By Caity Somers, Marketing and Education Manager, Australian Shareholders’ Association

This month’s member feature shines a spotlight on Sara Di Stefano, one of our inspiring members who has written a children’s book to help families introduce investing and financial literacy from an early age. Sara, an engineering manager, arrived in Australia in 2016 with just two suitcases and a few hundred dollars. By 2023, she had built a $100,000 investment portfolio – a journey even profiled by the Australian Financial Review earlier this year. Inspired by her own experiences and written for her daughter – now 11 months old – Little Investor’s ABC offers simple, engaging explanations of core financial concepts. Read on to learn more about Sara’s inspiring journey, the pivotal moments that shaped her relationship with money, and how ASA has helped her connect with like-minded investors and embrace her financial future.

1.  Can you share a little about your background and your relationship with money growing up? What messages or habits did you inherit around finances?

Raised by a single mother with limited financial literacy, I grew up in a household where money was a forbidden topic and often associated with fear or negativity. I only knew the basics – how to manage a bank account and pay off a credit card – but I had no idea about the real power of investing and building wealth over time. I operated from a scarcity mindset, shaped by survival rather than long term strategy. This early experience has become the driving force behind my mission to foster financial empowerment from an early age.

2.    Was there a specific moment or experience that shifted your mindset about money and investing? What sparked that change?

After selling everything I owned and boarding a one-way flight to Melbourne, I found myself confronting a hard truth: I was earning more than ever, yet I had nothing tangible to show for it. Burdened by student loan debt, I had no property, no investments – just a modest emergency fund in case I needed to return to the U.S. It was a wake-up call. No one was coming to rescue me; I had to take control of my financial future or fall into the cyclical habits witnessed throughout my childhood. One day, while out shopping, I wandered into the finance section of a bookstore – somewhere I’d never been before – and picked up Rich Dad, Poor Dad. I finished it in two days. I was no longer just chasing financial stability – I was determined to redefine my relationship with money and break the cycle for good.

3.    What inspired you to write Little Investor’s ABC?

I didn’t discover the power of investing until my 30s – and I often wonder how different things might have been if someone had introduced me to it earlier. I began writing this book during our pregnancy journey to keep my mind busy and create something meaningful for our future family. Ironically, I never had the chance to gift it to our daughter as planned – she arrived two months early, taking us by surprise. The silver lining? I finished editing the book with her by my side in special care. Today, my mission is clear: to empower children with the knowledge of investing from an early age, so they can grow not just wealth, but wisdom for life.

4.    Looking back, what do you wish you had known about money and investing when you were growing up?

Not to sound dramatic, but I wish someone would’ve locked me in a room until I fully grasped the impact of inflation, compounding interest and dividends in my teens. Before I discovered investing, I believed my only path to wealth was through physical labour. If only a finance genie would’ve told me that you can put your money to work in the markets. It’s much less cumbersome on your lower back and it doesn’t require a long commute. Investing doesn’t just generate income; it opens the door to exploring and supporting thousands of innovative companies, offering countless ways to build wealth beyond traditional work. Had I learned this sooner, I would’ve seriously considered a career in finance.

5.    What are some of the key financial lessons you hope to pass on to your daughter as she grows up?

• Balance saving, investing, and The ideal ratio will vary throughout different stages of life, but consistently prioritising a safety net, investing in your future, and spending intentionally on things that bring you joy is a powerful formula for long-term fulfillment and financial resilience.
• Invest early and Your current financial reality is the result of past decisions and habits. Building smart investing habits early creates a foundation that compounds over time, delivering significant returns as you grow older.
• Stay curious – ask questions like your future depends on Because in many ways, it does. The more you understand, the more empowered and confident you’ll become in your financial decisions.
• Be your own financial Your goals are uniquely yours. No one understands your dreams better than you do. Take ownership of your money to build a future that reflects your values and aspirations.
• Treat financial literacy as your greatest asset. Earning money is just the beginning. Keeping it—and growing it—requires education, discipline, and a mindset geared toward long-term success.

6.    What role has the ASA played in your investing journey so far, and what have you found most valuable about being a member?

Being a member of ASA has given me a supportive space to ask questions and engage in investment conversations that once felt out of reach or completely foreign. I look forward to our monthly meetups, where I can connect and contribute to my local investment community. With a diverse membership and a rich online portal full of tools, insights, and education, ASA has been instrumental in growing my financial confidence. For anyone looking to build knowledge and connect with like-minded investors, ASA is a great place to start.

7.   Your journey from arriving in Australia in 2016 to building a $100,000 portfolio by 2023 is incredibly inspiring. What were some of the biggest challenges along the way – and what kept you going?

One of my biggest challenges was unlearning long-held misconceptions about money. The journey became as much about self-discovery as it was about building the confidence to take calculated risks – starting with the simple but powerful shift from keeping my money in a checking account to actively investing it. Once I grasped the fundamentals of buying and selling shares, I was energised and motivated to keep growing my portfolio with purpose and intention. I refuse to accept a future without financial growth.

8.   For ASA members who want to help their children or grandchildren build healthy money habits, what practical advice would you share?

• Have open and honest conversations about money with your children and/or grandchildren. If they ask questions you don’t know, take the opportunity to learn
• Attend ASA meetings, conferences, speakers or events about investing It’s a great way to spend a Saturday, meet like-minded people and there is always coffee.
• If you have the means, consider setting up a trust fund or investing account for them as early as Gifting small amounts for birthdays and holidays instead of single use plastic toys will give them a head start in life.
• I live by the motto “leave things better than when you found them”. If you apply that mindset to your family’s financial education and future, you’re already on the path to creating something lasting and meaningful.

9.   What’s next for you – personally, professionally, or creatively? Are there more books or financial projects on the horizon?

As my 14-month maternity leave comes to an end, I’m grateful for the incredible time I’ve had at home as a full-time mom. I’m excited to rejoin the workforce and re-engage with the investment community – always on the lookout for new learning and buying opportunities. I’ll continue my creative journey by writing more books to complete a board book series for young investors and expand a fun product range, filling a much-needed gap in the market.

If you would like to purchase a copy of Sara’s work, visit her website littleinvestorsbooks.com.