Ashley Whittaker: The Student Loan Crisis Facing Young Women

In this episode, Ashley Whittaker introduces Zoe, the college student from the How Money Works for Women book, and explores the financial realities young women face as they pursue higher education. She shares eye-opening statistics about the student loan burden, why women carry a disproportionate share of it, and how these debts affect future milestones like homeownership, starting a family, or launching a business. Ashley also opens up about her own daughter’s journey into university and the budgeting habits that helped their family navigate rising education costs. She offers practical strategies families can use to estimate expenses, find funding, and make informed decisions before debt becomes overwhelming. This episode is an essential guide for parents, students, and anyone preparing for the financial side of college.