Have you ever been told that you're not good with money? That women aren't as financially savvy as men? That we're more prone to overspending and living beyond our means? Unfortunately, these kinds of stories are all too common. But the truth is, they're just myths.

I’m going to bust some of the most pervasive myths about women and money, and share some truths that will help you take control of your finances.

Myth #1: Women are naturally bad with money. 

There's no biological or genetic reason why women would be less skilled at managing finances than men. Studies have shown that women tend to be more diligent about budgeting and saving than men, and are less likely to take on risky investments.

A report published in 2018 by the Warwick Business School in the UK analyzed data from 2,800 investors over a three-year period and found that women generated higher returns on their investments than men. The report attributed this trend to the fact that women tend to be more patient and less li...

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, many women are thinking about how to show love to the special people in their lives. But before you buy the flowers or book the dinner, I want to invite you to pause and do something equally meaningful: show love to yourself and your financial future.

Self-love is not selfish. It is one of the smartest investments you can make. Just like the airplane safety reminder says, you need to put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others. The same is true with your money. When you prioritize your financial wellness, you create stability, confidence, and peace that benefit everyone around you.

As a financial planner who has helped hundreds of women through major life transitions, I have seen how financial clarity can transform confidence. When you feel in control of your money, you show up differently in every area of your life. You make choices that align with your values, not your fears. And that is the ultimate form of self-love.

Here a...

People like to make a lot of proclamations about what to “always” or “never” do with your money. However, these are quite often total financial myths. And, when it’s coming from a source you trust, you tend to take these financial myths at face value rather than exploring the truth of the situation for yourself.

These five financial myths can negatively impact your mental wellbeing as well as that of your budget and financial security. So let’s play MythBusters and talk through some of the things we always hear about finances and the reality of the matter instead.

Financial Myth #1: You don’t need an emergency savings fund if you have a credit card.

The Reality: This is a very costly (and not always assured) way to cover emergencies.

This is one of the financial myths that always gets me going! There are so many things that could get you into trouble around credit cards and the way people use them is one of them.

The reality is that you may have credit today, but not tomorrow. ...

Let me ask you something. When was the last time you actually looked at your credit score? Not the number your banking app flashes at you, but the thing underneath it.

Your credit rating is a three digit number between 300 and 850 that predicts one thing: how likely you are to repay what you borrow. That number decides whether you get approved for a mortgage, what rate you pay on a car loan, and in many states what you pay for insurance. Understanding your credit rating is not about obsessing over the number. It is about knowing which five things move it, so you stop guessing.

Here is what I see over and over. Smart, capable women who can run a household budget in their head have never been told how the score is actually calculated. That is not a gap to feel bad about. Nobody teaches this.

What the number actually measures

The range runs from 300 to 850, and higher means lower risk to a lender.

You do not have one credit score. You have several. Different scoring models and diff...

Are you bewildered by the complex nature of debt? Indeed, dealing with debt can be an intricate process. Like many others, I was once inundated with student loans, credit cards, and car payments, making it seem like a financial breather was impossible. However, believe it or not, not all debt is detrimental. Let's delve into how you can effectively manage your debt by distinguishing between good and bad debt.

How Debt Can Derail You

To many, debt is synonymous with financial doom. True, certain types of debt can jeopardize your financial stability and impede your progress toward a secure financial future. It's important to understand the broad spectrum of debt and how each type affects your credit differently. Bad debt could comprise upside-down loans, high-interest rates, debt exceeding your worth, or simply poor financial decisions like payday loans.

Detrimental Debt Actions

Incurring a loan for something you couldn't outright afford often leads to negative debt scenarios. This t...

Let me ask you something. How many of your bills still require you to remember them?

An online bill payment solution is any setup that moves money to your billers without you handling it by hand, whether that is your bank's bill pay service, autopay with each individual company, or a mix of both. The convenience is not really the point. The point is that a system does not need you to be organized, rested, or paying attention in order to work.

That is the difference between good intentions and a system. Good intentions need you to show up every single time. A system keeps running while you are busy, traveling, sick, or simply tired of thinking about money.

What online bill pay actually does for you

The obvious benefit is that you stop paying late fees. The real benefit is that you stop spending attention.

Every bill you pay manually costs you a small decision. Remembering it exists, finding the amount, logging in, paying it. Ten bills a month is ten decisions, plus the low background hu...

Juggling multiple financial goals can be stressful and confusing. It's especially challenging to make progress on other financial goals when you're drowning in debt. The message is clear when it comes to saving for retirement - start early! However, some financial gurus are adamant that you should pay off all of your revolving debt before investing for retirement. So, should you pay off your debt first or start saving for retirement? How do you decide? 

#1 Make a Budget

When making your budget, you have to consider everything. Evaluate how much you make, your expenses such as insurance (health and vehicle), utilities, groceries, etc. your debts, and your saving plans. When figuring out each month what you can afford, we have to make sure we have every aspect covered in our life. Going through the budgeting process will help you determine the money you have available for debt repayment as well as for retirement savings.

For each debt, be sure to identify the balance, the associate...