Tash Etschmann was an early adopter of TikTok and has accumulated a net worth of over $500,000 in four years. Etschmann leverages her social media fame to educate her fellow young Australians about personal finance. Etschmann’s early exposure to money management and her work experience across various sectors before becoming self-employed largely inform her finance content. Noticing the lack of finance content creators in Australia, she took on the challenge to fill the gap.
Recently, Etschmann co-authored a book titled, “How To Not Work Forever”, in collaboration with Ana Kresina, co-host of the popular Australian podcast “Get Rich Slow Club”. The book aims to simplify the complex world of investing by breaking down different financial concepts regarding cash, bonds, equities, interest rates, and commodities into digestible chunks.
Given the attention cryptocurrency has garnered among young Australians, Etschmann acknowledges its high-risk nature and discourages her audience from large-scale investments. Despite this, she admits to holding crypto herself, but it only constitutes about 5% of her portfolio.
In addition to her apartment, which she purchased four years ago, Etschmann’s financial portfolio consists of a range of assets, including crypto, shares, super, an apartment, and savings. Musing about her financial journey, Etschmann notes that starting early with money management made her aspirations seem achievable.
Unlicensed financial advice on social media in Australia has raised concerns. In response, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) mandated that “finfluencers”, as financial influencers are known, acquire financial advisory licenses in 2022. Etschmann, like other prominent Australian finfluencers, sought authorization from financial advisory companies and can now legally commission general financial advice on social media platforms.
While Etschmann and other authorized financial influencers continue their work, TikTok remains rife with unlicensed finfluencers dispensing financial advice. Anyone found discussing financial products or services online without the proper license could face up to five years in jail and up to $1 million in fines, according to an ASIC information sheet from March 2022.
Despite her growing achievements and net worth, Etschmann is currently focused on finding balance and fulfillment in her life. She doesn’t feel guilty about enjoying her hobbies and spending money. She’s striving to align her financial success with personal contentment. Her book, “How To Not Work Forever”, encapsulates this approach, offering insights on how to strike the perfect balance between work, financial security, and personal satisfaction.
