From Girl Math To Financial Freedom: Introducing Money Mondays
As the new academic term begins, many of us are balancing coursework, job applications, and planning for the future. To combat the anxiety of entering the workplace, I’ve decided to manage it by focusing on financial literacy—a key tool for building a strong career foundation and navigating life after university. For young women, particularly those entering professions where we’ve historically had less representation, being part of conversations about careers and finances is more important than ever.
Recently, there’s been a rise in the trend called “Girl Math”—a playful but problematic term suggesting women rationalize spending or handle money unrealistically. While it’s often used humorously on social media, this concept reinforces outdated stereotypes that women aren’t good with finances. It’s time to change that narrative.
That’s why I’m launching Money Mondays, a weekly series designed to make financial literacy accessible to women and young professionals worldwide. Whether you’re budgeting, planning your career, or tackling student loans, Money Mondays will equip you with the financial tools you need to thrive.
Why “Girl Math” Misses the Point
While Girl Math might seem like harmless fun, it trivialises the real financial challenges women face. The reality is that women encounter systemic barriers when it comes to financial independence:
Globally, over 2.7 billion women are legally restricted from having the same choice of jobs as men.
Of 190 economies assessed in 2023, more than one-third (69 economies) have laws constraining women’s decision to work, and 43 economies have no laws on sexual harassment in the workplace
Only 2% of venture capital funding goes to women-led startups globally.
The gender wage gap was 11.4% on average across the OECD.
Rather than perpetuating stereotypes, we need to address these challenges with practical, relevant financial education. Money Mondays is designed to do just that—offering real-world insights and resources to empower women to take control of their financial futures.
From Podcasting to Financial Empowerment
As the host of Empower Sounds, a podcast streamed in 51 countries, I’ve had the privilege of amplifying the voices of women breaking barriers in male-dominated industries. Their stories have shown me just how crucial financial empowerment is to personal and professional success.
Money Mondays builds on these conversations, providing actionable financial advice to help women thrive. Whether it’s negotiating your first salary, creating a budget, or understanding investments, this series will give you the tools to make confident financial decisions.
What to Expect from Money Mondays
Each Monday for the rest of this year, I’ll share key takeaways from valuable books on personal finance, career development, and professional growth. This series will offer practical insights for students, early-career professionals, and anyone looking to strengthen their financial foundation. I’ve selected these works based on their reviews and, where possible, chosen books written by women to further support their inclusion in the financial narrative.
While I’m passionate about amplifying women’s voices, this series is for everyone—students, young professionals, and anyone eager to build financial confidence. My goal is to create a supportive space where we can all learn, regardless of background or gender, with a mix of books by both men and women to ensure financial literacy is inclusive, not segregated.
Let’s Build a Financially Empowered Community
I hope you’ll join me on this journey to financial mastery. Many of you are my peers, sharing the same curiosity and anticipation as we embark on our careers. Together, we can foster a community that encourages learning, sharing, and growth.
Join the conversation: Have a financial topic you’d like covered? Drop a comment or send me a message!
Follow for updates, tips, and resources on financial literacy, career development, and personal and professional growth. For more content, including success stories and actionable advice, check out my podcast, Empower Sounds—link in the bio.
