(1446 words, 7 minutes read time)
G’day! I’m Sophia, and welcome to Boots N Bucks – your go-to blog for boosting your income, mastering basic investing, and building practical skills for a more independent and self-sufficient lifestyle.
Recently, I took an unexpected detour from working as a surf industry office drone to become a dump truck driver in the Australian Outback. Surprisingly, this wild career shift is actually bringing me closer to living my dream life – one of financial freedom and farm acreage ownership.
Now, let’s face it – our economy and housing market are a complete shit show right now, so I’m on a personal mission to create a simple, no bullshit almanac of information and experiences.
That means whether you’re:
1. Aiming for financial independence
2. Dreaming of land ownership and self-reliance
3. Or just trying to get ahead from wherever you’re starting…
I’ve got your back.
This blog is for all of us who are looking to forge our own paths in these crazy times, so buckle up, and let’s navigate this mess together! I’ll share what I’ve learned, and hopefully, we can all come out on top.
My Story: From Surf Industry Dreams to Outback Reality
So where do I begin?
In 2019 I was living what I thought was the dream.
More specifically, I was working at Boardriders Head Office in Burleigh Heads, Australia (think brands like Billabong, Roxy, Quiksilver, and Element). And not only was I enjoying a really fun work environment, but I was also benefiting from free surf days, free clothes, a skate ramp in the office, and regular trips to Melbourne and Sydney to meet with buying teams – to name just a few perks. Sounds perfect, right?
Well, let me tell you, my bank balance begged to differ, lol.
To be honest, years of poor financial decisions (I’m talking constant travel, persistently staying in dead-end jobs, and recklessly blowing savings on YOLO purchases) coupled with the ever-rising cost of living, had left me in a tight spot that I’m sure many of you can relate to.
Forget about saving for my dream of land ownership… I was barely able to pay rent!
Moreover, getting ahead financially seemed like a distant fantasy.
Then 2020 hit and bloody COVID-19 turned everything upside down. Boardriders cut my hours and paycheck without warning and despite earning less, many of us committed to extra hours to keep the company afloat. Considering we were in the midst of a global pandemic we figured the situation called for a little give and take, right?
Well, wrong actually.
When people considered Covid ‘over’ and online retail sales boomed, I asked for a raise during my quarterly review. Their offer of a measly extra $1000 per year shook me. Only then did I realize (too little too late) that there was no give and take. But that served as my wake-up call.
From Surf to Dirt: My Unexpected Career Shift
Consequently, in a move that surprised even me, I traded in my cushy office job for a position driving massive dump trucks in an Iron Ore mine in the middle of nowhere. Now, brace yourself for the comedic climax: Not only did I have zero experience driving any sort of machinery, but ironically, I could barely even manage a manual car.
Was it crazy? Absolutely. Was it difficult? You bet. The sacrifices were real. Was it worth it? 100%.
And here is why FIFO Jobs are Great for Building Wealth…
Incredibly, this leap of faith allowed me to TRIPLE my income almost overnight. Suddenly, instead of stressing about bills, I was earning massive paychecks, investing as much as I could, and watching my dividend payments grow from a measly $40 a year to over $4000.
Learning to Thrive in FIFO Life
FIFO (Fly-In-Fly-Out) work was a whole new world, for me. Practically overnight, I went from air-conditioned office meetings to 12-hour shifts in the red dust of the Aussie outback. On my weeks off, I lived the van lifestyle, and explored as much as Western Australia as I could manage.
As the weeks flew by, I battled through my limiting beliefs and my fears, and I learned to drive those enormous dump trucks (which, admittedly, was a far cry from my struggle with manual cars). I also got an unexpected crash course in navigating the unique social dynamics of mining camps. Surprisingly, considering the culture shock, it didn’t take long for me to learn how to balance the intensity of work weeks with the freedom of my time off – and I bloody loved it.
From Daydreams to Dirt Roads: Making It Happen
Having financial breathing room changed everything. Suddenly, I went from vaguely dreaming about land ownership to actively viewing properties on my days off (I still haven’t found the right property yet, so its a work in progress that you’ll get to follow along with!)
I’ve also managed to:
– Grow my investment portfolio to six figures, even though I would have laughed at that reality in 2019!
– Pay cash for my dream car – a 1989 60 Series Landcruiser (if you know you know!)
– Invest in business opportunities to diversify, and keep growing, my wealth
– Fund fun experiences like overseas skate trips to Bali
– Relearn how to ride a dirt bike (in my 30’s, no less!)
– Spend more quality time with my family, without having to user ever-dwindling annual leave or sick days.
Embracing Self-Sufficiency
The pandemic was a massive wake-up call, for all of us. Seeing all of those empty supermarket shelves and disrupted supply chains highlighted just how dependent we’ve become on systems beyond our control, and it didn’t sit right with me, or many of my friends and family. In fact, it was downright scary to think we’ve let it get to this point where we’re SO reliant on the system, and barely have the skills or resources to look after ourselves.
So, alongside my financial journey, I’ve been exploring self-sufficiency – starting with a humble veggie patch at my rental house, to basic repairs on my car, bike and around the house. I’ve even learned how to pick the right Akubra and wear it without looking like a dickhead which is quite a feat, apparently. Lol.
What You’ll Find on Boots N Bucks
– FIFO Mining Insights: The real deal on growing your income in the Fly-In-Fly-Out mining world.
– Investing Made Simple: Breaking down ETFs, index funds, and strategies to grow your wealth.
– Rural Living & Self-Sufficiency: Learning ALL the country skills. Ever tried to wear an Akubra without looking like a dickhead? I’ll share my tips!
– Mindset & Personal Growth: How changing my perspective changed my life.
– Practical Financial Advice: Money management tips that actually work, even if you’re starting from scratch like I did.
What to Expect
– No get-rich-quick schemes (sorry, not sorry!)
– Real talk about growing your income and building wealth
– Practical steps towards self-sufficiency
– Honest accounts of my successes and failures
Whether you’re aiming to beef up your bank account, dreaming of a countryside move, or just looking to break free from a rut, we’ve got plenty to discuss!
I’m not here to promise you’ll get rich quick or that you’ll be living on a sprawling farm by next year, but, I will share a realistic depiction of what it takes to grow your income, build a $100k+ portfolio, save for a deposit, and cultivate practical skills that can lead to self-sufficiency.
So friend, are you ready to start your journey to financial freedom and a more self-reliant lifestyle?
Lovely. Grab a cuppa, or a cold one, get comfortable, and dive into some existing content!
And I’ll get busy putting some more of my lessons (failures and successes) into more posts.
Bye for now, and thanks for stopping by.
Sophia.