Just because you don’t know how term insurance works doesn’t mean you can’t ask

Mrs. Mommy, CFO

Sara Glaz

You may be your family's President of Spending — making sure the kids have clothes, the pantry is well-stocked, and the list goes on, but have you thought about giving yourself a promotion to CFO (Chief Financial Officer)?  Even if your husband is finance-savvy, studies show that women are better investors, more financially responsible, and take fewer financial risks than men. Three steps to help you add "CFO" to your job title:

Create a spreadsheet that lists all your family’s bank accounts, brokerage accounts, retirement accounts (IRA, 401k, pensions, etc.), insurance policies (life, health, disability, homeowners, flood, etc.), and loans (mortgage, home equity, student, etc.).  Since everything is online nowadays, make sure you have the login information written down as well.

Now that you have a snapshot of your family’s finances, dig deeper and make sure everything makes sense.  Just because you don’t know how term insurance works doesn’t mean you can’t ask. There are many insurance brokers, financial planners, bankers, accountants, attorneys, and financial advisors in your city.  If your current professional isn’t the right one for you, find one who is.  Which one is right for you?  The one you feel comfortable asking your questions to and who gives you answers that are simple to understand.

Just because you’re getting more involved in the CFO duties doesn’t mean your husband is fired.  Structure your relationship so there’s regular communication about the finances. Make a monthly financial date night to discuss the budget or review the bank and investment statements together. This has the potential to be a stressful date night, so turn on some fun music or grab dessert beforehand to reduce the potential anxiety.

True Strength

Sarah Rivkah Kohn

Being strong can be one of the weakest acts. It can mean showing up everywhere, all the time, and in every way, with the pseudo strength society has come to expect. It can look like smiling and saying, “Thank you for asking — I’m fine,” when you’re far from it. It can sound like speaking words you know others want to hear.

This kind of strength has little to do with real strength. It can create a lonely existence where you are the only one who knows what you’re really feeling. It can get lonelier and lonelier when the offers don’t come because “she’s strong,” when support slithers away because “she doesn’t need it.”

Strength has a lot more to do with knowing what we can do and what we can’t. Strength shows up in words like “Thank you for asking — I don’t need that this week but if I can trouble you, there’s something else you can do for me.” Strength is taking responsibility for our emotions and dealing with them. It’s there in the silence as we learn that it’s ok to feel and to be. Strength shows up in sadness and in genuine smiles.

Strength is all around us — it just may not have a podium or the look we have come to expect.

Take a Stand

Mrs. Dina Schoonmaker

In today’s world, we should aim to live by the slogan: “Decide — Don’t Slide.” If you don’t take a stance when exposed to a new trend, you may find yourself sliding, and adapting to prevalent aspects of culture that you don’t agree with. Actively choose so you don’t passively slip.

(Originally featured in Family First, Issue 771)