Your Story, Your Future

We recently attended one of TD Wealth’s new personal finance workshops designed especially for women (they’re free and available at a branch or in the comfort of your own home), and what an enlightening and inspiring experience it was! Here, five surprising statistics we learned throughout the hour-long session at the new seminar space at Vancouver’s downtown TD branch (while sipping white wine and nibbling on appies, of course), plus actions you can do to create a bright financial future, starting today.

9 out of 10 women will have sole responsibility of finances at some point in their lives.
Action: Take control of your future by signing up for a free Your Story, Your Future workshop through your local TD branch. In the interactive session, you’ll complete workbook exercises to help you establish personal finance goals, and share ideas and inspiration with other attendees.

On average, women outlive men by 16 years.
Action: If you depend on your spouse to handle the family finances, now’s the time to get schooled on all things money. From budgeting to learning the pros and cons of contributing to a TFSA, there are myriad tools out there to help you learn. Along with TD’s Your Story Your Future Workshops, you can also check out budgeting and goal-setting apps such as Mint.com and books such as The Wealthy Barber Returns and Gail Vaz Oxlade’s Becoming a Woman of Independent Means.

Today, 4 out of 5 new businesses are established by women.
Action: Have you long dreamed of starting something of your own? Contact your local bank branch and ask to speak with a consultant who can work with you to create a business plan to help you bring your dreams to life.

46 per cent of women have financial advisors versus 60 per cent of men.
Action: You may think that you need to have significant assets to qualify for financial advising services, but the fact is, most banks will offer free services such as budgeting and mapping out a long-term financial plan to patrons of all asset levels. They’ll also guide you to the best type of investment services for your needs, whether it’s full-service wealth management or self-directed investing. Contact your local bank branch to make an appointment today.

Women are 60 per cent less likely to be approached by a financial advisor than men are.
Action: Don’t wait to be approached. Do your research and due diligence when it comes to selecting the best person to work with (it’s a good idea to have a referral from a friend, colleague or family member). Also, be sure to do a short interview, asking these five questions recommended by TD: How will you help me plan? How often will we meet? What’s your philosophy on client service? Do you have clients who would agree to provide references? How do you get paid?

Now that’s what we call girl power! — Vitamin Daily

To schedule a Your Story, Your Future workshop in Vancouver contact Jillian Bryan or Tracey Lundell and learn more at www.tdcanadatrust.com