4 DAMAGING LIES THE MEDIA TELLS ABOUT WOMEN AND MONEY

"Reality entertainment." Has a more ironic term ever existed?

Sure, it's a wildly entertaining, if not guilty, pleasure for many of us, but does any of it represent actual reality? If The Real Housewives franchise, The Bachelor, or any of the Kardashians' shows were an accurate reflection of women, one could come to the conclusion that, as a collective, we have about zero fiscal sense between us. And the misrepresentations in media don't stop with so-called reality. Movies and scripted television are also filled with stereotypical female characters who love to shop but can't balance a checkbook to save their lives. The "real reality," however, is that the large majority of women understand the importance of financial responsibility and planning—not to mention the increasingly large contingent of women who outearn the men in their families. Here, just a few lies we're fed by the media about women and money:

1. WOMEN LOVE, LOVE, LOVE TO SHOP
"I will literally be the old woman who lived in her shoes!"—Carrie Bradshaw
The problem isn't that many of us enjoy the activity but rather that women are often depicted as frivolous and irresponsible shoppers who buy impractical items with little regard for cost. In reality, women typically take longer than men to make a purchasing decision; women are also more likely to use coupons, purchase sale items, and comparison shop.

2. WOMEN HATE WHEN MEN DON'T PAY
"Can you pay my bills? Can you pay my telephone bills? Can you pay my automo'bills?"—"Bills, Bills, Bills"
Sure, a man reaching for the bill is often depicted as the ultimate romantic gesture, but did you know that couples in relationships are splitting the bill at an ever-increasing rate? According to a recent survey by NerdWallet, 40% of both men and women said that they take turns or split the cost on date night. Check, please!

3. WOMEN ARE NOT TO BE TRUSTED WITH MANAGING MONEY
"I never pay attention to Hal's business affairs. I have no head for that sort of thing."—Jasmine in Blue Jasmine
There is statistical evidence that the facade of fiscal irresponsibility is inaccurate on both the professional and individual level. The Economist reported the results of a study that showed female-run hedge funds returned 9.8% in 2013 versus an industry average of 6.13%. Another recent study found that individual female investors outperformed individual male investors by 2.3%.

4. WOMEN HATE TALKING ABOUT MONEY
"Even Lucy, our maid, is terrified of him. And daddy's so good he gets $500 an hour to fight with people. But he fights with me for free because I'm his daughter."—Cher Horowitz in Clueless
This may have been more accurate in your mother's generation but it's simply not today. My website, Girls Just Wanna Have Funds, is just one example of the many online financial resources for women. And they exist because women are reading them! Last year the founder of Financial Finesse said that women accounted for 60% of the users of the financial education firm's corporate programs. And it's a positive habit infiltrating the Millennial mindset: Financial services firm Allianz Life conducted a study that found their youngest respondents (age group 25-34) were more likely than older groups to be interested in financial planning and investing, as well as retirement planning.

So next time you see a portrayal of a ditzy, braindead clotheshorse, just remember these facts. You'll be laughing all the way to the bank in no time.

@Calabar_links