Okay, let’s get real for a second. How many of you have ever felt like money is this big, scary monster that you’re just supposed to magically know how to tame? 🙋‍♀️ Yeah, me too. For the longest time, I thought personal finance was this boring, complicated thing that only “experts” could understand. Spoiler alert: it’s not. And honestly, once I started taking control of my finances, it felt like I unlocked a whole new level of confidence. So, grab a cup of coffee (or wine, no judgment here 🍷), and let’s chat about how I went from clueless to confident when it comes to managing my money.
First off, let’s address the elephant in the room: why does it feel like women are always taught to be careful with money, but never confident about it? Like, we’re told to save, budget, and avoid debt (which, sure, is important), but no one really teaches us how to make money work for us. It’s like we’re stuck in this mindset of scarcity, constantly worrying about not having enough, instead of focusing on how to grow what we’ve got. And honestly? That’s exhausting.
Here’s the thing: managing money isn’t just about numbers; it’s about mindset. For me, the turning point was realizing that I didn’t have to be perfect at it. I didn’t need to have a six-figure salary or a fancy investment portfolio to feel in control. I just needed to start somewhere. And you know what? That “somewhere” was embarrassingly simple: I started tracking my spending. Yep, that’s it. No fancy apps, no complicated spreadsheets—just me and my bank statement, having a little heart-to-heart every month.
At first, it was kind of terrifying. I mean, who wants to confront the fact that they spent $200 on takeout in one month? (Guilty as charged. 🍕) But once I got over the initial shock, it was actually kind of empowering. Seeing where my money was going helped me identify patterns and make smarter choices. Like, maybe I didn’t need to order dinner every time I was too tired to cook. Maybe I could meal prep instead. (Pro tip: batch-cooking on Sundays is a game-changer. 🥗)
But tracking my spending was just the beginning. The real magic happened when I started setting financial goals. And no, I’m not talking about vague, pie-in-the-sky dreams like “retire early” or “buy a mansion.” I’m talking about specific, achievable goals that actually mattered to me. For example, I decided I wanted to build an emergency fund that could cover three months of living expenses. Why? Because I’d been in situations before where unexpected expenses had totally derailed me, and I never wanted to feel that way again.
Here’s the thing about goals, though: they’re only as good as the plan you have to achieve them. So, I broke mine down into smaller, manageable steps. Instead of trying to save $5,000 all at once, I set a monthly savings target and automated it. That way, I didn’t even have to think about it—the money just went straight into my savings account before I could spend it. And let me tell you, watching that balance grow was so satisfying. It was like, “Hey, look at me, adulting like a boss!” 💪
Of course, saving money is only one piece of the puzzle. The other biggie? Investing. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Investing? That’s for rich people, not me.” But here’s the truth: you don’t need to be rich to start investing. You just need to start. And the earlier you do, the better. Thanks to the magic of compound interest, even small amounts can grow into something significant over time.
When I first started learning about investing, I’ll admit, it felt overwhelming. There were so many terms and options—stocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds—it was like trying to learn a new language. But instead of letting that intimidate me, I decided to take it one step at a time. I started with something simple, like a low-cost index fund, and gradually expanded from there. And you know what? It wasn’t nearly as scary as I thought it would be. In fact, it was kind of fun. (Yes, I just called investing fun. 😂)
But here’s the most important thing I’ve learned on this journey: managing money isn’t just about the numbers. It’s about the freedom and peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re in control. It’s about being able to make choices that align with your values and goals, whether that’s traveling the world, starting your own business, or just being able to sleep at night without worrying about bills.
So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start, here’s my advice: just start. Start small. Start messy. Start wherever you are. Because the truth is, you don’t have to have it all figured out to take the first step. And trust me, once you do, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner.
Oh, and one last thing: don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether it’s talking to a trusted friend, joining a financial community, or just Googling your questions, there’s no shame in seeking support. We’re all in this together, and the more we talk about money, the less scary it becomes.
So, here’s to taking control of our finances, one step at a time. Because honestly? There’s nothing more empowering than knowing you’ve got this. 💃✨