Women, Wealth and Financial Confidence with Abi Porter

In this episode of Better Financial Futures, John Boatman is joined by fellow financial adviser Abi Porter for a thoughtful conversation about financial anxiety, education, budgeting and why money advice should feel more accessible.

Abi shares her journey from teaching into financial services, explaining how both careers are rooted in the same goal: helping people move from where they are now to where they want to be. Together, John and Abi explore the lack of financial education in schools, the importance of knowing your numbers, and why so many people still feel nervous about asking for help with money.

They also discuss the myth that financial advice is only for wealthy people, the importance of female representation in financial services, and how social media can both help and hinder younger generations learning about money. The conversation touches on budgeting, lifestyle creep, subscriptions, protection policies, investing through volatile markets, and how having a plan can reduce financial stress.

This episode is a reminder that better financial futures often begin with a simple step: having an open conversation about money.

What we cover in this episode

Abi’s move from teaching into financial adviceWhy financial education is still missing for many young peopleHow parents influence children’s attitudes towards moneyThe myth that financial advice is only for the wealthyWhy women can experience greater financial anxietyThe need for more female representation in financial servicesWhy understanding your income and spending is so importantBudgeting, subscriptions and lifestyle creepReviewing protection and insurance regularlyHow advisers help clients manage market volatilityThe risks of getting financial information from social mediaThe importance of open family conversations about moneyLessons from financial mistakes and learning your numbers early

Key takeaways

Financial advice should be accessible, not intimidating

Budgeting is the foundation of financial confidenceKnowing your numbers helps reduce anxietyGood financial planning starts with clear goalsMarket volatility is easier to manage when you understand the long-term planRepresentation matters in financial servicesChildren and young adults need better guidance around moneySocial media can be useful, but it should be approached carefullyTalking about money more openly can make a big difference

Episode highlight

Abi explains that whether she was teaching in a classroom or advising clients on finances, the purpose has stayed the same: helping people get from where they are now to where they want to be.

John’s top tip from this episode