What is your net worth? $2 - $3 million (depending on what my house is worth)
Are you filling this out as an individual or a couple? Individual
At what age(s) did you become a net worth millionaire? I’m a little unsure, but it was about 15 years ago.
What region of New Zealand do you live in? Otago
How did you accumulate your net worth, what are you invested in? Bought a first home when a postgraduate, on $1,000 a week scholarship. You could, just! The mortgage was just $120 per week.
What was your highest average household WEEKLY income after tax? Pretty high (when my ex was trading shares), like, sometimes $40,000.
What is your career? Research
Do you have children? NO
Do you have a tertiary qualification? YES
Did you inherit any of your money? NO
What's the approximate value of your house? The latest QV says $1,200,000
Are you debt free now? YES
Are you in KiwiSaver? YES
Were you taught about money? NO
What is the most enjoyable thing you do with money? Hunting and tramping
Do you use your money or your time to help others? YES
What is your greatest financial win? Probably my amazing job, which I have had for 25 years.
What is your worst financial mistake? Not having a contracting out agreement in my last relationship. We came in equal, and I thought he would respect that and we would split evenly. But in the end, after 17 years, he held me to ransom by not signing an agreement that would let me own my home until I gave him lots of my money. I hear this is really common for women who leave. It cost me dearly.
What advice do you have for others? Women, always have a contracting out agreement, no matter how much you trust the person you are in love with. It will not be the same person you split with.
What is the point of having a net worth above $1,000,000. What does it mean to you? Security. My home is somewhere that no one can turf me out of, and the investments mean I am independent.
Finish these sentences:
If you want to build wealth do this… Always save more than you earn. Share, because what goes round comes round. Max out KiwiSaver (my employer matches 6%) and put the rest into low-fee index funds. Love frugality: bike to work, learn the skills to fix your own stuff, including your home (within reason - safely I mean!), grow, catch and hunt your own food (this is health, recreation and fitness all in one), turn stuff off, and put solar panels on your roof as soon as you can to have the power company paying you. Buy second-hand, including cars, until you really can afford an EV.