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This Women’s History Month, Close The Investing Confidence Gap
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Women’s History Month serves as a good reminder that financial agency is a form of empowerment. The number one way to build that sort of security, independence and agency? Investing.
Unfortunately, investing has long been portrayed as complex, technical and best left to the people who already feel fluent in the language of finance. But here’s the dirty little secret: Confidence doesn’t have to come first. It grows out of having the right support and information.
The problem is, finding the right support can be difficult. Particularly for women. Why? Because the financial planning industry was built for men, by men. That’s the reason that HerMoney exists. It’s also the reason we’ve partnered with Willow, an award-winning advisor-matching platform that connects women and families with vetted, fiduciary financial advisors equipped to support everything from wealth-building to long-term legacy planning.
"When you work with an advisor who communicates clearly, respects your intelligence, and understands your priorities, investing stops feeling abstract," writes Lacy Garcia, founder and CEO of Willow. "It becomes collaborative. Personal. Empowering."
That kind of partnership can shift how someone approaches their financial life – turning investing from something intimidating into something purposeful. "When women are given the tools, context, and partnerships they deserve, they don’t just invest more confidently — they invest more consistently. And that consistency changes outcomes," explains Garcia.
This Women’s History Month, take one small step. Spend a few minutes researching financial advisors or set up a short check-in with someone you’re already working with. Even a brief conversation can put you on the path toward making a little history of your own.
🎯 No advisor? Take this short quiz about your life, financial goals, and priorities to be matched with a vetted professional who aligns with your needs — not just your net worth.
And P.S. If you want more insights from Willow, check out our special Mailbag with CEO Lacy Garcia (at the 31:22 mark!)
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This Week In Your Wallet
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Amid all the global turmoil, experts' advice on our investments is simple – do nothing. Our budgets, however, might need a little attention. If you drive for your commute (or shuttle kids from activity… to activity… to activity), rising gas prices can add up fast. The Washington Post suggests doing a quick "gas audit." "Calculate your monthly fuel cost at $3.25 a gallon, then do it again at $4 and $4.50," suggests the Post. "The difference is the amount you may need to cut from your ‘wants’ starting today." This is also the time to make sure that every time you leave the house, you knock all the errands off your list — eliminating the out-and-back trips that add up so quickly. Another way to save? Check out Gas Buddy or AAA to compare prices before fueling
up.
The latest jobs report was… let’s just say, a little unsettling. If it’s got you thinking about taking matters into your own hands, you’re in good company. As The Wall Street Journal reports, starting a business is back in style. Federal data shows there were over 532,000 new business applications in January – up more than 36% from a year earlier. On LinkedIn, the number of people calling themselves "founders" has jumped 69% recently. "The harsh truth is that many of the businesses launching today won’t last that long," notes the WSJ. "But we’re in a moment when a lot of people figure it might be even riskier to depend solely on a paycheck from someone else."
For many, the easiest path to entrepreneurship is starting small. Over on HerMoney.com, we’ve rounded up some of the best side hustles for women, many of which let you be your own boss. One example: becoming a mobile notary, which can bring in up to $1,000 per month. Instead of working out of an office, you travel to clients who need documents notarized — same rules and services, just more flexible. Check out the full list here.
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Things That Save You Money
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HerMoney staffer Sarah loves the look of Boden for her young daughter – but not the price tag... Her solution? Walmart. The Wonder Nation kids’ line is serving major Boden vibes, and she managed to snag almost an entire spring wardrobe for what a couple of Boden pieces would have cost. Standouts included this set and a pair of very Liberty of London-esque floral sneakers pictured above.
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If you’re the parent of a high school senior, chances are you’re deep in the "how are we paying for this?" phase of the college conversation. For many, private student loans are part of the mix. We’ve rounded up five top-rated options to help you compare.
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$3 = a year of Frostys. With Wendy’s Frosty Key Tag, you get a free Jr. Frosty with any purchase, once a day for a year. Even sweeter? Each tag also supports the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption – so your dessert does double duty.
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How Eva Pilgrim Finally Found Work-Life Balance (And Sleep!)
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"I thought I was one of those special people who didn’t require a lot of sleep. If I could get four hours…I was a rock star," Eva Pilgrim, Anchor, Inside Edition
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"I thought I was one of those special people who didn’t require a lot of sleep," Eva Pilgrim admits. "If I could get four hours…I was a rock star." As a correspondent and anchor at ABC News, Pilgrim’s life was a nonstop whirlwind – but after covering hurricanes, protests and personal heartbreak, she finally "hit her wall."
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A stint in ABC’s London Bureau gave her space to breathe – and to meet her now husband, who was unbothered by her hectic schedule. Back in the U.S., she landed co-anchor roles on Good Morning America Weekend and GMA3, balancing her career with a long-distance romance her mom assured her would work out in the end.
By 2023, with a husband and daughter, Pilgrim sensed the media world shifting. "They had laid off the whole GMA3 staff… the team I had worked with for two years," Pilgrim shares on How She Does It. "I had a suspicion that they were going to renegotiate my contract."
Soon after, she got an offer from Inside Edition. It came with shorter hours, flexibility and the freedom to pursue passion projects. "The idea of going into work at 11 and leaving at like 5, 5:30, that is a dream," Pilgrim says.
Now, six months in, Pilgrim is thriving. She’s covering uplifting stories, chasing dream projects, and, most importantly, spending mornings with her daughter, Ella. "I wake up with her…we do breakfast together, I take her to school, and that was never a thing that happened before," she shares. "It feels like it’s a gift…I’m just trying to soak it all in."
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Tax Season: Your Annual Moment of Financial Clarity
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Tax season is one of the few times of year when we’re forced to pause and take a look at our entire financial picture — earnings, spending, savings, and where our money actually went over the past year… It’s also a moment to think about what comes next: how to use that tax refund wisely, where there may be room to save more, and how to make meaningful progress toward your financial goals. That’s where Monarch can help! Monarch is designed to bring your full financial life into focus — combining budgeting, accounts and investments, net worth, and future planning into one simple dashboard you can access from your phone or laptop. Simplify your finances with Monarch. Monarch is the all-in-one personal finance tool designed to make your life easier. It brings your entire financial life — budgeting, accounts & investments, net worth, and future planning — together in one dashboard, on your phone
or laptop. If you’re ready to take control of your finances for 2026 and beyond, now’s the time to get 50% off your Monarch subscription when you use code HERMONEYFAM.
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Ask Jean
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What are your thoughts on using American Consumer Credit Counseling to help negotiate debt? I’m embarrassed to admit this, but after a job loss and draining my emergency fund, I stopped paying my credit cards for six months and now, creditors are coming after me.
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First, take a deep breath. You’re going to be OK!
Start by calling your credit card company’s hardship department. If your missed payments were due to a temporary struggle (and it sounds like they were), and you have a good history of paying on time, they may be willing to work out a payment plan.
If your situation is more serious, you have options:
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Consolidate high-interest cards. This will simplify payments and possibly lower your interest rate.
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Credit counseling agencies, such as American Consumer Credit Counseling or the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, are a solid next step. They may be able to negotiate a settlement and/or lower your interest rates, as well as provide other support services. This helps some people, but might not be enough if your balances are large.
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Consider a debt relief program. These programs (which are best for those with $10k or more in credit card debt) aim to help you settle your debt for less than the full balance, as well as work with creditors to negotiate more favorable terms, such as lower interest rates and reduced monthly payments. If you go this route, just make sure the company’s promises are realistic. Here are a few options I like and trust.
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The key here is to act fast, know your options and get a plan in place – even small steps can help stop the spiral and get you back on track.
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Submit your questions to Jean here.
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We maintain a strict editorial policy and a judgment-free zone for our community. We strive to remain transparent in everything we do. Website posts and newsletters may contain advertisements, links and mentions of products from our partners. Learn more about how we make money.
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*This is a sponsored post
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