Meet Leandra Peters | Founder of Female in Finance LLC

We had the good fortune of connecting with Leandra Peters and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Leandra, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
One piece of conventional advice that I disagree with is that buying a home is always better than renting, and renting is throwing away money. The suitability of renting versus buying is contingent upon individual financial circumstances, location, and various other factors. It’s not a one-size-fits-all scenario, but rather a nuanced decision that varies from person to person.

I find that when the discussion of rent vs buy arises, people often draw comparisons between buying a home today and their own purchases from 23 years ago. While I appreciate the perspective, it’s a bit like comparing apples to, well, smartphones.

Twenty-three years ago, I wasn’t exactly in the market for real estate. My biggest financial decision was whether to spend my allowance on a Monopoly game board or a Lisa Frank cat sweatshirt. While these savvy homeowners were signing mortgage papers, I was learning that y = mx + b in algebra.

The housing market has changed dramatically since then. Today’s first-time buyers face a completely different landscape, with skyrocketing prices, changing interest rates, and an economy that sometimes feels like it’s operating on New Math principles.

So while I respect the success of those long-time homeowners, their experience from two decades ago doesn’t quite translate to the challenges of today’s market. It’s a bit like trying to use a floppy disk to store data from the cloud – the principles might be similar, but the execution is worlds apart.

Therefore the advice that buying is always better than renting because “you’re building equity” is flawed.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The other day someone asked me what Female in Finance represents and for me, it represents more than just financial education – it’s a movement to demystify money and empower people, especially women, to take control of their financial futures. I created this brand because I deeply believe that financial independence isn’t just about numbers. It’s about time freedom, choice, and living life on your own terms.

Growing up, I saw how money challenges could impact families and dreams. Today, I’m passionate about breaking down the walls that have historically kept financial knowledge in the hands of a select few. Whether it’s holding someone’s hand to help them out of debt, or mapping out their path to exit the 9-5 rat race and hit early retirement, I want to make these concepts accessible and actionable for everyone.

My brand stands for transparency, authenticity, and empowerment. I don’t just share strategies with Wall Street bro vibes. I share my own journey, including the mistakes I’ve made and lessons I’ve learned along the way. There aren’t any get-rich-quick schemes here. Instead, people will find practical, proven methods for building long term wealth, paired with the encouragement and support needed to stay the course.

I want to represent the future of financial education: inclusive, straightforward, and transformative. When you engage with Female in Finance, you’re not just getting financial information, you’re joining a community of like-minded individuals who are committed to transforming their relationship with money. My ultimate goal is to help create a world where financial independence is accessible to everyone, regardless of their starting point or background.

What sets me apart is that my approach is rooted in lived experience, having witnessed and overcome financial hardships firsthand. This gives me unique credibility rather than just theoretical knowledge. I frame financial independence not just as wealth accumulation, but as a path to broader life goals like time freedom and personal choice. I’m committed to genuine transformation rather than just information sharing.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My best friend is the definition of the best time ever, so let me take my best shot at this.

Day 1 – Coastal Day
Breakfast at Caroline’s – a hidden gem!
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve for a hike with ocean views.
Head to La Jolla Cove to watch the seals and sea lions.
Lunch at George’s at the Cove ocean terrace. Their fish tacos are sublime.
Sunset appetizers at Monarch in Del Mar.

Day 2 – Breakfast at Palmy’s Cafe in PB
Walk the food off along the PB boardwalk
Head to a Padres Game
If the Padres win (which they will), then head over to Bub’s to celebrate.
Arcade Monsters just opened and it’s all you can play arcade games for 25 bucks, so we’d head there after.

Day 3 – North County
Head to Carlsbad and get lattes at Vinaka Cafe in the village
Walk the Carlsbad beach boardwalk all the way to Carlsbad Cliffs
Lunch at Norte’s
Beach day at Warm Waters
Dinner at 264 Fresco

Day 4 –
Morning at Liberty Public Market
Check out Cabrillo National Monument
Lunch at OB Noodle House
Check out local shops/small businesses
Final drinks at False Idol tiki bar

Day 5 –
Breakfast at Great Maple
Head to an outdoor concert or music festival
Dinner Reservation at Mister A’s or Born & Raised

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My biggest shoutout goes to my Mom, who showed me what true resilience looks like. Coming to the US as an immigrant and raising me and my brother on her own, she turned our financial hardships into powerful life lessons.

While we faced serious challenges, including bankruptcy and nearly becoming homeless, she never let these struggles define us. Instead, she used them to teach me invaluable lessons about money management, perseverance, and the importance of financial literacy.

She may not have been able to give me material wealth, but she gave me something far more valuable: the wisdom to navigate life’s financial realities and the grit to keep moving forward. Every sound financial decision I make today echoes her teachings, and every obstacle I overcome reflects the strength she modeled for me. One of my mom’s most valuable lessons was, “it’s not the cards your dealt, it’s the hand you play.” I’m reminded of that when something challenging comes my way.

Website: https://www.femaleinfinance.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/female.in.finance

Twitter: https://x.com/LPinFinance

Image Credits
Luke Armitage