It is easy to think of the future as something far away. Retirement can feel like a distant destination, financial planning can feel complicated, and taking time for ourselves can often feel like something we will get around to when life becomes less busy.

But the truth is, the future is being shaped by the choices we make today.

For Women’s Month, EPPF’s Caring Beyond Tomorrow podcast brought together four colleagues for an honest conversation about health, wealth and wellbeing, and what it means to build a future that feels secure, fulfilling and truly our own.

Joining host Seema Ramnarain, Head of Communications, were Sibusisiwe Dlamini, Human Capital Business Partner; Lungile Luvuno, Listed Property Analyst, Private Markets; Waseema Mocke, Internal Audit Manager; and Ezama-Xesibe Mabi, Investment Administrator.

What followed was a conversation that went beyond financial planning. It was about finding balance, setting boundaries, making better choices with our money and giving ourselves permission to think about our own well-being too.

It is not about having everything figured out

Our understanding of health, wealth and wellbeing can change as we move through life.

What matters to us in our twenties may look very different in our thirties, forties or fifties. As Lungile reflected during the conversation, health is not simply about going to the gym or following a particular diet. It is also about mental wellbeing, having the energy to show up for the people and things that matter to us, and making time for ourselves. The same applies to wealth.

Building wealth is not necessarily about having a large amount of money. It is about having a plan for the different things we want and need throughout our lives, from enjoying life today to preparing for the future.

As Sibusisiwe put it, there is value in finding “balance over perfection”. We do not have to get everything right all at once.

Sometimes, looking after tomorrow starts with what we do with our money today

Financial wellbeing is not only about how much we earn. It is also about what we do with what we have. The conversation explored something many of us can relate to: lifestyle creep. When our income increases, it can be tempting to immediately increase our spending too. A bigger car, a bigger home or a more expensive lifestyle can quickly absorb the extra money. But an increase or bonus can also be an opportunity to strengthen our financial position. That could mean putting more towards retirement savings, building an emergency fund, contributing to a stokvel or simply increasing the amount we save each month.

The important thing is to start where we are. 

Lungile shared how small, automated contributions became part of her own investment journey. The lesson is simple: saving does not always have to start with a large amount. It can start with an amount we can manage consistently and build from there.

Knowing what we are saving for also matters. Whether the goal is an upcoming expense, an investment or retirement, having a clear goal can make it easier to turn good intentions into action.

Retirement is something we should engage with throughout our working lives

Retirement planning can sometimes become one of those things we only think about when retirement is getting closer, or when we are preparing to leave an employer. But it should not be a conversation reserved for the end of our careers. Our retirement fund is part of our financial future, and understanding what we are contributing towards is an important part of taking ownership of that future.

As Sibusisiwe highlighted, we should make use of the resources available to us, understand our statements and ask questions when something is unclear. Retirement should not feel like a complicated or intimidating subject that we only revisit when we have to.

It is something worth checking in on regularly.

For members considering accessing their retirement savings through the Two-Pot Retirement System, the conversation also highlighted the importance of pausing before making a decision. Understanding the potential impact on future retirement benefits and the tax implications can help us make more informed choices.

The point is not simply to know that these options exist. It is to understand what they mean for our future.

We also need to make money easier to talk about

Money can be an uncomfortable subject. Many of us grow up learning that money is not something we talk about openly. That can make it difficult to ask questions, seek advice or have honest conversations about financial planning with the people closest to us. But avoiding the conversation does not make the challenges disappear.

The panel spoke about the importance of creating healthier conversations about money, including within families. This can mean talking about financial expectations, setting boundaries and being honest about what we can and cannot afford. Ezama shared a particularly important perspective: helping others is valuable, but it should not come at the expense of our own financial well-being.

Being able to say, “I can help where I can, but I cannot overstretch myself,” is also part of taking care of our future.

We are all running our own race

Perhaps one of the most powerful reflections from the conversation came when Lungile spoke about the pressure to reach certain milestones by a particular age.

We may feel we are supposed to have everything figured out at a certain point in life. But everyone's circumstances, priorities and journey are different. Her advice to her younger self was simple: run your own race.

It is a fitting reminder when we think about financial well-being and retirement planning too. No single path leads to a secure future. What matters is understanding where we are, where we want to go and making choices that move us in that direction. Caring beyond tomorrow is not about having a perfect plan. It is about being intentional with the choices we make today.

Listen to the full conversation

There is much more to the conversation, from saving and investing to lifestyle choices, family expectations, retirement planning and the lessons we wish we could share with our younger selves.

Disclaimer: The information shared in this article and podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Readers and listeners are encouraged to consult a qualified financial advisor for advice tailored to their individual circumstances.

Listen to the Women’s Month episode of EPPF’s Caring Beyond Tomorrow podcast below.