Almost half of Canadian women are not satisfied with their financial situation, a national survey suggests.

The survey — done by Environics Research Group for MasterCard Canada and released Tuesday — found that 33 per cent of women who responded said they were "not very satisfied" with their financial situation.

Another 13 per cent described themselves as being "not at all satisfied."

Only nine per cent reported being "very satisfied."

Older women consumers — those 65 or over — were the most likely to be satisfied with the state of their personal finances.

The survey found that women who work full time before or without having children become "active and engaged consumers … who have disproportionate impact in certain spending categories like clothing and home decor" and are highly satisfied with their financial circumstances.

All that changes with motherhood, it says.

Women who become moms "evolve from self-focused spenders to the chief purchasing officers of their households."

It's a role they enjoy, but it comes at a price — less confidence in their financial situation as their spending "is driven by household demands rather than personal enjoyment."

Most women have say in household spending

Women also reported that the vast majority either control the spending in their household or share the task with a spouse. More than half — 55 per cent — say they are the primary decision-maker on day-to-day spending. Another 37 per cent say the spending decisions are shared.

Among women who have children living at home, 96 per cent report having a say in how the family's money is spent.

Other key findings of the survey:

  • Fifty-eight per cent of all Canadian women describe themselves as  "spenders," while 42 per cent say they're "savers."
  • Seventy-two per cent of Canadian women say a good price is more important than paying for a brand name. Price is the more important consideration among 80 per cent of moms.
  • Women are most likely to report spending more on household maintenance costs, gasoline and other transportations costs and food. 

The survey was conducted in September 2006 among 2,088 Canadian women. The findings are considered accurate within 2.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.