By Kim Spencer, CFP®, CDFA®
Even though women make up almost 47% of the workforce these days, (1) they face financial challenges not often faced by men. Women typically earn 85 cents of every dollar earned by men, (2) and they usually spend fewer years in the workplace because they may take time off work to raise children or take care of elderly parents. Because women generally live about 5 years longer than men, this means women have fewer years to save a higher percentage of their income, so they can fund their longer retirement.
Doesn’t seem fair, right?
That’s why women need to be even more informed about their financial opportunities and how to maximize what they have. I became a financial advisor so I could do just that—help equip and empower women to take control of their financial life so they can experience financial security.
How I Got Here
My first entry into the financial industry was through the banking world, where I spent almost 19 years serving my clients as a banker, assistant branch manager, and investment advisor. When I became licensed to sell investment products, I found that I thoroughly enjoyed working with clients to determine the best investments to meet their needs. I decided to pursue this part of my job further and earned my CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) credential.
The natural next step in my career path was to join an investment management firm as a fee-only advisor. While there, I noticed a need that I wanted to help meet; many women were coming to me in a season of transition after a divorce or death of a spouse. They knew they needed to get serious about being good stewards of their money and organizing their financial life so they didn’t have to live in fear of the future. I obtained the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) designation so I could educate my clients and make a tangible difference in their lives.
What I Do Today
Now, more than 30 years after entering the financial world, I am a financial planner at The Nalls Sherbakoff Group, LLC, a private financial planning and investment management firm. I am passionate about helping women of all walks of life simplify their finances, define their goals, and navigate the obstacles that are preventing them from finding success. My clients are smart, busy, and independent women who know their minds and want to partner with someone they trust to move them closer to their ideal financial future. I specialize in personal financial planning, divorce financial planning, women’s finances, and investment management.
One of my favorite parts of my job is educating women in a stress-free, judgment-free, and collaborative environment so that they can feel confident in their financial decisions. I lead ongoing Women’s Circles events, where small groups of 5-7 women get together to discuss financial literacy issues and topics that impact their lives. We believe two heads are better than one and that we can all learn from each other.
While I offer a unique service tailored to women, that’s just what brings people in the door. My long-time clients tell me that they continue to work with me because they trust me to not only pay attention to the details but also listen and understand their unique lives and challenges. They know I care for them like I care for my family and I will always be there for them, cheering them on and providing support.
That’s My Story…What’s Yours?
If you are a woman who wants help planning for future life events or getting through a transition or milestone with success, I would love to get to know you and hear your story. Set up a complimentary appointment so we can see if our services are the right fit for you by calling us at (865) 691-0898 or contacting us online.
About Kim
Kim Spencer is a financial planner at The Nalls Sherbakoff Group, LLC with over 30 years of industry experience. Kim is passionate about equipping and empowering women to take control of their finances and specializes in walking women through transitions, including divorce and death of a spouse. Kim holds both the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) designations. She leads an ongoing series of Women’s Circles where small groups of women get together to discuss topics such as retirement, estate planning, and investing so they can grow in financial literacy and make the best decisions for their lives. Kim also teaches local workshops on financial planning for divorce. When she’s not working, Kim loves to give back to her community. She currently serves as an advocate in the juvenile court system through CASA of the Tennessee Heartland. She works with the Homeless Task Force in Blount County and is a past board member/president with the East Tennessee Financial Planning Association. She loves nothing more than spending time with her family, which includes 3 sons, 2 daughters-in-law, and three precious grandchildren. To learn more about Kim, connect with her on LinkedIn.
You can also connect with her on her Women and Money Facebook page.
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(1) https://blog.dol.gov/2017/03/01/12-stats-about-working-women
(2) https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/03/22/gender-pay-gap-facts/