If you're over 40

[inmyslippers]

What advice would you give to women in their 30s

Invest in a good pension. - Educate yourself on how and why.

Invest in your physical health. - You’ll thank yourself as you get older. Good health and fitness make life so much easier and enjoyable as you age.

Invest in your financial health. - Always be financially independent. Live happily within your means, spending your money on that which makes you content and fulfilled. Don’t compare to others or care what they think.

Don't get pressured into having kids.

Say 'yes' to as many opportunities that you can.

Im in my 30's and this thread is great. Im a bit 'meh' about pensions so this has been a real kick up the bum, although I do have a military and NHS pension so its largely sorted for me. Do I need to pay in to a private one?

Don't have kids
Travel
Pension

Enjoy it.

Invest in your physical health. - You’ll thank yourself as you get older. Good health and fitness make life so much easier and enjoyable as you age

Agree with that. Even if you hated sport at school (I did), try to find some form of exercise that you enjoy. Makes a huge difference as you get older.

listen to the advice of someone that actually knows you and has your best interests at heart but only when you ask for it

@Thickasmincepie

Do women in their 30s need advice? In my 20s, yes. But by 30s, surely most people already know the above.

I'm in my very early 30s and mainly agree. The advice about kids is quite conflicting, I think that's more of a personal thing. I have 2 and wouldn't have a third any later than 35, at a push. Not having kids also sounds awful to me, but it'll be the ideal for others.

Don't give a toss what anyone thinks. I suddenly woke up at 50 and cared about nobody's opinion any more.

Don't have kids
Get a pension
Buy a house/flat

mycatistrans
Crack on with having your children. Don't wait til late 30s.

This with bells on. If you’re not in a position to go ahead look into other options. Eg having eggs frozen.

Oh and invest in good skincare now. Go organic if you can.

Life is short. Don't put enjoyable things off.

I have seen too many people die in their forties and early fifties and some of these were people who lived healthy lifestyles. One especially was someone who I assumed would be the type of person still hiking in their nineties.

So never assume you are going to live to a long age even if you live healthily. If you want to do something fun, then do it.
Invest in relationships.

@Letsallscreamatthesistene

Im in my 30's and this thread is great. Im a bit 'meh' about pensions so this has been a real kick up the bum, although I do have a military and NHS pension so its largely sorted for me. Do I need to pay in to a private one?

YES

Walk away from relationships where you are not the priority. Be clear about what you want from your relationships ( eg kids) and verbalise this early in new relationships. Prioritise your health. Say no sometimes. Be kind to yourself.

I also agree that having kids younger is better. It is largely young people who say age doesn't matter with this. Obviously, some women have no choice either due to fertility or not finding a partner till later. And there is nothing wrong with having kids a bit older. But it is easier if you have them younger.

Don't take any shit, from anyone.

@Letsallscreamatthesistene you have two very good pensions with NHS and military. It depends on whether these are still accruing and how much you earn. You don't need to automatically pay into another pension. Get forecasts for your existing pensions first.

@Letsallscreamatthesistene

Im in my 30's and this thread is great. Im a bit 'meh' about pensions so this has been a real kick up the bum, although I do have a military and NHS pension so its largely sorted for me. Do I need to pay in to a private one?

It’s usually better to make additional contributions to your employer’s pension scheme rather than setting up a separate private one.

Do all the things you aspire to to do such as travel, go to shows, concerts etc before your health goes down hill and it because unfeasible.
No one at the end of their life regretted the things they did.

If you're done having kids - get a (non-copper) coil and say goodbye to periods. I wish I had known this sooner.

Men are only interested in you as far as they might want to fuck you. However interesting, educated, good at your job, and funny you are, one day that will stop and then you will be invisible. That's actually OK as long as you make sure you build a secure foundation for yourself based on what you can do without a man giving you a foot up because there's a small chance you might get naked with him one day.

@BlackSwan

If you're done having kids - get a (non-copper) coil and say goodbye to periods. I wish I had known this sooner.

Yes to the coil. You cant really give advice out on the type of coil - its so personal.

I have a copper coil and love it. I HATED the hormonal coil.

Pension and property. And don’t waste time on crap men.

No matter how hard it is at the time, do not give up your job and become a SAHM. Do not allow your job to be sidelined for his. Do not be swayed by crying toddlers at nursery drop off. In 10 years time they won't remember it. In fact they won't remember it next week.