Aussie FIRE | Financial Independence Retire Early

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 new Star Trek films, the cult hit Blade Runner, and – who could forget? – the 1979 classic, Alien.

Now, after seven years of waiting, you’re finally being treated to a James Cameron-directed Alien sequel. But this time, it won’t simply be ONE alien. Oh, no… this time, it’s goi...

“These Aussie FIRE Q&As are, in my opinion, the single best resource on Earth for long-term investors.” - Warren Buffett

So it probably won’t surprise any listeners to read this, but Warren Buffett isn’t actually responsible for the above quote. But could you imagine if he was? Like, he’s serving his final six months as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, and he decides to give a shout-out to this Q&A? What a world that would be!

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...

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 invest...

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 b...

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 ...

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. A...

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 poi...

What do Aussie FIRE’s Q&As and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream have in common?

Two things:

1. They both feature ampersands
2. They’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 ...

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...

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...

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 point...

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 an...

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, o...

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 t...

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...

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Because 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 ...

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In a previous episode, we conducted a deep dive into Dave’s finances. However, keen observers and long-time listeners may have noticed something: Dave is only one of TWO hosts on this podcast. What’s more, the other host is renowned for his novel, proactive, and sometimes wacky cost-cutting measures. We are, of course, talking about Hayden – co-founder of investing platform Pearler and man with a thousand savings hack...

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Dave and Hayden’s Q&As have become a regular thing on this podcast. Sure, audience feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, which is the key reason they’ve become part of the landscape. At a deeper level, though, Dave and Hayden see it as a golden opportunity to connect with the community. That’s why they’re particularly excited about this session.

During this episode, they answer a range of questions, f...