In this article:
David Chia
When I was 19-years-old, I had just completed my first year in uni studying a business degree. I was being trained as an accountant and dealing with profit and loss statements. I realised during this time that controlling your expenses is key to business survival in any economic conditions.
A piece of financial advice that I learned that year was: ‘It is not how much you earn that allows you to build your wealth but rather it is how much you can save’.
I start sticking to this principle. Today, no matter how much money I make, I stick to weekly spending budget and save as much as possible.
I’m really rigid with this sometimes (my poor wife). When I’m trying to save for something I get really frugal – a super tight ‘a$$’!
But I find it’s a great habit to apply in running a business, achieve savings goals and to purchase a first property.
Well today I’m a mortgage broker, wealth manager and branch principal at Yellow Brick Road Randwick and Macquarie Park and I definitely practice what I preach. I talk budgets to my clients and how to save. I also pass this on to my kids as they are just starting to open their dollar-mites accounts in school.