Okay, let’s get real for a sec. When I first heard “investing is for everyone,” I rolled my eyes so hard I saw my brain. Me? A girl who once thought a Roth IRA was a new athleisure brand? But here’s the tea: after accidentally becoming my friend group’s “finance auntie,” I learned that managing money isn’t about fancy jargon—it’s about rewriting the rules we’ve been fed. And honey, we’ve been fed some lies.
Let’s start with the big one: “Women aren’t good with money.” Excuse me? Studies show women actually outperform men by 0.4% in investment returns when given the same resources. But here’s the kicker—we’re 30% less likely to even try investing. Why? Because we’ve been conditioned to see money as a chore, not a tool. I used to treat my bank account like a haunted house—terrified to look inside. Then I realized: avoiding it was costing me my future beach house in Santorini.
Here’s what changed everything: The Latte Lie Exposed. You’ve heard it—“Skip your daily coffee and retire rich!” But let’s math this out. A $5 latte 5x/week = $1,300/year. Invested with a 7% return? In 30 years, that’s… $122k. Sounds impressive until you realize skipping lattes won’t fix systemic pay gaps or childcare costs. The real power move? Keep the latte and invest 1% more of your income. That same $122k? Achievable by adding just $50/month to existing retirement accounts. Mic drop. 🎤
But wait—why does this matter? Because women live longer, earn less, and face a 80% higher chance of poverty in retirement. Our “safety-first” approach (thanks, patriarchal conditioning) often keeps us in low-yield savings accounts while inflation eats our cash like a hungry Pomeranian. My wake-up call? Realizing my “safe” savings account earned less annually than my Zara habit.
The Secret Sauce? Start messy. I began with “micro-investing” apps that round up purchases—$2.30 for oat milk became $3 with 70¢ invested. Within months, I’d quietly stockpiled $300 without “budgeting.” Then I leveled up:
– The 10% Rebellion: Automatically diverting 10% of every paycheck to a separate account. Not for emergencies—for opportunities. This became my “IDGAF Fund” (Impulsive Decisions Generate Financial Freedom).
– ETF Crushes: Falling hard for index funds like VTI (diverse, low-maintenance, never ghosts you).
– Debt Shaming? Nah: Reframed my student loans as “education ROI” and negotiated lower rates.
But here’s the spicy truth no one mentions: Financial confidence isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about asking “dumb” questions. When I first asked my broker to explain dividends like I’m five, she said: “It’s like your money has babies that make more money.” Game. Changed.
Three years later? I’ve built a portfolio that survived two breakups, a pandemic, and my ill-advised “NFT phase.” My biggest win? Seeing my money out-earn my self-doubt. Last month, my investments made more overnight than I did babysitting my nephew (sorry, Timmy).
So here’s my challenge to you: Pick one money move that scares you this week. Maybe it’s finally checking your credit score or buying $10 of stock in that skincare brand you’re obsessed with. Progress > perfection. And hey—if all else fails, remember: compound interest is just glitter for your bank account. ✨