A new finance survey conducted by female-focused not-for-profit 10thousandgirl (10TG), shows that more women are thinking about the bigger financial picture, but lack the discipline and skills to start their financial journey.

While 63 per cent of respondents said that they set finance-related goals for the new year, only 60 per cent went on to say they don’t actually create a budget for the year ahead.

When asked what held them back from pursuing their financial goals, almost two thirds (63 per cent) put discipline at number one, knowledge at number two (43 per cent), and skills third (42 per cent).  

“It’s all very well to have ambitions, but you need a strategy to get there – be it knowledge, discipline or practical support, and that’s what the 10thousandgirl initiative is all about,” said Zoe Lamont, Founder of 10thousandgirl.

“Women have moved from thinking tactically to a more strategic review of their circumstances, and that’s wonderful but we still feel there’s more to learn, and certainly some discipline to introduce.”

Prudence rules as a financial priority among Aussie women, with 56 per cent citing ‘general savings’ at the top of the list of finance goals, while specific ‘event saving’ (e.g. weddings, babies) at the bottom with just four per cent.

Debt management and reduction comes in as the second most significant topic, with nearly 50 per cent claiming it is a priority.

Property financial goals are a focus also for these women; more than one third has a goal relating to the home, either saving for a deposit or buying an investment property.  Travel also features highly with nearly one third indicating an overseas stint is a focus of their financial goals.

“The survey highlighted the need for people to tangibly set a budget to support their goals, given that one can support the other. Especially given nearly half said they were focusing on debt management/reduction,” said Lamont.

“Our spending plan tools can really help focus these efforts and we encourage people to apply for this heavily subsidised Money Makeover Program. The achievements we see just months later of those who have completed it, are really quite phenomenal.”

For more information, visit www.10thousandgirl.com.

To register for the Money Makeover Program, visit www.10thousandgirl.com/scholarship.