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
Friday Jun 30, 2023
Friday Jun 30, 2023
In this episode, Michael interviews Joshua from The Art of Money & Communication Podcast.
Joshua is originally from Wales and now living in London. He is an Opera Singer and has been pursing FIRE for a number of years.
Michael & Joshua talk about a range of FIRE topics, from happiness in your career, trying to FIRE in the arts industry, following a simple investment strategy, how to decide to a job, to getting your partner onboard with FIRE.
Show Notes:
Listen to Joshua's Podcast at:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-art-of-money-communication/id1508117788
Subscribe to the Newsletter:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
Friday Jun 16, 2023
Friday Jun 16, 2023
In this episode, Michael responses to a listener email. The email asked Michael why he doesn't look to apply more moderation and consistency to his FI journey. Michael responses by talking about the elephant in the room - that FIRE is extreme and that to make it work long term, it often needs to be done in phases.
He also talks about how compounding not only investments, but also our ability to earn income and reduce expenses, ultimately is what makes ones FI journey not a linear thing.
Show Notes:
Download and try The Die With Zero Calculator:
https://www.moneyflamingo.com/free-resources/
Subscribe to the Monthly Newsletter:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
Friday Jun 02, 2023
Friday Jun 02, 2023
In this episode, Michael talks with Laura Mansbridge, a mortgage broker based in Limerick. Michael and Laura talk everything mortgages, including mortgages for first time buyers, equity release, buying property through a company and a pension, advantages of using a mortgage broker and associated costs.
Show Notes:
Laura can be reached at:
Email - [email protected]
Phone - 087 942 1243
Disclaimer: Information in this episode is for education purposes only. When it comes to mortgages, all situations are different. Please consult your own mortgage broker or contact Laura directly to answer any specific questions.
Subscribe to the monthly newsletter: https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
Friday May 19, 2023
Friday May 19, 2023
In this episode, Michael covers the second part of his 12 FIRE rules. In part two, he covers his 5 rules related to income and investing. Michael shares his advise around why income is the most important FIRE attribute, the importance of an emergency fund, why keeping investing simple is the best approach and that average market returns are OK!
He also provides a quick personal update on his FIRE journey in life post Flamingo FIRE!
Disclaimer: Michael is not a financial advisor and any investment advise in this episode is for entertainment purposes only.
Show Notes:
Subscribe to the monthly newsletter at:
www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
Friday May 05, 2023
Friday May 05, 2023
In this episode, Michael covers his 12 FIRE rules. In part one, he covers his 7 rules related to managing expenses. Since 2018, Michael has actually decreased his annual expenses, even with rising inflation. He lists his 7 rules related to how his family have reduced expenses overtime.
He also provides a quick personal update on his FIRE journey, which has hit a significant milestone in May 2023.
Show Notes:
Subscribe to the newsletter:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
Track Michael's Monthly Progress:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/progress
Friday Apr 21, 2023
Friday Apr 21, 2023
In this episode, Michael gives his five key takeaways from the book 'Die with Zero', which has because a bit of a stable for FIRE enthusiasts. He lists his five main takeaway points from the book and gives his own take on how he has implemented changes after listening to the book.
Show Notes
Listen to the book:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCsfH3U51jA
Sign up to the newsletter:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
Friday Apr 07, 2023
Friday Apr 07, 2023
In this episode, Michael discusses one of the hidden secrets of the FIRE movement - the element of luck, or chance! Luck (both good and bad) plays a huge role in one's ability to hit FIRE and is often underrated. Michael gives examples of those in the FIRE community that have experienced good luck on their journey, as well as giving examples of his own good luck from the last 5 years.
Show Notes:
March blog update:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/march-2023-portfolio-update
Example of typical Market Watch article with an early retiree who was nothing but lucky
(in this case, they borrowed significant money from his in-laws)
https://www.businessinsider.com/real-estate-investing-passive-income-teacher-retires-early-2021-2
Subscribe to the newsletter:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
Friday Mar 24, 2023
Friday Mar 24, 2023
In this episode, Michael talks about how his perception of work as changed as his progress towards FI has progressed. He mentions that there is a great sense of irony that the closer he moves to early retirement, the more he is enjoying work. He talks about why this is and how work can still play an important part of your life in early retirement.
Show Notes
Blog Article One on Money Flamingo:
https://www.moneyflamingo.com/the-many-paths-that-lead-to-fi/
Blog Article Two on Money Flamingo:
https://www.moneyflamingo.com/the-many-paths-that-lead-to-fi-part-2/
Money Flamingo Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/semiretirement
Subscribe to the newsletter:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
Friday Mar 10, 2023
Friday Mar 10, 2023
In this episode, Michael provides insights into his thinking around how to plan for withdrawals in early retirement. He discusses the challenge of working out whether to pay down current mortgages on investment properties, or continue to buy new properties.
He also provides a work update as he looks to scale back him working hours in 2023.
Show Notes
The Die with Zero Calculator:
https://www.moneyflamingo.com/how-to-die-with-zero/
Case study on Michael on the Money Flamingo Blog:
https://www.moneyflamingo.com/the-many-paths-that-lead-to-fi/
Article on Building Cashflow with Mortgages:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/september-2022-portfolio-update
Subscribe to the monthly newsletter:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
Friday Feb 24, 2023
Friday Feb 24, 2023
In this episode, Michael asks the question, is the traditional FIRE movement dead? With so many great FIRE alternatives available now, he considers if the traditional route of work hard and retire is no longer applicable, especially in a post COVID world, where so many other income alternatives are available.
Show Notes:
Read the Money Flamingo Blog Article on the real definition of early retirement:
https://www.moneyflamingo.com/what-does-fire-really-stand-for/
Follow my monthly updates & subscribe to the newsletter:
https://www.firepodcast.ie