How I Invest to Improve My Money and My Life

Recently, I discussed some habits and purchases that improved my finances and tips to improve things slightly. This week, I wanted to focus on the specific things I invest in, including financially, for my health, family and other areas of my life.

Investing Financially

Since I am not a financial advisor, I am not going to advise what you should invest in and I am not going to go into details on specific shares etc. I will discuss my preferred investments and other ways I have increased income.

Business: I have loved business since I was a teen and often looked for extra ways to make money such as babysitting and odd jobs. At 19, I had my own hair and beauty business in Sydney. Later, freelance writing, blogging and then in 2014 I founded a marketing company which I later sold.

We have a transport business in Vanuatu that supports the family there (my in laws are Ni-Vanuatu/native to Vanuatu). This business is part of our plan to support the tribe since we are the chiefs line so we want to ensure we can support without people being dependent on us.

Until now, it was managed fully by the family how they wanted, we simply oversaw the financial side of it. In December, we will be there for 3 months so it is getting a rebrand and expanding from doing only local bus trips to tours and transport for tourists. I would love it if you supported it with a follow/engage with content on Facebook and Instagram (both brand new).

I am also a silent part owner in a fashion business, have multiple websites and other online streams of income.

Income: Read these tips on how to double your income. There are many ways to invest in your skills, education and career that will increase your income. My income comes from business.

Real estate: We have property in Vanuatu, again through family and while it has helped provide for the family there, it has been a bit of a headache at times. I have previously been a landlord in Sydney and while most tenants were great, the few who caused issues caused significant issues. I would do it differently in the future if I was to have any other rentals but I don't really want to.

Other: I love the stock market but for many it can feel risky. Read Quit Like a Millionaire and The Simple Path to Wealth before investing. Do your own research, get advice, know your risk tolerance level and don't invest anything you want to use soon. For example, do not invest your house deposit savings in the hopes you can make a quick buck, as you could lose.

Investing in Health

This includes investing in mental and physical health because they are deeply connected and impact everything else in life.

Getting therapy as needed has been fantastic for helping me process trauma, learn new skills and handle some of the extreme obstacles I've faced.

Having hobbies and making time for them helps keep me mentally and physically healthy. Here are 10 hobbies that can make or save you money.

Annual check-ups with bloodwork and tests for specific issues I have so we can see if I need to change things. Going to the doctor as needed and not putting things off, the same with the dentist, have regular check-ups. Prevention is better than cure and catching things early means they are quicker and easier to treat usually compared to leaving them for long periods of time.

Investing in my health is a high priority for me. If medical expenses are an issue, read the tips on how to afford it and options that might be available to you here.

Read 10 ways to improve your health and wellness.

My health is one of the main reasons we are spending 3 months in Vanuatu. There we have full support of family, essentially no expenses due to the lifestyle and I will be able to exercise, heal and focus on my needs in a way I simply cannot do here. My kids are extremely excited about it and the opportunity for all of us to reset before we settle in Fremantle, WA.

Note: We will not be maintaining a home in Australia when we go. No rent/mortgage/bills such as electricity, water, insurance or anything else here. 3 month wouldn't be practical at this point in time if we did have to maintain a home in Australia too.

Investing in Family and Relationships

I have a close relationship with my kids and aimed to raise them to be confident, intelligent, compassionate, capable adults. Here are the articles relating to what I do and how I do it with my kids.
​How to be close to your kids without spending a fortune​
​11 Life skills I want my kids to have​
​How to teach your kids about money​
​How to get the family on board with saving money​
​37 frugal activities for families​

For date ideas check out these 25 frugal ones.

Our Meal Plan

Our dinners this week are:
Salmon, vegetables and potato
Chicken Pad Thai
​Chorizo and Bean Stew (one of the kids favourites)
Roast Chicken - check out these 29 meals for leftover roast chicken​
Spaghetti Bolognese
​Pizza​
Leftovers

I have 20+ tips to reduce the cost of groceries plus how to reduce waste/what to do with scraps and leftovers.

Our breakfasts are usually eggs, toast, cereal or smoothies. Lunches are leftovers, sandwiches, rice dishes etc and snacks are mainly fruit and veg, sometimes crackers.

What I Am Reading

I don't have a lot of time for reading right now due to packing the house and preparing for 3 months in Vanuatu before moving to Fremantle WA.

Instead, I am skimming through my books to see what I want to keep and what I want to donate. You can find my favourite books here.​

Discounts For You!

​All the discounts, freebies and special offers for this month can be found here.

The Thrifty Issue Community

For more and to connect with others check out The Thrifty Issue Facebook group, Facebook page, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.​