Anna Rozanska, a 34-year-old chartered accountant and English teacher, has revealed how she went from having £0 invested to building a portfolio of £100,000 in just four years. She began her journey with one clear goal in mind, avoiding reliance on a single financial breakthrough. Instead, she took on extra work, cut back on spending, and integrated saving into her daily routine.
Her approach included working multiple jobs alongside her 9-to-5, selling unwanted belongings, cutting subscriptions, and challenging herself to live on a £20-a-week food shop. She has shared with the Express the three key things she believes helped her reach the £100,000 milestone, along with why she thinks others shouldn't be put off from attempting the same goal.
Starting small and staying motivated
Anna acknowledged that investing isn't always straightforward, describing her journey as "quite intense." She started with an investment of £50, but explained that having a specific goal helped her achieve her target quickly.
She told the Express: "I got extra jobs. I had my 9 to 5, but then I started teaching English on the side. I started doing the zero-hours contract at Wembley [Arena]. I was pet sitting. I was selling my stuff that I no longer needed. I was cutting all subscriptions.
"I was sort of doing cashback on everything I could. And, you know, that saying 'look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves'. It was literally like that."
As her balance began to grow, it encouraged her to make choices that would benefit her investments, such as investing the money she would have spent on an item into what she described as a "bucket for my dreams." "And as you see it working and you see it growing, it just becomes more and more motivational," she explained.
Cutting costs and making money work
Cutting down costs played a huge role in Anna's success, including making fun challenges for herself such as a food shop challenge. "I mean, it's probably not possible for £20 a week right now. But at the time, like £20 a week, food shop? Let's see what I can make," she said. "It was doable."
While she appreciates that not everyone may have the liberty to work multiple jobs or do all the things she's done, she says that shouldn't put you off or make you feel as though you can't make the same amount of money. "Firstly, you can maybe look to make more money in your current job," she reassures. "So, I was very much the kind of person who was like, okay, what do I need to do to get a promotion at work? You know, what can I do?
"And I did during that time manage to sort of get myself extra money at work. I did that through making a side move to a different company. Got more money then, went back, and had it matched kind of thing."
"So that's not impossible. And if you have children, maybe you can't work every evening. But if you have children with a partner, maybe you can work a couple evenings a week each. You know, and just to snowball that effect."
Investment options and learning resources
For those still lost, Anna brings it down to two simple options: investing through your bank or commission-free investing brokers. Banks are a great option for those who may not feel as confident about investing, and one she says her grandmother opted for. She explained that "it teaches you the habit of investing," but noted that banks often take higher commission, so it is worth enquiring around about costs and commission as "over the long term they can eat a lot into your profits."
Those choosing to go down the commission-free brokers route can open an account with as little as £1 and increase their investments as you get more confident. Anna found that watching online videos by chartered accountants or qualified financial advisers helped her journey as "they break it down in really simple language and simple ways," but she warned against individuals who make financial promises or focus on cryptocurrency.
As her knowledge increased, and with the help of a friend, she then moved onto books, including The Coffeehouse Investor, which she "highly recommends." Anna concluded that the main barrier that prevents people from investing is the mentality that it is "impossible for the normal person to reach big goals." However, starting with just a little, and keeping yourself motivated will enable you to hit your targets, and it doesn't have to be within a specific timeframe, she encourages. As long as you reach it, then it's worth it.
Three tips for future investors
1. Make it a challenge: What helped Anna achieve her goal was making investing fun, and she encourages others to do the same by setting challenges with family or loved ones so it doesn't feel daunting. "Make it a challenge in terms of, 'I have this goal, like, can we see what I can do to achieve it?' Gamify it somehow? Because I cannot overemphasise how much that helps." She gives the example of people creating charts and filling them in each time they hit a certain target, helping them track their progress towards their £100,000 goal.
2. Put your goal everywhere: Anna explained that the reason she started investing was because she wanted to build a house without a mortgage. To keep herself motivated, she put pictures of the house everywhere, including as her laptop background, phone screensaver, and on her fridge. "Keep your motivation visible," she says. "Why are you doing this? Is it for your children? Is it for your cat? Your why will keep you going."
3. Just start: The final piece of advice is simply to go for it. "Even if it's with £10, open an account and start," she says. The financial expert explained that experience is the best teacher, so there is no point in waiting until you understand everything before getting started. In her case, she says: "I just learned as I went along." Don't let a lack of patience or worries about taking risks hold you back.
