Can we have a little coffee talk?

I used to think finances were something other people were naturally good at.

Not me.

I could build a business.

Raise kids.

Navigate a courtroom.

Help couples through divorce.

But when it came to our own finances? I preferred to look the other way.

Maybe you know that feeling.

It's not that you don't care.

It's that money feels intimidating.

Then life has a way of getting your attention.

Recently, I interviewed Certified Financial Planner® Donna Jean Kendrick on the podcast, and her story reminded me why financial confidence matters so much.

Donna lost her first husband unexpectedly while raising three young children.

In an instant, she became responsible for every financial decision.

She discovered there were things she wished she'd known long before tragedy struck—keeping credit in her own name, maintaining a healthy emergency fund, understanding where everything was, and simply having someone trustworthy to help her slow down and make good decisions.

Today, helping women navigate those moments is her life's work.

As we talked, I realized something.

The women who come to me for divorce mediation often say the same thing:

"I don't know what we have."

"I don't know what anything is worth."

"I've never looked at our retirement."

And here's the truth.

They're not unintelligent.

They're overwhelmed.

Many have spent years raising children, supporting careers, running households, or trusting their spouse to handle the financial details.

Until suddenly they can't.

Here's what I want you to know:

Financial knowledge isn't about preparing for divorce.

It's about preparing for life.

Even if you're in a wonderful marriage.

Even if you never plan to separate.

Even if you're only thirty-five years old.

Understanding your finances doesn't create distrust.

It creates partnership.

It creates confidence.

It creates peace.

I've experienced this personally.

When my husband retired and faced heart surgery, I finally decided it was time to understand everything.

I met with a financial planner.

I asked questions.

I learned.

And something shifted.

Instead of feeling anxious every time money came up, I felt empowered.

Not because I knew everything.

Because I knew enough.

That's all most of us need.

Enough understanding to ask good questions.

Enough confidence to make thoughtful decisions.

Enough clarity to sleep well at night.

So here's my encouragement.

Schedule a financial date with your spouse.

Pull out your retirement accounts.

Review your insurance.

Talk about where important documents are kept.

Ask questions.

If you're divorced or facing divorce, don't do it alone.

Find professionals who educate, not intimidate.

And remember this:

Knowledge doesn't eliminate every challenge.

But it does remove so much unnecessary fear.

That's a pretty wonderful place to begin.

I'd love to know...

What's one financial question you've been putting off asking?

Maybe today is the day.