HR worker, 37, with as much superannuation as a 60-year-old reveals the VERY controversial things Aussies should avoid in order to save

A woman with a projected $1.6million in superannuation has sparked controversy after claiming the best way to save is to not get married or have kids.

Julia, 37, from Melbourne, told SBS’s Insight program on Tuesday night that she already has a super portfolio projected to be worth more than $1million by the time she retires, even if she stopped contributing today. 

She said she began working at 16-years-old and had been ‘aggressively’ salary sacrificing while earning a steady income in her job in HR.

However, she said her hard work ethic was not the only reason she had been growing her fund so consistently.

Instead, it also came at the cost of having a family. 

‘I’m here tonight to empower the next gen of women and my advice would be aimed more so towards them,’ she began. 

‘It is going to sound super controversial, but I would say one thing is, don’t get married. 

‘And if you do, make sure someone is benefitting from it, whether it be for a visa or a tax saving of some sort.’ 

Julia, 37, said she had managed to save a huge amount of superannuation through salary sacrifices and importantly skipping having a family and children

She added she was aware there were countries, including Germany, which offer tax savings for married couples among other incentives. 

Julia then shared another piece of divisive advice for financially-conscious, young women. 

‘I would say this one is really controversial, but consider refraining from having children,’ she said. 

‘Because by the time that kid leaves your home, it will have cost you as much as a Lamborghini.

‘You could be driving your Lamborghini or that sum could be sitting in your superannuation growing.’

Data from the University of New South Wales from 2024 backed up Julia’s claims, suggesting the average Australian household spends between $100,000 to $300,000 per child when raising kids. 

Her last piece of advice would be not to ‘underestimate the power’ of compounding interest in an investment.

‘You don’t need a master’s in commerce or an MBA to appreciate it,’ she said. 

The 37-year-old has enjoyed a high-flying corporate career and spends her free time enjoying hobbies like yachting

She told the show she had begun saving from a young age.

‘I come from a migrant family, my parents were refugees to Australia in the early 80s and money was always a talk at the dinner table,’ she said.

She went on to buy her first home at 21, immediately after graduating university, and has since bought other properties and earned two more degrees. 

‘I think we’re going to have a lot of poor retirees in Australia in my generation – not enough people are contributing to superannuation via salary sacrifice, in my opinion.’

She said Australian schools should be teaching all young kids about the benefits of super and how to navigate the country’s tax system. 

The HR professional is also an avid sailor outside of work and is active in the Melbourne business world. 

She said her financially savvy life allowed her to enjoy 20-odd trips to Europe on her own dime, caravans and boats. 

She said many of her friends were older, in their 50s, 60s, and 70s, from her yacht club and had similar interests. 

The HR professional said more young Australians should be taught about the ‘power of compounding interest’ in schools along with more about the taxation system

‘I can’t really relate with younger persons, or they’re not as freely available emotionally, time-wise, and financially as I am,’ she said.

She said she is looking to retire within the next decade ‘at the latest’.  

AustralianSuper in June this year revealed that Australians may, however, need less superannuation than previously thought to retire comfortably. 

The union-backed industry fund released new research showing that 94 per cent of Australians get by with less than $1million in superannuation.

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia recommends $595,000 for a single to have a comfortable retirement.

Comfortable is defined as an overseas holiday every seven years and an annual getaway within Australia.

Ross Ackland, AustralianSuper’s head of advice and guidance, said many could still live a comfortable retirement with well short of $1million if they have the right planning.

‘Some people think they need to be chasing a seven-figure balance to live well in retirement, but many Australians are thriving with less because they’ve planned around their lifestyle, not just a number,’ he said.