Authors of Financial Books for Women
Cynthia G. Yates
Author of Money and Me
- What led you to write this book?
My editor approached me and asked if I felt qualified to write a book about women and finances, what with my first book on frugal living. Even though I’d been out of “business” for many years, I was once licensed with NASD and did teach life insurance for a short stint, plus had been schooled in estate planning, etc., so I felt that those ancient credentials along with my own experience gave me enough permission to tackle the project. Once I began writing the book I recognized that the concept was critically important: culturally, not too many women have considered it their place to develop or learn skills in money management – many women have been thrust into the demanding yaw of survival and have developed skills the hard way, often as they try to claw their way out of the bottomless pit of debt. A book that guided and empowered women and took the mystery out of finance seemed ilke a very good idea.
- What do you feel to be the biggest challenge facing women today when handling their finances?
Today? Scares me to death that everyone is so comfortable these days with disposable income that no one is remotely concerned about tomorrow. And tomorrow always comes: it could bring insurmountable medical bills, responsibility for extended family, unemployment, disability, and economic downsizing. As far as women are concerned, they must face the fact more often than not, they are often left holding the proverbial bag, whether through divorce or becoming widowed, not to mention women who chose to remain single. Women must be alert, aware, and informed. Though it may be cozy to stay in the dark and let hubby tend the checkbooks, women who are married should be co-regents in the home, especially when it comes to money management. Women who are on their own must supervise their finances diligently, and that means plan.
- How has the atmosphere changed for women investors in the last 10 years?
If a woman takes the time (she has the capacity) to learn some investment savvy, she will find a generally agreeable mix of advisers who are capable to inform and guide her and will not presuppose her to be naive or ignorant in such matters. Hard as this is to say, some women perpetuate the Bimbo or the gullible myth by either playing dumb or blindly trusting the first phony smile and guarantee of great riches. Women of all ages must learn that the thing that keeps a roof over their boudoir, Ben & Jerry’s in the freezer, and gas in the mini-van is called money. Their quality of life and their very future depends on how they manage that money.
- How will the atmosphere change for women investors in the next 10 years?
I think there will be investment parity. Women have made great inroads and I don’t see that diminishing. I do see a responsibilities, however, to teach and empower young women, to equip them with skills that bring confidence.
- Where did you start your career and how did it lead you to where you are today?
Oh, brother. This would take an encyclopedia. And since I am more a “pop” level author, let’s just say I’ve had a “been-there-done-that” checkered life, and experience has been the best teacher. Insofar as my frugal ways, I suppose they rubbed off on me from the company of older women I kept when I was young.
- How much money do you need to start investing?
One penny.
- How should a woman get started investing with no investment experience?
Read. Attend conference/seminar. Talk to others. Scout out a trustworthy consultant. Goofy for a woman to think she can invest on her own skills theses days, unless she has a penchant for long columns of numbers, an iron stomach, and nothing but time.
- If a woman has debt, at what point should she become an investor?
Immediately.
- Have you published any other books before this one? If so, what are they?
First two books are out of print: 1001 Bright Ideas To Stretch Your Dollars, The Complete Guide to Creative Gift Giving. Also published a newsletter: Friendly Advice: Frugal Living With Style. Am on radio weekly dispensing frugal tips: this week will be how to beat the lunch box blues. Have been on call-in radio across America several times, but all Christian stations. Award winning humor columnist. Have been on national TV, including an HGTV Christmas special on gift-giving. Do seminars/retreats on frugal living and inspiration, among other topics. Magazines articles, stuff like that.
- What are your future book writing plans?
My first novel will be released 07/00. (That’s weird, putting zeros down like that…) Several proposals of mine are being considered now by different publishing houses, thanks to an astute agent. My writing mix is eclectic, to say the least.