Activate Your Money

PART 3Building a Community of Support

You may find that you are more successful as an investor when you have a community of support around you. Many of the contributors to this book have found that investing is a lot more fun in the company of other women with whom you can learn, share stories, and, in some cases, even co-invest.

Part 3 will show you how you can work with financial advisors, friends, and employers to strengthen your investing muscles. We love the idea of shifting discussions of money from being taboo to something that empowers you and builds your confidence. And that can happen as you build trust with family, friends, and select advisors.

The first chapter in this part of the book describes different categories of financial advisors, the services each provides, the fees they charge, and the level of support investors should expect from them. You will be guided to resources that can help you find a values-aligned advisor. Since many Americans invest through retirement accounts, we have also dedicated a chapter to this subject. It will help you understand how you can direct the assets in your retirement plans into values-aligned investment options. We close Part 3, and the book, with information about how you can join an existing investment club—or start one of your own. Several of the contributors in Activate Your Money have benefited from these communities.