Money Talks: Exploring Women’s Relationship with Money – Featuring: Betty Sharples

At DyMynd we focus on a woman’s relationship with money to break down the barrier for financial empowerment. Money has culturally been a taboo subject and we have found that women are told not to talk about it in public. This leads women to feel uncomfortable about their finances and uneasy to share their stories and experiences.
 
This year it is important that we breakdown these barriers so that we can all rise and stand together. DyMynd wants to bust the myth that “money isn’t for women” and help women forge new relationships with their money messages and experiences. 
 
In honor of Women’s Month, we have asked leading women to answer a few questions about their experiences with money. Today we are featuring Betty Sharples, Senior Sales Manager at Trading Technologies, to share insights into her relationship with money. We invite you to read her responses and hope you get inspired and empowered to strengthen your own financial relationships.

What were your first experiences with money?

I grew up in a middle class family in the Midwest. My allowance started at $.50/week when I was about 3 and increasing to $2.00/week as I got older. This money was not guaranteed. We had to do work around the house – starting with things like picking up our toys, to doing dishes, raking leaves – more adult responsibilities commensurate to our age. If we didn’t do what was on our list, our allowance was deducted accordingly. It was made clear to us that anything beyond what they provided – video games, candy, Guess jeans – would come out of our pocket.  And as $2 doesn’t buy you much, my brother and I got paper routes in order to buy what we wanted (we also stopped receiving an allowance at this point). We got up at 4:30 every morning, and rarely would my dad ever drive us – it literally had to be a blizzard. He held this stance, as it was imperative to him that we understood what it took to earn money. That was my first job, and I have been working ever since.


What were the key messages around money that your family instilled in you?

During the recession of the 80’s my dad was one of many who suddenly found themselves without work. We had just moved into a new house and bought new furniture – under the idea that my parents would remain at least at their current salaries. Now, my mom’s salary – which originally was intended for “extras” – was suddenly supporting a family of four. Money became very tight.  It was my first experience with seeing the stress that comes from not having enough money – the stress of not knowing how bills were going to get paid. It was also then that I learned the importance of swallowing your pride during difficult times and taking a job – any job – that would bring in an income. It also afforded the opportunity to feel the subsequent pride associated with being the kind of person that “did what it took” to get through the tough times.


What is your current relationship with money like?

Currently, my relationship with money is a work in progress. I had the incredible opportunity to successfully trade futures for just over a decade. During this time, money was not a thought. That said, in the years that I spent trying to figure out my next career step, found me in the equal and exact opposite situation. I went from having no credit card debt, to living off credit in order to make ends meet. I thought I had sufficiently scaled back; I realized that I could have done more and should have done more sooner. I still have issues saving money – I’ll be honest, I love to shop. But I participate in all 401K options my company offers, and rarely put things on credit. So, a long way to go, but baby steps!