Women, Money and the Freedom to Have Choices

What my mom taught me about saving, what I've learned along the way and why having a financial plan matters.

I've spent more than 15 years working in financial services marketing, so I've learned quite a bit about investing, insurance and retirement planning. I've also spent most of my adult life managing our family's finances.

And while I've made some pretty good financial decisions over the years, I've learned a few things I'd do differently, too.

Fortunately, I had a great financial role model growing up: my mom.

She taught me to save first. Have money automatically deducted from your paycheck, then figure out how to live on what's left.

It's simple advice, but probably one of the most valuable financial lessons I've ever learned. And one I've tried to pass along to my kids.

Women are taking charge. But are we confident?

According to a 2026 study, 53% of women say they're the chief financial officer of their household, up from 41% in 2021.

That's encouraging. But here's what's interesting: Only 46% of women feel confident about their retirement financial plans.

We're increasingly managing the money, but we're not necessarily feeling great about where we're headed.

There's a difference between managing your money and having a plan for what you want that money to do for you.

Know your money. And have a plan.

In our house, I handle most of the financial details, probably because of my career and, frankly, because I enjoy it. My husband is always aware of our options and involved in the bigger decisions.

We both have life insurance, and my husband has an individual disability policy. We purchased coverage when we were young and healthy, which helped us secure lower premiums.

My husband likes to joke that I have so much life insurance on him that he checks his brake lines. He's kidding. Mostly.

One thing I wish we'd done sooner? Work with a financial professional.

For years, I saved aggressively and managed our finances, but I didn't have a clear picture of exactly where we were headed. Having a professional help us connect our savings to specific goals has made a real difference.

One of my favorite tools our advisor provides is an app that brings all our finances together. I can see our accounts, track our net worth and check our progress toward retirement.

But it's not just about retirement. We can explore other goals, like helping our kids pay for their weddings or figuring out how we'll afford our next vacation.

I love being able to see the big picture and explore different scenarios. Our advisor also monitors our investments, brings ideas to the table and helps us understand our options.

And here's something I feel strongly about: Find a financial professional who respects you. I've had experiences where financial professionals directed their attention to my husband, even though I was the one managing our finances and making most of the decisions. Seriously?!

Women deserve to be heard, respected and treated as equal partners in financial conversations. If someone talks over you, dismisses your questions or assumes your spouse is the decision-maker, find someone else.

I used to think you needed a lot of money to work with a financial professional. You don't necessarily. There are different ways advisors are compensated, so ask questions and understand the costs.

If you're looking for someone, I'm happy to share the contact information for the professional we work with. Just ask!

Financial security is about having choices

According to the Federal Reserve's 2026 report, only 55% of American adults reported having enough emergency savings to cover three months of expenses.

That statistic hits a little differently for me this year.

After an unexpected job loss, I'm grateful for the decisions we've made over the years. We've saved enough that I don't have to rush into the next opportunity out of desperation. I can take some time to figure out what I really want to do next.

We've also had some big life changes, including selling our longtime family home. Afterward, we fully funded our Health Savings Account (HSA) for the year, giving us money set aside for future medical expenses.

Those weren't accidental outcomes. They were the result of years of saving, planning and making thoughtful financial decisions.

And that's what financial security means to me. Having options.

What I'd tell my 30-year-old self

Looking back, I'm proud of how we've managed our money. But there are definitely a few things I'd tell my younger self:

• Save first, spend second. Mom was right. Automate your savings and learn to live on what's left.

• Start early. Time in the market matters. Even small amounts invested consistently can add up over the years.

• Don't blow every bonus. Enjoy some of it, but save more than you think you need to.

• Get professional guidance sooner. Saving is important, but knowing what you're working toward is even better.

• Know your numbers. Even if you're not where you want to be financially, look at the whole picture. You can't make informed decisions without knowing where you stand.

Here's what I think

Women are increasingly taking charge of their money, and that's a good thing. But managing the day-to-day finances is only part of the picture. Understanding your investments, planning for retirement and knowing how your money supports the life you want are just as important.

You don't need to be wealthy to start planning. And you don't need to be an investment expert.

You do need to be involved, ask questions and make decisions that work for you.

Because at this stage of life, I've learned that money isn't really about money. It's about having the freedom to make choices.

And I'm a big fan of having options.

Sources: Allianz Life, 2026 Women Money Power Study; Federal Reserve, Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2025, published May 2026. This article reflects my personal experiences and is not financial advice.