A 2024 joint survey by Investopedia and REAL SIMPLE revealed a striking truth: 57% of women currently hold no investments at all. Even among those who have retirement accounts, many don’t see themselves as investors. The two most common reasons cited were not knowing where to start and not having enough money to invest.
This data underscores a powerful message: every woman can be an investor, and you don’t need thousands of dollars to begin. The biggest hurdle isn’t financial — it’s mental. Shifting how you think about investing can be the most challenging step, but it’s also the most rewarding.
Key Takeaways
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Changing your mindset about investing is often the hardest — but most essential — first step.
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Fear, lack of knowledge, and the absence of transparent conversations about money often keep women from investing.
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Even small investments can grow significantly over time through compound interest.
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According to a Fidelity Women and Investing Study, women outperform men by 40 basis points (0.4%) on average in portfolio performance.
How Women Feel About Investing
Women’s relationship with investing remains complex. According to the 2024 Her Money Mindset Survey, only 43% of women said they currently invest, and a mere 7% felt confident in their investing knowledge compared with other financial topics.
Yet, among those who do invest, confidence and pride are growing. The survey found that 61% of invested women said they were proud of at least one investing decision.
Here’s what some respondents shared:
“I’ve become more financially literate and started investing in stocks and crypto whenever I have extra money.” — Millennial, single, income below $75,000.
“I’m proud of investing part of my savings in the stock market and tracking daily market trends.” — Gen X, married, income above $75,000.
“Joining my company’s 401(k) right out of college was my best decision — I wouldn’t be financially secure today without it.” — Baby Boomer, married, income above $75,000.
These stories highlight a positive trend: women are increasingly taking ownership of their financial futures. However, gaps in knowledge, fear of risk, and limited open conversations about money still hold many back.
Changing the Mindset
The key to increasing women’s participation in investing is open dialogue — yet, that’s exactly what’s missing.
The Her Money Mindset Survey found that most women get their financial information from the internet or family and friends. While 70% discuss money with friends, only 34% talk about investing.
“As women, it’s crucial to have more open, empowering conversations about money and investing,” said Valerie Leonard, CEO and financial advisor at EverThrive Financial Group. “These discussions can bridge the gender gap and inspire the next generation to become smarter with their finances.”
Lack of information remains the #1 reason women cite for not investing.
Stephanie McCullough, founder of Sofia Financial and host of the Take Back Retirement podcast, reminds women:
“You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to know what questions to ask — and have the courage to ask them.”
💡 Fast Fact:
According to the Her Money Mindset Survey, investing is the second most popular financial topic women want to learn more about — right after saving.
The Truth: Women Are Investors — And Strong Ones
Research proves it: women are excellent investors. The Fidelity Women and Investing Study found that women outperform men by 40 basis points (0.4%) annually.
The 2024 Her Money Mindset Survey also found that women who invest tend to be highly engaged — regularly reviewing portfolios and market news. Engagement may be one reason for their strong performance.
💡 Fast Fact:
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31% of women check their investments at least monthly.
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29% track the broader stock market at least once a month.
Many women also favor long-term, research-based strategies. One respondent shared:
“I invest in dividend-paying stocks rather than chasing short-term trends.”
Another said:
“My best strategy is buying high-quality company stocks and holding them for the long term.”
This disciplined approach — focused on consistency rather than speculation — may explain women’s stronger average returns.
Advice From Women, for Women
1. Start Now
Stephanie Tisdale, owner of Breakthrough Bookkeeping, admits that learning to invest initially felt overwhelming:
“It was like drinking from a firehose — there was so much information, I didn’t know where to start.”
But once she began, she quickly saw how powerful time and compounding can be in growing wealth.
Valerie Leonard adds that most women invest with clear goals in mind — not just for profit, but to achieve life milestones like buying a home, funding education, or saving for retirement.
⏳ Time is your greatest ally. The earlier you start, the more compounding interest works in your favor.
2. Let Go of Money Shame
McCullough notes that many women describe themselves as “a mess with money” — not because they actually are, but because of societal stereotypes.
“It’s not a character flaw,” she says. “Feeling ashamed won’t get you closer to your goals — learning and acting will.”
Recognizing that financial literacy is learned, not innate, is the first step toward empowerment.
3. Focus on What You Can Gain
McCullough observes that many women only start investing when staying stagnant feels more painful than taking a risk.
“Once they start, most say they can’t believe they waited so long.”
📊 Fidelity’s research supports this: 7 in 10 women wish they had started investing earlier.
4. Start Small
One of the most common misconceptions is that you need a large sum to invest. The truth? You can start with as little as a few dollars a month.
Consider:
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Joining an employer-sponsored 401(k) plan, especially if your employer offers matching contributions.
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Investing in a target-date ETF or index fund, allowing you to benefit from dollar-cost averaging and compound growth.
“You can start long before you feel like you know everything,” McCullough advises.
5. Make a Plan
Every investing journey should begin with a goal and a timeline.
Ask yourself:
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What am I saving for — a home, education, retirement?
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How much do I need?
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How long do I have to reach that goal?
Once you’ve defined your objectives, you can build a roadmap using appropriate investment vehicles:
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Retirement goals: 401(k), Roth IRA, or Traditional IRA
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Education savings: 529 Plan or Coverdell ESA
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Long-term goals: Mutual funds, index funds, or ETFs
If you need guidance, a financial advisor can help — even if you can invest only $50 a month.
FAQs
Do I Need a Lot of Money to Start Investing?
No. Thanks to fractional shares and low-cost ETFs, even small investments can grow substantially through compound interest. A small amount invested early can outperform a larger amount invested years later.
What’s the First Step to Begin Investing?
Start by identifying your goals and timeline. Long-term goals (like retirement) can tolerate higher-risk assets such as stocks, while short-term goals are better suited to safer investments.
How Can Single Women Build Wealth?
Maximize your employer match if you have access to a 401(k). Prioritize paying off high-interest debt, build an emergency fund, and consistently invest toward long-term goals.
The Bottom Line
Investing may seem intimidating at first, but women have repeatedly proven to be disciplined, thoughtful, and successful investors once they begin.
Education, conversation, and small, consistent action are the keys to building financial confidence. Whether through research, mentorship, or open discussions with friends, the path to wealth starts with one powerful belief:
👉 You already have what it takes to be an investor