Curious about property?

We've got you covered.

Investing towards financial independence (FI) is a choose-your-own-adventure story. There are very few absolute rules and a plethora of options.

At Money School, our goal is to help you understand those options so you can choose what works for you.

From short courses to a bunch of free-to-read articles and podcast interviews, we've got something to suit your preferred learning style on offer :)

Investing in assets

We're not massive Robert Kiyosaki fans, but he did say one incredibly useful thing in his 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad' book: Assets put money in your pocket.

While this makes accountants everywhere cringe (they use a technical definition of assets that does not match Kiyosaki's) this is a key principle of investing towards FI, separating it from the general investing world.

Assets can - and do - grow in value. But for FI, you need investments that will pay you while you own them, not investments that cost you money to own and/or cannot pay you until you sell them.

Here's some common examples:

1. Shares

Pieces of companies, typically bought on stock/securities exchanges. Some of these pay dividends while you own them. This includes exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and listed investment companies (LICs).

2. Property

Whether it's residential (for people to live in) or commercial (for businesses to work from), some properties earn rent for their owners. You can also invest indirectly in property via Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) as shares.

3. Bonds

You can become the bank by loaning your capital to governments and/or companies as bonds. Similar to banks paying you interest, these organisations pay you back in instalments called coupons.

4. Cash

Yes, even cash in the bank can be an asset when the bank pays you interest. Typically the interest rate doesn't cover inflation and fees so your asset - the original cash deposit - doesn't go up in value.

5. Retirement funds

Your superannuation may be invested in any combination of these assets, along with hundreds of others. Once you're eligible, you can draw an income from this tax-advantageous system.

"How you invest depends on you. Your age, risk tolerance and financial starting point all matter. So does your mindset, how you value your time and what keeps you up at night. Only you know these things. Invest accordingly."

Lacey Filipich, Founder and Author of Money School

How Money School can help

For most people, understanding the different assets is an essential starting point. Here's some content to help with that:

Investing 101 Course, A$27

Learn the basics of how investing creates wealth through capital growth and income.

Listen: Podcasts

Lacey speaks about investing in shares and property regularly on radio and podcasts.

Read: Articles

Check out our articles for outlets like ABC and Kidspot, along with our in-house blogs.

Shares 101 Course, A$9

Learn about buying shares, ETFs, LICs and investing ethically.

Grow Your Wealth Course, A$347

Learn how a spending plan works and how to build yours. Templates included.

Get the book

Money School's international award-winning book goes into detail on popular investments and how they work.

Podcasts Appearances

On shares, property, superannuation and other forms of investment

She Mines

You’re Not Bad With Money - Navigating Finances in FIFO

Length (mins): 64

Get Rich Slow Podcast

233. Will climate change crash the housing market? (part 2)

Length (mins): 47

Get Rich Slow Podcast

232. 1 in 10 properties could become uninsurable due to climate change by 2035. What happens then? (part 1)

Length (mins): 34

The Growth Concept

How to Protect Your Wealth in an Uncertain Future: Climate Change, Property & Investing

Length (mins): 59