It’s not always easy to know where to start when it comes to building long-term wealth. Financial markets are complex, advice can feel one-size-fits-all, and it is hard to find guidance that genuinely reflects your life experience. But for women who want clarity, structure and support, working with the right financial adviser can be a powerful first step.
If you are a Gold Coast woman ready to take control of your finances, here are some of the most valuable tips a financial adviser for women can offer.
Make your financial goals personal, not generic
Most financial advice starts with numbers. But a good plan starts with purpose. Whether your goals include early retirement, helping your children with their first home, or supporting a cause you care about, the numbers should work in service of the life you want.
A financial adviser for women can help you define what wealth means to you. From there, they can model how much you need, how long it will take, and how to adjust the plan if things change.
Avoid the trap of ‘playing it safe’
Research has shown that women are often more conservative investors than men, holding more cash and fewer growth assets in their portfolios. While caution can be a strength, too much of it can mean your money does not keep pace with inflation.
For example, over the 30 years to December 2023, Australian shares delivered an average annual return of around 9.2%, while cash returned just 3.9% over the same period. The lesson is clear. If you are investing for a long-term goal, you may need to accept short-term volatility to achieve better long-term results.
A good financial adviser for women will help you find the right balance between risk and reward and build a diversified portfolio that grows steadily over time.
Stay invested when things get rough
The temptation to exit the market during downturns can be strong. But history shows that those who stay invested tend to come out ahead.
For instance, during the Global Financial Crisis, the ASX 200 fell by more than 50% between late 2007 and March 2009. But it recovered steadily and surpassed its pre-crisis levels in the years that followed. Investors who stayed the course benefited from that rebound, while those who sold at the bottom locked in losses.
A financial adviser for women can help you manage the emotional side of investing and stay focused on the long-term plan, even when markets are turbulent.
Treat super as a growth asset, not a set-and-forget
Superannuation is often one of the most undervalued tools in a woman’s financial plan. But its tax benefits, compounding potential and flexibility make it one of the most powerful.
However, women in Australia retire with significantly less super due to career breaks part-time work and the gender pay gap. The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia reports that super balances for women are around 25% lower than men’s.
Addressing this gap can reshape financial futures. A financial adviser can help you take advantage of contribution strategies and understand your investment options within super. As retirement nears, they can help you plan the transition in a way that supports your lifestyle goals.
Prepare for life transitions
Women’s financial journeys often include major life events such as having children caregiving career change or relationship changes. Each has financial consequences. Financial planning for women can prepare you for these transitions whether that means adjusting investment strategies during career breaks planning for aged care costs or adding protection when responsibilities grow. Proactive planning helps your financial goals remain on track no matter what life brings.
Get your structures right before you grow
If you are building wealth through multiple assets or income streams, the way you hold those assets matters. Should you buy in your own name, a trust or inside super? Should you reinvest or take income? What are the tax implications?
These are not just accounting questions; they are strategy questions. A financial adviser can collaborate with your accountant and lawyer to set up structures that manage risk, optimise tax and support your estate planning goals.
Plan for generosity without guilt
Many women want to support their children, parents or causes that matter to them. But giving away too much, too soon, or without planning can leave you exposed.
A financial adviser can help you explore how much you can afford to give, and the best way to do it. That might include gifting assets, setting up family loan agreements or building charitable giving into your broader plan. With the right structure in place, you can be generous on your terms.
Check your blind spots
Even the most capable women can overlook key areas of risk, often because they are focused on others. Insurance, Wills, power of attorney documents and aged care planning often fall to the bottom of the list.
But these are the safety nets that keep your wealth strategy intact. A financial adviser for women will make sure these areas are not forgotten. They will also help you put plans in place for the people who rely on you, so that you are protected no matter what happens.
Frequently asked questions
A financial adviser who understands women’s financial journeys can provide tailored strategies that reflect life stages such as career breaks, caregiving or retirement planning. Their advice often takes into account challenges like the gender pay gap and lower super balances.
While the core principles of investing are the same, women often face unique circumstances such as longer life expectancy, different career patterns and the desire to balance family and personal goals. A customised plan ensures your wealth strategy supports both financial security and lifestyle aspirations.
Look for an adviser with strong qualifications, transparent fees, and a clear commitment to understanding your goals. Ask how they work with clients, what strategies they recommend for building long-term wealth, and whether they offer ongoing support.
Not at all. Even if you are at the beginning of your financial journey, advice on budgeting, super contributions and investment choices can help you establish a solid foundation for long-term success.
Final thoughts
Financial advice is not just about money. It is about freedom, clarity and confidence. For Gold Coast women who want a long-term plan – and a trusted all-female advice team to support them – the right adviser can help you take control of your financial life and build wealth on your terms.
Book a call with RFS Advice and find out what your financial future could look like with the right advice behind you.
General advice warning:
The information in this blog is of a general advice nature only and has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Because of that, you should, before acting on the advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to those things.
