What Is a Financial Dominatrix? Here’s What To Know About Findom—Where People Get Off on Sending ‘Goddesses’ Money

For the unfamiliar, financial domination, also known as findom, is the sexual fetish where a submissive (cash piggy, finsub, human ATM, paypig) gifts money to the dominant (dom, domme, findom, goddess, cash master) for pleasure. Findom falls under the BDSM (bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, and sadism and masochism) umbrella and typically has a male as the submissive and dominant of any gender.

While not everyone is indulging in findom, the fascination is definitely out there, with a quick Google search returns 759 million results for the word “findom,” and searches for the meaning of the term have increased by 4,900 percent worldwide over the past 12 months, according to Google Trends. For those looking for answers, below, a financial dominatrix breaks down the basics of how findom works by responding to some frequently asked questions.

How does findom, or being a financial dominatrix, work?

Findom falls under sex work, but there’s a lot of back-end labor to it too. Guapa says she primarily connects with clients through her Twitter account.“For me, I post tweets and pictures or videos to lure them in,” says Goddess Guapa, who’s been in the business for over three years. “Your clients want to see what you can bring to the table, your demeanor, and why you make the best fit to either have a session with or to be their owner—if they’re looking for ownership.” Ownership here being an exclusive relationship.

Guapa says breaking into the business wasn’t easy. “When I first started, I was posting every day, multiple times throughout the day to gain exposure,” she says. “Joining engagement groups with other dommes helped to get a boost on the algorithm because you don’t go looking for subs, they come looking for you.”

Is a sub the same as having a sugar daddy?

“I’ve always had experience with sugaring—it paved a way for me to channel my dark feminine energy and was very empowering,” says Guapa, “but findom was a next-level kink that suited me better.” Both sugar daddies and paypigs provide monetary benefits, but the main difference is domination. Many sugar daddies don’t want to be dommed or humiliated—a key part of the findom world. “The subs enjoy having control over their finances while also being degraded and humiliated,” Guapa says. “The weaker they are, the richer I get.”

What do subs require?

Each sub and domme have their preferred kinks and offerings which they agree upon. For Guapa, she caters to humiliation and degradation. “My subs love when I’m mean, greedy, demanding, and have a more bratty spoiled persona,” she says. “They love the way it makes them feel, especially when they feel inferior and I feel entitled.”

As she’s worked in the industry for some time now, Guapa has built her roster with returning clients. “My regulars either ask for humiliation sessions, foot worship sessions, or just send me money for being pretty,” she shares. “They don’t require much from me, but that is not always the case for everybody.”

How much money do you make?

Working in the findom industry means you’re your own boss—so rates are different for everyone and change day by day. “The most money I’ve received for a one-time session was $7,000, from one of my loyal top subs who always goes over and beyond for me,” says Guapa. This generous payment helped her reach $25,000 in income that month; however, on average, she says she has a $15,000 monthly salary.

Are there benefits to findom?

Aside from financial gains, Guapa says findom is personally empowering for her after going through past traumas. “I finally feel like I have taken my power back from those who tried to steal it in the past,” she says. “It makes me feel liberated and on top of the world. It’s also made me feel more confident in myself to go after what I want, and demand what I want and receive it.” Every dommes reasons for entering the industry are different, as are their goals, so the benefits you receive, including financial compensation, will vary.

Are there any risks?

Sex workers are particularly vulnerable (45–75 percent experience sexual violence on the job), according to the Urban Justice Center. Even though Guapa connects with her clients online through her OnlyFans account, safety is still the top priority for her, which is why she recommends findoms set clear boundaries between their personal and professional lives. “Keep anything attached to your personal life private,” she says. “That includes never using your real name.” She says to also be mindful of location geotags and to never post the same images on your personal pages in case of reversed image searches. “Use a different everything—name, email, payment method, banking details, etc. and make sure to file and pay your taxes. There is so much that you have to be aware of to keep yourself safe, so make sure you do your research first and learn if this industry is right for you.”

Is findom just a get rich quick scheme?

“Absolutely not,” says Guapa, who also runs skin care and holistic health businesses. “It definitely requires a lot of work and research. You have to be mindful that findom is still indeed sex work so you have to know about the safety precautions as well as legalities [where you live].” Guapa also warns newcomers to set boundaries and keep things professional. “This field isn’t for everyone and can get overwhelming at times,” she says. “At the end of the day, this is a fantasy/kink to some and others a lifestyle, so be sure to develop a healthy dom/sub relationship.”