Customer Reviews

Why Women Earn Less: How to Make What You're Really Worth

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I inadvertently came across Mikelann's site while surfing the internet. She used a term "underearning" which I had never seen before. When I read the description, I thought she had a pipeline into my life, and wanted to break the cycle I was in.

When I heard that she was publishing this book, I couldn't wait to read it. In each chapter, she dispels the myths, pulls you out of "The Money Fog" and gives action steps to break the insidiousness of underearning.

I refer to her book every day. It is an absolute good fit whether you decide to use the steps in the book, go on to professional consultation (financial as well as psychological - and she gives helpful hints to work with those professionals) or with groups such as Debtors Anonymous.

If you want to turn your relationship with money around, this is the book to get!!!

I wish I'd read this book years go. It could have saved me a LOT of money. I didn't actually read it until recently, when my sister gave it to me because I'd been telling her I was nervous about asking my boss for a raise. Not only did the book help me successfully get a raise, it also really opened my eyes to the way I constantly (like a lot of other women) undermine myself in the workplace. For example, I've been known to accept a verbal "thank you" instead of the cash bonus I deserved. No more! Since reading this book, my income has gone up more than ten percent, and I expect it to go up more in the coming months as I put Ms. Valterra's principles into practice. Finally, for the first time in my life, I'm getting near to earning what I deserve.

I never expected to actually enjoy reading a book on personal finance. Learn something - yes, but enjoy it - no. For starters, the book is well written, flows well, a good blend of anecdotes from working with her clients, facts about financial isssues, and practical steps for the reader to take. The absolute best part of this book is the chapter that deals with asking for a raise. We all know the rule of salary negotiation, whoever names a number first, loses. I know that, and the person doing the job interview knows that, so who's going to win? Ms. Valterra gives the absolute best dialog I have ever seen for handling the salary negotiation. Even if I had gotten nothing more out of this book, that was worth the price. But there is more.

The book lets the reader clarify their emotional relationship to money. Are we ashamed because we earn too little or too much? Do we let fear rule our finances, fear of asking for a raise, fear of what people will think of how we spend? What money values did we grow up with? Do we hang on to our parents money values out of habit, even though they don't work for us? I always thought money was about facts, about math. I was suprised to find out just how many emotions were involved in my financial choices. Once those emotions are identified, Ms. Valterra gives us a practical path to follow to either change the values that don't work for us or redirect them into positive areas.

The book is full of real advice. Several examples from her clients, so the reader can relate to real people in real situations. A number of worksheets are included so you can find out where your money is going, (are you like me and always amazed at how broke you are at the end of the month? - find out why), worksheets that let you map out a spending plan that will work in your life, with your income.

And finally, like the title suggests, it lets you identify how and why you are underearning and gives immedite steps to take to correct that. Buy this book. It will pay for itself a thousand times over.

I must admit when I came to the chapter about Noble Poverty I thought... "Well that's soooo not me! I don't see money in a negative way. As a matter of fact, I like it quite a lot." But then Mikelann went through the different types of Noble Poverty and I started to register how I emotionally relate to my personal worth in financial terms. Such as over extending my volunteer projects, under bidding projects, or even giving away free service to be seen as "nice." How I would accept the "thank you" over a competitive rate. **Note, thank you should be said but not in place of paying your bills.**

Mikelann gives a clear, balanced, and usable plan to rethink and retool your financial wellbeing. I highly recommend this book for those looking for emotional connection or need a usable workbook (yes it's a workbook too!) to take full control of their worth.

I don't want to deal with finances. Even though I'm not happy with my paycheck, I'd rather sigh on my way to the bank, then take action. How did this happen -- I had a different plan for myself. Why do I let it go on?

The description above is me, and why I got intrigued when my girlfriend told me about this book. WOW -- what a mind opener -- between 'Waiting for Prince Charming' and 'Giving Myself, My Talents, and My Earnings Away" (two psychological traps Ms. Valterra writes about), I have been asleep when it comes to my money situation. This book has served as a great wake-up call and my attitude has already shifted.

Part two of the book gets very practical, and helped me know what to do next -- I hated budgets, but 'spending plan' put a different emphasis on managing money, so I'm trying it out.

Because of this book -- simply written, easy to read, and "real", I am awake and ready to take control. Thanks Ms. Valterra, you've done me a huge favor...(and thanks Lisa, for giving me the nudge to buy it.)

Do you feel as if your career is stuck under a rock and your salary is buried six feet under? You're not alone. Many women suffer from the grateful-to-have-a-job syndrome and earn far less than they need or want. With a mix of colorful commentary and hard facts, Mikelann R. Valterra presents a thoughtful discussion about the gender gap in wages. While avoiding clichés or easy explanations, she analyzes the remuneration problems women face and provides practical solutions. The book is a bit flawed by repetition. Key statistics, for example, are frequently recycled. But the author addresses crucial issues that have been hidden. We see this as essential fiscal homework for female execs, the pink-collar office pool and the self-employed.

This book is wonderful and a must have for any woman that works outside of the home or runs her own business. Mikelann gives very thoughtful and insightful stories to help the reader understand the concepts. It is very easy to understand. This book makes you take a deep look at yourself and how you might be sabotaging your own earning power. I have used the book and already gotten a 10% higher salary with a new job offer.

First heard this talked about on the radio. I only caught the last few minutes-- but had to call the radio station to find out it's name. This is a book every woman should read. It will give you the shaking that your mother should have. I bought a copy for my daughter and another for my neice. It is one of those books that you read-- then put down, and recover for a while-- then read some more. I will make sure every woman I know hears about it then reads it!