Be an independent woman

WOMAN 2 WOMAN:All the women who are independent…Throw your hands up at meAll the honeys who makin’ money…..Throw your hands up at meAll the mommas who profit dollas……..Throw your hands up at meAll the ladies who truly feel me……..Throw your hands up at me……I guess most of you know this song word by word !! For those who do not know, this is the chorus of Destiny’s Child’s Independent women!!! I am tired of seeing women who want to look like Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, always trying to please men and all they seem to care about are their looks!!!!! Well, at least these two women have successful careers in show-biz …..They have lots of money; I mean one is an heiress of the famous Hilton Empire, a Fashion designer, model, singer, actress, while Britney Spears has made money out of singing, dancing and modeling. Instead, I would rather see more Oprah Winfreys, Hilary Clintons, Margaret Thatchers, independent women who can make a life for themselves. Statistics show that almost 50 percent of women over the age of 50 are single — either through choice, divorce or death of a partner — and so are financially responsible for themselves and possibly a couple of children. Basically, if you are not financially independent then there is a strong chance someone will at least in part be determining what you can and can not do. And as long as somebody is doing this, you are not independent. Kim Kiyosaki — wife of Robert Kiyosaki, author of “Rich Dad Poor Dad” — discovered early that she did not want to be told what she can and cannot do with her money. It might be easy to think that Kiyosaki is in a pretty comfortable position to be telling other women how great it is not to have to rely on your partner or anyone else for the money to do what ever you want in life. But Kiyosaki is quick to point out that in 1989 she (and Robert) were broke when she scraped together a few thousand dollars to invest in her first property. She has since built a multi million real estate empire and has achieved what she thinks all women need to do: generate more cash flow than expenses. Since being rich will mean different things to different people, the cash flow position is a clear goal to aim for.According to Kiyosaki, anyone can “get rich” as long as they are prepared to invest. While it’s okay to work for yourself or someone else and save money, Kiyosaki says the real secret to doing what you want is to have someone or something else generating money for you. Since the whole idea of investing can be overwhelming and intimidating for anyone who has never been done it, Kiyosaki suggests taking some small steps. Getting some financial education is her first tip. Invest some time, then money. Read books and newspapers, attend seminars and get together with other women to learn about investment choices including the stock market, property or a business. Kiyosaki says that as people are going through the learning process they should choose an investment option that suits them. Some people go for stock options and others will seek to start their own small business. “There are different ways you can make it but everybody today has to be an investor,” she says. While Kiyosaki recognizes that not everyone is cut out to be a good investor, she says that women on the whole make “great” investors. Why? Because they are not afraid to say ‘I don’t know’ and are more willing to ask questions. That makes them open to learning and understanding the investment arena. As for the rewards for women who take the time and effort to become successful investors, Kiyosaki lists greater self confidence, better relationships, less stress and more happiness. So if you do not like being told what to do — especially when it comes to your money, it might pay to start learning what to do about it. Now. ubernie@gmail.com