Our experts

ISHARA RUPASINGHE

Ishara is a director at Dixon Advisory. Ishara says: “Salary sacrificing a small amount of my monthly pay into super, starting early in my career. With a 15% maximum tax rate and the power of compound interest to help it grow, it’s a small sacrifice for a big benefit!”

DAVID BASSANESE

David is chief economist at BetaShares. David says: “Setting up my self-managed super fund was probably my smartest money decision. As a global macro investor, I now predominantly use exchange traded funds to exploit opportunities across equity, bond and currency markets and manage my downside risk.”

ANNETTE SAMPSON

Annette has written extensively on personal finance and she has written several books. Annette says: “Definitely buying my first home. Interest rates were at almost 20% and it hurt a lot but it provided the base to build my finances. I am still reaping those benefits years later.”

RICHARD SCOTT

Richard, a freelance writer, says: “Going budget on my wedding proved a stroke of genius. We booked a modest country hall, splashing out only on the essentials – a decent photographer, grub and a band. My parents got the booze in, my wife wore her mum’s wedding dress, all for under $5000. The average Aussie spends $65,482.”

ROGER MONTGOMERY

Roger is the founder and CIO of Montgomery Investment. Roger says: “The highest return on equity has come from donating a prize for a charity raffle. That prize raised a multiple of its cost for the charity. I never expected the great personal joy that comes from giving and would like to encourage others who are able to find a cause they can be passionate about supporting.”

NATHALIE SCIPIONI

Nathalie is the founder of NSSTUDIO, a design practice in Sydney. Nathalie says: “Buying my house for $700,000 and spending $450,000 renovating it. Now 10 years later it is on the market for over $2 million. This experience helped me understand the process from a more personal level, helping to connect better with clients.”