Breaking Money Silence: Every Woman’s Key to a More Successful Retirement

Talk about your financial future during Women’s History Month

From the very beginning, in her introduction to the book, I felt tears welling in my eyes. She writes:

“From the time I could talk, I had something to say. As a young girl, I discovered that this trait was viewed as unattractive and unladylike. Words such as opinionated, loud, and stubborn were tossed around at my  expense…I was occasionally called ‘the mouth’.”

It was as if I had stepped back into my childhood and teenage years. I was always told I was too loud. Always being shushed. Too often dismissed. And that continued throughout my career in corporate America.

I sure didn’t expect that flashback. But she sure had my attention.

Speak up, ladies, no matter who is shushing you

It’s especially important to speak up about your career potential and opportunities. As you advance in your career, your financial picture should improve. The two go hand in-glove. Without the strong careers we want and have earned, our financial success can be in jeopardy. And when we’re not financially strong, our retirement will suffer.

Not everyone gets to marry rich. In fact, that’s incredibly rare. There aren’t many women like Taylor Swift, who has amazing talent and incredible business savvy. And we’ve seen how tough it is to run for president. Two remarkable women who don’t hesitate to speak up came oh-so-close to winning the highest office in the land.

But if you’re like me, and most women, we take a more “regular” route to build our careers and achieve financial success. It usually starts with the courage to be the one breaking money silence.

Time to unleash your true value

Kingsbury offers a wide range of suggestions for women to embrace the financial side of life. I’m sure you’ll relate to her many observations and realities about how societal norms shape women’s perspectives on money. And how our family upbringing greatly influences women’s relationships with money. The stories are personal and insightful.

Her insights are especially important during this time of job upheaval. Many women are losing jobs as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes a game-changer. Now, and in the near future, many GenX and younger Boomer women are once again embarking on a job hunt. Or you’re trying to get that promotion you know you’ve earned. You might be ready to jump into the early years of AI and influence how it will work at your company.

Regardless of your career goals, the job market is very different from the last time you looked for a job or opportunity. You might not be prepared for retirement yet. You’re going to need another five, 10, or 15 years to ramp up your savings. Securing your financial future is a top priority.

Take a page from Breaking Money Silence for your win

It’s more important than ever to identify exactly what your value is to an organization. You’ll want to be clear about how you can contribute in this new AI environment. Practice communicating your value and showcase your toughness. These are real skills that too many women don’t realize they need to win that new job.

Here are three of the many tips you’ll find helpful as you move forward. As the poet Robert Frost wrote, you still have miles to go before you sleep. Keep your financial and retirement goals in focus. And embark on your next grand adventure.

1. Accept rejection – it’s a big part of the process

Probably the worst part of searching for a new job or that elusive promotion is the fear of rejection. So many women will hear the word “no” more often than not. To add insult to injury, the rejections may well be coming from someone who could be your adult child. How is this our reality?

Preparing for this part of the process is especially important. That’s not to say you should expect to lose out on the new opportunity. Rather, it’s about reframing how you interview and giving it your best shot. It’s about becoming a better communicator of your total value.

That way, if the hiring manager chooses someone else, you’ll know you gave it your best shot. And you’ll have the resolve to keep moving forward.

2. Identify your value – call on your “woman’s superpower”

Kingsbury guides women to write down the elements that make up their value. When considering interviewing for a new position, most women focus on their knowledge and contributions at prior jobs. That’s great.

But it’s also important to articulate what you’ve accomplished at home, with your family, and in your community. All those interesting pieces add up and count toward key components of your real value. Find ways to weave your life experiences into the discussion.

“Your superpowers are the intangible qualities that make you the unique person you are. When you recognize and appreciate your uniqueness, your confidence grows,” Kingsbury explains. “You worry less about how you compare to other people and focus more on how to use your gifts in the world.”

3. Climb out of the sabotage swamp – in your heart and your mindset

Do you feel like you’ve been traveling down “alligator alley” to arrive at this point in your career? If so, it’s understandable that you might be approaching a new opportunity feeling stuck in the sabotage swamp. Recognize it, then pull yourself out of the muck. You’ll be more productive by focusing on building a success mindset.

Remember that you’ve been working successfully for the past 30-plus years. You’ve provided for yourself and your family. You’ve paid off debts, saved for retirement. That’s success in anyone’s book. Not the swamp.

“What I think it boils down to is developing skills that allow you to be grateful for what you have, focusing on what you want to achieve, and learning to overcome adversity,” Kingsbury counsels.

It’s an interesting exercise to write down many of the things you are grateful for. Don’t dismiss those important parts of who you are.

The time you spend breaking money silence will yield positive results

Big changes, like career uncertainty, can be overwhelming. Especially when they are sudden. And when you might not have all the current skills the younger women have. Keeping up momentum so you can ramp up your final years of saving for retirement is job number one. 

Here are three more tips from Kingsbury to consider when you doubt whether breaking money silence is really in your skill set:

1 – Keep building your retirement account.

Manage your 401(k), 403(b), and IRAs by investing wisely for your future. Do not tap these accounts until you retire. Get professional advice if you are unsure how best to invest for your financial future.

2 – Think about downsizing sooner rather than later.

Maybe you never thought you’d sell your family home. But the housing market is short on inventory, making your home more valuable now. Consider how a move to somewhere new might just give you a fresh, positive direction. It could be an unexpected, exciting adventure.

3 – Create your comprehensive retirement income plan.

Dig deep into your financial picture to see exactly where you stand with assets, debts, and retirement income sources. Research how claiming Social Security early is unlikely to be a good financial move. Explore how expensive Medicare will be throughout retirement. 

A debt of gratitude

Planning for your successful retirement is an enormous undertaking. If thinking about how you’ll do it all doesn’t help you break money silence and celebrate your successes to date, what will?

Here’s to recognizing all the women who have gone before us this Women’s History Month. We gratefully acknowledge the doors they opened that were once closed. Now it’s our turn to make strides for the younger generation of women. And who better than all of us?

Good resources to help you embrace your superpowers!

Kathleen Burns Kingsbury’s latest book, Breaking Money Silence

To help you better prepare for retirement, it’s important to ask yourself 13 key questions…and talk about your answers with those closest to you