Savvy Ladies History of Championing Financial Knowledge for Women

Stacy Francis founded Savvy Ladies as a non-profit organization in February 2003 after getting a CFP® certification from the New York University Center for Finance, Law, and Taxation.

“I wanted to change the way women think and educate themselves about money after witnessing a female family member become a victim of physical abuse and rendered powerless by financial instability. Working in the financial industry, I was continually coming across women whose lack of financial well-being made them vulnerable to a range of emotional, personal, and financial consequences. All women, even from the most varied backgrounds, need to learn how to take control of their finances to attain economic self-sufficiency and the life they envision for themselves.” Stacy Francis, Founder Savvy Ladies

The Need For Savvy Ladies is Profound, 90% of Women Feel Somewhat or not at all Financially Secure.

Financial instability is a gender-wide problem that is not specific to geography, culture, or even economic background. Many women are raised to believe they do not need to take care of their finances. Numerous studies, however, indicate that living without financial awareness leaves women particularly vulnerable regardless of marital status. In August 2006, an Allianz Life Insurance Company survey revealed that 90% of women feel somewhat or not at all financially secure. Almost half the women in the study said they feared losing all their money and becoming homeless bag ladies. According to a 2014-2015 study by Prudential Insurance, Financial Experience & Behaviors Among Women, “only 20% of women surveyed felt prepared to make wise financial decisions.”

Additionally, the statistics show that: 

• In America, about 80% of women outlive their husbands. (US Census Bureau) 
• The average American woman will experience widowhood by the age of 56. (US Census Bureau) 
• Roughly two out of five American marriages end in divorce. (NY Times) 

In all of these situations, the women will most likely be unprepared to handle what happens after, when they are on their own.

Single women of all types — unmarried, divorced, and widowed— are underprepared for retirement from age 44 to 64. IRA and 401(k) balances fall short compared to male equivalents. Single and married women tend to focus on priorities other than retirement, like paying for their children’s needs and owning a house.

One of the worst outcomes of not prioritizing savings is missing opportunities to leverage time in your favor.

Savvy Ladies is committed to changing these statistics. With the help of Savvy Ladies, women start making their own choices about money. They learn the importance of financial planning to protect themselves against economic hardship and proactively build a stable future to ensure a rewarding and productive life for themselves and their families.

Savvy Ladies has helped over 25,000 women on their way towards financial freedom. The Savvy Ladies programs and services are making a profound and long-lasting impact on the lives of women who are matched on the Free Financial Helpline, take part in a free Wisdom Webinar session, join one of our free panel discussion programs and read our expert advice shared by our professionals on the Savvy Money Blog.

Free Client Services – the Free Financial Helpline

Our educational services are open to all women free of charge.

• Savvy Ladies Helpline: The Savvy Ladies Helpline is a free resource offered to women who require guidance regarding their finances. The Helpline supports women by arranging a telephone consultation with a financial expert to assist them with their specific financial situation. Savvy Ladies staff review each request and match each caller with a financial expert from our community of pro bono volunteers. Helpline conversations are strictly confidential, to the fullest extent of the law.
• Webinar Sessions:  Our Wisdom Webinar Sessions have guest speakers presenting financially related topics such as budgeting, investing, taxes, debt, entrepreneurship, home purchasing, and retirement. They also cover essential life topics that affect women, such as work/life balance, time management, and fashion. Speakers are chosen from among our community of professional experts in the industry.

Supporters, Advocates, and Allies generously support Savvy Ladies Mission

Savvy Ladies programs and services have been sustained through a combination of grants, corporate sponsorships, individual and in-kind donations, fundraisers, business/product sponsors. Make a donation in honor a a Savvy Ladies Award Honoree, click here.