Hosted by Aussie Firebug
Episodes
116
Latest episode
Jan 2026
Language
EN
My name's Matt, I'm a country boy for regional Victoria who is on track to reach Financial Independence and Retire Early (FIRE) by my mid-thirties. I interview interesting people on topics relating to financial independence. You can learn more about the FIRE movement in Australia here https://www.aussiefirebug.com/start-here/
After 10 years of Aussie Firebug, I’m stepping back, with October 2025 marking both my final net worth update and the point we reached financial independence.My priorities have shifted away from FIRE content towards family, business, and a more intentional approach to spending.I’m taking an extended break, with the podcast likely continuing in a broader form. Firebug OUT ✌️LinksEngaging Data Calculatorwww.aussiefirebug.com/podcast
Today’s episode is a special one - it’s the 100th episode of the show. I just want to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you to all of you who’ve supported the podcast over the past 10 years. Whether you’ve been here from the start or only recently discovered the show, your messages, reviews, and support have meant the world to me.Today on the podcast, we have a man who many consider to be the pioneer of the early retirement community. Pete Adney, aka Mr Money Mustache.I don’t think Pete needs an introduction, but in case you somehow don’t know who he is… Pete retired at the age of 30 after a career as a software engineer by living frugally and investing wisely.Through his blog, Mr. Money Mustache, he’s inspired millions with his philosophy on financial independence, meaningful living, and sustainability.It was Pete’s blog that first opened my eyes to early retirement - and showed me that financial independence didn’t have to be something you waited until 60 to achieve... Discovering it all those years ago was a pivotal moment - one that completely reshaped how I viewed money, work, and time. That single moment set me on a path that’s profoundly enriched my life, and my family’s life, ever since.In today’s episode, we chat about:Pete’s upbringing in Canada and his journey to FIRE at 30 (00:04:00)The evolution of the FIRE movement and its shifting philosophies (00:24:23)His thoughts on loosening spending habits and enjoying wealth (00:38:27)Insights on fitness, fatherhood, and the lessons he’s learned along the way (00:55:06)How he balances financial freedom with personal growth (01:00:39)LinksWebsite - Mr. Money Mustachewww.aussiefirebug.com/podcast
This week, I’m joined by Ben Felix, Chief Investment Officer at PWL Capital and co-host of the Rational Reminder podcast. Ben is best known in the FIRE community for his YouTube channel, which has nearly 500K subscribers and features insights on investing, financial decision-making, and living a good life. Ben is one of the clearest voices in evidence-based investing. His work breaks down complex financial ideas into straightforward, data-driven insights that help investors cut through the noise. It’s a masterclass in rational investing, delivered by one of the best in the game.In this conversation, we cover:The truth about "beating" or timing the market (00:13:06)Why market efficiency matters more than most investors think (00:24:41)How to think about asset allocation and your own risk tolerance (00:49:26)Why chasing dividends might not be the smartest path to FIRE (00:56:55)What a realistic safe withdrawal rate looks like today (01:07:52)LinksWebsite - PWL CapitalWebsite - Rational ReminderYouTube - Ben FelixPodcast - Rational Reminderwww.aussiefirebug.com/podcast
Today on the podcast, we’re joined by Alan Donegan - co-founder of Rebel Business School and host of the Rebel Entrepreneur Podcast. Alan and his wife Katie reached financial independence in 2019, and since then they’ve been travelling the world, teaching people how to start businesses debt-free and take control of their finances.In this episode we cover:What role did your upbringing play in shaping your view on money and risk? (00:04:57)Tell us about the Rebel Business School - when was it created and what’s its mission? (00:47:20)You’ve taught business and finance around the world - have you noticed cultural differences in how people think about money and entrepreneurship? (01:10:16)If you could only teach one skill outside of finance and business, what would it be and why? (01:13:31)LinksWebsite - Rebel DonegansWebsite - The Rebel Schoolwww.aussiefirebug.com/podcast
Today on the podcast, we’re joined by Andrew Page - founder and Managing Director of Strawman.com. With over 20 years’ experience as an analyst, commentator, and private investor, Andrew is a well-known voice in the Australian investing community. Before launching Strawman, he worked at The Motley Fool and Team Invest, and now focuses on helping everyday investors cut through the noise and build better portfolios.In this episode, we cover:How Andrew first got started in investing (00:03:09)Why he believes stock picking still has a place, even in the age of index funds (00:27:21)What separates a good business from a bad one, and how he evaluates founders (00:45:18)His thoughts on Bitcoin and where it fits in a value investor’s world (01:28:49)The best resources for anyone looking to branch out from passive investing (02:14:02)LinksWebsite - Strawmanwww.aussiefirebug.com/podcast
Today on the podcast, we’re joined by Evan Lucas - behavioural economist, financial commentator, author of Mind Over Money, and former Head of Strategy at InvestSMART.Some of the topics we dive into are:How the increase in dual income households is reshaping family dynamics. (00:16:03)How we can rewire our brains to spend less and live more freely. (00:34:06)The link between identity, emotion and financial behaviour. (00:47:19)The role behavioural finance plays in reaching FIRE. (00:41:09)LinksWebsite - Evan Lucaswww.aussiefirebug.com/podcast
Today on the podcast, we’re joined by Pete Wargent—investor, author, market analyst, and one of Australia’s earliest FIRE pioneers. Originally from the UK, Pete reached financial independence by age 33 after building a portfolio of shares and property across both Australia and the UK.Since then, he’s written multiple best-selling books, launched a property buying business, and become a trusted voice on investing, markets, and wealth creation.In today’s episode, we dive into:Pete’s journey to FI and what helped him get there (00:05:26)The role of personality, passion projects, kids, and travel (00:09:58)Some of the biggest challenges people face on the path to financial freedom (00:22:41)Why there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to financial independence (00:28:03)What’s changed in the FIRE space over the past 20 years (00:48:53)LinksWebsite - Pete Wargentwww.aussiefirebug.com/podcast
Today on the podcast, we have Andy Darroch, an Independent Financial Adviser and Director of Independent Wealth Advice.Andy is one of the very few truly independent advisers in Australia—less than 1% fall into that category. After time at Macquarie, Wilson HTM, and Deloitte, he started his own firm to offer advice free from commissions, kickbacks, and product pushing. He charges a flat fee, publishes his prices online, and believes advice should work like any other profession—you pay for it when you need it.In this episode, we discuss:Why independent advisers are so rare (00:04:30)Myths around financial advice (00:05:05)What good advice looks like when it’s actually designed to help you (00:27:51)Whether the current model is working, and how to fix it (00:45:55)The biggest mistakes the FIRE community makes (01:21:30)LinksWebsite - Independent Wealth AdviceWebsite - The Honest Advisorwww.aussiefirebug.com/podcast
Today on the podcast, we have Mark LaMonica, CFA, a Director at Morningstar and co-host of the Investing Compass podcast.Mark brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, having spent time in both the US and Australia, which gives him a unique perspective on their financial systems and retirement landscapes.In today’s episode, we dive into:The current state of financial planning in Australia (00:09:18)Mark’s thoughts on his recent article, "Are We Being Ripped Off by Super?" (00:16:04)How the US and Australian retirement systems stack up against each other (00:20:58)Why he’s against super funds charging for certain financial advice costs (00:30:57)His controversial take on the 4% rule and the FIRE movement (00:47:13)LinksPodcast - Investing CompassWebsite - Morningstarwww.aussiefirebug.com/podcast
It’s been a decade since I started down the FIRE path, and life looks very different these days - especially since becoming a dad. In this episode, I reflect on how early retirement gave me something more valuable than money: time.But it also left me unexpectedly restless. I talk about mini-retirement, purpose, starting two businesses, and how becoming a parent reshaped my perspective on work, freedom, and what really matters.Whether you're deep into your FIRE journey or just getting started, this one’s for you.Some of the topics we cover in today’s episode are:The Unexpected Dissatisfaction (00:03:33)The Value of Discomfort and Growth (00:05:03)Rediscovering Purpose Through Entrepreneurship (00:08:34)How FIRE Helped with Parenthood (00:10:35)Financial Security as a Buffer (00:11:13)Not Loving Early Retirement (00:12:06)LinksBlog postwww.aussiefirebug.com/podcast
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