The Power of Financial Confidence & How to Take Control

Wondering how to manage personal finances with confidence? Financial confidence is more than just knowing how to budget or invest – it’s about feeling empowered and in control of your money.

Many people struggle with financial anxiety or avoidance, often due to past experiences or a lack of education on the topic.

But the good news is that financial confidence is a skill you can develop. By learning, asking questions, and making intentional choices, you can build a sense of security and freedom around your finances.

What is Financial Confidence and Why Does It Matter?

Financial confidence is the belief in your ability to manage money effectively and make informed financial decisions. 

It’s not about knowing everything but about trusting yourself to navigate financial choices with awareness and intention. 

When you have financial confidence, you feel more in control, less stressed and better equipped to create a secure future. Without it, money can feel overwhelming, leading to avoidance or anxiety.

How to Increase Financial Confidence

You’re already on the right track if you’ve sought out and are reading this post! Here are some key aspects of upleveling your financial confidence: 

Understand your money mindset

How we think about money is often shaped by early experiences and societal influences. 

It’s worth reflecting on the financial messages you grew up with. Did you see men managing money while women were left out of the conversation? Were you told that “money doesn’t grow on trees”? 

These beliefs can impact how you approach finances today, sometimes instilling valuable habits but also fostering scarcity mindsets that limit growth.

Challenge financial myths

Many assume men naturally know more about money, but managing finances is a learned behavior, not an inherent skill. In fact, research shows women actually tend to make more thoughtful investment decisions. 

Relying on a man to handle finances isn’t a solid plan—it’s a risk. Instead, taking ownership of your financial future is a form of self-care and empowerment. 

If you don’t feel confident yet, remember that financial knowledge is learnable. No one is born with it.

Break through financial avoidance

For some, financial literacy feels intimidating, especially if numbers were never a strong suit. I used to avoid taking a deep dive into my finances, partly because I grew up feeling inadequate in math. 

But I learned that financial confidence isn’t about being a math genius. It’s about understanding the basics, asking questions, and making informed decisions. 

The first step is simply to start engaging with your money regularly. Set a calendar reminder to review your finances and track your progress.

Expanding Your Financial Knowledge

Knowledge builds confidence. My cousin was the first person to suggest setting aside a portion of every paycheck into a separate savings account. That small action led me to start actively learning about finances. 

Talking about money with trusted friends and seeking diverse perspectives can help you build confidence. The more you learn, the more empowered you’ll feel to take financial action.

And it’s not about having all the answers right away, but rather, building upon your knowledge as you go. For instance, for years I didn’t know about high-yield savings accounts, but once I learned, I made adjustments to maximize my savings.

I started following financial educators like Bravely Go and even took an introductory course. Later, I invested in a financial strategy session, prioritizing learning from fellow women of color who shared similar experiences. 

Online communities, like women-focused finance groups on Facebook, are a valuable resource where you can read discussions, ask questions and expand your understanding.

Take intentional financial actions

Many of us operate on financial autopilot – setting up a 401(k) because it’s expected but not really understanding it, for example.

Or not being tuned in to our own financial goals and priorities, which makes it easier to simply follow others’ lead even when it’s not what you ultimately would want.

I learned that the hard way, through my divorce. The reality is that, although it may feel uncomfortable at first, the more you learn and know the more your financial confidence improves.

And once that happens? You’ll be well positioned to make intentional, conscious financial wellness choices that are grounded in your values and vision for your own life.

That’s powerful. 

Listen to the full episode on building financial confidence

Financial confidence isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being willing to learn, ask questions and take informed action. 

The more you engage with your money, the more comfortable and empowered you’ll feel. Money is a tool; use it with intention. Take control of your finances, and don’t let them control you.

In this episode:

• why financial literacy is important in your daily life
• how I began to build confidence around personal finances and how you can, too
• the money mindsets I grew up with and their impact on my personal finance journey
• the biggest money LIE or money omission I’ve come face-to-face with
• the basics of investing so you can begin building wealth
• the exact tools I use to manage and grow my money
• exact learning resources I used to develop financial literacy
• how to learn personal finances
• why personal finance education is important