

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

Jun 21, 2024 • 50min
15. Is university worth the money?
Exploring the value of university education in financial independence. Debating the stability of degrees in a changing job market. Delving into downsides like debt and low initial income. Discussing the dilemma of pursuing higher education or entering the workforce. Examining the impact of immediate work versus university on income potential and motivation.

Jun 7, 2024 • 54min
14. Mastering your mindset
Send us a textPreviously on this podcast, we’ve covered how different mindsets affect your money habits. This time around, Dave (Strong Money Australia) and Hayden (co-founder of Pearler) take it a step further. Beyond simply influencing your money habits, your mindset can determine:How you deal with financial setbacksHow effectively your can plan for your FIRE lifestyleIf and when you reach your FIRE goalsJoin Dave and Hayden as they discuss how to master your mindset for FIRE. They also explore how the right mindset can give you greater resilience, and how accountability can be the secret ingredient in your FIRE kitchen.PearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookFI Case Study Request FormDisclaimerAny 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 24, 2024 • 46min
13. Using super to buy a home quicker
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’s a government plan which allows you to channel some of your superannuation towards your first home deposit.If you’ve been lamenting the costs of real estate lately, the FHSSS may appeal to you. But is it a worthwhile avenue for buying your first address?In this session, Dave (Strong Money Australia) and Hayden (co-founder of Pearler) will be making sense of the First Home Super Saver Scheme. During their chat, they discuss how it works, its pros and cons, and who they believe it’s best suited for. With any luck, this episode will help you understand the Scheme, and decide on whether it’s right for you.PearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookFI Case Study Request FormDisclaimerAny 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 10, 2024 • 55min
12. Achieving FI on a lower income
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 prerequisite. However, while a hefty salary does help, it’s by no means essential. In fact, many people within the FIRE community have retired early without earning in the top tax bracket.In this episode, Dave (Strong Money Australia) and Hayden (co-founder of Pearler) explore how someone can reach FIRE on a lower income. They do this by crunching the compound interest numbers for different salaries and sharing their results. They also detail how cutting your expenses can circumvent the limits of a lower income.By this session’s close, you’ll have a clearer idea of how you can work towards FIRE – regardless of your earnings.PearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookFI Case Study Request FormDisclaimerAny 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 26, 2024 • 56min
11. What we invest in & why
Send us a textThis session, Dave (Strong Money Australia) and Hayden (co-founder of Pearler) are doing something a little different. Instead of exploring some theoretical aspect of Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE), they share specifically what it is they invest in. They also detail why they’ve chosen these particular investments, and how they tie into each host’s FIRE plans.Of course, the investments discussed in this episode won’t be to everyone’s liking. They also won’t align with every listener’s goals, investing horizons, or risk tolerance. However, by sharing them openly, and questioning each other’s choices, they aim to create a spirit of curiosity which will inform your FIRE journey.Enjoy!PearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookFI Case Study Request FormDisclaimerAny 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 12, 2024 • 50min
10. Are shares the best path to FIRE?
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 understand why – they’re easy to manage, they don’t require debt, and most people can get started with minimal funds. This raises the question: is investing in shares the best way to reach FIRE?In this episode, Dave (Strong Money Australia) and Hayden (co-founder of Pearler) tackle this topic head on. They do so by exploring the strengths and drawbacks of shares, and comparing them to other assets like property. They also crunch the data and assess different options for reaching FIRE with and without shares. That way, you can determine the best route for your goals, preferences, and FIRE style.PearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookFI Case Study Request FormDisclaimerAny 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 29, 2024 • 56min
9. When does frugality go too far?
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 range of key purposes beyond saving. For starters, it can help you unlock money you didn’t even know you were spending. And, perhaps more importantly, it can train you to better manage your finances both pre- and post-FIRE.However, does there come a point at which too much frugality can become a problem?In this session, Dave (Strong Money Australia) and Hayden (co-founder of Pearler) seek to answer this very question. They do this by sharing their own experiences with frugality, and the minimum amounts they’ve been able to live on. They also discuss what to do when frugality goes too far, and how you can rein it in without impacting your goals.By the episode’s end, you’ll feel more optimistic about a balanced approach to FIRE!PearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookFI Case Study Request FormDisclaimerAny 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 15, 2024 • 1h 10min
8. How important is housing to FIRE?
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 you’re struggling to make smalltalk, and the media won’t shut up about it. You’d be forgiven, then, for assuming that home ownership is a lynchpin of any half-decent FIRE strategy.In truth, though, it’s not the only route to long-term wealth in Australia. Sure, anyone aiming for FIRE needs to account for a roof over their head. However, the concept of owning a home doesn’t need to be critical to your FIRE targets.In this episode, Dave (Strong Money Australia) and Hayden (co-founder of Pearler) discuss the relationship between housing and FIRE. They also compare renting vs owning for a FIRE’d lifestyle, and weigh up the pros and cons of each. If you’d like a non-clickbaity take on the topic, you’ll want to tune in for this session.PearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookFI Case Study Request FormDisclaimerAny 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 1, 2024 • 41min
7. Has FIRE changed since Covid?
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 many people who were unaffected by its spread. But what has it done for our Financial Independence prospects? For people working towards FIRE before 2020, in what ways did it disrupt their plans? And for those who started after 2021, did Covid change the way new FIRE-seekers need to reach their goals?In this episode, Dave (Strong Money Australia) and Hayden (co-founder of Pearler) explore the impacts Covid wrought on FIRE – from job losses, to increased house prices, to higher interest rates. They also discuss how the experience changed many people’s lifestyles, which has delivered a flow-on effect to FIRE plans. With this episode, you can understand how Covid may have affected your goals – and how to prepare for future disruptions.PearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookFI Case Study Request FormDisclaimerAny 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.

Feb 16, 2024 • 1h 3min
6. Passing on the lessons we’ve learned
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 future generations, are growing their knowledge the right way? And, more importantly, how can we help them to avoid the mistakes we’ve made?In this session, Dave (Strong Money Australia) and Hayden (co-founder of Pearler) cover some crucial money concepts to pass on. They also discuss how to frame complex topics (like compound interest and delayed gratification) in a way that anyone can understand. Finally, they share some tips for imparting money wisdom to those stubborn learners in your life. Whether you have children, or simply want to make the world a better place, this episode is for you.PearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookFI Case Study Request FormDisclaimerAny 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.