Expert Shares Strategy For Getting Women Financially Fit
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A recent study put out by Fidelity revealed that out of 12 million investors, women are better savers than men. The study also found women get better performance on their stock picks but are hesitant to take control of their financial futures.
Crystal Moradi has developed a career to help women pick up the financial pieces and wisely plan for retirement. Think of her as a personal financial trainer.
"You have to be the CEO of your money," Moradi told CBS2. "Whoever is handling it is the CFO, but you are the one that's in control of your money."
Moradi went on to explain that most of her clients need help when they put their retirement plans in the care of a husband. If divorce occurs, or a husband passes away first, the woman is left clueless when it comes to financial opportunities.
On Wednesday, Moradi worked with Lorrine Schwenky of Cypress to take control of her finances. Schwenky, a mother of five, explained she always put everyone else first.
"In the past, I would get a statement from Social Security and I would think, 'Oh, my goodness, this is not enough for me to live on,' " Schwenky said.
Moradi showed Schwenky a way to invest her 401k strategies that first maxed out her contribution. She then showed her how to understand the risks involved without being fooled by company names.
"Put as much as you can away, not just what your company is matching," Moradi said. "Don't treat it like a magic bean that's going to grow by itself."
Schwenky learned to monitor and adjust her account to meet retirement goals, which are now on track for seven years.
Moradi says monitoring spending habits is essential to keeping on track for retirement.
To do so, a "30-day fast" is used as a training method to see if budgeting is in order.
"Let's say you want that new iPhone or Jimmy Choo's," Moradi said. "Instead of buying it, write it down and put a date next to it. Thirty days later, I want you to visit it."
Moradi fully supports making purchases after this time frame, as long as the item is still desired and is affordable.
In addition to training exercises, Moradi wrote "Get Your Hand Out Of My Purse! I'm Not Giving You My Money."
For more information on her book and the workbook she uses with clients, click here. To contact Moradi, email askcrystal@pljincome.com.
