Free guides for women

Money, your body and life's hard seasons, explained simply. Educational only, not medical or financial advice.

Money

Start here

Your first budget in 20 minutes

List your take-home pay (what actually hits your account).
Write every bill with its due date. Add them in the Bills tracker below so nothing sneaks up on you.
Try 50/30/20: about 50% needs, 30% wants, 20% savings or debt. Adjust it to fit your life.
Pick ONE thing to cut this month. Small wins build momentum.

Safety net

Build an emergency fund

Goal 1: $500 starter fund. Goal 2: one month of expenses. Goal 3: three to six months.
Open a separate high-yield savings account so it isn't sitting next to your spending money.
Automate it. Even $10 a week becomes $520 a year.

Debt

Get out of debt with a plan

Snowball: pay the smallest balance first for quick wins. Avalanche: pay the highest interest rate first to save the most.
Always pay at least the minimum on every card so you avoid late fees and credit damage.
Call your card company and ask for a lower rate. It works more often than you'd think.

Credit

Raise your credit score

Paying on time makes up about 35% of your score. Set up autopay for the minimums.
Keep each card under 30% of its limit, and under 10% if you can.
Check your reports free at annualcreditreport.com and dispute any mistakes.

Single

Money as a single woman

You are your own safety net, so make the emergency fund your top priority.
Get renters or home insurance and disability insurance. Your income is your biggest asset.
Start retirement now. Women live longer and often earn less, so time matters.

Married

Money in marriage

Keep at least one account and one credit card in your own name.
Know every account, password and debt you share. Have a monthly money date.
If you stay home with kids, a spousal IRA keeps your retirement growing.

Divorce

Protecting yourself in divorce

Make copies of tax returns, bank and retirement statements, and deeds before things get tense.
Open your own bank account and build your own credit.
Retirement accounts are often split with a QDRO. Ask your lawyer about it.
Rebuild your budget around one income. This is a fresh start, not the end.

Single mom

Single mom money plan

Check if you qualify for the Child Tax Credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit, WIC, SNAP and childcare help (benefits.gov).
Get term life insurance and write a will that names a guardian.
Look into 529 plans for college, but put your own emergency fund first.

Widowed

After losing a spouse

Don't make big money decisions for the first 6 to 12 months if you can avoid it.
Ask Social Security about survivor benefits, and claim any life insurance.
Gather the accounts, retitle them in your name, and update your beneficiaries.

Retirement

Retirement for women

If your job matches 401(k) contributions, take the full match. It's free money.
At 50 and up you can make catch-up contributions to your IRA and 401(k).
Waiting to claim Social Security, up to age 70, raises your monthly check for life.

Women's Health

Periods

First period & your cycle

A typical cycle is 21 to 35 days. Bleeding usually lasts 2 to 7 days.
Four phases: menstrual, follicular, ovulation and luteal. Your energy and mood often shift with each one.
Track your cycle so you can spot patterns and know when your next period is coming.
See a doctor if you soak a pad or tampon every hour, your pain stops you from living your life, or you've had no period for 3 months and aren't pregnant.

Conditions

PMS, PMDD, PCOS & endometriosis

PMS: bloating, cramps and moodiness before your period. Exercise, sleep, and cutting back on salt and caffeine can help.
PMDD: severe depression or anger before your period. It's real and treatable, so talk to your doctor.
PCOS: irregular periods, acne, extra hair growth or trouble getting pregnant. A doctor can check with blood tests and an ultrasound.
Endometriosis: very painful periods, pain during sex, or pain with bowel movements. On average it takes years to diagnose, so speak up and push for answers.

Fertility

Trying to conceive

Start a prenatal vitamin with folic acid (400 mcg) at least a month before trying.
Your fertile window is the 5 days before ovulation plus ovulation day.
See a doctor if you're under 35 and it's been 12 months, or 35+ and it's been 6 months.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy, trimester by trimester

First trimester (weeks 1 to 13): nausea and tiredness are common. Have your first prenatal visit around week 8.
Second trimester (weeks 14 to 27): energy often comes back. Your anatomy scan is around week 20.
Third trimester (weeks 28 to 40): count your baby's kicks daily, and pack your hospital bag by week 36.
Get care right away for bleeding, severe headache, vision changes, swelling of your face or hands, or less movement from your baby.

Postpartum

The fourth trimester

Bleeding (lochia) can last up to 6 weeks. Rest is part of healing, not laziness.
Baby blues usually ease within 2 weeks. If sadness, anxiety or rage lasts longer, it may be postpartum depression, and it's treatable.
Postpartum Support International helpline: 1-800-944-4773 (call or text).
Go to the ER for heavy bleeding, fever, chest pain, a severe headache, or thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.

Feeding

Breastfeeding & bottle feeding

Fed is best. Breast, formula or both are all good choices.
A lactation consultant (often covered by insurance) can help with latch and supply.
Drink plenty of water and eat enough. Making milk burns about 500 extra calories a day.

Perimenopause

Perimenopause (often 40s)

Irregular periods, hot flashes, poor sleep, brain fog and mood swings can start years before menopause.
Hormone therapy and other options exist. Ask a doctor who is trained in menopause care.
Strength training protects your bones and muscles. Aim for 2 to 3 sessions a week.

Menopause

Menopause & beyond

Menopause means 12 months in a row with no period. The average age is 51.
After menopause, the risks of heart disease and osteoporosis go up. Get regular screenings.
Vaginal dryness is common and very treatable. You don't have to put up with it.

Getting Through Life

Heartbreak

Breakups & divorce

Grief comes in waves. Let yourself feel it, without rushing yourself.
Lean on your people, and limit checking up on your ex.
Rebuild your routine: sleep, movement and one small joy each day.

Grief

Losing someone you love

There is no right timeline for grief.
Say their name, keep the memories, and find a grief group (GriefShare, local hospices).
If grief keeps you from getting through the day for months, a therapist can help.

Motherhood

Mom guilt & burnout

A good-enough mom is a great mom. Rest is allowed.
Ask for specific help, like 'Can you take the kids Saturday 10 to 2?'
Give yourself 10 minutes a day that belong only to you.

Safety

Unsafe at home?

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788.
Keep a safety bag with your ID, cash, medications and copies of key documents.
You deserve to be safe. It's not your fault.

Mind

Anxiety, depression & loneliness

Try box breathing: in for 4, hold for 4, out for 4, hold for 4.
Reach out to one person today, even with a simple 'thinking of you'.
Call or text 988 any time you're in crisis.

Career

Career change & confidence

Write down 3 wins from the past year. Use them in interviews and when you ask for a raise.
Negotiate. Women who ask are more likely to get raises.
Your Money coach can help you plan for an income gap.

Rocking It

Thriving

You're rocking it. Now level up

Celebrate on purpose: write down this week's win.
Set a 90-day stretch goal for money, health or your career.
Invest in yourself with a class, a certification or a mentor.

Give back

Lift another woman

Mentor someone a few steps behind you.
Give to the Recovery Fund or a local women's shelter.
Share your story. It might be the push someone else needs.

Wealth

From stable to wealthy

Max out your Roth IRA every year if you're eligible.
Index funds held for the long haul beat trying to time the market.
Build a second income stream from a skill you already have.

Want a plan made just for you?

Get your AI coaches, bill reminders and daily affirmations.

Start free