Real Stories of Stay-at-Home Moms Taking Charge of Their Finances

Financial literacy isn’t just for the breadwinners—it’s for everyone in the family. And if you’re a stay-at-home mom, it’s even more important.

I’ve had the privilege of working with many incredible women who have taken charge of their financial lives, and their stories never fail to inspire me. 

They remind me that life can change in an instant. Having the knowledge and confidence to manage your finances can make all the difference when facing unexpected challenges. 

When I was living in Jakarta some years back, there was a tragic case that I still think about to this day. A male expat was out cycling one Sunday morning when he was involved in an accident and passed away, leaving behind his wife and two young children.

His wife was totally caught off-guard. She had always let her husband handle everything money-related. She received a cash allowance from him, and was hands-off with the family finances. She was completely traumatised and lost - no bank access, no emergency funds - just his ATM card without the PIN.

The expat community rallied around her, raising money to help her and her kids get back home. It was heartwarming to experience this act of kindness from the community, but the situation could have been avoided if she had been more involved in their family finances from the start. Losing her husband was already devastating, but suddenly realizing she was responsible for the young children and not having control over their money made it even worse.

Another of my clients had a similar realization, but in a different way. After years of marriage, raising kids, and never worrying about money, her world turned upside down when her husband unexpectedly asked for a divorce. She was in her 50s, and she had no idea how to handle money on her own.

For the first time in her life, she had to figure out how to manage the settlement she received and plan for retirement. She was overwhelmed and scared, but she knew she had to take control.

She seeked help through coaching and talked through her worries. In the process, she got more clarity over her finances, learned to budget and make financial decisions. Today, she’s much more financially independent. Instead of feeling lost, she feels empowered - because she knows she can take care of herself, no matter what.

Finally another client of mine learnt to manage money the hard way too. She grew up as a “princess,” financially supported first by her father and then by her husband, both successful businessmen. 

She never had to worry about finances - until the day everything changed.

Her husband fell ill and passed away in his 50s, leaving her to take care of their young son and manage his business. She had no clue where to start. Suddenly, she wasn’t just a grieving widow - she was responsible for making financial decisions she had never made before and responsible for other people - her son and the staff in her husband’s company.

She reached out for help, determined to learn. Through coaching, she not only figured out how to manage her money, but also kept her husband’s business running to secure a future for herself and her son.

Why these stories matter 

These stories have one thing in common: life threw these women unexpected challenges, and financial literacy gave them the ability to get through it.

You don’t have to be the breadwinner to know what’s going on with your money. You don’t have to be a finance expert to take control of your financial future. But you do need to be involved, even if it’s just knowing where things are, how to access them, and understanding the basics of managing money.

Because when life happens - and it always does - you want to be prepared.

Start where you are. Learn one thing today—whether it’s tracking your expenses, setting up a simple budget, or just talking to your partner about finances.

For the month of March, Your Finance Mind is collaborating with COL Financial to inspire more women to take charge of their financial future. Follow us on social media as we share tips, insights, and stories to encourage more women to start investing with confidence!