Across the hospitality industry, women shape guest experiences, lead teams, and redefine what modern leadership looks like. Yet behind this progress lies a quieter, often overlooked challenge: financial confidence. While women are increasingly visible in operational and creative roles within hotels, many still face barriers when it comes to building, managing, and growing their personal wealth.
Financial confidence is more than understanding numbers, it is about agency, decision making, and long-term security. Financial confidence empowers women to negotiate salaries, invest wisely, plan for career transitions, and ultimately create independence beyond the workplace.
The Women in Hotels network came together in June to hear from three experts in the world of banking, accountancy and superannuation and we share their top tips below.
Jessica Southerden (CBA) “The Markets Explained”
Understanding the fundamentals of investing is a powerful step toward building long-term financial confidence. At the heart of investing is the concept of a share, essentially a small unit of ownership in a company. When individuals purchase shares, they are buying into the potential success of that business, with the opportunity to benefit as it grows.
Jessica explained that the share market itself moves constantly, influenced by a mix of company performance, economic conditions, global events, and investor sentiment. Prices rise and fall based on supply and demand, which can sometimes feel unpredictable. However, over time, markets have historically trended upward, rewarding those who take a long-term view.
People choose to invest for a variety of reasons. For many, it is about supplementing superannuation and building additional financial security for the future. Others see investing as a disciplined savings vehicle, an alternative to holding cash, with the potential for higher returns over time. By putting money into shares or funds, investors aim to grow their wealth and stay ahead of inflation.
Of course, investing does come with risks and we learnt how share prices fluctuate. Jessica noted it was important to have a good understanding these risks, your appetite for risk and balancing these risks with potential rewards.
We learnt about a range of user-friendly apps making investing more accessible than ever. These platforms allow individuals to research, buy, and manage investments directly from their phones, lowering the barrier to entry and empowering more people to take control of their financial futures.
David Gow (Charman Partners) “Budgeting, Tax & Business Structures”
David explained the importance of budgeting and whilst often seen as restrictive, it is one of the most empowering tools for building financial confidence. At its core, a budget provides clarity, helping us understand where our money is going and how it can better support our goals. Rather than limiting freedom, a well-structured budget creates it, enabling more intentional decisions and reducing financial stress.
For a budget to be effective, it must first be achievable. Setting unrealistic expectations can quickly lead to frustration and abandonment. Instead, small, manageable adjustments are more likely to stick, building positive financial habits over time. Just as important is accountability, regularly reviewing spending and tracking progress ensures that a budget remains a living, active tool rather than a one-time exercise.
Flexibility is the final, and often overlooked, element of successful budgeting. Life is unpredictable, and financial plans should be able to adapt accordingly. Allowing room for unexpected expenses or changes in priorities makes a budget more sustainable in the long term. Ultimately, when a budget is realistic, regularly reviewed, and adaptable, it becomes a powerful foundation for long-term financial wellbeing.
Melissa Terzini (Hostplus) “Superannuation”
Melissa had us close our eyes…We pictured our retirement. What does it look like? Perhaps it’s slow mornings with coffee, time spent travelling, or simply the freedom to choose how we spend our days. This vision is deeply personal but bringing it to life requires planning. Superannuation plays a critical role in shaping that future, with regular contributions quietly building over time to support the lifestyle you want. But the question remains: what does “comfortable” really mean? For some, it’s financial security and peace of mind; for others, it’s the ability to enjoy life’s extras without worry. Defining this for yourself is the first step because once you know what comfortable looks like, you can make more intentional decisions today to fund the retirement you’re imagining.
So what can we do now to help shape our future?
Our super is one of the most tax-effective ways to save, with a maximum tax rate of 15%, which may be lower than your personal tax rate. And if you can afford it, contributing extra is a great way to boost your retirement savings.
If we start early, with small regular contributions, a little can go a long way!
Melissa also talked to us about where we invest our super and when and how we can access our super early.
She encouraged us to make an action plan by considering:
- Log in to your super account and review your details
- Set savings and financial goals
- Visit Hostplus Women and Super page for further information and resources
- Try Super calculators – Hostplus and MoneySmart
- Explore SuperSmart to build your super knowledge and access digital personal advice
- Speak to Hostplus’ Advice Team for more personalised advice
Ultimately, the session reinforced a simple but powerful message:financial confidence is built through small, informed, and consistent actions over time.
Whether it is understanding how markets work, creating a budget that is realistic and flexible, or taking proactive steps to grow superannuation, each decision contributes to a stronger financial future.
While the concept of a “comfortable retirement” will look different for everyone, the ability to define it personally and then plan for it with intention is what turns uncertainty into direction. By starting early, staying engaged, and making use of thetools and support available, women in hospitality can take greater control of their financial wellbeing and move forward with clarity and confidence.