6 tips for women looking to become better investors
- May 6
- 2 min read
By Liu Liu
Director of Investment Research and Management, BOK Financial
Investing can feel intimidating for some women, especially when it is associated with outdated, male-dominated images of high-pressure trading floors. In reality, investing is often about regularly reviewing retirement accounts, focusing on long-term goals and putting money to work over time.
Even if you do not think of yourself as an investor, you may already be investing through stocks, bonds, mutual funds and ETFs held in accounts such as 401(k)s, IRAs, brokerage accounts, 529 plans and HSAs.
For women looking to take their investing success to the next level, here are six tips:
Identify financial goals and make a plan: Work with a financial professional to create a plan based on your risk tolerance, financial situation and when you expect to need the money.
Keep assets separate: Once you have created a financial plan, consider using a bucket approach to keep your money organized, with separate buckets for emergency savings, retirement, healthcare savings and education savings; any remaining funds can go into a brokerage account.
Maximize 401(k) employer match: Employers often match retirement contributions up to a certain amount, but only if the employee contributes as well. Taking full advantage of that match can help boost retirement savings. For example, if your employer offers a 6% match, contributing 6% of your income allows you to receive the full match, bringing the total going into your retirement account to 12%.
Review investments annually: At least once a year, I suggest reviewing all investment accounts to ensure everything still aligns with your goals and budgets. This review is also a great time to rebalance allocations and make any changes needed to stay on track.
Start investing early: No amount is too small. Time is on your side when you start investing early. Even small amounts invested consistently can grow meaningfully over time thanks to compounding. I recommend starting to invest as soon as you enter the workforce, even if it's just getting a 401(k) match.
Work with a financial planner: There's no shame in getting expert advice to meet investing goals. There are different types of financial planners and advisors, and they are helpful in different ways.
Do your due diligence to understand the differences and which one makes the most sense for your goals.
A thoughtful, consistent approach can make investing feel far more accessible than it sometimes seems. By taking small steps, staying organized and seeking guidance when needed, women can make meaningful progress toward their long‑term financial goals.
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