Investor Journeys—JacquiInvestor Journeys—Jacqui

Tell us about yourself.

I live in Sydney and work in financial services. I love doing DIY projects—renovating my townhouse and restoring old furniture. I also enjoy going to the gym, taking care of my miniature dachshunds, and spending time with my friends and family.

What’s your money story?

I was born in the 1960s. My family was the poorest of the poor. My father was always very sick, so he spent a lot of time in the hospital and couldn’t work very much. We were constantly moving house and changing schools. We couldn’t afford things like proper school uniforms, haircuts, or extracurricular activities. Winter was the most difficult, not having adequate clothing.

When you don’t have money, you don’t have a lot of choices. It does impact you. As I got older, I started to learn more about money, saving, and investing. I started contributing to superannuation before it became compulsory, and I bought my first property when I was 23. I'm a big believer now in paying yourself first!

How did you start investing?

My little brother encouraged me to buy silver and gold, which I did every fortnight when I got paid. Out of the blue, I got an email saying that the app I was using was going to close down and that I’d have to withdraw my money. 

I used that money to buy things through a buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) service, which very quickly spiralled into a cycle of being broke. The purchases started adding up, I had to use my paycheck to pay off my BNPL debt, and it was eroding my savings. I wanted to take control of my money again. 

That’s when I discovered the Sharesies app! It’s fun, the transaction fees are low, and I can buy fractions of shares instead of whole shares, which can be expensive. I love being able to save and invest again—I feel like I’m back on track.

How do you manage your investments now?

Investing is a priority for me. I get really excited when it’s payday because it means I can invest! I think about what’s happening in the wider world and what’s trending. I research companies to understand what they do and how they’re performing. I love resources like The Motley Fool.

I also use investing as a way to support Australian companies, whether it’s investing in natural resources or true blue Aussie brands. Sometimes it’s even less about what returns I might get, and more about whether the company’s purpose and values align with my own. 

Why is investing important to you?

For me, investing is about security. It gives you peace of mind knowing that you’re building wealth for future you. If you’re not going forward, you’re going backwards—and these days, having savings isn’t enough. Investing makes the hard work and sacrifices worthwhile. 

It’s also about leaving a legacy for the next generation, and not being a burden on the current generation. If you can take care of yourself, you can be in a position where you can help others too. 

What would you say to people starting their investing journey?

1. Be consistent and persistent—invest an affordable amount, regularly. It might be hard putting that money aside, but it’s short-term pain for long-term gain. 

2. Know your goals and what you want out of life—for younger women in particular, you don’t want to rely on marrying rich! It’s important to know how to look after yourself.

3. Compound interest is truly the eighth wonder of the world—with compound interest, your money is working for you, instead of you having to work and save for that same amount.

4. Be curious, and ask questions—whether it’s listening to podcasts, watching YouTube videos, or even talking to people, you can learn a lot from others! I’m always learning.