Chapter 1
DISCOVER that money is fun

I always thought my dad was a bit sad when it came to money, because he didn't enjoy spending money like other people did. His showers aren't really showers. He turned on the water so slightly you'd think there was a plumbing issue. And his toothbrush looked like it had survived an explosion. And don't get me started on the free McDonald's napkins he's been hoarding since I was a child. To me, money was meant to be enjoyed; to him, spending was something to be avoided. And I saw that as a problem until one night at dinner when I had a realisation that completely flipped my perspective?-?and, honestly, it blew my mind.

I had my dad over for dinner, and we were sitting across from each other, both buzzing with excitement but for completely different reasons. He was describing his latest project: landscaping his front yard. He spoke with the kind of energy most people reserve for their latest adventure, talking about the perfect spot for a lemon tree, how he contacted three different landscapers and managed to find one within his budget.

Meanwhile, I was equally excited, sharing my latest investment plans for my baby daughter. I had recently started building a portfolio for her with the ambitious goal of making her a millionaire. As I talked about investing, compound interest and my strategy for her financial future, it hit me:

• We were both having fun.

The way my dad and I talk to each other about money is the way some people talk to their dads about sport.

For my dad, saving money and hunting for deals wasn't just about being frugal, it was his version of a treasure hunt. He found joy in every dollar saved, every clever bargain and every well-thought-out decision. For me, building wealth through investing wasn't a chore, it was exciting.

That moment reframed everything I thought about money. It doesn't have to be sad, stressful or dull; it can be creative, fulfilling and fun. Saving, investing and spending wisely aren't just about the end goal, they're about enjoying the process, finding excitement in the journey and aligning your financial choices with what you value most.

That realisation changed how I view wealth-building. It's not about deprivation?-?it's about fun. And when you approach money with the right mindset, it becomes not just a means to an end, but a source of joy.

What's coming up next?.?

In this chapter, we'll:

• redefine your relationship with money, focusing on joy and purpose
• explore the idea of purpose-driven finances, aligning your spending and saving with what truly matters to you
• introduce practical exercises to help you uncover your why and create financial goals that excite you
• share real-life examples of how reframing your mindset can transform how you approach wealth-building.

By the end of this chapter, you'll see money as a tool to build the life you want, rather than a source of stress or limitation.

The different types of money

When you ask people to describe money, you can get some very different responses. To some people, money is the root of all evil, and to others, money is good and can be used to help them achieve their dreams.

But here's an idea that will change how you think about money: all these perspectives are correct because there are different types of money. There's happy money and sad money, as money and happiness expert Ken Honda would say, but I believe there's more to it. I like to think of it as fun money and heavy money, but money can also be lucky or skilful. Let me explain.

Fun money vs heavy money

Fun money is the kind you earn or spend with joy. Think of a Christmas gift from your grandma or a paycheque from a job you love. It's money that feels good, uplifting and positive. For example, when I set up an investment account for my daughter on her birthday, I felt so much joy knowing I was doing something meaningful for her future. And when she receives that money, she will feel its happy energy. That's fun money. Whenever you can, aim to give and receive fun money.

On the other hand, my parents spent a lot of money in court when they got divorced, and this was money they both regretted spending. That was heavy money?-?money tied to stress and unhappiness. Like paying for a parking ticket or earning money from a job that drains you, it leaves you stressed, frustrated or regretful. Heavy money weighs you down. It makes building wealth feel like a burden, draining your motivation. This perpetuates the cycle of heavy money.

This is why some people think money is evil, because sometimes it can be. To them, money might only remind them of sad experiences. But as we've seen (and I'm sure you've felt this too), money can also be good. It can bring happiness and be used in ways that feel uplifting, positive and joyful.

The goal is simple: try to create and use as much fun money as possible. Sometimes, heavy money is unavoidable?-?life happens after all?-?and sometimes things happen that you can't predict, but when you make an effort to earn, spend and give money in ways that feel good, money becomes something positive?-?not just for you, but for others too.

This shift makes building wealth easier and guilt-free. When you earn fun money from work you enjoy, it feels fulfilling. When you spend it joyfully, you pass that positive energy to others, creating a cycle of fun money.

So, in short, strive to earn and spend fun money. Not only will it help you build wealth with ease, but it will also spread positivity and joy to those around you, continuing the cycle of happy money.

But here's the thing: not all fun money is in your control. Some money takes effort, while other money feels lucky. That's where the real magic happens?-?understanding the overlap of these types.

Lucky money vs skilled money

Lucky money feels effortless and happens by chance. You have little control over this money: it might come from winning the lottery, receiving an unexpected gift, making a risky investment on a random meme coin and doubling your money overnight, or inheriting money from a rich Nigerian prince you didn't know you were related to. Lucky money flows naturally, without much effort or planning on your part.

The downside to lucky money is its unpredictability. It's hard to replicate or scale, and since it's tied to external factors, you can't control when it happens or if it happens again.

Skilled money, on the other hand, is money earned through deliberate effort, knowledge or expertise. It's the money you work long hours for, learn new skills for and figure out ways to build creative systems for.

Skilled money takes effort upfront but, once mastered, it can often transform into something more consistent and reliable. Of course, some luck is still involved in order to succeed, but you have much more control over it compared with lucky money. For example, building a business or learning to invest takes time and dedication, but over time, it creates opportunities for consistent returns. Skilled money is more fulfilling because it's tied to your abilities, giving you more confidence in your financial future. And the best part is, it gets easier over time.

Hard choices, easy life; easy choices, hard life

There's a personal development quote from Jerzy Gregorek that I love: 'Hard choices, easy life. Easy choices, hard life.' The way I interpret it is that taking the easy path now often makes life harder in the long run, while making hard choices today sets you up for an easier future.

Let's think about something as mundane as brushing your teeth. If you skip brushing for a day, it's no big deal. Nothing disastrous happens. You're not going to wake up the next morning with your teeth falling out. But what if you didn't brush for a year? Or five years? Things start to change. You might get cavities, your gums might bleed or you may even lose teeth. Suddenly, what seemed like a small, easy choice in the moment has snowballed into painful dentist visits, costly treatments or permanent damage. The 'easy' choice of not brushing becomes the 'hard' reality of dealing with the consequences.

Now let's apply this to money. Spending everything you earn in the present often feels easy. Treating yourself, eating out and buying things you don't really need can feel good in the moment. But if you consistently choose to spend instead of saving or investing, future you ends up with a much harder life. Unexpected expenses, missed opportunities or a lack of financial freedom can weigh you down when it matters most.

On the flip side, making the hard choice to save, budget or invest today takes effort. But those small, disciplined actions add up to big rewards over time. Hard choices such as sticking to a budget, paying off high-interest debt or investing lead to financial freedom, stability and the ability to live life on your...