Below are Department of Labor statistics as of 2017 that exemplifies why  is imperative to treat your financial situation as an ever-changing plan that will need to account for all the possibilities and hindrances we may face over our lifetime.

• Women are more likely to work in part-time jobs that don’t qualify for a retirement plan. Moreover, working women are more likely than men to interrupt their careers to take care of family members. Therefore, they work fewer years and contribute less toward their retirement, resulting in lower lifetime savings.
• Only 46 percent of working women participate in a retirement plan.
• On average, a female can expect to live nearly three years longer than a man the same age.
• At 65 or older, 95 percent of men and women have been married at least once; however, at these older ages, three times as many women (41%) as men (13%) are widowed. Women who live alone have the lowest median income of any household.
• Women on average, earn 79% of what men earn, resulting in an average lifetime earnings differential of $250,000. 

These statistics are concerning. The time off women take to care for children, or family members can be problematic because social security is based on earnings made in a lifetime. If on average we are working less, our social security benefits are reduced. Another item to note, if you are the partner that decides to take time off work and care for children and family members, you can claim spousal social security benefits; however, you have to be married for ten years to do so, and most divorces happen within the first seven years.

Also, on average, women live longer than men. We should be concerned about the extended time frame for our retirement funds, yet only 46% of working women participate in a retirement plan when it is available to them.

Another obstacle women face is the gender wage gap. Since we earn on average 79% of what men earn this puts us at a disadvantage in retirement because we will have earned on average $250,000 less over our lifetime. We also tend to invest more conservatively than men. In the long run, that could lead to less growth and savings for our retirement and any other long-term financial goals. 

Even if you have not always been the partner that manages the household finances or is involved in making financial decisions, being informed is the first step to creating and implementing a plan for your future goals.

Here are a few tips that will help you take control of your finances and create a plan to get a precise and clear picture of your current financial situation: 

• Identify and inventory all of your expenses. Evaluate how you are spending your money and come up with a plan to continuously monitor this activity. Then you can use that data to create a benchmark budget that you can adjust when needed. 
• Prioritize your goals. If you have substantial student loans, want to save for your child’s college tuition, buy a house, or any other significant financial purchase, you should have an idea of how important each one is and a time frame for when you want to accomplish it. That will allow you to start creating line items in your budget for those goals. 
• Determine a savings and investment strategy that works for you. Save what you can now and have a time frame for when you think you will be able to contribute even more to your savings and retirement. Hold yourself accountable for the increases you projected.

Taking control of your financial situation can seem overwhelming, but it is essential to keep in mind that every step, big or small, you take towards creating a plan will be beneficial in the long run and help us combat some of the obstacles that women face when it comes to savings and retirement.

Written by:

Victoria LeBlanc

Branch Practice Manager

Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.

Member FINRA/SIPC

Investment Advisory Serves offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc.

2081 SE Ocean Blvd., Ste 1B

Stuart, FL 34996

Office: 772.283.9988 Fax: 855.626.6026

Email: Victoria.LeBlanc@raymondjames.com

*Source: https://www.dol.gov/sites/default/files/ebsa/about-ebsa/our-activities/resource-center/publications/women-and-retirement-savings.pdf Any opinions are those of Victoria LeBlanc and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any information is not a complete summary or statement necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected. Raymond James is not affiliated with nor endorses ThePowHerHub.

We recently shared with you the exciting news that part of our company will be geared to assisting Women who want to run for elected office in getting their message and initiatives out to a broader audience. This is a big step for us and we are ecstatic to be taking the necessary steps  to make the dream a reality.

We recently applied for the “Women on the Run” campaign and political training program from The Women’s Foundation of Florida. A non-partisan training and mentoring program for women interested in running for office or serving in a leadership role of a community organization.

I was honored to be accepted, and attended this weekends first training! WOW is all I can say. It was a surreal moment as I entered a room filled with Women with a sole purpose to make a difference and an impact in the world and local communities. It was humbling, eye-opening and one of the most inspiring events in my life  as I met like-minded women in the community. That we got to share with each other our desire to be apart of change either by running for office or helping other get elected .To be in the room with local and state representatives that had a purpose to share with us to grow, mentor, and that the time is now to get involved.

The current political landscape in this country seems the most vial it has ever been. However, it is not time to retreat or back down; but to keep going, fight fire, with more integrity, grit, compassion and intelligence. I want to share with you our mission in this endeavor is to do just that in our own way. As we dive into this world with an intent to make our mark and make a difference, we ask that you join in and be all hands on deck with us.  Please contact us as we will be looking for people to get involved with us and join our crew! Expect The Hub series soon this summer !!! #summer18 in 3,2,1 !!!

I thank you for being on this journey with us and look forward to bringing you more content you won’t get from anywhere else! I want to hear from you, leave a comment and contact us to send an email so we can keep you in the loop first! Until next time….

We are beaming with joy at The Hub today!!! Tickets are available for our very first event!!!! The Power of Women Owned Businesses!!! Brought to you by SCORE of The Palm Beaches…

The PowHer Hub is one of the amazing strategic partners for this event, so if you are in the Palm Beach/Martin/St. Lucie an Broward county this is a MUST ATTEND!! Special guest speakers and an opportunity to grow personally and professionally!! Check the flyer for just some of the speakers like keynote speaker Kristy Cunningham the Senior VP of Strategy and Alignment with McDonalds USA!! Also friend to The Hub, Kate Volman, remember we were on her Inspired Action FB show!

Click on the link to get your tickets!! Only $25 to be in a room surrounded by not only greatness, but people who can help you succeed.  All happening May 11th 8am-12:30pm at the Evergrene Country club in Palm Beach Gardens!!!

Registration and tickets are limited to only 80 attendees!!! $25 for all of this energy and knowledge!!! You can’t afford to NOT attend!!

http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=ex9aiodab&oeidk=a07ef86pca8e2d45960 

Attend and have a chance to meet our founder, Nicole Rymer as well as her partner on Make Your Life Happen Lifestyle Radio show, Cynthia Heathcoe!!! Many reasons to attend so make it happen!

See you there!!! Click on the link and purchase before tickets sell out!!!

Wonder where we’ve been?!?!? Well you can find us on the air waves every Friday in South Florida with Nicole Rymer on as a co-host of Make Your Life Happen on True Oldies 95.9/106.9 for your OFFICIAL HAPPY HOUR. Not in the area?! Do not fret you can check the ITUNES and SOUNCLOUD pages for all present and previous shows!!! Also we are on ALEXA for GOOGLE as well as I HEART RADIO app!!

Now on to us here at THE HUB! We’ve been cooking up a lot and one of the dishes being served is assisting women getting into public office!  Yes! One individual we have been assisting in their marketing and campaign is Jackie Clarke in Indiantown Florida running for Village Council. Check out the work!

Times are scary, and having the right representation in office is important, but it doesn’t escape the work we can all do individually. We all hold power, and more power than we can even imagine. Here at THE HUB, we are committed in assisting the right women willing to stick up for those without a voice, continue the progress of basic civil and human rights and paving the way for other women in exercise their rights and to further change.

Soon,  we at The PowHer Hub, will be assisting women who want to get into local office with marketing to target the right constituents. If you would like more information please contact us. Let us know your thoughts!!

We are excited at the opportunities that are ahead of us, and the opportunities to help others with a goal and dream! If YOU would like to assist THE HUB then please reach out to us and see if we are a good fit.

THE POWHER HUB

Humans are very complex creatures. What we like and are obsessed with on Monday, we feel is a fad by Friday. It’s human nature, and likewise I cannot fathom how and why we would want to be passionate, curious and involved in one thing, one business or one idea  your entire life without trying something else? It’s not in our nature and we sometimes get forced to live inside a box, to follow and tow the line on how a “good life” is supposed to look like.

Here are my tips to consider BEFORE, you give your job the preverbal middle finger, start fleeing for what you think are greener pastures and head into the blissful unknown.

•      Prep & Plan for a less bumpy landing…

Yes fail to plan means plan to fail here. Before you leave that job or career you think you hate so much, you owe it to yourself to start here first. What does prepping and planning look like? Well it will be different for everyone and dependent on what arena you are looking to get into. We live in what I feel is the best time to consider being an entrepreneur and business owner. Data, analytics, and social media that allows us access to millions of consumers is at our finger tips at a moments notice. You can research and plan so much from the comfort of your own home. This is very important, YOU MUST MAP OUT YOUR FUTURE, literally map it out!!! What does it look like? Research and see if it your idea is viable, if it something you can do while still working, and something you can build upon. Oh, here’s a novel idea, is it something you will want and like to do???? If you’re already unhappy in your current position, don’t look to being an entrepreneur to cure all of your ills. It takes a certain type of person to be an entrepreneur, and make sure building your side hustle is something you see yourself doing and building. Write out all of your ideas, the action of taking what is inside your brain and putting it onto paper is powerful. Until you are brave enough to state what you want, write it down, and make a conscience plan to execute you cannot and should not move forward. Let’s get organized in 3,2,1!

• Find a mentor and someone smarter than you…

If you are the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room. You cannot and will not go anywhere in life if you are not growing and learning and getting better in anything. Especially if you intend on starting and building a business. At THE HUB, we are huge proponents of getting a mentor and someone that can guide you along the way. SCORE is a great option that has been a useful friend and ally in starting the HUB! There are a myriad of  free webinars (or for a minimal cost) you can take at your local SCORE office.  Sign up and have them match you with a mentor for FREE! Attend networking events in the field you want to explore in your area, and start talking to other business owners and ask some questions. Will everyone be helpful? No maybe not everyone you meet is willing to be a source of information, but that also doesn’t mean you stop trying. Listen, absorb and learn from the people around you. Seek the answers and you will find them.

• Use what you got and what you already know…

You are smarter than you may even realize. Use the tools you have already honed and are skilled in to your advantage. Don’t think you have anything of use and value? I beg to differ, take my own career in Real Estate for instance. Oh you think I just show houses? No that is actually the smallest part of my job. At any point in one day I can be a marketing executive, an editor, a social media advisor, an administrator, a therapist or relationship expert, a high-level contract negotiator, a home inspector and manager….just to name  few. Quite honestly I have used everyone of those tools to my advantage in starting a business. It doesn’t matter where you are, start thinking of what you are already good at and use it in your arsenal to get you where you want to go. A stay-at-home Mom of 2? Perfect you are skilled at time-management, organization, multi-tasking and listening just to name a few. Perfect for getting organized and the prepping and planning stage of getting your ideas together. No excuses, you have hidden talents you can use.

• Just F$CKING START ALREADY…

If you are offended by profanity but are not offended by not living the life you were meant to live, then THE HUB IS NOT the place for you. Sorry, but that is the absolute truth. You can read as much as you want, prep and plan all you want, but if you are not willing to at minimum do the above, execute and act, then you are wasting your time. If that burning desire that there is something else out there for you and your passion is what you were meant to do isn’t a constant nagging daily thought, then nothing I or Gary Vee or even Oprah says will ever matter. At the end of the day, it is just a bunch of feel good quotes and words to make you feel motivated for short periods of time to get you through the day or week. Executing when the feeling passes is what KEEPS you successful, not just starts your success. There is a major difference remember that!! Being a business owner in any capacity will take a different part of you so start the process and habits now.

Here is the full video from Kate Volmans Facebook Live Inspired Action on how to get your side hustle on! Stay tuned as Kate Volman will be our guest on Make Your Room Happen on September 14th!!!

Check out our Facebook show page in the MYRH link above….

P.s. New posts coming so stay tuned…..Next up, entrepreneur ranting and No F$cks given!!! Yessss

The PowHer Hub

This is one of the toughest businesses to deal with and thrive in. Not impossible, but let’s just say very different than most professions out there. We deal with numerous people and personalities for ONE deal to exert all of our energy to get it closed. Sometimes we are therapists, friends and sometimes we are like the cleanup batter in baseball coming to clean up everyone’s mess to win the game. We fight to do right by our clients and try to prove value when in actuality the agents who cut corners and are averse to putting in the same level of work that full-time agents do, are the individuals who make the industry harder. The appearance that Realtors have lunch everyday, take a few calls, send a few emails, wait for a closing to happen is a sad and false reality. The work that we put in is not for the faint of heart, and requires a different side of you to make this work.  Nothing, and I mean nothing goes smoothly. Those deals are few an far between and even those deals will most certainly have some hiccups along the way.

Learning and training, just as in life itself is never ending. As a 13 year vet, there are situations that arise that are new and even I  need assistance on. The business itself is evolving just as markets, the economy and the world. Training and a thirst for knowledge can help you have longevity in this business, so utilize that. Find a company that backs you, wants you to succeed and has all the tools you will need readily available at your fingertips. New and know nothing? Make sure you learn all you can from agents and trainers in your office who have been there and done that.  At Keyes  you cannot go “out in the filed” without a trainer next to you for your first few deals. What a valuable resource, and I can tell you the deals you do with agents that are not trained, not knowledgeable are some of the toughest to get through. You are dealing with people in a manner that will test your patience and emotions. Not knowing what you are doing will not only put more strain on your customer, but the other parties involved actually doing their jobs.

I am not trying to scare anyone, just trying to have some real conversations about what to expect …..when expecting. Being a Realtor has opened many doors for me, taught me so much about life and more important about myself. You are a brand ambassador, a top level marketing and AD exec, a supreme negotiator, a juggler of people, personalities and tasks just to name a few on any given day. Your 9:00am will look nothing like your 6:00pm and your hustle will be what sets you apart. Unless you dig deep and dive right in you just  won’t be able understand.

Can you be a part-time Realtor? Depends on your intentions and motivations, sure  if you are willing to be serious, provide service, educate yourself on the evolving business and market we are in then yes you absolutely can!  If you treat it any other way, you do not add value to the industry but  hurt it instead. Remember, Realtors are the REAL OG’S of being entrepreneurs! So get out there and go get em!

The PowHer Hub

Great news!!! Single women are one of the most popular homebuyers out there in the market right now. More than 1 in 5 homebuyers are single women according to Realtor.com. As a Realtor for the past 12+ years in South Florida I can see the typical buyer changing and becoming more diverse. Check out the new sister site for more info www.NicoleRymer.Keyes.com.  It’s such a great sight to see more Women of all ages have the opportunity to become homeowners. Women are adjusting their crowns and entering the marketplace to the delight of many, including us at The Hub. Owning your own home is an awesome accomplishment with an array of benefits. Paying high rent and putting hard earned money in someone else’s pocket can be draining especially to your bank account. Rents have skyrocketed and interest rates remain historically low making this not just a reality, but a smart decision and worthwhile investment. Homeownership is not some unattainable life goal, but something that is completely attainable with the right plan of action and the right professionals around you.

Here are some tips to start your own process to become a HOMEOWNER!!! 

Find a local and reputable licensed Realtor. Ask around and do some research! Does the agent have a website? Does the agent have listings of their own advertised online or sites like Realtor.com? A licensed Realtor with real knowledge of the market, and lending practices that can refer you to the right mortgage broker, that is also tech savvy and a go-getter means you are in the right hands!! Let the trained professionals work for you! Calling a million different Realtors off of for sale signs while you drive around aimlessly is not a good start. Instead take the time to obtain a relationship with an agent that will actually help and work for you in your best interests. A licensed agent knows the market and what you need to not only start the home buying process, but make offers and more importantly get you closed!! Go to a PRO!

GO GET PRE-APPROVED! So many potential buyers miss the importance of this major step. Lending and the mortgage process in general has gotten stricter and knowing where you stand, your credit and what a bank will lend you to purchase is the most important and one of the first steps you absolutely need to address. How can you possibly start looking for a home if you do not know what you are approved for? A good seasoned Realtor will NOT take you out to look at homes unless this step is at least initiated and in process. Pairing you with the right bank is important depending on your situation and the type of loan you need. Getting pre-approved upfront also gives you the best buying power over someone not yet approved. Most sellers will require seeing a pre-approval letter with any submitted offer to make sure they are dealing with someone prepared! You will also know upfront what documentation and requirements the lender will want from you so you can be prepared for the mortgage process itself. Timing is everything during this time period as we only have a certain amount of time to get you closed. Many new lending regulations have been put in place in the last few months by the federal government, and a good mortgage broker will make sure that guidelines are adhered to for a smooth closing.

Next tip, and a step some may not even consider is that depending on what you are approved for, you may or may not be comfortable with that monthly payment and choose to stick to a lower price point. Why does this matter to you? Well, depending on your local market you need to ask your Realtor to show you various homes within different price points of what you are approved for to see what you like and what your money will buy you. You may have to make some decisions on what you want versus what you can get in your market for the price point you prefer to stick to. Are you handy? Can you make some minor improvements yourself to save money? That may be an option to consider. 

Ask questions!!! Unless you are a Real Estate professional doing this day-in and day-out no question is ever too ridiculous to someone who is working in your best interests. Be upfront and honest with your Realtor…….AT ALL TIMES! If we do not have all the information pertaining to your situation we cannot do our jobs to the best of our ability.

Last but not least there is real value in being a homeowner that can give you real  empowerment in your life. Being a homeowner can give you a sense of community, and its your own special piece in this world that is ALL yours. Feel like you are too far away from this dream of homeownership? Take a look back to our blog from earlier this year on financial stability and budgeting called Get Your Money Right in 2016   to at least get you started on the right path. Again, getting pre-approved will allow you to know where you’re at, and if you cannot get approved today a broker will tell you what steps you need to take to eventually be able to purchase a home.

P.s. Found a good Realtor? Treat that person well as a good Realtor takes time and effort and cares!! Take it from me 😉

So my fearless, ambitious femmes are we ready to enter the Real Estate buying world?? To have a place you can call your OWN?!?! The Hub wants to hear your stories and share with other women!! 

Your Licensed South Florida Realtor and PowHer Femme!!

Nicole L. Rymer

www.NicoleRymer.Keyes.com

The PowHer Hub