How my FinTech App Experience Relates to Women and Money

Recently, I’ve been building a financial app.

Now, I'm a finance person, not a tech person.

Before this journey, I had never heard of a “tech stack” and had no idea what a "wireframe" was. I didn’t know the difference between hosting and servers. I had no idea what API keys were, why “regions” mattered, or what compliance standards I needed to consider.

Being on this development journey, there were moments when my brain felt completely overloaded.

And then recently something profound happened.  I realised this is how many women feel about money.

Not incapable.
Not lazy.
Not bad with numbers.

Just standing at the base of a steep learning curve.

The Language Barrier

When you enter a new industry, whether tech or finance, the language alone can make you want to run or avoid, or both!

Net worth. ETFs. Compounding. Asset allocation. Investing vs trading. Cash flow optimisation.

It can sound like another language.

In tech, I had to research everything. In money, many women do the same, or worse, they avoid it entirely because the terminology feels intimidating.

But here’s the truth: once you understand the core terms, everything becomes simpler.

Language isn’t proof you’re incapable. It’s proof you’re learning something new.

The Knowledge Gap (And Why That’s Normal)

When I started building this app, I didn’t know what I didn’t know.  That felt VERY uncomfortable (and to be honest, it still does).

It’s the same with money. Many women ask:

• Should I pay off debt first?

• Should I invest?

• Can I do both?

• Where do I even start?

The answer is: it depends on your situation and what type of debt you have. To build wealth you don't have to do things in a linear way.  Doing things in parallel is important.  Here is a rough guide though:

1. Clear high-interest debt.
2. Invest consistently (even small amounts).
3. Build in parallel.

Micro-investing and ETFs have made investing more accessible than ever. You don’t need millions. You need consistency.

Invest, invest, invest.

The Cost of Action, and the Cost of Inaction

When building the app, I received quotes from $7,000 to $100,000.

Huge range.

Ultimately, finding the right tool dramatically reduced both cost and time.

With money, there’s also cost.  Sometimes it’s education, sometimes mistakes, sometimes regret.

But there is also a cost for doing nothing, and this is the part we rarely talk about.

If $100 invested today could grow at 8% annually, what does 10 or 20 years look like?

The cost of inaction is invisible, until you project it forward.

Clarity removes denial.

The Right Tool Changes Everything

For ten months, I was stuck in conversations, documentation, and theory.

Then I found the right tool, and I built the core app in three weeks.

That’s what the right system does. It accelerates clarity and execution.

This is why I’m building this app, not because women are incapable, but because the right visibility tool removes overwhelm.

When you can see:

• Where your money goes,

• What your net worth is,

• What your future could look like,

• What your lifestyle requires,

The noise disappears and the decisions become simpler: Earn more. Spend more intentionally. Invest consistently.

You Are Not Behind

If I can build a tech application from scratch with zero background, you can absolutely learn to manage and grow your money.

You don’t need to be “good with numbers.” You need curiosity and willingness.

You might not be there yet. But you are getting there.

And that changes everything.