Today on the podcast, we’re joined by Pete Wargent—investor, author, market analyst, and one of Australia’s earliest FIRE pioneers. Originally from the UK, Pete reached financial independence by age 33 after building a portfolio of shares and property across both Australia and the UK.

Since then, he’s written multiple best-selling books, launched a property buying business, and become a trusted voice on investing, markets, and wealth creation.

In today’s episode, we dive into:

• Pete’s journey to FI and what helped him get there (00:05:26)
• The role of personality, passion projects, kids, and travel (00:09:58)
• Some of the biggest challenges people face on the path to financial freedom (00:22:41)
• Why there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to financial independence (00:28:03)
• What’s changed in the FIRE space over the past 20 years (00:48:53)

• Website - Pete Wargent

www.aussiefirebug.com/podcast

Today on the podcast, we have Andy Darroch, an Independent Financial Adviser and Director of Independent Wealth Advice.

Andy is one of the very few truly independent advisers in Australia—less than 1% fall into that category. After time at Macquarie, Wilson HTM, and Deloitte, he started his own firm to offer advice free from commissions, kickbacks, and product pushing. He charges a flat fee, publishes his prices online, and believes advice should work like any other profession—you pay for it when you need it.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why independent advisers are so rare (00:04:30)
• Myths around financial advice (00:05:05)
• What good advice looks like when it’s actually designed to help you (00:27:51)
• Whether the current model is working, and how to fix it (00:45:55)
• The biggest mistakes the FIRE community makes (01:21:30)

• Website - Independent Wealth Advice
• Website - The Honest Advisor

www.aussiefirebug.com/podcast

Today on the podcast, we have Mark LaMonica, CFA, a Director at Morningstar and co-host of the Investing Compass podcast.

Mark brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, having spent time in both the US and Australia, which gives him a unique perspective on their financial systems and retirement landscapes.

In today’s episode, we dive into:

• The current state of financial planning in Australia (00:09:18)
• Mark’s thoughts on his recent article, "Are We Being Ripped Off by Super?" (00:16:04)
• How the US and Australian retirement systems stack up against each other (00:20:58)
• Why he’s against super funds charging for certain financial advice costs (00:30:57)
• His controversial take on the 4% rule and the FIRE movement (00:47:13)

• Podcast - Investing Compass
• Website - Morningstar

www.aussiefirebug.com/podcast

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

www.aussiefirebug.com/podcast

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