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There we were, 8 dispirited but hopeful women wearing plastic tiaras. Millionairesses, we called ourselves, though we didn’t have much money to our names.

A few years ago a group of us came together, connected only by seven degrees of separation. We were different ages and from different occupations and backgrounds. But we were united by something important; our desire to change our financial conditions.

We weren’t sure how but we knew why; each of us was frustrated with our checkbooks. Most were upset by how little was in our checkbooks and all of us were disgusted by our behavior around our checkbooks. We were great avoiders, procrastinators and worriers. Different situations yet with common reactions.

In that first meeting we decided enough was enough – we were going to do something different around our money…be proactive, learn and grow. We started slowly by each selecting a book to read and reporting our discoveries and tidbits of financial wisdom to the group. The more we heard from wise money managers, the more convinced we were that not only did we need to change our short-term, everyday money habits but our long-term strategies. None of us had ever invested money, much less even seen investing as interesting or important.

It didn’t take long for us to become The Millionairess Investment Group, a big sounding name for a small, but forward-looking group of women. We were determined to live up to our name.

Every month we each put in $25.00 and the pot grow slowly but surely. Soon we were able to make a few investments; decisions that we, as a group, made based on a growing understanding of what to look for in a wise investment and strong socially responsible values.

At first, we were cowed by the financial words and terms we met. The whole world of investments was completely foreign…and very scarey. Together, though, we found safety in our shared ignorance, and laughed as we admitted our lack of confidence and knowledge. United, we bolstered each other and encouraged our newfound financial know-how.

This week we celebrated our 2 year anniversary and it was obvious how much each of us has progressed. From an outsiders eye it might not look like we have. We haven’t made a killing in the stock market. Our pool of available money for investing isn’t huge. And individually, our checkbooks don’t reflect a huge difference.

Yet, WE are different. We are more confident and knowledgeable. We are proud of ourselves. We know we have faced the truth of our financial ignorance and dysfunctional money habits, and are learning and growing.

It takes courage to see something we don’t like and do something about it. To face the money monster (or monster in any area of our life) and try to tame it. It takes courage to find other like-minded, empowering people, and work together to change.

Be courageous!

Warmly, Megan