Family of Financial Females

Words KATH ORMAN, Senior Financial Planner

Isn’t it amazing when you hear your words come out of your daughter’s mouth and you realise what you have passed on to the next generation? In quiet reflection, I think about the qualities that have been passed on from my mother and my grandmother. A love of reading and the power of the written word. Growing up on a dairy farm, I saw my mother work so very hard. I remember seeing her carrying a newborn calf on her back, when she herself was heavily pregnant with my sister. A love of family, sharing meals and celebrating life has been passed on from generation to generation.

I was so overwhelmed when my daughter was born, as I held this tiny person in my arms with the words running through my mind “I’m a mother.” It’s such a responsibility to guide a little human on the correct pathway in life. I am truly blessed to have an amazing relationship with my daughter Shelley. She was so determined at age three she would become a dancer and an actress. She never waivered in this resolve and the saying, “she believed she could – so she did” comes to mind. Shelley is now 29 and a professional dancer, choreographer and actress performing in many places around the world. I remember when she was in Bollywood in India, and through the power of technology, would ring me when she was shopping, asking if she should buy the blue or green dress.

It was seeing her determination which gave me the additional resolve to start my own business when she was only ten and her brother six. Now by a strange quirk of fate, both my children are doing project work for me at my financial planning company. Shelley has a head for business, and it has been great to be able to delegate projects to her. I don’t want to leave my son out here, as his scene of order, diligence and discipline is perfect for his current role in the business.

Many of my female clients who have taken responsibility for handling their financial situation, now feel empowered, and have asked me to teach their daughters as well, to pass the knowledge on to the next generation. Often many women leave the responsibility of their financial wellbeing to their partner. Sadly, when death or divorce happens unexpectedly, they are bewildered, overwhelmed and lost.

There have been countless times when caring daughters have come in seeking assistance for mums. At the end of the joint appointment, the daughters make a second appointment for themselves, as they realise their own situation needs attention as well. Financial wellbeing is just one of the gifts that needs to be passed on from generation to generation.

Goals & Dreams Financial Planning Pty Ltd is an authorised representative of Charter Financial Planning Limited AFSL 234665. If you would like to know more email: kath.orman@goalsanddreams.com.au or phone: (07) 3350 9595