Investingin My Financial Confidence: Lessons from My Journey
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Jacquie Carroll, EdD, AFC ®
Money is more than just numbers in a bank account for me-- it’s a source of confidence, security, and opportunity. My family lived feast to famine, something I really didn’t like as a child, and something I didn’t want to live as an adult. My own journey with money began in college, and the lessons I learned have shaped not only my personal life, but also my approach to leadership and advocacy for women’s financial empowerment.
The Financial Decision That Changed My Confidence—and My Life
Looking back, the financial decision that truly transformed my confidence wasn’t a single moment, but rather my choice to enroll in a personal finance course during college. At the time, I was on financial aid, and the class did not count toward my degree, so I had to pay out of pocket. Although I didn’t have a lot of extra money available, I felt compelled to invest in my financial education, believing that understanding money management would empower me far beyond the classroom.
That course became a turning point for me. It demystified the financial system and gave me practical tools for budgeting, saving, and investing. More importantly, it instilled in me a sense of confidence and agency—qualities that have shaped my approach to every financial challenge since. Knowledge is power, and the knowledge I gained didn’t just benefit me; it allowed me to support friends and family, and eventually, to help others as an accredited financial counselor.
Money Literacy and Leadership: Respecting Lived Experiences
Through my own journey of learning about money, I’ve gained deeper empathy for those who face financial challenges. As I stepped into leadership roles, I realized that financial literacy isn’t just about personal success, it’s about understanding the barriers others encounter and supporting people with compassion. While knowledge gave me the confidence to make sound decisions, it also taught me that not everyone has the same opportunities or resources. Leadership, I’ve learned, means support for others.
My Tips for What Women Should Understand About Wealth
In the U.S., there’s a lot of pressure to “keep up with the Joneses", but I believe the most important thing women should understand about wealth is that they need to define it for themselves—don’t let others define what wealth means to you! For me, it could be freedom to pursue passions, travel, or invest in a new business venture. For some wealth might mean financial independence and the ability to support themselves and their families without worry. Wealth might also mean having the resources to give back to the community, build generational security, or simply enjoy peace of mind. For others, it may be as simple as being able to navigate financial shocks without too much stress.
Also, I see building wealth not as a race; it’s a steady journey, much like the tortoise and the hare. I focused on creating a strong financial foundation, even if progress felt slow. The real goal for me was resilience: being able to absorb financial shocks from any direction, whether they arise from changes in employment, the economy, or the world around me.
Lastly, I remind myself not to be too hard on myself when I get things wrong. From time to time, I still make mistakes and that’s okay. Financial confidence is built one decision at a time. By investing in financial literacy, embracing empathy, and defining wealth on my own terms, I hopefully not only strengthen myself but also empower those around me to do the same.
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