Investor Journeys—JuliaInvestor Journeys—Julia

Tell us about you and your money story.

I live in Brisbane and recently graduated with a Bachelor of Advanced Science majoring in Chemistry. With my study behind me, I’m now contemplating the rest of my life—my career, money, and investing.

Growing up, I didn’t have the best relationship with money. I knew about debt, but not about investing. Money caused a lot of friction between my parents and I didn’t see it spent very responsibly. I want to manage my money differently, without stress. 

Tell us about your investing journey so far.

I wanted to start investing, but I was tentative because of the jargon. A couple of years ago, a friend-of-a-friend who knew about investing taught me the basics. 

I started by investing with a bank, but I could only choose from a limited number of exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Thanks to the Sharesies platform, my Portfolio includes investments in a wide range of sectors in Australia and the US. 

How do you choose what to invest in?

I like investing in products and services that people need often. For example, banks, food, and travel. 

I look at the information that the Sharesies platform provides about a fund or company’s past performance. I also consider price-to-earning ratios and the potential for an investment to pay a dividend.

I’m investing for the long term. In the future, I’d like to invest in companies connected to my field of expertise—science and pharmaceuticals.

Why did you start investing?

I want to be financially free without the financial worries my parents had. I don’t want to rely on my salary as my only income. Having enough money to do the things I want to do helps me feel secure. 

One of my goals is to buy a house one day. My ultimate goal is for my investments to provide me with a passive income so I can pursue a career in something I’m passionate about.  

What are the most important things you’ve learnt as an investor so far? 

• Start today. Don’t wait until you’re earning a salary or get to midlife to make your first investment. Someone told me once that “the best time to invest was ten years ago, and the second best time is today”! 

• Investing isn’t scary, especially if you already have a savings account or superannuation. With the Sharesies platform, you can choose where your money is invested too.

• Start small. With the Sharesies platform, you can start with only a few dollars. 

• Think long term, and know it’s normal for markets to take a dip. Don’t check your investments every day. It won’t make them perform any better!