Aussie FIRE | Financial Independence Retire Early – Details, episodes & analysis
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Aussie FIRE | Financial Independence Retire Early
Hayden Smith & Dave Gow
Frequency: 1 episode/12d. Total Eps: 79

The Aussie FIRE podcast is the ultimate guide to Financial Independence for Australians. Having started life as an e-book, then an audiobook, it's now reached its final form: a podcast that will keep on giving.
The Aussie FIRE audiobook is brought to you by Pearler, Australia's favourite long-term investing community; and Dave Gow, the brains behind Strong Money Australia. Each episode explores a different aspect of Financial Independence, so stay tuned for new releases!
https://strongmoneyaustralia.com/
DISCLAIMER: We’re big fans of sharing experiences and talking about money. However, please note that any advice is general, and does not consider your financial situation, needs, or objectives.
Consider whether it's appropriate for you, and if in doubt, speak to a licensed financial adviser.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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🇫🇷 France - investing
13/10/2025#99
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See all- https://pearler.com/
510 shares
- https://strongmoneyaustralia.com/
148 shares
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See allScore global : 59%
Publication history
Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.
49. Q&A: Market highs, geared super, investment bonds
vendredi 10 octobre 2025 • Duration 47:09
This episode, Dave and Hayden tackle three big listener questions:
- Should you invest a lump sum when markets are at all-time highs?
- Is gearing inside super worth the risk?
- Are investment bonds really as tax-friendly as they sound?
Dave and Hayden unpack the pros, cons, and myths to help you think clearer about your long-term investing strategy.
Strong Money Australia’s audiobook
Disclaimer
Any 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
If 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.
48. Offsets vs Investing: What’s Really Best for Your Mortgage?
vendredi 26 septembre 2025 • Duration 54:41
Should you pour extra cash into your offset account, stash it in savings, or invest it? In this episode, Dave and Hayden break down the numbers and trade-offs that every homeowner faces.
We cover:
- Why offsets slash long-term interest but don’t help your monthly cashflow
- The cases where savings accounts can compete
- How investing stacks up against offsets, and the risks involved
- The role of interest rates and how debt recycling can tip the balance
Whether you're mortgage-stressed or just looking for smarter ways to grow wealth, this episode will help you see offsets, savings, and investing in new ways.
Strong Money Australia’s audiobook
Disclaimer
Any 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
If 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.
39. Q&A: "Property vs shares, debt recycling, and the downsides of super"
vendredi 23 mai 2025 • Duration 43:38
You want to know the best thing about the Q&A format? It delivers what it promises. People ask questions, other people give answers, bing bang boom.
Now, do you want to know the best thing about the Aussie FIRE Q&A format? The answers are almost always awesome.
In this qanda to end all qandas, Aussie FIRE hosts Dave and Hayden field queries on some of this podcast’s most popular topics. Shares vs super? You’d better believe it. Debt recycling? There’s enough here to impress Tony Soprano and Captain Planet (experts on debt and recycling, respectively). The downsides of super? No investment vehicle is all upsides, and Dave and Hayden will prove it on the super front.
Every question has an answer – and this episode sure does provide some of them!
Strong Money Australia’s audiobook
Disclaimer
Any 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
If 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.
38. Geared ETFs, margin loans and NAB Equity Builder
vendredi 9 mai 2025 • Duration 01:12:49
In the past, this podcast has delved into the practicalities and potential perils of using leverage to invest in shares. And in our completely unbiased opinion, it was a brilliant delving. However, the episode in question focused on using home equity. In doing so, left an unanswered question: how can renters or those who don’t like the home equity method, use leverage to invest?
In this session, Dave and Hayden explore non-home equity channels for leverage in investing. From geared ETFs to margin loans and everything in between, the FIRE-namic duo share their thoughts. So, pour yourself a beverage and hear about leverage!
Strong Money Australia’s audiobook
Disclaimer
Any 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
If 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.
37. FI case study: "Should we buy more property or invest in shares?" Plus investing with ChatGPT
vendredi 25 avril 2025 • Duration 43:54
Who doesn’t like a good Aussie FIRE case study?
That wasn’t a rhetorical question, and we’re going to give you an answer.
Monsters, that’s who.
…okay, so maybe that’s a bit harsh – we’re sure there are upstanding citizens out there who don’t like Aussie FIRE case studies – but we have a feeling that YOU’ll like this one.
In this session, Dave and Hayden field a question from a listener whose experience mirrors Dave’s. As per usual, we’ve oversimplified the question below so it fits into this episode description:
“My partner and I own our home, and we’re thinking of living overseas for a few years. Before we go, should we focus on saving up cash, buying an investment property, or debt recycling into shares?”
While there’s no universally right answer, Dave and Hayden weigh up the potential pros and cons of each choice. After the case study, they also delve into a presently trending topic: is there any value in using ChatGPT for investing?
Strong Money Australia’s audiobook
Disclaimer
Any 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
If 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.
36. Using leverage in the share market
vendredi 11 avril 2025 • Duration 57:52
You may well have heard the (correct) adage that investing carries risk. And if you’ve ever missed a mortgage, credit card, or BNPL repayment, you’ll be familiar with the risks of leverage. So, if they’re both risky, are there any circumstances in which it would make sense to combine them?
In this Aussie FIRE episode, Dave and Hayden discuss this exact topic. Join them as they cover leveraging strategy, debt options, and key points to consider. While using leverage for shares investing isn’t for everyone, this session may help you decide whether it’s right for you.
Strong Money Australia’s audiobook
Disclaimer
Any 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
If 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.
35. Q&A: "Investment returns, using home equity, and when to splurge"
vendredi 28 mars 2025 • Duration 54:35
What do Aussie FIRE’s Q&As and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream have in common?
Two things:
- They both feature ampersands
- They’re both very good
…okay, so that wasn’t some of our best work, BUT you should definitely check this episode out.
Co-hosts Dave and Hayden have opened the mailbag to answer some of the community’s most asked questions. From “When is it okay to splurge during a FIRE journey?” to “Investment loans: yay or nay?”, this session answers a panoply of dicey questions.
How many of these questions have YOU asked?
Strong Money Australia’s audiobook
Disclaimer
Any 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
If 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.
34. Dave's hard lessons from 15 years of property investing
vendredi 14 mars 2025 • Duration 58:24
Dave loves ETFs. Hayden co-founded a platform which focuses on ETFs. So, when it comes to Financial Independence, these two must have been committed to ETFs from Day One, right?
…yeah, nah. In fact, as the title suggests, Dave has accrued 15 years of experience in property investing. And over that timeframe, he’s learned some truths which he wished he’d known before he started.
Now, none of this is to suggest that property is a flawed route to FIRE. Indeed, it played a key role in Dave’s work optional status. But by hearing Dave’s experiences, you may be able to lighten your own load on your property journey.
Strong Money Australia’s audiobook
Disclaimer
Any 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
If 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.
33. FI case study: "Should we buy our dream home?" Plus buying the dip and bonds
vendredi 28 février 2025 • Duration 52:56
Folks, it’s time for another FI case study – and this one explores a topic that will hit close to home. Keep reading, and you’ll find out why that was such a hilarious pun.
In this episode, Dave and Hayden take a question from a listener which has crossed countless minds. The listener does an excellent job of providing their financial details, so the Aussie FIRE duo can really dive in. In essence, though, the question boils down to:
“Should my partner and I max out our borrowing capacity and buy our dream home now? Or should we keep investing and hope we can afford it in the future?”
As always, the listener’s circumstances are unique, and may not apply to you. Having said that, you may find some food for thought for your own property journey. Beyond this listener’s question, Dave and Hayden also share their thoughts on bonds, and buying the dip.
Enjoy!
Strong Money Australia’s audiobook
Disclaimer
Any 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
If 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.
32. Credit card hacking
vendredi 14 février 2025 • Duration 52:40
At a glance, credit cards might seem at odds with Financial Independence. After all, credit cards accrue “bad” debt, which many people consider anathema to FIRE goals. Even so, for those who manage their budgets well, credit cards can play a role in a frugal lifestyle. And while Dave Gow doesn’t have experience in this realm, Hayden does!
Join the duo this session as they explore credit card hacking – the art of maximising points, cashback, travel perks, and other rewards. The goal of credit card hacking is to get “free money” from signup bonuses or rewards from your everyday spending. And while it’s not for every risk appetite, it can align with some FI outlooks.
Tune in to find out how your credit cards could work for you!
Strong Money Australia’s audiobook
Disclaimer
Any 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
If 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.









