So, you’ve saved yourself a few dirhams, and now what?
As the ‘financial feminism’ movement gains momentum, it’s clear that real progress cannot be made as long as women are investing less than men, saving less for retirement, and parking more in cash.
Jessica Robison, UAE resident and author of Financial Feminism: A Woman’s Guide to Investing for a Sustainable Future talks to Time Out on how we can all use our money to build a better world.
And spoiler alert: you don’t have to be a millionaire to get started.
If you’re sitting there wondering what financial feminism and sustainable investing is all about, head here to get up to speed.
Ready?
Prioritise what you care about
Ask yourself – what kind of issues are important to me? Is it air pollution, the state of our oceans, or biodiversity? Am I worried about racial diversity and representation, or illegal work practices such as child labour? Then translate your priorities into ‘sustainable investment beliefs’ – these are the guiding principles that spell out who you are and what you want to achieve with your investments.
Set some goals – but also set your boundaries
To set goals, think about what you want your investments to accomplish. The more specific you are, the easier it will be to identify how and where you want to invest. Ask yourself – how important is it to me to become a sustainable investor? How much time do I want to put into this?
Get more educated, get more empowered
There’s a wealth of information and analysis out there so use it to your advantage. Track what NGOs (non-governmental organisations) are doing on issues that you are passionate about, read sustainability reports from companies, read articles on sustainable investing. Even if you commit one hour a week, you’ll make a lot of progress very quickly.
Take action
There is no time like the present – but to move from A to B, you need to take the first step. This may be opening an account through an investment app, setting up a meeting with a financial advisor or even auditing what investments you may already have – such as your pension fund. If you don’t know what’s in your pension fund, contact your pension provider to find out.
Spread the word
Being a sustainable investor is about making well-informed, well-considered decisions. But it’s also about being part of a movement to change the world. So, speak with your friends, your partner, your family, your work mates – ask questions and share your experience. You may want to think about joining an investment club and if you can’t find one, why not set one up?
Financial Feminism: A Woman’s Guide to Investing for a Sustainable Future is now on sale. Visit www.moxiefuture.com/financial-feminism-book for more.
