Let’s Talk: What does ‘making it’ mean to you?

Making it means different things to different people; from building a prosperous business to watching your family grow, it seems the definition of what makes a successful life really comes down to the individual.

But for most Australians, if you’ve paid off your house, have a healthy stash of super and are able to take an annual overseas holiday, you’ve “made it” financially.

But what does “making it” really mean?

And more importantly, what’s your idea of financial success?

A survey of more than 2,000 people conducted by comparison site finder.com.au found that 74 per cent, or nearly three quarters of Aussies think paying off your mortgage is the most significant financial milestone.

In fact in Queensland, 28 per cent, compared with 25 per cent overall, agreed that purchasing an investment property was linked with prestige — the most in any state; which is surprising as who knew Queenslanders aspired to be property moguls?

Next on the list as to whether you’ve “made it” or not, was if you had enough superannuation to be comfortable in retirement.

More than half (59 per cent) of respondents ticked this as an important indicator of success while 24 per cent thought retiring at 50 meant you’d made it.

Do you agree?

And while only 36 per cent of Aussies rate having an annual overseas trip as a sure sign you’ve made it, it seems 40 per cent of WA residents, compared to 35 per cent of Victorians, value jet setting.

Keeping with that holiday theme, it makes sense that 13 per cent of Western Australians and Victorians, compared with 11 per cent over all, believe having a holiday house is a sign of living the dream compared to just 9 per cent of NSW residents.

Unsurprisingly, owning a flashy sports car seems to be just as cliche in real life as it is, well, in real life — only 4 per cent of Queenslanders and 5 per cent of NSW, VIC and WA rated it as an important financial milestone.

But what really indicates whether or not you’re successful in life? Tell us your thoughts.

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your financial or legal situation, objectives or needs. That means it’s not financial product or legal advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a financial or legal decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get independent, licensed financial services or legal advice.