Raising Financially Confident Girls

As an Investment Advisor and father who deeply cares about empowering the next generation, I believe building financial confidence in girls is essential. It’s not just about understanding money but instilling a sense of independence, self-worth, and long-term vision.

Here are four ways to raise girls who are not only financially literate, but also confident in managing their finances throughout life.

1. Start Conversations Early and Make Money Talk a Normal Part of Family Life
Financial confidence starts with familiarity. Introduce financial concepts early, using everyday situations as teachable moments. Whether it’s explaining how you budget for groceries or showing how saving up for a family vacation works, these conversations help normalize money talk. Encourage questions. When your daughter asks about how much something costs or how credit cards work, take the opportunity to explain. Avoid shying away from these discussions or waiting until they’re older. By making money a comfortable subject, you’re already laying the groundwork for financial confidence.

2. Teach the Value of Saving
One of the best life lessons for financial confidence is learning how to save and wait. You can start with something as simple as a piggy bank for younger girls, where they can physically see their savings grow. As they get older, introduce them to more structured savings accounts or apps designed for kids. It’s also important to emphasize delayed gratification—understanding that waiting for something (and saving up for it) can lead to better rewards. This builds discipline and helps girls understand the value of planning and working towards financial goals.

3. Model Financial Independence and Responsibility
Children learn a lot from what they see. If you want your daughter to be financially confident, model that behaviour yourself. Whether you’re paying bills, investing, or discussing financial decisions with your partner, let her see how you handle money responsibly. At the same time, be honest about mistakes and challenges. It’s good for her to know that financial management isn’t always perfect, but the key is learning from those experiences. This transparency helps girls feel more prepared to navigate financial ups and downs on their own.

4. Encourage Entrepreneurship and Ownership
Giving girls the opportunity to make and manage their own money can boost financial confidence. Encourage side jobs like babysitting, tutoring, or even starting a small business, depending on her interests and age. Early entrepreneurship allows her to experience earning, budgeting, and saving firsthand. If she’s interested in a specific project—whether it’s selling homemade crafts or starting a small online shop—support her in figuring out costs, pricing, and profit. This real-world experience builds practical skills and fosters a sense of ownership and independence, making her feel capable of handling her own financial future.


By introducing these strategies early and supporting your daughter’s journey to financial literacy, you’re not just teaching her about money—you’re giving her the tools and confidence to thrive independently in the future. Financial knowledge is power, and when girls are equipped with this confidence, they grow into women who make smart, informed financial decisions.

Interested in more educational resources? Check out our Financial Literacy unit created with an Ontario educator and geared towards grade 6 and 7 students, or peruse through our Parent’s Guide to Educating their Young Adult Children.

 

 

Financial Literacy - Unit Plan for Educators

Changes to school curriculums across Canada are putting an emphasis on money management for students. Financial wellness enables students to make sound financial decisions as they will learn the basics of budgeting, saving, credit, and perhaps even investing. In younger grades, students will have the opportunity to learn about currency and ways to represent different amounts of money, while older grades will also learn about the concept of interest rates, balancing budgets, and taxes. Teachers have a pivotal role to play in helping to provide fundamental financial literacy skills in the classroom.

This financial literacy unit plan includes ten lessons with student activities and a culminating project with a rubric to help educators assess student learning. While this plan can certainly be modified to suit various grades, it is geared towards grade 6 and 7 students. 

 

Financial Literacy - A Parent's Guide to Educating their Young Adult Children 

How do we support financial literacy at home? While teachers certainly have an important role to help our children develop financial literacy skills, parents have the biggest responsibility in building this foundation. If you have children in university or recent graduates about to enter the workplace, your support is needed more than ever. Adult children are often at a loss when it comes to managing their money, making sound financial choices, and learning investing strategies. 

As a parent, I know how vital it is to empower our children with the skills they need to navigate an increasingly complex world. For this reason, I have created a guide for parents to use to discuss worthwhile topics with their adult children. 

In this guide, you will find talking points and engaging conversation starters on topics like saving, budgeting, and investing. While ninety-five percent of parents want to talk to their kids about money, only thirty-seven percent feel comfortable doing so. Download and save this guide to help you navigate important discussions with your adult children.