WealthWave's Women's Survey 2026

1
1. What do you worry about the most when it comes to money?
Running out of money
Becoming a burden on my family
Not being able to retire comfortably
One unexpected emergency (medical, home, job) wiping me out financially
Not understanding money well enough
Other
2
2. What do you regret the most when it comes to your finances?
Not starting to save or invest sooner
Not understanding money earlier in life
Trusting the wrong person with financial decisions
Taking on too much debt
Putting everyone else’s needs ahead of my own
Other
3
3. What is the best financial advice you’ve ever received?
Pay yourself first
Live below your means
Start early—even with small amounts
Always have your own money
I’ve never received financial advice
Other
4
Who gave you this advice?
Parent or Grandparent
Mentor or Coach
Financial Professional
Employer or Business Owner
Friend or Work Colleague
No one
Other
5
4. If money were not a factor, what would you do differently in your life?
Spend more time with family
Travel more
Leave a job I don’t enjoy
Start a business or passion project
Volunteer or give back more
Go back to school or continue education
Focus more on my health and well-being
Work fewer hours
Help my children or family financially
Build a legacy or charitable impact
Other
6
5. Which statement best describes how you feel about money right now?
Confident and in control
Somewhat confident, but unsure
Overwhelmed and anxious
Hopeful—but unclear on the next steps
I want to learn more
Other
7
6. What would you like to gain from financial education?
Confidence to make money decisions without second-guessing myself
A strategy for saving more and eliminating debt faster
A better understanding about how to create and grow wealth
A path to retire with dignity and not become a burden on my family
The framework to set a better example for my family and loved ones
The ability to establish a legacy of prosperity for future generations
Other
8
7. Which season of life best describes you right now?
Laying my foundation (school, early career, first “real” money decisions)
Building a family as a couple (combining finances, kids now or soon)
Single parent / primary caregiver for children
Caregiver / “sandwich generation” (supporting children and aging parents)
Starting or running my own business
Rebuilding after a major life or career change (divorce/separation or financial reset)
Widowed / now managing finances on my own
Pre-retirement (within 10 years)
Retired
Other
9
8. When it comes to the big money decisions (saving, investing, retirement, insurance), which statement is most true for you?
I lead the decisions—and I feel confident doing it
I lead the decisions—but I’d like more confidence/education
My partner/spouse and I make decisions together as equals
My partner/spouse takes the lead on most of the decisions
I mostly avoid it and hope everything works out
I collaborate with a Financial Professional to accomplish my goals
Other
10
9. Which money topic do you wish you understood better right now?
Where is my money really going each month
How to stop living paycheck to paycheck
Getting out of debt
Investing basics
How to become a homeowner
How to make my money work better for me
Retirement planning
Social Security timing
Estate Planning basics
Other
11
10. The HowMoneyWorks for Women book lays out “The 7 Money Milestones” as a guide for protecting your family and reaching your financial goals. Which milestone would make the biggest difference for you right now?
Financial Education — I want to understand how money works
Proper Protection — I want to protect against income/savings loss
Emergency Fund – I want a cushion for unexpected expenses
Debt Management — I want to reduce or eliminate debt
Cash Flow — I want to design a budget that fits my lifestyle
Build Wealth — I want long-term growth and retirement progress
Protect Wealth — I want to protect my legacy (will/beneficiaries/plan)
Other
12
Are you a financial professional?
Yes
No
Should be Empty: