What if retirement wasn’t the goal, and the focus was instead on building a life where work fits around what matters most? In this episode, Michael welcomes Brian Herriot, author of Time Freedom, to explore a different way of thinking about work, money and freedom.
Brian’s book explores how people can shape their work and finances around the life they want to live, creating more flexibility and choice along the way. Rather than waiting for retirement to enjoy life, the conversation considers what it means to make work part of a fulfilling life today, on their own terms.
Having enjoyed an advance copy of the book, Michael brings his own perspective as he prepares to take the leap into early retirement. Together, they explore how time freedom might change the way people think about financial independence and what comes next.
Show Notes:
Buy the book on Amazon: 
<a href='https://www.amazon.ie/Time-Freedom-Rethink-Money-Create/dp/1774587122/'>https://www.amazon.ie/Time-Freedom-Rethink-Money-Create/dp/1774587122/</a> 
 
Visit Brian's website: 
<a href='https://timefreedom.life'>https://timefreedom.life</a>
Subscribe to the Newsletter: 
<a href='https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter'>https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter</a>
This episode is supported by <a href='https://www.moneycube.ie'>Moneycube</a>, one of the sponsors of the Irish FIRE Podcast. Moneycube is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

What if retirement wasn’t the goal, and the focus was instead on building a life where work fits around what matters most? In this episode, Michael welcomes Brian Herriot, author of Time Freedom, to explore a different way of thinking about work, money and freedom. Brian’s book explores how people can shape their work and finances around the life they want to live, creating more flexibility and choice along the way. Rather than waiting for retirement to enjoy life, the conversation considers what it means to make work part of a fulfilling life today, on their own terms. Having enjoyed an advance copy of the book, Michael brings his own perspective as he prepares to take the leap into early retirement. Together, they explore how time freedom might change the way people think about financial independence and what comes next. Show Notes: Buy the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ie/Time-Freedom-Rethink-Money-Create/dp/1774587122/ Visit Brian's website: https://timefreedom.life Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter This episode is supported by Moneycube, one of the sponsors of the Irish FIRE Podcast. Moneycube is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

What if retirement wasn’t the goal, and the focus was instead on building a life where work fits around what matters most? In this episode, Michael welcomes Brian Herriot, author of Time Freedom, to explore a different way of thinking about work, money and freedom.
Brian’s book explores how people can shape their work and finances around the life they want to live, creating more flexibility and choice along the way. Rather than waiting for retirement to enjoy life, the conversation considers what it means to make work part of a fulfilling life today, on their own terms.
Having enjoyed an advance copy of the book, Michael brings his own perspective as he prepares to take the leap into early retirement. Together, they explore how time freedom might change the way people think about financial independence and what comes next.
Show Notes:
Buy the book on Amazon: 
<a href="https://www.amazon.ie/Time-Freedom-Rethink-Money-Create/dp/1774587122/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.amazon.ie/Time-Freedom-Rethink-Money-Create/dp/1774587122/</a> 
 
Visit Brian's website: 
<a href="https://timefreedom.life" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://timefreedom.life</a>
Subscribe to the Newsletter: 
<a href="https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter</a>
This episode is supported by <a href="https://www.moneycube.ie" rel="noopener noreferrer">Moneycube</a>, one of the sponsors of the Irish FIRE Podcast. Moneycube is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

Time Freedom: Rethinking Retirement, with Brian Herriot

In this episode, Anders Skagerberg returns to the show three and a half years after his first appearance as “The Coast FI Guy”. Back then, Anders was embracing Coast FI while Michael was still firmly in the accumulation and grinding phase of his own financial independence journey.
This time, the roles have almost reversed. Anders is no longer coasting. After upgrading his lifestyle, returning to full-time work and increasing his income again, he discovered that going back to the grind wasn’t necessarily the answer either.
The conversation explores the balance between coasting and grinding, frugality and deliberate lifestyle inflation, and the constant tension between building more wealth and actually enjoying the life that wealth is supposed to create.
It’s a thoughtful discussion about how financial independence can evolve over time, why “enough” is rarely a fixed number, and how the real goal may simply be creating the freedom to choose how much - or how little - you want to work.
Show Notes:
Anders original interview: 
<a href='https://www.firepodcast.ie/coast-fi-with-anders'>https://www.firepodcast.ie/coast-fi-with-anders</a>
Contact Anders on LinkedIn: 
<a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/anders-skagerberg-cfp%C2%AE-ea-631089158/'>https://www.linkedin.com/in/anders-skagerberg-cfp%C2%AE-ea-631089158/</a>
Coast FI Guy on Substack: 
<a href='https://andersskagerberg.substack.com'>https://andersskagerberg.substack.com</a>
Subscribe to the Irish FIRE Newsletter: 
<a href='https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter'>https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter</a>
This episode has been sponsored by <a href='https://www.martinamurphy.ie/'>Martina Murphy Solicitor</a>. Legal services with a personal touch.

In this episode, Anders Skagerberg returns to the show three and a half years after his first appearance as “The Coast FI Guy”. Back then, Anders was embracing Coast FI while Michael was still firmly in the accumulation and grinding phase of his own financial independence journey. This time, the roles have almost reversed. Anders is no longer coasting. After upgrading his lifestyle, returning to full-time work and increasing his income again, he discovered that going back to the grind wasn’t necessarily the answer either. The conversation explores the balance between coasting and grinding, frugality and deliberate lifestyle inflation, and the constant tension between building more wealth and actually enjoying the life that wealth is supposed to create. It’s a thoughtful discussion about how financial independence can evolve over time, why “enough” is rarely a fixed number, and how the real goal may simply be creating the freedom to choose how much - or how little - you want to work. Show Notes: Anders original interview: https://www.firepodcast.ie/coast-fi-with-anders Contact Anders on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anders-skagerberg-cfp%C2%AE-ea-631089158/ Coast FI Guy on Substack: https://andersskagerberg.substack.com Subscribe to the Irish FIRE Newsletter: https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter This episode has been sponsored by Martina Murphy Solicitor. Legal services with a personal touch.

In this episode, Anders Skagerberg returns to the show three and a half years after his first appearance as “The Coast FI Guy”. Back then, Anders was embracing Coast FI while Michael was still firmly in the accumulation and grinding phase of his own financial independence journey.
This time, the roles have almost reversed. Anders is no longer coasting. After upgrading his lifestyle, returning to full-time work and increasing his income again, he discovered that going back to the grind wasn’t necessarily the answer either.
The conversation explores the balance between coasting and grinding, frugality and deliberate lifestyle inflation, and the constant tension between building more wealth and actually enjoying the life that wealth is supposed to create.
It’s a thoughtful discussion about how financial independence can evolve over time, why “enough” is rarely a fixed number, and how the real goal may simply be creating the freedom to choose how much - or how little - you want to work.
Show Notes:
Anders original interview: 
<a href="https://www.firepodcast.ie/coast-fi-with-anders" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.firepodcast.ie/coast-fi-with-anders</a>
Contact Anders on LinkedIn: 
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/anders-skagerberg-cfp%C2%AE-ea-631089158/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.linkedin.com/in/anders-skagerberg-cfp%C2%AE-ea-631089158/</a>
Coast FI Guy on Substack: 
<a href="https://andersskagerberg.substack.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://andersskagerberg.substack.com</a>
Subscribe to the Irish FIRE Newsletter: 
<a href="https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter</a>
This episode has been sponsored by <a href="https://www.martinamurphy.ie/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Martina Murphy Solicitor</a>. Legal services with a personal touch.

The Coast FI Guy Stopped Coasting - So What Went Wrong?

After a recent radio interview left very little time to explain the realities of financial independence and early retirement, Michael Houghton takes a deeper look at some of the questions people most often ask about FIRE.
Does retiring early mean never working again? Where does fulfillment come from without a traditional job? And how is it possible to build enough wealth to step away from full-time work in less than a decade? Michael discusses the intense saving years behind his family's journey, the role of investing and property, and how compound growth eventually began doing more of the work.
He also looks at the idea of "enough" - why building a larger portfolio is not necessarily better if it comes at the cost of another decade of work, and why the real goal of financial independence has always been greater control over time.
Finally, Michael explains why budgeting will remain part of life in retirement and why FIRE, for his family, has never really been about becoming rich. It has been about building enough wealth to have the freedom to choose how they spend their time.
Show Notes:
The FYI - Top 10 FIRE Podcasts: 
<a href='https://the-fyi.com/money/podcasts-for-the-fire-community/'>https://the-fyi.com/money/podcasts-for-the-fire-community/</a>
Original interview on Claire Bryne: 
<a href='https://www.goloudplayer.com/episodes/how-would-like-to-retire-early-YTYzZTQ0NTBlZGYwOTM3ZWU3MmM2YzNmNDAxOTQ1ZmY='>https://www.goloudplayer.com/episodes/how-would-like-to-retire-early-YTYzZTQ0NTBlZGYwOTM3ZWU3MmM2YzNmNDAxOTQ1ZmY= </a>
View our monthly FI progress: 
<a href='https://www.firepodcast.ie/progress'>https://www.firepodcast.ie/progress</a>
Subscribe to the Newsletter: 
<a href='https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter'>https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter</a>
This episode is supported by <a href='https://www.moneycube.ie'>Moneycube</a>, one of the sponsors of the Irish FIRE Podcast. Moneycube is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

After a recent radio interview left very little time to explain the realities of financial independence and early retirement, Michael Houghton takes a deeper look at some of the questions people most often ask about FIRE. Does retiring early mean never working again? Where does fulfillment come from without a traditional job? And how is it possible to build enough wealth to step away from full-time work in less than a decade? Michael discusses the intense saving years behind his family's journey, the role of investing and property, and how compound growth eventually began doing more of the work. He also looks at the idea of "enough" - why building a larger portfolio is not necessarily better if it comes at the cost of another decade of work, and why the real goal of financial independence has always been greater control over time. Finally, Michael explains why budgeting will remain part of life in retirement and why FIRE, for his family, has never really been about becoming rich. It has been about building enough wealth to have the freedom to choose how they spend their time. Show Notes: The FYI - Top 10 FIRE Podcasts: https://the-fyi.com/money/podcasts-for-the-fire-community/ Original interview on Claire Bryne: https://www.goloudplayer.com/episodes/how-would-like-to-retire-early-YTYzZTQ0NTBlZGYwOTM3ZWU3MmM2YzNmNDAxOTQ1ZmY= View our monthly FI progress: https://www.firepodcast.ie/progress Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter This episode is supported by Moneycube, one of the sponsors of the Irish FIRE Podcast. Moneycube is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

After a recent radio interview left very little time to explain the realities of financial independence and early retirement, Michael Houghton takes a deeper look at some of the questions people most often ask about FIRE.
Does retiring early mean never working again? Where does fulfillment come from without a traditional job? And how is it possible to build enough wealth to step away from full-time work in less than a decade? Michael discusses the intense saving years behind his family's journey, the role of investing and property, and how compound growth eventually began doing more of the work.
He also looks at the idea of "enough" - why building a larger portfolio is not necessarily better if it comes at the cost of another decade of work, and why the real goal of financial independence has always been greater control over time.
Finally, Michael explains why budgeting will remain part of life in retirement and why FIRE, for his family, has never really been about becoming rich. It has been about building enough wealth to have the freedom to choose how they spend their time.
Show Notes:
The FYI - Top 10 FIRE Podcasts: 
<a href="https://the-fyi.com/money/podcasts-for-the-fire-community/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://the-fyi.com/money/podcasts-for-the-fire-community/</a>
Original interview on Claire Bryne: 
<a href="https://www.goloudplayer.com/episodes/how-would-like-to-retire-early-YTYzZTQ0NTBlZGYwOTM3ZWU3MmM2YzNmNDAxOTQ1ZmY=" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.goloudplayer.com/episodes/how-would-like-to-retire-early-YTYzZTQ0NTBlZGYwOTM3ZWU3MmM2YzNmNDAxOTQ1ZmY=&nbsp;</a>
View our monthly FI progress: 
<a href="https://www.firepodcast.ie/progress" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.firepodcast.ie/progress</a>
Subscribe to the Newsletter: 
<a href="https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter</a>
This episode is supported by <a href="https://www.moneycube.ie" rel="noopener noreferrer">Moneycube</a>, one of the sponsors of the Irish FIRE Podcast. Moneycube is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

The Questions People Ask When You Say You’re Retiring at 42

What has really changed between now and the recession? Michael explores the differences between the hard times and now and asks the question "are you really any better off?".
While the externals have changed, have things fundamentally changed for you personally? Michael discusses a few observations and challenges the idea that things are radically any different than they were a few years ago.
Sign up for the monthly newsletter at: 
<a href='https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter'>https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter</a>

What has really changed between now and the recession? Michael explores the differences between the hard times and now and asks the question "are you really any better off?". While the externals have changed, have things fundamentally changed for you personally? Michael discusses a few observations and challenges the idea that things are radically any different than they were a few years ago. Sign up for the monthly newsletter at: https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter

What has really changed between now and the recession? Michael explores the differences between the hard times and now and asks the question "are you really any better off?".
While the externals have changed, have things fundamentally changed for you personally? Michael discusses a few observations and challenges the idea that things are radically any different than they were a few years ago.
Sign up for the monthly newsletter at: 
<a href="https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter</a>

Let the good times roll

Michael crunches the numbers in this episode to calculate how many years one would need to invest €3000 per month to be financially independent.

He also discusses his plan A and plan B for financial Independence, and explains why he feels building businesses might be a short cut to financial Independence.

<a href='https://www.firepodcast.ie/podcasts/how-long-would-it-take-to-be-financially-independent-saving-3000-per-month'>Click here for the show notes</a>

Michael crunches the numbers in this episode to calculate how many years one would need to invest €3000 per month to be financially independent. He also discusses his plan A and plan B for financial Independence, and explains why he feels building businesses might be a short cut to financial Independence. Click here for the show notes

Michael crunches the numbers in this episode to calculate how many years one would need to invest €3000 per month to be financially independent.

He also discusses his plan A and plan B for financial Independence, and explains why he feels building businesses might be a short cut to financial Independence.

<a href="https://www.firepodcast.ie/podcasts/how-long-would-it-take-to-be-financially-independent-saving-3000-per-month" rel="noopener noreferrer">Click here for the show notes</a>

How long would it take to be financially independent saving €3000 per month

Michael gives a brief history of the peer to peer lending industry in Europe and explains why p2p lending is a good asset class. He recommends a p2p lender in Europe and explains how to get started in peer to peer lending.

<a href='https://www.playingwithfire.ie/podcasts/how-to-get-started-in-peer-to-peer-lending'>Click here for the show notes</a>.

Michael gives a brief history of the peer to peer lending industry in Europe and explains why p2p lending is a good asset class. He recommends a p2p lender in Europe and explains how to get started in peer to peer lending. Click here for the show notes.

Michael gives a brief history of the peer to peer lending industry in Europe and explains why p2p lending is a good asset class. He recommends a p2p lender in Europe and explains how to get started in peer to peer lending.

<a href="https://www.playingwithfire.ie/podcasts/how-to-get-started-in-peer-to-peer-lending" rel="noopener noreferrer">Click here for the show notes</a>.

How to get started in peer to peer lending

In this episode, Michael discusses the art of having persistence and shares stories about how success is often only one step away from failure. He also shares his own experience about how failure in his managed FOREX trading investments eventually led to success.

In this episode, Michael discusses the art of having persistence and shares stories about how success is often only one step away from failure. He also shares his own experience about how failure in his managed FOREX trading investments eventually led to success.

Persistence, the difference between success and failure

Michael gives us his background about moving to Ireland in 2011 and explains about how he is planning on being financially independent, by cutting expenses, investing for monthly income, leaving the rat race and taking more opportunities.
He explains how in September 2018 he made the decision to cut down to part time work and that the best thing that money can buy is time freedom.
To register for any events, visit: 
<a href='https://www.firepodcast.ie'>https://www.firepodcast.ie</a>

Michael gives us his background about moving to Ireland in 2011 and explains about how he is planning on being financially independent, by cutting expenses, investing for monthly income, leaving the rat race and taking more opportunities. He explains how in September 2018 he made the decision to cut down to part time work and that the best thing that money can buy is time freedom. To register for any events, visit: https://www.firepodcast.ie

Michael gives us his background about moving to Ireland in 2011 and explains about how he is planning on being financially independent, by cutting expenses, investing for monthly income, leaving the rat race and taking more opportunities.
He explains how in September 2018 he made the decision to cut down to part time work and that the best thing that money can buy is time freedom.
To register for any events, visit: 
<a href="https://www.firepodcast.ie" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.firepodcast.ie</a>

Introduction into financial freedom

The Irish FIRE Podcast explores the journey to financial independence and early retirement from an Irish perspective. Hosted by Michael Houghton, the podcast covers practical strategies for saving, investing, and working towards financial independence. Each episode dives into topics like tax efficiency, property investment, pensions, and lifestyle optimization, all tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities in Ireland. Whether you’re just starting out or well on your FIRE journey, The Irish FIRE Podcast offers actionable insights to help you achieve your financial goals.

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