Share
Aussie FIRE | Financial Independence Retire Early
43. FI case studies: Retiring now, investing with kids, and using SMSFs
•
Imagine being a sci-fi film buff in the year 1986.
In the prior several years, you would have been treated to the original Star Wars trilogy, a slew of new Star Trek films, the cult hit Blade Runner, and – who could forget? – the 1979 classic, Alien.
Now, after seven years of waiting, you’re finally being treated to a James Cameron-directed Alien sequel. But this time, it won’t simply be ONE alien. Oh, no… this time, it’s going to be AlienS. That’s right, they’ve gone from the singular to the plural. The film saga has forever changed, and as a viewer, you’ve changed with it.
Today, Aussie FIRE listeners can expect to witness a similar metamorphosis. In the past, we have run Case Study episodes. Now, in this moment, we branch into the realm of the plural.
Yes, you read that right. This episode will feature…
…Case Studies.
Want to know what’s required to retire now? We have a case study for that. Interested in balancing investments with parenting? Thanks to that little “ies” at the end of “Case Stud”, we have the opportunity to explore that too. What about the wild world of SMSFs? Such is the joy of the plural, we can squeeze in that case study as well!
Are you ready? Excellent. Let’s take these case studies into their young James Cameron era.
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.
More episodes
View all episodes
61. Q&A: Debt recycling
44:03|Debt recycling can be powerful, but the details matter. In this listener Q&A episode, Hayden and Dave tackle common questions on debt recycling and investing mechanics, including when to invest, how to place orders, and how to stay on the right side of the tax rules.They break down practical scenarios listeners are facing and explain the trade-offs between simplicity, optimisation, and risk.In this episode they cover:👉 Market orders vs limit orders and when each one actually makes sense👉 Whether to wait to debt recycle a lump sum or invest smaller amounts sooner👉 The opportunity cost of holding cash in an offset versus investing👉 How to debt recycle while still dollar-cost averaging👉 How to change a debt recycled investment without losing deductibility👉 Why redraw timing matters for tax purposes👉 Common debt recycling mistakes that can break deductibilityAsk a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny 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-guideIf 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.60. FI case study: Should Andy buy a 4th IP or diversify into ETFs?
41:11|Property has worked well for Andy so far. The question is whether it’s still the best path forward. In this case study episode, Dave and Hayden sit down with listener Andy to unpack a real FIRE decision point.They walk through his full financial picture and explore whether continuing to leverage into property or shifting toward shares makes more sense for reaching long-term passive income.In this episode they cover:👉 Andy’s current position across property, ETFs, cash, and super👉 The trade-offs between buying another property or diversifying into shares👉 How much portfolio value is needed to generate $100k in passive income👉 Why net yields and cash flow matter more than headline growth👉 The risks of leverage and concentration👉 How diversification can reduce risk and volatility👉 Aligning investment strategy with long-term lifestyle goals and risk toleranceAsk a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny 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-guideIf 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.59. FIRE Later, or Mini-Retirement Now?
52:16|Is taking a year off work a bold life move or a setback on the road to financial independence? In this episode, Hayden and Dave dig into mini-retirements and gap years, sparked by a listener question about whether stepping away from work is really worth it.They break down the upside, the risks, and the real trade-offs of pressing pause on work while pursuing FIRE.In this episode they cover:👉 What a mini-retirement actually is👉 The benefits of a proper break from work👉 Why going back to work can be harder than expected👉 The financial cost of time off👉 When gap years make sense and when they don’t👉 The risks of poor structure and lost momentum👉 When a mini-retirement might be worth it for themAsk a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny 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-guideIf 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.58. Is your super working hard enough for you?
01:12:23|Is your super quietly doing its thing in the background? That might be fine, but there are a few details worth paying attention to. In today’s episode, Hayden and Dave discuss all things superannuation and walk through the decisions and investing strategies behind their own portfolios.In this episode they cover:👉 How their super strategies evolved from default options to more intentional investing👉 When and why they moved toward high-growth and indexed portfolios👉 The role of international diversification inside super👉 Tax considerations that influenced their investment decisions👉 Hands-on vs hands-off super strategies👉 Their current super portfolios, including the increasing use of geared ETFs👉 They also touch on Pearler SuperDave has also written a new book called 'You've Got Money.. Now What?' 📚Ask a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny 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-guideIf 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.57. FI case study: Renee might be closer to financial independence than she thinks
40:42|Hayden and Dave are taking Aussie FIRE case studies up a notch by inviting a listener onto the podcast to walk through her real-life numbers and decisions.They’re joined by Renee, an Aussie Fire listener who shares her full financial picture and asks the big question: what should we focus on next?In this episode they cover:👉 Renee’s financial position, including income, super, ETFs, and property👉 Whether to prioritise ETFs, another investment property, or staying the course👉 How close Renee already is to financial independence👉 Semi-retirement, and buying back family time👉 The trade-offs between property debt and lifestyle flexibility👉 Why compounding (not contributions) is doing most of the work nowSign up to Pearler in January and get one free trade per month for 12 months!Ask a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny 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-guideIf 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.56. Q&A: ETF strategy, coast FIRE, dividends vs. growth + cash ETFs
53:25|Sign up to Pearler in January and get one free trade per month for 12 months!In this episode Hayden and Dave are opening their DM’s to answer some listener questions.In this episode they cover:👉 ETF strategy: all-in-one funds vs splitting across ETFs👉 Coast FIRE and slowing down on the path to FI👉 Dividends vs growth portfolios near retirement👉 Cash ETFs and when (if ever) they make senseAsk a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny 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-guideIf 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.55. Financial advice we're not subscribing to - part 2
51:41|Sign up to Pearler in January and get one free trade per month for 12 months!Welcome to part two! In part two of this episode, Hayden and Dave are unpacking:👉 The pressure to get on the ‘property ladder’👉 Renting vs buying and your long-term goals👉 The idea that rent money is dead money👉 Investing in every asset class to be diversified👉 Maxing out your superAsk a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny 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-guideIf 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.54. Financial advice we're not subscribing to - part 1
01:05:58|If you’re a young person today, it can feel like you’re playing a new game while still being expected to follow old rules that no longer quite fit. In this episode, Hayden and Dave unpack:👉 If insurance is actually worth it (plus simple calculations you can use to decide if it’s right for you)👉 Bucket systems and if they can help you manage your money, spending, and savings👉 Finding work–life balance while still chasing your goals and dreams👉 How young people can get ahead in today’s tougher economic environment👉 Should I work harder when I'm younger, or have fun and spend my money?👉 Whether you should take a more cautious approach to investing as you get olderFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny 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-guideIf 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.53. FI case studies: Retiring in Australia vs. overseas, planning for a partner and kids, and house price anxiety
01:03:38|In this episode, Dave and Hayden dive into a fresh round of FI case studies and the life-planning dilemmas that shape our money decisions. They start with a powerful scenario from a migrant listener weighing up a future in Australia versus returning home: cost of living pressures, wage differentials, super portability, exchange rate risk, and what “enough” really means when your FI number has to work across borders. They tease out frameworks for modelling two parallel futures and the emotional load that comes with trying to build stability far from family.They move into the perennial FIRE fork in the road: kids or no kids, single or coupled. They unpack how household structure changes savings rates, risk capacity, spending floors, and time to FI, while reminding listeners that planning is not about predicting your life perfectly but about building optionality. Whether you are navigating life solo, partnered, expanding your family, or staying child free, they outline how to model scenarios that still get you to a secure and flexible future.FI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong Money Australia’s audiobookDisclaimerAny 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-guideIf 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.