Women face certain financial planning challenges that men often do not. This means it's even more important for women to learn how to manage their finances and build wealth for the future. To help get you started, here are 4 tips for women of any age. 

Be Involved. The most important thing you can do from the beginning of your career to your retirement date is to be actively involved in your financial planning. Some women cede many financial decisions to those around them—particularly to male partners or planners. But it's advantageous to understand your money choices and how to achieve your financial goals during your prime earning years. And it's vital if you end up outliving your partner or spouse. The more you learn now, the easier it will be if you have to become the primary financial decision-maker later. 

Get Assistance. If you're new to financial planning, are intimidated, or are unsure about money matters, hire professional assistance. Look for a financial planner or wealth management expert who shares your worldview and with whom you feel comfortable. Then, be open and honest with them about your needs, wants, and priorities so they can help create a personalized plan. It may be a good idea to meet with your financial planner both alone and with your spouse.

Earn More. Women suffer from a wage gap that often results in lower savings than male counterparts. Your best defense against this problem is to continue to put effort into increasing your earnings throughout your working life. How to accomplish this depends on your career, but it should likely include higher education, continuing education, learning soft skills, and seeking out better positions. The more you can earn and put away, the more wealth you will accumulate to combat lower averages.

​Plan Long-Term. Women tend to outlive men, so they generally need more money during retirement. For this reason, it's better to overestimate your retirement needs than to underestimate them. One of the biggest areas with constantly rising costs is health care during retirement. It's impossible to forecast the exact amount you'll need to care for your health, but it could cost an average retiree $220,000 right now and even more in the future. So talk with your financial advisor about building in a cushion for future expenses. 

You can meet the challenge of managing your money successfully if you educate yourself and make planning a priority.