Authors of Financial Books for Women

Jennifer Basye Sander
Author of The Millionairess Across the Street

1. What led you to write this book?

   I believe that women are strong and capable people, and I was concerned and dismayed that so much of the financial information being targeted to women nowdays was playing up women's fear of ending up poor and alone. Instead of encouraging women to take charge of their financial lives because it was fun and they could do it, financial institutions and some financial writers were scaring women into investing. And starting off as a scared investor does not bode well for one's financial future. So in the books that I write for women and their money, I try to reassure women that they can easily take care of their financial futures, and that they should not doubt their abilities for one minute. Isn't it better to be motivated by confidence than by fear?

2. What do you feel to be the biggest challenge facing women today when handling their finances?

   Deep down all women do believe that someone else will take care of them, no matter how often that proves not to be the case. Returning again to my theme of confidence, I believe that we need to be confident enough to know that we can do it on our own, regardless of whether we are married, divorced, single, or widowed. Women are also held back sometimes by one of our own best traits -- we love to take care of the people in our lives and be genorous towards them. So when we have a financial windfall we are sometimes inclined to run out and buy gifts for loved ones instead of socking the money away in some investment vehicle. I'm not suggesting that we try to eliminate that loving trait entirely, but that we are aware of it and make sure that we don't treat others at the expense of our financial future.

3. How has the atmosphere changed for women investors in the last 10 years?

   Every nook and cranny of the investment world is now well aware of the fact that their longterm health is tied up in their ability to attract women customers. From banks to brokers, insurance companies to bond salespeople, they need women's business. And that was not at all true ten years ago! Women have gotten the cold shoulder from the financial world for centuries, but we have really come into our own! There is no reason to do business with anyone who condescends to you, just walk out the door and find someone else who is panting for your business!

4. How will the atmosphere change for women investors in the next 10 years?

   See the answer for question #3.

5. Where did you start your career and how did it lead you to where you are today?

   The very first book I wrote (and self-published!) was a business directory of woman owned businesses in Sacramento, California. That lead me into the world of publishing, and I worked as an editor there for many years. I always continued to write though, and soon specialized in writing small business books for women. In a way, it was all about encouraging women to develop financial independence -- 101 Best Extra Income Opportunities for Women was all about starting small side businesses. I love talking to folks about business, and writing about the creative and unique ways to make a buck. As my own interest and comfort level in investing rose, so too did my interest in once again encouraging women, but this time to get out there and invest the money they were earning!

6. How much money do you need to start investing?

   "Start where you are" is the famous piece of advice. Don't sweat and fret that you don't have enough... just start with what you have. There are mutual funds that can be purchased for as little as fifty dollars a month, and there are many DRIPs (direct re-investment programs) that can be set up to purchase just one share of stock a month directly from the company. Some of these shares like the Coca-Cola company are in the fifty dollar range. An alternative is to start up a special savings account at the bank and contribute to it every month in order to build up a larger sum of money for a year to take to a broker or set up with one of the on-line brokers. The key is in your commitment to making this a monthly investment plan -- decide now to put aside 75 dollars a month, and you will have almost one thousand dollars to start with in one year. Do this every month, even once you begin to invest, and you will have established a great financial habit. Don't forget to increase the amount you set aside as your income rises!

7. How should a woman get started investing with no investment experience?

   Well, I am the co-author of a pretty basic book that will help any woman gain the basic knowledge she will need -- The Complete Idiot's Guide to Investing for Women. Don't let the rude title hold you back, it isn't condescending and it won't make you feel stupid, it will help you quickly grasp the basics and get started with simple investing. Good luck!

8. If a woman has debt, at what point should she become an investor?

   She should become an investor right away, but she should also begin immediately to pay down her debt and commit to not getting into debt again.

9. Have you published any other books before this one? If so, what are they?

   The Complete Idiot's Guide to Investing for Women

   • The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Living on a Budget
   • The Complete Idiot's Guide to Day Trading Like a Pro
   • The Millionairess Across the Street: 23 Lessons to Change Your Thinking about Achieving Wealth and Success
   
   
   
10. What are your future book writing plans?

    My co-author on the Millionairess book, Bettina Flores, and I are hard at work on Goals and Jewels: Women's Wealth-building Wisdom. Please feel free to visit our website at http://www.goalsandjewels.com to see the direction we are heading!

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