What Self-Love Looks Like in Your Finances and How You Can Start Today
What Does Self-Love Have to Do with Money?
Messaging around self-love usually centers on gestures like flowers, cards, and dinner reservations. Those can be meaningful. But financial self-love is something different.
Financial self-love means taking care of the parts of your life that create long-term stability and peace of mind. It is about being intentional with your money so it supports your independence, your values, and the life you want to live, not just today, but years from now.
In practice, financial self-love looks like:
- Understanding where your money is going and why
- Having a plan for life’s what ifs, not just best-case scenarios
- Making decisions today that future you will feel relieved you made
For many women, this kind of planning often gets delayed. Not because it is unimportant, but because they are busy being the steady one for everyone else, managing households, careers, caregiving, and life transitions. At Encompass Financial Planning, we see the moment when that realization surfaces. Sometimes gradually, sometimes abruptly, but always leading to the same question:
“Who is looking out for me?”
What Financial Self-Love Really Looks Like
Read on to explore what financial self-love really looks like in practice, and how you can start showing up for yourself in ways that truly matter.
Choosing Clarity Instead of Avoidance
When finances feel overwhelming, avoidance can feel like self-preservation. But over time, not looking often creates more stress, not less. Financial self-love means choosing clarity with kindness, even when it feels uncomfortable.
That clarity does not have to start with spreadsheets or big decisions. It can begin with small, manageable steps like:
- Making a list of your bank accounts, investment accounts, and insurance policies
- Checking who is listed as a beneficiary and whether that still reflects your life today
- Thinking through what would actually happen if you were suddenly unable to make decisions for yourself
For example, many people assume a spouse or adult child could automatically step in during a medical emergency. In reality, without the right documents in place, that is not always true.
Clarity creates calm. Calm creates confidence. And confidence makes it easier to take the next step.
Setting Boundaries That Protect Your Future
Financial boundaries are often misunderstood. They are not about shutting people out or being selfish. They are about protecting your future so you are not forced into difficult decisions later.
In real life, financial boundaries can look like:
- Being clear about what financial support you can and cannot provide to adult children or other family members
- Having open conversations with a partner about money expectations, spending, and long-term responsibilities
- Considering tools like prenuptial or postnuptial agreements to protect both people and reduce uncertainty
- Planning ahead for long-term care so future needs do not automatically become a burden on loved ones
- Making intentional decisions about who would step in if you could not manage your finances or medical care yourself
- Thoughtful estate planning to help make sure your wealth goes where you intend
Self-love in this context means taking the time to make thoughtful choices before emotions, pressure, or crisis take over.
Creating An Estate Plan That Reflects Your Wishes and Values
Estate planning is often reduced to paperwork, but at its core, it is about agency.
A well-thought-out estate plan helps ensure:
- Your wishes are honored if you are incapacitated and cannot speak for yourself
- Your loved ones are not left guessing about what you would have wanted
- Unnecessary taxes, delays, and legal complications are minimized
Estate planning is especially important if your life has changed over time. Divorce, widowhood, remarriage, moving to a new state, changes in health, or shifts in your financial picture can all affect whether your current plan still works.
If you are not sure where to begin, we created this free Complete Estate Planning Checklist to help you take stock of what matters and identify potential gaps. It will help you assess all the details step-by-step, giving you a clear snapshot of where you stand and what your next step could be.
[Get Your Free Estate Planning Checklist Here]
Why Proactive Financial Planning Matters, Especially for Women
Many women step into full financial responsibility later in life, sometimes gradually and sometimes overnight. Divorce, the loss of a spouse, illness, or caregiving responsibilities can force major financial decisions during emotionally vulnerable moments.
At Encompass Financial Planning, our education-first approach is built around conversation, transparency, and trust. We believe people make better decisions when they feel informed and supported, not rushed or talked down to.
Ways You Can Start Practicing Financial Self-Love Today
Financial self-love starts with small, thoughtful steps that can help make future decisions easier and less stressful.
If you want a practical place to begin, download the Complete Estate Planning Checklist to get organized and see what may need attention.
And if you are ready to talk things through, book your complimentary call with us. No one else can do this for you, but you don’t have to do it alone. 💗
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Frequently Asked Questions About Financial Self-Love and Estate Planning
What is financial self-love?
Financial self-love is the practice of nurturing a healthy, intentional relationship with money as a form of self-care and respect.
Do I really need an estate plan if I’m not wealthy?
Yes. Estate planning is not about how much money you have. It is about who can make decisions for you, how your assets are handled, and how much stress your loved ones may face if something happens to you.
When should I update my estate plan?
Any time you experience a major life change: marriage, divorce, loss of a loved one, health changes, relocation, or shifts in assets or tax laws.
What happens if I do not have an estate plan?
Without an estate plan, state laws determine who makes decisions and who inherits assets. This can lead to delays, unnecessary legal costs, and outcomes that do not reflect your wishes. Download our free Estate Planning Checklist to start getting organized.
How do I know if I need a financial advisor?
You may benefit from a financial advisor if you feel unsure about your decisions, want a second set of experienced eyes, or are navigating complexity such as taxes, estate planning, life transitions, or retirement. A good advisor does not replace your judgment. They help you understand your options and make confident, informed choices.
Title Tag: Financial Self-Love for Women: Build Clarity, Confidence, and Control
Meta Description: Redefine self-love through financial clarity. Learn what real financial self-care looks like, and how estate planning can help protect what matters most.
