Financial Feminist by Tori Dunlap Summary

Introduction: Money is a Feminist Issue

In Financial Feminist: Overcome the Patriarchy’s Bullsht to Master Your Money and Build a Life You Love*, Tori Dunlap doesn’t just offer a financial self-help book—she delivers a bold, unapologetic manifesto that challenges the patriarchal systems keeping women from achieving financial independence. As the founder of Her First $100K, Dunlap brings personal experience, savvy strategies, and a deep understanding of how systemic inequality intersects with money management.

This is not your average budgeting book. It’s a call to arms—an invitation to question, reclaim, and rewrite the relationship women have with money. Dunlap blends practical advice with feminist commentary, creating a resource that feels like part workshop, part pep talk, and part revolution.

The Patriarchy is Costing You Money

Dunlap opens the book by asserting a provocative yet critical truth: money is not neutral. She explains that the patriarchy has historically dictated who holds wealth, who feels comfortable talking about money, and who gets left out of the conversation. Women, especially women of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other marginalized groups, often face unique financial challenges.

From the gender pay gap to the pink tax to the lack of accessible financial education for women, the book shines a light on how the system is rigged. But rather than let readers wallow in frustration, Dunlap arms them with awareness and a roadmap for change.

“It’s not your fault, but it is your responsibility.”

This quote encapsulates the core ethos of Financial Feminist. While systemic issues aren’t created by individuals, it’s within our power to take action—starting with our own financial literacy and autonomy.

Rewriting Your Money Story

One of the book’s most powerful sections explores the money mindset—the internalized beliefs and narratives we hold about money. These stories often stem from childhood experiences, cultural norms, or societal messaging.

For example, many women grow up being taught that:

• Talking about money is “unladylike”
• Success makes you selfish
• Budgeting is restrictive rather than empowering

Dunlap urges readers to identify and challenge these limiting beliefs. Through journaling prompts and reflective exercises, she helps readers rewrite their money stories into empowering affirmations like:

• “I deserve to build wealth.”
• “Money gives me choices.”
• “Being wealthy allows me to help others.”

This emotional work sets the stage for more practical strategies to follow. As Dunlap notes, you can’t change your financial life if you’re still operating from a place of fear, guilt, or shame.

Step-by-Step Financial Literacy: A Feminist Framework

The heart of the book lies in its accessible, step-by-step guide to personal finance. Each chapter tackles a key component of financial literacy while keeping a feminist lens at the forefront. Here’s a breakdown of some major areas covered:

1. Budgeting Without Shame

Dunlap introduces a shame-free, values-based approach to budgeting called the Three-Bucket Budget:

• Needs (50%): Rent, groceries, bills
• Wants (30%): Travel, entertainment
• Future You (20%): Savings, investments, debt payments

She encourages readers to prioritize joy and sustainability in their budgets rather than deprivation. If buying that daily coffee makes your mornings better, do it. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s intentionality.

2. Building an Emergency Fund

An emergency fund is freedom in a bank account. Dunlap advises building 3–6 months of living expenses in a high-yield savings account. She frames this not as fear-based preparation, but as an act of self-respect and independence.

3. Paying Off Debt Strategically

Rather than vilifying debt, Dunlap explains it with nuance. She offers two methods to pay it off:

• Snowball Method: Start with smallest balance for emotional wins
• Avalanche Method: Start with highest interest rate for financial efficiency

She lets readers decide which works best for their psychology, not just their math.

4. Investing is for Everyone

This is where the book gets truly transformative. Dunlap dispels the myth that investing is “too risky” or “too complicated” for the average woman. She argues that:

• Saving alone is not enough
• Investing is how you build generational wealth
• Wall Street bros don’t have a monopoly on this knowledge

She walks readers through how to:

• Open a Roth IRA or 401(k)
• Understand index funds and compound interest
• Choose between robo-advisors and self-managed portfolios

Her tone is confident, reassuring, and often funny—making a traditionally dry topic feel surprisingly accessible.

Money and Power: The Bigger Picture

Beyond individual wealth-building, Dunlap explores how financial power intersects with societal change. When women have money, they:

• Leave toxic jobs or relationships
• Fund ethical businesses or mutual aid
• Run for office
• Donate to causes they believe in

She emphasizes that personal finance is political. Every financial decision—from where you bank to how you spend—can be a form of protest or power.

“When you control your money, you control your life. When more women control money, the world changes.”

Dealing with Capitalism Without Burning Out

Dunlap doesn’t sugarcoat the reality of modern capitalism. She acknowledges the contradiction many women feel: wanting to build wealth while rejecting the exploitative nature of the system.

Her advice? Embrace both/and thinking. You can:

• Build a secure financial future and critique the system
• Want more money and remain ethical
• Save for retirement and support collective causes

This duality is what makes Financial Feminist different from most finance books. It’s not about hoarding wealth—it’s about redistributing power, starting with yourself.

Money in Relationships

Whether it’s romantic, familial, or platonic, Dunlap explores how money plays out in our connections. She offers practical scripts and advice for:

• Discussing finances with a partner
• Navigating financial abuse
• Setting boundaries with friends or relatives
• Splitting bills or rent fairly

She reinforces that money is emotional, and being able to talk about it openly is essential for healthy relationships.

Business and Entrepreneurship

Dunlap dedicates a section to women looking to start their own businesses. She shares tips on:

• Pricing your worth
• Scaling a service-based business
• Building a personal brand
• Avoiding burnout

She encourages readers to monetize their skills without guilt, reminding them that charging what you’re worth is not greed—it’s justice.

Tools, Templates, and Resources

One of the most useful aspects of the book is its actionable content. Dunlap includes:

• Budgeting templates
• Investment checklists
• Reflection prompts
• Scripted conversations
• A resource list of banks, books, and tools

Each chapter ends with clear next steps, making the book feel less like a lecture and more like a workshop.

A Voice That Cuts Through the Noise

Dunlap’s writing style is what makes this book so readable. It’s:

• Bold and sarcastic when needed
• Tender and empathetic when discussing trauma
• Always empowering and straightforward

She drops lines like:

• “No one is coming to save you—but you’re more than capable of saving yourself.”
• “F*ck hustle culture.”
• “You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to start.”

Her tone appeals especially to millennial and Gen Z readers, but the message is timeless: your financial life is yours to define.

Final Thoughts: Feminism With a Financial Backbone

Financial Feminist is not just a personal finance book. It’s a rallying cry for a world where women have the knowledge, resources, and confidence to build their own futures.

Tori Dunlap doesn’t promise that changing your financial life will be easy. But she does promise that it’s worth it—and that you’re absolutely capable of doing it.

The crux of her message is this:

“Money won’t buy happiness, but it will buy you freedom. And with freedom comes power.”

In a world still structured by inequality, financial literacy isn’t just smart—it’s radical. And Financial Feminist is the toolkit every woman deserves.