Ridhi Doongursee
25-Sep-2026
Financial freedom that lasts a lifetime requires something more: ownership of our money, and an investment plan that evolves with every stage of life.
For many women, money begins and ends with saving: for a rainy day, a child’s education or a dream. Saving is essential. But financial freedom that lasts a lifetime requires something more: ownership of our money, and an investment plan that evolves with every stage of life.
We met a highly accomplished CFO who told us her personal finances were managed by her husband. Another C-suite leader found herself without a personal account to pay legal expenses during an unfortunate divorce; the wealth she had helped create sat in joint family accounts, and her access was removed.
These are not stories about a lack of ambition, intelligence or professional achievement. They underline a simple truth: financial ownership cannot be outsourced. A woman needs her own financial identity - her own account, visibility into household assets and liabilities, an emergency corpus, investments in her name, and a role in decisions that affect her future.
Women often live longer, may take career breaks for caregiving, and can face distinct health and family responsibilities. Planning for 90 means ensuring that money can support not just expenses, but choices, independence and dignity at every turn.
In your 20s and early 30s, create your foundation: Make Investing a habit and be consistent. A SIP allows you to invest a fixed amount every month, without timing the market. Over longer periods, equity has historically offered the strongest potential to outpace inflation, although it comes with market volatility and does not assure returns. The aim is not to chase the next winning stock, but to invest steadily, diversify and give your investments time.
Focus on long-term growth, aligned with your risk appetite, and do not wait until you feel like an expert. Financial confidence is built by doing.
In your 30s and 40s, give every dream a plan: This is often the busiest phase of life - career growth, a home, children, parents, travel, entrepreneurship or a possible career pause.
List your goals, assign each a timeline and invest separately for each. A child’s international education may be a medium-term goal; retirement may still be a while away. Goals that are far away can generally carry more equity exposure, while money needed sooner should move towards more stable and accessible options.
This is asset allocation: deciding how much belongs in growth assets, stable assets and liquid money, based on the goal, timeline and your comfort with risk. Review it annually, rebalance when needed and step up your SIPs. Even when finances are shared, maintain investments and emergency savings in your own name.
In your 50s and beyond, plan for the life you want to keep living: As retirement nears, the question changes from “How much have I accumulated?” to “What kind of life will this money allow me to live"?
First, account for the lifestyle you want to maintain. Inflation means that everyday costs will rise over time. Because retirement may last 25 or 30 years, your portfolio still needs a growth component. At the same time, create a stable pool for near-term expenses so you are not forced to sell investments during a market downturn.
Retirement planning must protect the standard of living you have worked hard to create, not simply cover the bare minimum.
Second, fund the passions you may finally have time for. Perhaps you want to travel, pursue a creative calling, start a venture, learn a new skill or give more time to causes you care about. These are not indulgences to be added only if something remains; they should be built into your retirement plan.
Third, prepare for health and care needs. Insurance is indispensable, but it may not cover every emergency, treatment, caregiver requirement or period of support for loved ones. A separate health and contingency corpus can protect long-term investments from being disrupted during difficult times.
Fourth, plan for where and how you wish to live. Research the potential costs of retirement communities, assisted living, home modifications or in-home care before they become needs. The goal is never to be forcibly dependent on family, but to retain the freedom to choose support, comfort and care on your own terms.
Finally, decide what you want to leave behind. Your legacy may mean helping fund a child’s education, celebrating a wedding, supporting a cause close to your heart, or creating an investment corpus for the next generation. Each choice changes the amount you need to save-and the amount you can comfortably spend during your lifetime.
At Lxme, we believe financial freedom begins when women feel fearless about money. Planning for 90 is not about predicting every life event. It is about building the knowledge, ownership and resilience to meet every stage on your own terms.
About the author: Ridhi Doongursee is the co-Founder of LXME- India's first investment platform exclusively for women. Along with co-founder Priti Rathi Gupta, she challenges long-held perceptions around women and wealth by making investing more accessible, inclusive, and confidence-driven.
