Walking Away from Should - A Money Story

Finding our way back to financial wisdom

The first two weeks of the Master’s program I’m in have been interesting.

So interesting, in fact, that I’m considering a pivot to a Master’s certificate in Financial Therapy. 😜

I’m not sure what I was expecting, but this program is genuinely geared towards someone who wants to become a Financial Planner. (If you haven’t read my previous post, the program is a Master’s in Financial Planning and Financial Psychology. I have a BS in Psychology.)

My interest truly lies in the psychology side of things.

More “EQ” than “IQ.”

Some of the textbook (that could be used as a doorstop it’s so hefty) feels a bit like I’m reading something from the 1950s.

It feels pretty tone-deaf.

A friend in the program with me pointed out that when they refer to family expenses, they never mention childcare, which is a significant cost.

In some ways, this has fired me up even more to change the narrative regarding women and money.

Here’s what hit me, though, when I started thinking, “Is this really the right program for me?” : I felt like my 18-year-old self in college, who felt a responsibility to someone other than myself (my parents) about dropping a class, changing a major, changing schools, etc.

Then I had to remind myself that:

• I’m doing this for me

• Um… I’m an adult who gets to make her own decisions, lol

• I’m paying for this - why would I invest this much money into something I don’t need and am not enjoying?

I don’t need permission from anyone to make a decision, change my mind, and do what feels best for me.

At first, it felt silly to share this (note the judgment)- fortunately, I know there’s power in sharing and shedding light on things that no longer serve us.

What strikes me most about this experience—and about so many conversations I'm having with women—is that we're finally waking up to the fact that we don't need to follow anyone else's financial blueprint. Those outdated textbooks and tone-deaf approaches are exactly why we need to create something new.

Just as I had to remind myself that I don't need permission to pivot in my education, women everywhere realize they don't need permission to approach money differently. We're quietly but powerfully stepping away from the "this is how it's always been done" mentality.

I'm seeing more and more women give themselves permission to:

• Define wealth on their own terms (not what some 1950s textbook tells us it should look like)

• Start exactly where they are (without shame about past decisions or "late" starts)

• Trust their intuition about money (because sometimes that quiet inner voice knows best)

• Take imperfect action (because waiting for the "right time" keeps us stuck)

• Prioritize their financial education (even if it means pivoting, like I might - or just reading books that resonate)

What's fascinating is that while I'm questioning whether a traditional financial planning program fits my goals, I'm more confident than ever about what women need: a space to explore their relationship with money that honors both the practical AND the emotional aspects of wealth.

I find this incredibly exciting.

We live in a time when women not only have unprecedented access to financial knowledge and tools, but we're also finally changing how we talk about money. We're creating spaces where spreadsheets and feelings are welcome at the table.

It's no longer just about mastering budgets and investment strategies (though, yes, those matter). It's about understanding the whole picture:

• Recognizing and healing our money stories

• Breaking free from generational patterns that no longer serve us

• Building wealth with intention and purpose

• Creating financial legacies that align with our values

• Supporting and lifting other women as we rise

Just like my journey with this Master's program is teaching me, sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is question the status quo.

What if the traditional approach to financial education and planning isn't broken just for me but for many women? What if that disconnect is actually pointing us toward something better?

If you're feeling called to join this quiet revolution, remember this: every woman who's ever mastered her finances started precisely where you are. The only difference is they decided to begin - often imperfectly, usually with some uncertainty, but always with courage.

Your first step doesn't have to be dramatic (mine certainly wasn't - it started with simply acknowledging that the traditional approach wasn't resonating). It might be:

• Reading one financial article a week that speaks to your soul, not just your spreadsheet

• Having an honest conversation about money with a trusted friend

• Opening that investment account you've been thinking about (even if you start small)

• Writing down your money story without judgment

• Finding a financial mentor who gets that you're a whole person, not just a portfolio

What matters most is that you start.

Know that you're part of a growing tide of women changing the narrative around money—one conscious, authentic choice at a time.

I'd love to hear: What's one small step you're ready to take this week toward your financial empowerment? Or, like me, is there a "should" you're ready to let go of?

Here's to rising together.

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A Woman You Should Know

Sallie Krawcheck - Founder, Ellevest & Wall Street Disrupter

After holding some of the highest positions on Wall Street (including CEO of Smith Barney and Merrill Lynch Wealth Management), Sallie Krawcheck could have stayed comfortable at the top. Instead, she chose to shake things up by founding Ellevest, a financial platform designed specifically for women.

Her reason? "I'm done talking about empowering women. I'm done talking about diversity... I'm going to do something about it." And she did. 👊

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Money Moves

The "One Account, One Hour" Challenge 🎯

Here's a gentle way to take action without being overwhelmed: Choose ONE financial account to focus on for ONE hour this week. That's it.

Maybe you'll finally log into your 401(k), review the subscriptions draining your account, or set up that $20 weekly auto-transfer to savings you've been thinking about.

Pro tip: Schedule this hour like any important appointment. Add your favorite beverage and good music - because who says money management can't be enjoyable? 😊

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Resources

For Your Mind 📚

"We Should All Be Millionaires" by Rachel Rodgers isn't your typical financial advice book. Instead of just talking numbers, Rachel dives deep into the mindset shifts and behavioral changes that help women build wealth on their terms. What I love most is how she addresses the unique challenges women (especially women of color) face while providing practical, actionable steps forward.

For Your Sanity 🧠

I recently discovered My Mind, the organized friend I never knew I needed. As someone who saves countless articles, tools, and resources for two newsletters, having a tool that automatically organizes everything using AI has been a game-changer. Their tagline says it all: "Remember Everything, Organize Nothing." Check out My Mind here.

For Your Body 🪑

Working from home means a lot of sitting, and my tailbone was unhappy about it (hello, fellow desk warriors! 👋). I have a standing desk and quality chair; adding this memory foam seat cushion has been a game-changer. It's doctor-recommended and HSA/FSA eligible. My back thanks me, and yours might, too. Check out the Everlasting Comfort seat cushion here.

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Ha ha… touché 😂

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What keeps me smiling as I write this newsletter…

…the image of us—a community of women—quietly but powerfully reshaping our relationship with money, one small decision at a time.

I'm sitting here with my coffee (because all good reflections happen with coffee ☕), realizing that perhaps the most revolutionary act isn't in making massive changes all at once. In those small moments, we choose ourselves over what we think we "should" do.

This week, I invite you to listen to that quiet voice inside—the one that knows exactly what your next right step is. Maybe it's as simple as that "One Account, One Hour" challenge or perhaps giving yourself permission to change direction like I might with my Master's program.

Whatever it is, know that you're not alone in this journey. We're all here, figuring it out together, one conscious choice at a time.

Until next week,

Kim

P.S. If something in this newsletter resonated with you, I'd love to hear about it. Your stories and insights help shape this community in the most beautiful ways. Just hit reply or comment below. 🌟