‘When women shed their fear, they can build lasting wealth’

With just four months left in 2024 many of us are still striving to meet the financial goals set at the yearrsquos start Thatrsquos where financial expert Nita Menezesrsquo book Be Financially Smart The Modern Womanrsquos Guide to Money comes inAs the founder and CEO of edutech platform Financially Smart and investment portal Money Prastha as well as national president for the Womenrsquos Indian Chamber of Commerce amp Industryrsquos Financial Literacy Management amp Council Menezes is a trusted expert who has drawn on decades of experience to craft a timely guide for women navigating the often daunting world of financeThe inspiration for Be Financially Smart came from her interactions with countless women who despite their achievements felt disempowered by financial management ldquoMany lacked confidence due to unfamiliarity with key concepts or were overwhelmed by jargon I wanted to create a resource that simplifies finance empowering women to confidently manage their financial futures The book aligns with my mission to build an ecosystem where women can achieve financial independence and confidently navigate their financial lives Through Be Financially Smart I want to shift the narrativemdashwomen are not just savers or spenders they are investors wealth creators and financial decisionmakersrdquo says the authorOne notices how Menezesrsquo own financial journeymdashwhich started with her falling prey to a Ponzi scheme in the 1990smdashprofoundly influences the advice in her book ldquoWith over thirty years in the industry Irsquove faced market fluctuations and complex client situations and seen how financial literacymdashor the lack of itmdashimpacts lives The book reflects practical realworld lessons from both my experiences and those of my clients Financial wellbeing is about mindset habits and ongoing education Every woman deserves to feel confident about her financial choices This book is my way of giving women the knowledge tools and encouragement to make that confidence a realityrdquoMenezes emphasises the importance of the right mindset for achieving financial success through the book ldquoThe right mindset shapes every financial decision and actionmdashwhen women shift from fear and reliance to confidence and ownership they unlock their true potential to build lasting wealthrdquoOne key tool that Menezes shares is a sevenmonth action plan guiding readers through budgeting automating savings building an emergency fund diversifying investments and applying the SMARTER frameworkmdasha simple guide to lasting financial success Additionally the Smart Money Management Model helps streamline finances for longterm growthSpeaking of the role of women in finance evolving over the next decade Menezes says ldquoI anticipate womenrsquos roles in finance will expand significantly with more stepping into leadership and decisionmaking positions Women taking charge of their financial futures will drive a broader cultural shift in how economic power is perceived My book aims to catalyse this evolution by inspiring women from all walks of life to embrace financial literacy make informed decisions and pass these skills on to the next generationrdquoldquoBy addressing financial challenges recognising red flags and empowering those around usmdashwhether family members domestic staff or community membersmdashwe can create a ripple effect of financial empowerment I hope that women will not only participate but also lead the conversation around money contributing to a more financially aware and resilient society I envision a future where women lead the conversation on financial empowerment driving cultural change and contributing to a more financially aware and resilient societyrdquo she concludesAlso Read A beginnerrsquos guide to mutual funds investment Know benefits returns tax deduction and KYC process