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PODCAST

The Irish FIRE Podcast

Michael Houghton

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

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All Episodes

51:44

FIRE VS Financial Advisors - an Interview with Robert...

The Irish FIRE Podcast ·

2026/04/14

In this episode, Michael talks with Robert Whelan, from Rockwell Financial. Originally from Carlow and now living in Dublin, Robert shares his family background, from working with his Dad as a milkman, to working in hospitality, to eventually launching his own business in 2009 as a financial advisor.Robert answers some tough questions around how those pursuing financial independence can work with a financial advisor to make the journey easier. He also shares his wisdom around starting his own

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41:49

8 Years Later: The FIRE Mistakes That Shaped My Journey

The Irish FIRE Podcast ·

2026/03/30

In this episode, Michael shares the full story of his journey to financial independence - from moving to Ireland from New Zealand in 2011, to building a life with more freedom, less money stress, and far more intention around how he lives. What started as a normal middle-class life of earning and spending gradually changed after meeting a friend living a very different kind of life - one built around time freedom rather than consumerism. That experience opened his eyes to the FIRE movement and set

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19:46

I Hate Bidding Wars

The Irish FIRE Podcast ·

2026/03/09

In this episode, Michael shares why he refuses to get dragged into bidding wars and how that approach has shaped his property investing journey from accidental landlord in 2020 to closing on property number seven.What started with refinancing a three-bed semi-D instead of selling it became the beginning of a much bigger strategy: buying carefully, focusing on yield, staying unemotional, and walking away when the numbers stop making sense. Michael breaks down why the Irish property buying process is

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16:07

Ireland vs New Zealand: A Cost of Living Showdown

The Irish FIRE Podcast ·

2026/02/17

It had been eight years since Michael was last in New Zealand - the country where he grew up before moving to Ireland in 2011. When he left, New Zealand felt significantly more expensive than Ireland. So when he returned for a three-week family trip, he decided to do what any personal finance nerd would do… he kept a money diary.This episode breaks down his experiences with spending in New Zealand and whether his long-held assumptions about the cost of living in both countries still hold true. Show

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21:37

21 tiny habits that will help you build wealth in 2026

The Irish FIRE Podcast ·

2026/01/27

In this episode, Michael walks through the thinking and habits behind his family’s journey from having nothing saved in 2017 to building a €800,000 investment portfolio in eight years.This episode is based on his recent article for The Irish Independent and expands on the real mechanics behind wealth-building: saving first, avoiding lifestyle creep, investing consistently, and letting time do the heavy lifting. If you've ever felt that FIRE sounds unrealistic, extreme, or only achievable for high

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17:04

The Power of FIRE

The Irish FIRE Podcast ·

2025/12/23

What if FIRE wasn’t about retiring early... but about living a better life?In this personal end-of-year episode, Michael reflects on what Financial Independence has actually delivered in 2025 and it's not what he originally expected. Rather than quitting work completely, FIRE has unlocked something far more powerful: choice, abundance, and the ability to say yes. This episode explores how FIRE quietly transforms everyday life - from paying the bill without stress, to redefining work, supporting

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33:36

Stress Free FIRE - with Brian & Izabela

The Irish FIRE Podcast ·

2025/11/28

Brian and Izabela have been active members of the Limerick FI Meet-Up Group since 2019. Recently married, they’re a fantastic example of a couple pursuing FIRE together. In this episode, Michael visits them in their home in Limerick to talk about their FIRE journey, how they work as a team on the path to financial independence, the low-stress lifestyle they’ve intentionally built, their passive, low-cost home design, and how they managed to save thousands of euro on their wedding.Show Notes: Brian

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13:17

Financial Independence VS Financial Freedom

The Irish FIRE Podcast ·

2025/10/28

In this episode, Michael reflects on the difference between financial independence (FI) and financial freedom through his own post-FI transition. After reaching FI in late 2024, he eased into a seasonal work schedule in 2025 and discovered that while his basic lifestyle was fully funded, larger, less-frequent expenses (big trips, renovations, car upgrades) weren’t comfortably covered. He unpacks why FI felt like a bit of a let down and shares the mindset and practical adjustments he’s making so

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14:42

What Are You Grinding For?

The Irish FIRE Podcast ·

2025/09/23

In this episode, Michael shares the story of Anne, a woman working 65-hour weeks with a two-hour commute who came to a FIRE meet-up looking for reassurance that her grind was worth it. Instead, she walked away with a new perspective and within weeks, she handed in her notice. Anne has since transitioned into a lower-stress, family-friendly job that gave her back her time and quality of life.Anne’s journey prompted Michael to reflect on his own. Having reached financial independence himself,

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50:35

The Freedom Before FI Interview

The Irish FIRE Podcast ·

2025/08/28

In this episode, Michael republishes his interview on the Freedom Before FI podcast which covers his journey to financial independence and what life looks like along the way. He shares his story of moving from New Zealand to Limerick, raising a family of five, and how he’s built up a €700k+ investment portfolio split between property and stocks. Michael also talks about lifestyle design, seasonal and part-time work, and how keeping a 75% savings rate was possible while still enjoying life.The

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18:20

Life Options in a Post-FI World

The Irish FIRE Podcast ·

2025/07/25

In this episode, Michael shares what life really looks like after reaching Financial Independence. Spoiler: it's not all hammocks and golf rounds.From repainting rental properties and managing guilt over working less, to the emotional weight of holding a full time job post-FI, this episode explores the unexpected complexities that come once you hit your FI number - and why "freedom" sometimes brings more questions than answers. Michael unpacks: The emotional cost of being a “nice guy”

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17:22

6 Year Anniversary Special - The Community Strikes Back

The Irish FIRE Podcast ·

2025/06/05

In this anniversary episode, Michael invites you into the heart of the Limerick FI community, sharing real stories from local members on their own FIRE journeys. You’ll hear how the Limerick WhatsApp and Meetup groups have helped people from all walks of life openly talk about money, investing, and intentional living - free from judgment or taboos.Show Notes Join the Limerick FI Meet Up Group: https://www.meetup.com/financial-independence-limerick Subscribe to the monthly

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19:49

What FIRE is Really About

The Irish FIRE Podcast ·

2025/05/19

In this episode, Michael shares what a typical Tuesday looks like in his life now - not filled with long workdays or dramatic financial spreadsheets, but with meaningful work, family time, fitness, golf, and sunshine. He reflects on what FIRE really means to him: not quitting work, but having the freedom to design an extraordinary life on his own terms. Michael also responds to some recent criticism of their FIRE journey and offers his honest thoughts on what FIRE is really about. Show Notes:

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14:51

The €9 Cup Cakes that changed how we think about money

The Irish FIRE Podcast ·

2025/04/23

In this episode, Michael shares how a disagreement with his wife over a €9 cupcake sparked a deeper conversation about budgeting and money spending. He reflects on his evolving perspective on FIRE now that he’s technically financial independence, and how his life is gradually transitioning into semi-retirement. He also discusses insights from a recent financial review with Ronan from Metis Ireland and answers a question he received in a WhatsApp group about being financially independent as a

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35:04

From Bucket List to Best Self with Shane O'Brien

The Irish FIRE Podcast ·

2025/03/27

In this episode, Michael talks with Shane O'Brien, author of From Bucket List to Best Self.Shane, originally from Clare and now living in Castleconnell, Co. Limerick, recently wrote a book about the power of using a bucket list as a template for personal development. In the episode, he shares how FIRE and personal development go hand in hand and explains how developing a bucket list can support your journey to financial independence. He also opens up about overcoming a childhood tragedy and how his

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14:39

Are We FI Yet?

The Irish FIRE Podcast ·

2025/02/27

In this episode, Michael explores whether his family has officially reached financial independence. He breaks down their investment portfolio, rental income, and expected expenses to assess if they can sustain a €40,000 annual budget. He also considers different strategies for managing withdrawals, potential risks, and what financial independence truly means beyond just the numbers. Finally, he reflects on the next steps in his post-FI journey, balancing work, purpose, and leisure.Show

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25:50

Become a Millionaire, with Sjoerd Bak

The Irish FIRE Podcast ·

2025/02/12

In this episode, Michael sits down with Sjoerd Bak, founder of BAMillionaire.com. Originally from The Netherlands, Sjoerd moved to Ireland in 2006 and worked in the tech industry before becoming a qualified financial advisor. Today, he provides financial coaching to help professionals in the tech sector build financial literacy and achieve their financial goals.We dive deep into Sjoerd's own FIRE journey, and he shares valuable insights and advice that he offers to his clients on how to become

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12:33

The Cat is Out of the Bag

The Irish FIRE Podcast ·

2025/01/14

In this episode, Michael shares the news that he has been asked to write regularly on personal finance for The Irish Independent and how writing on a main stream newspaper has meant that his near FI status is now being shared on a national scale! He discusses the challenges and joys of transitioning to semi-retirement, from embracing flexibility in his work schedule to tackling more household tasks. Looking ahead, Michael outlines his family’s plans for 2025, including a long-awaited trip to New

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13:30

The Transition to Semi Retirement

The Irish FIRE Podcast ·

2024/12/21

In this episode, Michael discusses how embracing a low-cost lifestyle has helped him and his family move closer to Financial Independence. He shares updates on his portfolio, his transition into semi-retirement, and the conscious trade-offs he's made to prioritise time freedom over material wealth.Show Notes: The Three Phases of FI https://www.firepodcast.ie/three-phases-of-fi Limerick FI Meet Up Group: https://www.meetup.com/financial-independence-limerick/ Subscribe to the monthly

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18:05

Realisations on 100 Episodes

The Irish FIRE Podcast ·

2024/11/14

In this episode, Michael celebrates episode 100 of The Irish FIRE Podcast by looking back over the last 7 years of his FIRE journey, and giving his reflections on a year by year basis since he started his journey in 2018.Michael is now only a few months away from hitting FI, and Michael shares his thoughts on both how his journey has panned out, but also what he expects from the future once he reaches FI. Show Notes Subscribe to the monthly newsletter: https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter

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