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Paul Benson Money contributor October 26, 2025 — 5.01am

I live on my own in a unit that is paid off, and I have $100,000 cash saved up. I am 39 years old. What should I do with the cash? I don’t particularly want to put it all into super as I want to be able to access it if I need to. I work in a childcare centre, so I am not financially savvy. Everyone keeps talking about shares and ETFs, but I have no idea which ones and how much risk there is. I am frightened I will lose my money on the sharemarket.

Firstly, well done on getting yourself into a position where you own a debt-free home and have managed to save $100,000. That requires an impressive amount of discipline.

You are right to home in on your comfort level around risk.

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