When it comes to finance, many people switch off.
Don’t do it!
Money and investing can be interesting — even fun.
And you don’t need tens of thousands of euros to start investing.
The “My Financial Wellbeing” project was born with this goal:
to help you take charge of your finances, feel more confident, more aware, and capable of achieving so much more.
It takes a little effort, yes — but it’s an investment that pays off.
The time you spend learning how to manage your money is worth infinitely more than the hours you spend worrying about it.
🎯 Everyone has their own goals
Some dream of buying their first home, others their second — maybe by the sea or in the mountains (or both!).
Some want to save for a specific goal, while others simply want to learn how to invest.
But one thing is certain: everyone, men and women alike, benefits from having a financial plan.
And women, in particular, need it even more.
👩💼 Who I really am
I’m not a financial advisor or an economics journalist.
But I’ve worked for over twenty years in the financial sector between Milan, London, and Zurich, collaborating with affluent, HNWI, and UHNW clients.
I’ve learned a lot — both as a financial product specialist across various asset classes and through my work in marketing and communications in high finance — experiences that allowed me to observe global trends, understand social changes, and see how they influence markets and our everyday lives.
Like many women, I learned to manage money, plan for risks, and protect my finances through real life: mistakes, successes, and surprises included.
I’m a working mother of four children — whom I affectionately (and with a touch of irony) call Cost Centre #1, #2, #3, and #4.
After living and working abroad for 15 years, I’m happily back in Italy.
Yes, we have mortgages, investments, and probably underfunded pensions.
And yet, I love the challenge of making money work for me and my family, protecting our future while enjoying the present.
I fondly remember my years in London, when every Sunday I used to read the Financial Times column written by Mrs Moneypenny, the pseudonym of Heather McGregor.
Her witty, brilliant words about money, career, and real life had a tone I had never seen before in finance: direct, human, and feminine.
Years later, I had the honour of meeting her in her office in St James’s Street — a moment that truly left its mark on me.
Like her, I believe that financial awareness is an act of freedom, and that behind every balance sheet there’s always a life story.
That same inspiration gave life to my project and this space — a place to talk about money without fear, without jargon, and with empathy.
In this blog, I’ll share life lessons, experiences, and reflections on financial wellbeing — the small discoveries, the big mistakes, the closed doors, and the successes earned “the hard way.”
Because every step — even the uncertain ones — can become a lesson in growth.
💬 Money is not a taboo
Money shouldn’t be seen as boring or taboo.
Like any other skill, financial awareness is built step by step.
And once you develop it, it can truly transform your life.
Money matters not for its own sake, but for what it represents: confidence, independence, family, freedom.
It’s not an end in itself — it’s a means to reach where you want to be.
It’s not just about bigger houses or nicer cars.
It’s about creating projects, building something of your own, supporting causes that matter to you.
And for all of this, you need resources, planning, and awareness.
💪 Why women need to be better at financial planning
Why is this blog particularly dedicated to women?
Because after years of working in finance, I’ve met incredible professionals and high-achieving women who often weren’t “on top of their finances”: they didn’t invest, weren’t familiar with basic insurance tools, or simply didn’t make time to focus on their financial future.
And yet, finance is not a male domain.
It’s a universal language — and learning it means reclaiming power, autonomy, and peace of mind.
Talking about money isn’t vanity — it’s responsibility.
It’s about consciously deciding your future and your family’s.
Now more than ever, we need a new narrative:
a finance that’s inclusive, accessible, and feminine, one that speaks of independence, confidence, and self-fulfilment.
Because financial education isn’t just a technical topic — it’s a matter of empowerment.
💡 The first lesson I learned: your savings could actually be losing you money
It sounds like a paradox, but it’s true.
Leaving money sitting in an account that earns no interest means missing out on potential returns.
👉 Money that doesn’t earn interest is money lost.
It’s like paying an invisible bill every month and getting nothing in return.
Many people think “saving” simply means setting money aside — but making your money grow is part of smart saving.
💡 If you have savings, try this:
🔹 Compare deposit account rates
🔹 Explore safe investment options (we’ll soon talk about funds, single stocks, ETFs — both with overviews and with expert insights)
🔹 Re-negotiate your mortgage if interest rates are lower than when you signed — in Italy, you can do this yearly, a real advantage!
✨ Don’t let your savings work against you — make them work for you.
🌱 Lessons in Financial Freedom
Lesson 1: You don’t need to be an expert to start
All it takes is curiosity, willingness, and a bit of courage.
We all have different goals — but the starting point is the same: having a plan.
A financial plan isn’t a cage — it’s a compass.
Lesson 2: Women must (and can) take the lead
For too long, financial planning has been a male domain.
Today, we have the tools and knowledge to build our own economic independence.
Managing your money is an act of empowerment.
Lesson 3: Money isn’t the goal — it’s the tool
It’s not about accumulating; it’s about building.
Money helps create value — for yourself, your family, and your community.
Lesson 4: Financial education is power
Gender inequality is fought through knowledge.
Every woman who learns to plan and invest opens the way for others.
And once that awareness is gained, it can never be taken away.
💎 The 5 Pillars of My Financial Wellbeing
Here are 5 key steps we’ll explore together:
1.💡 Smart investing – Learn how to make your money work for you.
2. 🏠 Real estate investments – How to navigate the property market.
3.🛡️ Must-have insurance – Life, home, health, LTC, legal, liability… do you know them all?
4. 👵 Retirement planning – Build your pension and consolidate foreign contributions if you’ve worked abroad.
5.👶 Investing for your children – Plan their future today and manage wealth transfer wisely.
💪 The future is built today!
💬 In summary
Finance isn’t boring.
It’s not scary.
It’s one of the most tangible forms of personal freedom.
No one is born an expert — we learn, step by step, through experience and our own stories.
Taking control of your finances means deciding where you want to go and how to get there.
And when a woman does that, she doesn’t just change her own life — she changes the world around her.
✨ Bio
Manuela Andaloro is a professional with over 20 years of international experience in Wealth Management, communications, and innovation.
Founder of My Financial Wellbeing – Benessere Finanziario, she promotes a new financial culture based on education, inclusion, and awareness.
Through articles, workshops, and mentoring, she helps women (and men alike) build financial independence, confidence, and peace of mind.
📩 Join the community to receive inspiration, tools, and practical tips to nurture your financial wellbeing — with clarity, lightness, and a touch of courage.