Why Women Need a Financial Circle, Not Just a Financial Plan

When it comes to money, most of us have been taught to focus on the plan: save this, invest that, hit these targets, and voilà—financial freedom achieved. But if only life were that tidy.

A financial plan is important (we’re planners—we love plans!). It’s the compass that keeps you headed in the right direction. But what about when the map changes—when you lose a spouse, start over after divorce, sell a business, or wake up one morning realizing you want more meaning in your next chapter?

That’s when you need more than a plan. You need a circle—a community of women who “get it.” A circle that doesn’t just ask how much is in your portfolio, but how are you really doing?

At Sorelle Wealth Partners, we’ve seen that women don’t just need strategies—they need support. They don’t just want someone to help manage money—they want someone who helps them understand it, shape it, and make it serve a bigger story. And that story gets stronger when shared.

A Plan Gives You Structure. A Circle Gives You Strength.

Let’s be honest—financial plans are comforting in theory. They make everything look so organized: goals neatly bullet-pointed, future projections color-coded.

But real life? It doesn’t come in tidy Excel rows. It comes with sudden detours, curveballs, and “Wait, no one told me this was part of adulthood!” moments.

When your world shifts—through loss, transition, or new beginnings—you need people who can hold space for the messiness. You need voices that remind you that you’re not behind, not broken, and definitely not the only one Googling “What exactly is a QDRO?” at 2 a.m.

That’s what a financial circle offers: a safe place to laugh, cry, vent, and figure things out—together.

The Power of Shared Wisdom (and Shared Eye Rolls)

Women have gathered in circles for centuries—to talk, heal, and learn from each other. Historically, we’ve shared recipes, stories, and secrets. These days, it might be stock tips, estate plans, and which online portal has the least annoying login process.

A financial circle continues that tradition. It’s not a seminar with PowerPoint slides and acronyms no one understands. It’s a conversation—a space where you can admit, “I’m not totally sure what a basis point is,” and instead of judgment, you get nods and knowing smiles.

When women share experiences—how they navigated a divorce settlement, handled inherited wealth, or balanced caregiving with financial planning—it sparks something powerful: confidence.

You start realizing, if she can do this, I can too. And suddenly, money feels a little less intimidating and a lot more human.

Interestingly, research shows that men often have built-in networks where money talk happens naturally. According to a 2024 Intuit survey, 27% of women feel uneasy talking about money in social settings, compared to only 17% of men, and Empower’s 2024 Money Talks study found that only 36% of women feel comfortable discussing money with coworkers versus 50% of men. They’ll discuss markets over golf, business over lunch, or investments during carpool lines without hesitation. Those conversations—casual as they seem—create valuable financial confidence and connection. 

A financial circle helps bridge that gap—offering women the same sense of belonging, mentorship, and perspective that many men have enjoyed informally for decades—just with more warmth, less ego, and probably better snacks.

Emotional Wealth: The Currency That Really Counts

Here’s something most balance sheets miss: emotional wealth—the calm, grounded feeling that comes from knowing you’re supported, informed, and in control.

A financial circle builds that kind of wealth. It’s what I’ve seen happen when conversations about money become conversations about meaning.

For instance:

• The widow learning to manage investments after years of letting her spouse handle the finances finds courage when she hears another woman say, “I remember being right where you are—and look at me now.”

• The entrepreneur selling her company and wondering who she’ll be without her business gets clarity from peers who’ve walked that same path.

• The newly divorced mom wondering if she’s “allowed” to take a vacation without guilt hears others say, “You’ve earned rest just as much as you’ve earned your income.”
  

That’s emotional wealth: peace of mind, self-trust, and the ability to make money decisions from a place of calm, not chaos. And it compounds beautifully—no market volatility required.

Rewriting Your Money Story

Many of us were raised with mixed messages about money. “Don’t talk about it.” “Don’t want too much.” “Let someone else handle the numbers.” (And somewhere in there for many of: “Your needs – financial and emotional - come last.”)

Those scripts run deep. But in a financial circle, women start writing new ones. They learn to say things like:

• “I’m proud of how I manage my money.”

• “I’m aligning my wealth with my values.”

•  “I’m using money as a tool for choice, not a measure of worth.”

That shift is enormous. Because when women reclaim their financial stories, they stop playing small. They start investing, leading, giving, and teaching others to do the same. And sometimes they even start enjoying those portfolio reviews (and least in a strong market!).

Confidence, Clarity, and Connection: The Circle’s Secret Sauce

At Sorelle Wealth Partners, we talk a lot about our three pillars: Confidence, Clarity, and Connection. A financial circle brings all three to life.

Confidence doesn’t appear overnight—it grows through conversation. When women talk about their experiences with honesty (and humor), it normalizes the learning curve. No one feels silly asking, “What’s a DAF again?” Complex topics—like estate planning or executive comp—become much clearer when discussed in plain English, not “advisor-ese.” You learn not just what to do, but why it matters.

And then there’s connection: the magic ingredient that makes financial growth sustainable. Connection says, “You don’t have to do this alone.” It replaces isolation with empathy—and in a world that often treats money as a private matter, that’s radical.

The Circle Is the New Plan

A financial plan gives direction. A financial circle gives dimension.

It’s not just about how your money performs—it’s about how you feel living your life.

Within a circle, you get both education and encouragement. You might leave one meeting with a better understanding of charitable trusts, and the next with a new friend who texts, “Hey, did you open that Roth IRA yet?”

There’s accountability, laughter, and the occasional glass of wine. It’s like book club—if the book were your financial future.

Why This Matters Now

Women today are a financial force. In a May 2025 study, McKinsey estimates that by 2030 women are expected to control 40-45% of U.S. retail financial assets. But here’s the thing: money alone doesn’t create confidence.

As noted above, men, on average, talk about money more often—with colleagues, mentors, and friends. They trade investment stories, compare business deals, and share advice freely. Those informal exchanges create comfort and confidence over time. Many women, however, have been left out of those conversations—not because they lack ability or interest, but because the culture hasn’t encouraged it. In fact, a 2021 Fidelity Women & Investing study and a UBS Own Your Worth study from earlier this year show that even affluent women often underestimate their own financial literacy or feel disconnected from their long-term plans. 

It’s not a lack of ability—it’s a lack of inclusion. Traditional financial spaces weren’t built for women’s voices, emotions, or experiences.

A financial circle changes that. It gives women permission to ask, learn, and lead—without apology. And when that happens, amazing things follow: more women investing with purpose, giving generously, mentoring others, and redefining what wealth even means.

The Ripple Effect

When one woman finds her financial footing, she doesn’t just change her own future—she changes the conversation for everyone around her. Daughters grow up seeing independence as normal. Friends feel inspired to take charge of their own finances. Communities benefit from more thoughtful philanthropy and leadership.

It’s the ultimate ripple effect: confidence begets confidence.

A financial circle multiplies that effect exponentially. It becomes a living, breathing network of encouragement, education, and empowerment. One woman’s “aha moment” becomes another woman’s turning point.

Building Your Own Financial Circle

You don’t need to wait for an official invitation. Your financial circle can start with three women and a pot of coffee (or champagne—no judgment).

Begin by sharing what’s on your mind—questions about investing, legacy, transitions, or even “I just don’t know where to start.” Make it a safe space where honesty is valued more than expertise.

If you want to take it further, join or host a group like The Sorelle Circle, where women connect not only to learn about finances but to feel seen, supported, and inspired. The key isn’t formality—it’s intention.  It just needs openness, curiosity, and a shared belief that money can—and should—be a source of empowerment, not anxiety.

The Future of Women and Wealth

The future isn’t about women quietly following financial advice—it’s about women leading the conversation. It’s about confidence and compassion coexisting. About wealth that reflects not just numbers, but values.

A financial plan can map your goals. A financial circle helps you find your why.

And when those two align—clarity meets connection—something truly beautiful happens: money stops feeling like pressure and starts feeling like possibility.

At Sorelle Wealth Partners, we believe every woman deserves that feeling—the calm assurance that she’s not navigating this alone, that her voice matters, and that her wealth can reflect her story, her strength, and her heart.

Because at the end of the day, the numbers matter. But the people you share the journey with? They matter more.

Sorelle Wealth Partners is a business name used for marketing purposes.  All advisory services are offered through Savvy Advisors, Inc. (“Savvy”).  Savvy is an investment advisor firm registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Sorelle Wealth Partners is not a separately registered investment advisor.