I’m Vicki, in my 70s and living in Queensland. After a lifetime of hard work, I’ve found joy in the simple things: a thriving garden, daily yoga, and the peace of mind that comes from financial security; something I once thought would never be possible.
Seven years ago, Don and I built ours and our daughter’s home from scratch on a steep, scrubby block. Every day is filled with clearing weeds, tending gardens, and trying (mostly in vain) to keep wallabies from eating everything we plant!
The upkeep is never ending but it keeps us fit, and we love being outside every day.
From beachfront motel to the acreage
Before moving to the country, Don and I owned a motel on the beach. It was incredibly rewarding. We met people from all over the world on holiday, and everyone was happy. But it was also exhausting. We did almost everything ourselves.
Back then, there were no booking agencies, just phones ringing and guests arriving at all hours. It was a full-on way to earn a living, but it gave us a strong work ethic and a real appreciation for saving and not spending what you don’t have.
After years of hard work, we eventually bought the freehold and never looked back. That experience taught us that with persistence, faith in yourself, and a bit of calculated risk-taking, you can achieve almost anything.
Learning to invest for stability
I’ve always had an interest in the share market. Many years ago, Don and I managed our own shares, and we still have that portfolio today. It’s a volatile mix – we’ve seen huge highs and lows. Our approach was to draw down when it’s high and ignore it when it’s flat.
However, as we got older, we wanted more steady, secure growth for part of our savings. We’d never invested in ETFs before, but when I came across Stockspot, something about it just resonated. The returns, stability, and simplicity all in one.
Taking the leap with Stockspot
I’ll admit, we were a bit hesitant at first. You hear about so many scams these days, and we weren’t sure who to trust. But everything about Stockspot felt genuine, transparent, approachable, and easy to understand.
In the three years since we joined, we’ve been blown away by our returns. Watching that steady upward trajectory on the app gives me such a thrill. I know it won’t always be this good, but the balance feels right, and the peace of mind is priceless.
A family affair
After seeing our results, I convinced my sister and daughters to start investing with Stockspot. Now, every few days, we’ll chat and compare our growth rates. It’s become a family ritual!
It feels so good knowing that the knowledge I shared has improved their saving capacity. It’s just as rewarding as giving them a handout, except this way, they’re building something for themselves.
Now, I’m working on my granddaughters. They’re in their late twenties, juggling HECS debts and high living costs, and they think investing isn’t for them. I tell them it doesn’t have to be a lot, it just has to be something. They’ll get there, I’m determined!
Lessons learned
If I could talk to my 30-year-old self, I’d tell her:
Work hard, have faith in yourself, and take calculated risks toward your goals. Over time, your money will compound if you’ve laid the groundwork
We raised four kids on small incomes, and for a long time we never imagined we’d have the comfort we do now. We worked hard, made thoughtful choices, and kept learning.
Peace of mind in retirement is huge. It’s not about being wealthy, it’s about feeling secure and knowing you’ve made smart decisions. For us, Stockspot has been a big part of that.
I love knowing that even in our 70s, we’re still growing; not just our gardens, but our money, our confidence, and our family’s financial future.
It’s never too late to start investing, never too late to learn, and never too late to take control of your financial well-being.
Vicki’s client story has been published by Nine Entertainment in publications including the Sydney Morning Herald – At 76, Vicki turned her family group chat into an investing club (13 January 2026).
