It’s been a decade since I started down the FIRE path, and life looks very different these days - especially since becoming a dad. In this episode, I reflect on how early retirement gave me something more valuable than money: time.

But it also left me unexpectedly restless. I talk about mini-retirement, purpose, starting two businesses, and how becoming a parent reshaped my perspective on work, freedom, and what really matters.

Whether you're deep into your FIRE journey or just getting started, this one’s for you.

Some of the topics we cover in today’s episode are:

• The Unexpected Dissatisfaction (00:03:33)
• The Value of Discomfort and Growth (00:05:03)
• Rediscovering Purpose Through Entrepreneurship (00:08:34)
• How FIRE Helped with Parenthood (00:10:35)
• Financial Security as a Buffer (00:11:13)
• Not Loving Early Retirement (00:12:06)

• Blog post

Welcome back to the Aussie Firebug Podcast, the financial independence podcast for Australians, where I interview interesting people on topics relating to financial independence.

Today on the podcast we have Amy and her partner Matt from FI Freedom Retreats, a five-day financial independence retreat in Bali.

This was a passion project born out of Amy’s love and gratitude for the F.I.R.E movement and community.

Heads up, I recorded this podcast in January this year and haven’t released it until now because I’ve been distracted with other things. This means there’s a good chance there won’t be any spots left in the retreat for this year, but I think you’ll still find our conversation interesting.

Some of the topics we cover in today’s episode are:

• Amy’s fear-based relationship with money (00:02:29)
• Geo-arbitraging in Mexico, Thailand, and Bali (00:09:37)
• Matt & Amy’s experience with healthcare while living in SE Asia (00:14:42)
• 90% savings rate in SE Asia (00:22:45)
• Why Amy started FI Freedom Retreats (00:35:41)
• Matt & Amy’s top tips for pursuing FI and living your best life (00:46:36)

• Website – FI Freedom Retreats

www.aussiefirebug.com/podcast

Today we're joined by Ana Kresina, Head of Product and Community at Pearler and the Co-host of the 'Get Rich Slow Club' and 'ETFs for Beginners,' podcasts.

She’s also just become a published author with the book “Kids Ain't Cheap”.

Some of the topics we cover in today’s episode are:

• Ana’s FIRE journey (00:03:37)
• Hitchhiking through Europe (00:07:09)
• Why Ana wrote a money book around raising kids or preparing to raise kids (00:10:02)
• The importance of normalising money conversations with children (00:23:12)
• Philanthropy and teaching your kids why giving matters (00:35:41)

• Website - Ana Kresina
• Book - Kids Ain't Cheap
• Podcast - Get Rich Slow Club

www.aussiefirebug.com/podcast

Today's episode is something a bit different.

Terry, the host of the Wealth Time Freedom (WTF) podcast interviewed me a few months ago. The response was so positive from that episode that I decided to repost it on my show.

In this episode, Terry asks me about becoming a dad, my recent pivot with work and my new perspective on FIRE.

I found it to be a great conversation, and I hope you'll enjoy it too.

• Podcast - Wealth Time Freedom (WTF)

www.aussiefirebug.com/podcast

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)

• Website - Captain FI

www.aussiefirebug.com/podcast

Today, my guest is none other than my accountant, Clayton!

Clayton and I have talked about doing this podcast for a while. I pay him thousands of dollars each year to help with tax planning, structuring our investments and businesses and other strategic decisions that ultimately help me reach FIRE sooner.

I thought it would be interesting to chat to him about what role an accountant can play when someone is trying to reach FIRE, and explore why certain decisions were recommended for our family in terms of tax advice and planning.

Some of the topics we cover in today’s episode are:

• The difference between an accountant, a tax advisor and a financial planner (00:05:36)
• The role an account can play in someone’s journey to financial independence? (00:09:08)
• Common financial structures for people wanting to improve their situation (00:11:56)
• Some of the advantages of a financial trust structure (00:14:13)
• The difference between tax minimisation and tax evasion (00:16:52)
• How can people get the most out of their accountant? (00:22:30)
• Easy things you can do to help you at tax time (00:26:58)
• How do you find a good accountant who'll work with you to build wealth? (00:34:33)
• What are the main things to consider when starting a sole trader/freelancer business? (00:36:54)
• How often does the ATO actually audit people? (00:49:10)

• Website - McMillans

www.aussiefirebug.com/podcast

I've been thinking about this post for the past 18 months, and to be honest, it's long overdue.

So much has changed over the last 11 years since I first stumbled across FIRE.

And if the podcast's feature image wasn't obvious enough, I recently became a father. 

So, now is the perfect time for a big update/recap on life at the Firebug household.

www.aussiefirebug.com/podcast

Today my guest is Carl Jensen who is better known in the FIRE community as Mr. 1500.

He’s a family guy living in Colorado with his wife and two young children and managed to retire at the ripe old age of 43.

Some of the topics we cover in today’s episode are:

• The story behind the name "Mr. 1500" (00:02:06)
• Investment philosophy and strategies (00:07:25)
• Carl’s interest in Tesla and EVs in general (00:18:44)
• Balancing frugality and fulfilment on the path to FI (00:23:49)
• The biggest benefits of achieving FI (00:26:31)
• How Carl handled the cultural challenges of pursuing early retirement (00:39:04)
• What Carl wishes he knew when he started his journey to FI (01:09:58)

• Website - 1500 Days to Freedom

www.aussiefirebug.com/podcast

Today’s episode is very special to me personally.

I’m speaking with my dad about how he grew up and what money and life lessons he learnt along the way. He’s probably had the biggest impact on how I view the world (along with my mum) and set the foundations early on for me to be in the position I’m in today.

Some of the topics we cover in today’s episode are:

• What life was like growing up in Melbourne with immigrant parents (00:02:16)
• How Tony learned about money management as a child (00:13:08)
• Leaving school at 15 to help contribute to the family farm (00:19:26)
• Life lessons learnt from Tony’s immigrant parents (00:23:29)
• Comparing the housing market in 2023 to the 1970s (00:29:13)
• Learning about property investing (00:35:44)
• Stock market investing (00:48:15)
• Tony’s essential life lessons (00:53:47)

www.aussiefirebug.com/podcast

I’m excited today to be having a conversation with Bryce Holdaway and Ben Kingsley who co-host the very popular podcast called The Property Couch.

Some of the topics we cover in today’s episode are:

• How Ben and Bryce originally made a connection (00:02:00)
• Property investing guidelines and regulations (00:12:37)
• Their investing strategy/philosophy (00:23:25)
• The Australian housing and rental crisis (00:48:56)
• Active property investing vs passive share market investing (00:37:03)
• Are property investors adding to affordability issues or are they being used as political scapegoats? (00:56:45)
• How The Property Couch podcast got started (01:20:33)

• Website - The Property Couch
• Episode 446 | Property Spruikers Exposed

www.aussiefirebug.com/podcast