5 Questions with Ashley Feinstein Gerstley (Founder of The Fiscal Femme)

Ashley Feinstein Gerstley is an author, entrepreneur, and feminist who is on a mission to end inequality through financial well-being. She is the founder of the Fiscal Femme and author of The 30-Day Money Cleanse. As a trusted money expert, she has been featured by Forbes, NBC, Glamour and Business Insider, among others.

You can follow her on Instagram @thefiscalfemme, and learn more about the Fiscal Femme at: thefiscalfemme.com.


1. What values and principles do you live by?

One of the most important values and principles I live by is doing things outside of my comfort zone. I tend to have the crazy urge to do the things I’m most scared of doing and that really turns out well for me. For example, when I started on my own money journey, I was terrified of sharing my experience and having a voice online. I worked with a coach to get over my fear and started the Fiscal Femme as a blog. I was then terrified of public speaking and started giving workshops. Most recently I was scared of being on camera - when I had my first TV appearance, I wanted to curl up on the floor in the fetal position and hide. I didn’t even like doing Instagram stories. I worked with an incredible coach and have taken it to an extreme - I am about to release a financially savvy music video parody where I’m singing and dancing. I have never been more excited about a project and it’s wildly expanding my comfort zone. 

2. What’s one area in your life you’re actively working on or looking to improve?

I am definitely someone who enjoys checking off the to-do list and hitting goals. This has served me well and habits that serve us well are the hardest to catch and adjust! This habit tends to keep me in go-go-go mode and chasing dreams. It’s definitely a practice for me but I’m more and more able to enjoy the journey rather than wait for the end result. There will always be more goals to hit and things to achieve, so I’ve found that you never “make it.” And if I’m focused on the end result, I miss all the magic of the ride. 

3. What's one new positive habit you've started that has made a big impact on your life?

Meditation has been a life-changing practice for me. I now do ten minutes a day but am ready to up it to twenty minutes. I have a toddler and many of my days are sleep deprived and absolutely nuts. In those nutty moments, one of the questions I try to ask myself and my husband Justin is, “when we’re old, how much would we pay to relive this moment?” The answer is always SO MUCH and really grounds me in the magic of the moment. I often even tear up! A huge instant mindset shift. 

4. What is your biggest challenge when trying to be the best version of yourself, and what has helped you overcome it?

Impatience. I’m not great at waiting for things and can be a lot more impatient than I’d like. I think becoming a mom has really helped but it’s a continued journey. Meditation has also helped a lot! 

5. What products or resources do you recommend that have helped you get to this point?

I use the Headspace app for meditation.

My communities and tribe are invaluable to me. I’m in a women’s entrepreneur’s group called Dreamers & Doers and various other founder groups. 

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