Why Women Earn Less: How to Make What You're Really Worth

by Mikelann R. Valterra, Barbara Stanny (Foreword)

The startling truth is that the average 25-year-old woman will earn half a million dollars less than her male counterpart over the course of her career. Under-earning is an insidious problem with psychological roots that run deep. Luckily, there's help. This book is a practical, step-by-step guide for under-earning women who are ready to turn their lives around. It demystifies the process of under-earning, explores its underlying psychological and emotional issues, and offers practical advice and strategies to help overcome it. Why Women Earn Less explains how you can be better paid for the work you do. It maps out, on a practical level, how to overcome the bad habits that contribute to earning less than you deserve. As you do so, you will find yourself not only benefiting from an improved bottom line, but also enjoying a renewed sense of optimism and personal satisfaction.

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 31, 2004

Reviews

[Peace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting study of the underearner, a person who for any of various reasons is earning less than their potential. Surprisingly, Valterra says this kind of person actually works a lot, but not efficiently, and tends to deprive themself of their needs and/or wants. They may seem to be earning a lot, but can still be underearning if they aren't earning enough for them.

This is what the book covers (adapted from the introduction):
Identify your own history of underearning

Explore what is behind your underearning
- Does a part of me believe there is virtue in not having money? (noble poverty)
- Am I secretly waiting for someone else to do it for me?
- Is underearning in any way benefiting me?

Learn concrete skills to increase your income
- Calculate how much you need to live the lifestyle that you want
- Learn how to negotiate salary when you get a job offer, and to negotiate for a raise

[Michele Cacano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mikelann Valterra has many years of experience as a "money coach", and I have several friends and colleagues who have worked with her and taken her classes.

What I like about this book is that it is clear about identifying root causes of chronic under-earning while not dwelling on them. Yes, women are not expected to negotiate "hardball" for salary and raises, but now that we've identified that problem, let's look at how to address it, the book tells me.

It is infuriating to realize how much one has been taken advantage of, both as an employee and as a woman. But we must also take responsibility for our own well-being, and this book shows us the first steps to take on that path. Well worth reading.

In fact, after I finished the book, I called the author to set up an appointment. I am looking forward to earning what I'm worth!

[Mariam Mohamed · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is a good one to read,,
it doesn't give you the perfect guide to start earning enough money, , but it opens your mind and makes you thinking in a different way,to think outside the box to find your best way to earn enough money