Aussie FIRE | Financial Independence Retire Early

Epizódok

• 81. Case Study: Sell the investment property, or hold for the long game? 03.07.2026 42p

  Would you sell a property that's grown from $280k to $800k, even if it meant a six figure tax bill? In this episode, Hayden and Dave sit down with listener Lachlan to work through a big financial decision: whether to sell his investment property or keep holding on.They cover:👉 The equity Lachlan has built up on his investment property, and what selling would actually cost him in CGT👉 Debt recycling and whether redrawing equity could achieve the same goal without triggering a tax hit👉 Why simplifying from property to shares might reduce stress, even if it's not the highest returning move👉 What semi-retirement within a decade would actually require from Lachlan and his wife's finances👉 The pull of sentimental value and FOMO, and how that shapes decisions that are supposed to be purely financialHappy EOFY from pearler! Sign up in July using the code AUSSIEFIRE for 12 months worth of free trades 💸And for existing customers, sign up to a new pearler product and you'll get 12 months worth of free trades too! 💸Follow us on InstagramWatch on YoutubeAsk a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookDave's books on Amazon and SpotifyDisclaimerAny 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 80. How to eat cheaply on your path to FIRE 26.06.2026 1ó 7p

  What if one of the biggest leaks in your budget is sitting in your fridge? In this episode, Hayden and Dave get honest about how much they're actually spending on food right now, and running through some hacks to eat on more of a budget on your path to FIRE.The gap between a $15 and $25 daily food spend might not feel like much. But compounded over 20 years, that difference could be huge.They cover:👉 How much each host is actually spending on food right now (one answer is going to raise some eyebrows)👉 The slow creep of "brand drift" and food waste that inflates your grocery bill👉 Why skipping breakfast might be the easiest budget and health hack you're not using👉 Cheap protein swaps, bulk cooking and home brand experiments worth trying👉 Whether it's worth shopping online👉 How to tell if your food spending actually reflects your valuesWhether you're deep into your FIRE journey or just starting to question where your money goes each week, this episode will make you look at your next supermarket run a little differently.Happy EOFY from pearler! Sign up in July using the code AUSSIEFIRE for 12 months worth of free trades 💸And for existing customers, sign up to a new pearler product and you'll get 12 months worth of free trades too! 💸Follow us on InstagramWatch on YoutubeAsk a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookDave's books on Amazon and SpotifyDisclaimerAny 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 79. Should war change how you invest? 19.06.2026 50p

  What actually happens to your portfolio when the world feels like it's on fire? In this episode, Hayden and Dave look back at how share markets have responded to major global conflicts, from WWI and WWII through to COVID, and what that history can teach us about investing through periods of fear and uncertainty.They walk through the data most people have never seen: markets that fell sharply in the first six months of a war, only to roar back stronger than before it began. It's a timely reminder that the instinct to act during a crisis isn't always the one that serves us best.They cover:👉 How the US and Australian share markets actually performed during WWI and WWII, including the sharp falls and surprising recoveries👉 What 31 wars across 130 years of market data reveal about how long downturns really last👉 Why war tends to be inflationary in a way that's different to a typical recession, and what that means for share prices👉 How governments have historically intervened in markets during wartime, and where COVID fits into that picture👉 Why 24/7 news and social media might be making market volatility feel worse than it actually is👉 The case for sticking to dollar-cost averaging and diversification even when the headlines are darkAt its core, investing through conflict is a bet on humanity's ability to find its way through. A look at history that might just change how you think about the next crisis, whatever it turns out to be.Follow us on InstagramWatch on YoutubeAsk a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookDave's books on Amazon and SpotifyDisclaimerAny 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 78. Case Study: Should we buy or keep renting on the path to FIRE? 12.06.2026 36p

  When your landlord puts the property up for sale, the rent vs. buy question stops being theoretical. For Shyann and her husband, that moment became the push they needed to make a decision they'd been circling for a while.In this case study episode, Shyann walks through how she and her husband approached one of the biggest financial decisions a FIRE-chasing couple can make, and what it actually looked like once they got the keys.They cover:👉 Why security and long-term control tipped the scales toward buying over rentvesting👉 How they funded the purchase on a strong combined income while keeping their investment strategy intact👉 The trade-offs in choosing a home that fit the life they were planning, not just the budget they had👉 Managing mortgage anxiety when one income might shrink after starting a family👉 What actually happens when you move into a renovated home and the plumbing has other ideasIs buying always the right move for someone on the path to FIRE? And how do you keep building toward financial independence when a mortgage is suddenly in the mix?Follow us on InstagramWatch on YoutubeAsk a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookDave's books on Amazon and SpotifyDisclaimerAny 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 77. FIRE Later vs. Living Now 05.06.2026 45p

  Today Hayden & Dave are unpacking an email they received from a listener. He's 29, originally from the UK, drives trucks for a living and keeps moving on after a year or two because the passion just isn't there. He loves to travel, wants to build wealth, but struggles to commit to investing when the next adventure feels a lot more appealing to him. He also lost his brother 13 years ago, which has really changed his outlook on things.They cover:👉 Why losing a loved one can make the "now vs. later" question so much harder to answer👉 The problem with expecting your job to be a source of passion (and what to expect instead)👉 A simple mental framework for deciding whether spending & living today is actually worth it👉 How to stop thinking about life choices as all-or-nothing trade-offs👉 Whether the rise of AI is a reason to bunker down financially, or something else entirelyIf you've ever felt the pull between building for the future and not wanting to miss the present, this one's worth a listen.Follow us on InstagramWatch on YoutubeAsk a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookDave's books on Amazon and SpotifyDisclaimerAny 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 76. Should your portfolio change as you approach FI? 29.05.2026 1ó

  In this episode, Hayden and Dave dig into one of the most overlooked parts of the FI journey: what to do with your investments as you get closer to pulling the trigger. Does your strategy need to change? And if so, when and how?They cover:👉 Whether you actually need to de-risk your portfolio before retiring, or whether it's just a psychological thing👉 The difference between accumulation and drawdown, and why the same portfolio can feel very different depending on which phase you're in👉 Cash buffers, offset accounts and other ways to protect yourself from selling at the wrong time👉 How paying off debt fits into a pre-retirement strategy and what it does for your cash flow certainty👉 Growth ETFs vs. income ETFs: does the distinction actually matter when you're drawing down?👉 What Dave is doing with his own portfolioFree calculator here to work out your CGT with the new proposed changes.Follow us on InstagramWatch on YoutubeAsk a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookDave's books on Amazon and SpotifyDisclaimerAny 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 75. A Final Word on the Budget: How We're Thinking About it Now 22.05.2026 1ó

  The episode was updated on the 30th of May to remove some comments around assumptions around tax losses in the new budget if an asset underperforms inflation, as well as removing some comments around tax deductions which were oversimplified.The dust has (somewhat) settled on the Federal Budget, and Hayden and Dave are back to go beyond the initial reactions. This week they dig into the real numbers, the philosophical tensions behind the changes, and what investors should actually be doing differently (if anything).They cover:👉 If and how our investing strategies will change👉 How the CGT changes hit a sell-down strategy versus a dividend/income strategy differently👉 Why the two-phase super strategy takes a bigger hit than most people realise👉 The case for semi-retirement over full FIRE under the new rules👉 Whether continuing to invest is still worth it when the rules keep shiftingPlus, is the budget actually doing anything meaningful for housing supply? And what does the 30% floor really mean for someone trying to live off their portfolio?Free calculator here to work out your CGT with the new proposed changes.Follow us on InstagramWatch on YoutubeAsk a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookDave's books on Amazon and SpotifyDisclaimerAny 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 74. The Budget: What it actually means for investors 15.05.2026 1ó 7p

  The Australian federal budget just dropped and there is a lot to unpack. Hayden and Dave dig into the changes that matter most for everyday investors and the FIRE community, cutting through the political noise to focus on what actually affects your money.They cover:👉 The switch from the 50% CGT discount to indexation👉 The surprise 30% minimum tax floor on capital gains that nobody saw coming, and who it really hits👉 Why the "death of debt recycling" narrative doing the rounds online misses the point entirely👉 Negative gearing changes, what's grandfathered, what's not, and who actually benefits👉 How growth vs. dividend investing strategies stack up under the new rules👉 Whether super just became a lot more attractive overnight👉 The six year exemption loophole that rentvesting fans will want to know aboutThere are still plenty of details being worked out in Canberra, exemptions being carved out, and edge cases nobody has good answers to yet, but these are our thoughts so far.Free calculator here to work out your CGT with the new proposed changes.Follow us on InstagramWatch on YoutubeAsk a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookDave's books on Amazon and SpotifyDisclaimerAny 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 73. CGT and Negative Gearing: What the Budget Could Change for Investors 08.05.2026 50p

  The federal budget is coming, and there's already noise around two policies that could shake up the investment landscape: capital gains tax and negative gearing.Hayden and Dave break down what's actually being floated, and what it could mean for your portfolio.They cover:👉 How governments "soft launch" policy changes before they're official, and why it matters for investors right now👉 The current CGT discount rules and the proposals that could change what you actually keep when you sell👉 Whether indexation could be a better deal than a flat discount, depending on how long you've held an asset👉 The grandfathering question that every existing property investor needs answered before panicking👉 How capping negative gearing could reshape who benefits from it and what it means for property pricesPlus, a timely reminder on building your investing strategy around any single tax settings.Ask a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookDave's books on Amazon and SpotifyDisclaimerAny 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 72. Case Study: Doubling down on investment properties vs. shares 01.05.2026 38p

  Chris is at a crossroads and unsure which way to go. He's spent time in his career working in real estate, and now he's trying to decide whether to buy a family home, double down on investment properties, or pivoting entirely into a more aggressive share portfolio.He's got a good case of analysis paralysis, and Hayden & Dave are here to help him work through some of the numbers and thinking behind it all.In this episode they cover:👉 How much Chris saves & invests on a $170k household income👉 His ultimate FIRE goal👉 What Chris should do with an underperforming IP👉 Chris' concerns about mortgage stress👉 How Hayden & Dave would approach all of these things!Ask a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookDave's books on Amazon and SpotifyDisclaimerAny 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 71. Q&A: Homebuyer’s regret + does flipping houses still work? 24.04.2026 45p

  Got a property and wondering if it's time to sell, rent it out, or just… hold on? In this episode, Dave and Hayden tackle two listener questions that a lot of people are quietly sitting with. First up is a listener who bought their first home two years ago is now craving more flexibility to make some big career moves, and wants to know whether to sell or become an accidental landlord.Then, they dig into the age-old question of house flipping and whether or not it still stacks up in today's market? They'll walk through the numbers you need to crunch and the situations where it might actually make sense.It's pearler's 5th birthday! Get 5 free trades here 🥳Ask a QuestionFI Case Study Request FormPearlerStrong Money AustraliaOriginal Aussie FIRE e-bookDave's books on Amazon and SpotifyDisclaimerAny 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 70. Living off your portfolio during a market downturn 17.04.2026 55p

  What happens if the market crashes as soon as you hit FIRE? In this episode, Hayden and Dave get into one of the most practical and underrated challenges of early retirement: actually living off your portfolio when things get rocky.They cover:👉 The stage of retirement where you're most at risk from market volatility👉 The psychological shift from receiving a paycheck to relying on a portfolio, and why it's harder than it sounds👉 Why having a backup plan before you need one changes everything👉 Cash buffers, flexible income and expense levers you can pull without selling assets at the wrong time👉 How debt, home equity and diversification fit into a drawdown strategyIt's pearler's 5th birthday! Get 5 free trades here 🥳 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-guide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 69. FI case study: Rentvest vs. ETFs 10.04.2026 38p

  What happens when a government equity scheme starts to feel like a trap? In this episode, Hayden and Dave sit down with listener Steve to unpack his property situation and map out a path forward.Steve is a self-employed sports coach earning around $120,000–$130,000 a year, with a partner on $100,000. He owns an apartment worth roughly $570,000, holds a $200,000 ETF portfolio, and used the Victorian Homebuyer Fund to get into the market with a 25% government equity stake still sitting on his property.In this episode they cover:👉 How the Victorian Homebuyer Fund works and why Steve is feeling stuck👉 Whether refinancing could free him from the government equity stake without selling his ETFs👉 The case for rent-vesting as a flexible alternative to upsizing👉 How to weigh lifestyle preferences against pure FIRE optimisation👉 Why financial flexibility can matter more than squeezing every dollar out of a strategyIt's pearler's 5th birthday! Get 5 free trades here 🥳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-guide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 68. Q&A: Selling shares for solar panels, 5% deposit scheme & high-growth investing 03.04.2026 45p

  In this week's episode of Aussie FIRE, Hayden and Dave are unpacking some listener questions around:👉🏼 Selling shares to invest in solar panels at home👉🏼 The 5% deposit scheme for first home buyers👉🏼 Vanguard ETFs👉🏼 And investing for high growth with a 5-8 year timelineAs always, they'll unpack it, share their thoughts, and come at it from a few different angles. Hope you enjoy it!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-guide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 67. How we would invest $1M 27.03.2026 49p

  What would you do if $1 million landed in your bank account tomorrow? In this episode, Hayden and Dave get hypothetical and things get interesting fast. From taking on a gelato giant to debating whether a swimming pool counts as a financial decision, this one's a little different. But buried in the fun are some genuinely useful ideas about how people at different stages of their FIRE journey think about sudden wealth.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-guide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 66. Q&A: US Tech Risk & Ethical Investing 20.03.2026 39p

  In this episode, we answer two listener questions. One on ethical investing and ESG funds, and another on managing tech concentration in a portfolio. We'll unpack:👉 Whether aligning with ESG principles means reducing exposure to Australian equities👉 Why assuming the US market will always outperform Australia might be👉 What the ethical ETF DZZF is👉 Why defining “ethical” companies is harder than it seems👉 The trade-offs of ESG investing👉 An alternative approach: investing broadly and donating the fee savings?👉 Why adding more ETFs might not protect a portfolio from a major market crash👉 How to think about tech concentration in your portfolioAsk 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-guide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 65. Hayden's top 10 lessons from 10 years of renting 13.03.2026 52p

  In this episode, Hayden reflects on 10 lessons from 10 years of renting — covering everything from bonds and inspections to negotiating rent and managing agents.After a decade of renting across share houses, sublets, and full leases, he shares the practical lessons he wishes he knew earlier.👉 Why taking detailed photos when you move in can save your bond later👉 What tenants actually need to do when cleaning a property at the end of a lease👉 How bond refunds work (and why disputes are rarer than you might think)👉 What to know about inspections, maintenance, and “quiet enjoyment”👉 How to handle urgent repairs if your agent isn’t responding👉 The difference between fixed-term and periodic leases👉 When it might be worth negotiating rent or lease terms👉 How strategic disclosure can affect rental applications👉 Why renting in high-supply areas can make life easier👉 A simple way to cut moving costs without hiring removalistsAsk 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-guide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 64. The mindset that made Tash start investing at just 18 06.03.2026 54p

  This week on the pod we're chatting with Natasha Etschmann, or you may know her as 'Tash Invests' online. We wanted to know what life was like for Tash before TikTok, Instagram, and “Tash Invests” became a thing.Growing up in a house where money was openly discussed, saving felt like a game she wanted to win. That mindset led her to buy her first ETF at 18 and her first property at 22, setting the foundation for the strategy she continues to build on today.In this episode we cover:👉 What it was like growing up in a household where money was openly talked about👉 Why saving felt like a game, and how that mindset shaped her early investing👉 Buying her first ETF at 18 and her first property at 22👉 The early trade-offs she made to build momentum in her 20s👉 Navigating online criticism and tall poppy syndrome👉 How her investing strategy has evolved across shares and property👉 Why the real goal is freedom and optionality (not just a big round number)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-guide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 63. FI case study: Should I buy my first home with a 5% deposit, or wait until I have 20%? 27.02.2026 45p

  Should you buy your first home with a 5% deposit, or wait until you have 20%? In this episode, Hayden and Dave sit down with listener Khaing to unpack the numbers and the trade-offs.Khaing is in their late 20s, earning $125,000 and saving around 50% of their income. With roughly $68,000 available, they are weighing up the First Home Guarantee scheme against waiting a few more years to build a bigger deposit and take on less debt.In this episode they cover:👉 How the 5% deposit scheme works and the potential savings on LMI👉 Whether waiting for 20% really reduces risk if property prices keep rising👉 What repayments could look like compared to Khaing’s current rent👉 How to think about worst-case scenarios, including renting the property out👉 What to look for in an apartment, including strata costs and building qualityAsk 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 62. Is the 4% rule for early retirement still relevant? 20.02.2026 42p

  Is the 4% rule still relevant, or has the FIRE movement outgrown it? In this episode, Hayden and Dave break down where the 4% rule came from, why it’s often criticised, and how it actually holds up for early retirees.They unpack the assumptions behind the rule and explain why flexibility, adaptability, and behaviour might matter far more than the percentage itself.In this episode they cover:👉 Where the 4% rule comes from and what it was designed to solve👉 Why early retirees worry about longer time horizons and sequence risk👉 Whether strong recent returns make the rule less reliable👉 How flexibility around spending dramatically improves success rates👉 What different “flex rates” mean for sustainable withdrawal levels👉 Portfolio allocation considerations for long-term retirees👉 The psychology of living off a portfolio during market downturns👉 Practical tools like cash buffers and automated sellingAsk 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.