Folks, it’s time for another FI case study – and this one explores a topic that will hit close to home. Keep reading, and you’ll find out why that was such a hilarious pun. In this episode, Dave and Hayden take a question from a listener which has crossed countless minds. The listener does an excellent job of providing their financial details, so the Aussie FIRE duo can really dive in. In essence, though, the question boils down to: “Should my partner and I max out our borrowing capacity and buy...
Feb 28, 2025•53 min
At a glance, credit cards might seem at odds with Financial Independence. After all, credit cards accrue “bad” debt, which many people consider anathema to FIRE goals. Even so, for those who manage their budgets well, credit cards can play a role in a frugal lifestyle. And while Dave Gow doesn’t have experience in this realm, Hayden does! Join the duo this session as they explore credit card hacking – the art of maximising points, cashback, travel perks, and other rewards. The goal of credit car...
Feb 14, 2025•53 min
Much like the Chupacabra or Berkshire Hathaway’s founding story, Aussie FIRE’s FI case studies have become the stuff of legend. This time ‘round, Dave and Hayden answer a question from a listener which may well have crossed your mind: “Do I have enough in savings, investments, and super to retire early?” Of course, this person’s portfolio, income, and living circumstances are specific to them. Even so, by listening to Dave and Hayden crunch the numbers with this listener, you can form some ideas...
Jan 31, 2025•41 min
Both are often touted as effective vehicles for long-term investing. But for those working towards FIRE , there are some key differences to consider between ETFs and super. On one hand, super is purpose-built for retirement, and offers a number of unique potential tax benefits. On the other, ETFs are more liquid, and may better suit the “early” in “retire early”. So, what’s the right balance? Should you focus on one, the other, or a mixture of both? Well, Dave and Hayden can’t tell you what to d...
Jan 17, 2025•52 min
That’s right – it’s time for another one of our much-ballyhooed FI case studies! This time, Dave and Hayden hear from a thirtysomething couple who would like to be work-optional by their 40s. They’ve earned, scrimped, saved, and invested… and they’re wondering whether they’ve made any mistakes in the process. Whilst Dave and Hayden aren’t the Arbiters on All Things FI, they’re happy to share their thoughts. By the end of this episode, you’ll ideally have some fuel for your own FIRE journey...
Jan 03, 2025•44 min
Let’s be honest: Financial Independence can feel like a BIG task. The progress is incremental, the timelines are longer than we’d like, and the temptation to splurge can haunt us. Fortunately, there are a litany of hacks you can apply to remain perpetually motivated. From plugging into “reverse motivation”, to breaking your goals into smaller milestones, to surrounding yourself with like-minded people, the episode runs the gamut of inspirational tactics. Listen in and find the right motivational...
Dec 20, 2024•51 min
Send us a text Because Financial Independence looks different for everyone, there’s seldom a one-size-fits-all approach to reaching it. That’s why the Aussie FIRE podcast loves to consider case studies from listeners. In doing so, we can all consider how different people, with different circumstances, could reach FIRE. This time around, Dave and Hayden assess a case study from a listener who has moved to an island with their family of five. While this already sounds like an FI dream, the family ...
Dec 06, 2024•46 min
Send us a text In a previous episode, we conducted a deep dive into Dave’s finances . However, keen observers and long-time listeners may have noticed something: Dave is only one of TWO hosts on this podcast. What’s more, the other host is renowned for his novel, proactive, and sometimes wacky cost-cutting measures. We are, of course, talking about Hayden – co-founder of investing platform Pearler and man with a thousand savings hacks. Throughout this session, Hayden leaves no stone unturned in ...
Nov 22, 2024•1 hr 7 min
Send us a text Dave and Hayden’s Q&As have become a regular thing on this podcast. Sure, audience feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, which is the key reason they’ve become part of the landscape. At a deeper level, though, Dave and Hayden see it as a golden opportunity to connect with the community. That’s why they’re particularly excited about this session. During this episode, they answer a range of questions, from “What ETFs is Dave invested in?” to “Are financial magazines wo...
Nov 08, 2024•1 hr 12 min
Send us a text Dave and Hayden at Aussie FIRE recently received a thought-provoking question from a listener. While we’re paraphrasing slightly, its essence boiled down to: “As a long-term investor, are you better off buying a more expensive home, or buying a cheaper home and investing the difference?” Depending on your own preferences, you might have a clear idea of which approach makes the most sense. However, from an objective point of view, there are a range of factors to consider. So, in th...
Oct 25, 2024•46 min
Send us a text There are countless ways to learn as an investor, from books, to podcasts (like this one), to quarterly earnings reports . Even so, some of the most memorable lessons are the ones we make through trial and error. Aussie FIRE co-hosts Dave and Hayden are no exception – in fact, were it not for their investing mistakes, they wouldn’t have made it this far. In this session, they cover the key lessons they’ve learned from their investing mistakes over the years. These include: Trying ...
Oct 11, 2024•54 min
Send us a text If you’re working towards Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE), a question may have crossed your mind: is it easier to reach FIRE as a single person, or as a couple? Unsurprisingly, people within the FIRE community have been debating this one for a long time. And depending on who you ask, you’ll likely receive a different answer. At the end of the day, both singles and couples are equally capable of reaching FIRE. But as a thought exercise, Dave and Hayden have set out to co...
Sep 27, 2024•47 min
Send us a text A few sessions ago, Dave and Hayden hosted their first Aussie FIRE audience Q&A . Well, the community seemed to enjoy it… so they’re doing it again. This time around, they answer a slew of new FIRE queries – from “What are your thoughts on US tech stocks?”; to “How would you invest $500 per month as part of an ETF strategy?”, to “How is investing for your kids different to investing for yourself?”. Come for the answers, and hopefully you’ll leave with more questions! FI Case S...
Sep 13, 2024•48 min
Send us a text Last episode, Aussie FIRE co-hosts Dave and Hayden discussed debt recycling, and who can benefit from it . As it turns out, people in our community have a lot of questions about this subject. For this reason, Dave and Hayden decided to run a debt recycling FAQ. Join the Aussie FIRE duo as they answer some of the most common questions around debt recycling. These include: Is debt recycling even legal? What type of loans do I need to debt recycle? How do I know whether I...
Aug 30, 2024•1 hr
Send us a text You may have suspected just from its name, but debt recycling can be a polarising topic in investing circles. Some hail it as an effective way to scale your investments. Others deride it as a source of needless complexity. But regardless of where you stand on the matter, one thing is certain: to use debt recycling, you need to know what you’re doing. In this episode, Dave and Hayden explore the subject of debt recycling in depth. They do this by discussing how it works, why it’s p...
Aug 16, 2024•56 min
Send us a text One of our hosts became renowned across Australia for reaching FIRE by age 28. We are, of course, referring to Dave Gow, the mastermind behind Strong Money Australia. Because Dave didn’t achieve FIRE through an investment banking job or a lofty inheritance, his journey often inspires other FIRE-seekers. In fact, many of our listeners have asked Dave to provide a detailed breakdown of his finances. In this session, we do exactly that – from “What are your annual expenses?” to “How ...
Aug 02, 2024•45 min
Send us a text Since launching back in 2023, the Aussie FIRE podcast has cultivated an incredible community of listeners. And, over the last few months, co-hosts Dave and Hayden have received a lot of thought-provoking questions from their audience. That’s why they were thrilled to run their very first audience Q&A. In this episode, they answer an array of listener queries on long-term investing – from “What are the cons of selling shares when they’re up, then re-buying when they’re down?”; ...
Jul 19, 2024•51 min
Send us a text Housing plays a pivotal role in any FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) strategy. Whether you rent or buy, you’ll need to account for your shelter before you can comfortably retire early. That’s why, in a past episode, co-hosts Dave and Hayden explored the relationship between housing and FIRE . This time around, they roll up their sleeves and crunch the numbers. In this session, the Aussie FIRE duo run some calculations to determine whether moving or renting makes more fin...
Jul 05, 2024•44 min
Send us a text In life, there are various ways to invest. And we’re not only talking about shares versus bonds, or ETFs versus property. In fact, education can offer as much of an investment as any asset. Many Australians seem to agree; according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, around 32% of Australians hold a bachelors degree. But when you compare the fees to the earning potential, is a uni degree actually worth it? Full disclosure: Dave and Hayden aren’t the Cosmic Arbiters of What Is ...
Jun 21, 2024•50 min
Send us a text Previously 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 setbacks How effectively your can plan for your FIRE lifestyle If and when you reach your FIRE goals Join Dave and Hayden as they discuss how to master your mindset for FIRE. They al...
Jun 07, 2024•54 min
Send us a text In 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 b...
May 24, 2024•46 min
Send us a text When 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 th...
May 10, 2024•55 min
Send us a text This 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 wi...
Apr 26, 2024•56 min
Send us a text Within 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 dr...
Apr 12, 2024•50 min
Send us a text For 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 Australi...
Mar 29, 2024•56 min
Send us a text You 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 ...
Mar 15, 2024•1 hr 10 min
Send us a text You 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 ) an...
Mar 01, 2024•41 min
Send us a text Knowledge 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 de...
Feb 16, 2024•1 hr 3 min
Send us a text One of the greatest joys of FIRE are these two hyphenated words: “work-optional”. The freedom to choose whether to work, and what to work on, is a key motivator for many FIRE-seekers. In the meantime, though, there’s little that’s work-optional about the journey towards FIRE. For anyone who aims to reach Financial Independence, paid employment is a fairly non-negotiable part of the process. This begs the question: if we need to work, should we strive to maximise our income to shor...
Feb 02, 2024•43 min
Send us a text “I’m saving for a home deposit right now, but my friends just invited me to a bottomless brunch. I know that every dollar counts, but I don’t want to miss a morning with my friends. What should I do?” For many everyday Aussies, tradeoffs like this are not uncommon. But for anyone on a journey towards FIRE, they’re a regular part of life. While it may be less glamorous than investing, balancing future goals with current wants is a crucial part of FIRE. If you focus too much on the ...
Jan 19, 2024•48 min
