Women are earning more than ever, building wealth, and making powerful financial decisions. Yet, traditional values and mindsets persist that can put women's financial security at risk.
As a woman, reviewing these five critical financial areas will give you confidence that you're staying on top of your finances and securing your financial future.
5 Critical Financial Areas to Review
Emergency Savings: Women Need a Bigger Safety Net
The Risk: Women are more likely to experience career interruptions for caregiving—whether for children, aging parents, or both. A financial cushion isn’t just for peace of mind—it’s protection against income disruptions.
Why It Matters: Without a solid emergency fund, an unexpected job loss, health event, or caregiving need could mean tapping into investments too soon or taking on unnecessary debt.
What to Review:
Do you have at least 6 months of expenses saved (or 12+ months if self-employed or in a high-risk industry)?
Is your cash in a high-yield savings account to keep up with inflation?
If you had to step away from work, how long could you sustain your current lifestyle?
📌 Tip: Women’s finances must be built for flexibility. Your emergency fund is your buffer, giving you options when life shifts.
Investment Allocation & Risk Level: Are You Investing Enough?
The Risk: Women tend to invest less, often keeping too much in cash due to fear of risk. Over time, this means missing out on compounded growth and having less wealth for retirement or major life goals.
Why It Matters: Financial security depends on strategic investing. Your money needs to grow so that you’re financially independent, not just comfortable.
What to Review:
Are you holding too much cash that could be invested?
Is your portfolio too conservative for your long-term goals?
Have you rebalanced your investments in the last 6-12 months?
📌 Tip: Women statistically see higher long-term investment returns than men when they invest. The key? Consistency, diversification, and regular reviews.
Retirement Plan Progress: Are Your Goals Clear and On Track?
The Risk: Many women contribute to retirement accounts without a clear goal or tracking system, assuming they’ll figure it out later. But without specific targets and regular check-ins, you could be saving too little—or investing in a way that won’t get you where you want to be.
Why It Matters: A comfortable retirement is about ensuring you have enough to support the lifestyle you want, for as long as you need. Without a plan, you risk coming up short or delaying your financial freedom.
What to Review:
Have you set a clear financial independence (FI) goal based on your desired lifestyle?
Are you on track to hit your retirement number by your target age?
Have you adjusted contributions based on income changes or new financial goals?
Is your investment strategy aligned with your retirement timeline and risk tolerance?
📌 Tip: Your retirement plan should evolve as your income, goals, and life priorities change. Make it a habit to check in at least once a year to ensure you’re on course—or ahead of schedule!
Tax Strategies: Are You Optimizing Your Tax Savings?
The Risk: Without tax optimization, you're not taking advantage of tax savings that could be used for investing, saving, or wealth-building.
Why It Matters: Smart tax planning means keeping more of what you earn—legally reducing taxes and redirecting that money toward your future.
What to Review:
Are you maximizing tax-advantaged accounts (401(k), HSA, Roth IRA)?
Have you optimized your tax friendly work benefits (FSA, deferred compensation, etc.)?
Are you using strategic tax planning for long-term wealth growth e.g. tax loss harvesting or life insurance?
📌 Tip: Women in high-earning careers must be proactive about tax efficiency. Work with a tax professional to ensure you’re not leaving money on the table.
Estate Plan: Are You in Control of Your Legacy?
The Risk: Women often delay estate planning or assume they don’t need one. But without a plan, your assets might not go where you want—or could be tied up in legal battles.
Why It Matters: A well-structured estate plan ensures your wealth is protected and passes smoothly to your loved ones. If something happens, you don’t want courts or outdated paperwork deciding your financial future.
What to Review:
Are your beneficiaries up to date (especially after major life changes like marriage, divorce, or children)?
Do you have a will, power of attorney, and healthcare directive in place?
Have you set up a trust to protect and efficiently transfer wealth?
📌 Tip: Estate planning isn’t just about what happens after you’re gone—it’s about protecting yourself now in case of unexpected health or financial events.
Take Action Today: Pick one of these five areas and schedule a review this week. Not sure where to start? Let’s chat. A 1:1 session can help you get more clarity.