How Women Can Take Control of Their Finances

Learn from a financial coach and money mentor how to overcome common financial challenges and achieve your financial goals.

Why women need to be financially empowered

Money is a powerful tool that can help you create the life you want. At ECC we coach a lot of very successful women who still don’t know much about managing their money, especially when it comes to negotiating their salary, planning for parenthood, or investing for the future. This is such a prevalent issue when it comes to achieving gender equity, as invisible barriers women face as a result of parenthood pose significant implications on women’s financial well-being.

The impact of parenthood on financial well-being is both immediate and long-term. Recent research has revealed that mothers in the UK are earning 43% less than fathers in their weekly earnings. On top of this, the average woman’s pension income is 40% less than men’s. Meanwhile, 43% of fathers cited financial hardship as the primary reason for returning to work early. Taking control of your finances and making conscious decisions that account for the short and long term is more prevalent than ever, but if you are unsure or lacking confidence in where to start, do not worry, many parents feel the same.

So how can you become more confident and savvier with your money and achieve your financial goals?

I recently sat down with Alina Burlacu, a financial coach and money mentor, and asked her to share her insights and tips on how women and families can take control of their finances. During her maternity leave with her second child, Alina—a mother herself—discovered how much she and fellow mothers shared a common concern for financial insecurity and the challenge of knowing where to start when rebuilding their finances.

In this discussion with Alina, we covered how to:

• Negotiate your salary and see your worth
• Prepare for parenthood and cope with the financial changes
• Balance your short-term and long-term financial goals
• Improve your financial literacy and confidence
• Define your version of financial success

Negotiating salary to see your worth

One of the first steps to becoming financially empowered is to negotiate your salary. Your salary is not only a reflection of your value and contribution but also a source of income that enables you to achieve your financial goals. Despite this, many women avoid or dread conversations about their salary because they fear being perceived as greedy, pushy, or unlikable. Additionally, they may experience imposter syndrome, leading them to doubt their value and accomplishments. Resulting in them settling for less than they deserve or missing out on opportunities to advance their careers and income.

I asked Alina how women can reframe their mindset toward salary negotiations:

“It’s important for women to reframe their mindset towards salary negotiations.

Think of it as a conversation, rather than a confrontation. It’s about being assertive and empowered, yet respectful. Engage in a constructive dialogue with your employer to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. Focusing on the value you create.

Preparation and confidence are key. Confidence stems from competence.

Create a document that outlines your skills, abilities, interests, potential, and success stories – essentially, an intrinsic value statement. This will help you clearly articulate your value and contribution and be specific about what you want and why you deserve it.

I also encourage people to look beyond the salary number.

Consider the entire compensation package Take a holistic view of the benefits, tax implications, work-life balance, and trade-offs. Maximise the salary’s potential by determining how it aligns with your personal and professional goals.  

Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. Negotiate from a place of opportunity rather than fear.”

*Right click the infographic to save and use the 5 R’s for Financial Planning

Coping with the financial changes of parenthood

Becoming a parent is a joyous and life-changing event, but it also comes with significant financial considerations. From childcare costs to education expenses, from maternity leave to career gaps, and emergency funds to insurance plans, there are many things that you need to think about and plan for.

Often knowing where to start and how to construct a plan is the hardest step, so I chatted to Alina about how she guides people to set out to build a roadmap for financial planning:

“You need to be realistic, and flexible – life’s not linear, so adjust your planning to suit your evolving aspirations, priorities and circumstance.

Control the controllable – starting with your earnings and spending. Taking into account risks and unexpected expenses. Whilst considering the bigger picture and keeping sight of longer-term aspirations and goals.

 I encourage people to use the Five Rs framework to guide their financial planning.

• Reignite: Find your purpose and motivation and reconnect with your values and principles.
• Review: Recognise the change you are experiencing and assess whether you are suitably equipped financially to navigate it.
• Reset: Focus on your aspirations and expectations and prioritise what is important, urgent, and beneficial now, soon, and later.
• Refine: Adapt your approach, considering your knowledge, mindset, and process and using the resources you have at your disposal.
• Remodel: Create positive behaviours and habits, and consistently drive results that support your financial health and personal wellbeing.

This framework helps you make sound and informed decisions and adapt to the evolving complexity of your life and finances.

If you have a partner, collaboration is essential. Schedule time for discussions and plan together, considering the long-term financial impact of your joint decisions on your careers and future financial independence”.

Balancing your short-term and long-term financial goals

In coaching, I often encounter women who struggle to align their short-term goals with their long-term financial implications. Parenthood’s immediate impact on finances makes it challenging for parents to address urgent needs, such as supporting a child or family, without neglecting future financial requirements like saving for retirement, investing for growth, or creating a legacy.

Women, in particular, often suffer from this short-term financial focus.

On the surface, it may seem practical for dual-career couples to base financial decisions on the higher earner when they have their first child. However, this approach can overlook significant long-term consequences.

For heterosexual couples, the gender pay gap often means that the woman might consider reducing her hours or altering her career plans to accommodate increased living expenses, mainly due to childcare costs.

However, this decision can negatively impact her earning potential, as well as her pension and savings due to maternity leave and career breaks.This is a tricky path for couples to tread, so asked Alina how parents can take care of their present and future financial well-being:

“It’s common for parents to be focused on the immediate financial demands of raising a child.  It’s important to recognise the changing and increasingly complex nature of life and finances. During this period, expenses typically rise, while savings or saving opportunities may decrease. Your options may change. Your choices may have to change

It’s important to acknowledge that this is temporary. And focus on controlling what you can. This often involves focusing on meeting basic needs and dealing with immediate financial demands. Even if it means living paycheck to paycheck for a while

At times, it may just feel like treading waters.

To maintain financial health, it’s helpful to break down your goals into manageable steps across three time horizons: 

• Now: Concentrate on building an emergency fund, repaying high-interest debt, managing risks, and covering essential expenses.
• Soon: Accumulate savings for upcoming significant expenses for things and experiences, such as holidays, education, home improvements, or business ventures.
• Later: Ensure your long-term goals stay on track by consistently saving for retirement, investing for growth and income, and planning for estate and legacy matters.

Navigating the financial landscape of parenthood can be complex, especially for women who often face unique challenges related to career decisions and income disparities. However, by recognising the importance of balancing immediate financial needs with long-term goals, parents can take proactive steps to sustain their financial well-being both now and in the future.”

Improving your financial literacy and confidence

A huge factor that influences women’s financial empowerment and confidence is their financial literacy. Financial literacy involves understanding and using financial information and concepts, such as budgeting, saving, investing, and taxes. Financial confidence is the belief in your ability and competence to manage your finances effectively and efficiently.

With the wealth of information and resources now readily available online about financial planning, I asked Alina how people can improve their financial literacy and become more comfortable with managing their money:

“I often emphasise the importance of leveraging knowledge to make informed decisions and take appropriate action towards desired progress.

Begin by clearly defining your financial objectives.

Consider fundamental aspects of financial well-being, such as living within your means, utilising debt effectively, navigating financial challenges, purposeful saving, and building wealth through investments. These factors may vary in relevance and impact across different life and financial stages.

I like to conceptualise the journey of wealth creation in three stages:

• Surviving: This stage is focused on meeting basic needs and addressing immediate financial obligations.
• Growing: Aimed at elevating living standards and achieving tangible milestones, establishing a systematic approach to earning, spending, saving, and investing.
• Thriving: Characterised by financial mastery, enhancing quality of life, finding fulfilment, and making a positive impact while planning for a legacy.

It’s natural to transition between these stages based on changing life circumstances

Recognise your current stage and adapt your plan to make the progress you want

Next, assess your knowledge requirements, considering their relevance to your unique aspirations, priorities, and circumstances.

Also, acknowledge your emotional state and biases, as they can influence financial decision-making.

Seek out trustworthy sources of financial education, coaching, and mentoring.

Valuable resources include government platforms like gov.co.uk and MoneyHelper, financial media such as podcasts, blogs, books, and magazines, as well as financial professionals like coaches, planners, or mentors who can assist in creating an appropriate financial planning roadmap.

Improving your financial literacy and confidence will empower you to make more informed decisions and enhance your financial well-being.  Importantly, maintain momentum by taking action, addressing one decision and money stigma at a time.”

Defining your vision of financial success

You must define your own version of financial success to become financially empowered. Financial success is a personal and subjective concept that depends on your values, principles, aspirations, priorities, and circumstances. It evolves and changes over time as you go through different life stages and experiences.

“When reassessing your finances, it’s crucial to determine what ‘success’ means to you and clarify the trade-offs involved. By aligning your financial decisions with your life goals, you’ll create a financial strategy that truly supports your aspirations. 

Keep your intrinsic value statement as your compass. This will enable you to articulate your non-negotiables, as well as your unique value and contributions. And approach both life and finances with a mindset of opportunity. 

Stay adaptable and resilient throughout this process, collaborating with your partner and other stakeholders. Be willing to challenge societal norms and gender stereotypes that might hinder your financial empowerment.

Remember to seek assistance and support, and actively pursue opportunities and resources to help you not just survive, but to grow and thrive in your financial journey.

These actions will aid you in navigating your financial path and remaining aligned with your desired destination

 Next steps

Parenthood shifts your priorities both personal and financial. So whether you’re planning for your first child or rethinking how you and your family can improve your financial wellbeing, start by creating your intrinsic value statement and inventory and use it to guide your financial decisions and behaviours. Use the frameworks and strategies that Alina shared to create a comprehensive and sustainable financial plan. Seek out reliable and trustworthy sources of financial education, coaching, and mentoring. Collaborate with your partner and other stakeholders and challenge the social norms and gender roles that may limit or constrain your financial empowerment. Celebrate your achievements, share your stories, and inspire and empower other women.

Remember, you are the master of your money and your life. You have the power and the potential to achieve anything you want. You are financially empowered.

*As a disclaimer, this information does not constitute financial advice or recommendation and should not be considered as such

About Alina:

Alina is your go-to money mentor with over 20 years of experience in the financial industry. Awarded the prestigious 2023/2024 Financial Education Champion by the Personal Finance Society, she’s a leading voice in promoting financial wellness and making money management approachable. Alina goes beyond the numbers. She understands the psychology of money.

She empowers you to set and pursue your financial goals with confidence and a healthy mindset.

When she’s not mentoring her clients, Alina volunteers in schools, educating young minds about all things money and mind.