If you’re a young person today, it can feel like you’re playing a new game while still being expected to follow old rules that no longer quite fit. In this episode, Hayden and Dave unpack: 👉 If insurance is actually worth it (plus simple calculations you can use to decide if it’s right for you) 👉 Bucket systems and if they can help you manage your money, spending, and savings 👉 Finding work–life balance while still chasing your goals and dreams 👉 How young people can get ahead in today’s tou...
Dec 19, 2025•1 hr 6 min
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...
Dec 05, 2025•1 hr 4 min
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...
Nov 21, 2025•43 min
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...
Nov 07, 2025•55 min
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...
Oct 24, 2025•49 min
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...
Oct 10, 2025•47 min
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...
Sep 26, 2025•55 min
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...
Sep 12, 2025•57 min
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 ...
Aug 29, 2025•58 min
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...
Aug 15, 2025•1 hr 5 min
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...
Aug 01, 2025•1 hr
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 ...
Jul 18, 2025•1 hr 2 min
“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...
Jul 04, 2025•1 hr 10 min
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...
Jun 20, 2025•1 hr 12 min
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 ...
Jun 06, 2025•1 hr 1 min
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 ...
May 23, 2025•44 min
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...
May 09, 2025•1 hr 13 min
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...
Apr 25, 2025•44 min
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...
Apr 11, 2025•58 min
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...
Mar 28, 2025•55 min
Dave loves ETFs. Hayden co-founded a platform which focuses on ETFs. So, when it comes to Financial Independence, these two must have been committed to ETFs from Day One, right? …yeah, nah. In fact, as the title suggests, Dave has accrued 15 years of experience in property investing. And over that timeframe, he’s learned some truths which he wished he’d known before he started. Now, none of this is to suggest that property is a flawed route to FIRE. Indeed, it played a key role in Dave’s work op...
Mar 14, 2025•58 min
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! FI C...
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 worth i...
Nov 08, 2024•1 hr 12 min
