Aussie Firebug

In this conversation, Andrew Page, the founder of Strawman.com, dives deep into the world of investing with over 20 years of experience. He shares his belief in the ongoing relevance of stock picking, even amid the rise of index funds. Andrew discusses how to differentiate between strong and weak businesses, and he offers insights into evaluating company founders. The discussion also touches on his evolving perspective on Bitcoin and how it fits into the value investing landscape, alongside resources for investors looking to engage more actively.

Today on the podcast, we’re joined by Evan Lucas - behavioural economist, financial commentator, author of Mind Over Money, and former Head of Strategy at InvestSMART.Some of the topics we dive into are:How the increase in dual income households is reshaping family dynamics. (00:16:03)How we can rewire our brains to spend less and live more freely. (00:34:06)The link between identity, emotion and financial behaviour. (00:47:19)The role behavioural finance plays in reaching FIRE. (00:41:09)LinksWebsite - Evan Lucaswww.aussiefirebug.com/podcast

Today on the podcast, we’re joined by Pete Wargent—investor, author, market analyst, and one of Australia’s earliest FIRE pioneers. Originally from the UK, Pete reached financial independence by age 33 after building a portfolio of shares and property across both Australia and the UK.Since then, he’s written multiple best-selling books, launched a property buying business, and become a trusted voice on investing, markets, and wealth creation.In today’s episode, we dive into:Pete’s journey to FI and what helped him get there (00:05:26)The role of personality, passion projects, kids, and travel (00:09:58)Some of the biggest challenges people face on the path to financial freedom (00:22:41)Why there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to financial independence (00:28:03)What’s changed in the FIRE space over the past 20 years (00:48:53)LinksWebsite - Pete Wargentwww.aussiefirebug.com/podcast

Andy Darroch, an Independent Financial Advisor and Director of Independent Wealth Advice, discusses the importance of ethical financial advising in Australia. He sheds light on why independent advisers are scarce, addressing misconceptions in the FIRE community about financial advice. Andy highlights the value of transparent, client-focused guidance versus traditional commission-based models. He critiques the industry's challenges and advocates for reform to enhance access and education, promoting a more responsible approach to financial wellness.

Today on the podcast, we have Mark LaMonica, CFA, a Director at Morningstar and co-host of the Investing Compass podcast.Mark brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, having spent time in both the US and Australia, which gives him a unique perspective on their financial systems and retirement landscapes.In today’s episode, we dive into:The current state of financial planning in Australia (00:09:18)Mark’s thoughts on his recent article, "Are We Being Ripped Off by Super?" (00:16:04)How the US and Australian retirement systems stack up against each other (00:20:58)Why he’s against super funds charging for certain financial advice costs (00:30:57)His controversial take on the 4% rule and the FIRE movement (00:47:13)LinksPodcast - Investing CompassWebsite - Morningstarwww.aussiefirebug.com/podcast

After a decade on the FIRE journey, the speaker reflects on unexpected feelings of restlessness despite achieving financial independence. Parenthood has reshaped their views on work, prompting a quest for deeper purpose beyond money. They discuss the value of discomfort and growth, how entrepreneurship reignited their passion, and the role financial security plays in family life. It’s a heartfelt exploration of balancing freedom with responsibility and the true meaning of fulfillment.

Amy and Matt share their journey in the FIRE community and how they launched a financial independence retreat in Bali. They reveal their fear-based relationship with money and the lessons learned from their family dynamics. The couple discusses the benefits of geo-arbitraging across countries like Thailand and Mexico, highlighting affordable dining experiences. Additionally, they provide insights into healthcare in Southeast Asia and stress the importance of personal growth, frugality, and overcoming fears to achieve financial freedom.

Ana Kresina, Head of Product and Community at Pearler and Co-host of 'Get Rich Slow Club' and 'ETFs for Beginners' podcasts, discusses her FIRE journey, hitchhiking through Europe, and why she wrote a money book about raising kids. They also touch on normalizing money conversations with children, philanthropy, and teaching empathy. Plus, they talk about using chat GPT for organizing thoughts and improving writing.

The podcast explores topics such as becoming a dad, shifting perspectives on FIRE, and the impact of an article on the fire community. They discuss influential books on money, tracking personal choices, and minimizing regrets. The importance of taking risks in investment strategies and defining wealth based on personal values is also explored. They compare using dividends vs. selling units in a portfolio and delve into the perspective of emotional utility and freedom of choice. Resources for learning more about the speaker and the recommended podcast are shared.

Today, my guest is fellow FIRE enthusiast/podcaster/blogger, Captain FI!He’s actually been on the podcast before but I had to take that episode down due to ASIC’s 2022 guidelines.Cap came and stayed at the Firebug household after attending the Rask event in my hometown. It was a lot of fun meeting and greeting others from the FIRE community and it was extra special to do so in my own backyard.This was very much an improv podcast and I didn’t have any set questions.We had a general chitchat about Captian Fi’s financial journey and other topics relating to FIRE.Some of the topics we cover in today’s episode are:Who is Captain FI? (00:02:36)Investing a big lump sum into the share market (00:04:47)Finding a financial planner (00:16:01)Investing psychology (00:26:24)Reaching financial independence (00:41:26)Does your FI number include a paid-off house? (00:43:43)Selling shares to pay your living expenses (00:45:46)The psychology of spending (00:52:26)LinksWebsite - Captain FIwww.aussiefirebug.com/podcast