Wellesley Alum Spotlight Feature: Ariel Nathanson ‘10
Interview by Lizzy Laferriere ‘10
Ariel Nathanson '10 Asks:
What If You Felt Empowered by Your Money?
For this month’s Alum Story, in honor of the U.S. tax season, we interviewed Ariel Nathanson ‘10. Ariel (pronounced R-E-L) believes that financial empowerment and education is essential, and that’s why she started Finances for Feminists. Her interview below was edited for space and clarity.
Ariel, we’re endlessly proud of what you’ve accomplished in two years!
Welcome, Ariel! Let’s start with your Wellesley Lightning Round. What was your:
Major… Art History
Minor…. Economics
Dorm(s)… Freeman, Stone, Pom
Favorite Teacher(s) and Class(es)… History of Photography with Professor Berman, Women in Contemporary American Society (Gender Studies), and Social Psychology with Professor Carli
Study Place…. Art Library, which is where I worked!
Tell us more about Finances for Feminists.
I am the Founder of Finances for Feminists, where my goal is to increase access to financial wellness. As a money coach, I help women and couples gain clarity around their finances and provide personalized financial education and support. Financial education is left out of school curriculums and yet it is a key part of creating a sense of agency as adults. Through my work as a Certified Financial Education Instructor, I help increase financial literacy, translate patronizing financial jargon, and generate concrete action plans that help my clients meet their own goals.
My signature offering is the Finance Fundamentals Coaching Package. Over the course of 3-months, we cover topics such as investing 101, developing spending plans, and retirement basics. I work with my clients one-on-one to build their financial tool-kits and allow them to own and understand their finances more fully. Finance Fundamentals graduates leave with a deeper understanding of their personal financial situation and a specific action plan to help them get to where they want to go.
I’ve been thrilled to find that these topics resonate with the Wellesley community - alums and students alike. This fall, I even presented on a talk on A Clear Path to Financial Empowerment for graduating Wellesley seniors.
How did you come up with the name of the business?
Finances for Feminists is about addressing our personal finances through a feminist lens. This perspective helps to acknowledge the social and societal barriers that prevent access to wealth, resources, and stability. Consider the impact on our lives and financial well-being of the gendered pink tax, investment gap, wage gap, and more. These inequalities are exacerbated when we recognize intersectional feminism and how race, class, orientation, and ability are also factors. I use the framework of financial feminism to help my clients acknowledge systemic issues while also empowering them to take steps on their own towards their financial wellness. That, in and of itself, is a feminist act.
Why did you feel these were important topics to cover?
According to a 2017 Merril Lynch and Age Wave research study, 61 percent of women would rather talk about their own death than money. That statistic horrifies me. Money is such a key part of our day-to-day lives. Money gives us choices, the ability to pursue careers, enables us to leave toxic workplaces or relationships, and follow our passions. It’s the key to having flexibility and independence. Without planning and understanding our finances, we do not have full control over our lives. To me, that statistic is reflective of the current financial environment women face. There’s still an oppressive social taboo around talking about money or asking questions.
What I love, though, is that it’s never too late or too early to take control of your finances. I have worked with women in their late 50s and women in their 20s. Anyone can pick up the reins and get going. Start where you are.
Did you always know you wanted to work in financial empowerment?
I’ve always loved mentoring and coaching, and I did a lot of that in my past job as an executive at a software company. I have also always been a nerd about money. When I was in elementary school, I even had a spreadsheet outlining in detail the value of all my Beanie Babies - at the time, this was my plan for how I would pay for college. To be clear, I do not recommend this as a wealth-building strategy!
[Laughter]
So, I had that mindset, but I did not see the intersection of those interests until recently. Many of my friends and I have been navigating financial issues and structural challenges, including dealing with student debt or how we might buy a home one day. Meanwhile, the overarching financial narrative is clouded by personal shame and guilt, which leads to negative emotions and stagnation.
In having these conversations with friends and peers, I realized that to find success in financial wellness you need both financial literacy and a healthy emotional outlook. People often think a wealth manager will address all their financial needs (and to be clear, they definitely can help in certain circumstances); however, in my experience, if you aren’t in touch with your personal values, your life goals, and your emotions around money, you are still left feeling aimless and out of control. A complete financial wellness approach includes a supportive guide that can help you understand your financial picture, but also someone to help you deal with the emotional aspect too. Money is emotional and that’s normal!
What do the women you work with share about their experience with financial empowerment?
When I reference words like guilt and shame on my website, I’m getting that phrasing directly from talking to clients.
One woman I worked with had over $100,000 in credit card debt. Although she made a solid six-figure income and had cut her expenses, she was really struggling to pay down the debt. She came to me with so much frustration, guilt, and shame. Credit card debt is particularly predatory because of outrageously high, compounding interest rates. Many people end up in credit card debt through no fault of their own; lack of access to a social safety net, unreasonable medical expenses, you name it! She and I came up with a payment plan allowing her to pay off her debt in less than 18 months. She had never before talked to anyone about her debt because of the personal shame she felt. When we wrapped up Finance Fundamentals, she wasn’t just sounding confident. She was now also curious. She was talking about what the future can now look like for her. A transformation from scarcity mindset and shame to one of excitement about the future and feeling in control.
I believe that our own skeletons are our scariest. Sometimes you just need someone else to hold the flashlight for you and tell you it’s going to be okay.
Did Wellesley influence your direction with Finances for Feminists?
Wellesley gave me a strong sense of self and instilled a confidence in me that I draw on to this day; ultimately that confidence enabled me to launch my own business! The Wellesley community is full of powerful role-models; one of my aims in Finances for Feminists is to channel that mindset and work to instill it in my clients.
Where can I learn more about Finances for Feminists or connect with you?
The best way is to go to my Website where you can learn a little more about me and what I do. I offer a free discovery call and urge any Wellesley sibling to reach out. Even if we don’t end up working together, it gives me the opportunity to get to know you and your needs!
You can also follow me on Instagram @financesforfeminists.
Finally, what would you tell your 2010 self back at Wellesley?
Have more fun. There’s more to college than a GPA. Don’t take things so seriously.
Interview by Lizzy Laferriere ‘10
