Vanguard have just launched their own direct platform in the UK. https://www.vanguardinvestor.co.uk

Thanks for the post, looking forward to living frugal with your insight.

Nursing is the field of the present and future. Nothing gives such a great ROI, especially for a two-year field. Union protections, pensions- great gig, and good for you.

It is definitely on the reading list – looking forward to reading. Especially as others are finding it so helpful !

My fingers are crossed for you too! Erin’s book is incredibly fun to read and easy to digest (and Erin is witty and snappy in her writing), so I hope your daughter finds it a good change of pace!

Julie, thank you so much for this insight! I completely agree with you and I see now that I mis-worded that sentence since it certainly wasn’t my intention to lay blame on women for the lack in pay parity. I will edit it now! This is one of the reasons why I love writing Frugalwoods so much: the thoughtful, intelligent readers who share their depth of knowledge and make me a better writer. Thank you!

“However, this inexcusable lack of parity starts with women not valuing their work …”

Please tell me you didn’t mean “starts with” here? You really meant “isn’t helped by” .. Right? Please?

Yes, this piece is written to empower women, but saying that the gender pay gap (the lack of parity you are referencing from the previous paragraph) started with women not valuing their work?!? Please tell me that you were referring to a different lack of parity or that you meant something different.

Because the gender pay gap’s origins are from LONG before women even had the option to fight for better pay …or even own property.

If I am reading what you wrote correctly, you are inadvertantly boosting the argument used by those who oppose equal pay for equal work–that women are paid less because they aren’t negotiating for better pay.

The lack of parity started long ago. It continues NOT because women aren’t doing their part, but because shifting an entire culture’s views on gender roles takes too long and is mired in religion, politics, and more.

LAST MONTH, not in the 1950s, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that you can pay women less than men for the same work based on past salaries. Considering that women have been paid less for more than a century for the same jobs, this “past salary” decision will support the pay gap. Women valuing their work took this to court and got shot down.

People with an ounce of humanity don’t say that rape starts with women not valuing their bodies. Let’s not blame crimes or inequalities on the victims, even in an empowering piece.

I negotiated a much higher salary than I was offered and later learned I was still being paid less than my make counterparts, because the company significantly lowered their opening offer since I “didn’t have a housewife to support.” They are to blame for that, not me for not valuing my work.

I like you, and your blog, and I know there is no malice here. That is why I am mentioning it–do you can correct me if I misunderstood which lack of parity you meant, if not the one immediately prior.

TL;DR: Women can fight for equal pay, but they did not create the pay gap through devaluing their own work.