A recent study conducted in Australia reports that 52 percent of women surveyed find dealing with money issues stressful and overwhelming and 25 percent have no money saved for retirement. Studies in the US indicate that approximately 80 percent of women are not financially prepared for retirement.

It seems like investing and preparing financially for the future is a global issue for women. So, I’m curious… what is your “switch off” factor? What is it about finance or investing that makes you tune out and find something else to think about?

Leave a comment and tell me what makes you “switch off.”

I’ve been travelling quite a bit lately, and I have learned a very important lesson about packing: I hate packing light! Packing to carry-on leaves a lot of room for being unprepared – and I HATE to be unprepared. You just never know what might happen when you are in a new city with only limited clothing resources. Being stuck with only tennis shoes and jeans in the ninety degree Florida heat and humidity was enough to convince me that packing light isn’t my favorite way to travel.

What does this have to do with investing? Well, building an investment portfolio is very similar to packing for all circumstances and being prepared for any kind of weather. Your investment portfolio should be diversified in a way that it can withstand all kinds of market conditions. In the way that I needed my flip-flops, tank-tops, and shorts for the humid weather of Florida, your portfolio should be globally diversified in such a way that includes your umbrella, sunglasses, bathing suit, and snow parka to get you through whatever unpredictable market weather you run into.

When it comes to your investments, don’t pack to carry on, pack for the long haul. Packing light when it comes to investing may leave you out in the cold without a jacket.