Our experts

MARK STORY

Mark is director of Prime Strategy Media and has been a business and finance journalist for more than 15 years. Mark says: “Money is only a concept, and being rich isn’t a destination; it’s all about the journey. Better to have a ‘rich mentality’ and be generous of spirit rather than striving to be materially rich for the sake of it.”

SUSAN HELY

Susan has been a finance journalist for 30 years and has been a senior writer at Money for 10. Susan says: “Get a job that you love with people you enjoy. Save like crazy so you have options. Avoid expensive cafe society and learn to cook. Find a partner who is wise (and caring) with money. Think about future income always.”

VITA PALESTRANT

Former editor of the Money section of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Vita says: “Buckle up for unprecedented change: that the typewriter would end on the scrapheap, that a smartphone would deliver information 24/7, that bitcoin would be more valuable than gold but that taking good care of your money never changes.”

ANDREW CROSSLEY

Andrew is a property investment strategist and founder of Australian Property Advisory Group. Andrew says: “Start investing wisely, in property only, and start now. Anything you buy is only an asset if it makes you money, so only buy assets. Budget well and use leverage by using other people’s money to make money.”

HANS KUNNEN

Hans is the chief economist at Compass Economics. Hans says: “Earn some. Save some. Donate some and then spend some. Money isn’t everything but it’s important so think carefully about how you use it. Understand what companies do and then try your hand at investing in one or two.”

ALAN DEANS

Alan is senior partner at Last Word Corporate Communications. He worked for 30 years as a journalist and an editor. Alan says: “Savings is important because it brings freedom and choice. You can take that holiday, or not. You can buy an investment property, or not. And, you can help someone close to you when it’s needed most.”