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
Monday Jan 15, 2024
Monday Jan 15, 2024
In this episode, Michael continues his conversation with Tom, a 26 year old pharmaceutical salesperson based in Wexford.
In part two, we cover:
- Tom discussed the power of the flexible work place and reasons not to worry about retiring early if you love your job.
- Why the real journey from FIRE is to build a life you around work, rather than trying to escape from work.
- Why the RE of FIRE is really just about leaving the 9-5 grind, more so than retiring in the traditional sense.
- Michael compares his life from 2017 to today - to highlight how FIRE has changed his life.
- Tom discusses how he plans to adjust his life for potentially having a family one day.
- Tom discusses his financial education and how he discovered the FIRE movement.
- Tom discusses property and why he likes investing in property
- Tom and Michael give their opinion on cryptocurrency
- Tom and Michael discuss compound interest.
Show Notes:
If you missed part 1 of the interview, go back and have a listen:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/the-gen-z-fire-blue-print
Subscribe to the newsletter:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
Friday Dec 15, 2023
Friday Dec 15, 2023
Tom, a 26 year old pharmaceutical salesperson based in Wexford, shares his FIRE story with Michael. Tom was able to save €40,000 by the time he was 25 and purchase his first house aged 26.
Tom's story is inspiring as he managed to avoid so many of the common financial pitfall's from such a young age. His story shows what it possible when making sound financial decisions from a young age and is a blue print for anyone looking to pursue financial independence at any age.
There will be more to come in part two of this interview.
Show Notes:
Follow Michael's process at:
www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
Friday Nov 10, 2023
Friday Nov 10, 2023
In this episode, Michael pays tribute to the Money Flamingo website (https://www.moneyflamingo.com). He mentions how Tina's work has been a huge motivator for him, especially since 2021 and explores how many attributes from the Money Flamingo website are starting to apply to his own FIRE journey.
Show Notes:
Link to the Money Flamingo Article:
https://www.moneyflamingo.com/time-to-semi-retire/
The Die with Zero Calculator:
https://www.moneyflamingo.com/free-resources/
The Money Flamingo Podcast Interview:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/flamingo-fire-the-money-flamingo-interview
Subscribe to The Irish FIRE Podcast Monthly email:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
Tuesday Oct 10, 2023
Tuesday Oct 10, 2023
In this episode, Michael answers a few questions that he has received over the last few weeks from podcast listeners.
These questions include:
- What are the best broker accounts in Ireland?
- What are the top two things Michael recommends when pursuing FIRE?
- What are some of my options around travel expenses when self employed?
- Questions around refinancing property to buy an investment property.
Show Notes:
Investment Trusts with Andew:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/investment-trusts-with-andrew-driver
Legal Deductions when you own your own company episode:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/legal-tax-deducations-when-you-own-a-company
Revenue guidelines on travel expenses:
https://www.revenue.ie/en/employing-people/employee-expenses/travel-and-subsistence/index.aspx
Mortgages with Laura Mansbridge:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/mortgages-with-laura-mansbridge
Sign up at the newsletter:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
Friday Sep 22, 2023
Friday Sep 22, 2023
In this episode, Michael discusses the basic things that one needs to do to become a property investor. He covers the ins and outs of looking for the right property to buy, to negotiating through the sales process. The episode covers things such as the Rent Pressure Zone in Ireland, but is also suitable for listeners overseas.
Show Notes:
Episode with Ken:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/talking-financial-independence-with-ken-from-the-humble-penny
Previous Episodes on Property:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/mortgages-with-laura-mansbridge
https://www.firepodcast.ie/buying-an-investment-property-with-no-deposit
https://www.firepodcast.ie/buying-property-in-2022
https://www.firepodcast.ie/my-property-strategy
https://www.firepodcast.ie/why-i-buy-property
Rent Pressure Zone Calculator:
https://www.rtb.ie/calculator/rpz
Subscribe to the Newsletter:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
Friday Sep 08, 2023
Friday Sep 08, 2023
In this episode, Michael adds another chapter to his original episodes released back in 2019 on income. He reviews various additional methods of potential ways to increase your income, including some of the recent methods being adopted by some members of the FIRE community. Some of these methods are extreme, so please do your own research and take your own circumstances into account before pursuing any of these.
Show Notes:
Join the newsletter:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
Thursday Aug 24, 2023
Thursday Aug 24, 2023
In this episode, Michael introduces the 20:20 rule. A simple concept that is a great starting point for anyone new to the FIRE movement. He also gives some quick starting points on how to reduce expenses and increase income.
Show Notes:
Interview on RTE with Brendan O'Connor:
https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22285693/
Subscribe to the Newsletter:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
Friday Aug 11, 2023
Friday Aug 11, 2023
In this episode, Michael discusses some strategies around how he and his family grocery shop. He mentions some of the traps that he see's when shopping for food and shares some tips on how you can reduce your grocery bill.
He also shares the one item in Aldi that hasn't gone up in price for many years, as well as another item which has increased in price by 500% over the last year or so!
Show Notes:
Come along to an online or face to face meet up:
https://www.meetup.com/financial-independence-limerick
Watch How to Get Rich on Netflix:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27206017/
Join the newsletter:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
Friday Jul 28, 2023
Friday Jul 28, 2023
In this episode, Michael discusses everything solar panels related! He goes through his own experience of having solar panels installed 12 months ago and lists the pro's and con's of installing solar panels. Solar panels can be a great investment, but what factors should you consider before installing solar panels? Michael looks to answer these questions in this episode.
Show Notes
Subscribe to the newsletter:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
Solar Panel Installers worth getting a quote from:
Eco Green Resources - https://www.egr.ie
Dolphin Utilities - https://dolphinutilities.com
Open Solar - https://www.aksolar.ie
Saturday Jul 15, 2023
Saturday Jul 15, 2023
In this episode, Michael is interviewed by Joshua from The Art of Money and Communication Podcast. The interview covers various aspects, from trying to FIRE with children, embracing FIRE in a high inflation environment, discussing other FIRE influences and discussing some of the core aspects of FIRE - such as being uncomfortable and compounding your ability to earn, save and reduce expenses.
Show Notes:
The original recording can be found at:
https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/high-inflation-high-ambitions-unlocking-financial-independence/id1508117788?i=1000616927112
Subscribe to the monthly newsletter:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter