Investing like a girl may sound like a derogatory comment about women. For example, if you throw like a girl, it usually means you can’t throw a ball! But it is different for investing. Studies have shown that women have a better temperament for making investments. Usually when we talk about investing money, we use the terms like “Return on Investment,” “Asset Allocation,” and “Risk Tolerance.” This isn’t that interesting to women because women think of investing more as investing in their lives and relationships, which cannot be measured with numbers and statistics.    

Women value people and relationships. Women have a mothering instinct and are the mothers to the world. They also put a high value on the needs of others. This is a wonderful gift from God, but it can also be a source of stress and financial hardship.

This is exactly where men and women diverge in their view of money. Not that men don’t care deeply about anything, but how they view money is different. Women see money as a tool to impact the people in her life or in her community, not as something to accumulate. Men tend to see money as a way to “make their mark” in the world, which lends itself to different investing and spending behaviors. Men tend to measure themselves by individual tangible accomplishments versus women tend to measure themselves in terms of their relationships.

This women’s view of money brings a valuable perspective that complements men. Women bring a unique viewpoint to the family finances. (When we are called to give an account in front of God at the end of our lives, we don’t get to say “my husband handles all the money so talk to him.”) We each have our own stewardship to account for. By being involved in the family finances, women can bring valuable insight in using the resources God has provided for your household.

It also explains why when microfinance organizations go into poor areas and give money to build up the communities, they give the money to women. Opportunity International, a nonprofit that provides microfinance services to poor countries, lends 93% of their funds to women. Men tend to spend it rather than invest into the community to make it better for the children and the families. 

As I mentioned earlier, women have a temperament that is better aligned for long term investment results. In the book “Warren Buffett Invests Like a Girl and Why you should too,” there is a picture of women investors and what they have in common with Warren Buffett. Warren Buffett is considered to be one of the greatest investors of all time. Here is the profile of a woman investor:

1. Trade less than men do and rarely act on “hot tips.”
2. Exhibit less overconfidence.
3. Have less testosterone than men, making them less willing to take extreme risks.
4. Are less optimistic and more realistic than men.
5. Put in more time and effort researching, considering every angle and detail.
6. Women are more immune to peer pressure.
7. Women learn from their mistakes.
8. Women value people and relationship, which directs the majority of giving for a family.

Some questions to ask yourself: Are you giving your time and money to those organizations and people that you are passionate about, where you want to have an impact, where your values align? Are you saving and investing to achieve your long term goals as well as meeting the current needs of your family?

In summary, women don’t need to know all the technical aspects of investing to contribute to the investment decisions in their own finances, and the family finances. However they do need to be aware the unique gifts they have been given can have a wonderfully positive impact on their future financial freedom or their need to take care of others can jeopardize their future financial situation. It’s your choice!

Registered representative of and securities offered through Financial Network Investment Corporation, member SIPC.  Advisory services offered through Financial Network or AdvisorNet Financial, if applicable.  Financial Network is not affiliated with Kristi L Andersen Financial Partners, LLC or Advisornet Financial.