A generation of professional women groomed for leadership roles are disappearing.
For starters, men outnumber women at every level of the pipeline – from entry-level to the C-suite, a gender gap persists regardless of race and ethnicity. However, women often cite having fewer opportunities for mentorship and sponsorship, which often limits their visibility and advancement within their organization. They also bear a disproportionate burden of the childcare and household responsibilities, which often impacts their ability to dedicate time to their career goals.
Regardless of the reason, the impact on women’s finances is profound, and affects not only their income, but also their long-term wealth and retirement security.
That’s why financial education for women isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s essential.
It’s the key to helping women make informed career decisions, whether that’s understanding the true financial impact of stepping back or out, switching paths, or learning how to navigate and recover from those choices.
Contrary to what many people think, financial literacy isn’t just about budgeting or saving—it’s an empowerment tool that equips women with the skills, strategies, and confidence to build wealth on their own terms, even in the face of life’s curveballs.
Yet, even the most successful women hold on to beliefs that are quietly sabotaging their financial future.
Here are five common misconceptions—and how the right education for women can shift everything:
- “I make good money – that’s enough.”
Many women (and men) believe that a strong paycheck equals financial stability. However, income alone doesn’t translate to wealth. For one, there’s a wise saying: “It’s not what you make, it’s what you keep.” And two, expenses are rising far faster than wages, leaving little wiggle room to save for important life goals such as retirement.
Even high earners aren’t immune. One in five U.S. households making over $150,000 a year are living paycheck to paycheck, spending more than 95% of their income on essentials.
Financial literacy that supports women in re-examining their savings habits and setting SMART goals can help turn their income, regardless of the amount, into assets—and give women the tools to build financial freedom beyond the 9 to 5.
- “The only way I can get ahead is if I jump to another company and be paid more.”
According to CNBC, 52% of women surveyed said the top reason they’re considering leaving their current role is for higher pay. It’s often true that women must move to get the raise they deserve. But what’s overlooked is lifestyle creep. With every pay bump, there’s a strong temptation to spend more – on a new smartphone, eating out, designer clothes, vacations, etc..
Targeted and holistic financial education for women that deep dives into mindful spending, and zero-based budgeting for example, have been proven to minimize lifestyle creep and improve savings exponentially. - “I’m undervalued and underpaid.”
The fact is many women face a 15-30% wage gap. However, research show that while women are just as likely as men to negotiate their salaries, they are much more likely to bring cultural and social expectations to the table – such as not “rocking the boat”, or that their hard work will eventually be recognized and rewarded.
Understanding how to negotiate, knowing your market value, and seeing the long-term cost of not speaking up can change everything. Building financial skills is proven to help erase negative money beliefs and build the confidence and literacy to advocate for your worth.
- “I don’t want to talk about money like men do.”
Social networks are essential for career growth, yet research shows men talk about money, wealth, and business 2 to 3 times more than women. They engage in strategic conversations about business deals, investments, and financial moves. Men are also more likely to leverage these money conversations to spot opportunities and build wealth through relationships.
In contrast, women’s discussions often focus on personal growth and social issues. While there’s nothing wrong with this, it’s hurting women’s career trajectory and finances due to a lack of emphasis on financial education for women.
Meanwhile, eight in 10 women avoid talking about money even with close friends or family. And as women move into leadership, they’re even less likely to talk openly about finances, according to Wells Fargo.
Avoiding money talk may be seen as being modest, but it’s costly.
Other Important Link – https://saijelle.com/blog/beyond-the-pay-gap-how-financial-wellness-surveys-empower-women
With the right kind of financial fluency in business strategy, investing and wealth-building frameworks, women have greater chances in using financial power to direct their career and influence important networks – without copying how men talk.
- “I’ll deal with my finances later.”
Our experience is that “later” often turns into “never” or “too late”.
Delayed financial education can cost women hundreds of thousands of dollars over their lifetime. From not negotiating salaries effectively to not knowing how to save, invest, and navigate wage gaps, the pink tax, and motherhood penalties, these gaps add up. It is why women are 80% more likely than men to live in poverty during retirement.
On the flip side, building financial strategies to tackle systemic challenges can make the difference between a secure retirement and outliving your savings.
Career women don’t need to change who they are—they need better tools and financial education that tackle biases and roadblocks. When they have access to the right knowledge and support, they don’t just earn more—they keep more, grow wealth faster, and create a life where they have abundant choices.
At Saij Elle/Saij Wealth Consulting, we offer personal and corporate financial education solutions built specifically for women. Whether you’re looking to take control of your own financial future or empower women across your organization, we’re here to help you turn knowledge into lifelong prosperity.
Set up a discovery call to learn more.