Women and Money

Do you watch "The View?" I do. Yes it is true, I do. I have watched "The View" on and off since it started--through the trials and tribulations. And I have to admit that it has been pretty flat since Rosie left. But yesterday was a nice surprise. Financial guru, Suze Orman, who is insistent that we should be proud to say how much we make whether it is $5000 or $5 million, was the guest host. As a result the theme was about:

• female entrepreneurs; featuring the inventor of Spanx, Sara Blakely, who started with the $5000 in her savings account!)
  
• women taking control of their finances; featuring the answer to the book club, an investment club called "Chicks Laying Nest Eggs". Women around the country have investing clubs where they invest together,
• women's challenges in the business world; featuring Fortune Magazine's "50 Most Powerful Women in Business" and has been called the "First Lady of American Publishing". Cathleen Black, President of Hearst Magazines, oversees 19 of the country's top magazines.
  
• and "Hot Topics" where Suze Orman explained (much to Elisabeth's chagrin) why every marriage should have three bank accounts: His, Hers, and Ours; after all you have to prepare for a rainy day! (It is worth going to the website to watch. Click here and select "The View" under daytime. Scroll through to the clip entitled "Hot Topics: Separate Accounts."
  

I was riveted from beginning to end, not because there was fighting as we have seen all season long on "The View," but because each guest, each discussion was meaningful and empowering to women from stay-at-home moms, to recent college grads, to CEOs. It turns out the episode was a rerun, but I don't care, it was stellar.

-RXW

What Rox: When seeking a raise, the best time to bargain is before you even set foot in the door. Negotiate before you accept the job. Once you are there your boss is less apt to give you the raise you deserve. Don't be afraid to find out what your co-workers are making. How else will you know if you are getting your fair pay?