Welcome to the messy middle—menopause, midlife, and all the crap that comes with it. I’m Tracey Montgomery, and this is the space where we ditch the shame, talk truthfully about the hormonal shit show, and make space for a brighter, more financially secure future.
Let’s cut to it. Midlife isn’t just hot flushes and insomnia. It’s the silent financial wreckage those symptoms leave in their wake. You’re not alone if menopause has made you feel like your life—and your money plans—are spiralling.
Here’s what no one tells you about menopause: it can completely derail your financial trajectory. That pension plan you were contributing to? The savings goals you had mapped out? The career ladder you were confidently climbing? All of them can be thrown into question during this chaotic chapter.
The Real Cost of the Hormonal Sh*t Show
We talk a lot about symptoms in the menopause space—brain fog, night sweats, low libido, anxiety, insomnia. But what we don’t talk about nearly enough is how those symptoms affect our earning power, our decision-making, and our long-term financial security.
Menopause isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. There are three key phases to be aware of:
Premenopause – When things might seem “normal”, but subtle signs begin—your period schedule shifts, your sleep feels off.
Perimenopause – The unpredictable rollercoaster of symptoms. You might feel like you're losing control of your body, your emotions, and sometimes even your identity.
Postmenopause – The longest stage. It lasts from your final period through the rest of your life. And yes, you can still have symptoms.
Many women hit perimenopause just as they’re hitting their stride in their careers. But then the rug gets pulled out. Brain fog steals your sharp thinking. Sleepless nights chip away at your resilience. Mood swings affect your relationships at work. Suddenly, you’re doubting your abilities and pulling back from opportunities. That high-flying promotion you were gunning for? It feels miles away.
Midlife Mayhem: When Life Layers On
As if dealing with menopause isn’t enough, midlife also brings other stressors.
You might be taking time out to care for elderly parents—time that’s often unpaid. You might find yourself single again, navigating separation or divorce after decades of shared finances. In fact, statistics show a growing number of women over 50 are facing life solo for the first time—and it can be a shock to the system, emotionally and financially.
And while the NHS offers brilliant support, we all know it doesn’t cover everything. Hormone support, supplements, sleep aids, therapy, even upgraded bedding to regulate night sweats—these aren’t always budgeted for, but they make a huge difference in managing menopause well. And they cost money.
Suddenly, it’s not just about coping—it’s about maintaining dignity and comfort without breaking the bank.
“I Thought I’d Be Better Off by Now…”
How many of us have looked at our bank statements in midlife and thought: “This isn’t where I imagined I’d be”?
You might have done everything “right”—worked hard, saved when you could, supported your family. But menopause doesn’t care about your financial planning spreadsheet. It just storms in and shifts everything.
Maybe you’ve had to reduce your hours or take time off. Maybe you’re carrying debt you didn’t plan for. Maybe you’re realising your pension pot won’t stretch as far as you hoped. It's not your fault. And more importantly—it's not too late.
Financial Freedom Without the Guilt
Luxury living after 50 doesn’t have to mean flashy cars or five-star holidays (though, hey—if that’s your thing, go for it!). It means choices. Options. The ability to say yes to what you need and no to what drains you. It’s being able to support yourself, treat yourself, and feel proud of how you’ve taken control of your future.
Here’s the truth I want you to hold onto: midlife is not a financial dead end.
It’s actually a chance to course-correct with wisdom on your side. You now know what matters. You know how to cut through the noise. And you’re not here to waste another decade being too polite to put yourself first.
Redefining Luxury During Menopause
Despite these challenges, we don't need to abandon our desire for life's luxuries. The key is redefining what "luxury" means during this life stage.
For some, luxury might still mean designer handbags or exclusive holidays. For others, it could be:
Freedom to make choices without constant financial worry
Breathing room in your budget beyond covering basic necessities
Time and resources for self-care like massages, acupuncture or wellness retreats
Financial freedom fundamentally improves quality of life, especially during menopause when additional support can make symptoms more manageable.
Practical Strategies for Maintaining Luxury Living
1. Strategic Splurging
Rather than random indulgences, identify which luxury elements genuinely enhance your wellbeing during menopause. Prioritise spending on items or experiences that make you feel better physically and emotionally.
This might mean investing in cooling bedding if night sweats are disrupting your sleep, or regular massages if they help manage stress and muscle tension. Align your "luxury" spending with what truly supports you through this transition.
2. Leverage Membership Economics
Traditional consumer relationships involve simply paying for products or services. Consider instead memberships that offer not just consumption value but potential income streams.
Many membership models today provide opportunities to:
Connect with supportive communities
Access exclusive discounts and offers
Generate income through referrals or participation
Develop new skills and opportunities
The right membership can provide both social support and financial benefits when you need them most.
3. Strategic Investments
Consider investing in yourself and in assets that generate returns. This might include:
Upgrading skills to remain competitive in the workplace
Creating passive income streams to provide financial cushioning
Building businesses or side ventures that can grow as your energy levels fluctuate
Overcoming the Fear of Financial Independence
Many women have been conditioned to believe their value and security come from relationships rather than their own capabilities. When menopause coincides with relationship changes, the financial implications can be devastating.
Finding supportive communities becomes essential—not just for emotional support but for practical guidance on navigating financial independence, possibly for the first time.
Creating Your Luxury Living Blueprint
Developing a personalised luxury living blueprint involves:
Identifying what truly matters to you during this life stage
Acknowledging the real costs of managing menopause effectively
Finding communities that provide both support and opportunity
Building financial resilience through multiple income streams
Permitting yourself to invest in wellbeing without guilt
Moving Forward with Confidence
The menopause transition, while challenging, can become an opportunity to reassess and realign your financial priorities. By acknowledging the real impact of menopause on your earning capacity and expenses, you can create strategies that maintain your desired lifestyle while supporting your changing needs.
Remember that investing in your wellbeing isn't selfish—it's essential. Creating financial freedom gives you options and reduces stress, which itself can help manage menopause symptoms more effectively.
The key is finding the right balance between present comfort and future security, between necessary expenses and meaningful luxuries, between self-care and financial responsibility.
By approaching this life stage with awareness and strategic planning, you can create not just financial stability but true luxury living—defined on your own terms.
Final Thoughts: Still in the Game
Here’s your reminder: you haven’t missed the boat.
Yes, menopause can shake the foundations. But you’ve survived 100% of your hardest days already. This next chapter? It’s yours to shape—with power, peace, and maybe even a bit of luxury.
Financial freedom isn’t reserved for the twenty-somethings on TikTok. It’s for us—women in midlife, navigating the shift, and refusing to settle for less than we deserve.
So here’s to the rebuild. The comeback. And the guilt-free, financially confident life waiting for you just around the corner.
Continuation of Your Menopause Success Journey:
So there you have it—hot flashes, cold cash, and everything in between. If you want to dive deeper into these topics, join me in my Facebook group Menopause Midlife and all the ****. We’re a supportive community of women going through the same thing, and we’re here to help each other through it. The menopause journey is a continuum. From perimenopause and on through into postmenopause, having people who understand and support you is essential. It's not the end of your life's journey; it's a phase, and having the right community can make all the difference.
I make it my mission to support women with their transition along the menopause journey and to signpost to the best financial opportunities for their circumstances. To talk further please use this link to book a call and discuss further support.
If you would like to join a supportive community, please drop me a line here. I love hearing from midlife women going through the menopausal transition.
Pssst, you can also check out my Menopause Midlife and all the ****. It includes a community of women at the same life stage as you.
Click here to take a look at our membership to make every day just that little bit easier.
