Women are talking money and it’s paying off

For generations, money was a quiet topic among women—rarely discussed openly, even among friends. Not surprising, considering women couldn’t have their own credit cards until 1974 and societal family ideals often held that their male counterparts made the financial decisions. 

But today that silence is breaking. Whether hanging out in person, group chats, or social media feeds, women investors are having candid, confident conversations about financial decisions, investment strategy, and wealth management.

According to Charles Schwab’s 2025 Women Investors Study, 86% of female investors say they talk openly about finances with others. And these women are chatting with a purpose, often to learn, support others, and boost confidence in their own decisions.  

This growing wave of financial dialogue is doing more than breaking old taboos—it may be creating an environment for women to start investing, exchange knowledge more freely and approach their financial goals and build wealth with greater confidence to achieve a secure financial future.

Younger generations are taking the lead in breaking money-talk taboos, and it may be because they are also leading the way in investing. According to the research, 63% of millennial women surveyed started investing before the age of 30, with most beginning between the ages 18-29. In comparison, only 46% of Gen Xers and 34% of boomers were investing before their 30s.

“As my peers and I have gotten more confident with investments, more conversations about investments come up naturally,” said Peytan Cox, a Gen Z production manager at Wasserman, a media and entertainment company. “Our generation is a lot more transparent with finances. Even social media influencers talk to their millions of followers about their pay, how much they save, and what they invest in.” 

This enthusiasm continues to find its way into everyday conversations. Fellow Gen Zer Emma Schecter, a data analyst at Vizient, a healthcare services company, said she’s “extremely open about discussing investment decisions.” Emma is one of many who are embracing these conversations, rather than beating around the bush. “I love to hear what [investments] people are buying,” she said. “I talk about investing at work, with my family, and with my friends. It definitely doesn’t feel like an uncomfortable conversation.”

Peytan and Emma are far from alone. Even older generations are finding that money-talk has become more popular, and those who once felt isolated in their investing journey now find strength in numbers. 

Kimbeth Judge, a member of the baby boomer generation and author, said she, like many women in her generation, did not get a head start on financial planning, because their husbands mainly secured that power. It wasn’t until later in her life that she began to take saving seriously. After Kimbeth’s husband passed away six years ago, she began to notice more frequent discussions about finances. In fact, she devoted her third book partially to that very subject, advising all women to understand monetary self-sufficiency before they’re faced with it. “Now, us widows frequently discuss the economy and our investments,” she said. “Both in terms of living out our later years comfortably but also regarding inheritance planning.” 

Talking about money may help you handle your finances better. Plus, finding community with others by discussing investing strategies and your financial journey has also allowed many women to find empowerment. 

Schwab’s research reveals women are increasingly leaning on not only professionals like financial advisors (61%), but family (39%), friends (22%), and even co-workers (8%) for investing advice. 

“My inner circle of friends, colleagues, and family discuss finances and investing very openly,” said Annie Carter, a member of Gen Z who works at EY, a global accounting firm. “As a recent graduate, I often have discussions with peers about real estate investing plans for the future because housing situations are a common hurdle in this stage of life. Prioritizing smart, healthy financial goals and habits is cool and celebrated.” 

Simply put: the group chat isn’t just for memes anymore. It’s also a marketplace for money wisdom.

As more women across generations speak up about money, they're not just sharing tips; they're reshaping the culture and empowering women. By normalizing these conversations, women are building stronger support systems, gaining confidence, and making more informed decisions about their financial futures. As baby boomer and author and Kimbeth puts it: “Start understanding money as soon as possible… but be patient, because there is no quick win. That just isn’t how life goes.”