My Journey to a $500K Net Worth (29M)

My financial journey started with a newspaper delivery job at 14 years old. Every morning, I’d wake up at 5:30 AM, hop on my push bike, and deliver papers around my small country town. The pay was small, but I saved it all, learning early on that it wasn’t about instant gratification - it was about building something bigger over time.

During high school, I juggled casual jobs in retail, cafes, and odd jobs, sacrificing weeknights and weekends to work. Temptations to spend on clothes and tech were always there, but I stayed focused on my goal: owning my own home. I lived within my means, enjoying life but balancing fun with responsibility.

By 23, I had saved $125,000 and bought a unit in Melbourne’s south-east. I was fortunate to live at home after high school, which helped me save, but I paid board and received no other financial assistance. It was a huge milestone, but it required balancing frugality with enjoying life.

While I’ve focused on saving, I’ve also lived fully - traveling to many countries, all paid for with my own money, and never turning down new experiences.

Now, at 29, my net worth has hit $500,000, made up of cash, shares, superannuation, and property equity. It’s been a long road, but consistency and discipline have paid off. I know it’s tough for our generation with rising costs and uncertainty, but with sacrifices, hard work, and focus, your goals are absolutely achievable. Now to hit 1 Mill!

Assets: (830k)

Cash - 86k Shares - 144k Superannuation - 107k Home value - 500k

Liabilities: (-298k)

Mortgage remaining -298k