Max Phelps

Max grew up in a family of nine kids, aiming not to be poor. At 21 he met Kelly, a natural shopaholic, and for the next 11 years found the more they earned, the more they spent. He graduated with a Bachelor of Economics with honours from Manchester University and had a successful career with a multinational, which took him to Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City. He loved his two years as a maths teacher in the UK, but when the family moved to Australia he found his UK quali$cation wasn't recognised. To support the family until Max could return to teaching, he and Kelly started a mortgage broking business, then discovered that almost everyone needs a financial education, not just lessons in high school maths.

Now Max is a professional property investor, with 16 rentals, 14 years of experience in finance and qualifications in mortgage broking and financial planning. These days, he spends his time coaching people on money management, property investing and good long-term loan structuring. He wants others to learn from the mistakes he made to gain the same - or greater - success. When he takes a break, it's to travel, or to spend time with his grandson, Matthew. Max and his businesses have taken the 1% pledge, so that 1% of all revenue is directed to improving education in developing countries