As men and women, we all have a different level of understanding and comfort when it comes to talking about money. In some families, money is rarely discussed. In some college majors, money is rarely studied or learned.
As administrative professionals, we carry a responsibility to help businesses and governments succeed. I believe businesses and governments will be better served by having administrative professionals who can confidently talk about money.
To partner with executives and managers, administrative professionals should want to become more money savvy. This knowledge will help administrative professionals become more confident in having business-related conversations, offering recommendations, and catching errors.
In my career as an administrative professional, I have paid attention to the state of the economy, forecasted and prepared annual budgets, purchased equipment and supplies, monitored expenses, proofread lease agreements, negotiated contracts with vendors and contractors, negotiated my own salary, and much more.
In my personal life, I have studied and learned about debt, interest rates, home values, saving and investing, preparing for retirement, etc. In my 20’s, I studied business, economics, and accounting, which offered me a solid foundation of financial principles. I also worked as an administrative assistant in the finance industry. In my 30’s, I read about earning, saving, insurance, investing money, and retirement. In my 40’s, I’m reading more about investing money and preparing for retirement. This eagerness to learn as much as I can about money has helped me in both my professional and personal life.
I encourage you to embrace greater personal responsibility for improving your awareness about money. “I don’t know,” “I was never taught,” or “Someone else in my household handles the money” are not valid excuses in today’s modern world. The truth of the matter is there are an abundance of resources related to the topic of money, and each of us should learn as much as we can about this subject.
Some of my favorite books related to money include:
- The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy by Thomas J. Stanley, Ph.D. and William D. Danko, Ph.D.
- Women & Money: Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny by Suze Orman
- Think and Grow Rich: The Landmark Bestseller – Now Revised and Updated for the 21st Century by Napoleon Hill
- Dave Ramsey’s Complete Guide to Money: The Handbook of Financial Peace University
- Rich Dad, Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not! by Robert T. Kiyosaki
I do not profess to be a financial expert, but I do know that acquiring added knowledge is power—power to make smarter decisions, acquire wealth, and create new life opportunities. Join me in my quest to continue taking the necessary actions to talk more confidently about money in the workplace and at home.