In this episode Dave and Hayden explore two real-life case studies.

First, they discuss whether a couple in their fifties truly needs 25 times their expenses to retire, unpacking how time horizon, risk and the Age Pension reshape the “magic number.”

Then, they dive into a pay down the mortgage or invest in ETFs dilemma, weighing certainty versus growth, and the benefits of debt recycling.

All round, this episode is a chat about tailoring financial independence to your stage of life, goals and mindset.

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode, Dave and Hayden tackle three big listener questions:

1. Should you invest a lump sum when markets are at all-time highs?
2. Is gearing inside super worth the risk?
3. 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.

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.

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.

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.

In this episode, Dave and Hayden tackle two listener case studies. They dive into the emotional and practical trade-offs of selling vs holding property, renting, and transitioning wealth into shares.

Episode topics summary:

Introduction

Case Study 1: Escaping Mortgage Prison

The Numbers Behind Selling & Renting

Case Study 2: Switching from Property to Shares

Practical Scenarios for Transitioning Wealth

The Lump Sum Question

Final Thoughts

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.

In this Q&A episode, Dave and Hayden unpack three listener questions:

• Should you hold or sell employee share scheme stock?
• Are LICs still a smart choice, or have ETFs taken over?
• How mental accounting tricks us into bad money decisions.

Timecodes:

(00:00) Intro

(02:30) Employee Share Schemes

(07:06) Tax & Concentration Risk

(09:37) The “Would You Invest Cash?” Test

(13:09) FOMO & Mental Accounting

(18:10) LICs vs ETFs

(34:07) Mental Accounting & Debt Recycling

(42:40) Everyday Money Mind Games

(48:27) Hayden’s Investing Slip-Up

(54:48) Wrap-Up

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.

In this episode, Dave and Hayden continue their discussion on tax, covering practical tips and personal experiences. They explore the First Home Super Saver Scheme, private health insurance to avoid the Medicare levy surcharge, and novated leases for electric vehicles. They also chat about common tax misconceptions, and offer insights into long-term tax planning. Packed with examples and advice, this episode helps listeners think strategically about reducing their tax burden without falling into common traps.

(01:03) Recap of the previous episode on big tax strategies; introduction to smaller strategies.

(02:01) Deep dive into the First Home Super Saver Scheme — eligibility, benefits, and pitfalls.

(05:06) Understanding the tax benefits of voluntary super contributions for first home purchases.

(10:16) Nuances of government interest rates and predictable growth in the scheme.

(16:10) Private health insurance: avoiding the Medicare levy surcharge.

(23:02) Why many high-income earners should consider basic private health cover.

(26:45) Novated leases for electric vehicles — how they work and who benefits most.

(30:41) The impact of interest rates and tax savings on novated leases.

(36:36) Smaller deductions: work from home, subscriptions, and everyday expenses.

(40:03) Investment-related deductions, including internet, phone, and software.

(53:27) Common tax mistakes and misconceptions to avoid.

(01:02:04) Episode recap and closing remarks.

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.

Nobody loves paying tax – but how much time should you really spend trying to avoid it?

In this episode, Dave and Hayden share their personal approaches to tax minimisation – including what they’ve done in the past, what they’re doing now, and a few things they might explore in future. From debt recycling to ETF selection, super contributions to future trust structures, this episode isn’t about dodging tax – it’s about making smarter choices that leave more money in your pocket to build wealth faster.

Of course, they're not tax experts, and they’re the first to admit it. So don’t expect a masterclass in tax law – just a candid conversation on strategies that have worked for them (and maybe a few they’re still unsure about).

Enjoy the episode!

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.

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.

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.