• 37. FI case study: "Should we buy more property or invest in shares?" Plus investing with ChatGPT
    Apr 25 2025

    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?


    FI Case Study Request Form


    Pearler

    Strong Money Australia

    Original Aussie FIRE e-book

    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.

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    44 mins
  • 36. Using leverage in the share market
    Apr 11 2025

    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.


    FI Case Study Request Form


    Pearler

    Strong Money Australia

    Original Aussie FIRE e-book

    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.

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    58 mins
  • 35. Q&A: Investment returns, using home equity, and when to splurge
    Mar 28 2025

    What do Aussie FIRE’s Q&As and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream have in common?


    Two things:


    1. They both feature ampersands
    2. 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?


    FI Case Study Request Form


    Pearler

    Strong Money Australia

    Original Aussie FIRE e-book

    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.

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    55 mins
  • 34. Dave's hard lessons from 15 years of property investing
    Mar 14 2025

    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.


    FI Case Study Request Form


    Pearler

    Strong Money Australia

    Original Aussie FIRE e-book

    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.

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    58 mins
  • 33. FI case study: "Should we buy our dream home?" Plus buying the dip and bonds
    Feb 28 2025

    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!


    FI Case Study Request Form


    Pearler

    Strong Money Australia

    Original Aussie FIRE e-book

    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.

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    53 mins
  • 32. Credit card hacking
    Feb 14 2025

    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!


    FI Case Study Request Form


    Pearler

    Strong Money Australia

    Original Aussie FIRE e-book

    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.

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    53 mins
  • 31. FI case study: "Do I have enough to retire early?" Plus ETFs vs managed funds
    Jan 31 2025

    Much like the Chupacabra or Berkshire Hathaway’s founding story, Aussie FIRE’s FI case studies have become the stuff of legend. This time ‘round, Dave and Hayden answer a question from a listener which may well have crossed your mind:


    “Do I have enough in savings, investments, and super to retire early?”


    Of course, this person’s portfolio, income, and living circumstances are specific to them. Even so, by listening to Dave and Hayden crunch the numbers with this listener, you can form some ideas which can help shape your FIRE journey. The Frugal Fraternity (a nickname we’re trialling for them) also discuss a classic long-term investing topic: ETFs or managed funds?


    FI Case Study Request Form


    Pearler

    Strong Money Australia

    Original Aussie FIRE e-book

    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.

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    41 mins
  • 30. Investing in ETFs vs super
    Jan 17 2025

    Both are often touted as effective vehicles for long-term investing. But for those working towards FIRE, there are some key differences to consider between ETFs and super. On one hand, super is purpose-built for retirement, and offers a number of unique potential tax benefits. On the other, ETFs are more liquid, and may better suit the “early” in “retire early”.


    So, what’s the right balance? Should you focus on one, the other, or a mixture of both? Well, Dave and Hayden can’t tell you what to do. Even so, they can discuss a range of different hypotheticals that help you find YOUR most suitable outcome. Enjoy!


    FI Case Study Request Form


    Pearler

    Strong Money Australia

    Original Aussie FIRE e-book

    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.

    Show More Show Less
    52 mins