Only have a minute? Here’s a quick summary of the six ways to be a more confident investor:
1. Make it easy
Grow your knowledge by building it into your routine – listen to a podcast on the way to work, read the financial headlines in your lunch hour. Many employers will provide sessions explaining benefits at work – get to know what you have already, find out how much your pension is worth, how much is being contributed and what you might receive at retirement. Rathbones run financial awareness course for women too – you can find details here.
2. Cash is Queen...or is it?
Understand the true impact of inflation. Cast your mind back to 1995 when a single Freddo was just 10p. In 2025, that same Freddo was 25p – that’s 260% inflation. If you look around during your weekly shop, you’ll notice plenty of other examples. While investing comes with risk and you may not get back what you invested, it’s one of the ways that you may be able to grow your wealth and keep up with inflation.
3. It takes a village
Many of us won't think twice about taking legal advice to write a will yet we don’t give our personal finances the same priority. The right financial planner can work with you to understand what’s important and help you design a plan to meet your life goals. Part of our job at Rathbones is to educate and build confidence. We work with all different types of clients, it's not a one size fits all – we'll get to know you first.
4. Practice, practice, practice
Put your knowledge into practice. Theory is great, but taking action is what gets you to your destination. Passing your theory test doesn’t mean you can get your driver’s license or that you’re an accomplished driver – you also need to experience being behind the wheel. If you are still many years from retirement you might start with your pension– look at where it’s invested, is that the right strategy for you? Make sure you have a cash emergency fund before you invest – usually that’s 3-6 months’ worth of expenses in an accessible account. If the car breaks down, it means you don’t need to disturb your investments.
5. Failing to plan is planning to fail
The real power of a financial plan is the clarity it can give you. Fans of ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear will know that "You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems." Your financial plan is everything that’s important to you and your loved ones, how you’re going to achieve those goals and reassurance that should the worst happen they are protected.
6. Talk it out
We shy away from conversations about money but one of the best ways to help your loved ones, especially children, is to talk about money. Pass your financial knowledge and experiences on to your friends. You can all learn something from each other, building your confidence and your wealth together.
Aligning planning with investing confidence
Across the UK, women are taking an active role in their financial lives. The majority (83%) say they plan their savings, investments and pensions with care. This is very close to the number of men who say they do this (86%).
But planning and confidence don’t always align.
As we’ve seen, most women say they feel engaged with their finances, yet only 67% say they feel confident when it comes to investing.
Women are the Chief Financial Officers of their own lives every day, so this isn’t about capability. It’s about having access to the right resources, information and support to give women the confidence to make investment decisions.
Starting an investment journey can feel daunting so make it easier by building knowledge in a way that works for you. Listen to a podcast on your way to work, read the personal finance news in the paper, or join a Rathbones webinar. And get to know your numbers – what do you have and where, how is it invested, has it grown in value. Your investment or pension provider will have an app – download it, it will have lots of useful information, analysis and tools.
Seeing the unseen risk of holding cash
Lower confidence with financial knowledge means women are more cautious with risk. It’s one reason far fewer women open stocks and shares ISAs than men, and far more women choose cash ISAs than men.
According to HMRC data, around half a million more men than women subscribe to stocks and shares ISAs, with roughly 1.8m men compared with 1.3m women investing through the tax efficient wrapper.
By contrast, women dominate cash ISA ownership, with around 4m women having one, compared with 3.1m men.
Cash can feel safe. Yet holding too much of it for too long may mean missing out on the kind of growth that enables you to retire at 60 instead of 65, or to help your child with a house deposit.
Inflation means a nice bottle of wine you can buy for £30 today might only get you one glass of it in 10 years' time. If you hold too much money in cash, earning less than inflation, it can derail your finances. Investing over the long term. gives the potential for returns that can beat inflation and protects the buying power of your money.
Finding the right support
What really stands out is that women don’t lack interest in investing. They want clarity, connection and a chance to talk things through with someone who understands them.
Many women say they want a personalised service and that they would pay for financial advice if it could improve their chances of achieving their financial goals. This appetite for support creates an important opportunity: with the right guidance, confidence can grow quickly.
Values also play a bigger role for many women. A meaningful number prefer ethical or sustainable investments, even if it means slightly lower returns. That’s a powerful insight into what matters most when women invest. Your Rathbones adviser can support personalised investment options that match your values, so you’re investing in the way that’s right for you.
Stepping out with confidence to close the wealth gap
Research from Scottish Widows shows that, once housing costs are taken into account, women are expected to retire with an income around a third lower than men's. On average, women are on track for a retirement income of £13,000 per year, compared to £19,000 for men.
Because women often face financial headwinds – lower lifetime earnings, career breaks, caring duties for children and parents, longer life expectancy – financial confidence isn’t just a ‘nice to have’. It’s essential.
Without it, the gap between men and women’s long-term wealth can widen over time. With it, thoughtful planners can become confident investors.
Women are the decision makers in their own lives. The potential is there. The interest is there. The challenge is ensuring you have the information and support to move forward with confidence.
The pillars of financial education and good communication
Research by Rathbones shows women are investing. They’re planning. They’re paying close attention to their financial futures. Yet, many women feel unsure of themselves when it comes to making investment decisions – and that confidence gap is holding us back from growing our long-term wealth.
Through our Female Financial Awareness Courses and close relationships with clients, we hear the same themes again and again. Women want to feel well informed. They want straightforward explanations. They want to explore options in a space where all questions are welcome.
Clearer information. Personalised advice. Supportive solutions. These can help close the confidence gap – and, over time, the wealth gap too.
If you want advice that reflets your priorities, speak to your usual Rathbones contact or fill out our enquiry form below to get started. We’re here to help.
