Scroll personal finance sites and you’ll find plenty of topics related to financial independence for women. After all, what female doesn’t want to live life on her terms, without being beholden to someone for their financial security?
However, reaching financial freedom doesn’t come without its challenges. The economic and political landscape has become more complex and unpredictable. In addition, women face a host of systemic barriers, from the wage and wealth gap to smaller pensions (relative to men) to the pink tax.
But the biggest roadblock to financial independence are the beliefs women hold – many of which they are not even aware of – all of them outdated.
To gain true financial independence – the kind that gives women choices, security, and power – there are six outdated beliefs women need to let go of, and six empowering ones to build in their place.
Outdated Belief #1: “I have a confidence problem.”
Women are more often than not told they “just need to believe in themselves” when it comes to making financial decisions.
Not that confidence isn’t important. But to gain confidence, women need competence in specific financial skills. Let’s face it – most people have not been taught financial literacy at school, at home, or even in the workplace. So, how can they magically wake up one day feeling confident about how to tackle their finances when they haven’t learned saving, investment,t or even wealth protection strategies?
Confidence isn’t pulled magically from the air – it comes from learning and doing.
Our community at Saij Wealth is built for exactly this: helping women build the skills and the confidence to take control of their financial lives.
Outdated Belief #2: “I can talk my way to financial independence.”
We all love a good panel discussion.
We’ll attend “female empowerment” events that talk endlessly about how the wage women face is unfair. It is unfair. But information without action changes nothing.
Many women are on a hamster wheel, consuming more and more content, attending every seminar that speaks to the problem, believing that perfecting knowledge will somehow save them. They overthink instead of doing. Action—even when imperfect—is what builds momentum. It’s only when you’re in the weeds that you can make the best financial decisions for your unique circumstances. It’s only then that you can plainly see your challenges and navigate your way through them. And you will, because you will have the tools.
The key is to learn from experts who can guide you with structure, clarity, and steps forward. That’s exactly why our membership program exists—to help women move from awareness to action with a proven framework.
Outdated Belief #3: “I can budget my way to wealth.”
How many times have you seen “finfluencers” promise you they have the formula to make you rich, and all they teach are budgeting techniques?
Don’t get me wrong – saving money is crucial. Without cash flow, you can’t invest and create sustainable wealth. But relying solely on saving money will not get you to financial independence.
With inflation, costs of living expenses outpacing wage growth, and longer life spans, women have to investing in assets that generate at least a 3-4% real return (returns above inflation) over a span of 25-35 years to even have a chance of achieving financial freedom.
Investing, and the compounding effect it gives, truly is the 8th wonder of the world, as Warren Buffet says. It’s absolutely crucial to grow your money through investing, building assets, and earning income beyond a 9–5 job. If your money isn’t working while you sleep, you’ll be working forever.
Outdated Belief #4: “My worth is reflected in what I wear, drive, or post.”
This belief runs deep, and it’s incredibly costly financially and emotionally. Women are taught from an early age that our appearance is currency. It’s in all the advertisements, it’s what society tells us, it’s everywhere.
We are told that we are great managers of money based on how we spend money, except that money is too often to “look the part” – the outfits, the hair, the nails, the home decor, the vacations.
But spending to prove your worth is a trap. Real wealth isn’t flashy. In fact, real wealth is often what you don’t see.
Real wealth is freedom. It’s sleeping well at night knowing you’re building a future on your terms.
It’s time we redefined our status not by what we consume, but by how financially secure and self-sufficient we are. Agree?
Outdated Belief #5: “I have a good salary so I’m okay.”
Not necessarily. At some point, that salary will end. Either you will be laid off, choose to leave or want to retire. And when no income is coming in, you will need to replace it to sustain your lifestyle.
Creating passive income is one of the most important levers in achieving financial independence. But many women overlook or underestimate it—because they’ve never been shown how to make it real in their lives.
Other Important Articles: https://saijelle.com/blog/financial-workshops-for-employees
Passive income can come in many forms – real estate, dividend stocks, digital products, royalties, and even small business ventures. Learning how to build multiple income streams—even slowly—can be life-changing. And it’s a great way to buy back your time and protect your wealth.
Outdated Belief #6: “Talking about money is awkward or impolite.”
We’ve been conditioned to think that talking about money is tacky, private, or even shameful. Except that everyone needs money to survive and thrive. It’s a central part of our well-being and security. So why shouldn’t be talk about?
The silence is what keeps women financially vulnerable. Men talk about money openly. They talk about salaries, investing, and business opportunities regularly, and believe me, they benefit enormously from that transparency.
When women stay silent, we miss out. The more we talk about money, the more we learn, grow, and uplift each other.
In our membership community, we’ve created a space where no question is too basic, and no goal is too bold.
The Bottom Line
Financial independence for women starts with rejecting the old stories we’ve been told and telling ourselves a new one. One where we are competent, strategic, action-oriented, curious and fully capable of building lasting wealth.
If you’re ready to stop watching from the sidelines and start building your path to freedom, join us inside our Strictly Money Membership. We’re not just talking about the wealth gap—we’re closing it, one woman at a time.
Learn more about our membership for individuals and corporations and join us today. https://courses.saijelle.com/strictly-money-membership-program/