How to Build a Property Portfolio While Growing Your Career

👉 Whether you're a first home buyer or expanding your portfolio, Atelier Wealth can help. Book a discovery session with a mortgage broker here: https://calendly.com/atelier-wealth-discovery-team👉 For everything you need to know about getting a loan approved and buying a property, read the Happy Home Loan Handbook by Aaron Christie-David. Get a FREE chapter here: https://atelierwealth.com.au/the-happy-home-loan-handbook/Meet Alexander Lee: From uni grad to 3 investment properties and a wealth mindset that’ll inspire you to rethink everythingWhat if your first property wasn’t just a financial move, but the beginning of a new way of thinking?In this episode, I sit down with longtime friend and former mentee, Alexander Lee, an FX trader, CFA charterholder, and someone who’s quietly built a three-property portfolio while staying grounded, strategic, and values-driven. From humble beginnings as a uni student trying to structure his resumé, to climbing the ranks at global firms like UBS and Bentham Asset Management, Alex shares the mindset shifts, sacrifices, and lessons that have shaped his approach to wealth, lifestyle, and risk.We dive deep into his philosophy around debt, diversification, and living below your means, even as your income grows. If you’re looking for real talk from someone who's walked the path (and done it thoughtfully), this is the one to tune into.Key Moments:00:00 Meet Alexander Lee02:03 From Uni Student to Global Finance04:58 Why Relationships Matter More Than Resumés09:12 Learning the Most at a Small Firm14:15 How the CFA Changed His Investing Mindset18:23 Lifestyle Creep, Debt & Living Smart25:20 The Shift from Fear to Confidence in Property30:45 What He Got Right (and Wrong) in Property Buying36:00 Rethinking the Aussie Dream41:00 The Debt Aversion Holding People Back44:06 Why He’s Now Giving Back Through Career Coaching49:00 What’s Next: The Forever Home Vision50:35 Final Reflections and TakeawaysAbout Alexander Lee:Alexander Lee is a CFA Charterholder and Chartered Accountant with over a decade of experience in financial markets, credit, and asset management. He currently works as an FX Trader at Velocity Trade, where he manages institutional foreign exchange flows and risk. His career spans top-tier firms including UBS and Bentham Asset Management, with deep expertise in portfolio analysis, investment strategy, and financial modeling.Passionate about mentoring and career development, Alexander also provides coaching to young professionals navigating the finance industry. His approach blends technical excellence with practical, people-first insight.Connect with Alexander Lee:Visit the website: http://www.velocitytrade.com/ Follow Alexander Lee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-derk-sheng-lee-cfa-ca-45ab8a19/ About Aaron:Aaron-ChristiAbout Aaron:Aaron-Christie David founded Atelier Wealth, a Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) approved Mortgage Broker. Aaron’s focus is clear – supporting property investors to make confident decisions to build their property portfolio. He has been recognised in the MPA Top 100 Broker rankings for the last three years.With over 10 years of financial services experience, with a career spanning Wizard Home Loans and Commonwealth Bank, Aaron's decision to become a broker was to help more Australians fearlessly buy investment properties to achieve intergenerational wealth.Connect with Aaron:Visit the website: https://atelierwealth.com.au/   Follow the Australian Investment Property Podcast’s Official Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/aupropertyinvestmentpodcast/Follow Aaron on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaronchristiedavidFollow Aaron on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronchristiedavid/Subscribe to Atelier Wealth’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@atelierwealth_au