A long, long time ago, wealth was something those ‘other people’ had and enjoyed. The nonwealthy looked wistfully toward those who bought items of luxury, employed the services of others, enjoyed visits to spas, vacation destinations, etc. Many times the nonwealthy simply went about living their nonwealthy lives wishing and hoping something might be different, but rarely did their financial situations change.

Nowadays, the idea of wealth and creating it is as common place as, well, the air we breathe. It’s insidious. The headlines beckon us each day…

“Learn this trick and $10,000 a month will drop into your checking account.”

“Learn to market on the web and be a millionaire in 6 months!”

“Come to this seminar and you’ll miraculously know how to build your fortune like never before.”

“Watch this video…the experts will show you how!”

We’re pulled this way and that, as we experience what is commonly referred to as the “shiny object syndrome.” I love that term because practically all of us fall for it at least part of the time. Even me. We WANT to think that someone else has the clue, the answer, the secret, the key. But do they? 

But maybe we’re looking for the wrong key.

And maybe the key is different for women than it is for men. I believe so, and this is why (and these are what I call Genderalizations so if they don’t fit you, it’s OK):

For men, money is the primary way they provide for and protect the ones they love and care for. Money is a way they compete in this world; i.e., I have a bigger gun than you do so I will make a better provider! sort of thing. Money, for men, is tied to success and ego and their natural competiveness.

For women, on the other hand, money is generally looked at as a way to both provide security and take care of others. Because we’re naturally born ‘takercareofers’, money, to women, is the way in which we take care of those we love.

Sometimes the difference between ‘providing for’ and ‘taking care of’ can be fuzzy. Think of it this way: men give money to women who then use that money to buy groceries in order to be able to take care of the feeding, clothing, educating, etc. of the children. It’s subtle, but there is a difference.

Both genders, however, see money as freedom; the freedom to do what they wish to do with their lives. Whether it’s being the best provider, being the best takercareofer or being the best whatever it is you want to do, money buys you the freedom to do those things.

What does money mean to you? Just something to think about…