How Women Can Build a Better Relationship With Money with Brie Williams
Money. We all use it, need it, think about it—but how many of us are really talking about it? In this blog, I summarize a conversation I had with Brie Williams from SPDR Exchange Traded Funds, who brought valuable insight into how women can build a better relationship with money, and how our earliest memories of money shape our financial mindset for life.
Meet Brie Williams
Brie has a unique role in the finance world. She leads a team of practice management consultants at SPDR ETFs, working closely with financial advisors to help their businesses thrive. She’s also deeply committed to financial education—particularly helping individual investors understand how to "own their work" when it comes to managing money. Her passion for empowering people, especially women, to take control of their finances comes through in every word.
Why Our First Money Memories Matter
Brie kicked off the conversation by asking me to reflect on my first memory of money—a question that immediately brought back memories of birthdays, checks from grandparents, and that little piggy bank I used to stuff cash into.
She explained why this exercise is so powerful. “We experience money early in life, and those first interactions—whether it’s a piggy bank or a birthday card with cash—create emotional connections,” Brie shared. “Those early memories often shape how we spend, save, and even worry about money as adults.”
For Brie, a vivid early experience was being encouraged by her mom to open a credit card before heading off to college—not to spend recklessly, but to start building credit history and, ultimately, financial independence. At the time, she resisted. “I thought it was a trap,” she laughed. But her mom’s insistence stemmed from a very real experience: just a few decades earlier, women couldn’t even get credit in their own names.
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A Brief History: Women and Financial Access
It wasn’t until 1974—just over 50 years ago—that the Fair Credit Opportunity Act made it illegal to deny credit based on gender. Brie’s mom, working a full-time job in the 1960s, couldn’t get a credit card independently. That moment wasn’t just about convenience; it was about independence. So it’s no wonder Brie’s mom was determined her daughter would start with the financial tools she never had.
How Money Memories Shape Behavior
We often carry emotional baggage—or boosts—into adulthood. Maybe you grew up in a household shaped by the Great Depression or during a time of economic boom. Your experiences can skew your behavior toward extreme frugality or carefree spending.
The more emotionally charged the memory, the more it influences how we make decisions today. Behavioral economists even note that we feel the sting of a financial loss more intensely than the thrill of a gain. These psychological patterns are worth examining if we want to make more mindful choices with money.
Teaching Kids About Money (The Right Way)
Brie emphasized letting kids experience money through small wins and safe failures. For example, giving them $35 to plan a grocery list and make dinner isn’t just cute—it’s training them to think about trade-offs and value.
You can even start with hypothetical games like: “You find $10 on the street—what do you do?” (My son would probably say “video game,” but hey, it’s a start!)
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Tackling Financial Goals (Without Feeling Overwhelmed)
Here’s a powerful insight Brie shared: big goals can paralyze us. “The brain gets overstimulated,” she said. “Break goals down into digestible bites—small wins.”
This not only keeps you on track but also builds motivation. Brie shared how she paid off her graduate student loans in three years by creating a mini-plan. She celebrated milestones along the way, like knocking out one loan at a time. These small victories build momentum and confidence.
The 50/30/20 Rule: A Simple Framework
For those unsure where to start, Bree recommended the tried-and-true 50/30/20 budgeting rule:
50% of your income goes to needs (housing, groceries, bills)
30% to wants (dining out, travel, new shoes)
20% to savings and investments
She recommends thinking in after-tax income to keep things real—because “otherwise, it’s just paper money.”
Also critical: an emergency fund. Bree suggests building up 3–6 months of living expenses to cushion against job loss or surprise expenses. That way, you're not forced to dip into retirement funds at the worst possible time.
App or Notebook? Track What Works for You
There are tons of tools out there—apps, spreadsheets, even pen and paper. Use whatever keeps you engaged. Many credit cards even break down spending into helpful pie charts. The key is mindfulness—knowing where your money is going, so you can make informed choices.
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Start the Conversation—Even If It Feels Weird
Still, one of Brie’s biggest pieces of advice wasn’t about a product or a spreadsheet. It was about talking. “Money conversations need to be normalized,” she said. “Especially for women, there are still old stereotypes that say talking about money is taboo or not ladylike. That has to change.”
Start with a trusted friend, a partner, or even a financial advisor. You don’t have to disclose every number in your bank account—but opening up and sharing can lead to valuable insights and support.
So, What Can Women Do Right Now?
As we wrapped up, Bree left us with a few action items:
Make Your Money Work for You
Get your savings and investments working just as hard as you do.Ask for Help
Find a trusted advisor or accountability partner. You don’t have to be an expert to hire one.Embrace the Journey
Financial success is not an overnight event. Build small, strong habits and grow your confidence over time.
Final Thoughts
Women today are in a powerful position. With more financial tools, access, and knowledge than ever before, they’re poised to take center stage in shaping their financial futures. Whether you’re just starting out or further along in your journey, remember: it’s never too late to take ownership of your money story—and it’s OK to ask for help along the way.
If you have a question or topic that you’d like to have considered for a future episode/blog post, you can request it by going to www.retirewithryan.com and clicking on ask a question.
As always, have a great day, a better week, and I look forward to talking with you on the next blog post, podcast, YouTube video, or wherever we have the pleasure of connecting!
Written by Ryan Morrissey
Founder & CEO of Morrissey Wealth Management
Host of the Retire with Ryan Podcast