Article

Getting ahead as a single mum

posted on 17.09.2024

‘I married young, had kids young, paused my career, worked in the family business, and am now a single mum with an 8 and an 11-year-old. I have a mortgage, have studied for a certificate in business, and am now back in the corporate space.

‘I love my role as the Business Partnerships Implementation Manager at LJ Hooker Group. It is fantastic, and it’s where I want to be. It’s challenging and rewarding, and it is utilising many of the skills I have developed over years in the industry.

‘I’m still feeling my way to an extent, and it’s an ever-expanding, ever-building part of the business. I’m excited by the challenge. ‘All very positive from a work perspective, but there’s a lot of catching up to be done in other aspects of life, financial security and superannuation for one.’

What background did you have for the role?

‘Real estate is a massive business with a myriad of roles and opportunities within it. The diversity of the industry allows for continuous learning and personal growth. It’s a field where every day is different, offering new challenges and exciting opportunities to create meaningful connections and build lasting relationships. You really do have the chance to make a real impact on people’s lives.

‘Leaving school, I started out as a PA in the corporate offices of Vodafone. That gave me great exposure to how a large corporate network with a massive sales culture operated. From there I moved into real estate within a family business. Over the 10 years there, I spent time in almost every role there is in real estate, which I feel gives me great insight into what’s needed for a business to thrive in that space.

‘To excel in this role, it’s essential to have a deep understanding of how a real estate office operates and what is necessary for success. You also need a strong sense of determination and resilience to achieve your goals and get the job done.’

Getting the important stuff together for my family

‘I didn’t realise just how much you could do within your super now to protect your income and your welfare, until David from REI Super gave a presentation to our corporate team. Also, what you can do to try and make up for the years of little or no contributions to super. What he said resonated with me – it was very relatable at my stage in life and ticked all my boxes.

‘Previously, I had a super fund that I really struggled to connect with before switching over to REI Super. They were one of the really big funds, but they were so impersonal and everything seemed so hard to do. REI Super on the other hand, are the exact opposite. They have people like David that come to your workplace and make super relatable. There are also financial planners you can call or make an appointment with to discuss your personal situation.

‘I came away from my session with Nick, the financial planner, with some homework to do and now have my ducks in a row, I’m very happy to finally have my finances headed in the right direction, and the protection for me and my family in place.’

 

The right advice at the right time can make a big difference. Request advice today. REI Super helps you take control. 

 

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Sara is a member of REI Super and is not authorised to provide advice on superannuation. 

The information contained in this article does not constitute financial product advice. However, to the extent that the information may be considered to be general financial product advice, REI Super advises that REI Super has not considered any individual person’s objectives, financial situation or particular needs. Individuals need to consider whether the advice is appropriate in light of their goals, objectives and current situation. Members should obtain and read REI Super's Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination before making any decisions. REI Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd ABN 68 056 044 770 AFSL 240569. RSE L 0000314 REI Super ABN 76 641 658 449 RSE R1000412 MySuper unique identifier 76641658449129. September 2024.

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