Money 101 for Women
Because knowing how to handle your money is not just smart — it’s self-care.
Let’s be real: most of us weren’t taught how to manage money. Budgeting, saving, investing, taxes? Somehow, that never made it into the school syllabus — and in many families, women were left out of financial conversations entirely.
But here’s the truth:
Money is freedom. Money is power. And money confidence starts with money knowledge.
This is your crash course. No jargon, no shame, just the essentials every woman should know to feel in control of her financial life.
1. Know Where Your Money Is Going
→ Start with a simple budget.
Track your income and expenses — even if it’s just in a notebook or Google Sheet. Use the 50/30/20 rule as a guide:
- 50% needs (rent, groceries, bills)
- 30% wants (shopping, outings, subscriptions)
- 20% savings or debt repayment
Tip: Apps like Walnut, Money Manager, or Notion templates can make this fun and visual.
2. Build an Emergency Fund
→ 3 to 6 months of your basic expenses, saved in a separate account.
This is not for travel or shopping — it’s for when life throws curveballs (like job loss, health issues, or unexpected repairs).
Even ₹1,000 a month can add up. Start small. Stay consistent.
3. Open Your Own Bank & Investment Accounts
→ Be the primary holder, not just a joint one.
You should always have accounts in your name, with your passwords and your decisions. Independence starts here.
Learn how to open a PPF, SIP, or even a simple fixed deposit online. It’s easier than you think
4. Start Investing — Even If It’s ₹500/Month
→ Investing grows your money. Saving just keeps it.
Begin with low-risk options like:
- Mutual Funds (through SIPs)
- Public Provident Fund (PPF)
- Index Funds (via platforms like Zerodha, Groww)
Tip: Investing early beats investing big. The earlier you start, the more you earn through compounding.
5. Know the Terms (And Don’t Be Afraid to Ask)
→ You don’t need to be a finance bro to be financially literate.
Learn key terms like:
- Credit Score (important if you want a loan)
- Inflation (why ₹100 now ≠ ₹100 in 10 years)
- Asset vs. Liability (what adds vs. takes away from your net wort
6. Get Insured, Even If You’re Young
→ Health insurance isn’t optional.
Unexpected illness or hospitalization can wipe out savings.
Also consider:
- Life insurance (if you have dependents)
- Term plans (pure coverage, not the complicated ones with returns)
7. Talk About Money Openly
→ With friends. Partners. Parents. Mentors.
Money shouldn’t be a taboo topic — especially for women. Ask questions. Discuss salaries. Share money wins and money lessons. Empowered women empower women.
Why Financial Independence = Feminism
We talk a lot about feminism — about equal rights, equal pay, equal opportunities. But there’s one truth that often gets buried under hashtags and headlines:
There is no real freedom without financial independence.
Feminism isn’t just about breaking glass ceilings. It’s also about being able to pay your own rent, walk away from toxic situations, and make life choices without being financially dependent on anyone.
💡 So, What Is Financial Independence?
It means you:
- Earn your own income (or manage it with autonomy)
- Make your own financial decisions
- Save, invest, and spend on your terms
- Can support yourself without relying on parents, partner, or anyone else
Financial independence is not about how much you earn — it’s about how much control you have.
🧨 Why It’s Feminist AF
1. 💥 It Lets You Leave (Jobs, Relationships, Homes)
Whether it’s an underpaying job or an abusive relationship — money gives you choices. Without it, you’re trapped.
Feminism fights for choice. Financial freedom enables it.
2. 🧍♀️ It Builds True Equality in Relationships
When women have financial autonomy, partnerships become equal, not transactional. You’re not “taken care of” — you’re taking care of yourself and choosing love, not survival.
3. 🧠 It Breaks Generational Cycles of Silence
How many of our mothers were told “manage the house” while men handled the bank accounts?
Women who manage money today are raising daughters who expect financial independence, not just dream of it.
4. 📢 It Gives You a Voice at the Table
Money equals influence. When women invest, fund, donate, or build businesses, they shape economies, communities, and culture.
Financially empowered women change the world — not just their wardrobes.
5. 💪 It’s Self-Worth in Action
You don’t just earn money — you earn confidence. You charge your worth. You speak up. You stop apologising for your dreams.
Every rupee earned is a reminder: I am capable. I am enough. I am free.
