by Glenore Weal

Created on: July 31, 2009

1. Live alone. Statistics indicate that a woman's life expectancy can be ten to twenty years longer than her mate's. In addition, women are getting married later than they used to. A woman should be able to know how to take care of herself and manage her basic needs if she finds herself flying solo during the early or late years of her adulthood.

2. Change a tire. Today's businesswoman may find herself on a long stretch of road traveling to a business meeting when - bam! - the tire goes. Modern tire-changing equipment lessens the need for the kind of upper body strength that was once needed to change a tire.

3. Amuse herself. A woman should be able to go to a movie or play alone and not feel as if all eyes are staring at Miss Lonely Hearts. If the subject matter interests her, she should be able to walk into the theatre with her mind solely on the entertainment that awaits her in the darkened space without paying any heed to who might be watching her.

4. Operate basic power tools. No need to become a "Toolbelt Diva" but learning how to work a lightweight power drill will make hanging curtains or a picture frame so much easier than doing it the old way with a manual screwdriver.

5. Manage money. Gone are the days where the husband went out to work, came home and handed his homemaker wife an allowance to buy groceries (at least, for most of us!) Women are commanding higher salaries and are receiving the perks and benefits that come with increasing work responsibility and higher titles: bonuses, stock options and 401k plans. A woman should have a basic understanding of what's happening with her 401K, have an updated will, and while she may not necessarily have to spend time balancing her checkbook each month, she should have more than a general knowledge of the amount of cash she has on hand.

6. A woman should know how to communicate well with people from all walks of life. Male chauvinism lives. Quiet as its kept, some women prefer to have a man around when buying a car or negotiating with an auto mechanic, figuring they will be less likely to be taken advantage of. Learning how to communicate well, understanding the information received, and being polite but firm will often make the difference between getting a great deal and getting bamboozled.

7. How to pick out a good pair of basic black slacks. This wardrobe staple can take you from the boardroom to the client meeting to the last minute cocktail party with a quick change of accessories.

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