Seven Ways to Increase Your Financial Knowlege

And Not Be Bored Silly

It's funny how so many women think they should magically know how to manage their money. And when they don't, that all-too-familiar shame creeps in like an unwelcome guest.

When a new client tells me, "I'm so embarrassed—I know I should know more, but I just don't," or "I'm so over not being in control of my money, but I have no idea where to start," my response is always the same: Don't be embarrassed and definitely don't feel ashamed. Those feelings are like quicksand, keeping you stuck. You're not alone—trust me, you've got plenty of company. The truth is that the lack of financial education and the taboo around talking about money are the real culprits here, making a lot of people feel like they're floundering when it comes to managing their finances.

So many women are thirsty for knowledge about building wealth but are also unsure which resources to trust. And let's be honest—spending hours learning about something as "exciting" as money isn't most people's idea of a good time. What would you rather do on a Saturday afternoon: go for a hike, dive into a good novel, or read a personal finance book? Yeah, I thought so.

Women often ask me to share my favorite resources for learning about personal finance and investing. So, I'm sharing what I read to stay in the loop on economic news and market trends. Plus, I've curated a list for those who might not be finance geeks but still want to get a handle on their money. These resources might just help you climb out of that quicksand and feel more confident about your financial future.

Barron's: I've been a loyal reader of Barron's Saturday newspaper/magazine for as long as I can remember. It's like a weekly wrap-up of the markets, with features on individual companies, funds, or investment themes. It's always current and to the point. I'll admit, I usually skip all the statistic pages—they're not my thing—but the content is top-notch. You can sign up for some limited free content, but it's worth it as a paid subscription, which costs about $33 a month after a cheaper trial period.

Jeff Sommer's Column in The New York Times: If you've only got time to read one thing, make it Jeff Sommer's weekly column in the Sunday business section of The New York Times. He writes simply, without a lot of financial jargon, and focuses on investments and stock market topics that are relevant and actionable for the average investor. I find myself nodding along with pretty much everything he says. Digital-only access to the Times is $17 a month, or you can do what I do and pay $30 a month for the Sunday paper edition. That way, you can enjoy the rest of the paper over brunch.

DealBook Newsletter: Every day, I skim Andrew Ross Sorkin's "DealBook" newsletter, another gem from The New York Times. This one's free, and you don't need to be a subscriber. It covers the most crucial business and economic headlines of the day and keeps me informed in just a few minutes.

Now, if you're looking for resources that a time-strapped, less-obsessed-but-motivated person can consume without too much effort, I've got you covered:

NPR Podcasts: Check out "Planet Money" and "The Indicator" from NPR. They're easy to listen to and cover topics about the economy, work, and business that you'll actually want to know about.

Humble Dollar: The Humble Dollar website and its newsletter are a goldmine of financial wisdom. As their "About Us" page says, "Our goal is to tell you everything you need to know about money—all in one place, and without the hype and hollow promises that characterize so much financial writing." The writing is relatable, with personal stories that keep you engaged while you learn important things about your finances.

The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel: If you don't read any other book about money, pick up "The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness." Even if I weren't a financial advisor, this is the kind of book I'd want to discover to start thinking about money in a new and positive way. Housel's great storytelling shows how developing healthy behavioral habits around money is key to becoming wealthy—whatever "wealthy" means to you.

Think Like a Breadwinner by Jennifer Barrett: For a more comprehensive guide to personal finance, I recommend "Think Like a Breadwinner: A Wealth-Building Manifesto for Women Who Want to Earn More (and Worry Less)" by Jennifer Barrett. If you don't feel more empowered to take full responsibility for creating the financial life you want after reading this book, I'll personally refund your money! (Okay, maybe not literally, but you get the idea.)

I'd love to know what resources you turn to to stay informed about money matters. Please share in the comments!