“Life and business are like the changing seasons. You can’t change the seasons, but you can change yourself.”
- Jim Rohn

As we begin a new year and a new decade of the 21st century, American women can certainly celebrate our progress as financial leaders. Economically we:

o account for 64% of the $18.4 trillion spent annually on consumer goods worldwide
o control half of the wealth in the U.S.
o will be responsible for roughly $5 trillion of additional earned income globally over the next five years.

Yet with all of our progress, we still have a ways to go! Compared to men, women typically:

o earn less
o spend fewer years in the workforce
o live longer
o have other concerns.

What is a woman to do?

As you celebrate the New Year, welcome in a NEW YOU! Ten is a number of completion, so for 2010, set aside some of the habits that might not be serving you well and begin anew. Below are ten simple steps to help you to prepare for your next level of financial success:

1. Think about what is important about money to you and then write it down
2. Know your numbers: exactly what you have now, what you would like to have in the future
3. Begin the year with clearly defined goals; turn your dreams into a vision by writing them down and setting deadlines
4. Turn your vision into a reality by allocating the needed resources and holding yourself accountable
5. Establish financial milestones that you can reach during 2010 and celebrate your accomplishments as you go
6. Set aside adequate cash reserves and pay attention to your guaranteed rates of return
7. Manage and/ or eliminate your debt on a schedule that works for you
8. Keep yourself and your family safe by reviewing every type of insurance that exist and ensuring that you have the right types and the right amounts
9. Save time and money by putting appropriate financial transactions on autopilot so that both bill payment and savings occur automatically
10. Delegate: if you would rather spend your time on your passions, delegate the planning of your financial affairs to a trusted and competent advisor.

While there are so many things that are more important than money, money is often needed to execute on our dreams. Getting your financial house in order and keeping it that way for the rest of your life should be high on your list of priorities for 2010. Women have made great strides in becoming financially independent; but we still have strides to make.

Statistical Source: CNNMoney.com, “The Female Economy: What Women Want.” August 20, 2009

Kim Bourne, CPA, CFP, EA, a lifelong New Yorker, was born and raised in Brooklyn, and graduated from Pace University. She is the owner of Playfair Planning Services where she and her team help successful entrepreneurs and professionals make smart choices about money—choices to enhance the quality of life, choices that help promote family security.