Molly Ward is a Texas mother, wife and certified financial planner.

Shes got some solid advice for how to lower your financial stress level.

Here are six questions that weve gotten from women who read The Penny Hoarder and Molly Wards answers.

This illustration shows the side of faces of various women from different ethnic backgrounds: white, asian, black and middle eastern.

How Can I Prepare for Lifes Difficulties?

How can we prepare, financially?

Also, women tend to live longer than men.

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Our team has compiled alist of creative waysyou can fatten your bank account this week.

This is a long list, so dont get overwhelmed.

Well keep it updated as offers changes or expire.

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Here at The Penny Hoarder, we recommend a life insurance company calledEverQuote.

(But every year you wait, this gets more expensive.)

How Do I Invest?

Q:My husband recently passed away, and he took care of all the investing.

What do I do?

A:Start with a realization that investing comes after planning, Ward says.

Investing without a plan is like driving on a trip without a map.

If youre new to investing, you could start small.

Investing doesnt require you throwing thousands of dollars at full shares of stocks.

In fact, you could get started with as little as $1.

But it makes it simple by breaking them down into categories based on your personal goals.

Want to invest conservatively right now?

Want to dip in with moderate or aggressive risk?

Do whats best for you.

Subscription plans start at $1 a month.

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3.

Why Do I Feel Out of Control?

Q:Why do I feel out of control with my money?

A:Taking control of your finances should be a priority, Ward says.

You wouldnt knowingly leave your childs college decision, or even your next summer vacation to chance.

So why would you leave your financial future up in the air?

Take it from The Penny Hoarder: Credit card debt is the worst!

Your credit card company is just getting rich by ripping you off with high interest rates.

Youll be left with one bill to pay each month.

It takes two minutes tosee if you qualify for up to $50,000 online.

How Else Can I Take Control?

Q:What else can I do to take control of my finances?

Making these steps part of your monthly routine will bring a sense of control and order to your life.

Here at The Penny Hoarder, we recommend taking control of your credit score.

Try using a free website calledCredit Sesame.

Youll even be able to spot any errors holding you back (one in five reports have one).

How Should I Leave an Inheritance?

Q:Im going to be leaving an inheritance to my children.

How do I verify there is peace amongst them after I die?

An internet legal document is not sufficient!

Sometimes there is a problem asset for example, a piece of property that has emotional attachment.

Feelings can get hurt, which can create a hotbed of controversy and fighting among the children.

Thoughtful communication, in which the parents important values are discussed is key.

Estate planning should be completed and regularly reviewed.

Why Do My Spouse and I Disagree About Money?

Q:My spouse and I disagree about money.

A:It might have something to do with your embedded money scripts, Ward says.

Your money memories those embedded in you by parents and or grandparents highly influence your financial success or struggles.

Truthful conversations about money at the beginning will serve you well later!

Mike Brassfield ([email protected]) is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.

No Interest Til Almost 2027?

Balance Transfer = Credit Card Cheat Code