We’re living longer than ever – or at least trying to (hello biohacking). So how can we make sure our money lasts as long as we do? Friends That Invest founder Simran Kaur has some advice for financial longevity.
What To Do In Your Thirties
You’re at the perfect stage to benefit from compound interest, career growth and long investing timelines. This is a great time to get familiar with your super and make sure it’s working for you.
Many thirty-something women in the workplace are automatically placed into conservative or default super options without realising it, and a quick check of your investment option and fees could mean tens of thousands of extra dollars by retirement.
Switching to a growth or balanced fund, if it suits your risk tolerance, can make a noticeable difference over the long term. Regular investing is another habit worth starting now, even if it’s a small amount each week. Putting aside as little as $20–$50 into a low-cost index fund or ETF can grow substantially over time.
The magic of compounding shows how small habits turn into lifelong advantages. Putting away $500 a month for 40 years with an eight per cent return could set you up with more than $2 million by the time you retire.
To be in your thirties and learning about money is a huge blessing. You don’t need to feel like an expert before you start; learning as you go is totally normal and very common. Your thirties are also a good time to tackle any high-interest debt to free up future cash flow. If you have a mortgage, even small extra repayments can meaningfully reduce the interest you pay and the total life of the loan.
And while it’s not the most glamorous part of money management, considering insurance, such as income protection or life insurance, can add a layer of security, especially if you have children or shared financial commitments. The steps you take now will continue paying off for decades, just like a good skincare routine.
What To Do In Your Fourties
Your forties often become a balancing act. The good news is that many women are at their highest earning stage, but the bad news is that this occurs while also supporting children, managing mortgages, being a “villager” to your sibling’s family and helping ageing or sick parents.
No wonder we don’t exactly have time to sit down and learn about the latest mortgage rates. So, how do you survive? It comes down to asking for help and fine-tuning your financial strategy to make sure your plans still align with your life today.
It’s worth taking a fresh look at your investment mix, either in your personal investments or in your super, as many people discover they’ve unintentionally drifted into more conservative options over time.
Ensuring your investments match your goals and risk tolerance can keep your plans on track. This is also a powerful time to boost your super through small voluntary contributions. Even something as modest as salary sacrificing a small amount each week can have a snowball effect over time thanks to compounding and tax advantages.
If you are considering a career change, taking time off or starting a business, building a career buffer fund can give you flexibility without compromising your financial security. It’s also a good decade to review your mortgage strategy, whether that means refinancing for a better rate, using an offset account or increasing repayments. Your forties are a reminder that looking after your own financial future is essential.
Many women spend these years focusing on others, but prioritising yourself now puts you in a stronger position later.
What To Do In Your Fifties
Your fifties is when you truthfully start thinking about what you want your retirement to look like. Whether you imagine travelling, working part-time, spending more time with family or simply enjoying a slower pace, having a sense of your future lifestyle will help to guide your financial choices today.
This is a good time to explore catch-up contributions if you’ve had years out of the workforce caring for children or family. It’s also worth reassessing your investment option in super. Many women become more conservative over time without realising it, but with potential decades ahead in retirement, staying too conservative might limit your long-term growth.
Alongside super, it can be helpful to consider whether you’d like to downsize your home, shift to a more lifestyle-friendly location or simply review your mortgage so you enter retirement with fewer financial obligations. Diversification becomes valuable too. If most of your wealth is tied up in your home and super, even a small investment portfolio outside those areas can offer flexibility and extra income later.
Above all, fifties are the decade to plan for longevity. With many women now living into their nineties and beyond, thoughtful planning ensures your money supports you throughout the life you want to live. Also, you may be in a position to help the younger generation. Helping doesn’t have to look like large gifts or big sacrifices. Small, consistent contributions can create powerful long-term results.
Opening an investment account or ETF in your name for a child and contributing even a few dollars a week can grow significantly over 18 years. Grandparents can do the same through small annual contributions or education focused funds. Just as important as the money itself is teaching children about saving, spending and compound interest. These conversations help build financial confidence that lasts far beyond any dollar amount. Finally, money doesn’t have to be scary, and there’s a real beauty in ageing with financial intention.
Each decade hands you more clarity, more confidence and more control. You are the architect of your future, so make intentional choices and build a life that supports the woman you are becoming.
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