

Aussie FIRE | Financial Independence Retire Early
Hayden Smith & Dave Gow
The Aussie FIRE podcast is the ultimate guide to Financial Independence for Australians. Having started life as an e-book, then an audiobook, it's now reached its final form: a podcast that will keep on giving.The Aussie FIRE audiobook is brought to you by Pearler, Australia's favourite long-term investing community; and Dave Gow, the brains behind Strong Money Australia. Each episode explores a different aspect of Financial Independence, so stay tuned for new releases!https://pearler.comhttps://strongmoneyaustralia.com/DISCLAIMER: We’re big fans of sharing experiences and talking about money. However, please note that any advice is general, and does not consider your financial situation, needs, or objectives.Consider whether it's appropriate for you, and if in doubt, speak to a licensed financial adviser. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 1, 2025 • 60min
44. Tax strategies we actually use (and would consider)
Dive into the world of tax strategies that can boost your financial growth without dodging your obligations. Explore practical approaches like debt recycling and negative gearing to redirect funds smartly. Discover how understanding tax implications can influence your investment choices and even your charitable donations. Maximize superannuation contributions with proactive strategies, and learn how to navigate tax complexities as you approach retirement. Lastly, the importance of seeking professional guidance is underscored, empowering listeners to make informed decisions.

Jul 18, 2025 • 1h 2min
43. FI case studies: Retiring now, investing with kids, and using SMSFs
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 going to be AlienS. That’s right, they’ve gone from the singular to the plural. The film saga has forever changed, and as a viewer, you’ve changed with it.Today, Aussie FIRE listeners can expect to witness a similar metamorphosis. In the past, we have run Case Study episodes. Now, in this moment, we branch into the realm of the plural.Yes, you read that right. This episode will feature……Case Studies.Want to know what’s required to retire now? We have a case study for that. Interested in balancing investments with parenting? Thanks to that little “ies” at the end of “Case Stud”, we have the opportunity to explore that too. What about the wild world of SMSFs? Such is the joy of the plural, we can squeeze in that case study as well!Are you ready? Excellent. Let’s take these case studies into their young James Cameron era.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.

Jul 4, 2025 • 1h 10min
42. Q&A: “The gold boom, work/life balance, and will AI kill share investing?”
“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 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!Anyway, we’re pretty sure you’re going to like this session. In addition to the gold boom, investing for kids, and striking the right work/life balance, we address the electric sheep in the room:“Will AI bring an end to share investing?”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.

Jun 20, 2025 • 1h 12min
41. What to do when the market crashes
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.

Jun 6, 2025 • 1h 1min
40. FI case study: "How can we retire as soon as possible?"
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.

May 23, 2025 • 44min
39. Q&A: "Property vs shares, debt recycling, and the downsides of super"
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.

May 9, 2025 • 1h 13min
38. Geared ETFs, margin loans and NAB Equity Builder
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.

Apr 25, 2025 • 44min
37. FI case study: "Should we buy more property or invest in shares?" Plus investing with ChatGPT
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.

Apr 11, 2025 • 58min
36. Using leverage in the share market
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.

Mar 28, 2025 • 55min
35. Q&A: "Investment returns, using home equity, and when to splurge"
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.