Smart Financial Steps for Newcomer Women
Starting Fresh: Learning the Language of Money
When Nadia moved to a new country, her biggest challenge wasn’t the weather–it was understanding the financial system. From credit scores to bank accounts, every step felt unfamiliar.
If you’re starting, begin with the basics. Choose a bank that offers newcomer packages—many provide free accounts for your first year and even host financial literacy workshops.
Next, start building your credit early. A secured credit card is a great first step–use it monthly and pay it off in full. Keep records of your pay slips, bills, and rental agreements; they’ll come in handy when applying for credit or housing.
Most importantly, ask questions. Financial literacy is your right, not a privilege. Every step you take toward understanding money builds your independence–and the sooner you start, the sooner your new country begins to feel like home.
Shamuna B. Mizan - Executive Director, HerMoney Matters
A Journey Across Borders—Shamuna’s Story of Financial Reinvention
Shamuna’s journey with money began when she was just four, leaving her home country for Kuwait. It was her first lesson in adaptation and belonging.
At nineteen, she moved again, and this time to the United States, navigating tuition fees, student loans, and her first credit card. In her mid-twenties, she returned to Bangladesh and began her professional career at Citibank, where she learned how to make money work for her, not against her. She discovered how small, informed financial decisions–where to save, when to invest, how to negotiate–can transform confidence and stability.
Later, working in the non-profit world, she saw how financial systems can empower entire communities, not just individuals.
Then came Australia, another home, another financial landscape–and finally Canada, where she began once again, from the ground up.
Across four countries, she has opened bank accounts, learned new tax rules, and rebuilt her financial foundation each time. And every move has taught her this: financial knowledge is freedom.
That belief is what drives HerMoney Matters–not just a project, but a promise to help women find confidence in their first financial steps. Because when women understand money, no border can limit their future.
Top 5 Financial Tips for Women New to a Country from Shamuna
Start with understanding, not fear. Learn how the local financial system works–credit, taxes, and savings accounts. Knowledge replaces uncertainty with power.
Build a relationship with your bank. Don’t just open an account–ask about newcomer benefits, savings options, and long-term opportunities.
Protect and grow your credit. Budget carefully. Pay bills on time. Keep balances low. A strong credit score opens doors to better housing and loans.
Find your financial community. Connect with newcomer networks, women’s groups, or non-profits like HerMoney Matters that offer workshops, mentorship, and peer support.
Treat your move as a financial reset. Every relocation is a chance to rebuild smarter–align your spending and saving habits with the life you want to create.
Building Financial Confidence–One Step at a Time
Money is more than a means to survive–it’s a way to belong. It gives you choice, confidence, and control over your future.
Whether you’re in your first week or fifth year in a new country, remember this: you’re not starting from zero–you’re starting from experience and courage.
When women take charge of their money, they don’t just build financial stability. They build freedom.
Written by Mushama Pierre, a Communications Specialist and storyteller passionate about empowering communities through authentic narratives. When she’s not working or creating content, you can find her experimenting in the kitchen or capturing life through her camera lens. Connect with her on LinkedIn.