Aussie FIRE | Financial Independence Retire Early
Episodes
54. Financial advice we're not subscribing to - part 1
19 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re a young person today, it can feel like you’re playing a new game while still being expected to follow old rules that no longer quite fit...
53. FI case studies: Retiring in Australia vs. overseas, planning for a partner and kids, and house price anxiety
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Hayden dive into a fresh round of FI case studies and the life-planning dilemmas that shape our money decisions. They start ...
52. Q&A: Cashflow vs Growth: Monthly ETFs, Tax Tweaks, and Super Strategies
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Hayden tackle four FI dilemmas. They unpack the allure of monthly-income ETFs like HYLD and why payout timing shouldn’...
51. Investing for growth vs income
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dave and Hayden unpack one of the biggest questions on the path to financial independence: should you focus on dividend income or capital growth?Shoul...
50. FI case studies: Retiring in Your 50s and Investing vs Paying Off the Mortgage
24 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Dave and Hayden explore two real-life case studies.First, they discuss whether a couple in their fifties truly needs 25 times their ex...
49. Q&A: Market highs, geared super, investment bonds
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode, Dave and Hayden tackle three big listener questions: Should you invest a lump sum when markets are at all-time highs? Is gearing inside ...
48. Offsets vs Investing: What’s Really Best for Your Mortgage?
26 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Should you pour extra cash into your offset account, stash it in savings, or invest it? In this episode, Dave and Hayden break down the numbers and tr...
47. Case studies: Escaping Mortgage Prison & Switching from Property to Shares
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Hayden tackle two listener case studies. They dive into the emotional and practical trade-offs of selling vs holding propert...
46. Q&A: Employee share schemes, LICs, and mental accounting
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this Q&A episode, Dave and Hayden unpack three listener questions:Should you hold or sell employee share scheme stock?Are LICs still a smart ch...
45. From super to surcharges: tax strategies you should know about
15 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Hayden continue their discussion on tax, covering practical tips and personal experiences. They explore the First Home Super...
44. Tax strategies we actually use (and would consider)
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nobody loves paying tax – but how much time should you really spend trying to avoid it?In this episode, Dave and Hayden share their personal approac...
43. FI case studies: Retiring now, investing with kids, and using SMSFs
18 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Imagine being a sci-fi film buff in the year 1986.In the prior several years, you would have been treated to the original Star Wars trilogy, a slew of...
42. Q&A: “The gold boom, work/life balance, and will AI kill share investing?”
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“These Aussie FIRE Q&As are, in my opinion, the single best resource on Earth for long-term investors.” - Warren BuffettSo it probably won’t...
41. What to do when the market crashes
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 hor...
40. FI case study: "How can we retire as soon as possible?"
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 wor...
39. Q&A: "Property vs shares, debt recycling, and the downsides of super"
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 boo...
38. Geared ETFs, margin loans and NAB Equity Builder
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the past, this podcast has delved into the practicalities and potential perils of using leverage to invest in shares. And in our completely unbiase...
37. FI case study: "Should we buy more property or invest in shares?" Plus investing with ChatGPT
25 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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.…...
36. Using leverage in the share market
11 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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’...
35. Q&A: "Investment returns, using home equity, and when to splurge"
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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…ok...
34. Dave's hard lessons from 15 years of property investing
14 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
33. FI case study: "Should we buy our dream home?" Plus buying the dip and bonds
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 th...
32. Credit card hacking
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
At a glance, credit cards might seem at odds with Financial Independence. After all, credit cards accrue “bad” debt, which many people consider an...
31. FI case study: "Do I have enough to retire early?" Plus ETFs vs managed funds
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
30. Investing in ETFs vs super
17 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Both are often touted as effective vehicles for long-term investing. But for those working towards FIRE, there are some key differences to consider be...
29. FI case study: freedom in your 40s, DRPs, and combating social isolation
03 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 w...
28. How to find unlimited motivation on the FI journey
20 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 te...
27. FI case study: semi retirement, island living & getting shares stolen
06 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
26. A deep dive into Hayden's finances
22 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn a previous episode, we conducted a deep dive into Dave’s finances. However, keen observers and long-time listeners may have noticed...
25. Q&A: Dave's portfolio, debt recycling follow-ups, and a listener's success story
08 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textDave and Hayden’s Q&As have become a regular thing on this podcast. Sure, audience feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, whic...
24. House vs apartment: How to optimise your home price for FIRE
25 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textDave and Hayden at Aussie FIRE recently received a thought-provoking question from a listener. While we’re paraphrasing slightly, its ...
23. Investing mistakes we've made (and what we've learned)
11 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThere are countless ways to learn as an investor, from books, to podcasts (like this one), to quarterly earnings reports. Even so, some ...
22. Singles vs couples: which is better for FI?
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIf you’re working towards Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE), a question may have crossed your mind: is it easier to reach FIR...
21. Aussie FIRE Q&A: ETF strategy, FI case study, and investing for kids
13 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textA few sessions ago, Dave and Hayden hosted their first Aussie FIRE audience Q&A. Well, the community seemed to enjoy it… so they’...
20. Debt recycling part 2: FAQs
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textLast episode, Aussie FIRE co-hosts Dave and Hayden discussed debt recycling, and who can benefit from it. As it turns out, people in our...
19. Debt recycling: What is it and who can benefit from it?
16 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textYou may have suspected just from its name, but debt recycling can be a polarising topic in investing circles. Some hail it as an effecti...
18. A deep dive into Dave’s finances
02 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOne of our hosts became renowned across Australia for reaching FIRE by age 28. We are, of course, referring to Dave Gow, the mastermind ...
17. Aussie FIRE Q&A: Dividends, timing the market, and ethical investing
19 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textSince launching back in 2023, the Aussie FIRE podcast has cultivated an incredible community of listeners. And, over the last few months...
16. How to calculate whether to rent or buy your home
05 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textHousing plays a pivotal role in any FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) strategy. Whether you rent or buy, you’ll need to accou...
15. Is university worth the money?
21 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn life, there are various ways to invest. And we’re not only talking about shares versus bonds, or ETFs versus property. In fact, edu...
14. Mastering your mindset
07 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textPreviously on this podcast, we’ve covered how different mindsets affect your money habits. This time around, Dave (Strong Money Austra...
13. Using super to buy a home quicker
24 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn your Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE) travels, you may have heard of the First Home Super Saver Scheme. To oversimplify, it...
12. Achieving FI on a lower income
10 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWhen you listen to stories of FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early), you’d be forgiven for assuming that a huge income is a prere...
11. What we invest in & why
26 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThis session, Dave (Strong Money Australia) and Hayden (co-founder of Pearler) are doing something a little different. Instead of explor...
10. Are shares the best path to FIRE?
12 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWithin the Australian Financial Independence community, shares have always been a popular asset. With a bit of research, it’s easy to ...
9. When does frugality go too far?
29 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textFor most people on a FIRE journey, frugality is a potent tool in their toolkit. Yes, investing plays a role – but frugality serves a r...
8. How important is housing to FIRE?
15 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textYou MIGHT have noticed this, but people in Australia looooooove to talk about property. It’s a surefire conversation-starter if ever y...
7. Has FIRE changed since Covid?
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textYou don’t need us to tell you that Covid disrupted a LOT. From the lockdowns, to the obvious health-related dangers, there weren’t m...
6. Passing on the lessons we’ve learned
16 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textKnowledge is a lot like compound interest: the more you accrue, the faster it grows. How, then, can we ensure that others around us, and...
5. Choosing work for income vs enjoyment
02 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOne of the greatest joys of FIRE are these two hyphenated words: “work-optional”. The freedom to choose whether to work, and what to...
4. Balancing future goals with current desires
19 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a text“I’m saving for a home deposit right now, but my friends just invited me to a bottomless brunch. I know that every dollar counts, bu...
3. How different mindsets affect your money habits
05 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn the realm of money psychology, different mindsets can affect the way we spend, save, and invest. Two of the most relevant mindsets fo...
2. How to deal with financial surprises and setbacks
22 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThe road to FIRE is seldom a straight line. Between job losses, home repairs, medical issues, and other unwelcome surprises, our best la...
1. Questions on money, freedom, and a FIRE’d lifestyle
08 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThe quest for FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) requires planning, discipline, and structured money management. It’s no surp...
0. Welcome to the Aussie FIRE podcast
24 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWelcome to Aussie FIRE, the podcast designed to educate and inspire you towards a better future! This podcast evolved from an audiobook ...
The Aussie FIRE Audiobook | Conclusion
03 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textCongratulations! You've made it to the final chapter of our original Aussie FIRE audiobook. In each chapter, we've covered a d...
Chapter 24: Wealth beyond money
27 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textFrom budgeting to ETFs, this audiobook has covered a range of routes to reach FIRE. However, beyond earning, saving, and investing, ther...
Chapter 23: Build financial resilience
20 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textFor many, reaching FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) is a best case scenario. However, it's even more important to prepare...
Chapter 22: Life Once FIRE’d
13 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn the last chapter, we covered how to choose your FIREstyle. By "FIREstyle", we mean the type of life you'd like to live...
Chapter 21: Find your FIREstyle
06 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textMuch of this audiobook has focused on the path to FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early). So far, though, there's a crucial qu...
Chapter 20: Property investing meets FIRE
29 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThere's an old joke that's been kicking around for the past decade or so: "If you're struggling to make conversation...
Chapter 19: Fuel for the FIRE - Leverage
22 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textFirst off, we want to make something clear: debt and leverage can be a slippery slope. Many people in our community either avoid debt li...
Chapter 18: International investing for Aussies
15 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWe Aussies love to travel abroad. More than half of us have passports, which makes us one of the world's more globe-trotting nation...
Chapter 17: Superannuation and FIRE
08 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOften, the FIRE community focuses on the more eye-catching routes to early retirement - shares, ETFs, real estate, budgeting. However, s...
Chapter 16: Optimise your portfolio
01 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textAt Aussie FIRE, we believe that investing regularly in low-cost ETFs will trump endless research. Forget an encyclopaedic market knowled...
Chapter 15: FIRE for late starters
25 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textHave you read many early retirement success stories lately? Chances are, most of them featured investors who were too young to have used...
Chapter 14: FIRE with a family
18 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIf you search online for FIRE resources, you'll likely find a slew of articles targeted at singles or couples. In contrast, the ide...
Chapter 13: Learn to play the long game
11 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThe Financial Independence Retire Early movement benefits from a long-term mindset. For many investors, this equates to concepts like ti...
Chapter 12b: Diversifying with other assets
04 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn our last chapter, we detailed why shares and index-tracking funds have historically been so popular with the FIRE community. However,...
Chapter 12a: Why FI loves shares
28 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThere are a slew of different ways to reach Financial Independence and Retire Early. However, there's one method that stands tall a...
Chapter 11: Why you should invest ASAP
21 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWithin the long-term investing community, the phrase "time in the market beats timing the market" is something of a motto. In ...
Chapter 10: Prepare for emergencies
14 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textSometimes, despite our best efforts, life can get in the way of our FIRE plans. Unwelcome surprises can place demands on our finances, a...
Chapter 9: Get the most BFYB
07 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a text"Work smart, not hard" is a philosophy that's applicable to countless areas of life. Perhaps nowhere is this truer than i...
Chapter 8: Beyond the easy wins
30 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn the last chapter, we covered the easy wins to be found on the journey towards FIRE. However, to really progress towards our goals, we...
Chapter 7: Bag the easy wins
23 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThere's no hack, secret formula, or "one weird trick" that can propel any of us to financial freedom. Even so, many well-...
Chapter 6: Focus on savings before earnings
16 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThere are an array of factors that contribute to a solid FIRE strategy. Arguably, though, none are more important than saving. Sure, inc...
Chapter 5: Get perspective - A tale of two spenders
09 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWhat happens when you spend an extra $27.50 a day? You lose $10,000 a year in savings. That's what Mrs Hack from Sustainable Living...
Chapter 4: Dealing with debt emergencies
02 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWhen left unchecked, debt can pose a real problem to Financial Independence. Poor credit scores, insecurity, and even debt collectors ca...
Chapter 3: The Debt Dilemma. Pay it off or invest?
26 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn a perfect world, you’d have enough money to pay off your debt and invest at the same time. However, the world is rarely perfect - e...
Chapter 2: Debt. The Good, The Bad and The Tolerable
19 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIf left unchecked, debt can pose one of the greatest obstacles to Financial Independence. However, not all debt is created equal. Some d...
Chapter 1: Find your why and type of FI
12 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textLearning how to attain FIRE is one thing. But it's just as important to recognise why you want to reach it in the first place. Find...
An Introduction to Aussie FIRE by Kurt from Pearler
12 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textFirst, let's get one thing straight: FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) isn't only attainable for billionaires or peo...
The Aussie FIRE Audiobook | Foreword by Dave Gow from Strong Money Australia
12 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn case you missed it, "FIRE" stands "Financial Independence, Retire Early" - and who better to introduce the concep...
Trailer
22 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWelcome to the Aussie FIRE audiobook - the ultimate guide to Financial Independence for Australians. Featuring 20 of Australia's to...