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As a successful businesswoman and member of the Women Money Matters’ Board of Directors, Gisel Lopez exudes a quiet confidence and poise. However, it wasn’t all that long ago that Gisel found herself new to the U.S. and uncertain about how to navigate the culture, including how to get her financial footing.

Gisel moved to the U.S. from Peru in 2015. Gisel explains, “I found it difficult to navigate my finances in the U.S. Unlike in Peru, I needed to establish a credit score to be eligible to access credit. Also, I did not understand the different methods to save for retirement and the different terms associated with filing taxes felt confusing.”

Like many, Gisel turned to Google to get some answers. While some of the information online was very helpful, not all of it was relevant, or even necessarily in her best interest. Fortunately, her manager at the time was also an immigrant and guided her with her approach to personal finances. “I was so lucky to have a mentor to answer my financial questions,” said Gisel.“That is why I am so passionate about Women’s Money Matters mission and its coaching model. I truly believe that as an organization we can support women on their journey to financial independence.”

Gisel has witnessed first hand the importance of women achieving financial independence. At 14, Gisel’s parents divorced, and Gisel’s mother no longer had the financial support of her husband. Without a college degree, Gisel’s mother had to be creative about how she’d support her children. They moved in with Gisel’s grandparents and her mother began selling things door to door. It was a much different life than they’d had before. However, with a lot of hard work, Gisel’s mother later went on to become a successful realtor and now she managed her own properties.  “My Mom showed such tremendous courage as she began a new life for us,” said Gisel. “Even though it wasn’t easy, we are all stronger than we think.”

When asked what advice she’d give to others, Gisel shared, “Find a community that has your best interest at heart. Every day we are faced with different and often difficult decisions and having a community makes it so much easier.”

Women’s Money Matters Awarded $25K Grant from the Women’s Fund of Essex County

The award is in honor of WMM’s exemplary work to financially empower women  

Women’s Money Matters, formerly Budget Buddies, which builds the financial wellness, confidence, and security of women living on low-incomes, today announced it received The Women’s Fund of Essex County’s 2022 Above and Beyond Award in Honor of the Founders’ Circle. This unrestricted $25,000 grant is awarded annually to a non-profit whose exemplary vision, leadership and impact sets an exceptional standard in addressing complex and overlapping social issues impacting women, families, and communities. Women’s Money Matters Executive Director Danielle Piskadlo shares, “We are honored to have been chosen for this award and will continue to empower even more women in Essex County on their financial wellness journey.” 

Trish Moore, co-president of The Women’s Fund said, “WMM has consistently demonstrated excellence in their programs that promote women’s economic self-sufficiency, which is a core funding priority for The Women’s Fund of Essex County.” Moore added, “We are thrilled to make this grant to WMM because we know they will go above and beyond to help create positive change in women’s lives.”

Women’s Money Matters provides financial wellness programs for women that include interactive expert-led workshops, one on one coaching from a trained volunteer, and small supportive peer cohorts. Women’s Money Matters connects participants to direct financial relief, community resources, and financial experts. Women’s Money Matters has served nearly 400 women in Essex County to date. 

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About TWF:

Since 2003, the Women’s Fund of Essex County has raised and awarded more than $3 million to more than 150 high-impact non-profit partners that provide local women, girls, and their families with the resources they need to find success at work, school, home, and life. The organization has been recognized with the George Peabody Award for Leadership in Philanthropy by the Essex County Community Foundation and the Champions Award for Community Impact by North Shore Community College, and the Constance Grasso Award from the YWCA of Greater Newburyport. The Women’s Fund of Essex County is an all-volunteer organization supported entirely by generous donors whose philanthropy supports a portfolio of programs impacting local women and girls. (thewomensfundec.org)

The Women’s Fund of Essex County is a field of interest fund of the Essex County Community Foundation.

Women’s Money Matters Welcomes New Board President & Executive Committee

Robin Toof is stepping down after 10 years of dedicated service

BOSTON – Women’s Money Matters, formerly Budget Buddies, is pleased to announce its new President for its Board of Directors. Robin Toof, Co-Director at the Center For Community Research & Engagement at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, who has supported Women’s Money Matters for ten years will be replaced as Board President by Brandie Conforti, Chief Global Development Officer at JA Worldwide.

“It is perhaps cliché to say this is with a heavy heart that I step down, but it has been rewarding to be a part of something so real and so good, to get to know the Board members and the Executive Director, and to know I may have had a hand in the successes of this great organization,” Toof said. “I have had a front row view of an organization, first led by two remarkable women with a dream, passion, and energy, grow from serving women in a few groups a year to reaching hundreds through innovative flexible methods.”

“Robin has had a profound impact on the growth of Women’s Money Matters over the last ten years and it has been a pleasure working with her,” said Danielle Piskadlo, Executive Director of Women’s Money Matters. “We are so grateful for Robin’s dedication to our mission and success.”

Toof is succeeded by Conforti, who served as the vice president of the Board. 

“I am excited to step into this role and to support Women’s Money Matters as it continues to expand its work and reach through innovative new techniques and methods,” Conforti said. “I am proud to support an organization that is so deeply dedicated to empowering women and ensuring they have the resources they need as they take control of their financial future and work to create a more secure future for themselves and their families.” 

In addition to this change, Women’s Money Matters is pleased to announce it’s additional Executive Committee members:

• Senior Credit Analyst with First Republic Bank Anne Muita of Acton will now step into the role as Vice Chair.
• Managing Principal & Chief Investment Officer at Mission Park Capital Enrique Perez of Cambridge will now serve as Clerk.
• Chief Financial Officer of Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Shandra Gardiner of Boston will take over as the board treasurer.

In a recent Census Bureau survey, 40% of Americans indicated that they are struggling to afford household expenses, saying that they are finding it “somewhat difficult” or “very difficult” to cover these costs. 

With inflation rates increasing year over year according to the U.S. Department of Labor costs are higher than we have seen in years on everything from household goods to cars to gas. 

In the Boston area, food prices have jumped 7.1% since March of 2021, with electric and gas services increasing by 14.5 and 27.0% respectively. Gasoline prices are up 53.6%!

Women’s Money Matters, formerly Budget Buddies, knows and has seen first hand that these economic downturns have a greater impact on women living on low incomes (or economic margins) as they are consistently hit hardest by inflation, increasing gas prices, and recessions. 

This comes on top of the COVID-induced “she-session” that caused many women to lose income as female workforce participation dropped to 57%, the lowest since 1988. Since the pandemic started, over 5.4 million women have left or lost jobs.

We spoke with some of the women who have participated in our Women’s Money Matters Collective, comprehensive financial health programs for women living on low-incomes, about how they have been impacted by recent rising costs. 

Ninety one percent of the women we surveyed indicated they are being forced to think differently about all aspects of their daily lives, including limiting driving to conserve gas, avoiding brand names (especially on groceries) and delaying large purchases. 

As budget constraints become even tighter, some women have begun putting off necessary expenses, like medical procedures. Marjorie, a recent graduate shared that she “needs a $1,300 crown on my tooth,” that she can’t afford right now. 

Many women have begun comparing prices at different grocery stores, couponing and are making cuts to more expensive grocery items such as meats and healthy foods. 

From the women we spoke with, 56% said they are adjusting how much they drive to conserve gas. 

“I think about how much driving is going to cost me. I get my haircut 26 miles from my house, which adds $10 to the price of my cut,” said one participant. 

Carol M. shared that in order to save money on gas, she now does her “grocery shopping online 90% of the time and whenever I make a doctor’s appointment, I ask if possible to do Telehealth.”

For younger individuals, some are being forced to live at home longer as housing prices increase by 6.3 percent. One of our participants shared that she has had to delay moving out of her parents’ house and becoming completely independent due to the increasing housing cost.

We also continue to see rising impacts on mothers and single mothers. In Massachusetts alone, 33% of single mother households live in poverty. We have heard from participants that the rising cost of childcare and inflation is causing women to reflect and change their budgets. 

One of our participants shared, “It generally affects single mothers with minimum wages and few working hours, food is twice as expensive and it limits parents to cover other household expenses.”

Women’s Money Matters is here to help women living on the economic margins navigate this challenging financial time of high inflation and future economic uncertainty. We encourage women who are struggling to reach out to us and learn more about joining a Women’s Money Matters Collective program directly for access to 1:1 coaching, peer support and a series of comprehensive and tailored financial health workshops. 

Our welcoming community of volunteers and participants understand the challenges many women are facing in these difficult times and are ready to assist those who need our help. 

Media Inquiries please contact Laura Giordano [email protected]

Women’s Money Matters Announces Expanded Access to Customized Financial Wellness Workshops and Personalized Coaching for Women Living on Low Incomes

The organization is announcing robust strategic priorities aimed at advocating for women to address financial inequalities and providing direct support to bridge financial gaps.

BOSTON – Women’s Money Matters, which has operated as Budget Buddies, is announcing a significant expansion to its work supporting women living on low incomes on their financial wellness journey. Increasing access to virtual and in-person financial wellness workshops and personalized one-to-one coaching will allow the organization to elevate the voices of the women who take part in these programs and ensure that all who need access to financial wellness programs, peer support and one-to-one coaching will have access to it. The organization will also increase its advocacy work to empower women to build more resilient futures with financial security.

“Our mission is to empower women and to build up the women who participate in our programs and support their efforts to build their financial wellness, confidence and financial security,” said Danielle Piskadlo, Executive Director for Women’s Money Matters. “By expanding our strategic goals, brand identity and programming to fully encompass and represent what we do for women, we can focus on awareness-raising and advocacy efforts elevating the voices of our clients.”

Formed in 2010 as Budget Buddies, Women’s Money Matters assists women on their financial wellness journey, providing robust programming, one-on-one mentoring, and access to financial resources. The organization works with women, all living on low incomes and from underrepresented communities.

Women’s Money Matters operates financial wellness programs tailored to meet women where they’re at in their financial journey. The programs are guided by volunteer presenters and coaches, and workshops cover budgeting strategies, managing credit, keeping money safe, saving for larger expenses, and protecting against fraud. Each volunteer coach works solely with one participant every week to support her unique life goals and any money-management challenges.

Women’s Money Matters is also excited to provide direct financial relief to participants to help cover unexpected emergency expenses, like a broken car part or rental support. Recently Women’s Money Matters has partnered with organizations to provide this relief and to bridge gaps in budgets that can cause women to fall into debt.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization was able to expand into virtual programming, reaching participants directly and working with new partners. This allowed for the opportunity to assess the strategic brand and mission of the organization, and to push forward with advocacy efforts aimed at addressing why women need to utilize these programs.

“When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the impact on women was severe and we quickly made adjustments to reach women directly when they needed us most and provide them with some direct financial relief,” Piskadlo explained. “We also recognize the importance of building financial resilience for women, which means addressing the financial inequalities that women face.”

Through Women’s Money Matters mentorship and resources, participants have the opportunity to improve their financial health to create a more secure future for themselves, their families and their communities.

“We don’t just build budgets, we build community. We build confidence. We empower women to build more resilient futures with financial security,” Piskadlo said.