What My Moms Taught Me About Money (and What They Didn’t) 

This guest-authored opinion piece reflects the author's opinion and not necessarily the opinion(s) of AdvisorCheck.

I hit the jackpot in the mom department. I had the mom who gave birth to me—and miraculously didn’t disown me during my teenage years (bless her patience). And then I married young and inherited not one, but two amazing mother-in-laws. Each of these women loved me fiercely, helped shape the woman I am today, and unknowingly taught me a masterclass in money... sort of. 

Let’s start with my original mom, Bonnie. She taught me the value of hard work and honesty. She worked hard, paid her bills on time, and instilled a moral compass so strong that to this day, I cannot sample a grape at the grocery store without whispering an apology to the produce guy. 

Jane, one of my mother-in-laws, taught me the joy of generosity and abundance. When she had extra, she shared it—no questions asked. I was in the trenches raising five kids, and she’d show up with fancy chocolates or face wash that was over-the-top luxe. Her gifts made me feel seen, pampered, and honestly, like a woman again—not just a snack dispenser with a mortgage. 

And then there’s Kay—queen of determination. She could make a grocery budget stretch like yoga pants after Thanksgiving dinner. She didn’t just make do, she made magic with a little, and did it with such grace you’d never know there was a tightrope act going on behind the scenes. 

From these three incredible women, I learned hard work, generosity, and resourcefulness. But there was one big, glaring gap in my financial education: no one ever explained what the heck a mutual fund was. Or how to open a Roth IRA. Or why I should care about either. 

Not because they didn’t want to—but because they didn’t know. And it’s not their fault. For centuries, women were flat-out not allowed to own property, control their income, or make financial decisions. We weren’t even allowed to open our own bank accounts until the 1960s. And it wasn’t until 1974—yes, disco was already in full swing—that we could get a credit card without dragging a man along to co-sign. Yikes! 

So yeah, we’ve been historically sidelined from the financial conversation. And even though we’ve come a long way, we still face some unique challenges: 

We typically earn less than men (for the same job, with the same qualifications—go figure). 

We take more career breaks to care for kids, aging parents, or both (thank you, sandwich generation). 

We live longer, so we have to stretch those dollars further in retirement. 

And while we’re amazing at saving, we tend to be more cautious investors—meaning we earn less on the money we do stash away. 

The good news? Women are smart, strong, and scrappy as ever. Every one of my moms eventually took the reins of her financial life—and did it fearlessly. But I didn’t want to wait until my daughters were knee-deep in mortgages and minivans to learn about money. I wanted them to grow up knowing how to read a budget, how to invest confidently, and how to speak up when it comes to finances—because the passenger seat isn’t where you belong when it comes to your future. 

That’s why I do what I do. I get to teach other women (and their daughters, sisters, friends) how to take control of their money—and maybe even have fun doing it. Sometimes I succeed. Sometimes they fall asleep halfway through the explanation of bond ladders. But I keep trying. 

Because here’s what I know: financial freedom isn’t just about numbers. It’s about confidence. It’s about options. And it’s about never letting someone else drive your financial life just because you think you’re “not good with money.” Spoiler alert: You are. 

So if you’re ready to rewrite your money story—and maybe raise the next Warren Buffet (the female version in heels) while you’re at it—let’s talk. I’ll bring the chocolate. You bring the curiosity. 

Note: This article is Part 1 of a series written by Lorie Jones CFP®, MBA and Wealth Manager at Fearless Financial Advisors. Stay tuned for the rest of the series!