Why do so many women leave their finances in their partner’s hands - until life suddenly takes a different turn from what they’d planned? With Clara Creitz
The episode in which we ask ourselves: Why do so many women leave their finances in their partner’s hands – until life suddenly takes a different turn from what they’d planned?
We plan our careers, our families and our future - but when it comes to money, pensions or financial security, we hear this phrase surprisingly often: “My partner takes care of that.”
But what happens in the event of a break-up, a death, or if years of part-time work suddenly leave a significant gap in your pension provision?
In this episode of Tax and the City, Julia Tatje talks to financial planner and Finelles founder Clara Creitz about financial independence, part-time work, pension gaps, the ‘marriage penalty’ and the financial risks of cohabitation.
The two discuss why financial planning isn’t a one-off task, why couples should talk more openly about money, and how care work, income, taxes and pension provision are all interconnected. They also explore why financial responsibility doesn’t mean having to know everything yourself – but rather understanding where you stand.
Through a mix of personal experiences, real-life cases from their consultancy work and surprisingly candid conversations, one thing quickly becomes clear:
Financial independence doesn’t start with a specific bank balance – it starts with taking a closer look.
In this episode
- Why many women only start taking an interest in their finances at a late stage
- How fear, shame and beliefs influence the way we handle money
- Why financial literacy, practical planning and taking action early on are so important
- What impact part-time work has on income, pension schemes and retirement provision
- How care work and financial responsibility can be fairly balanced within a relationship
- What the pension statement shows – and what information is missing from it
- What financial risks divorce, death and cohabitation entail
- Why open discussions about money can strengthen relationships
The Bottom Line
For women: Financial independence does not mean keeping track of every stock market fluctuation or filling in your tax return on your own. What matters is understanding your own financial situation and being actively involved in making important decisions.
For couples and families: Anyone who cuts back on work, takes on care responsibilities or scales back their career faces long-term financial consequences. These implications should be discussed together and fairly balanced out.
For cohabiting couples: Potential tax savings are only part of the picture. A lack of benefits in the event of death or disability, as well as potential inheritance tax, can pose significant financial risks.
For everyone: Financial planning is not something you do once and then tick off your list. It should be reviewed whenever there are changes such as marriage, starting a family, working part-time, becoming self-employed, buying property, divorce or retirement.
Host and Guest
Julia Tatje – Swiss tax specialist for internationals and founder of taxum AG.
Clara Creitz– is the founder of Finelles, an independent, fee-based financial advisory and educational brand for women and couples in Switzerland. As a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with a Swiss Federal Certificate, she helps women take control of their finances on their own terms – from pension planning to investing.
Website: finelles.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claracreitz/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/finellescom
Listen and Connect
→ LinkedIn: Julia Tatje – https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-tatje/
→ Blog "Tax and the City": https://www.taxum.ch/blog
→ Podcast "Tax and the City": https://youtube.com/@tax_and_the_city
→ Contact Julia: https://www.taxum.ch/kontakt
Song: InRp - Golden Hour Music provided by Vlog No Copyright Music.
Video Link: InRp - Golden Hour (Vlog No Copyright Music)
This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, investment or financial advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding your individual circumstances.
