Women today are starting businesses, breaking barriers in male-dominated industries, and climbing corporate ladders faster than ever before. Over the past decade, the percentage of women in C-suite positions has risen by 12%, and a survey of business owners who started their companies in 2023 found more female founders than male.1 However, this progress has also shed light on a new challenge. Many female breadwinners find themselves stretched thin, balancing financial responsibilities with household management. One of my clients, a female decision-maker, shared that working full time while also caring for her children and other family members often means her financial goals take a backseat.
According to Pew Research, nearly 40% of households with children now rely on a female breadwinner, which is a remarkable change from just a few decades ago.2 This isn’t just about the paycheck. Studies show that even when women out-earn their partners, they continue to take on the labor of running a home, ensuring kids’ schedules are in order, planning meals, and handling the never-ending mental to-do list.3 The expectation to “do it all” can take a toll—not just emotionally, but financially as well.
The mental load of juggling a high-powered career with home responsibilities can also contribute to what experts call "female breadwinner burnout."4 Women in this position often make reactive financial choices rather than proactive, strategic ones. With the right support system, however, it is possible to navigate these challenges and create a more sustainable balance.
Finding Confidence with Financial Advocacy
Many women report lower confidence in their financial decision-making. Only a quarter of affluent women feel comfortable making investment and savings decisions on their own—15 percentage points lower than their male counterparts.5 While societal norms play a role in this, the lack of confidence highlights the need for a trusted partner to bridge the gap. A financial advisor can help female breadwinners establish personalized strategies that align with both their professional and personal goals.
Financial advocacy isn’t just about budgeting or investing—it’s about creating a structured plan that accounts for all aspects of a woman’s financial life. This might include:
- Cash flow optimization to ensure income is working efficiently and supporting long-term goals.
- Risk management strategies such as life and disability insurance to protect financial stability.
- Retirement and investment planning to build wealth in a way that aligns with career demands, personal goals, and values.
- Estate and legacy planning to build financial security for future generations.
I recently met with the client I mentioned earlier who felt she lacked the time and energy to focus on her financial goals. Together, we transformed her yearly objectives into a clear, actionable plan, including automated monthly savings, a timeline for setting up a will, and a review to identify gaps in her insurance coverage. By the end of our meeting, she felt more confident and in control, with a clear understanding of both her financial strengths and the areas that needed attention.
Seeing that shift in mindset is exactly why I do this work. The weight of feeling like you have to do everything on your own can be overwhelming. I want female decision-makers to feel a sense of relief, knowing they are supported in building a financial future that reflects their hard work and aspirations.
If you or someone close to you is finding yourself in a similar position, I hope you’ll reach out to a financial planning professional today. With an experienced planner and ally in your corner, you can feel better prepared to take on daily life and your lofty ambitions for the future.
- Neff, Barbara C. (2024, September 20). What Comes Next with Rising Female Entrepreneurship. Gusto’s “2024 New Business Formation Report.” https://gusto.com/resources/articles/start-business/female-entrepreneurship
- Chavda, J., & Chavda, J. (2024, October 16). In a growing share of U.S. marriages, husbands and wives earn about the same. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2023/04/13/in-a-growing-share-of-u-s-marriages-husbands-and-wives-earn-about-the-same/
- Picchi, A. (2023, April 13). Female breadwinners tripled since the 1970s. They still do more housework. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/women-breadwinners-tripled-since-1970s-still-doing-more-unpaid-work/
- Bishop, K. (2022, April 7). Women breadwinners: Why high-earners compensate at home. https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220406-women-breadwinners-why-high-earners-compensate-at-home
- Baghai, P., Howard, O., Prakash, L., & Zucker, J. (2020, July 29). Women as the next wave of growth in US wealth management. McKinsey & Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/financial-services/our-insights/women-as-the-next-wave-of-growth-in-us-wealth-management
The opinions and analyses expressed in this presentation are based on Curi RMB Capital, LLC’s (“Curi RMB Capital”) research and professional experience are expressed as of the date of this presentation. Certain information expressed represents an assessment at a specific point in time and is not intended to be a forecast or guarantee of future performance, nor is it intended to speak to any future time periods. Curi RMB Capital makes no warranty or representation, express or implied, nor does Curi RMB Capital accept any liability, with respect to the information and data set forth herein, and Curi RMB Capital specifically disclaims any duty to update any of the information and data contained in this presentation. The information and data in this presentation does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, investment or other professional advice.
The content contained herein was generated by Curi RMB Capital with the assistance of an AI-based system to augment the effort.
