways to reach financial independence and wealth despite tough circumstances.

The symposium was designed to teach area women about financial independence, writing their retirement story, leaving a legacy and giving back.

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“Woman are ready,” said Rhonda Noordyk, executive director and women’s division chair at Global View Capital Advisors. “Women are ready to be empowered.”

Sometimes talking finances can be awkward and difficult for women. Rebecca Sheperd, a fashion consultant who lost her husband in 2009, shared how important it is to have those financial conversations with your loved ones. Effective communications involving finances include respect, intellect, acting and being patient, she said. Avoid criticism, condemnation and complaining during the conversations, Sheperd advised.

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In relationships, financial conversations can be the biggest divide.

“It doesn’t have to be that way,” Shepherd said.

Maria Burgos, executive director of L’Bri, was homeless and living in her car, when she was contacted about a job, where she became the top seller in 18 months and was the first person to earn a car. 

Burgos reminded the large group of women to reflect on their dreams, build a dream board, check on their goals and to set deadlines.

“This is where the magic begins,” she said. “Life will just sneak by if you allow it too.”

Money management will affect a person’s future. Women typically earn less than men and live longer, said Noordyk. A scary statistic she shared is that one in every five women will live in poverty during retirement.

“It is not a fun place to be, and we don’t have to go there,” Noordyk said.

Noordyk said she hears from women that they will downsize, won’t travel as much and will decrease their lifestyle when they reach retirement age.

“For some reason, we are willing to accept less in the second half of life,” she said.

While talking money isn’t always easy, grab a girlfriend and ask her if she has written her retirement story, said Jayne Black, Mrs. Wisconsin Galaxy 2012 and professional blogger for Forbes Women.

After watching her mother suffer in retirement at the poverty level despite living as a child in a middle class family, Black learned that she needed to financially educate herself. Black called on the crowd to financially educate their children and their grandchildren about finances.

“We just have to get over it,” Black said about society’s view on financial conversations. “We need each other.”


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