Investor Journeys—Liz
Liz is a collector of hobbies; from designing and sewing her own clothes, to houseplants and video games. Her latest obsession? Investing.
Tell us a bit about yourself!
I’m originally from rural Northwest Queensland but now live in Mackay with my partner, Alex. I work as a high school science teacher where I’m constantly reminded that teenagers live on a totally different planet to me!
What’s your money story?
Growing up, my parents talked about money a bit, but more in an everyday sense, not investing or long term. After I left home, they both taught me to relax more with money in little ways so I would stress less and not forget to live a little!
Dad has always been YOLO (you only live once) about money; he’d tell us to just earn it, spend it, have fun with it. Which was good advice as I’ve always been very careful with money and sometimes needed the reminder to make sure I was enjoying my life too. I compare myself a lot to Smaug, the dragon that guards its mountain of gold in Lord of the Rings. I love my money, and I’m very considerate of all my purchasing choices. My parents know this about me so dad would always leave me a little bit of cash whenever he visited and mum would send me surprise coffee money whenever I needed a pick-me-up.
Having practically lived on a uni student budget for the last 10 years while Alex finished his medical degree, I’ve made it a point to save, budget, and not overspend. Now that we have a decent double income, we’re in the next phase of our lives where we’re learning how to manage our money wisely, now that we have that extra.
Why did you start investing?
Initially, it was because my partner and I wanted to purchase a house. We were saving like crazy and attending open homes, but the housing market is ridiculous right now and we just got to a point where we decided to park the idea for another time.
But then we still had this great double income, and money just sitting there in our savings, which is when we started joking about maybe investing in shares. At first, I told myself ‘nah, it’s not for me’. I was nervous about putting my hard-earned money into something that I wasn’t 100% sure about.
But after I started researching and fell down some internet rabbit holes, I realised that investing was something that I could feasibly do and get good at. My learning curve has shot up exponentially since then, and I can’t wait to see where I go from here.
How have you found your experience with the Sharesies platform so far?
I find the Sharesies platform easy to navigate and quite intuitive—and it’s exactly my aesthetic. I’ve set up auto-invest, which is very handy because it helps me stay committed to my investment goals. I also love that I don’t have to buy an entire share—I can choose an amount that I’m comfortable with, that fits with my situation and goals. Aside from the app, I like Sharesies’ social media presence. Their stories and posts are always interesting, relevant, and topical.
How do you manage your investments?
I first started by investing in a company that I was familiar with. Now, my portfolio is made up of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and companies that I have a personal interest in.
I’m still learning the ropes, but I try my best to support companies and funds that align with my values. For example, I don’t invest into anything that’s got to do with coal or oil.
What are your investment goals?
I’m investing with a long-term view in mind, so I’d ideally like to have a healthy retirement fund and a few income streams.
Right now, my investment goals have more to do with education. In the next 3-6 months, I’d like to sink time into really understanding what I’m doing and how the investment world works.
People often think you need loads of money to invest. What tips would you give to everyday Australians who might not think investing is possible?
Download the Sharesies app (or a platform that works for you) and just start. Take advantage of a promo code if you can get your hands on one. Look for a company or fund that you believe in and invest an amount that suits you and your circumstances. You don’t need a lot of money to get started—you just need to start somewhere!
Investors who take part in our Investor Journeys series use Sharesies and agree to share their personal perspective and experience. They receive a payment from Sharesies for their participation.
The statements made throughout are the investor's personal views and do not constitute professional or financial advice. They’re not to be attributed as the view of, or financial advice being provided by, Sharesies Australia Limited.
Ok, now for the legal bit
Investing involves risk. You aren’t guaranteed to make money, and you might lose the money you start with. We don’t provide personalised advice or recommendations. Any information we provide is general only and current at the time written. You should consider seeking independent legal, financial, taxation or other advice when considering whether an investment is appropriate for your objectives, financial situation or needs.
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