There is nothing wrong with being generous, especially when helping people you care about. But repeatedly volunteering to cover other people’s expenses can quietly undermine your own financial goals. Fidelity’s 2025 Women & Money Study found that one in five women had no emergency fund or cash savings, making financial boundaries especially important. Small favors can become expensive expectations when nobody discusses limits. Knowing when to say, “That isn’t in my budget,” can protect both your money and your relationships.
