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My favorite episode of Sex and the City is literally a mini-class on women's finance!

Synopsis
"... At the bank, she's told that she's not a "desirable candidate" for a loan...On a shoe-shopping excursion with Miranda, Carrie realizes she's spent $40,000 on shoes..."

Lesson number five: Live Within, or better yet, Live Below Your means.

It amazed me what a simple principle this is, and yet one that seems so difficult for so many of us to do.

I have set up a budget, or plan for myself each month. I should be able to put away a good chunk of change into my emergency and investing funds. How is it that each month, no matter how much I bring in, something always seems to come up, or some new outfit needs to be bought?

If there is no plan, your money will flow into you, and then right out the bottom of your "boat"- you and I have got to plug the holes girls!

Each month, no matter what the current drama is, because drama isn't seasonal, and doesn't take vacations (and I would like to!), I try really hard to keep to my budget. I live below what I make, so I can put the extra aside. I pay myself first. The money I don't spend today on shoes, Starbucks, CDs, pedicures (oh wait, scratch that I need my pedicures!)- what ever I can live without today, without completely depriving myself of all enjoyment, will get me that much closer to my dreams tomorrow.

Start small, put away something! Give up one thing you can live without, knowing that the money you save can be used to invest. If we invest our way to financial freedom- then, ladies, we can have our Manolos and wear them too!

My favorite episode of Sex and the City is literally a mini-class on women's finance. Whats the lesson of the day? Let's see...

Synopsis
"...After another failed relationship, she (Carrie) wonders: What's it all worth? ...On a shoe-shopping excursion with Miranda, Carrie realizes she's spent $40,000 on shoes. In dire straits, she pays Big an official visit and asks for some financial advice. He gives her a check for the down payment. Miranda and Samantha also offer to loan her some money, but Carrie says she can't accept their offer. She rips up the check from Big...

Later, Carrie storms over to Charlotte's apartment and asks her why she didn't offer her the money. Charlotte says it's not her job to fix Carrie's finances. Carrie is outraged at Charlotte's lack of support, especially since Charlotte doesn't even have to work. She also remarks that Charlotte isn't exactly the picture of independence as she's still wearing her engagement ring.

Carrie and Charlotte apologize to each other. Charlotte admits that she is having trouble giving up being "Mrs. Trey McDougal." So, to free herself of her past and give Carrie a future (and home), she offers Carrie her ring as a loan. Carrie accepts."

Lesson number four: Other People's Money (OPM)

While you may not have friends to borrow money from, or may not want to go that route, the idea of OPM is a powerful one.

It takes money to make money...however, that money does not have to belong to you.

Bring something to the table, if not the money, than the deal, the credit, the idea, etc. Be creative! And don't be afraid to ask. You'll never know unless you do. And if you ask enough people, someone is bound to say yes!

My favorite episode of Sex and the City is literally a mini class on women's finance!

Synopsis
"...After another failed relationship, she (Carrie) wonders: What's it all worth? ...On a shoe-shopping excursion with Miranda, Carrie realizes she's spent $40,000 on shoes. In dire straits, she pays Big an official visit and asks for some financial advice. He gives her a check for the down payment. Miranda and Samantha also offer to loan her some money, but Carrie says she can't accept their offer. She rips up the check from Big."

Lesson number three: "When a man gives you money, you give him control." -Miranda
(again...a man is not a plan!)

There is a old adage (proverb) that says "the borrower becomes the lender's slave". This advice is, of course, gender neutral.

However, this is a pitfall that we as women seem prone to, by our very make up (and I'm not talking about mascara here!).

Nothing against men, but as women, we need to always be in control of and aware of our finances. Period.

I was a stay at home mom for five years and fell into the, "Well he makes the money, so he should make the financial decisions" mindset. The man I trusted almost ran our family in the ground, and I shudder to think where I might be if I hadn't stood up for myself and taken control.

Nobody should make your financial decisions for you, not a financial planner, not a father, a husband, brother, boyfriend etc.

Always know the state of your finances, and always ask yourself what financial help from a man will ultimately cost you. It could be more than just interest, it could be your self worth, or even your future at stake.

Always carry your own purse ladies! (Fendi or not! lol)

My favorite episode of Sex and the City is literally a mini-class on women's finance! Here's part two:

Synopsis
"...After another failed relationship, she (Carrie) wonders: What's it all worth? ...On a shoe-shopping excursion with Miranda, Carrie realizes she's spent $40,000 on shoes."

Lesson number two: Find out where all your money goes (you know made some!).

For the longest time, I was not a fan of having a budget. Ick. Just the word sent horrifying images of want and cheapness through my mind. Then one day I was reading The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason, and had an epiphany (doesn't happen often ladies..not the sharpest tool in the shed here! lol).

A budget is simply a plan for your money. That's it. It's knowing how much you have and making sure it gets where it needs to go. Hey- even I can do that! You know what I discovered? I bought enough Starbucks last year to cover a down payment on a house!!!

I signed up to MoneyPants.com, which is a simple and fun way to keep track of things each month. Some girls are completely organized about everything- some us of are not so much! Who you are will determine a lot of how you go about it. If you absolutely cannot keep track yourself, try hiring a bookkeeper to keep you accountable.

However you go about it- know where your money goes each month, and make sure you pay yourself so you have money to invest in your future!

Don't let this be your motto:
"I will literally be the old woman who lived in her shoes." - Carrie

One of my favorite episodes of Sex and the City is actually a mini-class on women's finance! I decided to turn it into a blog series! Why not?!

Synopsis
"Unable to say goodbye, Carrie turns away as Aidan moves out of her apartment and her life. She finds what she assumes is a "goodbye letter"; in fact, it's a legal document giving her 30 days to either buy back her apartment or vacate it. At the bank, she's told that she's not a "desirable candidate" for a loan. After another failed relationship, she wonders: What's it all worth?"

Lesson number one: Buy your own place. (aka: a man should not be your real estate investment plan)

Of the many things a woman should have, her own place is at the top of the list. Not only will you stop throwing money away (as I have had drilled into me by a very financially savvy girlfriend!), but you build equity, networth, and increase your ability to leverage -some things you can measure. In addition, you also gain those things which are more difficult to measure, such as security, self-confidence, and freedom. (Not too mention you can paint the walls any color you darn well please, even if that happens to be an outrageously bright pink, and no "mans" can say anything about it!)

Whether you are currently single, or find yourself with a "mans" (or whoever you find in and around your place) get your finances together, find out your current credit score, get some $ for a down payment, and go shopping for a place you can call your own!