OnTrack WNC’s Women’s Financial Empowerment Center (WFEC) will host its first Women and Money Conference titled: “What’s in your Financial Toolbox?” on October 6, 2012 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak St, Asheville, NC 28801.
The Women and Money Conference will provide knowledge, tools and support to women in Western NC empowering them to take control of their financial lives, achieve economic self-sufficiency and take a step towards realizing their short-and long-term financial goals. A variety of workshops and presentations will be offered at the conference on a variety of topics in three focus areas: Build Your Financial Foundation, Nail Down Your Financial Future, and Retool for a New Direction.
Participants will learn from highly trained and experienced female professionals in the field of Financial Management. The conference is designed to provide small group settings that allow for comfortable and interactive classes. Attendees will choose which classes they wish to attend depending on their interests and specific financial situations. The goal of the conference is for each woman to leave with concrete tools to apply to their financial life and the power to take steps toward financial security.
Keynote speaker Jessica Chilton President and Founder of Spark Creative Wellness Studio will empower women in attendance to realize their potential and see that a healthy relationship with money is a crucial part of overall well-being. She will share her message about the connection between money and health, money and claiming self-worth, and money and creativity.
Space is limited. Conference preregistration is required. Registration is only $15 and includes lunch and all workshop materials. Register at http://www.ontrackwnc.org/women or call OnTrack WNC at 828-255-5166 x112.
The Women and Money Conference was generously funded by the Foundation for Financial Planning and Starks Financial Group and supports the work of OnTrack WNC’s Women’s Financial Empowerment Center. WFEC helps low/moderate income women increase long-term savings and create a plan to reach their financial goals appropriately using the skills and expertise of financial professionals.
Celeste Collins, Executive Director of OnTrack WNC states, “The need for women-centered financial education and counseling programs is evidenced time and again through statistical data.”
• The Bureau of Labor Statistic reports that women continue to earn less than men do – based on the median weekly earnings for full-time workers, (which excludes self-employed) in 2010 women earned 81.2% as much as men.
• The National Center for Health Statistics 2008 study showed women’s life expectancy of 80 years continues to surpass men’s 75 years.
• Brookings Institute reports that women have lower retirement assets: the median female worker near retirement held $34,000 in her retirement account compared to her male counterpart at $70,000, and women tend to be more risk averse in their investment decisions.
“In summary: women earn less, live longer, save less, and invest in ways that don’t grow their portfolios.” Collins surmised. But research has shown that it’s important to intervene: a 2008 study cited in Planning and Financial Literacy: How Do Women Fare? found that “women who display higher financial literacy are more likely to plan” and that “lack of planning has important consequences for saving… those who do not plan tend to accumulate far less wealth than those who plan.” Collins concluded, “The Women and Money Conference will give women the necessary tools of financial literacy and readiness to help them beat the statistical odds and create for themselves sustainable and healthy financial lives.”
Click here for more information about OnTrack WNC’s Women’s Empowerment Center
http://www.ontrackwnc.org/Womens_Financial_Empowerment_Center.html
Click here for our full Financial Education class schedule
http://ontrackwnc.org/education_schedule.htm
OnTrack WNC helps people achieve their money and housing goals through financial education, counseling and support so that they can overcome crises, afford their basic needs, improve their money-management skills, and make financial choices rooted in their values.
Rewrite Your Financial Story!
For additional information or to schedule an appointment calls OnTrack WNC at 255-5166 or toll free 1-800-737-5485 or www.ontrackwnc.org.
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