Brooke’s FIRE Plan: How She’s Investing to Retire at 35

Oct 7, 2025

Brooke shares her inspiring journey to potentially retire at 35 by building wealth from a $50K salary. Discover the concept of a 'FIRE number' and why a conservative drawdown rate is essential for safety. Learn about Barista FIRE, smart investment choices like ETFs, and the importance of automating savings. Brooke emphasizes the power of mindset shifts and shares practical tips to boost savings without sacrificing fun, proving that financial independence can be achieved with strategic planning and a little frugality.

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ANECDOTE

Built FIRE From A $50K Start

Brooke revealed she’s on track to retire at 35 after building her portfolio dollar by dollar from a $50k salary.
She emphasises consistent habits and steady investing rather than a one-off windfall.

INSIGHT

FIRE Is Savings Rate + Index Investing

The FIRE movement raises savings rate dramatically and invests the surplus into index funds and ETFs.
The core idea is living below means now to buy years of optionality later.

ADVICE

Automate To Protect Savings Rate

Increase your savings rate progressively and automate contributions so you don't see the money.
Brooke set a weekly pay-yourself-first system and now automates a 68% savings rate.

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Retiring early is the ultimate dream... so when Brooke casually dropped that she’s on track to do it by 35 (without the Bank of Mum and Dad), you all screamed a collective “HOW?!”

So of course, Victoria had to get her back in the studio to spill everything... and more importantly, share what the rest of us can steal from her strategy without living on two-minute noodles. Turns out, it’s not magic, she started on a $50K salary and built it dollar by dollar with smart habits, steady investing, and a money plan that’s more about options than obsession. Think of this as your crash course in Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) for people who still love a little bit of fun money. Because the real flex isn’t retiring early, it’s having the kind of financial independence that lets you choose what your dream life looks like.

Inside this ep:
📈 What a “FIRE number” actually is (and how to figure out yours)
📈 Why “Barista FIRE” could be the soft-life version of early retirement
📈 Super vs shares: how to choose the smarter move for your future
📈 Mindset shifts that totally changed the game for her
📈 The small money systems Brooke swears by (and how to copy them)
📈 Why even a 1% change in your savings rate can shift your whole future

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Acknowledgement of Country By Nartarsha Bamblett aka Queen Acknowledgements.

The advice shared on She's On The Money is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. She's On The Money exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. If you do choose to buy a financial product, read the PDS, TMD and obtain appropriate financial advice tailored towards your needs. Victoria Devine and She's On The Money are authorised representatives of Money Sherpa PTY LTD ABN - 321649 27708, AFSL - 451289.

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