The Money Strategies That Helped Me Build Wealth (and Why Women’s Economic Power Is at a Turning Point)

Alana D'Angelica
Dec 18, 2025
3 min read

When women ask how I built financial stability and wealth, they often expect a complex investing hack, a risky career move, or a lucky break.

The truth is far less flashy - and far more repeatable.

Here are the core strategies that changed everything for me.

The Money Strategies That Actually Worked

1. I didn’t let my lifestyle rise with my income

As my salary grew, I kept my costs relatively stable. At one point, I even paid myself a fixed “allowance” and automated the rest into savings and investments so lifestyle inflation didn’t happen by default.

This one decision created margin. And margin creates options.

2. I made a hard rule: no long-term interest over 5%

I aggressively paid down any debt charging more than that. Paying interest is one of the most expensive habits you can have, and it quietly erodes your ability to build wealth.

Eliminating high-interest debt freed up cash flow and mental energy almost immediately.

3. I maxed out retirement accounts whenever possible

I prioritized 401(k) contributions early and consistently, especially when employers offered a match. Over time, this became one of the biggest drivers of my progress.

It wasn’t exciting in the moment, but it did more work for me than almost anything else.

4. I learned how healthcare really works

Understanding deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, HSAs, FSAs, and employer benefits saved me thousands of dollars over the years.

Healthcare is one of the biggest line items people ignore — and one of the easiest places to quietly lose money if you don’t understand the rules.

5. I lived “lean on purpose”

I kept limited money in my checking account to maintain a healthy sense of constraint. I used savings buckets for short-term goals, invested consistently, and most importantly, I stopped watching the markets.

What Those Decisions Compounded Into

Over time, these choices added up.

I went from nearly $100,000 in debt to growing my net worth by over 4,300% in ten years. After about six focused years, I reached CoastFI.

CoastFI means my retirement is essentially funded. I no longer need to aggressively save for the future. I just need to cover today’s life expenses while my investments grow quietly in the background.

But strategy alone isn’t the full story.

Mindset matters just as much.

The Money Myths Holding Women Back

In my work with women, I hear the same beliefs over and over:

“I’m just not a numbers person.”
“I started too late. I’ll never catch up.”
“My partner handles the money.”
“I don’t have enough to start investing.”
“What if I make the wrong move and lose it all?”

These aren’t truths. They’re money lies we’ve told ourselves for years.

The most damaging myth is the idea that confidence needs to come first.

In reality, confidence is built through action. Women don’t need more information. They need to start - and learn by doing.

Why Women’s Economic Power Is at a Turning Point

We’re at a real inflection point.

More women are stepping away from traditional corporate paths and choosing self-employment for autonomy, flexibility, and uncapped growth. At the same time, we’re entering the largest wealth transfer in history, with trillions of dollars expected to move into women’s hands over the coming decades.

But - economic power doesn’t come from earning (or inheriting) more alone.

It comes from:

keeping costs intentional
avoiding unnecessary interest
investing early and consistently
understanding the systems that affect your money

Most importantly, it comes from staying engaged.

When women understand their numbers, participate in financial decisions, and stop outsourcing confidence, everything shifts. Wealth becomes less about fear and more about choice.

That’s where real economic power begins.

If you want help applying these strategies to your own life - your income, your goals, your timeline - I offer 1:1 financial coaching for women who want clarity, structure, and a plan they can actually follow.

In our work together, we’ll: