The single most important thing a single girl can do in the face of Hong Kong's gender imbalance, according to Pamela Bradley, is to take control of her own financial future.

"They need to plan well and make sure their financial plan encompasses everything - savings, insurance, retirement. It should address all the things they want to achieve, over the short, medium and long-term," says Bradley, head of corporate consulting services for the financial advice and investment company IPAC.

"They need to feel confident that whatever the future brings, they can manage on their own two feet.

"It is not how much you earn it's what you do with it. You could earn a fortune and spend a fortune and end up having a more miserly retirement than someone who earned less but started planning early or more efficiently," she says.

IPAC is one of the many financial advice companies, institutions and banks which have cottoned on to the growing number and financial clout of single women in the city and introduced special tailor-made services for women.

According to Bradley, Hong Kong women have a lot going for them in this respect in that they tend to be quite savvy with money and investment styles.

"But Hong Kong is also a great shopping and luxury goods destination and there is a lot of temptation out there for the single woman," says Bradley.

Thirty-something single girl Jenni Liu began planning her own financial future seven years ago but says not all her single female friends share her good sense.

"I suppose it's because retirement seems such a long time away and although I do think Hong Kong girls are becoming more independent, they are still eager to have a family and to find someone to take care of them," says Liu.

"I don't know if my Mr Right will ever come along but as long as I have my plan, I know I'll be okay. In fact, I really like being single and being in control of my own life."

(HK Edition 02/24/2011 page4)