Hello World,
‘Tis the season to spend! But if you’re careful, you can still have some money to spare after Christmas!
Ever since I worked with a financial coach back in 2009, I’m all about staying on top of my finances! That’s why I’m excited about introducing you to financial advisor and wealth empowerment speaker Terrell Dinkins, MBA, who has written a new book to help empower women when it comes to their finances. One Bucket at a Time: A Woman’s Guide to Creating Wealth , which costs $15.99, will be available starting Thursday, December 17, 2015, when the public has an opportunity to meet and have books signed by the author during a book launch party just in time for the holiday season. The event takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The Commerce Club at 191 Peachtree Street NE, 49th floor, in Atlanta. The first 50 attendees to buy a book will receive a special gift! To register for this free event, go to eventbrite.com.
Below is my interview with Terrell Dinkins.
1.How did you come up with the name of your book “One Bucket at a Time?” What does it mean?
The buckets represent the multiple streams of income we should create or fill throughout our lifetime to carry us throughout retirement and beyond. There is order in when we should fill our buckets. I explain the importance of this order in my book. Each bucket of money we create will be used at different intervals throughout our lifetime. There is also meaning to my book cover. The rain represents saving and being prepared for the storms we might encounter in life.
2. What inspired you to write your book? Tell us about the process of writing your book. How long did it take? How did you conduct your research?
A business colleague encouraged me to write the book sooner rather than later. Writing this book was on my bucket list (no pun intended). I just had not planned on doing it so soon. When my business colleague heard the message that I gave to my clients (my bucket approach system to wealth building) she said, “You need to write a book. The message should not be reserved just for your clients.” It took me about six months to write the book and conduct my research. The statistical data I included came from various sources, to include other authors and articles I have found. I reference all of my sources in the book. I also include my personal story and other encounters and experiences I have had with clients to teach lessons to others.
3. What do you hope women will take away from the book?
I hope women will realize that they must act now to prepare for the future. So much of the financial household weight will have to be carried alone due to divorce, widowhood or being single. Be smart about your financial choices and learn how to create balance between lifestyle and saving for a rainy day.
4. How did you get interested in building wealth and financial empowerment? What personal experiences fueled your interest in these topics?
Ever since I can remember, I have always been intrigued about wealth building. As a child, I daydreamed like any other child about what it would feel like to not have to worry about money and, of course, live in a big house (typical childlike thoughts). I always did a pretty good job handling my money. I’ve always been a saver (yes, even in kindergarten). My mother always told me to make sure I put something to the side just in case there was an emergency. I listened. No particular personal experiences fueled my interest. The interest has always been a part of me.
5. What happens during your “Women and Wealth” workshops? How often and where do you host them? What is the cost?
I come up with different financial topics that I think might interest women and talk about them over wine and hors d’oeuvres. As an example, one of my presentation topics was called “Don’t Leave it All at The Mall.” I presented this topic during the holiday shopping season as a reminder to women of the importance of keeping a budget for holiday spending. When I started my practice, I thought having a free workshop would help me reach more women and it did. I was told by a few male colleagues that I was wasting my time. I never felt like I was wasting my time. I found a few women who wanted to change their financial situation and that was what mattered the most. The workshops were held once a quarter at my office. I did have to cut back on the workshops because my practice did grow and I no longer have the extra time that I used to have because of the growth of my practice. The workshops also led to my speaking and sitting on panels for other organizations. Speaking to other groups still allows me to get my message out without having to host the events on my own. Because they were free, you did have the occasional person who showed up at every event because they were free. Not many, but a few.
6. What is the No. 1 habit or behavior that women can do right now to get them on the path to building wealth and financial empowerment?
Create a budget. If you do have a budget, review it every month when you pay your bills. Make revisions to the budget and don’t set it in January and forget it for the rest of the year.
7. Since it is the Christmas season, what is one tip that can be used to save at Christmas time?
Set a dollar amount that you plan on spending for all of your holiday gifts. Once you come up with this amount, determine who will get what percentage of the pie.
Terrell Dinkins is a financial rep with Peachtree Planning Corporation in Atlanta. She graduated from Georgia Southern College with a BBA in finance (minor: banking), and earned an MBA from Mercer University Stetson School of Business and Economics in Atlanta. An Atlanta native, Terrell completed the Executive Financial Planning Program from the University of Georgia Terry College of Business in Atlanta.
Terrell is an active member in civic and community organizations to include the Lake Spivey Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Tau Epsilon Omega Chapter), and The Twenty Pearls Foundation.
For more information about Terrell, go to terrelldinkins.com or onebucketnation.com.
Any thoughts?