After over 20 years as a business and personal finance manager, I know this much is true – when it comes to financial challenges, it’s rarely actually about the money. Particularly when it comes to women and money, there are certain patterns that tend to repeat themselves. Most of us grew up with a certain relationship to our finances as a result of our upbringing and life events, and it sticks with us – for better or for worse.

This reality, compounded by the fact that systems are often stacked against women, make matters even more challenging. And even if we’ve managed to shatter the glass ceiling, find our purpose, and build a solid foundation for ourselves, life inevitably throws us curveballs.

Career changes. Divorce. Family drama. Loss. All of us are confronted with these matters at some point in our lives – but are we prepared for them? In my experience, most people aren’t – and it’s not because they’re not capable.