It had been eight years since Michael was last in New Zealand - the country where he grew up before moving to Ireland in 2011. When he left, New Zealand felt significantly more expensive than Ireland. So when he returned for a three-week family trip, he decided to do what any personal finance nerd would do… he kept a money diary.

This episode breaks down his experiences with spending in New Zealand and whether his long-held assumptions about the cost of living in both countries still hold true.

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This episode has been sponsored by KennCo Insurance. KennCo Underwriting Ltd T/A KennCo Insurance is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland.

In this episode, Michael walks through the thinking and habits behind his family’s journey from having nothing saved in 2017 to building a €800,000 investment portfolio in eight years.

This episode is based on his recent article for The Irish Independent and expands on the real mechanics behind wealth-building: saving first, avoiding lifestyle creep, investing consistently, and letting time do the heavy lifting.

If you've ever felt that FIRE sounds unrealistic, extreme, or only achievable for high earners - this episode is for you.

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What if FIRE wasn’t about retiring early... but about living a better life?

In this personal end-of-year episode, Michael reflects on what Financial Independence has actually delivered in 2025 and it's not what he originally expected. Rather than quitting work completely, FIRE has unlocked something far more powerful: choice, abundance, and the ability to say yes.

This episode explores how FIRE quietly transforms everyday life - from paying the bill without stress, to redefining work, supporting family, buying coastal property, and embracing opportunity without fear.

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Brian and Izabela have been active members of the Limerick FI Meet-Up Group since 2019. Recently married, they’re a fantastic example of a couple pursuing FIRE together. In this episode, Michael visits them in their home in Limerick to talk about their FIRE journey, how they work as a team on the path to financial independence, the low-stress lifestyle they’ve intentionally built, their passive, low-cost home design, and how they managed to save thousands of euro on their wedding.

In this episode, Michael reflects on the difference between financial independence (FI) and financial freedom through his own post-FI transition. After reaching FI in late 2024, he eased into a seasonal work schedule in 2025 and discovered that while his basic lifestyle was fully funded, larger, less-frequent expenses (big trips, renovations, car upgrades) weren’t comfortably covered. He unpacks why FI felt like a bit of a let down and shares the mindset and practical adjustments he’s making so compounding can carry him from FI toward true financial freedom.

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In this episode, Michael shares the story of Anne, a woman working 65-hour weeks with a two-hour commute who came to a FIRE meet-up looking for reassurance that her grind was worth it. Instead, she walked away with a new perspective and within weeks, she handed in her notice. Anne has since transitioned into a lower-stress, family-friendly job that gave her back her time and quality of life.

In this episode, Michael republishes his interview on the Freedom Before FI podcast which covers his journey to financial independence and what life looks like along the way. He shares his story of moving from New Zealand to Limerick, raising a family of five, and how he’s built up a €700k+ investment portfolio split between property and stocks.  Michael also talks about lifestyle design, seasonal and part-time work, and how keeping a 75% savings rate was possible while still enjoying life.

The interview also considers the human side of FI - how financial freedom has improved family life, the way he teaches his kids about money and investing, and what purpose looks like once work is optional. Michael shares what it’s like writing for The Irish Independent, filling his days with meaningful projects, and the habits and lessons that have shaped his path. Stick around until the end for a fun quick-fire round where Michael reveals the book that changed his perspective, the small things you can do this week to start investing, and the lessons he wishes he’d known ten years ago.

Show Notes:

Here are the links to the original interview:

https://open.spotify.com/show/0XxPgEeuGayTqaEwUE19mk

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In this episode, Michael shares what life really looks like after reaching Financial Independence. Spoiler: it's not all hammocks and golf rounds.

From repainting rental properties and managing guilt over working less, to the emotional weight of holding a full time job post-FI, this episode explores the unexpected complexities that come once you hit your FI number - and why "freedom" sometimes brings more questions than answers.

Michael unpacks:

The emotional cost of being a “nice guy” landlord

Delegating property tasks and embracing manual labour

Feeling out of sync with the 9-5 life (even when it’s “flexible”)

The surprise guilt of working less - and still feeling overcommitted

The temptation and reality of buying a holiday home

Lessons learned from an entrepreneurial brother-in-law

Why retirement isn't the answer - and FIRE is more about framework than finality

Show Notes

In this anniversary episode, Michael invites you into the heart of the Limerick FI community, sharing real stories from local members on their own FIRE journeys. You’ll hear how the Limerick WhatsApp and Meetup groups have helped people from all walks of life openly talk about money, investing, and intentional living - free from judgment or taboos.

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In this episode, Michael shares what a typical Tuesday looks like in his life now - not filled with long workdays or dramatic financial spreadsheets, but with meaningful work, family time, fitness, golf, and sunshine. He reflects on what FIRE really means to him: not quitting work, but having the freedom to design an extraordinary life on his own terms. Michael also responds to some recent criticism of their FIRE journey and offers his honest thoughts on what FIRE is really about.