A sold out crowd enjoyed the Women's Empowerment Expo at the RBC Center on Saturday.

In today's economy, where money is tight for many, some say buying a ticket for the event was actually a way to combat the tough economic times.

"Everything we're facing in the world today, with the economy and everything, I think that people need hope and so I just came for the extra inspiration," said Jessica McLeod.

The event, put on by Radio One Raleigh, focussed many of the seminars on finances because of the economy..

"Get into some of those wealth seminars, what to do about their 401(k) that they're losing money, on how to balance their budget better, how to eat healthier on a budget -- those are all seminars that we're talking about here today," said Karen Clark with WFXC/WFXK radio.

McLeod and her husband are trying to eat healthy, save some cash and keep a tight budget.

She says she was impressed with Dr. Ian Smith's message.

Smith is a physician and author.

"People spend money where they want to spend money, but for some odd reason when it comes to talking about spending money on yourself from a health prospective, it becomes an issue of, 'I'm broke.' But why are you not broke when you got to get those rims shinned, or the nails done," said Smith.

Much of the inspiration at the expo likely came from the keynote speaker, Mary J. Blige.

She offered a message of hope -- telling folks that they're not going to find happiness in money or others.

"But I'm here to tell you that you are worthy of great and wonderful things, cause God loves you," said Blige.

And it's that empowerment that just might be the medicine that gives folks the strength to survive the tough economic times.