A mother of four in her 40s lost her husband unexpectedly. In the midst of her grief, she moved into action. She sold furniture she thought was superfluous. The only food the family ate was what had already been purchased and stored in the deep freeze or cupboard. She was so concerned about her ability to provide for her children, so afraid she would become a “bag lady” that the millions her husband’s death left her with did not create a sense of relief. Its significance was far less than the fear and responsibility she was now carrying alone.
For many women managing significant wealth, the challenge isn’t really about how much money they have. It’s the quiet responsibility that comes with it.
Wealth does allow for good things in life, many of them plainly visible. But these women see how more money also leads to more demanding decisions that can feel important and permanent. The margin for error feels smaller. And the responsibility — to family, to future generations, to “not mess this up” — becomes heavier than most people ever see.
Interestingly, this weight rarely reflects a lack of intelligence or discipline. Research consistently shows the opposite. Multiple studies show that women are thoughtful, measured investors with strong long-term outcomes. (1,2,3) Research by Barber and Odean at UC Berkeley famously found that women trade less frequently than men, a behavior associated with better net returns over time.(1)
In contradiction to this success, however, women are also measurably less confident in their investment decisions.
According to InvestmentNews, 84% of women report feeling unconfident managing an inheritance or significant windfall — even when they are otherwise highly educated and capable. (4) Other studies have repeatedly found that women tend to view their wealth not as a win to celebrate but as a responsibility and a protection of things she cares deeply about. (5)
Additionally, when women are managing millions, they understand that financial decisions are no longer isolated.
Portfolio strategy intersects with taxes. Estate planning intersects with family dynamics. Liquidity decisions intersect with identity and purpose. Each choice feels connected and often irreversible.
Research from Vanguard and Morningstar shows that as complexity increases, investors experience decision fatigue and delay, not because they lack sophistication but because the cognitive load becomes significant. (6,7)
For many women, this complexity is carried quietly. Money is personal. Discussing it can feel inappropriate or isolating. And so the responsibility stays private — managed carefully, but inside and alone.
Over time, many women reach a quiet realization:
Performance matters. Discipline matters. But so does clarity, freedom, and knowing that someone else is watching the details — not just the markets, but the whole picture. Research shows that among wealthy women, long-term advisory relationships are driven by peace of mind, trust, and shared responsibility while portfolio performance acts a supporting metric. (2,3)
Your confidence doesn’t come from having all the answers.It comes from knowing you don’t have to carry the responsibility alone.
If any of this resonates, consider it an invitation — not to do more, but to carry less.
We believe wealth should support a meaningful life — not quietly weigh it down.
As advisors, our role isn’t to replace your judgment or take control. It’s to act as a thinking partner. A steady presence. A fiduciary “CFO” who helps bring structure, perspective, and shared stewardship to decisions that matter.
Because the noticeable weight of wealth was never meant to be carried alone.
Confidence doesn’t come from having all the answers.
It comes from knowing the right questions to ask.
Our self-assessment was created to help you reflect on your clarity, decision-making load, and support structure.
Research References (APA Style)
- Barber, B. M., & Odean, T. (2001). Boys will be boys: Gender, overconfidence, and common stock investment. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 116(1), 261–292.https://doi.org/10.1162/003355301556400
- Cerulli Associates. (2023). U.S. high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth investor trends. Cerulli Research Report.(Available via Cerulli; summary findings widely cited in industry publications.)
- EY Global Wealth & Asset Management. (2023). Women investors: Building confidence and engagement in wealth management. Ernst & Young Global Limited.https://www.ey.com/en_us/wealt...
- InvestmentNews. (2025). Eighty-four percent of women not confident managing an inheritance or windfall, survey finds.https://www.investmentnews.com/ria-news/eighty-four-percent-of-women-not-confident-managing-an-inheritance-or-windfall-finds-survey/259569
- UBS. (2022). Women and investing: Reimagining wealth advice. UBS Global Wealth Management.https://www.ubs.com/global/en/wealthmanagement/insights/chief-investment-office/market-insights/2022/women-and-investing-reimagining-wealth-advice.html
- Vanguard. (2023). Advisor’s alpha: Behavioral coaching and decision support. Vanguard Research.https://corporate.vanguard.com...
- Morningstar. (2022). Behavioral biases and investor decision-making under complexity. Morningstar Research.(Available via Morningstar; referenced broadly in advisor behavioral finance literature.)