Be your money's BFF: A new initiative to foster financial independence

EmitenTrust.com Giving young women the tools and confidence they need to manage their money, grow their wealth, and shape their future

MONTREAL, Oct. 21, 2026 /CNW/ -- A generation of young women better equipped for their financial future, is this the start of a new movement? That is the goal of the Lise Watier Foundation with Be your money's BFF an initiative designed to help young women develop, from their very first steps into adulthood, the knowledge, habits, and confidence needed to take control of their finances. Beyond simply imparting financial knowledge, the Foundation hopes to contribute to collective change. By sparking a new conversation about money, it aims to encourage dialogue, break down certain taboos, and create a movement that places greater value on young women's financial independence. Because talking about money, learning together, and sharing experiences also helps change the way we relate to our finances.

The Be your money's BFF challenge will be the starting point

https://bffavectonargent.com/ 

Today, among people under 35, nearly 3 out of 4 young people feel they lack the knowledge needed to plan for their financial future, and nearly half have no plan in place. Yet more than one in two women would like to better understand their finances but don't know where to start. Taking control of your financial future starts with changing a conversation that's still too often left to someone else. As a matter of fact, 82% of women who rely on their partners for financial decisions do so because they feel they lack the necessary knowledge. And this reality exists in a context where, among unmarried couples, men accumulate on average 80% more wealth than their partners.

"We want to turn financial independence into a real movement among young women. Because taking control of your finances is about so much more than just managing a budget. It's about building the confidence and habits needed to make your own choices, build your wealth, and give yourself the freedom to choose your future. With the Be your money's BFF challenge, we want to spark a collective conversation and help young women develop these habits early on, change the way they talk about their money, and become their finances' best friends."

-- Marie-Lise Andrade, President and Co-Founder of the Lise Watier Foundation

At the end of the challenge, five grand prizes of $5,000 in investment grants will be awarded to participants, in addition to weekly prizes in the form of gift cards, for a total value of $35,000.

Using knowledge to change the conversation about money

These statistics demonstrate the importance of developing financial independence early on. But above all, they highlight the potential for change: by giving young women the knowledge and confidence they need to understand their money, the Foundation hopes to help reduce economic inequalities and empower a new generation to take control of their financial future.  With Be your money's BFF the Lise Watier Foundation aims to make personal finance more accessible, practical, and relevant to the realities of young women, through an approach that encourages taking action.

Next November, participants will be invited to take on one challenge per week for four weeks, at their own pace and without judgment. The goal: to turn small actions into lasting habits.

On the agenda:

• Create a budget that fits their reality;
• Develop good savings habits;
• Participate in financial conversations with confidence;
• Learn to negotiate their worth;
• Take their first steps in investing;
• Experts (Véronique Lemarbre, Marianne Spear, Audrey Turgeon, and Tayssa Waldron) will also contribute to the discussions to make financial concepts concrete, accessible, and directly applicable to everyday life.

From individual confidence to collective change

Beyond working on financial concepts, Be your money's BFF aims to create a unifying space where talking about money becomes easier. Sharing tips, asking questions, learning from others' experiences, and developing good habits together: solidarity among women can become a real driver of financial independence. Through Be your money's BFF, the Lise Watier Foundation aims to contribute to lasting change: making financial independence an accessible reality and a natural habit for all young women.

Because by giving young women the tools to manage their money today, we empower them to make their own choices tomorrow and pass that confidence on to future generations.

About the Lise Watier Foundation

The Foundation's mission is to support and encourage the professional growth and financial independence of women, enabling them to reach their full potential. We aspire for all women to thrive and contribute to the local economy, creating a more prosperous and equitable society. 

https://fondationlisewatier.com/en/

SOURCE FONDATION LISE WATIER