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!
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.
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This week on the pod we're chatting with Natasha Etschmann, or you may know her as 'Tash Invests' online. We wanted to know what life was like for Tash before TikTok, Instagram, and “Tash Invests” became a thing. Growing up in a house where money was openly discussed, saving felt like a game she wanted to win. That mindset led her to buy her first ETF at 18 and her first property at 22, setting the foundation for the strategy she continues to build on today. In this episode we cover: 👉 What it ...
Should you buy your first home with a 5% deposit, or wait until you have 20%? In this episode, Hayden and Dave sit down with listener Khaing to unpack the numbers and the trade-offs. Khaing is in their late 20s, earning $125,000 and saving around 50% of their income. With roughly $68,000 available, they are weighing up the First Home Guarantee scheme against waiting a few more years to build a bigger deposit and take on less debt. In this episode they cover: 👉 How the 5% deposit scheme works an...
Is the 4% rule still relevant, or has the FIRE movement outgrown it? In this episode, Hayden and Dave break down where the 4% rule came from, why it’s often criticised, and how it actually holds up for early retirees. They unpack the assumptions behind the rule and explain why flexibility, adaptability, and behaviour might matter far more than the percentage itself. In this episode they cover: 👉 Where the 4% rule comes from and what it was designed to solve 👉 Why early retirees worry about lon...
Debt recycling can be powerful, but the details matter. In this listener Q&A episode, Hayden and Dave tackle common questions on debt recycling and investing mechanics, including when to invest, how to place orders, and how to stay on the right side of the tax rules. They break down practical scenarios listeners are facing and explain the trade-offs between simplicity, optimisation, and risk. In this episode they cover: 👉 Market orders vs limit orders and when each one actually makes sense ...
Property has worked well for Andy so far. The question is whether it’s still the best path forward. In this case study episode, Dave and Hayden sit down with listener Andy to unpack a real FIRE decision point. They walk through his full financial picture and explore whether continuing to leverage into property or shifting toward shares makes more sense for reaching long-term passive income. In this episode they cover: 👉 Andy’s current position across property, ETFs, cash, and super 👉 The trade...
Is taking a year off work a bold life move or a setback on the road to financial independence? In this episode, Hayden and Dave dig into mini-retirements and gap years, sparked by a listener question about whether stepping away from work is really worth it. They break down the upside, the risks, and the real trade-offs of pressing pause on work while pursuing FIRE. In this episode they cover: 👉 What a mini-retirement actually is 👉 The benefits of a proper break from work 👉 Why going back to w...
This episode explores Hayden and Dave's personal superannuation journeys, from their initial default funds to more intentional, high-growth, and indexed investment strategies. They discuss the critical role of international diversification, tax considerations influencing their decisions, and the shift towards hands-on approaches with geared ETFs in Pearler Super. The conversation also touches on the unique tax mechanics of super funds and the potential benefits and drawbacks of individually managed accounts.
Hayden and Dave are taking Aussie FIRE case studies up a notch by inviting a listener onto the podcast to walk through her real-life numbers and decisions. They’re joined by Renee, an Aussie Fire listener who shares her full financial picture and asks the big question: what should we focus on next? In this episode they cover: 👉 Renee’s financial position, including income, super, ETFs, and property 👉 Whether to prioritise ETFs, another investment property, or staying the course 👉 How close Re...
Sign up to Pearler in January and get one free trade per month for 12 months! In this episode Hayden and Dave are opening their DM’s to answer some listener questions. In this episode they cover: 👉 ETF strategy: all-in-one funds vs splitting across ETFs 👉 Coast FIRE and slowing down on the path to FI 👉 Dividends vs growth portfolios near retirement 👉 Cash ETFs and when (if ever) they make sense Ask a Question FI Case Study Request Form Pearler Strong Money Australia Original Aussie FIRE e-bo...
Sign up to Pearler in January and get one free trade per month for 12 months! Welcome to part two! In part two of this episode, Hayden and Dave are unpacking: 👉 The pressure to get on the ‘property ladder’ 👉 Renting vs buying and your long-term goals 👉 The idea that rent money is dead money 👉 Investing in every asset class to be diversified 👉 Maxing out your super Ask a Question FI Case Study Request Form Pearler Strong Money Australia Original Aussie FIRE e-book Strong Money Australia’s au...
Hayden and Dave unpack common financial advice, questioning the blanket recommendation to maximize insurance and the rigidity of bucketing systems. They discuss the unique economic challenges faced by young people, urging them to prioritize early financial security over traditional work-life balance. Additionally, the hosts challenge the conventional wisdom of reducing investment risk with age, advocating for growth assets and a flexible approach to retirement planning.
In this episode, Dave and Hayden dive into a fresh round of FI case studies and the life-planning dilemmas that shape our money decisions. They start with a powerful scenario from a migrant listener weighing up a future in Australia versus returning home: cost of living pressures, wage differentials, super portability, exchange rate risk, and what “enough” really means when your FI number has to work across borders. They tease out frameworks for modelling two parallel futures and the emotional l...
In this episode, Dave and Hayden tackle four FI dilemmas. They unpack the allure of monthly-income ETFs like HYLD and why payout timing shouldn’t trump diversification, offering simple ways to create your own paycheck with broad ETFs, cash buffers, and planned sells. They explore PAYG tax variations and how to dial down withholding when you’re always due a refund (think negative gearing) to keep cash flowing through the year. They walk through a listener’s rent-or-sell crunch on a former home: e...
Dave and Hayden unpack one of the biggest questions on the path to financial independence: should you focus on dividend income or capital growth? Should you prioritise dividend income or capital growth on the path to financial independence How tax, time horizon, and behaviour shape your mix What franking credits, CGT discounts, and ETF distributions really mean for your returns They weigh the pros, cons, and myths, then show simple ways to turn a portfolio into regular income using dividends, sc...
In this episode Dave and Hayden explore two real-life case studies. First, they discuss whether a couple in their fifties truly needs 25 times their expenses to retire, unpacking how time horizon, risk and the Age Pension reshape the “magic number.” Then, they dive into a pay down the mortgage or invest in ETFs dilemma, weighing certainty versus growth, and the benefits of debt recycling. All round, this episode is a chat about tailoring financial independence to your stage of life, goals and mi...
This episode, Dave and Hayden tackle three big listener questions: Should you invest a lump sum when markets are at all-time highs? Is gearing inside super worth the risk? Are investment bonds really as tax-friendly as they sound? Dave and Hayden unpack the pros, cons, and myths to help you think clearer about your long-term investing strategy. FI Case Study Request Form Pearler Strong Money Australia Original Aussie FIRE e-book Strong Money Australia’s audiobook Disclaimer Any advice is general...
Should you pour extra cash into your offset account, stash it in savings, or invest it? In this episode, Dave and Hayden break down the numbers and trade-offs that every homeowner faces. We cover: Why offsets slash long-term interest but don’t help your monthly cashflow The cases where savings accounts can compete How investing stacks up against offsets, and the risks involved The role of interest rates and how debt recycling can tip the balance Whether you're mortgage-stressed or just looking f...
In this episode, Dave and Hayden tackle two listener case studies. They dive into the emotional and practical trade-offs of selling vs holding property, renting, and transitioning wealth into shares. Episode topics summary: Introduction Case Study 1: Escaping Mortgage Prison The Numbers Behind Selling & Renting Case Study 2: Switching from Property to Shares Practical Scenarios for Transitioning Wealth The Lump Sum Question Final Thoughts FI Case Study Request Form Pearler Strong Money Austr...
In this Q&A episode, Dave and Hayden unpack three listener questions: Should you hold or sell employee share scheme stock ? Are LICs still a smart choice , or have ETFs taken over? How mental accounting tricks us into bad money decisions. Timecodes: (00:00) Intro (02:30) Employee Share Schemes (07:06) Tax & Concentration Risk (09:37) The “Would You Invest Cash?” Test (13:09) FOMO & Mental Accounting (18:10) LICs vs ETFs (34:07) Mental Accounting & Debt Recycling (42:40) Everyday ...
In this episode, Dave and Hayden continue their discussion on tax, covering practical tips and personal experiences. They explore the First Home Super Saver Scheme , private health insurance to avoid the Medicare levy surcharge , and novated leases for electric vehicles. They also chat about common tax misconceptions, and offer insights into long-term tax planning. Packed with examples and advice, this episode helps listeners think strategically about reducing their tax burden without falling in...
Nobody loves paying tax – but how much time should you really spend trying to avoid it? In this episode, Dave and Hayden share their personal approaches to tax minimisation – including what they’ve done in the past, what they’re doing now, and a few things they might explore in future. From debt recycling to ETF selection, super contributions to future trust structures, this episode isn’t about dodging tax – it’s about making smarter choices that leave more money in your pocket to build wealth f...
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 ...
“These Aussie FIRE Q&As are, in my opinion, the single best resource on Earth for long-term investors.” - Warren Buffett So 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 add...
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 hist...
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 ...
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 ...
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 marg...
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 epi...
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...
What do Aussie FIRE’s Q&As and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream have in common? Two things: They both feature ampersands They’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 t...
