For 19-year-old Mia Sinosic-Cass, buying a home wasn’t on her radar – but her canny mum’s life lessons have set her up to get on the property ladder years before her peers.
The University of Melbourne student is in the midst of planning a trip to Europe, while ensuring she can still save to fund her lifestyle and support her mother into the future.
But she’s now also on track to save up for a home deposit by her early twenties – something many young Australians feel is no longer possible for them.
She believes it comes down to the values and financial literacy instilled in her from an early age by her mum, Susie.
‘I think I’m financially savvy but I don’t save every dollar, I don’t stay away from things that cost money because I do believe in living your life and enjoying it,’ Ms Sinosic-Cass, who tutors outside of her study hours, told the Daily Mail.
‘I don’t stay away from things that cost money because I do believe in living your life and enjoying it.
‘But I was raised by a single mum who always worked extremely hard to give my younger brother and me an incredible upbringing.
‘She was studying and working multiple jobs, day and night… and always taught us the value of money. She’d always say, “We make it happen”.’
Mia Sinosic-Cass, 19, is on track to save for her first home deposit and she wants to help others boost their savings too
She believes it comes down to the values and financial literacy instilled in her from an early age by her mum, Susie (mother and daughter pictured together)
Ms Sinosic-Cass, who is studying a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Economics, said her mother instilled in her the belief that enough success and money exists for everyone: ‘You just had to go and get it.
‘Whereas we typically see in older generations, and this can be passed down to their children, more of a scarcity mindset, like, “There’s not enough money to go around,” or, “Money doesn’t grow on trees,”‘ she said.
Ms Sinosic-Cass got her first tutoring job at age 10, earning $10 an hour, and hasn’t stopped working since.
She slowly built her savings while tutoring throughout high school while picking up other jobs and has also now begun investing in shares.
Ms Sinosic-Cass insists she can’t think of any gadgets, treats, special trips or events with friends and family that she’s had to skip to keep boosting her funds.
‘I believe you don’t have to deprive yourself in order to build savings,’ she said.
‘The privilege of having an emergency fund, or some extra savings, is that you never feel left out or like you can’t be a part of something because of money.’
While her studies in economics give her an edge in understanding money matters, Ms Sinosic-Cass said her best resource is sitting down with friends to work on their savings strategies.
Mia continues to tutor and run her own online business while studying full time
‘I really enjoy having conversations about money with my friends because I’ve been able to encourage them to take that step into investing,’ she said.
‘I was there when they made their first $1,000 investment. I’ve told them, “This is the time to do it. Time is your biggest asset.”
‘And as a woman, that’s so empowering… there are too many circumstances where finances are used as power over women.
‘There is a massive gap between how women invest and how much, and closing that gap with men is really important to me.’
But for those who may not be ready to step into the world of investing just yet, Ms Sinosic-Cass said people should invest their time into learning about money instead.
‘Financial knowledge is so accessible – whether it’s books, YouTube, Instagram – there’s so many people who have so much value to provide for free,’ the second-year student said.
‘We need to rewire the way we think about money – a lot of people are raised thinking that money is evil and bad, and that it brings out the worst in people.
‘But really it’s a tool that has a lot of power which can give people control over their independence, and ability to make choices.’
Mia was was raised by her single mum Susie Sinosic (pictured) ‘who always worked extremely hard to give my younger brother and me an incredible upbringing’
Ms Sinosic-Cass said young people should invest their time into learning about money so they can purchase a home or build an emergency fund (stock image)
It comes as new data revealed younger Aussies have entered 2026 more financially prepared than ever.
According to ‘The Raiz Young Australians Money Reset Report’, released today, average opening balances for new users aged 18 to 29 climbed from $299 in January 2024 to $508 by November 2025 – an increase of almost 70 per cent in just under two years.
Brendan Malone, Managing Director & CEO of Raiz Invest, said the data signals that young Australians are taking a more disciplined approach to their money.
‘Despite rising rents, energy and grocery prices, Gen Z and Millennials are restructuring their financial habits and growing their savings buffers, even as the cost of living surged,’ Mr Malone said.
‘The data shows young people don’t feel they can rely on economic stability, so they’re creating their own. Savings are becoming non-negotiable.’
