Hi, I’m Diana Laichyk. I’m a 26-year-old make-up artist at Mecca. My entire career has been in retail, and I love serving customers and helping people feel beautiful inside and out. I’m also an actress working in the Australian film and TV industry, and I feel fortunate to be involved in two fields that I’m truly passionate about.
In my spare time, I’m an advanced Pole Sport dancer and have recently qualified for my first competition finals.
Why I decided to trust Stockspot with my investment portfolio
I wish I could say that I’m the perfect example of a savvy investor who did months of research and explored all my options. Truthfully, a good friend of mine, who listens to many financial podcasts, mentioned that ETFs are the future of investing and that Stockspot consistently comes highly recommended by financial experts. That was good enough for me!
I’m now in my third year with Stockspot, and I couldn’t be happier. I feel safe and well-supported by them. When I saw they were launching an ETF-only super fund, I was genuinely excited!
The Stockspot sign up process
The sign-up process was quick and easy. Everything was straightforward; I honestly can’t recall anything difficult or frustrating about it!
My investing experience with Stockspot
As a first-generation immigrant raised by a single parent, living below our means was the norm. I developed an unhealthy fear of debt and quickly learned how fast money disappears if you don’t track your spending or set money aside for savings. This realisation led me to budgeting.
Then COVID happened, and during the lockdowns, financial anxiety was at an all-time high. I had money coming in but wasn’t sure what to do with it. I like to be smart and intentional with my spending, so I didn’t feel great about just letting the money sit there or spending it. I’ve always known that saving for a home deposit was a top priority. The combination of COVID-related anxiety and my desire to make a smart, future-focused decision made investing the clear choice.
Initially, it was simple: spend, save, and don’t touch savings. As I got older and faced more expenses, my budgeting became more complex. When I first moved out on my own, I knew exactly where every dollar went because not paying attention meant no fuel or no dinner.
But investing remained a priority – I wanted my money to work for me, and that’s why I chose Stockspot. I focused on saving and investing as much as possible to avoid my biggest fears: credit cards, debt, and high-interest loans.
What I like about Stockspot
I really like the almost ‘community feel’. There are always emails, updates, and invitations to finance events (and not in an annoying way!). I’ve always felt like Stockspot cares about my portfolio as much as I do, and cares about me learning about the market and how best to approach finances.
I also really like the app; it’s easy to use, and the interface is clear, making investing a really easy and not so overwhelming process!
Additionally, I appreciate that I could choose a sustainability-focused portfolio, as the environment and taking care of the planet is important to me.
My money tips for those considering investing
The advice I’d give is the same thing I told myself: “You’re losing money by not investing.”
Be intentional with your purchases and shop second-hand. It’s good for you, your wallet, and the planet! When I say intentional, I mean don’t make impulse buys – the dopamine hit only lasts for a few seconds. Instead, buy things that bring you joy every time you use, see, or experience them.
