Fellow kick-ass women, let's talk about money.

We've all seen financial content grow in popularity over the last couple of years: info on shares, funds, the S&P 500, even Bitcoin... AKA investing and growing your personal wealth! Usually accompanied by boastful narratives of how much one has gained in the last 12 months alone. If you've ever found yourself lost in a sea of financial conversations - you're not alone. The world of investing can be intimidating, especially for those who may have felt a bit left out of the discussion since way back when.

Traditionally, investing and the financial world has been full of jargon and complex concepts - and women have sometimes been overlooked and ignored in the investing dialogue. But at Simplicity, we want to be part of the movement to reshape that narrative. We don't want ANYONE to feel excluded (regardless of age, race or gender), and we certainly don't want to make finance more complicated than it needs to be.

Investing may seem daunting, especially for those who think they're "not ready" or believe that at 30, or 40, or 50, it's too late to start. But we're here to debunk those myths - basically anytime is the right time - and we want to make it easy to get started, whether you've never invested before or just need a little confidence boost to know you're on the right track.

Becoming confident investors is especially important for women when you're thinking about retirement, because we tend to live longer, earn less, and may have to take more time off work to raise families. But the good news is, we’re already doing great. Studies suggest that women actually make better investors due to their natural risk aversion and usually more thorough research. We don't get too emotionally involved; instead, we'll spot trends and make informed decisions. In the world of investing, being a step ahead is crucial.

In the last five or so years, platforms like Sharesies, Hatch and Stake have leveled the playing field, allowing even those with a spare $20 to dip their toes into investing. You don't need a lump sum to start. In fact, setting an "auto-invest" of say $20 per week, or month, could be a great low-touch way to grow your wealth over the long-term. Whatever way you do it, we encourage you to spread your investments across well-diversified investment options that suit your personal goals and needs.

And please, don't let the fear of failure (or even loss aversion) hold you back... remember, it's okay to make mistakes. Simply see these as a step in your learning journey; you could even use KiwiSaver as a way to help you understand the investing universe. Exploring and understanding where your contributions go can empower you to make informed decisions about your other investments.

You can also make investing fun. It'll likely be more rewarding in the longer term than that shoe splurge! Think of it this way: that $100 you save could turn into $150, giving you more to spend later on. Of course, there's always risk involved, but life is full of uncertainties. Just like any venture, investing takes practice. I highly encourage you to learn from your experiences, find your edge, and, most importantly, enjoy the journey.

Education is the key to empowerment, and there are plenty of bad-ass women-led platforms and businesses providing the resources you need to navigate the world of finance. Whether through workshops like The Curve's or Frances Cook's, podcasts like The One Up Project, Raising the Curve, Maori Millionaire, or (shameless self-promo) Money Made Simple or future initiatives in schools, we're all here to try and make a difference, and at the very least a step in the right direction.

So, let's talk about money more openly and honestly. Your financial journey is a personal one, but the more we discuss it, the better equipped we all become - we can learn from each others' wins, and losses. Cheers to growing wealth, making smarter choices, and building a brighter financial future, like the bad-ass women we all are!

The information provided and opinions expressed in this post are intended for general guidance only and not personalised to you. These materials do not take into account your particular financial situation or goals and are not financial advice or a recommendation. This post is not intended to convey any guarantees as to the future performance of any of the investment products, asset classes, or capital markets mentioned. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance. Information is current at the time of posting, and subject to change without notice. Simplicity NZ Ltd is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver Scheme and Investment Funds. For Product Disclosure Statements please visit our website simplicity.kiwi.