Investor Journeys—Maddy
Maddy didn’t grow up knowing about investing, but hearing her colleagues talk about it at work made her curious. She shares how receiving a $50 Sharesies Gift on her 27th birthday got her started, and how investing has since become a habit and a thrill.
Tell us about yourself!
I live on Wellington’s south coast. I’m a flight attendant so I get around New Zealand quite a bit. When I'm not in the air, I enjoy spending time at the gym or being outdoors. I especially like hiking.
What’s your money story?
Growing up, it was just me, my mum, and my sister. We were always quite frugal with our money. It's only in the last couple of years that I've learnt about investing from my colleagues. I started taking note of what they were investing in, and which funds or companies were going up or down.
Tell us about your first time investing.
My mum bought me a $50 Sharesies Gift for my birthday this year. I thought it was quite cool. And once you’re given a voucher, you’ve got to use it, right? It was the nudge I needed to give investing a go. Giving someone a Sharesies Gift is a great way to invest in someone’s future without buying them a physical gift!
I felt a bit overwhelmed before I made my first investment. I started by investing in an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that included a diverse range of companies. Once I got comfortable with that, I invested in a few individual companies too.
How do you manage your investments now?
In quite a short time—only a few months—I’ve turned investing into a habit. Every pay day, I put some money aside for my living costs, some into my savings account, and some into my Sharesies Wallet. I no longer have all my money in one place.
I still invest in ETFs, and I’ve started investing small amounts in individual companies too. I like investing in New Zealand companies. I was lucky recently when my employer, Air New Zealand, gifted me $1,000 worth of shares in the company. Some of my friends are farmers, so I invest in companies that support them too.
What are the most important things you’ve learnt so far?
Investing with Sharesies is easier and less scary than I thought. I’ve learnt to start small and invest in a diverse range of industries and companies that I know something about or that I’m passionate about. I don’t rush into anything. I check the New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZX) website once a week and see which funds and companies are going up and down. I also look at Sharesies’ graphs and keep up with what’s happening in the world via the media.
Why is investing important to you?
As I get older, I see myself shut out of the housing market. I like that I’ve started investing at my age, while I’m still young. It’s a real thrill when I see my investment portfolio growing. I don’t have any specific goals, but as I build up my portfolio, I’d like it to provide me with an income.
Investing has been great for my financial education. I love the idea of learning as I go and sharing my knowledge with others. Ultimately, I’d like to pass on what I’ve learnt to my own children one day.
What would you say to someone who doesn’t think investing is for them?
Investing is something anyone can learn about and do. You don’t need to be business savvy or have a lot of extra cash. You can invest small amounts as you go.
The people shown in our Investor Journeys are Sharesies investors, and their stories are actual experiences they’ve had with us. They’re paid for their time to record their story.
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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