Smashing Stereotypes: How Women Are Redefining Financial Decision-Making
Are Women More Averse to Financial Decisions?
These stats changed how I think:
You're not just living longer; you're also better educated. But that is not all….
The Big Money Myth: Women and Financial Decisions
Contrary to popular belief, women are just as likely as men to make financial decisions. This isn't just wishful thinking. It's backed by data. The myth that women are reluctant to manage their finances is an outdated stereotype that no longer holds water. Women are capable and actively engaged in making the right financial decisions, and women are proving to be better investors over the long term than men. [3]
Why Money Myths Matter
These myths aren't just frustrating—they're barriers to financial freedom; they disempower you and prevent you from pushing through or even trying in the first place. They create unnecessary doubts, causing many women to hesitate to take control of their finances. It's on us to break through these outdated notions and take charge of our financial futures.
The stakes are high: our quality of life and peace of mind depend on it.
Binning the Myth: Women Are Powerful Financial Decision-Makers
Women are more reluctant to make investing decisions that simply don't hold up. Account opening rates on investing platforms show no significant difference between men and women [4]. The data shows women are stepping up, investing, and making informed decisions just as much as their male counterparts. So why aren’t we talking about it more? Why are we allowing harmful stereotypes to flourish?
Why the Hesitancy? It's Not About Capability, It's About Confidence
Here's the thing: the majority of readers of this blog are women. If I’m honest, the majority of my coaching clients are female, too. Yet, in my experience in the financial advisory, investment, and asset management industries, the majority are men. When I coach, I often hear stories of frustration and uncertainty from women about their money. These women are highly educated and earn solid incomes but often feel uncomfortable with financial planning or growing wealth in general.
This discomfort leads to hesitancy and a lack of confidence in growing their money. They feel investing isn't for them, thinking of it as something complex, scary, and risky. In reality, investing in stocks or bonds is not difficult. However, it does require decision-making—what to buy, where to hold your investments, and in what proportions.
These can, of course, seem daunting, but anyone can overcome these challenges with the right mindset and information.
The Real Barriers: Jargon and Perceived Complexity
While anyone can find the information they need to make informed financial decisions, women often feel bogged down by jargon and complexity. Women want to understand every detail, which can sometimes lead to analysis paralysis; I see this repeatedly in my research. I totally get this; understanding the investing landscape helps decision-making clearer and, in my experience, reduces risk, too.
Are you Already an Investor?
I conducted a little experiment on my Instagram account. I asked my followers to raise their hands if they considered themselves investors. Only a few hands went up, including mine. But when I asked how many had a pension, multiple more hands were raised. This simple exercise showed that many of us don't realise that having a pension means we're already investors.
Most company pensions today are defined contribution plans, which means you have a say in how your money is invested. If you're not paying attention to where your pension is going, you might be stuck in a default fund—a low-risk, low-reward option. Get proactive and take charge of your investments; know where your money is invested and what that investment means.
The Industry Needs to Step Up
The financial industry has a role to play here. At the same time, some workplaces are doing more to make women aware of their pension benefits. The industry needs to do a better job of marketing itself to women. It's not just about offering products; it's about changing the conversation, spending more time on education, and creating awareness.
The Power of Small, Regular Investments
One piece of advice I would pass on to anyone: regularly saving small amounts into the stock market over the long term is one of the best ways to achieve steady investment growth. This strategy allows you to ride out the market's ups and downs and is especially powerful when done through a tax-efficient vehicle like a pension or investment account. A tax-efficient vehicle is an investment account or pension that offers tax advantages, such as tax-free growth or tax deductions, which can significantly boost your investment returns.
Let's Rewrite the Story
Ladies, you have the education, longevity, and capability on your side. It’s time to match them with confidence. Don't let outdated myths hold you back, or worse, don’t be that outdated myth. Your financial future is in your hands; step up and protect yourself, your loved ones, and your family's future.
PS the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now. It's never too late to start taking charge of your financial future. The myth that women are more averse to financial decisions? Consider it officially debunked.
Now, go out there and make your money work for you by signing up to the Rise Money Newsletter, where I share money insights, mindset and investing tips every week.
Comments