The Irish FIRE Podcast

In this episode, Michael talks to Alvar Damen. Alvar is a co host of the Financial Independence Europe podcast, is 26 years old and originally from The Netherlands, currently living in Scotland.

Alvar talks about how he is trying to archive FI as an employee. He talks about some travel hacks that he has and touches on how important side projects are for him. He gives some examples of various side hustles that one could start.

He also talks about his FI number and the types of investments he has and how him and his girlfriend work together on their FI journey.

Show Notes:

Mad Fientist Spreadhsheet:
https://www.madfientist.com/financial-independence-spreadsheet/

MMM - Spreadsheet to rule them all:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1T6RgJnzZo1bdGHA0a5JBQqqSSEPX2xDrCT5zioWr9z8/edit

Getting in touch with Alvar at FI Europe Podcast:
Website: https://financial-independence.eu/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/financialindependenceeurope/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/financialindependenceeurope/?ref=FIeuropetopnav
Twitter: https://twitter.com/fieurope
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fieurope

Events:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/events

In this episode, Michael lists the three potential paths to financial independence in Ireland. He explores a new path which he hasn't considered before, after talking to a person at the Limerick FI Meet Up who had recently retired by pursuing this method.

Show Notes

Limerick FI Ireland Meet Up Group:
https://www.meetup.com/financial-indepdence-limerick/

In this episode, Michael explores the idea that happiness and financial independence is a trade off.

He challenges the listener to start living their life as if they were retired, and to start doing the things that they want to do now - rather than waiting until retirement.

Show Notes:

Mad Fientist Article:
https://www.madfientist.com/best-and-worst-about-fi

In this episode, Michael explores a concept known as cruise FI (Coast FI) - where you focus your energy on building a large pension pot which you can then access in retirement. Once you have that retirement saving, you can then relax, knowing that you have the large pension available.

Michael crunches the numbers when it comes to putting €500 per month into a pension from the age of 30. He also gives a summary of how he plans to cruise his way to FI through using a pension.

Show notes:
To view free events that you can attend visit:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/events

In this episode Michael lists the 7 steps that he followed when he started pursuing financial independence. Michael tackles the "how" to FI, and gives practical steps for you to get started on your own FI journey.

Show Notes:

Rich Dad Poor Dad:
https://amzn.to/2mEsgxG

A Simple Path to Wealth:
https://amzn.to/2nsaKwX

Money Master the Game:
https://amzn.to/2o6RIw0

Come and join Michael at an event:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/events

In this episode, Michael talks to Aoife Gaffney, AKA Prudence Money Penny. Aoife is a Certified Behavioural Money Coach (CMC), Accredited Business All Stars Thought Leader, professional speaker and writer and former financial adviser.

Michael interviews Aoife about a person's relationship with money, how you can improve your view point with money and just share general tips and advise when it comes to managing money!

Quotes from the episode:

"The different between an opinion and a pizza, is you opt for a pizza."

"A bargain is only a bargain if you needed the thing in the first place and you had planned to pay full price for it."

"The word budget doesn't sit right with me.... we call it a personal spending plan."

"Make spending decisions based on a plan, not whats in your bank balance."

"I see money as a friend... if you only spoke to them once a year, they're not going to hang around... "

Show Notes:

Cork Financial Independence Meet Up Group:
https://www.meetup.com/Financial-Independence-Ireland-Cork

Link to Aoife's books on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Prudence-Moneypenny/e/B00VDGJMG8?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1569489209&sr=1-1

Email Aoife: [email protected] 

For events and webinars visit:
www.firepodcast.ie/events

In this episode, Michael shares how he uses credit cards to manage his daily cash flow.

He gives a history of how he found himself in €30,000 in credit card debt 12 years ago and what he learned from that experience.

Today, Michael uses two credit cards to pay for his day to day expenses.  He discusses how this strategy can be useful to improve cash flow and decrease bank charges.

In this episode, Michael talks to Ralph Benson from Moneycube.

Ralph is on a mission to add more transparency to pensions and investment products.

Pensions are a fantastic way to invest in an extremely tax efficient manner.  For many in Ireland, especially those who are PAYE earners, a Pension is the most tax efficient route to invest.

Ralph is looking to make pensions "cool again".  He is going out on the road as part of the "Pensions Awareness Week".  He is hosting various free events where you can learn more about how you can utilise a pension as part of your financial freedom journey.

Show notes:

Pensions Awareness week website:
https://pensionsawarenessweek.ie/

Ralph can be contacted at [email protected] and https://moneycube.ie

For other events and webinars visit:
www.firepodcast.ie/events

In this episode, Michael tackles the question of should you focus of paying debt (or your mortgage) quicker by making extra repayments, or should you invest.

He looks at different options, such as:
- Clearing off high interest debt.
- Invest in cash producing assets. Once the cash flow from the investments pays for your mortgage, you will be effectively mortgage free.
- Start making extra repayments on your debt and track it as an investment. Effectively borrow against your investment portfolio, with a promise to pay it back, plus interest.

In this episode, Michael talks with Guy Davis. Guy is a long time friend who Michael meet back to 2004.

Guy started his financial Independence journey when he was 18 (he is in his mid 30's now.) What makes his story special, is that he began investing before the 2008 financial crisis, so has survived a recession and came out the other side better for it.

Guy has always had this amazing ability to put time and freedom ahead of material possessions. This hasn't stopped his doing what he loves (such as traveling), but at this same time he has this vision to life his life in a relaxed, low cost life style.

Guy is originally from Brisbane in Australia, but is currently living in Auckland, New Zealand, and has two kids aged 7 and 4. We touch on his financial education approach with his kids during the interview.

Quotes from the episode:

"When there is blood on the streets, that's when you need to be buying stocks."

"If it is truly going to be the end of the financial system, the money in the bank is probably no good to you... so you may as well put it in equities as there is a very good chance your close to a bottom."

"Financial Independence is delaying the short term gratification, knowing that your going to get a better pay off down the track."