Women Must Put Themselves and Their Finances First – It’s Not Selfish, It’s Smart

“Women do enough. But too often, we forget to put ourselves – and our financial futures – first.”

Reflecting on our recent International Women’s Day event, this message stood out loud and clear. Often, women dedicate so much time and energy to caring for others – family, teams, communities – that we neglect our own needs. Yet prioritising our well-being, including our finances, is not selfish – it’s essential. This year, I want to encourage women to invest in themselves and take control of their financial futures.

Despite decades of progress, women continue to fall behind men on almost every key financial measure. We earn less, retire with less superannuation, and carry most of the burden of family life, including unpaid caring. Australian women, on average, hold around 40 per cent less net wealth than men and report far lower confidence in managing their own money. Too many still believe that prioritising their own financial security is selfish, or something that can wait. It cannot.

Over more than three decades working closely with women, I’ve seen highly capable, intelligent women often downplay their own financial needs, defer decisions, or assume someone else has it covered. Studies show that women investors who are engaged and advised generally outperform men by up to 1.8% annually. On $100,000 invested, that difference alone can add around $1,800 per year, with compounding significantly amplifying the outcome over time. The missing ingredient is engagement, advice, and the confidence to act.

The solution is simple: get involved, ask questions, and take control. Start with the basics: understand what you own, where it’s invested, and how it works for you. Build a trusted support network, whether that includes a financial adviser, legal professional, or family members, to guide you. Small, deliberate steps – like reviewing investments, consolidating super accounts, or seeking advice from a financial adviser – can help create long-term plans that ease the mental load and build confidence.

Women already have the traits to succeed financially – they just need to start, get advice, and act. If we do not engage with our finances, we limit our ability to support ourselves and the people who rely on us. Financial knowledge and security give women choice, confidence, and resilience.

That is not selfish. That is caring. And that is smart.

About Laurel Moulynox

Laurel Moulynox is Managing Director at Morrows and one of Barron’s Top 150 financial advisers in Australia. With over three decades of experience, she works closely with high-net-worth individuals, especially women and families, to help them build financial confidence, plan for the future, and make informed decisions about wealth and investments. Laurel is passionate about empowering clients to take control of their finances and create long-term security for themselves and their loved ones.