Basics of Investing: Building a Fire That Lasts
Side hustles are sparks. Investing is the woodpile that keeps your fire burning for years.
Disclaimer: "This article is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The content reflects general financial principles and may not apply to your specific circumstances. Always consider your own financial situation and consult with a qualified professional before making financial decisions."
If you’ve followed the Fiscal Phoenix journey so far, you’ve survived crisis, built your budget, tackled debt, fireproofed your life, and even lit some side-hustle sparks. That’s stability.
But here’s the question: how do you turn sparks into a steady, lasting fire?
The answer is investing.
Not the Instagram “crypto to the moon” version. Not the gambling-in-disguise version (believe me, I know how that road ends). Real investing. Steady. Boring. Effective.
The First Rule: Time > Timing
Forget the idea of catching the “perfect moment.” Markets go up, down, sideways — but over time, they grow.
Time in the market beats timing the market.
The Firewood: Examples of What to Invest In
Think of these as different kinds of logs for your fire:
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ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds)
These are baskets of companies, giving you instant diversification.
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Examples:
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VAS.AU – broad Australian shares.
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NDQ.AU – exposure to US tech growth.
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VHY.AU – dividend-focused Australian stocks.
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MQG.AU – a strong dividend-paying financial stock.
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Dividend Stocks
Companies that pay you regular cash returns (dividends). They’re not flashy but add steady sparks. -
Managed Funds or Index Funds
Great for those who don’t want to pick stocks. They track markets over time. -
Micro-Investing Apps
Platforms like Raiz or Superhero let you start with as little as $5–$20, rounding up everyday purchases or allowing you to buy fractional shares. -
Property Trusts (REITs)
Instead of buying property outright, you can invest in property funds that generate rental income. -
Crypto & Speculative Assets (Optional)
Treat these as kindling, not logs. A little can catch fire fast, but it can also burn out quickly. Never let it form the base of your fire.
Guardrails for Investors
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Separate safety from growth: keep your emergency fund untouched in a safe account.
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Automate your investing: small, regular contributions grow more than occasional lump sums.
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Resist hype: if a stock looks too hot to miss, it’s usually already missed.
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Diversify: don’t put all your firewood in one pile. Spread risk.
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Stay patient: wealth builds over years, not weeks.
The Phoenix Reset: Sparks to a Steady Flame
Side hustles are sparks — fast, bright, but sometimes fleeting. Investing is firewood: it burns longer, steadier, and keeps you warm no matter the weather.
Think of it this way: every ETF contribution or dividend reinvestment is another log on your fire. It may not look like much at first, but over time, the flame grows into something you can rely on.
That’s the Phoenix reset: stop chasing fireworks. Start stacking firewood.
Your First Step
👉 Open an investment account (if you haven’t already).
👉 Pick one ETF or index fund.
👉 Commit to automating even $20 a week — then leave it alone.