International Women’s Day (March 8) is “a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.” IWD was first celebrated in the early 1900’s, and since that time much has improved for women.
However, an “unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women’s education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of men.” ~ ISD
Each year the number of voices working to “ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding” keeps growing. And this year I’m adding my voice too.
This post is part of the #WomenRockMoney Movement, a large group of female personal finance bloggers who have come together to inspire more women to learn about money. If you have money questions or want support for your financial goals, learn more about how you can join us at the movement homepage.
Many women today aren’t confident about their financial choices in life according to the Allianz Women, Money, and Power® Study. Almost 70% of women report to being financially secure, yet many claim to feel unsure about the actual financial decisions they make. And over 60% desire more confidence in their decision-making abilities when it comes to everyday finances, financial planning, and investing.
“No one is born with supreme self-confidence. It’s learned.”
Wherever you are on your financial journey, I’d like to inspire you to elevate to the next level. Whether that’s getting out of debt, learning more about financial planning, opening your first investment account, or starting your own business, you can change your future. You just need to believe you can.
First Step to Success, Believe in Yourself
I’ve owned two businesses, went back to school as an adult, paid off over $90k in debt, increased my income almost $30k in 3 years, and launched my second blog this week. But, I’ve had my fair share of failures too. Jobs I applied for that I didn’t get and promotions I didn’t receive.
The difference between the two? Confidence. When I believed in my abilities, nothing stood in my way.
While it takes many things in combination to help you achieve financial success in your life, it’s only possible when you believe in yourself first. It’s amazing what you can accomplish in a year or five or ten when you do.
Today, International Women’s Day, is a great day to start. And every day from here forward is a great day to continue your efforts.
Learn more about personal finance, take control of your future, and achieve success. Believe in yourself and you’ll take the first step to ensure that the future for you and other women, is bright, equal, safe and rewarding.
Visit Women Who Money (my new site with Make Smarter Decisions) for additional money articles to help you take control of your finances.
Amy, you are such a great role model. As a married man with two daughters, thank you for empowering women! It is such an important thing to do.
I am fortunately surrounded by incredibly impressive women who are some of the best doctors, teachers, wives, and mother’s I know. I am impressed by their work every day and their ability to balance it all.
Thanks for this post!
Thank you TPP! It’s great that you recognize all those incredible women in your life. 🙂 And lucky you!
I was just reading how women lack financial confidence on Half Baked’s site. There really does seem to be an issue around women and financial confidence. I think sometimes women think that financial topics are over their heads, when in reality, money is something we manage every day and investing and growing our money is simpler than we make it out to be. I think we need to encourage each other to trust our instincts and learn and grow in this area! Great post!
I agree, Laurie. Women tend to think it’s complicated, especially the investing part (I know I used to). And yes learning to trust your instincts is huge and can really help you in life. Thanks Laure!
Excellent advice, Amy! Happy International Women’s day to you and all the beautiful women out there! ~Mrs. AR
Thanks Mrs. AR, Happy IWD to you too!
Happy International Women’s Day! I’d say that this advice is amazing beyond just finances, but in every part of life. But girls are also taught not to be too overconfident/self centered/etc and that is seriously damaging in the long run.
You too Angela! Yes, we need to do a better job at instilling confidence and helping girls understand what it really means.
Preach sister! Congrats on the second website. I think believing in oneself is probably the greatest pursuit we can go for, because it will help you weather what for sure will be ups and downs in life.
Thanks Tonya! Indeed. We’re still bound to have some low times but we’ll rebound a late faster when we know deep down how worthy we are.
Great post Amy. And kudos to you for starting the new site with such a great mission. It’s gonna be a huge success!
Thank you for the support and vote of confidence. 🙂
I agree – believing in yourself is the very first step in any journey 🙂 great post Amy
Thank you, Peti!
Amy!
Just checked out your new site as well – congrats!!! So beautiful and what an accomplishment! Very inspiring for women (and anyone really!!)
Appreciate that Mrs. DS! Would love to have you as a guest contributor if you’ve every got time. 🙂
Great post, Amy. The funny thing about confidence is that most people don’t have enough of it. So when they see someone WITH confidence they want to be near her, hire her, have her as a friend, etc. Congrats on your achievements and on the new website!
Thanks, Mrs. G! Really excited for the new site. Would love you to contribute too. 😉
Believe in yourself, that’s what I tell my kids all the time (including my son:)).
Congrats on the new blog!
Awesome, me too. 🙂 Thanks, Caroline!
I grew up seeing my mom controlling the finance because that’s ironically more common in East Asia and seen as the norm. Jared’s family was the total opposite where mom made dinner and asked no questions. So now we’re both involved except he takes more investing and tax interests. (Fine with me, I hate reading tax things. It’s like a horse sleeping pill.)
That’s interesting, Lily. Makes sense to me women should control the finances. 😉
A partnership makes the most sense though really…but I don’t blame you on leaving that stuff to Jared. (You come up with the best stuff lol)
I would be honored Amy! Darn – my latest post would have been a good fit I think! My review of Toastmasters may have been a good fit as the cheapest way to build your people skills, further your education, etc. I’ve been having a ball in it! I’ll think of another topic and will keep your site in mind! Again – awesome job!
I have 4 sisters, and as someone who lives with an abundance mindset, I’m trying to instill those same thoughts into their heads… it’s a struggle
How would you recommend I try to go about this?
You are doing so many excellent things right now that will serve as a great example to them. 🙂 For young girls (hell any of us really) it’s so easy to get down on yourself, so I think anything you can do to help them see how far they’ve come is great. Or helping them find lessons learned in anything they do and positives in perceived failures. Oh there is so much… 🙂 Surround them with great role models and ‘teach’ don’t ‘preach’.
Confidence is an important issue and I’m glad you’re focusing on it. Not only is it needed to have the courage to start a business or do your own investing, but it also is important in another way. If you are confident in yourself, you don’t have to impress other people with fancy cars, home upgrades or expensive clothes. It is a key to the financial picture. Thanks Amy for being a leader!
Thanks, Susan. It took me a while to understand all that, but now I hope our community can help others see it too.
This is great and empowering to read! I hate that we always feel the need to tear each other down in order to feel better about ourselves! A lot of women lack confidence since society and advertising is always telling us we aren’t good enough. I def need to be more confidence in the work place and with my money. Finance feels like a guys world! Great read!
Appreciate your kind words, Steph. Yes, women need to help each other instead of fighting each other for attention. We’re hoping to change that. 🙂 Thank you!