I’m Toula, 55 years old and from Sydney’s Sutherland Shire. I currently work in IT and also have a great side hustle as a registered Marriage and Funeral Celebrant since 2008.
I enjoy trying new things and have dabbled in everything from salsa dancing to martial arts. I love variety and the thrill of new experiences. These days it’s more about balance, so I practice yoga, meditation, and do plenty of walking. I also love to travel and explore different countries.
Growing up in a Greek household, money lessons were simple: work hard, save, and buy bricks and mortar. Shares were seen as risky, and definitely not something we talked about around the dinner table.
I followed that path into adulthood, and I managed to acquire two properties as a solo parent – my family home that I currently live in and an investment property.
Unlearning what I was taught and discovering a new path
I focused on building wealth and preparing for retirement through investing in real estate. Over time, I found myself locked into two mortgages, with money tied up and not easily accessible like it is with investing in ETFs and shares.
After rising interest rates, ongoing maintenance, and costly special strata levies, I started to re-evaluate my investment options.
For someone raised to see property as the ultimate goal, it felt like going against everything I’d been taught. But that decision became the turning point that opened the door to a completely different way of thinking about money, and gave me the clarity and freedom to redefine what security and wealth really meant.
I saw it as an opportunity to diversify, grow my wealth more strategically, and take true control of my financial future.
I’d tried financial planners over the years, but they never helped me reach my goals. I had even been told once by a financial advisor that I’d need a minimum of $25K to start investing, or it wasn’t worth it. That really set me back, because the idea of putting it into something I didn’t understand felt too risky.
Selling my property went against my upbringing, but it freed me from a belief system that wasn’t serving me. Around the same time, I came across the Women of Wealth podcast and course, which introduced me to ETFs and to Stockspot.
I’d always been a saver, but I never thought investing could be for me.
Why I chose Stockspot
Before Stockspot, I had dabbled a little with Betashares, but I felt like I needed to be quite knowledgeable about the specific shares I was picking. It was intimidating, and I didn’t want to get it wrong.
What drew me to Stockspot was the simplicity. It felt approachable, even for someone without a deep background in shares.
I set up an account and was surprised by how easy it was to start, and how quickly it began to grow. I’ve even opened an account for my teenage son so he can learn early. The app is straightforward, easy to navigate, and fun. It gave me the confidence that I could invest wisely without needing to be an expert, which made it an easy choice over other platforms.
Through Stockspot, I’ve discovered that investing doesn’t need to be overwhelming. You can start with smaller amounts, match your risk profile, and still feel secure knowing you can access funds quickly if needed.
My lessons learned and advice to others
You don’t need to be an expert or have loads of money. Just start with what you can, and you’ll see how easy it is to manage and grow.
My key takeaways:
- Start small, start now – Even modest amounts grow surprisingly quickly with compounding.
- Automate where you can – Set up contributions so investing becomes effortless.
- Keep learning – Read, listen to podcasts, and follow trusted financial platforms that offer solid advice. Stay curious and open to new ideas.
- Diversify – Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, whether that’s property, shares, or other investments.
- Mindset matters – Money isn’t just about numbers; it’s about choices and priorities.
For me, investing is no longer intimidating. It’s about building a more secure and comfortable retirement alongside my superannuation, and about creating flexibility and freedom rather than being locked into property debt. It has given me the confidence to build a better and more comfortable future for myself and my son.
Disclaimer: Stockspot ABN 87 163 214 319 is a licensed Australian Financial Services provider (AFSL 536082) regulated by ASIC. Any advice contained is general advice only and has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs except in circumstances where you have provided your personal financial details via our online application process and received a Statement of Advice from us. Before making any investment decision we recommend that you consider whether it is appropriate for your situation and seek appropriate taxation and legal advice. Past performance of financial products is no guarantee of future performance. Please read our Financial Services Guide before deciding whether to obtain financial services from us.
