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How to start saving and begin your investment journey

Three young housemates put their finances to the test and discovered that even the simplest habits can change the way you feel about money.

  • Financial fitness for young Australians often begins with knowing where their money goes and how to grow it.
  • A share house in Brisbane trialled small but powerful money habits, from keeping a spending diary to calculating net worth. 
  • Their results showed that starting small builds confidence—and proves it’s never too early to begin your investing journey.

For housemates David, Sammi and Sophia, life in their early twenties looks a lot like it does for most young Australians: full-time work, bills to pay and the daily juggle of adult responsibilities. But while their independence gave them freedom, they quickly realised it was time to start planning for the future, too.

“There have been times when I’ve spent a lot of money on clothing and stuff but I think I would like to learn more about how to grow what I already have,” Sophia says. 

The challenge: try one money habit

To help kick-start their financial fitness journey, CommBank personal finance expert Jess Irvine set them a simple but structured challenge. 

Each housemate would choose one habit to trial for the week—small, achievable steps designed to make money less overwhelming and more empowering. The twist? They had to share their commitments with each other and celebrate with a group reward if they stuck to them. Here’s what they were tasked to do:

  • Sophia kept a money diary, writing down every dollar she spent to shine a light on patterns she hadn’t noticed.
  • David decided to stack financial podcasts into his daily routine, turning commutes and chores into learning opportunities.
  • Sammi committed to calculating her net worth, getting a clear picture of her assets and liabilities for the first time.
Housemates Sammi, David and Sophia put their finances to the test on The Brighter Side.

What was easy, what was hard

The hardest part, they agreed, was simply starting. David admitted the world of investing felt confusing and intimidating. Sammi was nervous about adding up her assets and debts, fearing what the numbers might reveal. And Sophia found tracking every expense “a bit confronting” at first. 

But once they got going, momentum built. The diary gave Sophia clarity; David discovered that financial podcasts weren’t boring at all; and Sammi loved the sense of control that came with knowing her net worth. “Until you put time and effort into actually observing your money,” she reflected, “you’re not really going to notice it.”

The results and the lessons

By week’s end, the flatmates weren’t just more informed, they were more confident. They even celebrated their success with a well-earned dinner together. 

For Jess, their experiment proved that investing in your future doesn’t always mean buying shares or property straight away; it can begin with small, repeatable steps. “It’s never too early or too late to start your savings and investment journey,” she explained. And once those habits are in place, the leap into bigger financial goals can feel far less daunting.

Watch and stream The Brighter Side, Fridays at 8:30pm on 10.

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Published: 19 September 2025

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