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Most women don’t experience their financial lives as a straight line. Careers evolve, families shift, priorities are reassessed. An investment strategy needs to recognise that reality and be flexible enough to support you through it.

A good investment strategy doesn't begin with markets; it begins with you. Your goals, your values, your timeline, and your relationship with risk. Everything else follows from that framework.

"The best strategies I've seen aren't the most sophisticated ones. They're the ones that most clearly reflect the person they're built for."

Start with the right questions

Before thinking about where to invest, get clear on what you're working toward. That’s when you need to ask yourself:

–    What do I want my wealth to make possible, for me and the people I care about?

–    Do I have people relying on me financially, now or in the future?

–    How long can my money stay invested before I need to access it?

–    When markets fall, is my instinct to ride it out, or reduce my exposure?

There are no right or wrong answers. The value is in understanding yourself clearly enough that your strategy reflects your priorities, not a generic risk profile.

One of the most underestimated benefits of a clear investment strategy is discipline. Markets will move, headlines will change, and emotions will inevitably show up along the way. A strategy that is grounded in your personal objectives provides a reference point during those moments, helping you make considered decisions rather than reactive ones.

Finding the right asset allocation for you

Most strategies balance two broad categories of assets.

Defensive assets (cash, bonds, term deposits). These are generally more stable and predictable, and they play an important role in every portfolio in providing liquidity and smoothing volatility However, in periods of higher inflation, their real returns can be modest, which is why

Growth assets (shares, property, equities). These assets can be more volatile in the short-term, but historically they have been the strongest driver to building wealth that genuinely outpaces inflation over time.

The right balance between the two is personal.

Consideration for your risk appetite and your time horizon

Your financial adviser will help you understand your personal risk tolerance, and how this translates into your investment strategy that feels sustainable. Some investors are comfortable with market fluctuations for higher returns, while others value stability and predictability, even if it means lower expected returns. 

Engaging in a discovery process with your financial adviser can help clarify your comfort level with different financial investments, ensuring a well-informed approach to your strategy. 

If you're earlier in your journey, you may lean toward a higher allocation to growth assets, as time is on your side. Closer to, or in retirement, you may want more stability in the form of defensive assets. Even then, most portfolios benefit from some exposure to growth, supporting longevity, flexibility and confidence over time.

This article has been prepared by JBWere (NZ) Limited and is intended to provide general information only. It does not take into account your individual financial situation, objectives or needs and should not be relied on as personalised financial advice. Before making any financial decisions or taking any action, you should consider whether the information is appropriate for you and seek advice that is tailored to your personal circumstances.

JBWere (NZ) Limited holds a licence issued by the Financial Markets Authority to provide a financial advice service. Further information, including details of our duties, fees, and complaints process, is available in our Financial Advice Provider Disclosure Statement at www.jbwere.co.nz.