Hey Ladies! 👋
Let’s be real: money can feel like a big, confusing puzzle, right? So many women tell me they feel anxious about their finances, often ignoring them because it just seems too big, too complex, and frankly, like something they can’t possibly understand. It’s like being dropped into a dense forest without a map, not knowing where to even take the first step.
But here’s what I want you to know: you can absolutely understand this. And there is a map.
I am the oldest of 8 children and grew up in humble beginnings, sometimes wondering when my next meal would be. From those early days, I learned to value every penny. My mom taught me the importance of frugality and living within my means, which allowed me to start getting my Financial Ducks in a row without even realizing it. It was building this financial foundation that helped me create my first nest egg, and eventually, begin investing early. That experience taught me that clarity and a clear path make all the difference.
Grab your coffee ☕. This one’s a game-changer.
Why Stages Matter (And Why Most Women Skip This Step)
Think of building wealth like building a house. You wouldn’t start hanging the chandelier before you’d poured the foundation, right? (Even though, listen, I LOVE a chandelier moment. We will get there!)
But that is exactly what most of us do with money. We hear about a hot stock from a friend, panic-buy a course about real estate, or open a brokerage account without a single dollar in our emergency fund. We’re hanging chandeliers in a house with no walls.
Stages are like a clear stairway, guiding you up towards your financial goals. Each step is purposeful, building on the last, so you never feel lost or overwhelmed. Instead of trying to leap to the top, you simply focus on the next step in front of you. This steady climb gives you clarity and builds your confidence, turning what might feel like a daunting journey into an exciting ascent.
Stage 1: Get Your Financial Ducks in a Row
This is the FOUNDATION. The walls. The plumbing. The boring-but-beautiful stage that makes everything else possible.
Here is the real talk: Stage 1 is the stage most women want to skip. It feels slow. It feels unglamorous. Nobody is bragging about their “perfectly balanced budget” on Instagram.
But I’m telling you, the women I know who have built REAL wealth? They didn’t skip Stage 1. They mastered it. Because Stage 1 is what makes Stage 2 possible.
If you’re here, celebrate yourself! You are laying the foundation every wealthy woman has had to lay. There is no shortcut. There is only the work, and you can absolutely do this.
Stage 2: Put on the Investor Hat
Alright, once your Financial Ducks are happily in a row, you’re ready for Stage 2: the BUILDING stage! This is where you truly put on your Investor Hat and transition from simply managing your money to actively making it work for you. It’s not just about saving anymore; it’s about strategically growing your wealth with purpose and intention.
In Stage 2, you become the ultimate “allocator” in your own life. This means looking at your unique life stages, where you are now and where you want to go, and understanding how different investment “buckets” (like various accounts and types of investments) can best serve those goals. You’ll learn the Language of Money in a deeper way, discovering how to confidently direct your resources, making intentional choices about where your money goes and what purpose it serves. Whether you’re planning for a first home, building for retirement, or dreaming of something else entirely, you’re now in the driver’s seat, deciding which “bucket” gets what, and why.
The key here isn’t perfection, but rather consistency, patience, and the courage to make informed choices that resonate with your personal journey. Understanding which investment vehicles best fit your life stage and how to weave them into a personalized plan is what makes all the difference in building lasting financial freedom. You’re not just investing; you’re strategically allocating your wealth to build the life you envision!
Stage 3: Inside the Investor Hat: Understanding Your Assets
Alright, once you’ve confidently put on your Investor Hat and started allocating your money into those effective “buckets,” it’s time for Stage 3: truly understanding what’s inside those buckets! This is where you go beyond just putting money in and begin to grasp the incredible impact and potential of your investments.
It’s a huge mistake many make when they first venture into self-directed investing: they don’t realize that not all assets are created equal! You might be investing in a 401k or another account, but do you truly understand what your money is doing and why? This stage is all about demystifying your investments so you can make truly informed decisions.
Here, you’ll learn the various levels of risk associated with different assets and how they can potentially move with the economic tides. Understanding this isn’t boring, not when you approach it with curiosity and the right guide! By knowing these key things, you can avoid the common trap of being in the wrong assets, potentially losing money, or not growing as fast as you could be, simply because you told your 401k administrator you didn’t want to lose any money.
Stage 3 empowers you to speak the language of investing with even greater fluency. It’s about confidently looking under the hood of your portfolio, understanding the ingredients, and making intentional choices that align with your risk tolerance and your growth aspirations. This deeper understanding has the potential to supercharge your wealth-building journey, allowing your money to work harder and smarter for you! It’s not just about investing; it’s about becoming a truly savvy and informed investor.
So… Which Stage Are You In?
If you’re in Stage 1: GOOD. You are laying the foundation for all your financial dreams. This work is the most crucial step!
If you’re in Stage 2: KEEP GOING. You’re actively putting on your Investor Hat and building momentum. Consistency and understanding your “buckets” and the “where” is key here!
If you’re in Stage 3: CELEBRATE. You’re not just investing; you’re understanding the very ingredients of your wealth. And then, look around, because someone behind you needs the roadmap you just walked.
Wherever you are, your next step is clear once you know your stage. You stop guessing. You start KNOWING.
Your Next Move
Ready to figure out exactly where you stand? Take the Reveal Your Investing IQ Quiz at HerFinIQ. It’s fast, it’s fun (yes, finance fun is a real thing!), and it’ll point you to the exact next step for your stage.
And if you want to go deeper, grab my free course on the 3 Stages of Wealth – a simple, no-jargon walkthrough of where you are now, where you’re headed next, and the moves that matter at each stage. It’s the clarity I wish every woman had before she made her first big money decision.
You don’t need to figure this out alone. There is a seat at this table with your name on it. Come sit down. 🥂
To your wealthiest stage yet, Jessica Perrone, AFC®
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