Let’s Talk About Money: A No-BS Guide to Financial Literacy for Women
Money talk making you squirm? Good. That means you’re ready to change your relationship with it.
We’ve been raised to believe money is something men talk about over cigars and power lunches, while women should just hope the numbers “work themselves out.” For far too long, we’ve been handed pink piggy banks and pastel budget planners while the boys were given investment portfolios and stock tips at the dinner table. And I say: screw that.
It’s time to ditch the shame and take control. Whether you’re a spreadsheet-loving goddess or someone who breaks out in hives at the word “compound interest,” this guide is for you.
First Thing’s First: You Are Allowed To Want Wealth
You are allowed to want security. You are allowed to want overflow. You are allowed to want the kind of money that makes your life feel spacious—not just survivable.
Let’s stop confusing humility with self-sacrifice. Wanting to build wealth isn’t greedy. It’s powerful. Because when women have money, we don’t just spend—we invest. We donate. We support. We show the hell up.
Budgeting Doesn’t Mean Deprivation
If you think budgeting means canceling every coffee and living like a nun with a coupon drawer, no wonder you hate it. But that’s not how I do it.
Think of your budget like a Beyoncé tour schedule: it tells your money where to show up and when, so you don’t burn out or go broke.
The secret? Values-based spending. Spend on what you love. Ditch the rest. If brunch with your besties brings you joy and clarity, keep it. If your monthly gym membership only reminds you of the patriarchy’s obsession with shrinking women, cancel it with glee.
Emergency Funds Are Sexy
Listen, I love a good red lipstick and a power blazer. But nothing—and I mean nothing—makes me feel hotter than knowing I’ve got six months of expenses saved in a high-interest account, ready to catch me if the world goes sideways.
Think of your emergency fund like your financial BFF. It’s not here to judge you, just to have your back when life throws you a plot twist. Start with a small goal—$500 is a fantastic start. Build from there.
Investing Isn’t Just For Wall Street Bros Named Chad
Here’s the truth: investing is how wealth gets built. Period.
Saving alone won’t make you rich (thanks, inflation). Investing lets your money work for you while you’re living your fabulous life.
No, you don’t need a finance degree. You need a basic understanding of terms like index funds, compound interest, and risk tolerance. And guess what? You’re smart enough to learn. You read the Twilight saga in three days—you can absolutely understand a Roth IRA.
Start with something simple, like a robo-advisor. Better yet, connect with a financial planner who doesn’t speak in jargon and won’t make you feel small for asking questions.
Get Paid What You’re Worth—Then Ask For More
If you’re underpaid, you’re not imagining it. Women still earn less than men in almost every industry. Add race, disability, or queerness to the mix? The gap gets wider. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ask.
Negotiate like your future depends on it—because it does. Research the average salary for your role and experience. Practice your pitch. And when they offer you less? Channel your inner Lizzo and say, “I just took a DNA test… turns out I’m 100% not working for that.”
The Bottom Line: You Deserve Financial Freedom
You are not bad with money. You were under-informed, under-resourced, and under-taught. That’s not your fault—but it is your responsibility now.
Financial literacy isn’t about perfection. It’s about power. It’s about feeling confident when you check your account, when you sign a lease, when you say yes to your dreams. It’s about knowing that you are the one steering the ship.
So open that account. Ask the uncomfortable questions. Fire the financial advisor who talks down to you. Pay off that debt with pride. And remember: money doesn’t change who you are—it amplifies what you believe in.
And I, for one, can’t wait to see what you do with it.
