Aussie Firebug 98. Alan Donegan - Building Businesses Without Debt & The Rebel Way to Financial Independence
Oct 12, 2025
Alan Donegan, co-founder of the Rebel Business School, inspires with his journey from a challenging upbringing to achieving financial independence by 2019. He discusses how the school empowers individuals to start businesses without incurring debt, focusing on validating ideas through sales first. Alan shares insights on cultural differences in entrepreneurship, the transition from property investment to index funds, and the importance of execution and risk management in business. Plus, he emphasizes the value of teaching people how to think critically for better decision-making.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Childhood Loss Drove Financial Fixation
- Alan's father built a business then went bankrupt and left, which deeply scarred Alan about money and risk.
- That upbringing drove Alan to learn both how to make money and how to keep it, shaping his life choices.
A Breakup Sparked A Self-Help Journey
- After a breakup and family collapse Alan discovered self-development books that changed his thinking and set goals.
- Rich Dad, Poor Dad introduced him to the idea of buying time via assets, steering him toward property investing.
Prefer Lump Sum Over DCA When Ready
- Lump-sum investing beats dollar-cost averaging mathematically; put money in the market once you commit.
- Base choices on math, not fear, because emotion-driven timing often costs you significant returns.
