The Shit We Don’t Talk About: Money, Shame, and Taking Back Control

Why Admitting “I Don’t Know” About Money Is the Boldest Move You Can Make

Shame is a silent killer. Especially when it comes to money.

Too many women hit midlife thinking, “I should know this by now.” But here’s the truth: no one is born knowing how to manage finances, negotiate estate plans, or navigate financial independence. These are learned skills. And the only way to learn? Raise your hand. Say, “I don’t know.” Ask for help.

I recently joined the Women and Money: The Shit We Don’t Talk About podcast by Barb and Maggie Provost of Purse Strings to unpack this exact topic. We talked about:

• Why shame keeps women stuck in financial limbo.

• How decision fatigue derails financial progress.

• And why breaking big, scary tasks into small, manageable steps is the key to taking back control.

If Purse Strings sounds familiar, it’s because we’ve had some of their powerhouse network members on The Midlife Edit:

• Sanja Noble: Give Me Some Credit - Expert Tips for Maximizing Your Credit Score

• Leslie West: Peace of Mind at a Premium - Protecting Your Home Before Disaster Strikes

• Lora Georgieva: Making the Grade - Expert Tips for Getting Into College

Plus, Barb wrote a guest post for Go Long about taking small steps to become more financially empowered. You can check it out here.

This episode is packed with real talk, actionable insights, and a reminder that it’s never too late to take control of your financial future.

Listen now on YouTube, Apple, or Spotify. And if you like the episode, please give it a like and/or subscribe to their channel.

Because the only way out of shame is through it. And the only way to fix what you don’t know is to start asking questions.

P.S. — Other episodes on Women and Money: The Shit We Don’t Talk About that you may be interested in include:

• Bola Sokunbi: The Money Moves You Wished You Had Known Sooner

• Samantha Hart: The Truth About Women and Retirement