[WINii] Finding Fulfillment in Your 30s, 40s, and Beyond

Hi WINers!

Time sure does fly, especially as life happens. As we age, our energy and priorities change. 

Heck, Deb Liu (CEO of Ancestry) believed your priorities can change half over half. When Deb was at Meta, she had her team stack rank every half between 5 career pillar [impact, learning, work/life balance, compensation, promotion].

My honest and vulnerable share is, compensation is top of mind right now. I love my team, and the generative AI sector I’m working on as a product manager. As a single woman without current dating prospects, I’m also ok with a lower work/life balance at this point in my life (if anyone has a real catch in your network you’d be willing to introduce, my inbox is open 😉). I feel though I deserve and am ready for my next compensation jump. 

Our previous WINii’s MoneyBites guest speaker Jessie Van Arman shared, “women can have everything, just not all at once.” 

What about you? What is your current top life focus for this half? Do a quick self stack rank on your current life priorities [career, family/friends, health, wealth, joy]. Hopefully our WINii app and community can support your wealth building journey as it weaves in and out of your priority list. 

In this newsletter, join our conversation on balancing life priorities while navigating mid-career moves. You'll also get tips on how to reprioritize your financial goals with age and leave with a little inspiration. 

Let's do it! 👇

💰 WINii’s Monthly Money Meetup for Women in Tech (Happening Today!!)

🎉 Join us for WINii's Monthly Money Meetup TODAY! 🎉 

Whether you're just starting your money journey, or well on your wealth building track, connect with like-minded women who are goaled on reaching financial independence while working in tech.

Grab your favorite drink/tea, get comfy, and log in from wherever you are—because this money party is happening online! Let's break down barriers, build each other up, and have some fun while we're at it. Can't wait to see you there! 💪💰

Date: August 17th (Saturday) @ 1PM ET | 10am PT

Join here!

💼 Career Fulfillment in Our 30s and 40s

In her 20s, Cristina Forsstrom packed her bags and moved to San Francisco without a job lined up. 

Her goal? She wanted to prove herself and one day work at a company whose name was instantly recognizable. She made a bet on herself and it paid off big time. 

Cristina became the 30th employee at Spotify in the US. She rode the startup rollercoaster alongside the company, embracing Spotify's innovative "tours of duty" career culture, which allowed her to explore diverse internal roles and propel her career forward.

Now in our 30s and 40s, Cristina and I had an honest conversation about the quest and agony of finding career fulfillment among mid-career women. 

Learn more about Cristina's journey here 👇 

🎧 Listen on Spotify 

💸 New Decade, New Priorities

As you move through life, your personal and career goals will grow and change right along with you. The same goes for your money goals. 

The National Council on Aging put together some financial focus guidelines throughout each decade of life. Let's take a look:

20s and 30s

• Develop a savings plan and build your emergency fund (aim for three to six months of expenses).

• Obtain your own insurance: health, life, disability, home, auto and liability

• Identify and assign a beneficiary to retirement and other investment accounts (this will likely change as you move through life).

• Open/contribute to a retirement investment plan (e.g., 401(k) or 403(b) through your job).

• Pay down student debt.

• Build good credit by using credit cards responsibly.

• Start saving for a down payment on a home. 

40s

• Increase retirement savings to at least 15% of your income.

• Open a non-retirement investment account to build net worth

• If you have children, open/contribute to college savings accounts.

• Aim to maintain a debt-to-asset ratio of no more than 50%.

• Invest in training and education to advance your career.

50s

• Max out contributions to retirement plans. Take advantage of "catch up" contributions. 

• Pay down any remaining debt.

• Put any pay increases from jobs toward building your net worth.

60s +

• Aim to have your home mortgage and other debts paid in full.

• Fill up retirement accounts to fully fund your budget.

• Create a distribution plan from your retirement accounts to make sure your money lasts throughout retirement. Work with an advisor if necessary.

• Revisit your estate plan to make sure everything is in order.

• Make medical directive and power of attorney arrangements to protect your finances in the event of health concerns or emergencies. 

If you feel like you're behind schedule, no need to panic! We're all in different phases of life, regardless of age. 

Do the best you can with what you have and stick to a game plan that's right for you.

💃 30, 40, and Thriving

Remember, life doesn't end just because you've entered a new decade. In fact, the world is full of powerful women with careers that began in their late 30s, 40s, and beyond! 

Here's a little inspiration! 💫

• Early in her career, Vera Wang was a competitive figure skater, a journalist and a fashion editor. However, she didn't pursue fashion design until later in life. At the age of 40, Wang launched her world-famous bridal line. 

• Master chef Julia Child wasn't always a genius in the kitchen. She didn't learn how to cook until she was 40! At 50, Child released her first French cookbook, which caused her to experience overnight success in the culinary world.

• Nancy Pelosi wasn't elected into Congress until she was 47. She was 67 when she took on her current role as US Speaker of the House. Before her political career, Pelosi was a stay at home mom to her five children. 

• Actress Viola Davis didn't obtain widespread fame until her 40s. At 43, she landed a role in the film Doubt opposite Meryl Streep which put her on the map. At 51, Davis starred in the ABC hit series How to Get Away with Murder, and became the first African-American actress to win an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

Don't let what society may tell you about age hold you back from chasing your dreams. These amazing women are living proof that it's just a number!

Have your life, money, or career goals changed as you've aged? 

Hit reply and tell us your story!

Have a wonderful week ahead!

Minki
Founder, WINii
Making wealth building actionable for women in tech. Empowering a million women to become millionaires!