Aussie FIRE | Financial Independence Retire Early

What happens when a government equity scheme starts to feel like a trap? In this episode, Hayden and Dave sit down with listener Steve to unpack his property situation and map out a path forward.Steve is a self-employed sports coach earning around $120,000–$130,000 a year, with a partner on $100,000. He owns an apartment worth roughly $570,000, holds a $200,000 ETF portfolio, and used the Victorian Homebuyer Fund to get into the market with a 25% government equity stake still sitting on his property.In this episode they cover:👉 How the Victorian Homebuyer Fund works and why Steve is feeling stuck👉 Whether refinancing could free him from the government equity stake without selling his ETFs👉 The case for rent-vesting as a flexible alternative to upsizing👉 How to weigh lifestyle preferences against pure FIRE optimisation👉 Why financial flexibility can matter more than squeezing every dollar out of a strategyIt's pearler's 5th birthday! Get 5 free trades here 🥳Ask a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny 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-guide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode of Aussie FIRE, Hayden and Dave are unpacking some listener questions around:👉🏼 Selling shares to invest in solar panels at home👉🏼 The 5% deposit scheme for first home buyers👉🏼 Vanguard ETFs👉🏼 And investing for high growth with a 5-8 year timelineAs always, they'll unpack it, share their thoughts, and come at it from a few different angles. Hope you enjoy it!Ask a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny 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-guide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What would you do if $1 million landed in your bank account tomorrow? In this episode, Hayden and Dave get hypothetical and things get interesting fast. From taking on a gelato giant to debating whether a swimming pool counts as a financial decision, this one's a little different. But buried in the fun are some genuinely useful ideas about how people at different stages of their FIRE journey think about sudden wealth.Ask a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny 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-guide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we answer two listener questions. One on ethical investing and ESG funds, and another on managing tech concentration in a portfolio. We'll unpack:👉 Whether aligning with ESG principles means reducing exposure to Australian equities👉 Why assuming the US market will always outperform Australia might be👉 What the ethical ETF DZZF is👉 Why defining “ethical” companies is harder than it seems👉 The trade-offs of ESG investing👉 An alternative approach: investing broadly and donating the fee savings?👉 Why adding more ETFs might not protect a portfolio from a major market crash👉 How to think about tech concentration in your portfolioAsk a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny 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-guide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Hayden reflects on 10 lessons from 10 years of renting — covering everything from bonds and inspections to negotiating rent and managing agents.After a decade of renting across share houses, sublets, and full leases, he shares the practical lessons he wishes he knew earlier.👉 Why taking detailed photos when you move in can save your bond later👉 What tenants actually need to do when cleaning a property at the end of a lease👉 How bond refunds work (and why disputes are rarer than you might think)👉 What to know about inspections, maintenance, and “quiet enjoyment”👉 How to handle urgent repairs if your agent isn’t responding👉 The difference between fixed-term and periodic leases👉 When it might be worth negotiating rent or lease terms👉 How strategic disclosure can affect rental applications👉 Why renting in high-supply areas can make life easier👉 A simple way to cut moving costs without hiring removalistsAsk a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny 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-guide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 was like growing up in a household where money was openly talked about👉 Why saving felt like a game, and how that mindset shaped her early investing👉 Buying her first ETF at 18 and her first property at 22👉 The early trade-offs she made to build momentum in her 20s👉 Navigating online criticism and tall poppy syndrome👉 How her investing strategy has evolved across shares and property👉 Why the real goal is freedom and optionality (not just a big round number)Ask a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny 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-guide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 and the potential savings on LMI👉 Whether waiting for 20% really reduces risk if property prices keep rising👉 What repayments could look like compared to Khaing’s current rent👉 How to think about worst-case scenarios, including renting the property out👉 What to look for in an apartment, including strata costs and building qualityAsk a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny 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.

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 longer time horizons and sequence risk👉 Whether strong recent returns make the rule less reliable👉 How flexibility around spending dramatically improves success rates👉 What different “flex rates” mean for sustainable withdrawal levels👉 Portfolio allocation considerations for long-term retirees👉 The psychology of living off a portfolio during market downturns👉 Practical tools like cash buffers and automated sellingAsk a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny 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.

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👉 Whether to wait to debt recycle a lump sum or invest smaller amounts sooner👉 The opportunity cost of holding cash in an offset versus investing👉 How to debt recycle while still dollar-cost averaging👉 How to change a debt recycled investment without losing deductibility👉 Why redraw timing matters for tax purposes👉 Common debt recycling mistakes that can break deductibilityAsk a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny 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.

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-offs between buying another property or diversifying into shares👉 How much portfolio value is needed to generate $100k in passive income👉 Why net yields and cash flow matter more than headline growth👉 The risks of leverage and concentration👉 How diversification can reduce risk and volatility👉 Aligning investment strategy with long-term lifestyle goals and risk toleranceAsk a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny 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.

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 work can be harder than expected👉 The financial cost of time off👉 When gap years make sense and when they don’t👉 The risks of poor structure and lost momentum👉 When a mini-retirement might be worth it for themAsk a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny 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.

Is your super quietly doing its thing in the background? That might be fine, but there are a few details worth paying attention to. In today’s episode, Hayden and Dave discuss all things superannuation and walk through the decisions and investing strategies behind their own portfolios.In this episode they cover:👉 How their super strategies evolved from default options to more intentional investing👉 When and why they moved toward high-growth and indexed portfolios👉 The role of international diversification inside super👉 Tax considerations that influenced their investment decisions👉 Hands-on vs hands-off super strategies👉 Their current super portfolios, including the increasing use of geared ETFs👉 They also touch on Pearler SuperDave has also written a new book called 'You've Got Money.. Now What?' 📚Ask a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny 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.

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 Renee already is to financial independence👉 Semi-retirement, and buying back family time👉 The trade-offs between property debt and lifestyle flexibility👉 Why compounding (not contributions) is doing most of the work nowSign up to Pearler in January and get one free trade per month for 12 months!Ask a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny 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.

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 senseAsk a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny 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.

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 superAsk a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny 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.

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 tougher economic environment👉 Should I work harder when I'm younger, or have fun and spend my money?👉 Whether you should take a more cautious approach to investing as you get olderFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny 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.