Women are not suitably socialized about money, so say numerous experts and studies concerning women's aversion to investment and retirement planning. In a poll conducted last summer by TD Waterhouse of women aged 45 to 64, 71% said they did not have a financial plan. Many do not concern themselves with financial matters until they are forced, due to unpleasant circumstances like the death of a spouse or divorce.
That may not be the best course of action and a team of six local business women will share their money management tips.
The Real View interactive discussion will be held Monday, Feb. 21 at the Evergreen Cultural Centre.
Featured speakers will include a financial advisor, an attorney, a mortgage broker, a professional organizer, a realtor and a real estate redesign and staging specialist.
All are members of the Tri-City Chapter of the Valley Women's Network, a 30-year old organization whose mission it is to promote the interests of women through networking, education and friendship.
The team's spokesperson, Ann Soucie of Sutton Group West 1st Realty, is quite passionate on the topic, "My first-time women buyers are sometimes a bit gun-shy about making a large investment, in a home, for example. Once in the market, women prove to be very capable investors and money managers. At the Real View event, we are making this fantastic team of professional women accessible to the community. They can provide the tools that can take women on the road to financial independence."
Soucie is joined on the panel by Penny Deming, President of SHE Financial, S Esther Chung, a barrister and solicitor with Chung Law Corporation, Leah Armstrong, real estate stager of House to Home ReDesigns, Heather Knittel, co-founder of Good Riddance Professional Organizing solutions and Kristin Woolard an Accredited Mortgage Professional with Dominion Lending Centres.
"We are so excited about the potential for an evening like this. There is no reason for any woman to wait for crisis to develop these extremely important life skills when so much help is readily available," Soucie added.
Attendees will be encouraged to bring their financial planning and investment challenges and questions for the team of experts.
Doors will open at the Evergreen Cultural Centre at 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam, at 6:45 p.m. with the presentation commencing at 7 p.m. Refreshments will follow.
For more information visit the Evergreen Cultural Centre website at www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 604-927-6555.
