What is your net worth? $1,400,000
Are you filling this out as an individual or a couple? Couple
At what age(s) did you become a net worth millionaire? 48 and 51
What region of New Zealand do you live in? Manawatu
How did you accumulate your net worth, what are you invested in? One wage combined with cheap fun! We had 20 years of investing in Term Deposits, then started investing in Simplicity Growth Shares 4 years ago.
What was your highest average household WEEKLY income after tax? $759
What is your career? Soldier
Do you have children? YES
Do you have a tertiary qualification? NO
Did you inherit any of your money? NO
What's the approximate value of your house? $640,000
Are you debt free now? YES
Are you in KiwiSaver? YES
Were you taught about money? YES
If YES, how were you taught? Constant small conversations about budgeting, saving before spending, and don't go into debt to buy anything. We were taught to ‘buy rental properties’ and to ‘avoid the share market’ (because our parents got burnt in the '80s share market crash), but we tried being landlords and it wasn't for us.
What is the most enjoyable thing you do with money? Make daily choices based on happiness not necessity.
Do you use your money or your time to help others? YES
If YES, can you please elaborate. We helped our adult children into their own homes, and fully paid for our daughter's friend to get orthodontic braces. My wife has also been able to afford to stay at home, first to raise our children and then to raise our foster children.
What is your greatest financial win? Finding happiness in 'enough' and then ignoring ALL advertising.
What is your worst financial mistake? Not investing in low-cost, low-fees index funds earlier due to lack of confidence.
What advice do you have for others? List every small thing that makes you happy during your day, then work out how to do them often and cheaply. Feel gratitude for what you have; ignore the Joneses.
What is the point of having a net worth above $1,000,000. What does it mean to you? To enable us to make choices based on happiness and caring.
Finish these sentences:
If you want to build wealth do this: Constantly work on how to live your happiest life in the cheapest way, and invest in Simplicity Growth Fund :-)
If you want to build wealth avoid doing this: Avoid owning a credit card, avoid looking at advertisements, avoid thinking "I deserve this purchase".