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
Saturday Jan 16, 2021
Saturday Jan 16, 2021
In the first episode of 2021, Michael announces that the format of the show for 2021 will change slightly. Michael will answer questions he gets on financial independence from listeners this year - typically answering two or three questions per episode.
Michael gives a quick update on his own financial journey, before answering the following questions in this episode:
1. Should I set up a company to use as a vehicle for my investments?
2. Should I fear market crashes?
3. When it comes to calculating your FI number, how do I handle extra expenses in the future? Does this just mean that FI is pushed out further down the track, or is there another way of dealing with this?
Email me your FIRE questions to [email protected].
Show Notes:
Take a look at the "Irish Savers Action Group" - who are actively talking to TDs to change and encourage tax incentives on savings and investments:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/255087048882194
Become an Irish FIRE Member at:
https://www.firepodcast.ie
Monday Dec 07, 2020
Monday Dec 07, 2020
In this episode, Michael discusses the strategies he has adopted to reduce his tax bill. He explains how he is able to reduce his actual effective personal tax rate to less than 9% living in Ireland (a high tax country).
He also gives an update on his investment portfolio as at December 2020.
Show Notes:
Learn more at:
https://www.firepodcast.ie
Friday Nov 06, 2020
Friday Nov 06, 2020
Michael interviews Dave G, a co-host of the Limerick FI meet up group.
Dave is based in Newcastle West, in Co. Limerick. Dave is originally from the UK and is a PAYE earner. He has a unique FIRE journey is looking to become FI through real estate investing.
During the interview, we talk mindset, investing and how Dave keeps motivated on this FIRE journey.
Show Notes:
Check out Dave's website at:
https://www.firedave.com
Limerick FI Meet Up Group
https://www.meetup.com/financial-indepdence-limerick
Be sure to visit:
https://www.firepodcast.ie
Thursday Oct 22, 2020
Thursday Oct 22, 2020
In this episode, Michael mentions how his family embraced frugality and how they were able to reduce their expenses by a significant amount.
He gives specific examples and leaves the episode with a challenge for you to take with you on how you can start embracing frugality.
Show Notes:
Pete Adeney (Mr. Money Mustache) - Full Talk at WDS 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BDWih309wc
Become an Irish FIRE Podcast member at:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/register
Monday Sep 07, 2020
Monday Sep 07, 2020
In this episode, Michael discusses the sacrifices one needs to make when pursuing financial independence. He relates it back to his own decision and mentions why he realised that his time freedom movement was taking him away from his ultimate goal of becoming FI.
Show Notes
Fire HQ - Online FIRE Event:
https://www.firehq.ie
Mad Fientist - FI Laboratory
https://lab.madfientist.com
Savings Calculator
https://calculator.me/savings
Become an Irish FIRE Podcast member at:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/register
Monday Aug 17, 2020
Monday Aug 17, 2020
In this episode, Michael talks with Ken, who runs the blog "The Humble Penny".
Ken is based in the UK and become financially independence at aged 34. Topics covered in the interview include:
1. How Ken and his family were able to become financially independence within 10 years, through investments, multiple cashflow streams and businesses.
2. How can you use two hours per day to create a dream life.
3. How do you keep your get up and go and learn from your mistakes?
4. How do you deal with fame and finding the courage to put yourself out there?
5. Is your house an asset? Should you pay off your mortgage, or invest?
Show Notes
The Humble Penny - https://thehumblepenny.com
Ken's Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkAPVmQ4JF4ZWKVazSOmGFQ
Gathering Dreams - https://gatheringdreams.com
Financial Joy Academy - https://financialjoyacademy.com
Become an Irish FIRE Podcast member at:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/register
Tuesday Aug 04, 2020
Tuesday Aug 04, 2020
In this episode, Michael provides specific details about how he was able to put a deal together to use equity from his home to purchase an investment property in Ireland.
Show Notes:
The Mortgage Broker:
Hugh Mulcahy - https://www.fcfs.ie/team/hugh-mulcahy/
Become an Irish FIRE Podcast member at:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/register
Monday Jul 27, 2020
Monday Jul 27, 2020
In this episode, Michael talks with Gavin J Gallagher about property. Gavin owns and operates the East Point Business Park in Dublin, but has also worked on hundreds of property deals over the last 25 years.
Quotes from the Episode:
"If you go into it blind, you can lose your shirt in this [property] business"... "I wouldn't rush into this with your eyes closed."
"Be the Dealmaker."
"This [property] is a team business."
"The first deal is the best you will do, because of the tight learning curve."
Show Notes:
Gavin's Website:
https://gavinjgallagher.com
Gavin's Podcast (Behind the Facade):
https://podtail.com/en/podcast/behind-the-facade/
Subscribe to the Newsletter:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
Tuesday Jul 14, 2020
Tuesday Jul 14, 2020
In this episode, Michael shares his recent experiences (in story telling format) of some of his failed investments and ventures and the outcomes and downsides from dealing with the consequences.
He explains how he over-engineered financial independence and how while he initially freed up time by working part time, that free time was quickly taken away by over committing to too many ventures.
The episode provides some good advise - hopefully you can learn from his mistakes!
Tuesday Jun 23, 2020
Tuesday Jun 23, 2020
In this episode, Michael reflects on how financial independence ties into success and how wealth is only 25% of deemed success.
Michael discusses why one needs to target all four pillars of success to find true happiness and reflects on his own story about how he is applying the four pillars.
Show Notes: Show Notes:
For more information about the An Dúlra Co-Op:
https://www.andulra.ie
Subscribe to the newsletter:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter