- What led you to write this book?
I wrote the book because women have been asking me the
same questions for the 27 years I've been a stockbroker.
I thought if I used case studies women could identify
themselves at various times of their lives - financial,
personal and professional - and keep coming back to the
book to find the answers to their specific questions at
that time.
- What do you feel to be the biggest challenge facing women today when
handling their finances?
The biggest challenges are inertia and intimidation.
- How has the atmosphere changed for women investors in the last 10
years?
I don't think the atmosphere has changed that much but women are
making
more money these days, many of them will never marry, and they realize
they
MUST make financial decisions for themselves.
- How will the atmosphere change for women investors in the next 10
years?
The atmosphere will only be different in years to come if the
education
needs for new and less sophisticated women investors continue and are
augmented.
- Where did you start your career and how did it lead you to where you
are today?
I didn't study finance or economics in school but I knew about the
stock
market from my father from probably age 8. In fact I was a Biblical
History
major in college and have a totally liberal arts background - which
proves
that one need not be a math major to be a good investor. I became a
stockbroker once my daughter was old enough to be in school part of the
day
and I've never left the field.
- How much money do you need to start investing?
If you don't have an IRA, that should be your first investment and
that
means $4000. I don't like to set minimums otherwise because I don't
like to
turn new investors off. As soon as you can start and maintain a
disciplined
savings plan, you may think about an investment program.
- How should a woman get started investing with no investment
experience?
Attend an adult education course if one is available where you
live. Go
to seminars put on by financial institutions. Perhaps join an
investment
club. Read, read, read - newspapers, magazines, basic investing books.
- If a woman has debt, at what point should she become an investor?
No one who is in debt should be an investor. The only acceptable
kinds of
debt are student loans and house mortgages.
- Have you published any other books before this one? If so, what are
they?
This is my third book. The previous two are no longer in print but
might
be at libraries.
The Woman's Guide To The Stock Market
Take Control of Your Money
- What are your future book writing plans?
I have no book writing plans currently. I am focusing on website
and
radio activities.
