Part 4: Rebuilding for the Long Term: Financial Literacy and Future Planning

Divorce isn’t just the end of a relationship—it’s the beginning of a new chapter. While the immediate aftermath can feel overwhelming, it’s also an opportunity to rebuild your life in a way that aligns with your goals and values.

Sometimes as the years go by we forget what we really want out of life. While separation/divorce is tough the silver lining is that it’s your chance to become clearer about what you really want out of life and what brings you joy. While finances are important, they’re only an enabler to what we really makes us feel fulfilled.

Being financially independent support this, and by focusing on financial literacy and future planning, you can create a foundation for long-term stability and growth.

Here’s how to take control and rebuild for the future.

1. Build Your Financial Literacy

Taking control of your finances starts with understanding them. Financial literacy isn’t about knowing everything from day one—it’s about learning and growing your knowledge step by step. It’s all very logical, with a bit of help and clarification.

What to focus on:

• Budgeting: Learn how to allocate your income effectively, prioritize essentials, and plan for savings.

• Saving: Understand the importance of building an emergency fund and saving for future goals.

• Investing: Explore how investments like property, shares and ETFs can help grow your wealth over time.

• Superannuation: Get to know how your super works and ways to maximize it for retirement.

How to get started:

• Take advantage of free resources like ASIC’s MoneySmart website, which offers easy-to-follow guides on managing money, investing, and saving.

• Attend local workshops or webinars on financial literacy, often offered by community organizations, banks, or libraries.

• Consider working with an advisor who can provide personalized guidance tailored to your goals - both financial and non-financial.

Why this matters:
Financial literacy is empowering—it gives you the tools and confidence to make informed decisions, avoid financial pitfalls, and plan for the future you deserve.

2. Plan for Your Future

With a solid foundation of financial literacy, you can start creating a long-term plan that supports your goals. Think of this as a roadmap for your financial journey—where you want to go and how you’ll get there.

Key areas to focus on:

a. Save for Emergencies
An emergency fund is your financial safety net, protecting you from unexpected expenses like car repairs, medical bills, or job changes.

How to start:

• Aim to save 3–6 months’ worth of living expenses in a separate account. If this sounds like a lot start with 1-2 months’ of living expenses and build it over time.

• Set up an automatic transfer from your income to your savings account to make saving a habit.

b. Explore Investments
Investing can help grow your wealth over time, giving you greater financial security and the potential to achieve bigger goals.

Where to begin:

• Firstly, consider whether you’re able to buy a house or property. This will likely be one of the largest investments you’ll ever make so make sure you do it with expert advice - it could mean hundreds of thousands of dollars in capital growth. See the courses available from Life Launchpad.

• Learn about investment options e.g. low-risk options like index funds or ETFs.

• Reassess any existing investments you may have from your marriage/relationship to ensure they align with your new goals.

c. Set Financial Goals
What do you want your future to look like? Whether it’s buying a home, traveling, or retiring comfortably, setting clear financial goals helps you stay motivated and focused. This is so important to make sure your plans and finances tie together and add up.

How to set goals:

• Define short-term goals (e.g., paying off debt, building savings) and long-term goals (e.g., buying property, funding retirement).

• Break your goals into actionable steps and assign timelines to keep yourself accountable.

Why this matters:
Planning gives you direction and helps you build the life you envision for yourself. With clear goals, you’ll feel more in control and capable of achieving them.

3. Seek Support

Rebuilding after divorce isn’t something you have to do alone. Surrounding yourself with the right support can make all the difference in navigating this journey with confidence.

Who to turn to:

• Financial Advisors: For expert guidance on managing your money, setting goals, and building wealth.

• Therapists or Counsellors: To work through the emotional challenges of rebuilding and rediscovering yourself.

• Support Groups: Connecting with others who’ve been through similar experiences can provide encouragement and practical tips.

Tip: Choose professionals and groups that specialize in supporting women or people navigating divorce—they’ll have the expertise and empathy to understand your unique needs.

Why this matters:
Support gives you access to knowledge, resources, and emotional strength, ensuring you don’t feel alone as you rebuild.

Rebuilding your financial life after divorce is about more than just money—it’s about reclaiming your independence, creating stability, and opening the door to new opportunities. Each step you take—learning, planning, saving, and seeking support—brings you closer to a life that’s not just stable, but fulfilling.

Practical Takeaways:

• Financial literacy is the foundation of independence. Start small, and keep learning.

• Planning for your future gives you a clear path forward. Focus on savings, investments, and achievable goals.

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help—building a support network is a powerful step toward success.

Life Launchpad has a number of materials and courses to specifically assist with personal financial management, life planning and buying a home. In addition, you can speak with Jennifer the founder - at no charge to provide some targeted advice.