If you were fortunate enough to live in Ohio in the 1800s, you might have been invited to one of the many lavish parties hosted by Josephine Cochrane. As a proper hostess, she would bring out the fancy imported china, ensuring her guests enjoyed every luxury imaginable. However, the problem with expensive china at the time was that it chipped easily. Her staff, in their rush to get everything washed in time for the next party, were not always gentle with the dishes. Sometimes, Josephine would resort to washing the dishes herself, and it was this disdain for dishwashing (which i know all too well) that sparked one of the most significant kitchen innovations ever: the modern dishwasher.

Josephine was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, in 1839, and invented the first commercially successful dishwashing machine. You can learn more about her fascinating journey here.

The Financial Catalyst

Cochrane's journey wasn't just filled with dinner parties and innovation. Unfortunately, her invention arose out of necessity. After her husband William's death in 1883, she was left with significant debt and very little cash. With bills piling up, Cochrane had no choice but to bring her invention to market to sustain herself. In a way, this dishwasher was the thing that stood between her and poverty. Driven by both her passion and her dire financial situation, she threw herself into this project with everything she had, despite not being formally educated in the sciences.

A Lesson for Modern Women

Cochrane's story is a powerful reminder of the importance of financial awareness and independence for women. It's likely she didn't have the full picture of her and her husband's finances. Her experience underscores the need for women to be fully aware of their financial circumstances and to prepare for unexpected life events.

Here's a friendly thought: I wish she didn’t have to go through all that hardship. Imagine if the stress of money hadn’t loomed over her while she was inventing. Perhaps she would’ve created even more groundbreaking tools.

Unfortunately, in my line of work, I have seen many situations similar to Josephine’s. The husband passes away, and the illusion of financial stability dissipates. It turns out the husband, who took care of everything, was barely managing. Now, the poor widow has to not only go through all the stages of grief but also drastically cut back, slash her budget, and sell family heirlooms. The worst part is, the thing she avoided her entire life— understanding money —she now has to learn whether she likes it or not.

The lesson here is simple: choices are hard, so choose your hard. Financial literacy now or a financial slap later. Not sure where to start? Write me a message.