Financial Education Resources

Growing up, my mom was the one who handled our family’s finances. That always seemed completely normal to me. But today, many women feel less confident when it comes to managing money—especially long-term financial planning. Why is that?

While there’s no single reason, research from Equitable reveals that 52% of women feel less financially confident than men. Interestingly, most women feel comfortable managing everyday financial tasks like budgeting, saving for emergencies, and maintaining good credit. But when it comes to bigger-picture decisions—like investing, retirement, or legacy planning—confidence often drops.

What’s Holding Women Back?

In today’s digital world, access to financial information isn’t the issue. The gap often stems from limited early exposure to key financial topics—especially investing and retirement strategies.

Many women also serve as primary caregivers, balancing responsibilities for both children and aging family members. With so much energy focused outward, it’s easy to push long-term financial planning to the back burner.

How to Build Financial Confidence: Step-by-Step

If you’re ready to take control of your financial future, here are a few simple steps to help you start investing with confidence.

1. Define Your Financial Goals

Start by asking yourself: What am I investing for?

• Retirement?
• A new home?
• College tuition?
• Long-term care for a loved one?

Clarifying your goals and timelines is essential to building a personalized investment strategy. These factors will help you determine how much to invest—and how aggressively.

2. Understand the Basics of Investing

All investments involve some level of risk. The key is knowing your comfort level and your timeline.

• Younger investors can typically afford to take on more risk because they have time to recover from market fluctuations.
• Older investors may want to focus on more stable, lower-risk options.

And don’t underestimate the power of compound interest—it’s one of the simplest and most effective tools for growing wealth over time.

3. Learn the Language of Investing

Knowing basic investment terms can boost your confidence and help you make informed decisions. Here are a few to get familiar with:

• Stocks – Ownership in a company. Higher risk, higher reward.
• Mutual Funds – Pooled money managed by professionals, diversified across assets.
• Bonds – Loans to companies or governments. Typically lower risk, modest returns.
• ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) – Similar to mutual funds but traded on an exchange like stocks, often with lower fees.

4. Build a Strong Financial Foundation

Before you invest, ensure you have a solid safety net—ideally 4–5 months of living expenses in an accessible emergency savings account.

Once that’s in place, consider starting with retirement-focused accounts like a 401(k) or IRA, which offer tax advantages. You can also explore beginner-friendly platforms and low-cost investment apps.

5. Keep Learning and Stay Engaged

Financial literacy is a lifelong journey. Stay curious and committed:

• Listen to finance podcasts
• Follow money-minded influencers
• Bookmark trusted sites like The Motley Fool or Investopedia

Even 10 minutes a week can make a big difference over time.

Start Small. Grow with Confidence.

You don’t need thousands of dollars to get started. Small, consistent contributions—paired with growing knowledge—can build momentum and wealth over time.

And remember: investing is a long-term journey, not a race. If you’re ever unsure, don’t hesitate to consult a trusted financial advisor.

At Fidelity Bank, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Visit our free Investing Resource Center for beginner-friendly tools, calculators, and educational articles—all designed to simplify the process and boost your confidence.

You’ve got this. Because confidence grows with action—and your future self will thank you for starting today.