DO YOU HAVE A FOGGY BRAIN WHEN LOOKING AT YOUR MONEY? HOW IS THAT EXTREMELY CAPABLE WOMEN FOG OVER COMPLETELY WHEN DEALING WITH THEIR OWN FINANCES? ONE WOMEN I DID A LOAN FOR ADMITTED "I CAN DO THIS FOR MY WORK, I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROFIT AND LOSS RESULTS OF MY SECTION, BUT WHEN IT COMES MY OWN FINANCES I DON'T HAVE A CLUE".

The answer to this puzzle is simple: we put none of our attention on finances. Your finances and your future wealth are not demanding, they just wait passively for some of your attention. However family demands our attention: which we gladly give. Our work demands our focus and best efforts. Our house, our health, our mother in law, our friends, the P&C, our charity, our church, the washing.... all demand our attention. If there is any time left over after all this, the last thing we want to focus on is our retirement planning, or look at a bank statement.

Unfortunately many women only focus on finances when they are forced to like during an emergency such as an illness or a job loss. Which is the exact wrong time to make financial decisions.

Luckily the solution is simple: 1) set aside 1 hour a month to look at and discuss (with your partner) your finances and your future. If you have kids, involve them in this discussion too (it will teach them their parents are not made of money).

Where you want to be in 5 years time. Look at the money coming in and the money going out: do you (both) know where it's going? Make a plan to pay off the credit card. Look at you statements, are there a lot of bank fees? If so check for a better account that suits your needs. Pay the bills together. Look at your super statement.

By making these regular discussions, you will notice your focus on your future wealth starts to increase and the "fog" starts to lift.

2) And everyday read something of a financial nature. For example instead of throwing out the investor section in the paper, read an article. Or deliberately read some on-line news of a financial nature.

Do I hear groans? Let me tell you there is a lot of very interesting financial news at the moment - 105 banks and counting have closed down in US. Iceland is bankrupt. A landmark case against a huge investment bank in the US: Goldman Sachs is being sued for fraud and artificially manipulating the market (a form of insider trading) for its own and its customers gain. The EU is balanced precariously, with Greece, Portugal, Italy and Spain economies in the red. You have got to think some of that is interesting!

Do this daily and the "fog" will lift further.

Catherine Lezer is a small business owner, property investor and inspirational speaker on the topic of women and money through her Rich Chicks seminars. For more information visit www.richchicks.com.au