Mystery author Jackie King was supposed to be our guest
today, but her protagonist Grace Cassidy decided she was better suited to blog
on money tips. If you’d like to learn more about Jackie and her books, check
out her website and blog.
Money Tips for
Happily Married Women
(Or Who Think They
Are)
by Grace Cassidy
Every woman should have money saved under her name alone.
Married or not. Happy or not. In today’s world of changing mores and weakening
family structure, a woman must always be able to support herself without help
from anyone. Always have a bank account and a savings account under your own
name and yours alone.
“Sounds selfish,” you say. “My husband loves me, and
promises to always provide for me,” you say. “My husband takes care of all of
our business,” you say.
That’s what I thought, too. Then suddenly the husband who
adored me (or so I thought,) ran off to the Cayman Islands with his secretary
and took all of our resources with him. Most of it my family money. I was left
with only the cash in my designer purse. (That purse, later sold on e-bay, was
worth more than the money it held.)
“I would have credit cards!” you say.
Maybe so, but whatever you charge would have to be repaid.
By you. (This wasn’t a problem for me, since the girlfriend called and reported
each card as stolen.)
Be wise, and be safe. Here is what I suggest:
While still happily married, start a savings account with some
of your monthly household allowance. Be wise with the money under your control.
Do you really need that $200 jar of night cream. After I was left penniless, I
began using pig’s lard for night cream, and found that it worked as well as the
fancy department store brand.
Jeans and T-shirts from Walmart or Target, that once I would
never have even considered buying, looked great when I added an expensive scarf
or brooch that I already owned.
You may never need this personal bankroll, but if your
husband strays, or makes bad investments, or indulges in an unexpected midlife
crisis, you are prepared to take care of yourself. And that, ladies, is the
only security you can truly count on.
Note from editor:
Too bad Anastasia didn’t come
across these tips back before Dead Louse of a Spouse permanently cashed in his
chips in Las Vegas.
The Corpse Who Walked in the Door
Former society wife Grace Cassidy is
learning to live on the minimum wage she earns as a bed & breakfast
inn-sitter. Grace finds her cat’s bloody paw prints leading away from a bathtub
and wants to run for her life. But she can’t. Her 19-year-old son is accused of
pushing his pregnant girlfriend down a flight of concrete steps, and she won’t
abandon him.
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Dear Anastasia, It was an honor for me to be able to share what I've learned about finance and money in the few months that I have been single. Each day I learn more. I'm now setting up a new B&B in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and have encountered a group of elderly financiers. If you're in my part of the country, please stop by. I'll have a bed ready for you.
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
Grace Cassidy
P.S. I'm calling this new adventure THE CORPSE AND THE GEEZER BRIGADE.
Awesome post! Thanks so much!!!
ReplyDeleteLadies, the advice in this post is some of the best you'll ever get. Please take it to heart, no matter how happily married you think you are. I would add one more thing...READ your Federal tax Form 1040 before signing it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, Angela. I really appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Grace
(and Jackie)
And thanks to you, too, Ms. Anon. Sounds to me as if you're a woman with experience much like my own.
ReplyDeleteHug to you, too.
Grace
(and Jackie)
Very good advice, Grace! My hubby actually encourages me to have stuff in my name alone. Smart man. ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, It sounds to me as if you have an exceptional husband! Hang on to that guy!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Grace Cassidy
(and Jackie)