Only 6 per cent of Australians thought saving for retirement was a top priority when they were younger but more than half wish they had started saving earlier.
Those are the findings of new research by REST Industry Super, which asked 1,000 people aged 35-55 to think about the financial lessons they have learnt over the years and how their attitude to money has changed over time.
"Superannuation has a large role to play in future financial security and yet only a minority identified saving for retirement as a priority," REST CEO Damian Hill said.
"It's pleasing to see that young Australians are thinking about saving, but balancing financial needs in the present and in the future is critical."
While they had many financial regrets, 34 per cent said that starting saving on a regular basis, 32 per cent said opening their first bank account and one in four said getting a part-time job were some of the best financial decisions they made in their youth.
One in 10 said habits like starting a piggy bank when they were young set good saving behaviours in stone.
"Establishing good saving habits early in life is crucial to achieving your financial goals, whether they be short-term, like affording an overseas trip, or long-term, like ensuring a comfortable retirement," Hill said.
More than a third (38 per cent) said they would stick to a tighter budget, while 27 per cent said they would try to better understand how to manage their money.
Less than 1 per cent got professional financial advice when young, but 31 per cent think they would have achieved more of their financial goals if they had.
Over half (55 per cent) got their advice from their parents.
