Mackey McNeill is known as the proseprity adviser.  She is founder of one of the largest women-owned businesses in the Tristate - The Advisory Team financial services firm in Covington.  McNeill is a certified public accountant, registered investment adviser, consultant and author of the book "The Intersection of Joy and Money."

McNeill has spent the past 25 years in the financial services and investment arenas.  When it comes to the topic of how women relate to investing, McNeill agreed to share her insight with Women's Business Cincinnati readers.

Q: What have been your most suprising findings regarding the relationship between women and money?

Many women do not take care of themselves around money.  This neglect takes many forms.

• Leaving decisions to their spouse.  I challenge women to ask themselves "Am I giving away my power?"  Yes, women are very busy, but they need to possess financial knowledge.  Even if they leave the final decision to their spouse, women need to understand the advice and approach of their adviser.
• Not taking action.  I see women who have inherited money or acquired money in divorce freeze into inaction.  They find it confrontational to deal with the issue of money, so they do nothing.
• Not asking questions.  Women may be intimidated by their financial adviser, so they nod, say 'thank you' and leave.  There are only good questions.  The more dialog you have with your adviser, the better client you are.
• Assuming love conquers all.  Getting married is a toss up.  Divorce accounts for 50% of marriages.  How are you going to handle money-from budgeting to investin-is something couples must be clear about.  Discuss this topic in depth before you get married.  You wouldn't go into a business partnership without clarity.  Loving someone does not diminsih the fact that, from a financial point of view, you are in a partnership.

You could sum all these up as women giving their power away.  Money is energy and power.  If you fail to take responsibility for your money , you are giving away your power.  If you want to be empowered, you have to know where and what your money is doing.

Q:  Where do joy and money intersect, and how can women arrive?

The intersection of joy and money happens when you are present to both joy and money simultaneously in the now.  Prosperity moments can be elusive.  Rather than joy, you experience fear.  You may worry about having enough, be concerned about running out, wonder if you are deserving.  These fears come primarily from informal training by your family, all of whom had their own bais and dysfunction about money.

You arrive at the intersection of joy and money when you are responsible, self-referenced, clear about your goal, have strategies for accomplishing your goals, are making conscious choices, are in congruent action, reassess your outcomes and are able to choose again.

Q:  What is a good investment education source for women?

The American Association of Individual Investors is a nonprofit organization that specializes in providing stock investing, mutual funds, portfolio management and retirement planning education.  If you are new to investing or are looking for a source to learn more, visit www.aaii.com

Q:   What is your No. 1 investment recommendation to women?

Develop a plan.  Take a periodic inventory to see where you are relative to your plan. And always ask when you don't understand.

When you plan a vacation, you get a map of where you are going, plan your stops and make your reservations.  So it is with your money life.  Plan your life, take inventory, consult your map to see if you are on track, and if you get lost, ask for directions!

Growth is never complete.  You are always evolving and so must your money life.

Mackey McNeill:

Title: President of The Advisory Team, 525 W. 5th st., ste.318, Covington, KY 41011

Residence: Wyoming, OH

Family: Husband Barry Schlimme is president of The Wisdom Center; daughter, Sarah Mohr, 21; pets, Roger, Prissy, and Oscar.

Age: 49

Choice of dinner companion: Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter.  I truly admire the contributions they have made to peace and in forwarding the concept of human rights.

When I travel, I never forget: To take lots of water on the plane

In the bookstore, I would be found browsing: New Age and Business

Ideal day in Cincinnati:  Morning tea and meditation, followed by Pilates or a walk; lunch with a girlfriend; meeting a new client in the afternoon; dinner with friends at my home.

Reprinted from: Women's Business Cincinnati,
 Lisa Cieslewicz, March 2005, www.WomensBusinessCincinnati.com