Too many women lack the confidence necessary to take control of their financial lives. Women fear making investments, managing their finances, planning and monitoring their spending, managing investments, and increasing their wealth.

Why aren’t women more confident with their finances?

The answer is that women are stopping themselves from being assertive. Many women leave their financial lives to their husbands, boyfriends or parents, and because of this way of thinking, they lack financial power. Financial empowerment must come from within. Women must seize it with fervor, reflecting an unshakable determination to take control of their financial lives. You must tell yourself that you can become empowered, and that you will not let outdated notions of gender hinder your success. Keep “EMPOWER” in your mind as an acronym representing these concepts:

Education is critical

Motivation inspired by your values

Protection against risk

Ownership of your future

Work — claiming what is yours requires effort

Emotions should be kept out of decisions

Responsibility to yourself

Do you use any acronyms to motivate you with your finances? I’d love to learn about yours!

Krista McBeath is the founder and President of McBeath Financial Group in Bloomington-Normal.  The firm specializes in retirement and financial planning solutions. For more information, you may call 309-202-2224.  We hope you’ve enjoyed this blog.  Don’t forget to subscribe!