What was your first job?

A trainee draughtsman for a company that built conveyor belts for coal-loading facilities. Now that's glamour.

What did you get paid?

Ninety-five dollars a week, after tax. I used to holiday in Monaco with all the spare change I had.

Are you a saver or a spender?

Two parts saver, one part spender.

What do you spend your money on?

Holidays and discount wine. You can think of some great places to go after a bottle of shiraz.

How do you save?

We have a regular savings plan that is earmarked for the kids' education.

What was your worst purchase?

A share in a racehorse that I couldn't afford. The horse became pet food while I became broke.

Credit cards are: a) great b) helpful c) a poor investment d) work of the devil?

Helpful and the work of the devil.

Why?

They can help you track expenses at tax time but you can blow them out.

Does budgeting work for you?

A mortgage, car loan and monthly managed-funds contributions takes care of the majority of it.

What's the best piece of investment advice you have heard?

If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

What's the best piece of investment advice you have actually acted upon?

It's not timing the market but time in the market.

If I was given $20,000 I would buy ... A heap of new snowboard and ski gear.

If I was given $20,000 I would invest in ... Showing my children the world.