Aussie FIRE | Financial Independence Retire Early

The phrase “market crash” has appeared in the media (both traditional and social) a lot this year. Those of you with iron stomachs and 20-year horizons may have just shrugged and put your phones away. But for many, the constant turmoil has been a reason to start glancing towards the exit. It’s an understandable reaction – but not one you need to live with.If you’ve found that recent market crashes have stolen your peace of mind, this episode is for you. Join Dave and Hayden as they cast an historical reality check on market crashes, and highlight what NOT to do. They also highlight some potential benefits to seize during a downturn, and discuss market crash strategies for people nearing retirement.FI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny advice is general and does not consider your financial situation needs, or objectives, so consider whether it’s appropriate for you. You should also consider seeking professional advice before making any financial decision.Pearler is an Authorised Representative #1281540 of Sanlam Private Wealth Pty Ltd AFSL #337927. Read the FSG available from https://pearler.com/financial-services-guideIf you are considering any of the products we spoke about during the show, be sure to read the Product Disclosure Statement & Target Market Determination available from the product issuer’s website before deciding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With a name like “Aussie FIRE”, you’d expect that this podcast would be all about retiring early.And, to be fair, it sort of is.However, the world of Financial Independence, Retire Early is crammed with concepts that can sometimes feel far removed from the goal of early retirement. That’s why this episode’s case study is particularly refreshing.The case study itself is jam-packed with facts, figures, and proposed investing schedules. For the sake of the episode description, we’ve whittled it down to the following:“We’ve recently started on our FIRE journey. How can we reach early retirement as soon as possible?”As always, the answer to this question will differ depending on a range of factors. Even so, by listening to Dave and Hayden do the maths around this case study, you may well find some ideas for your own FIRE goal.FI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny advice is general and does not consider your financial situation needs, or objectives, so consider whether it’s appropriate for you. You should also consider seeking professional advice before making any financial decision.Pearler is an Authorised Representative #1281540 of Sanlam Private Wealth Pty Ltd AFSL #337927. Read the FSG available from https://pearler.com/financial-services-guideIf you are considering any of the products we spoke about during the show, be sure to read the Product Disclosure Statement & Target Market Determination available from the product issuer’s website before deciding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You want to know the best thing about the Q&A format? It delivers what it promises. People ask questions, other people give answers, bing bang boom.Now, do you want to know the best thing about the Aussie FIRE Q&A format? The answers are almost always awesome.In this qanda to end all qandas, Aussie FIRE hosts Dave and Hayden field queries on some of this podcast’s most popular topics. Shares vs super? You’d better believe it. Debt recycling? There’s enough here to impress Tony Soprano and Captain Planet (experts on debt and recycling, respectively). The downsides of super? No investment vehicle is all upsides, and Dave and Hayden will prove it on the super front.Every question has an answer – and this episode sure does provide some of them!FI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny advice is general and does not consider your financial situation needs, or objectives, so consider whether it’s appropriate for you. You should also consider seeking professional advice before making any financial decision.Pearler is an Authorised Representative #1281540 of Sanlam Private Wealth Pty Ltd AFSL #337927. Read the FSG available from https://pearler.com/financial-services-guideIf you are considering any of the products we spoke about during the show, be sure to read the Product Disclosure Statement & Target Market Determination available from the product issuer’s website before deciding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the past, this podcast has delved into the practicalities and potential perils of using leverage to invest in shares. And in our completely unbiased opinion, it was a brilliant delving. However, the episode in question focused on using home equity. In doing so, left an unanswered question: how can renters or those who don’t like the home equity method, use leverage to invest?In this session, Dave and Hayden explore non-home equity channels for leverage in investing. From geared ETFs to margin loans and everything in between, the FIRE-namic duo share their thoughts. So, pour yourself a beverage and hear about leverage!FI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny advice is general and does not consider your financial situation needs, or objectives, so consider whether it’s appropriate for you. You should also consider seeking professional advice before making any financial decision.Pearler is an Authorised Representative #1281540 of Sanlam Private Wealth Pty Ltd AFSL #337927. Read the FSG available from https://pearler.com/financial-services-guideIf you are considering any of the products we spoke about during the show, be sure to read the Product Disclosure Statement & Target Market Determination available from the product issuer’s website before deciding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who doesn’t like a good Aussie FIRE case study?That wasn’t a rhetorical question, and we’re going to give you an answer.Monsters, that’s who.…okay, so maybe that’s a bit harsh – we’re sure there are upstanding citizens out there who don’t like Aussie FIRE case studies – but we have a feeling that YOU’ll like this one.In this session, Dave and Hayden field a question from a listener whose experience mirrors Dave’s. As per usual, we’ve oversimplified the question below so it fits into this episode description:“My partner and I own our home, and we’re thinking of living overseas for a few years. Before we go, should we focus on saving up cash, buying an investment property, or debt recycling into shares?”While there’s no universally right answer, Dave and Hayden weigh up the potential pros and cons of each choice. After the case study, they also delve into a presently trending topic: is there any value in using ChatGPT for investing?FI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny advice is general and does not consider your financial situation needs, or objectives, so consider whether it’s appropriate for you. You should also consider seeking professional advice before making any financial decision.Pearler is an Authorised Representative #1281540 of Sanlam Private Wealth Pty Ltd AFSL #337927. Read the FSG available from https://pearler.com/financial-services-guideIf you are considering any of the products we spoke about during the show, be sure to read the Product Disclosure Statement & Target Market Determination available from the product issuer’s website before deciding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You may well have heard the (correct) adage that investing carries risk. And if you’ve ever missed a mortgage, credit card, or BNPL repayment, you’ll be familiar with the risks of leverage. So, if they’re both risky, are there any circumstances in which it would make sense to combine them?In this Aussie FIRE episode, Dave and Hayden discuss this exact topic. Join them as they cover leveraging strategy, debt options, and key points to consider. While using leverage for shares investing isn’t for everyone, this session may help you decide whether it’s right for you.FI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny advice is general and does not consider your financial situation needs, or objectives, so consider whether it’s appropriate for you. You should also consider seeking professional advice before making any financial decision.Pearler is an Authorised Representative #1281540 of Sanlam Private Wealth Pty Ltd AFSL #337927. Read the FSG available from https://pearler.com/financial-services-guideIf you are considering any of the products we spoke about during the show, be sure to read the Product Disclosure Statement & Target Market Determination available from the product issuer’s website before deciding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do Aussie FIRE’s Q&As and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream have in common?Two things:They both feature ampersandsThey’re both very good…okay, so that wasn’t some of our best work, BUT you should definitely check this episode out.Co-hosts Dave and Hayden have opened the mailbag to answer some of the community’s most asked questions. From “When is it okay to splurge during a FIRE journey?” to “Investment loans: yay or nay?”, this session answers a panoply of dicey questions.How many of these questions have YOU asked?FI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny advice is general and does not consider your financial situation needs, or objectives, so consider whether it’s appropriate for you. You should also consider seeking professional advice before making any financial decision.Pearler is an Authorised Representative #1281540 of Sanlam Private Wealth Pty Ltd AFSL #337927. Read the FSG available from https://pearler.com/financial-services-guideIf you are considering any of the products we spoke about during the show, be sure to read the Product Disclosure Statement & Target Market Determination available from the product issuer’s website before deciding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dave loves ETFs. Hayden co-founded a platform which focuses on ETFs. So, when it comes to Financial Independence, these two must have been committed to ETFs from Day One, right?…yeah, nah. In fact, as the title suggests, Dave has accrued 15 years of experience in property investing. And over that timeframe, he’s learned some truths which he wished he’d known before he started.Now, none of this is to suggest that property is a flawed route to FIRE. Indeed, it played a key role in Dave’s work optional status. But by hearing Dave’s experiences, you may be able to lighten your own load on your property journey.FI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny advice is general and does not consider your financial situation needs, or objectives, so consider whether it’s appropriate for you. You should also consider seeking professional advice before making any financial decision.Pearler is an Authorised Representative #1281540 of Sanlam Private Wealth Pty Ltd AFSL #337927. Read the FSG available from https://pearler.com/financial-services-guideIf you are considering any of the products we spoke about during the show, be sure to read the Product Disclosure Statement & Target Market Determination available from the product issuer’s website before deciding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Folks, it’s time for another FI case study – and this one explores a topic that will hit close to home. Keep reading, and you’ll find out why that was such a hilarious pun.In this episode, Dave and Hayden take a question from a listener which has crossed countless minds. The listener does an excellent job of providing their financial details, so the Aussie FIRE duo can really dive in. In essence, though, the question boils down to:“Should my partner and I max out our borrowing capacity and buy our dream home now? Or should we keep investing and hope we can afford it in the future?”As always, the listener’s circumstances are unique, and may not apply to you. Having said that, you may find some food for thought for your own property journey. Beyond this listener’s question, Dave and Hayden also share their thoughts on bonds, and buying the dip.Enjoy!FI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny advice is general and does not consider your financial situation needs, or objectives, so consider whether it’s appropriate for you. You should also consider seeking professional advice before making any financial decision.Pearler is an Authorised Representative #1281540 of Sanlam Private Wealth Pty Ltd AFSL #337927. Read the FSG available from https://pearler.com/financial-services-guideIf you are considering any of the products we spoke about during the show, be sure to read the Product Disclosure Statement & Target Market Determination available from the product issuer’s website before deciding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At a glance, credit cards might seem at odds with Financial Independence. After all, credit cards accrue “bad” debt, which many people consider anathema to FIRE goals. Even so, for those who manage their budgets well, credit cards can play a role in a frugal lifestyle. And while Dave Gow doesn’t have experience in this realm, Hayden does!Join the duo this session as they explore credit card hacking – the art of maximising points, cashback, travel perks, and other rewards. The goal of credit card hacking is to get “free money” from signup bonuses or rewards from your everyday spending. And while it’s not for every risk appetite, it can align with some FI outlooks.Tune in to find out how your credit cards could work for you!FI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny advice is general and does not consider your financial situation needs, or objectives, so consider whether it’s appropriate for you. You should also consider seeking professional advice before making any financial decision.Pearler is an Authorised Representative #1281540 of Sanlam Private Wealth Pty Ltd AFSL #337927. Read the FSG available from https://pearler.com/financial-services-guideIf you are considering any of the products we spoke about during the show, be sure to read the Product Disclosure Statement & Target Market Determination available from the product issuer’s website before deciding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Much like the Chupacabra or Berkshire Hathaway’s founding story, Aussie FIRE’s FI case studies have become the stuff of legend. This time ‘round, Dave and Hayden answer a question from a listener which may well have crossed your mind:“Do I have enough in savings, investments, and super to retire early?”Of course, this person’s portfolio, income, and living circumstances are specific to them. Even so, by listening to Dave and Hayden crunch the numbers with this listener, you can form some ideas which can help shape your FIRE journey. The Frugal Fraternity (a nickname we’re trialling for them) also discuss a classic long-term investing topic: ETFs or managed funds?FI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny advice is general and does not consider your financial situation needs, or objectives, so consider whether it’s appropriate for you. You should also consider seeking professional advice before making any financial decision.Pearler is an Authorised Representative #1281540 of Sanlam Private Wealth Pty Ltd AFSL #337927. Read the FSG available from https://pearler.com/financial-services-guideIf you are considering any of the products we spoke about during the show, be sure to read the Product Disclosure Statement & Target Market Determination available from the product issuer’s website before deciding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Both are often touted as effective vehicles for long-term investing. But for those working towards FIRE, there are some key differences to consider between ETFs and super. On one hand, super is purpose-built for retirement, and offers a number of unique potential tax benefits. On the other, ETFs are more liquid, and may better suit the “early” in “retire early”.So, what’s the right balance? Should you focus on one, the other, or a mixture of both? Well, Dave and Hayden can’t tell you what to do. Even so, they can discuss a range of different hypotheticals that help you find YOUR most suitable outcome. Enjoy!FI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny advice is general and does not consider your financial situation needs, or objectives, so consider whether it’s appropriate for you. You should also consider seeking professional advice before making any financial decision.Pearler is an Authorised Representative #1281540 of Sanlam Private Wealth Pty Ltd AFSL #337927. Read the FSG available from https://pearler.com/financial-services-guideIf you are considering any of the products we spoke about during the show, be sure to read the Product Disclosure Statement & Target Market Determination available from the product issuer’s website before deciding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

That’s right – it’s time for another one of our much-ballyhooed FI case studies! This time, Dave and Hayden hear from a thirtysomething couple who would like to be work-optional by their 40s. They’ve earned, scrimped, saved, and invested… and they’re wondering whether they’ve made any mistakes in the process. Whilst Dave and Hayden aren’t the Arbiters on All Things FI, they’re happy to share their thoughts. By the end of this episode, you’ll ideally have some fuel for your own FIRE journey!FI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny advice is general and does not consider your financial situation needs, or objectives, so consider whether it’s appropriate for you. You should also consider seeking professional advice before making any financial decision.Pearler is an Authorised Representative #1281540 of Sanlam Private Wealth Pty Ltd AFSL #337927. Read the FSG available from https://pearler.com/financial-services-guideIf you are considering any of the products we spoke about during the show, be sure to read the Product Disclosure Statement & Target Market Determination available from the product issuer’s website before deciding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let’s be honest: Financial Independence can feel like a BIG task. The progress is incremental, the timelines are longer than we’d like, and the temptation to splurge can haunt us. Fortunately, there are a litany of hacks you can apply to remain perpetually motivated.From plugging into “reverse motivation”, to breaking your goals into smaller milestones, to surrounding yourself with like-minded people, the episode runs the gamut of inspirational tactics. Listen in and find the right motivational approach for you!FI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny advice is general and does not consider your financial situation needs, or objectives, so consider whether it’s appropriate for you. You should also consider seeking professional advice before making any financial decision.Pearler is an Authorised Representative #1281540 of Sanlam Private Wealth Pty Ltd AFSL #337927. Read the FSG available from https://pearler.com/financial-services-guideIf you are considering any of the products we spoke about during the show, be sure to read the Product Disclosure Statement & Target Market Determination available from the product issuer’s website before deciding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a textBecause Financial Independence looks different for everyone, there’s seldom a one-size-fits-all approach to reaching it. That’s why the Aussie FIRE podcast loves to consider case studies from listeners. In doing so, we can all consider how different people, with different circumstances, could reach FIRE.This time around, Dave and Hayden assess a case study from a listener who has moved to an island with their family of five. While this already sounds like an FI dream, the family is still working towards early retirement. Tune in to hear Dave and Hayden’s thoughts on how the family could approach their FI quest – and how you could, too!FI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny advice is general and does not consider your financial situation needs, or objectives, so consider whether it’s appropriate for you. You should also consider seeking professional advice before making any financial decision.Pearler is an Authorised Representative #1281540 of Sanlam Private Wealth Pty Ltd AFSL #337927. Read the FSG available from https://pearler.com/financial-services-guideIf you are considering any of the products we spoke about during the show, be sure to read the Product Disclosure Statement & Target Market Determination available from the product issuer’s website before deciding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.