Growing up as a girl, I was taught a lot of things.
Dress nicely. Behave well. Study hard. Be polite. Sit properly. Take care of your appearance. Be independent—but not too independent. And, of course, never leave the house looking like that.
But nobody ever sat me down and said:
“Girl, let’s talk about money.”
Nobody explained how to build wealth. Nobody taught me how investing worked, how to make my money grow, or how owning assets could change my future.
Yet somehow, I received plenty of education on how to spend money.
Clothes. Shoes. Makeup. Skincare. Handbags. Restaurants. Vacations.
There was always something new we supposedly needed.
And women are very good at learning this language.
We know when the sale starts. We know which handbag holds its value. We can calculate 30% off in our heads faster than we can find the calculator on our phones.
But ask many women what an ETF is, how compound growth works, or how to read a company's financials?
Suddenly, money feels intimidating.
And I don't think that's because women aren't capable of understanding finance.
I think many of us simply weren't invited into the conversation early enough.
Imagine if we talked to teenage girls about investing as naturally as we talk to them about college, careers, relationships, or clothes.
Imagine saying:
You earned your first $100? Amazing.
What are you going to spend?
What are you going to save?
And what are you going to own?
That last question could change everything.
Because there is nothing wrong with spending money. I like beautiful things too. I'm certainly not going to tell women that financial independence requires living in an empty apartment eating noodles while wearing the same T-shirt for ten years.
Life is meant to be enjoyed.
But spending shouldn't be the only relationship we teach girls to have with money.
Money can buy something today.
Money can also buy ownership.
It can become a share of a company. It can be invested in a diversified fund. It can help build a business, buy real estate, support retirement, or create more choices later in life.
That's the part of the conversation I wish more girls heard growing up.
Not:
“Don't spend money.”
But:
“Learn what money can do.”
Learn how to earn it.
Learn how to negotiate for it.
Learn how to save it.
Learn how to invest it.
Learn how to protect it.
And yes, learn how to enjoy it too.
Financial education isn't about turning every girl into a stock-market expert.
It's about making sure she understands that money isn't just something that leaves her bank account.
It can be a tool.
It can create options.
And knowledge can help her make more informed decisions about her own financial future.
So yes, buy the shoes if they fit your life and your budget.
But maybe buy some assets too.
— Girl Trader
September 30, 2026