Ever thought that learning about finance could be a bit like going to a music gig? With your Girls’ Investment Group (GIG) you’ll learn how heading off to a music festival is just like having a widely diversified investment portfolio and that choosing which shares to invest in can be as easy as researching the stories behind your favourite band.

What are GIGs and the Personal Finance Program?

The 10thousandgirl Personal Finance Program is an interactive program, delivering the cornerstone principles of personal finance and investing in an engaging, supportive and light-hearted environment. It’s a 12-module course delivered through peer run ‘book club-like’ GIGs (Girl Investment Groups).

How does it work?

You meet fortnightly over 6 months or monthly over 12 months in your homes/public spaces and use a Personal Finance Folder with checklists, reflection sheets, templates and resource material backed by expert videos to guide your GIG through each Module. Experts are available live at different times for Q&A online. The objectives of the year are to increase your basic financial know-how, expand your professional support network and have your own goals, plans and personal finances cracking for your life ahead. Working together fast-tracks everyone’s learning  - whilst contributing to the health and sustainability of our global economy.

Who’s it for?

By joining a GIG (Girl Investment Group) and going through the Personal Finance Program you and friends and workmates can pool knowledge and resources, learn from each other’s questions and keep each other motivated and on track with your own plans and personal finances, whilst helping others at the same time. Whether you:

• Are 18 or 55

• Have never really delved into your finances before

• Are carrying some debt

• Have some money tucked away

• Have investments well underway

• Like to feel confident and secure in your decisions

• Are looking for a like minded crew to learn and network with or

• Are looking for accountability and a fun way to keep motivated and inspired

What do the modules cover?

Module 1. Life planning and conscious decision making
Module 2. Creating a personal finance system and using a Spending Plan
Module 3. How it all works: passive income, capital growth and compound interest
Module 4. Cornerstone principles: risk and return, portfolio theory and basics of the economy
Module 5. Managing credit and debt in the smartest way possible
Module 6. Investing in cash and managed funds
Module 7. Investing in shares
Module 8. Investing in property
Module 9. Tax and its implications in savings and investment
Module 10. Superannuation and insurance
Module 11. Investing in a global context including responsible investment
Module 12. Pulling it all together into a strategy over multiple time-frames, reviewing and resetting goals

How am I supporting microfinance by joining a GIG?

For each two girls who join a GIG and learn to manage and invest their income wisely, a microloan of $200 is provided for a woman in a neighbouring country who doesn’t have access to traditional lending institutes. The loan is provided along with business training until she can set up an income stream supporting herself, her family and in some cases employing others in the community. 10thousandgirl is partnering with Opportunity International to provide microloans.

Interested in starting a GIG but don’t have the numbers?

Email girl@10thousandgirl.com for more information about how you can organise a GIG Info Evening and have a taste of the program whilst gathering a group of women in your community to meet and set up a GIG of like-minds!

Already got 6-8 women together?

You’re ready to start your GIG at the click of a button! All you need to do to register is to follow the 5 simple steps below.

Looking for girls? Check out ‘How to find girls for a GIG’ in the FAQ’s below.

NOTE FOR GIG ORGANISER GIRL: download 10thousandgirl GIG_Group Registration Form (one form per group) to collate everyone’s information.

STEP TWO: Registering your GIG
Once you have your group together, please process your individual payments below and return your Group Registration Form to girl@10thousandgirl.com.

	FORTNIGHTLY GIG MEETINGS – 12 module Personal Finance Program delivered over 6 months (includes $100 toward a microloan)
	Number of payments 4
	No. Due* Amount 1 At checkout $140.00 AUD 2 after 2 months $118.00 AUD 3 after 4 months $118.00 AUD 4 after 6 months $118.00 AUD
	MONTHLY GIG MEETINGS – 12 module Personal Finance Program delivered over 12 months (includes $100 toward a microloan)
	Number of payments 4
	No. Due* Amount 1 At checkout $140.00 AUD 2 after 3 months $118.00 AUD 3 after 6 months $118.00 AUD 4 after 9 months $118.00 AUD
* We calculate payments from the date of checkout.

Sign up for

STEP THREE: Confirmation
On receipt of your GIG’s payments and registration form, 10thousandgirl will email your GIG Organiser to celebrate that your GIG has been officially registered in the 10thousandgirl Campaign. We’ll confirm your preferred postal address for your GIG’s Personal Finance Folders and Welcome Packs to be sent and send an email to your group to welcome your GIG on board and explain next steps.

STEP FOUR: Receiving your Welcome Pack
Your GIG’s Personal Finance Program Folders and Welcome Packs will be delivered safely to your group’s preferred address.

STEP FIVE: Rock n roll! The First Meeting…
Arrange a one hour meeting with your new GIG to meet, greet and get the house in order before you officially start the program. Further details and an agenda for the First Meeting is in your Personal Finance Folder.

Running through the program outline and laying out your house rules prior to commencing will build a foundation for your GIG to ensure smooth sailing and success for the group and each of you throughout the program. This meeting is also a chance to compile any questions and agree on your start date and place for Module One of the program.

Exciting times…

What is the value?

The year long program is $140 upfront and $32 a module paid in installments.  This includes contributing $100 each toward microfinance.

Putting your decision in perspective:
$140 upfront (includes your folder and a book)	Less than a pair of good shoes
$32/module	A cheap night out

Where can I find girls to form a GIG?

• Think about who you talk about the future with.

• Think about the friends and people you know who curently set goals – and those that don’t and may benefit from a friendly GIG-like pushalong.

• Contact local accountants, property agents and financial planners to ask their client base whether they have daughters and/or grandaughters who may like to be involved.

• Put a flyer up in your workplace, friend’s workplace, local arts centre, popular cafe.

• Use facebook and social media to post a link to this page or description of who you’re looking for.

• Make a list of potentially interested friends and friends of friends you’ve had a good connection with in the past but may not regularly catch up with and give them a call, who knows, it may be exactly what they’re looking for.

• Contact us to let us know what area you are looking for like minded girls in. We may have ideas or know of others to connect you with there.

How about if I live in a remote area and can’t get a GIG together, can I do the program by myself or with a group online?

Many benefits of the GIG come from the ability to share, discuss and learn from each other. So even if you could find one other girl and set up your meetings on Skype, it would be valuable. If not, you’re welcome to do the program on your own, but make sure you stay connected on Facebook and through the website where GIGs around the country share their tools, tips and learnings so you can stay inspired and motivated.

Do we invest money together?

The 12 module program is a learning program only. Your folder does contain a guide on how to set up an active investment group should your group decide to pool some money, leverage your resources and invest together during the year or sometime down the track. It’s up to you.

Can I just do some of the course?

The course is structured in a way that ensures you’re creating your life goals and setting your personal finances up to support how you want to live, not randomly accumulating information and wealth without a structure and a bigger plan. This is important because a lot of stress, debt and misunderstanding is the result of not being clear on exactly what you are working towards. For this reason, the Personal Finance Program is offered as a 12-month course only.

Will I get my money back if I discontinue throughout the year?

Year long financial and personal development courses cost 1000′s of dollars more than 10thousandgirl charges. Because we have organised generous sponsorship and support and are largely run by volunteers it is difficult to reimburse the nominal course fees we charge. Of course in exceptional circumstances, we will always be able to work out a fair solution.

Can I get more involved in the microfinance part of the program?
Yes, 10thousandgirl is working with Opportunity International to provide microloans, at the moment in India and the Phillipines. Opportunity International also run programs to take people into the field. You can contact us to become more involved in this side of the campaign. You can also get involved in fundraising activity in your area by using the 10thousandgirl/Opportunity International fundraising microsite www.10thousandgirl.gofundraise.com.au

Any other questions, please contact us on girl@10thousandgirl.com or download a GIG Registration form now.