The Money Conversation I Wish I’d Started Sooner

Let me start with a confession: for the first 25 years of my life, I treated money like it was either magic or poison. 

Either I had a lot of it and felt invincible—or I didn’t and panicked. No middle ground. And I’m not alone.

But for women? 

That pressure often comes with an extra layer of social nonsense: being told it’s “unladylike” to talk about money, or feeling judged for wanting financial independence. And that needs to stop. Because money isn’t about greed. It’s about freedom.

Why Financial Literacy Isn’t Optional Anymore

The world is changing fast—cost of living, career jumps, business ownership, flexible working, retirement gaps. All of it touches money. And if you don’t know how to manage it, you’ll either get taken advantage of—or quietly stressed out forever.

I’ve worked with hundreds of women across my companies at Pearl Lemon Accountants, and I can tell you this: the most confident, capable ones are the ones who understand their numbers. They know what’s coming in, what’s going out, and how to grow the gap.

Start Where You Are, Not Where You “Should” Be

Too many people (and especially women I’ve worked with) wait until things are bad to face their finances. Like, “I’ll budget when I’m out of debt,” or “I’ll start investing once I make more.” But that’s backwards. You get out of debt by budgeting. You grow money by understanding it, not just earning it.

You don’t need a finance degree. You don’t need to become a spreadsheet ninja overnight. You just need to start looking. 

Start asking: Where does my money go every month? Do I like what I see?

Break the Rules. Or Better Yet—Make Your Own.

I once helped a single mum on my team create a system where she automated savings into five different jars—before she spent a single pound. It was clunky. It wasn’t Instagram-pretty. But it worked. Two years later, she had paid off debt, taken a holiday, and started teaching her daughter the same habits.

You don’t have to follow someone else’s version of “smart” money. You just need a version that works for you. One that feels empowering, not punishing.

Know Your Numbers = Own Your Life

Managing your money isn’t about spreadsheets and bank apps. It’s about saying: I choose what happens next. That’s the difference between being reactive and being powerful.

And if you’re someone who’s never had a financial role model, never been “good with money,” or feels overwhelmed by it all—I see you. Start with one small action. One decision. One bill reviewed, one budget written, one conversation had.

Because no one else will care about your financial future more than you. And that’s not scary—it’s empowering.

And a fun question: If your money habits were a person, would they be your best friend, your enemy… or someone you ghost regularly?

By Deepak Shukla

Founder and CEO, Pearl Lemon Accountants