Two Overlooked Financial Habits That Set Successful Women Apart

I recently came across a list of top financial tips from successful women, and while they were all great, two stood out as especially important—yet I see many healthcare professionals overlooking these two.

✅ Save Like a Champ

You can’t invest what you haven’t saved, and you can’t grow what you haven’t invested. But too many people delay saving, thinking they’ll start “later.”

The reality? If saving feels tough now, it only gets harder. By your 30s and 40s, you're juggling:🔹 A growing family🔹 A bigger home🔹 Career shifts, maybe one spouse cutting back hours🔹 College savings for kids

The earlier you start saving, the better off you'll be. Even small amounts add up and give you more choices later—like cutting back hours or switching to a less stressful role in your 50s.

How to Start Saving More (Without Feeling the Pinch)

💡 Automate It – Set up a direct transfer from your paycheck to savings. Even $50 per paycheck builds up.

💡 Get the Match at Work – If you have a 403(b), 401(k), or 457(b), contribute enough to get your full employer match—that’s free money.

💡 Do a Budget Refresh – Once a year, review subscriptions, insurance, and expenses. Cut what doesn’t add value, and redirect that money toward savings.

✅ Chart Your Course

Making a good salary doesn’t guarantee financial security—having a clear plan does.

Many people drift through their financial life, saving here and there but without a clear strategy. Without a plan, it’s easy to feel lost.

Think of your finances like a road trip—without a map, you might end up somewhere, but will it be where you actually want to go?

How to Get a Clear Financial Plan

Set Your Priorities – What matters most? Retiring early? Buying a home? Cutting back work in your 50s? Write down your top goals.

Put Goals in Order – You can’t fund everything at once. But also be specific about what you’re saving for:

• Want to upgrade to a bigger home? You’ll need a $40,000 down payment in three years—that’s a clear target.

• Want to retire on time at 62 but still enjoy life now? That means saving enough for a comfortable retirement while prioritizing family vacations and experiences today.

  
  

Adjust as Life Changes – Your financial priorities today won’t be the same in five years. Check in yearly and shift as needed.

Example: Meet Emily

Emily, a 36-year-old nurse practitioner, makes good money but feels behind compared to her colleagues. She saves when she can but doesn’t have a clear plan. She worries she’s not doing enough and isn’t sure how to balance saving for the future with enjoying life now.

Scenario 1: Buying a Bigger Home vs. Prioritizing Retirement

Emily and her spouse want to move into a bigger home in the next three years. They estimate they’ll need a $40,000 down payment. At the same time, she’s trying to max out her 403(b) retirement contributions to ensure she’s on track for retirement at age 62.

After reviewing their finances, they decide to:

✔ Contribute enough to their 403(b) to get the full employer match (free money they don’t want to miss).

✔ Divert extra savings toward the home down payment since the timeline is shorter.

✔ Reassess in three years—once they’ve purchased the home, they’ll ramp up retirement savings again.

By prioritizing short-term home savings over maxing retirement contributions, Emily feels confident knowing she’s balancing both current and future goals without sacrificing long-term security.

Scenario 2: Retiring at 62 vs. Spending More Now

Emily originally thought she needed to max out retirement savings every year to retire at 62. But after thinking about what she values most, she realizes she doesn’t want to put off enjoying life with her family.

Instead of fully maxing her 403(b), she decides to:

✔ Save just enough to comfortably retire at 62 instead of pushing for early retirement.

✔ Use the extra money now for travel and experiences with her spouse and kids.

✔ Check in yearly to make sure she’s still on track for retirement without sacrificing too much of the present.

By getting specific about her goals, Emily finds a balance that allows her to good about her retirement savings while still living it up today.

The Takeaway

Emily’s biggest shift wasn’t saving more—it was getting clear on what mattered most to her and prioritizing accordingly. Now, she has a financial plan that fits her life, not just generic advice.