Midlife & Money: Why Your Finances Feel Stuck (And How to Get Unstuck)
The Midlife Money Pause: When Everything Feels Stuck
Ever feel like no matter how much money you make, it never feels like enough?
Like you're hustling harder than ever, yet your savings, retirement, and financial future still feel out of reach?
You’re not alone.
For women in midlife, money isn’t just about numbers—it’s about energy, stress, and the season of life we’re in.
And here’s what nobody tells you: your financial struggles right now have less to do with how hard you work and more to do with how much you’ve changed.
Embracing the Money Shift: My Menopause Celebration Party
At 54, I threw myself a Menopause Celebration Birthday Party. Yep, you read that right.
I had this vision of honoring my transition into a new phase of life—what some call the Crone phase. I wasn’t about to fade into the background or quietly tiptoe into menopause like society tells us to.
Then, I met an 80-year-old woman with bright colored hair (yes, she was fabulous) who had led these kinds of gatherings before. Karen looked at me and said something I’ll never forget:
"Tamara, not everyone is called to Crone. We all age, but not everyone embraces it. But you, my dear, do. Be ready. Being called to Crone is not an easy journey, but it is a powerful one. And you’re ripe for it."
Powerful? Sure. Easy? Hell no.
In the next eight months:
🚨 I got stung on the nose by a bee that swelled up like a balloon.
🚗 I wrecked my car.
🌪️ I lived through a natural disaster.
💡 My brain fog hit an all-time high.
🥴 I gained 10 pounds, mostly in places I’d rather not talk about.
Menopause wasn’t just affecting my body. It was affecting my finances, too.
Why Midlife Feels Like a Money Trap (And How to Break Free)
Women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond are expected to keep grinding like we’re still 30. Keep growing our businesses. Keep saving for retirement. Keep juggling responsibilities like pros.
But no one talks about the fact that our energy shifts. Our priorities shift. Our BODIES shift.
And here’s where it gets tricky:
👉 Your financial habits need to shift, too.
Because if you keep pushing yourself the way you did in your 30s, you’ll burn out—emotionally, physically, and financially.
How to Get Unstuck: A Midlife Money Reset
Instead of forcing yourself to work harder, start working with the season of life you’re in. Here’s what that actually looks like, plus simple action steps you can take today.
✅ Recognize Your New Energy Cycles
Instead of expecting yourself to work and earn like you did in your 30s, start paying attention to when you feel most energized and focused.
Action Steps:
Track your energy levels for a week—notice when you feel sharp and when you feel sluggish.
Schedule your most important financial or business tasks during your high-energy times.
Give yourself permission to rest during low-energy periods without guilt.
✅ Simplify Your Financial Habits
Midlife is a time to stop overcomplicating your money. The less you have to think about managing finances, the better.
Action Steps:
Set up automatic bill payments and savings transfers so you don’t have to worry about them.
Consolidate old retirement accounts—if you’ve worked multiple jobs, you might have forgotten 401(k)s sitting in different places.
Use a budgeting app like YNAB or Mint to track spending without manually entering numbers.
✅ Take More Breaks—Without Guilt
Pushing through exhaustion only leads to burnout, and burnout leads to bad financial decisions. Rest is productive.
Action Steps:
Schedule at least one “money date” each month where you check in on your finances with a clear mind.
Take a 15-minute midday pause to step away from screens, breathe, or take a short walk.
Create a hard stop for work each day—set an alarm to signal it’s time to unplug.
✅ Ditch Money Shame (You Are Not Behind)
Feeling “behind” financially is common in midlife, but you are exactly where you need to be.
Action Steps:
Write down three financial wins you’ve had in the last year (no matter how small).
Unfollow financial gurus who make you feel like you’re failing.
Replace negative money thoughts with empowering ones (e.g., Instead of “I’m bad with money,” say, “I’m learning new ways to manage my money”).
✅ Invest in YOUR Future, Not Just Everyone Else’s
As women, we’re wired to put others first. Midlife is your time to prioritize your own financial security.
Action Steps:
Increase your retirement contributions—even an extra $50/month makes a difference.
Start a "fun fund" for experiences that bring you joy—travel, hobbies, personal growth.
Have a real conversation with your financial advisor (or hire one) about long-term security, not just saving.
Your Money, Your Season, Your Rules
Let’s get real: You are not the same woman you were 10 years ago.
Your financial approach can’t be either.
Midlife isn’t about working twice as hard to stay afloat. It’s about working smarter, aligning your money with your energy, and making choices that actually support your life—right now.
Ready to Take Back Control of Your Money & Energy?
If this hit home for you, I want to invite you into something special.
In my 6-month 1:1 coaching program, Embodied Money Mastery, we don’t just talk about money—we talk about you. The real, badass, evolving, midlife you who deserves financial peace, security, and freedom.
We do it without spreadsheets, shame, or financial bros telling you to “just budget better.”
💜 Let’s get you unstuck. Book a free Exploration call with me and let’s see if this is the right fit.