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Aussie FIRE | Financial Independence Retire Early
Chapter 16: Optimise your portfolio
At Aussie FIRE, we believe that investing regularly in low-cost ETFs will trump endless research. Forget an encyclopaedic market knowledge, or a deep grasp of macroeconomics; the secret ingredient is consistency. Even so, there are some investors who may want to ensure their assets run as a well-oiled machine. This is where portfolio optimisation comes into play.
In this chapter, Kurt from Pearler explores a Nobel Prize-winning form of portfolio optimisation called Modern Portfolio Theory. He also details how to put this theory into practice, and how to measure its impact on your portfolio.
This one goes out to all the FIREstarters who want to get scientific about their investments!
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.
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28. How to find unlimited motivation on the FI journey
50:55|Let’s be honest: Financial Independence can feel like a BIG task. The progress is incremental, the timelines are longer than we’d like, and the temptation to splurge can haunt us. Fortunately, there are a litany of hacks you can apply to remain perpetually motivated.From plugging into “reverse motivation”, to breaking your goals into smaller milestones, to surrounding yourself with like-minded people, the episode runs the gamut of inspirational tactics. Listen in and find the right motivational approach for you!PearlerStrong 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.27. FI case study: semi retirement, island living & getting shares stolen
46:17|Send us a textBecause Financial Independence looks different for everyone, there’s seldom a one-size-fits-all approach to reaching it. That’s why the Aussie FIRE podcast loves to consider case studies from listeners. In doing so, we can all consider how different people, with different circumstances, could reach FIRE.This time around, Dave and Hayden assess a case study from a listener who has moved to an island with their family of five. While this already sounds like an FI dream, the family is still working towards early retirement. Tune in to hear Dave and Hayden’s thoughts on how the family could approach their FI quest – and how you could, too!PearlerStrong 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.26. A deep dive into Hayden's finances
01:07:15|Send us a textIn a previous episode, we conducted a deep dive into Dave’s finances. However, keen observers and long-time listeners may have noticed something: Dave is only one of TWO hosts on this podcast. What’s more, the other host is renowned for his novel, proactive, and sometimes wacky cost-cutting measures. We are, of course, talking about Hayden – co-founder of investing platform Pearler and man with a thousand savings hacks.Throughout this session, Hayden leaves no stone unturned in revealing every detail of his personal finances. We also hear of his savings and investing approach, and how he plans his financial future as a startup co-founder.Whether you’re a budgeter, an investor, or an entrepreneur, you’ll get a kick out of this episode.PearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong 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-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.25. Q&A: Dave's portfolio, debt recycling follow-ups, and a listener's success story
01:11:35|Send us a textDave and Hayden’s Q&As have become a regular thing on this podcast. Sure, audience feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, which is the key reason they’ve become part of the landscape. At a deeper level, though, Dave and Hayden see it as a golden opportunity to connect with the community. That’s why they’re particularly excited about this session.During this episode, they answer a range of questions, from “What ETFs is Dave invested in?” to “Are financial magazines worth it?”. They cover a cornucopia of other queries, too, so you won’t want to miss it!PearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong 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-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.24. House vs apartment: How to optimise your home price for FIRE
45:32|Send us a textDave and Hayden at Aussie FIRE recently received a thought-provoking question from a listener. While we’re paraphrasing slightly, its essence boiled down to:“As a long-term investor, are you better off buying a more expensive home, or buying a cheaper home and investing the difference?”Depending on your own preferences, you might have a clear idea of which approach makes the most sense. However, from an objective point of view, there are a range of factors to consider. So, in the spirit of open-mindedness, Dave and Hayden set out to compare the two.Join them as they measure the potential pros and cons of buying a more expensive home against a cheaper one. By popular demand, Hayden also unpacks his rent vs buy Excel spreadsheet calculations. Listen along, or check out the spreadsheet here.PearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong 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-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.23. Investing mistakes we've made (and what we've learned)
53:32|Send us a textThere are countless ways to learn as an investor, from books, to podcasts (like this one), to quarterly earnings reports. Even so, some of the most memorable lessons are the ones we make through trial and error. Aussie FIRE co-hosts Dave and Hayden are no exception – in fact, were it not for their investing mistakes, they wouldn’t have made it this far.In this session, they cover the key lessons they’ve learned from their investing mistakes over the years. These include:Trying to pick stocks without really knowing what they were doingOvercomplicating the investing process Putting too much stock in predictions Watching price movements too much And many more. Have you made any of these mistakes? If so, great – it’s all part of the investor’s learning experience!PearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong 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-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.22. Singles vs couples: which is better for FI?
47:20|Send us a textIf you’re working towards Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE), a question may have crossed your mind: is it easier to reach FIRE as a single person, or as a couple? Unsurprisingly, people within the FIRE community have been debating this one for a long time. And depending on who you ask, you’ll likely receive a different answer.At the end of the day, both singles and couples are equally capable of reaching FIRE. But as a thought exercise, Dave and Hayden have set out to compare the two categories. They do this by measuring both groups across income, spending, investing, and practical/psychological considerations. They also offer some ideas for how both groups can succeed, and share their own personal experiences.Enjoy, and as always, feel free to share any questions!PearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong 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-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.21. Aussie FIRE Q&A: ETF strategy, FI case study, and investing for kids
47:34|Send us a textA few sessions ago, Dave and Hayden hosted their first Aussie FIRE audience Q&A. Well, the community seemed to enjoy it… so they’re doing it again.This time around, they answer a slew of new FIRE queries – from “What are your thoughts on US tech stocks?”; to “How would you invest $500 per month as part of an ETF strategy?”, to “How is investing for your kids different to investing for yourself?”.Come for the answers, and hopefully you’ll leave with more questions!PearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong 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-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.20. Debt recycling part 2: FAQs
59:49|Send us a textLast episode, Aussie FIRE co-hosts Dave and Hayden discussed debt recycling, and who can benefit from it. As it turns out, people in our community have a lot of questions about this subject. For this reason, Dave and Hayden decided to run a debt recycling FAQ.Join the Aussie FIRE duo as they answer some of the most common questions around debt recycling. These include:Is debt recycling even legal? What type of loans do I need to debt recycle? How do I know whether I should debt recycle? What are the ideal interest rates for debt recycling? And many more. Tune in, and they’ll give you answers – or, at the very least, the questions you should be asking yourself before you try debt recycling.PearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookStrong 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-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.