Women and Finances
Women in the United States:
a) Often delay marriage
b) Outlive their husbands
c) Face a 50% divorce rate.
Therefore, it is imperative for women to understand money management and maintain or develop an individual credit history.

Financial Independence for Married Women:
a) Preserve your credit history in your own name
b) Keep at least one bank account in your name only
c) Check credit bureau reports to confirm joint credit accounts are being reported in your name, not just your husband's name
d) Be involved in the decision making with household finances. Talking about money is as important as saving it.

Financial Independence for Widows:
a) If you do not have credit established in your name, you need to prove to creditors that your husband's good credit history reflects your credit history. Explain that you were integral in paying the bills on time and keeping the balance to credit limit low.
b) Get your financial affairs in order before contacting creditors. There is no law instructing you to immediately inform creditors of your spouse's death.

Financial Independence for Women Planning Divorce:
a) Establish individual credit before the divorce
b) Know the status of all credit card accounts: individual, joint or authorized user
c) Review your credit bureau reports for errors
d) Close all zero balance joint credit card accounts.

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