Your Money Journey: Lisa Sakai
Financial freedom for women over 50 isn’t just a dream—it’s a lifestyle goal that starts with clarity, intention, and a few hard-earned lessons.
Birthdays weren’t a big deal when I was younger. However, as I get older and my joints hurt a little more, I take a little time to think through the lessons from last year, especially what I’ve learned. Here are three lessons I’ve learned throughout the years that might help you achieve your financial goals.
3 Lessons For Financial Freedom For Women Over 50:
I’m on that journey too, just like everyone else. As a financial advisor for 14 years, I’ve learned a few things.
1. Discover Your Life Mission:
Have a life mission. I know it sounds a bit out there. But, I have a bigger picture for my life. I know where I want to go. My ultimate goal? Financial freedom. Doing what I want, when I want, without financial restraints. Will I retire early? Maybe not. But I might tweak things to do more of what I enjoy. Every job has its downsides, even when you own your own business.
You need to figure out your mission and have details that make it distinctly what you want. Goals like “have enough for retirement” aren’t enough to motivate you. It becomes a cycle. We end up with a goal that isn’t really a mission. It’s not a way of life. Think of healthy eating. To lose weight, you need a lifestyle change, not just a short-term diet. Hopefully, your lifestyle helps you lose weight. It’s not about short goals to get you through.
Having a life mission is really important. Whether it’s a one-liner, or a vision you see when you close your eyes. It can be lots of things. But you need a bigger purpose than just wanting to retire. That’s not motivating enough. Too many distractions get in the way.
2. Debt Is The Enemy of Financial Freedom:
Debt is the enemy of financial freedom. We talk about this a lot. People debate using credit cards, or cash. They ask, “When is debt good, and when is it bad?” I’ll tell you, debt in general holds you back. It limits your ability to adapt. It stops the ability to be able to get small if you need to.
Even “good” debt, like a mortgage, can hurt you if financial freedom is the goal. If you have a $2,500 mortgage, how small can you really go? But if you don’t have a house payment, you can go much smaller if needed. The ability to expand or shrink is key. Does that mean everyone should pay off their house? Not necessarily. It depends on your situation.
We also focus too much on paying off debt before saving. That’s a mistake. You should try to do both. In this case, multitasking is good. Otherwise, you might never save. Where is the motivation if you can’t see the results of your work quickly? What happens if you have another incident that puts you in debt? If you don’t have savings, it may be challenging to manage unexpected expenses.
Imagine this: You lose your job. If you have a lot of debt, you’re stressed. You have to find a new job fast. Any job. But if you have little debt and some savings, you have options. You can take your time. Find a job you really want. Debt limits your freedom.
Prioritize minimizing debt. It gives you financial flexibility. It helps you save faster.
3. Stay Conscious In Your Spending And Saving:
Stay conscious in your spending and saving. I used to beat myself up for not having a budget. I realized I need to know how much we need per month. We do, because we see our credit card statements. We add utilities. We know roughly what we need. Having a conscious idea of what you spend your money on is more important than sticking to a budget.
It takes some headwork to stay mindful of spending, but not every utility is created equal. For example, choosing fiber internet may cost a little more upfront, yet it can save stress (and sometimes money) in the long run by providing reliable service. Conscious spending isn’t only about finding the lowest price—it’s about weighing value. As the old saying goes, “buy cheap, buy twice.” Focusing on both quality and cost ensures your dollars support, rather than sabotage, your financial freedom.
Knowing where you are in your savings goals each month is also key. If you look at your spending and saving, you’ll know if you’re out of whack.
These small things make a difference. Just being aware. Looking at your credit card statement once a week. Like conscious eating, practice conscious spending. Conscious spending is about awareness. It’s about knowing where your money goes. It’s not about restriction. It’s about making informed choices.
By practicing conscious spending, you can find areas to improve and pull back. Review your progress regularly. Track your spending habits and savings goals. It’s more effective than rigid budgeting.
Financial Freedom–Small Shifts, Big Impact:
Maybe at 44, I’ll have a different viewpoint. But for now, these are my three lessons. I hope this helped you.
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Note: Investment advice offered through Integrated Financial Partners, doing business as One Vision Retirement, a registered investment advisor. The information in this material is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Integrated Financial Partners does not provide legal/tax advice or services. Please consult a qualified legal/tax advisor regarding your specific situation.
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About the Author:
Lisa Sakai is a Financial Consultant who works with clients on Bucket List Acceleration and getting to live the life they want now. As the co-founder of One Vision Retirement, she has been working with clients across the country for over 12 years. Lisa’s advice provides easy to understand, logical steps and exercises that people can take action on right away. Learn more about Lisa Sakai here at One Vision Retirement.
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