Achieving Financial Independence

80% of married women in India don't make their own financial decisions. I was almost one of them. I used to think that earning my own money meant I was financially empowered. That belief lasted until I actually started reading the data on women and financial independence in India. Financial literacy among women in India is at around 20-30%. That means out of 100 women, only 20 to 30 actually know how to manage their own money. But the number that really stopped me was this one. Around 50% of women who earn actively still do not take their own financial decisions. They depend on their fathers, their husbands, or some male figure in their life to decide for them. And if you look only at married women, that number jumps above 80%. Earning a salary is not the same as being financially empowered. Empowerment means you understand where your money is going, you are making conscious decisions with it, and you are not handing that power over to someone else by default. The first step is to build an emergency fund and get health insurance in your own name. Learn what your investments are actually doing. These are basic systems that give you control over your own life. Most people miss out on opportunities to build wealth because of a lack of knowledge. I wanted to change that and it starts with owning your financial decisions, not just your income. Comment your thoughts on this below. #women #marriage

The first thing many women lose in marriage, relocation for his promotion, or pausing her career for maternity leave isn’t ambition; it’s authorized access to the money that ambition once earned. She goes from being seen as “a professional with a future” to “someone supported.” 📥 My inbox tells the story. I’ve received over a hundred DMs from women who pressed pause, maternity leave, caregiving, and moving countries for his promotion. They’re ready to rebuild, join a program, re-enter powerfully, but they hesitate: “I want to join the program, but I am not working now.” Motherhood or migration didn’t erase their capability; it erased their access. 🧪 Money is never neutral. When you’re on maternity leave, caregiving, or reinventing yourself after relocating for his job, you often become a permission-based spender while he remains an entitlement-based earner. But wasn't his career acceleration only possible because of your unpaid infrastructure?! • Moving countries, • resetting networks, • handling domestic chaos, • covering daycare waitlists, • absorbing the identity shock of starting from zero.    👉 His runway is paved with your time. 💳 Practically, that means his salary should hit a joint account by default, where both of you have equal, direct access and equal decision rights. Assets are titled in both names. Major financial moves require joint consent. If that sentence makes him flinch, the relationship has a governance problem, not a romance problem. 🧷 If you move countries for his job, demand relocation parity: his package covers a runway for your reinvention, upskilling, credential transfer, coaching, childcare buffer, funded upfront, not “when we can.” If the move has a budget for boxes, it has a budget for your "becoming." 🗣️ Language audit: ban “his money.” Use “family revenue” and “our cash flow.” Stop asking, “Can I spend on…?” Start with, “Here’s how we’re allocating this quarter.” You’re not seeking permission; you’re exercising authority. 📈 Three moves to make if you don't know how to start the conversation: 1. Schedule a money governance talk:    joint account as the default deposit, both cards, spending thresholds, and asset titling under both names, if needed, a postnup that reflects the real division of labor.     2. Set autonomy capital:    a personal account in your name funded monthly while you’re on leave/stepping back, amount tied to household cash flow, not to your guilt.     3. Fund your rebound:    Allocate a visible line item (courses, childcare support, coaching, networking travel). Your reinvention isn’t a hobby! 🧲 Final thought: Women don’t “choose less.” We’re conditioned to underwrite someone else’s “more.” If motherhood or his promotion pressed pause on your income, your access must go up, not down. What’s your percentage today? 👊 If it’s under 50, that’s your next conversation at the kitchen table, before another year goes by with your power waiting in someone else’s wallet.

Marriage is not an equal partnership in India, Especially when it comes to their finances.    A survey revealed that 97% of Indian women have their financial decisions taken by a male family member like their father or husband.   56% of women were "not allowed" to take financial decisions, despite being earning members of the family.   Women already face a number of cultural and social barriers that actively prevent them from managing their own money.   So what can women do to take charge of their finances?    🔶Bank Accounts   When you're married, merging finances is convenient, but it's important to maintain some financial independence. While having a joint account is necessary, it's equally vital for women to have their own separate accounts.   🔶Who pays for what?   Expenses should be shared equitably, considering income disparities. Splitting expenses in proportion to each partner's earnings or assigning responsibility for different expenses can be fairer than splitting everything equally.   🔶Joint assets :   When making significant investments, like buying a house, ensure both partners are co-owners. This facilitates easier loan approval and allows both to benefit from tax deductions on home loan repayments.   🔶Pre-relationship liability :   Discuss how to handle pre-relationship debts honestly. Couples should avoid sacrificing their own savings to help their partner repay loans due to a joint-asset mindset. In India, this issue is especially relevant.   Healthy relationships are all about transparency and honesty, especially when it comes to money. If you haven’t yet started talking about money with your partner, now is the time.   Follow Neha Nagar for more such insights. #Marriage #Finances

Most women don’t *plan* to lose their financial independence. It happens quietly...through caregiving, career pauses, relationship dynamics, and the thousand small choices we make to keep a family afloat. On this week’s Hello Monday, I sit down with Steph L Wagner to talk about what it really takes to rebuild your financial life when life cracks open. Her new book is "Fly! A Woman’s Guide to Financial Freedom and Building a Life You Love." Steph built a strong career in investment banking. She loved numbers, strategy, the sense that she could shape her own path. But a short break to raise her children turned into 14 years. Over time, the financial control she once had slipped away—first quietly, then completely. When her marriage ended when she uncovered her husband's double life. The emotional blow was matched by a practical one: she no longer had income, confidence, or a clear sense of who she was without the financial partnership she’d relied on. Steph's story is relatable to anyone who’s lost their footing (through divorce, loss, or an unexpected life turn) and had to rebuild from the inside out. We focus on three takeaways every woman should hear: 1. Pay attention to the quiet drift. Financial power erodes slowly. Steph explains the subtle signs—when you stop making decisions, when you outsource the money conversations, when you tell yourself it’s “just temporary.” Awareness is the first safeguard. 2. Understand your money story. Most of us inherit beliefs about money from childhood—scarcity, fear, guilt—and they show up in our habits. Steph shares how identifying her “money personality” helped her break patterns she didn’t know she had. 3. Build systems that actually work. Forget rigid budgets. Steph’s 45/20/35 model gives structure without shame—and helps you regain momentum even when you’re starting from zero. Steph’s journey is a reminder that financial freedom isn’t really about having more. It’s about reclaiming agency, rebuilding trust in yourself, and making choices that align with who you want to become. Find the full episode here: 🎥 YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gwbUM5rY   🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gbApx_SR   🎧  Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gtptWAGA

I’m inspired by the great work of The Smith Family team, and other Not for Profits, during some enormously challenging times. I was thinking of them as I reviewed the recently released Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission's annual Australian Charities Report. The report draws on the financial data of 51,536 charities and tells us that while annual revenue for charities increased by 5.6 percent from FY23, expenses increased by 12.6 percent (that’s double the inflation rate). Inflation has impacted most adversely people on low incomes and has created significant unprecedented demand for support from not for profits who themselves are absorbing increased operating cost. For example, in the last year employee costs increasing by 10%, this increase is important and necessary and is the highest increase ever recorded. Whilst these are the short-term impacts, the Pay What It Takes report from Centre for Social Impact and Social Ventures Australia tells us that there’s a bigger and longstanding driver to this problem and it’s called the ‘Not for Profit Starvation Cycle’. Essentially funders are not covering all the indirect costs of Not for Profits, commonly known as overheads. Overheads are essential costs to any organisation and include training, IT infrastructure (like Cyber Safety), fundraising, risk management and measuring outcomes. If we cut corners on these costs, we create bigger risks for the people we support, and it will also lead to unsustainable Not for Profits. What do we do about this? - Funders would do well to read the Pay What It Takes Report and ensure they are covering all the costs of the organisations they support- https://lnkd.in/g7ATWaGY - Colleagues across the Not for Profit sector also have a responsibility to clearly communicate what it costs to create outcomes with the people we support. Get on board with the Reframe Overheads campaign- https://lnkd.in/gAuDJdM4 And thanks to Lyndsey McKee, Suzie Riddell, Lisa Allan, FFIA and GAICD and Jo Taylor and other colleagues across the sector for championing these changes.

Most financial advice ignores single women. Who says you need a partner to feel financially secure? That’s a myth I debunk every day. You’re doing it all—managing a career, hobbies, and finances—on a single income. Impressive? Absolutely. But let’s be honest—it can sometimes feel overwhelming. It often seems like your financial growth is just treading water. But being single doesn’t mean you’re alone on your financial journey. I’ve been right where you are—managing life and money on my own. Trust me, growing financially isn’t just about getting by. It’s about thriving. It’s about making your money work for you and celebrate your independence. So, here’s my approach to ditching that one-size-fits-all advice and crafting a game plan that fits just right: Start with mastering the investment basics, then evolve to strategies that match your lifestyle like: 💎 Strategic investments 💎 Diversifying your assets 💎 Smart, calculated financial moves that support your immediate and future goals. And: Being on top of your finances means when someone special does come along. You’re with them because you want to be, not because you need to be. You get to choose love on your terms, with your financial game strong and your independence intact. Ready to stop just saving and start truly investing in your dreams? Message me ‘Thrive’ and let’s explore how you can transform your solo savings into significant growth. Today’s the day to amplify your financial journey and make sure every dollar celebrates your independence.

Why no one is funding your startup idea? You have prepared the best pitch deck but investors don’t see the opportunity.  Great idea + Plan ≠ Best investor pitch.  “𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳.” Investors fund proof: proof that people want your product, proof that you can build and ship, and proof that you can hustle. If you seek capital without that proof, you're likely to either face rejection or give away too much equity too early. Want to build a startup but not sure how to begin without funding? Read this before you chase VCs. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘁𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴. 1. Start with a problem, not a product.  - Don’t jump into building features or picking tech stacks.  - Talk to 25–50 real people. Listen hard.  - Let their pain points guide you, not your assumptions. 2. Build fast. Build scrappy.  - No need for a full-blown app.  - Use Webflow, Bubble, Google Sheets + Zapier, whatever gets the job done.  - Build a landing page. Solve one core problem. That’s enough. 3. Launch before you feel ready.  - Share on: LinkedIn, WhatsApp or Reddit.  - Ask for honest feedback. Iterate.  - Your first users don’t expect perfection, they want usefulness. 4. Think of some monetisation.  - Charging something > Free forever.  - Even one paying user = validation + boost.  - If no one will pay a tiny amount now, why would they pay later? 5. Keep costs super lean.  - Avoid hiring, offices, ads, or expensive branding.  - Solo? Cool. Co-founder? Great.  - Use open-source tools. 6. Build in public.  - Post updates, wins, and struggles on LinkedIn, X, or Medium.  - Your story builds credibility and can attract users, or even investors. 7. Got a day job? No problem. - Block 2 focused hours daily. - Use them to build, launch, or talk to users. - This is how side projects become real startups. Bootstrapping isn't about doing everything. It's about doing the right things with whatever you have. #Bootstrapping #StartupTips #BuildInPublic #EarlyStageFounders #NoCode #ProductValidation #IndieHackers #LeanStartup #StartupJourney #EntrepreneurMindset

In 2021, I became the first woman to head a unicorn in Israel, AKA Startup Nation. In many parts of the world, women are excluded from even the most basic financial services, so leading a fintech company is far from their reality. United Nations data estimates that 3.8 billion women live in the world, 50% of which are adults. According to the World Bank’s Global Findex Database, 1.4 billion of those 1.9 billion adult women, are unbanked. That’s 73.65%. Visit that statistic again. It represents a disturbing gender gap in financial access, with women being far less likely than men to have bank accounts or access formal financial services. This financial exclusion has personal impact. It diminishes women’s economic empowerment by restricting access to education and limiting their potential for personal growth and independence. It makes women more financially dependent, and therefore, more vulnerable. There's economic impact, too. Research by McKinsey highlights the economic loss due to financial exclusion of women, noting that closing the gender gap in labor force participation could add trillions to global GDP. Financial inclusion isn’t just a matter of equality – ensuring the same opportunities for all. It’s a matter of equity - ensuring women have the tools and access they need to fully participate in the global economy. That’s where technology enters the picture to level the field. The rise of mobile banking is a great example of innovation enhancing financial inclusion. According to a report by the International Finance Corporation, mobile money accounts are more popular among women in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, where access to traditional banking is limited. Various fintechs provide financial literacy resources, helping women understand financial products, budgeting, and saving strategies. Other solutions include AI-driven platforms that offer personalized recommendations and advice, empowering women to make informed financial decisions. Aside from personal apps and solutions, fintechs can facilitate community-based lending and saving initiatives, allowing women to support each other through group savings or microfinance schemes, fostering a sense of solidarity and shared purpose. This International Women’s Day’s theme is "accelerate action". In my mind, nothing accelerates action like innovation. As we mark International Women's Day, let’s advocate and innovate to enhance financial inclusion for women worldwide. #IWD2025 #financialInclusion Papaya Global

I interviewed a woman who has two master's degrees and runs a team of 15 people. She told me she's never once asked her husband about their family's investment strategy because she doesn't want to seem "distrustful." That sentence honestly rattled something in me. This piece started as research. I wanted to understand why women in India, even successful, educated women, approach money so differently than men. Why we hold 27 million demat accounts but still park most of our wealth in gold and fixed deposits. Why we invest more but feel less entitled to returns. What I found wasn't about financial literacy. It was about scripts. Boys are raised to see money as glory. Girls are raised to see it as survival. And that split, protection versus propulsion, shapes everything. Career choices. Investment portfolios. The ability to negotiate. Even the language we use when we want more. This isn't about telling women to "just take more risks." It's about building the conditions where risk becomes possible, and ambition stops being treated like a character flaw. If you've ever been called "money-minded" like it's a bad thing, or if you've wondered why your biggest financial goal is just "enough to leave", this is for you. You're allowed to want more. Money doesn't make you greedy. It makes you free. I hope you share this with a woman in your life, and more importantly, I hope you share this with the men in your life. Naming and accepting discomfort is the first step towards fixing it. Read the full piece: https://lnkd.in/db9pHWDD (And huge thanks to the Plum team (esp Ganapathi Ramanathan and Shreyas Achar) for publishing this as a part of their new Humanise edition on Matters of Money, featuring the wonderful, incredible Rohit Kaul, Dravisha Katoch, Sarthak Dev, and Ria Shroff Desai. What august company to be in!) #WomenAndMoney #FinancialIndependence #Humanise #MoneyMindset

September to December is a *hot* period for nonprofit fundraising. Many foundations and donors are back to their desks after the summer and looking to make their closing funding rounds before the end of the year. If I were an advisor in your nonprofit organization, this is what I would suggest prioritizing in your fundraising plan from this month through the end of the year: 🫂 Curate Relationships Curating relationships with existing donors or key stakeholders is one of the most overlooked practices in fundraising. Only chasing new donors or funding opportunities goes at the expense of trust-nourishing and enthusiasm of those donors and stakeholders who are already "warmed up" about your work and mission. Don't make this mistake, and create space to strengthen the bonds with those who are already there. Think about personalized engagement and regular touchpoints to make them feel part of your mission and deepen their commitment to your cause. ⭐ Impact Storytelling Creating visibility around all the things your organization and your team have achieved throughout the year is a powerful avenue to leverage your commitment and attract the attention of donors and stakeholders ready to fund. Don’t be generic or conservative when it comes to showing the outputs, activities, results, community feedback, and transformations your work generated. Donors want to feel like they can make a tangible contribution to the end goal of your impact mission. Showing this to them in a compelling, story-based approach will help them understand what and why they are funding. 💰 Do Your Budget Know your number and make your financial plan clear. Prepare a budget that outlines your organization’s funding needs for the next 2 to 5 years. Identify the core areas that require sustained resources and ensure your strategy is aligned with long-term objectives. Create a strong narrative around why these areas need funding, how they will serve your impact goals, and why mobilizing resources into these areas will be foundational in securing sustainability and scalability to your work. 💥 Optimize Your Strategy You must have learned a lot in the past 9 months and got a lot of feedback, observations and lessons learned around your work. This is the perfect time to integrate the learnings into your overarching organizational strategic plan and fundraising strategy and adjust it according to the things you have now gained more clarity on, such as your new targets and goals. -------- Hey! I am Margherita, senior nonprofit consultant and advisor. I am open to working with nonprofit organizations in social justice and accelerating their development goals through fundraising, financial planning, organizational development, and operations. My fee model is equity-informed and open to accommodating all budgets. Contact me to learn more!