This Is How Women Really Feel About Disclosing What They Earn

This Is How Women Really Feel About Disclosing What They Earn
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There are many things a woman is not "supposed" to share, like how much she weighs or how old she is.

Also on that list: How much money she earns.

In late April, software developer Lauren Voswinkel urged people to tweet their salaries using the hashtag #talkpay. "To truly begin to eradicate pay inequality, we need a radical discussion," Voswinkel wrote in a blog post introducing the hashtag. Hundreds of people shared their salaries -- along with information about their career experience, benefits, bonuses, gender and ethnicity -- in the name of promoting earnings transparency and closing the gender pay gap.

In a May 2015 piece for Wired, Emily Dreyfuss shared her unwillingness to discuss her salary, and explored why this attitude can be harmful.

"This aversion to speaking about money is not just harmful in the way it perpetuates inequality by keeping from workers the very basic data we need to negotiate with our employers on our own behalf," Dreyfuss wrote. "It’s also just plain stupid because it asks us to pretend that money is some kind of afterthought. That it is not, in fact, the whole point of employment. Of course it is!"

We asked our Facebook community who they felt comfortable sharing their salary information with, and why. Here is what women from their 20s to their 50s had to say about disclosing what they make:

" I'm not entirely sure why it's so taboo to talk about salaries in 2015."

"I'll talk openly with my close friends, family and significant other but I don't think there is any reason for someone else/a stranger to know. With that being said, I'm not entirely sure why it's so taboo to talk about salaries in 2015 outside of it opening up the possibility of others judging you one way or another. For me, it's a matter of if I trust the person or not."
-- Kristen, age 21, Rochester, NY

"Personally I think your salary is your private business."

If people feel the need to flaunt their wealth or tell the world about their salary then that's their journey, but personally, I think your salary is your private business. The only person that I would discuss my earnings with is my husband (If I ever get married)...as far as sharing that kind of info with anyone else, I wouldn't, because its none of their business and there's not even a point in doing so."
-- Alyssa, age 23, Miami, FL

"I see no benefit of attempting to keep that information private."

"I work in an industry where salary and budget information is public knowledge. It is also reviewed, amended and voted on by a large body of members. In my opinion I think there is something to learn from an industry like mine and I see no benefit of attempting to keep that information private. There is something powerful and liberating about engaging the dialogue in regards to fair compensation, power and labor justice. In my industry privacy would only serve to foster unfair labor practices and discrimination."
-- Darlene, age 38, Philadelphia, PA

"I share that information with very few people i.e.; spouse, immediate family."

"[Your salary is] absolutely private information. I've always maintained my own bank account and bills (even when I was married for 10 years). I share that information with very few people i.e.; spouse, immediate family. I've noticed that when friends know how much you make and you make a significantly more substantial amount of money than they do, they make snide remarks (you don't understand their struggle), tend to be slow at pulling out their wallets to pay their tabs, and often want to borrow money."
-- Melissa, age 36, Chicago, IL

"I share."

"I share. There needs to be more discussion about why women are paid less."
-- Jackie, age 49

"My husband and I discuss money issues, nobody else."

"Some things are best kept private. If you make too much, some people may think you're bragging. If you make too little, they will use it against you. Dating? No way I would discuss salary. My husband and I discuss money issues, nobody else."
-- Maria, age 45, Fredericksburg, VA

"I'm proud of what I've accomplished, and that includes my salary."

"I'm perfectly comfortable disclosing my financial information. I went to school and worked hard to get where I am. I'm proud of what I've accomplished, and that includes my salary. Men like the money but are uncomfortable with the reality that I earn more than they do. What a double standard."
-- Margaret, age 52

"Once you start discussing finances it's like a dam has burst."

"My income is absolutely private. If I was getting married, or living common law, that person would know, and my kids, but I find once you start discussing finances it's like a dam has burst. Just knowing someone's salary without knowing their bills is useless information anyway."
-- Caroline, age 51, British Columbia, Canada

How do you feel about sharing your salary? Comment below, or tweet @HuffPostWomen!

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Before You Go

12 Things Every Woman Should Know About Money
From Alexa von Tobel(01 of12)
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Diversify Your Investments“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket” can be applied to investing. Spread your money to minimize your risks if a company doesn’t perform as well as expected. This way, you’re also exposed to different assets and will get more gains for your future. Watch. (credit:Alamy)
From Suze Orman(02 of12)
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Make Small Changes To See Big ResultsOne of the biggest money hurdles is getting in control of your money. Instead of making drastic changes -- and falling off the wagon -- track your spending and incorporate new habits slowly. Do you go to the movies once a week? Try going every two weeks. Grab a coffee at Starbucks each morning? Brew your own twice a week. The small savings will add up. Watch. (credit:Alamy)
From Maria Bartimoro(03 of12)
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Know How Much To Save And How Much To InvestIf you’re ready to get your feet wet into the stock market, start slow and keep building. You want to be able to put your money into an account and not have to withdraw it. Forget rock-bottom savings account rates for all your money -- put 20 percent into a savings account and the other 80 percent into the stock market. As you get closer to retirement age -- and less willing to take risks with your retirement money -- the percentages will become 50/50. Watch. (credit:Alamy)
From Alexa von Tobel(04 of12)
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Take Advantage Of Compounding InterestToo often, women forget about the power of compounding interest. The earlier you start saving, the less you’ll have to save in your 40s and 50s for retirement. It’s not magic, just math. Watch. (credit:Alamy)
From Alexa von Tobel(05 of12)
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Negotiate A Higher SalaryIt’s critical to negotiate your salary -- no one else is going to do it for you. Research what people in similar industries and job roles are making, and present it to your supervisor. If your company can’t provide you with more money, you can still negotiate: can they provide you with more vacation days or allow you to work from home once a week? These extra perks might offset a lower paycheck. Watch. (credit:Alamy)
From Suze Orman(06 of12)
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Forget About Cashing In Your 401kIf you think of the money sitting in your 401k as an emergency fund or savings account, think again. Withdrawing money early will result in paying taxes just like you would your normal paycheck. Additionally, you will pay both a 10-percent federal tax penalty and a state tax penalty. Watch. (credit:Alamy)
From Trae Bodge(07 of12)
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Save Money On Your Online ShoppingMake saving money when shopping online a breeze with Bodge’s favorite app, Invisible Hands. This handy program does the price-checking research for you, and will alert you when a different site has a better price -- or let you know that you’ve found the best deal. Watch. (credit:Alamy)
From Maria Bartiromo(08 of12)
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Avoid Financial Rip-OffsWhen choosing what to invest your money in, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Remember that you’re investing and saving for the long term, not to get rich overnight. Watch. (credit:Alamy)
From Alexa von Tobel(09 of12)
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Decide Whether To Rent Or BuyBuying a home is not only an investment, but a permanent tie to a location. More importantly, it can limit job opportunities by making you location dependent. If you’re uncertain about whether you’ll be in the same city in 5-8 years, it’s best to rent. Watch. (credit:Alamy)
From Trae Bodge(10 of12)
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Cut Back On What You Want, Not What You NeedIdentifying what you need versus what you want is an easy way to cut back on spending. You need food -- but ordering out instead of eating the leftovers in your fridge is a want. By being honest with yourself about what you actually need to spend money on, you can start to save. Watch. (credit:Alamy)
From Maria Bartimoro(11 of12)
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Don’t Pay Down Debt With More DebtIf you’re trying to pay down debt, avoid taking on more debt -- forget taking out a loan or getting a new credit card to pay another off. Instead, keep paying off debt as your priority, and with each paycheck, add a few extra dollars to your payments. There are no shortcuts, but making on-time payments above the minimum will help you pay your balances as soon as possible. Watch. (credit:Alamy)
From Trae Bodge(12 of12)
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Save At The Grocery StoreWhen you’re shopping for groceries, look at the unit price, not just the price per item. While that box of cereal might be $1 cheaper than the other brand, it might also contain less. Use this strategy for boxed items, meats and cheeses -- you’ll save more than by just looking at size differences or brand. Watch. (credit:Alamy)