13 Money Habits Successful Women Swear By

Women are expected to control over $30 trillion in wealth by 2030, as highlighted by Blake Wealth Management.

That’s $30 trillion — more than the GDP of most countries combined. But here’s the kicker: it’s not just about inheriting money or hitting the jackpot. It’s about mastering intentional money habits.

Women have faced unique challenges in wealth-building, but more and more are getting it right. Through savvy investing, mindful spending, and strategic planning, financially successful women are redefining how they manage money.

Ready to start building your own wealth? Here are money habits that the most financially empowered women swear by—and why they work so well.

Automate Your Savings to Pay Yourself First

One of the easiest ways to start saving and investing is by automating it. Successful women know that the key to financial success isn’t relying on willpower; it’s about setting up systems that work for you.

By automating your savings, you ensure that money goes into your retirement or investment accounts before it reaches your main spending account. This reduces the temptation to spend impulsively.

Invest for the Long-Term

Women tend to outperform men in the stock market, and it’s not just by luck.  A report by the Motley Fool notes that women earn up to 1.8% higher returns annually due to their disciplined, long-term investment strategies.

Women are less likely to succumb to the temptation to “time the market” and more likely to stick to a steady, buy-and-hold strategy.

Successful women invest with patience. They understand that wealth isn’t built overnight. Instead of making impulsive decisions based on market news or short-term fluctuations, they focus on steady, long-term growth.

Set Concrete, Written Financial Goals

How many times have you said, “I should really save more” or “I want to get out of debt”? But did you actually write it down? Successful women aren’t just vague about their financial goals—they make them concrete, with deadlines and dollar amounts.

Ipsos 2024 report shows that 68% of women set financial goals, but the key is to write them down. When you see your goals on paper, they go from “someday” to “this is happening.”

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found that women who write down goals are much better at reaching them, especially when they’re fighting the gender pay gap.

Steps to take: Grab a pen (or your phone) and write down 3-5 specific financial goals. For example, instead of “save for retirement,” try “save $15,000 by December 2026.” Trust me, the more specific, the more achievable.

Maintain Three to Six Months in Emergency Savings

Life doesn’t care if you’re ready for it. That’s why successful women always have at least 3-6 months’ worth of expenses stashed away in an emergency fund.

And here’s the kicker: people with emergency funds are 64% more likely to feel confident about their financial future.

This isn’t just about covering unexpected car repairs or medical bills. It’s about peace of mind. A strong emergency fund means you don’t have to rely on credit cards or loans when life hits you with a curveball.

Here’s the action step: Calculate 3-6 months of essential expenses (not income). If you’re self-employed or in a single-income household, aim for 6-12 months. Keep it in a high-yield savings account, so you can earn interest while keeping it accessible.

Live Below Your Means

It’s easy to get swept up in the temptation to spend more as your income grows. But the key to long-term financial success is resisting that urge and staying grounded in your current lifestyle.

Take Ella, for example. After receiving a big raise, she didn’t rush out to upgrade her life. Instead, she stuck to her old spending habits, using the extra income to pay down debt and boost her retirement savings. By keeping things steady, she set herself up for a future full of financial freedom.

Living below your means doesn’t mean depriving yourself—it’s about prioritizing what truly matters and putting yourself in the best position to grow your wealth.

Negotiate Salary, Benefits, and Promotions Regularly

Negotiation isn’t just a skill for salespeople—it’s a skill successful women regularly use to boost their income. Women now negotiate their starting salaries and Promotions more than men do.

According to the U.S Department of the Treasury report, the gender pay gap costs women approximately $406,280 over a 40-year career. So negotiating for even an extra $5,000 a year can snowball into over $200,000 in additional earnings over your lifetime.

How to implement: Know your worth—check salary data on Glassdoor or PayScale. Practice with friends or mentors. And always negotiate based on your accomplishments, not just the job description.

Plus, don’t forget to ask for things like flexible hours, extra vacation, or professional development—these all add up.

Track Spending Without Obsessing

Tracking every single penny sounds exhausting, right? But successful women know where their money is going—without obsessing over it. They track their spending, but they focus more on trends than nitpicking every little expense.

Awareness equals power. When you know where your money’s going, you can stop spending on stuff that doesn’t serve your goals. You’d be surprised how much you can save just by cutting out unnecessary subscriptions or dining out less.

Ready to give it a go? Use apps like Mint or YNAB to track your spending. Categorize expenses into needs, wants, and savings. A simple rule: 50% needs, 30% wants, and 20% savings/debt repayment. Tweak it based on your goals.

Build Multiple Income Streams

Successful women know that relying on just one source of income isn’t enough. By diversifying their income streams, they create financial flexibility and security for themselves.

Having multiple ways to earn, through side gigs, investments, or other ventures, allows them to weather tough times and stay ahead.  More income streams equal more security. Plus, side hustles aren’t just for survival; they’re a tool for building wealth.

Here’s the game plan: Start small by monetizing a skill. Think freelance writing, consulting, tutoring, or selling products online. Keep it manageable at first—about 5-10 hours per week—and scale as you get comfortable.

Build Strategic Professional Networks

Strategic relationships lead to opportunities, promotions, and salary bumps. Networking can give you access to career-changing connections that go beyond what you’d get in your immediate team.

Based on a report by Women of Influence, women who cultivate relationships with high-status third-party connections are 2.5 times more likely to secure promotions than those relying solely on performance excellence.

These relationships provide visibility, sponsorship, opportunities, and salary benchmarking that direct managers cannot offer.

Attend industry events and foster relationships across all levels of your organization. Focus on adding value—sharing insights, offering help—before asking for favors.

Carry Adequate Insurance Protection

Did you know women are less likely to have life insurance than men?

But successful women understand that insurance isn’t about maximizing claims—it’s about ensuring that if catastrophe strikes, their family is protected, their dependents are secure, and their accumulated wealth isn’t destroyed in a single moment.

Insurance helps protect the years of hard work that go into wealth-building. If it’s life insurance, disability insurance, or long-term care insurance, these safety nets ensure that you’re covered if things don’t go as planned.

How to implement: Start with term life insurance equal to 10-12 times your income. Review health and disability insurance annually, and consider long-term care insurance as you get older.

Give Strategically and Purposefully

According to Genus Capital Management, women are 40% more likely than men to engage in philanthropy. It’s not just about giving, it’s about sharing with purpose.

Successful women integrate giving into financial plans rather than treating it as discretionary spending. Giving isn’t just about generosity—it can boost your happiness, create tax benefits, and enhance your legacy.

Here’s the game plan: Budget 1-10% of your income for giving. Consider donating appreciated stock instead of cash for tax benefits. Set up a donor-advised fund to maximize your charitable impact.

Seek Professional Financial Guidance

While only 40-55% of women currently work with financial advisors, successful women recognize the value of expert guidance in navigating complex decisions around retirement planning, tax optimization, estate planning, and investment management.

Advisors help you with everything from retirement planning to tax optimization to investment strategy. Women with advisors tend to accumulate more wealth and experience lower anxiety about financial decisions.

How to implement: Look for a fee-only, fiduciary advisor who specializes in your life stage. Many offer free consultations, so take advantage of that to find the right fit for you.

Regularly Review Your Net Worth

Regularly checking your net worth helps you keep a clear picture of your financial progress. It’s a great way to see how far you’ve come and pinpoint areas where you might need to adjust your strategy.

This simple habit helps you stay on top of your goals and makes sure you’re moving in the right direction.

takeaways

The common thread across these 13 habits? Intentionality. Successful women don’t rely on high salaries or luck—they build wealth with intention, consistency, and smart decisions. As wealth advisor Amy Rohde says, “Once you know what you want to accomplish, the money is a means to an end.”

The great news? You don’t need to be perfect to build wealth—just intentional. So go ahead, start small, and let these habits work their magic.

Disclosure line: This article was developed with the assistance of AI and was subsequently reviewed, revised, and approved by our editorial team.

Why investing for retirement is so important for women (and how to do it)

Why investing for retirement is so important for women (and how to do it)

Retirement planning can be challenging, especially for women who face unique obstacles such as the wage gap, caregiving responsibilities, and a longer life expectancy. It’s essential for women to educate themselves on financial literacy and overcome the investing gap to achieve a comfortable and secure retirement. So, let’s talk about why investing for retirement is important for women and how to start on this journey towards financial freedom.