In a recent survey I conducted, a staggering 60% of midlife women reported changing their careers or roles because of their menopausal journey. That's a significant number, highlighting just how deeply menopause impacts not just our health, but our financial wellbeing too.
Let's talk about some financial lies midlife women are told that keep us playing small—and why it's time to challenge them.
Lie #1: "It's Too Late to Make Meaningful Financial Changes"
Have you ever caught yourself thinking, "I'm in my fifties now—what's the point in trying to improve my finances?" If so, you're not alone. This is perhaps the most damaging myth we're fed as women approaching or navigating midlife.
Here's the truth: there is no timeline for getting your finances sorted. Life simply doesn't work that way, even though society often suggests that by 50, we should be sitting back with everything perfectly in place. Rubbish!
Consider this: many successful entrepreneurs and even billionaires didn't have everything sorted in their 30s. There's a snowball effect, agreed, but it's never too late to build wealth—whether you're in your fifties, sixties, or seventies.
Midlife is actually quite a powerful time to make financial decisions. Women in our forties, fifties, and sixties are often hitting our peak earning years. Yes, menopausal symptoms can present challenges, but we bring unique strengths to the table:
- We tend to research more thoroughly
- We're less likely to make impulsive decisions
- We stick to long-term strategies more consistently
With increased life expectancy and extended productive years, midlife women have significant time to reframe and restart our finances. The pension age in the UK keeps rising, and many of us aren't planning to stop working when we hit that magic number anyway.
Lie #2: "Your Financial Struggles Are Due to Poor Discipline or Bad Choices"
This gem is particularly frustrating. Life happens to all of us—relationships that we thought were secure might end at the worst possible time, careers can be derailed by health challenges, and caring responsibilities often fall disproportionately on our shoulders.
We're told we should have saved more strategically or that we've had plenty of time to keep saving. What this ignores is that:
- Most workplaces are structured around male working patterns
- Women often become carers for older parents
- Women typically run household budgets (we're actually quite good at budgeting)
- Career breaks for maternity leave or family care create financial penalties
- And yes, despite what some might say, the gender pay gap is still very real
The financial challenges many midlife women face aren't due to poor choices or lack of discipline—they're the result of systemic inequalities that have accumulated over decades. It's not your fault.
Lie #3: "Traditional Financial Advice Works the Same for Everyone"
How can the same financial advice possibly work for both a man in his thirties and a woman in her fifties? It can't!
The world has changed dramatically, yet much financial advice remains stuck in outdated models. The traditional timeline and the "cut your expenses, eliminate the luxuries" approach simply doesn't account for women's realities.
Aren't those small luxuries sometimes the things that keep us going during challenging times?
Women in midlife often need to balance immediate healthcare needs with long-term financial goals. Traditional advice that prioritises rigid retirement investment plans doesn't work for women who may need flexibility to manage changing health needs.
In my own surveys on social media, 50% of women reported increased fatigue due to menopause symptoms. When you're exhausted, you need more self-care and support—not less. The traditional models of saving and budgeting simply don't account for this reality.
What Can Empower Us Instead?
Midlife women are uniquely positioned to make powerful financial changes. We have experience, wisdom, and perspective that our younger selves lacked.
In my twenties, I was admittedly a bit wilder than I am now. Planning for 40 years in the future wasn't on my radar—I was too busy enjoying life! But our energy and perspective change as we mature, without diminishing our purpose or value.
Our financial strategies should reflect this evolution and capitalise on the strengths we've developed over decades:
- Our nurturing abilities
- Our proven strategies for managing resources
- Our deeper understanding of what truly matters in life
It's time to step away from what we believe we "should" be doing financially, and focus instead on what actually works for us—midlife women navigating the complex interplay of menopause, career changes, and family responsibilities.
Moving Forward on Your Terms
Understanding these financial myths is the first step toward reclaiming your financial power. Rather than following advice designed for entirely different life circumstances, it's time to create strategies that acknowledge your unique challenges and strengths as a midlife woman.
Your experience, wisdom, and resilience are valuable assets in your financial journey. The menopause transition might have brought challenges, but it can also bring clarity about what you truly want your future to look like.
Remember, it's not too late, your struggles aren't your fault, and you deserve financial advice that actually works for your life.
I talk about all things menopause, midlife, and "all that crap that goes with it." If you'd like to see the full video version of this content, you can find it on my channel. And if you're ready to take control of your finances in a way that acknowledges your reality as a midlife woman, I'd love to chat—book a call with me and let's map out a strategy that actually works for YOU.
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✨ You’re not broken. You’re becoming.
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 thislink 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 YouTube channel includes monthly strategies and a community of women at the same life stage as you.
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