Why You Feel Like You’re “Bad with Money”, Even When You’re Not
Have you ever thought, “I’m just not good with money”?
Or felt low-key shame every time you checked your account?
If yes, you’re not alone.
Many women, even high-achievers, carry this quiet, heavy feeling of not doing enough or being enough financially.
But what if the problem isn’t you, it’s the messages you’ve absorbed?
Let’s Talk About Financial Shame
Financial shame is that inner voice that whispers:
“You should’ve known better.”
“You make good money, why don’t you have more saved?”
“Everyone else seems to have it together but you’re just… bad at this.”
“Other people can treat themselves to nice things, but why can’t you?”
It’s silent. It’s heavy. And it thrives in isolation.
Women are often raised to be careful with money not confident with it.
We’re praised for saving, warned about spending, and rarely taught how to grow wealth in a way that feels empowering.
So when we fall behind, we blame ourselves.
Not the lack of education. Not the pressure. Not the fear.
Just… ourselves.
Signs You Might Be Carrying Financial Shame
You avoid checking your bank account even when you’re doing fine
You downplay your financial goals around others
You feel guilty after spending money, even on things that bring joy
You compare yourself constantly to people your age
You hesitate to ask for help because you “should have it together by now”
If you saw yourself in any of those, pause and take a deep breath.
This doesn’t make you broken. It makes you human.
How I Deal With It (And What’s Helped Me)
This feeling? I know it well.
There have been times where I’ve cursed myself after spending on something “non-essential,” even though I could afford it.
Times where I stayed quiet in money conversations because I didn’t want to seem clueless.
Here’s what’s helped me shift out of that mindset:
I educate myself gently. I read, listen, and learn not because I’m behind, but because I’m growing.
I celebrate small wins. Transferring $50 to savings? That’s a win. Saying “no” to comparison? A win.
I talk to safe people. Financial shame grows in silence but it can’t survive in safe, non-judgmental conversation.
And most of all, I remind myself I’m allowed to be a work in progress and still be worthy of wealth, rest, and joy.
You Are Not Behind. You Are Not Alone.
If you’ve ever whispered to yourself, “I’m bad with money” please know this:
You’re not bad. You’re just unpracticed. Or overwhelmed. Or trying your best in a system that didn’t teach you how to thrive.
This blog post isn’t here to give you another to-do list.
It’s here to tell you: you’re allowed to release the shame.
And you’re allowed to start again from a place of compassion, not criticism.