“Is it too late to start investing?”

“Is it too late to start investing?”

“Is it too late to start investing?” is one of the most frequent concerns I get, especially from women in their late 40s or early 50s. My response to it is absolutely not. Here’s why.

In a story I read, a woman, after her ex-husband said she wouldn’t be able to support herself on her own, donated all of the money from her divorce and her personal and company bank accounts to charity in her early thirties—a decision she immediately regretted. She had to relocate into an apartment with four roommates in a moldy basement bedroom after accruing five figures in debt. Thanks to the tactics she put in place for me, she is now a multimillionaire and has achieved financial freedom.

Change your perspective on money.
In society, there’s a belief that everything ends when you reach a particular age. We observe it in the job, the media, and how we’re supposed to look as we get older. When it comes to women, this can be made worse by gendered ageism, which isn’t present among men. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that this influences our perception of our financial potential.

For a lady who is 45 years old, she may have another 40 to 45 years to go. It’s even more crucial to start investing or setting priorities because it’s likely that you don’t have adequate superannuation or investments due to wage and super gaps. The first step is to put on your own financial oxygen mask, understand that it’s not selfish, and know that you still have time—you just need to start.

Begin with a reasonable sum.
If you’re worried that you won’t have enough money to invest, you should understand that acquiring additional funds is a skill. Many of the ladies in my community are in their 40s and 50s and are making their first investments. Even after leaving paid jobs, many have “found” more money to invest in things like pet sitting, cash rewards websites, closet rentals, and online skill sales.

With features like round-ups and low or no minimum investment levels, many investment platforms today make it simpler than ever to start small and grow over time.

Round-ups
To achieve your goals more quickly, make every dollar matter by allocating more dollars and cents from your everyday expenses.

Look at round-ups

Think about your objectives, not your age.
As we live longer and have more options for how we live, the idea of “age-based” investing is becoming less relevant. For example, while conventional wisdom suggests that at my age, I should slow down, increase my liquidity, and maintain a more balanced portfolio, the reality is quite different. Elleen, my coworker, is in her late thirties, intentionally childless, and intends to retire within the next five years. Her investment strategy differs greatly from that of a colleague who may have children enrolled in private schools and only one working parent.

It all comes down to knowing your objectives and what you want, then adjusting your budget accordingly. Having liquidity is crucial for when “life happens,” regardless of age. It’s even more crucial to have quick access to more funds as you get closer to retirement so you don’t have to take money out of your investments.

Be ready for an unpredictable future.
Over the next 20 years, it is anticipated that Australians will pass $3.5 trillion in wealth from one generation to the next. People are already anticipating that transfer and requesting it sooner (often before they have a strategy or financial literacy of their own). In other cases, I have witnessed substantial amounts of money remain in high-interest bank accounts due to people’s inability to make financial decisions and their desire to avoid wasting their inheritance—which is effectively what they are doing by not using it. I am among those who will not receive any inheritance at all.

Since nobody can predict the future, the cost of living, or retirement options, it is crucial to invest and organize your finances so that any additional income you receive, such as an inheritance, becomes a bonus rather than the main course.

Concluding
Making choices is the goal of investing. The idea that putting in more and more effort will make you wealthy is a lie. Or that you will have choices if you pay off a house as quickly as possible. However, having a home won’t bring in money unless you’re prepared to downsize or move.

Making the most of your money and having more options in life will depend on financial education and developing the self-assurance to make wise choices, whether you’re inheriting or creating your own legacy. It’s never too late to start that road.

Visit C J Invetiments to find out more about easy investing.

Alright, the legal part comes next.
Risk is a part of investing. Making money is not a given, and you could end up losing your initial investment. We don’t offer tailored counsel or suggestions. All of the information we offer is current as of the writing date and is simply generic. When deciding if an investment is suitable for your goals, financial status, or requirements, you should think about getting independent legal, financial, tax, or other counsel.

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