By Gordon Chavez, Financial Reporter
Over the years, I’ve had many conversations with families about money, and one lesson stands out: Financial knowledge is not about control—it’s about confidence and protection.
In the past, one partner often handled most of the financial responsibilities. Today, more couples share those responsibilities, but life can still change quickly. A loss, illness, or separation can leave one partner suddenly responsible for managing finances alone. That’s why financial literacy is so important for women—and for every partner in a relationship.
This topic is personal for me. My wife, Anahi Chavez, immigrated to the United States from Mexico in her late teens. Almost 30 years later, she has built a strong life and family here. Like many people, her biggest challenge hasn’t been understanding money—it has been becoming comfortable with technology and navigating financial information online.
She has been working hard to build that confidence. Recently, she shared something with me. “I have always struggled with technology and the internet. Part of this has been learning English. And now, I am getting out of my comfort zone to improve my English and be more computer literate. This way, I can login to financial sites and be more comfortable with knowing how to find the info I need.”
Her determination reminds me that financial literacy is not about perfection—it’s about progress. Taking small steps to understand your finances and ask questions can make a big difference.
Here are a few things every woman—and every partner—should know:
- Where important financial accounts are located
- What are the monthly household expenses and debts
- Where is insurance coverage and beneficiaries
- How to access bank and financial websites
- Who to contact for financial or legal support
UnidosUS explains that “financial capability is the only route to financial freedom for Latinos across the country.”
Similarly, the Women’s Institute for Financial Education reminds families that “every woman (and every man) must plan for the inevitable. Someday one of them will end up alone. What if that day were tomorrow?”
Financial literacy is empowerment. When we all understand our finances, we gain confidence, independence, and peace of mind—for ourselves and our families.
