The Irish FIRE Podcast explores the journey to financial independence and early retirement from an Irish perspective. Hosted by Michael Houghton, the podcast covers practical strategies for saving, investing, and working towards financial independence. Each episode dives into topics like tax efficiency, property investment, pensions, and lifestyle optimization, all tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities in Ireland. Whether you’re just starting out or well on your FIRE journey, The Irish FIRE Podcast offers actionable insights to help you achieve your financial goals.
Episodes
Thursday Sep 19, 2024
Thursday Sep 19, 2024
In this episode, Michael explores some of the ideas from Ramit Sethi and his book, podcast and TV program 'I will Teach You To Be Rich' and 'How to Get Rich'.
He challenges some of the idea's that Ramit presents when it comes to personal finance, and factors in some of the things which Ramit tends to overlook about the FIRE movement.
Show Notes
Mad Fientist interview with Ramit:
https://www.madfientist.com/ramit-sethi-interview/
Carl & Mindy interview with Ramit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm3jlsW7W34
Ramit's website:
https://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/
Ramit's Netflix show:
https://www.netflix.com/title/81410436
Subscribe to the newsletter & following my FIRE progress:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
Monday Aug 12, 2024
Monday Aug 12, 2024
In this episode, Michael explains and introduces the philosophy of 'The Simple Life' - a concept that his wife sold him on back in 2010. It is a philosophy that ensures that his family can maintain a low cost lifestyle, while ensuring maximum happiness and contentment.
If you ever wondered how Michael and his family are able to live in Ireland on approximately €40,000 euro per year - then this is the episode for you!
Show Notes:
Link to the Limerick FI Meet Up Group:
https://www.meetup.com/financial-independence-limerick/
A breakdown of Michael's family monthly budget:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/monthly-budget.png
Subscribe to the monthly newsletter:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
Wednesday Jul 17, 2024
Wednesday Jul 17, 2024
In this episode, Michael concludes a 3 part series on his FI calculations. He talks about how the Die with Zero Calculator is actually an improvement on the 4% rule and discusses the art of subtraction once one reaches (or gets close to) FI.
Show Notes
Link to Die with Zero Calculator:
https://www.moneyflamingo.com/free-resources/
Link to my FI calculations:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/img/fi-number-calculation.png
Link to online meet up on 31st July 2024:
https://www.meetup.com/financial-independence-limerick/events/301861738/
Link to Mad Fientist Article:
https://www.madfientist.com/happiness-through-subtraction/
Become a subscriber to the monthly newsletter:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
Wednesday Jul 03, 2024
Wednesday Jul 03, 2024
In this episode, Michael covers the 7 steps to financial independence. He also gives a personal portfolio update, as well as gives his own definition of financial independence.
Show Notes:
The Die with Zero Calculator:
https://www.moneyflamingo.com/free-resources/
The Money Flamingo Update:
https://www.moneyflamingo.com/is-this-still-semi-retirement/
Subscribe to the newsletter:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
Wednesday Jun 05, 2024
Wednesday Jun 05, 2024
It has been 5 years today since The Irish FIRE Podcast launched - what better way to celebrate with a personal update from Michael, sharing his thoughts on defining enough, as he is looking to adopt early retirement.
Show Notes
Mad Fientist Bill Perkins Interview:
https://www.madfientist.com/bill-perkins-interview/
Join the newsletter for monthly updates:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
Tuesday Apr 23, 2024
Tuesday Apr 23, 2024
In this episode, Michael continues his conversation with Kel, AKA Mrs Smart Money, who embarked on a "No Spend Year™" in 2019. She reduced her family's expenses by over €27,000, leading her to write a best-selling book, Mindful Money: More Money, More Freedom, More Happiness, became QFA qualified and became a money coach. Since her no spend year, she has harnessed her scientific background to create a powerful coaching formula to help others build the lives they deserve.
In part 2, Kel shares details of what happened after her no spend year and how she was able to follow her passion to help more people take control of their finances.
Show Notes
Learn more about Kel at her website:
https://www.mrssmartmoney.com
Or you can catch up with her daily insights over on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/mrssmartmoneyhq
Or on Linked In:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kel-galavan-money-mindset-coach/
Subscribe to The Irish Fire Podcast Newsletter:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
Wednesday Mar 27, 2024
Wednesday Mar 27, 2024
In this episode, Michael talks with Kel, AKA Mrs Smart Money, who embarked on a "No Spend Year™" in 2019. She reduced her family's expenses by over €27,000, leading her to write a best-selling book, Mindful Money: More Money, More Freedom, More Happiness, became QFA qualified and became a money coach. Since her no spend year, she has harnessed her scientific background to create a powerful coaching formula to help others build the lives they deserve.
In part 1, Kel shares details of what led her to adopt the no spend year and how things played out as she embarked on this unconventional path.
Show Notes
Learn more about Kel at her website:
https://www.mrssmartmoney.com
Or you can catch up with her daily insights over on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/mrssmartmoneyhq
Subscribe to The Irish Fire Podcast Newsletter:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
Sunday Feb 25, 2024
Sunday Feb 25, 2024
In this episode, Michael takes a close look at intentional money spending. He explains how becoming good at spending money is a skill and gives examples of good and bad money spending habits.
Show Notes
Join the newsletter at:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
Tuesday Feb 13, 2024
Tuesday Feb 13, 2024
In this episode, Michael talks to Stephen about travel and FIRE. Stephen is originally from Ireland but has spent time in Canada as well as countries all over the world. Stephen spent 6 and a half years back packing around the world, while saving for FIRE. Stephen works in hospitality, picking up jobs as he travels, traveling on a budget and saving for FI at the same time.
These days, Stephen is semi FI and he talks with Michael about how he built this lifestyle, how he will adapt with children, offers travel advise and how he defines his FIRE lifestyle.
Show Notes:
Follow Stephen at:
https://www.youtube.com/@outoftheboxtraveler
https://www.instagram.com/outoftheboxtraveler
JL Collins new book:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pathfinders-Extraordinary-Stories-Financial-Independence/dp/B0CKWFWF95/
Subscribe to the newsletter:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
Sunday Jan 28, 2024
Sunday Jan 28, 2024
In this episode, Michael talks with Andrew, who was last on the podcast in 2021 talking about Investment Trusts. This time, Michael and Andrew compared property VS stock. Likely the most discussed topic on many FIRE groups, what is the better investment, property or stocks?
Andrew looks at the pros and cons of each and makes a conclusion about the better investment.
Disclaimer: Michael and Andrew are not professional investors and nothing in this episode should be considered financial advise.
Show Notes:
Andrew's previous podcast episode:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/investment-trusts-with-andrew
Join the newsletter:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter