When Life Won't Give You Certainty: Making progress without all the answers

Written By Rachel O'Connor

By Rachel O’Connor, Certified Financial Planner®

Quick Summary: You don't need everything figured out to start building financial security. In fact, waiting for certainty often costs you more than moving forward with a flexible plan. Here's how to stop the paralysis and start making progress, even when your life is in flux.

If you're waiting for everything to fall into place before you sort out your finances, I have news for you: it might never happen.

Not because your life is a mess (it's probably not), but because certainty is a myth. There's always going to be something that's not nailed down.

It’s a common story. Smart, capable women who know they should be doing more with their money, but feel stuck because they can't control all the variables.

And I get it. It's hard to commit to a financial strategy when you don't know what's coming next.

The Uncertainty Trap

Here's what uncertainty paralysis looks like in real life:

  • You're on a contract that gets renewed annually. It probably will be renewed. But probably isn't definitely, so you hold off on big financial decisions.

  • You want to start a family, but you don't know how long it will take to conceive, whether you'll need IVF, how much time you'll want off work, or what childcare will cost.

  • You're waiting to meet someone before you buy a place, because what's the point of buying alone when your circumstances might change?

  • You're not sure if you'll stay in Sydney, so you keep renting and keep waiting.

Sound familiar?

The problem is, while you're waiting for the stars to align, time keeps ticking. And time is one of the most powerful tools in wealth-building.

According to YouGov research, 30% of Australian women cite 'fear of making mistakes' as a key factor holding them back from financial decisions. That fear often shows up as waiting. Waiting for more information. Waiting for better timing. Waiting for certainty that never comes.

Why Women Are More Prone to Uncertainty Paralysis

Our lives often involve more variables. Career breaks for caring responsibilities. The biological clock. Partners who may or may not be on the same financial page. The mental load of managing a household while managing a career.

Women make up 53.8% of all casual employees in Australia. That's a lot of women without guaranteed hours, without paid leave, navigating financial decisions with built-in uncertainty.

Add in the fact that women retire with 25% less superannuation than men on average, and the stakes get higher. We have less room for 'wait and see.'

The Cost of Waiting

Here's what paralysis actually costs you:

  • Time in the market. Compound interest doesn't care about your uncertainty. Every year you delay investing is a year your money isn't growing.

  • Mental energy. That low-level anxiety about finances? It doesn't go away by ignoring it. It sits in the background, taking up headspace that could be used elsewhere.

  • Confidence. The longer you stay stuck, the bigger the task feels. Starting small and building is always easier than starting big after years of delay.

  • Options. Sometimes windows close. Interest rates change. Life circumstances shift. The opportunity you're 'not quite ready for' today might not be there tomorrow.

How to Move Forward (Even When You Can't See the Whole Path)

The good news? You don't need to have everything figured out to make meaningful progress. You just need to build a plan that accounts for uncertainty.

Here's how I approach it with my clients:

1. Get Tight on Cash Flow

When you don't know what's coming, you need to know exactly what's happening right now.

This means understanding your income, your spending, where the gaps are, and where the opportunities are. Not in a vague 'I should spend less on Uber Eats' way, but in a clear, documented way.

Structure creates confidence. When you know your numbers, you can make decisions from a position of knowledge rather than fear.

2. Size Your Buffer Properly

If you're in a contract role, building a business, or planning a major life change, your emergency fund needs to reflect that.

The standard 'three months of expenses' advice doesn't cut it when your income isn't guaranteed. You might need six months, or twelve, depending on your situation.

This isn't about hoarding money out of fear. It's about creating a buffer that lets you take calculated risks and sleep at night.

3. Choose Flexibility Over Optimisation

Sometimes the 'best' financial strategy on paper isn't the right one for your life.

For example: an investment property might technically be a smart wealth-building move. But if your life is in flux, being locked into a mortgage on a specific property in a specific location might not serve you.

A share portfolio, on the other hand, offers liquidity. You can access the funds if you need them. You can adjust your strategy as your life changes.

The goal isn't to pick the perfect investment. It's to build wealth in a way that works with your life, not against it.

4. Plan for Multiple Scenarios

One of the most powerful things you can do is run the numbers on different versions of your future.

  • What if you stay in your current job for ten years? 

  • What if you take a career break? 

  • What if you have kids? 

  • What if you don't? 

  • What if property prices go up? What if they don't?

When you see how different choices play out, you stop feeling paralysed by 'what ifs' and start making informed decisions about trade-offs you're willing to make.

5. Build in Decision Points

You don't have to commit to one strategy forever. Build in regular check-ins where you reassess.

Maybe you review your investment strategy every six months. Maybe you revisit your goals at the end of every financial year. Maybe you book a catch-up with your adviser whenever something major changes.

This turns your financial plan from a rigid document into a living, breathing guide that evolves with you.

What This Looks Like in Practice

I recently met with a woman in her mid-thirties. She's on an annual employment contract, wants to buy a home, and is also thinking about starting a family solo.

She'd been stuck for years. Too many variables. Too much uncertainty. No idea where to start.

Here's how we approached it:

  • First, we got crystal clear on her cash flow. Where was her money actually going? How much was she saving? What were the gaps?

  • Then we worked out what buffer she needed to feel secure, given her contract situation and her future plans.

  • Next, we started building an investment portfolio that prioritised flexibility. Something she could access if she needed to, but that would grow in the meantime.

  • And finally, we ran scenarios. What would her timeline look like if she prioritised the house first? What if she started IVF sooner? What were the trade-offs?

She didn't leave with a rigid ten-year plan. She left with a framework for making decisions, a structure for her money, and the confidence to move forward despite not having all the answers.

The Alternative - A Financial Plan That Flexes With Life

Financial planning isn't about predicting the future. It's about building resilience for whatever comes.

The women I work with who feel most confident aren't the ones with the most certainty. They're the ones who have a plan that flexes with life.

They know their numbers. They have buffers in place. They've thought through different scenarios. And they have someone in their corner to help them navigate when things change.

You don't need to wait for the perfect moment. You need a plan that accounts for imperfection.

Ready to Stop Waiting?

If this resonates with you, you're not alone. And you don't have to figure it out by yourself.

At Flourix Wealth, we specialise in helping women take charge of their financial lives, even when life doesn't offer certainty. Our first conversation is complimentary, and it's designed to show you what's possible.

Book a chat

FAQs

  • Start with what you can control: your spending, your buffer, and building financial awareness. Even irregular income can be managed with the right structure. The goal is to create a system that works for your reality, not an ideal scenario.

  • Not necessarily. If home ownership is a goal, waiting for a partner means waiting for something outside your control. Buy what works for you now, and adapt later if your circumstances change. Property can be sold or rented out.

  • More than someone with a permanent job. Aim for at least six months of expenses, potentially up to twelve if your industry is volatile or your contracts are unpredictable. The buffer should let you say no to bad opportunities and wait for good ones.

  • Yes, but the strategy matters. Short-term savings (under three years) should generally stay in low-risk options like high-interest savings or term deposits. Longer-term goals can include growth investments. A financial adviser can help you balance both.

  • Most financial decisions aren't permanent. You can adjust, redirect, and course-correct. The bigger risk is making no decision at all and letting years slip by. Progress beats perfection.

  • At minimum, annually. But also whenever something major changes, like a new job, a relationship change, or a shift in your goals. Your plan should evolve with your life.

  • Absolutely. Good financial advice isn't just for the wealthy. In fact, getting structure and guidance early can make a significant difference to your long-term wealth. Look for advisers who work with clients at your stage of life.

  • Start with awareness. Track your spending for a month. Look at your super balance. Write down your goals, even if they feel vague. Getting clear on where you are is the foundation for figuring out where you want to go.

The information in this article is general advice only. It doesn't take into account your personal objectives, financial situation, or needs. Before making any financial decisions, you should consult a qualified financial adviser. Rachel O'Connor and Flourix Wealth Pty Ltd are authorised representatives of GPS Wealth Pty Ltd, AFSL 254544 | ABN 17 005 482 726.

Join The F Word Newsletter

Where we talk about the F words that actually matter:
Finance. Freedom. Future.

Made with ❤️ for women who don’t settle for the status quo.

SIGN UP
Rachel O'Connor