She Arrived in Australia With $20 and Built a Million-Dollar Life

This week's Money Diary feels a little bit like proof that where you start doesn't have to determine where you end up. She grew up in a tiny village in Eastern Europe in the aftermath of communism, where family holidays weren't a thing, money was scarce, and the future often looked a lot like the past. But even as a kid, she couldn't stop wondering what was on the other side of the horizon. At 16, she won a scholarship that changed everything. A few years later, she arrived in Australia with just $20 to her name, planning to stay for 12 months before heading back to university in the UK. Instead, she met the man who would become her husband after he quite literally washed up next to her on a beach. Eighteen years later, they're raising two children on the Gold Coast, have turned a modest beach shack into a property worth around $1.7 million, and she's built a dog-sitting side hustle that's on track to bring in $40,000 this year alongside her part-time career. But what I loved most about this conversation wasn't the property story or even the side hustle. It was the way she thinks about money. From collecting bottles to teach her kids about saving, to creating flexibility around family life, to constantly finding creative ways to make money work harder, she's built a life that looks completely different to the one she grew up expecting. SORT YOUR INSURANCE: A big thank you to our partner Skye Wealth for bringing this episode to life. If you're ready to get your insurances sorted, you can learn more about them here.We have a long standing referral partnership with Skye Wealth and only ever partner with people we trust. CHECK OUT THE SOTM INVESTING HUB: Full of our best investing freebies, resources, courses and podcast episodes here. INVESTING FOR BEGINNERS: All our best beginner's investing podcast episodes in one place here.Ready to binge more relatable, inspiring, and downright juicy money stories? Check out our ultimate Money Diaries playlist. Listen now Join our Facebook Group AKA the ultimate support network for money advice and inspiration. Ask questions, share tips, and celebrate your wins with a like-minded crew of 300,000+. And follow us on Instagram for Q&As, bite-sized tips, daily money inspo... and relatable money memes that just get you.  Acknowledgement of Country By Nartarsha Bamblett aka Queen Acknowledgements. The advice shared on She's On The Money is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. She's On The Money exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. If you do choose to buy a financial product, read the PDS, TMD and obtain appropriate financial advice tailored towards your needs.  Victoria Devine and She's On The Money are authorised representatives of Money Sherpa PTY LTD ABN - 321649 27708,  AFSL - 4451289See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.