Afleveringen
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In this episode, Michael marks seven years of The Irish FIRE Podcast with a personal update on how his own FIRE journey has progressed and evolved. He shares the latest developments in his property investing strategy, including the purchase of another buy-to-let property in Limerick, the use of refinancing and equity release, and how he thinks about leverage, risk and long-term financial independence.
Michael also reflects on what it actually feels like to reach financial independence. Rather than a clean break from work, he talks about the slower transition towards more freedom, seasonal work, taking more time off, and the challenge of deciding what “retirement” really means when you still enjoy the work you do. He also shares an update on the podcast itself, including reaching 400,000 lifetime downloads and welcoming Moneycube as a new podcast sponsor.
Finally, Michael explores one of the biggest lessons of the past year: time freedom only matters if you protect it. After taking on a major hockey coaching commitment, he reflects on the impact it had on family life, the importance of learning to say no, and why FIRE is ultimately about creating more space for the things that matter most - family, freedom, calmness and time.
Show Notes:
Subscribe to the Irish FIRE Newsletter:https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
This episode has been sponsored by KennCo Insurance. KennCo Underwriting Ltd T/A KennCo Insurance is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland.
This episode has also been sponsored by Moneycube. Moneycube is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland.
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In this episode of The Irish FIRE Podcast, Michael speaks with Alan and Katie Donegan, who reached financial independence and retired in 2019. Since then, they have built a life around freedom, travel, creativity and purpose, living as digital nomads while continuing to teach others about money, business and lifestyle design.
Michael talks to Alan and Katie about their own journey to financial independence, how they approached saving, investing and building a life that was not dependent on traditional employment. They also discuss what life has looked like after reaching FI, including the realities of early retirement, travelling full-time, and finding meaningful projects after stepping away from conventional work.
This episode is a great listen for anyone interested in financial independence, lifestyle design, digital nomadism, or simply hearing from people who have actually reached FI and are living life on their own terms.
Show Notes:
Alan’s previous interview from 2020:https://www.firepodcast.ie/financial-independence-with-alan-donegan
Rebel Finance School:https://rebeldonegans.com/finance/rfs/
Rebel Business School:https://therebelschool.com
Subscribe to the Irish FIRE Newsletter:https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
This episode has been sponsored by KennCo Insurance. KennCo Underwriting Ltd T/A KennCo Insurance is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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In this episode, Michael sits down with Paul Overy from Ask About Wealth - a highly experienced financial planner with decades in the industry and a growing following across social media and YouTube.Paul shares his journey into financial planning, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and how his approach differs from traditional financial advice in Ireland. With a strong focus on transparency and client-first thinking, Paul explains how a fee-based model can align incentives and lead to better long-term outcomes.The conversation also explores what people are really chasing when it comes to money. While early retirement often grabs the headlines, Paul makes the case that financial freedom - having control over your time and choices - is the goal that truly resonates with most people.Finally, Michael and Paul dive into the often-overlooked topic of estate planning - how to ensure your wealth is passed on efficiently and in line with your wishes, and why this is a critical part of any long-term financial plan.What We Cover:- Paul’s journey into financial planning and building his platform- The difference between financial planners and traditional financial advisors- How fee-based financial planning works (and why it matters)- Financial freedom vs early retirement — what are we really aiming for?- Estate planning: protecting and passing on your wealthShow Notes:Ask About Wealth website:https://askaboutwealth.ieAsk About Wealth on Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@AskAboutWealthAsk About Wealth on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/ask.about.wealthPaul's Youtube video on Inheritance tax:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WYamFXk928Michael's original interview with Paul:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hwo_Z_UswlI&t=2813sJoin The Irish FIRE Podcast newsletter:https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletterThis episode has been sponsored by KennCo Insurance. KennCo Underwriting Ltd T/A KennCo Insurance is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland.
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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 business and discusses typical advice he would give for those in the “boring middle”.
Show Notes:
Rockwill Financial:https://rockwellfinancial.ie
FollowRockwell on Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@rockwell_financial
Follow Rockwell on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/rockwellfinancialmanagement/
Connect with Robert on Linked In:https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-whelan-3baa4120/
Join the newsletter:https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
This episode has been sponsored by KennCo Insurance. KennCo Underwriting Ltd T/A KennCo Insurance is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland.
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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 him on a very different path over the next 8 years.
Michael talks about the mistakes he made early on, from poor pension decisions to chasing high returns through unregulated investments that ultimately cost him time, money, and peace of mind. Looking back, one of the biggest lessons was that investing does not need to be exciting to work. The more he chased shortcuts, the more complicated things became. Real progress came when he focused on the basics: tracking spending, saving consistently, automating where possible, thinking long term, and keeping investing simple.
He also reflects on what life looks like today, how money stress affected relationships in the early years, and how even reaching the first stages of financial independence can transform your life long before retirement. This conversation covers the hard lessons, the funny stories, the mindset shifts, and the practical habits that shaped his journey. If you’re new to The Irish FIRE Podcast, this is the perfect place to start.
Show Notes:
Money Bootcamp with Justin:https://www.moneybootcamp.com
Get the monthly newsletter with updates on Michael's FIRE journey:https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
This episode has been sponsored by KennCo Insurance. KennCo Underwriting Ltd T/A KennCo Insurance is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland.
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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 stacked against buyers, why he now makes one strong offer only, and why “coming second” can often be the smartest move in the market.
He also explains the key metric he uses to assess every deal - rental yield - and why purchase price alone tells you very little about whether a property is actually good value.
Along the way, he shares:
why ex-rentals often no longer work for investors
how RPZ rules distort buying decisions
why owner-occupied properties can now make more sense for landlords
how rising rents and rising prices in Limerick have broadly kept yields steady
the frustration of painfully slow finance approvals
why leverage and refinancing are central to his current strategy
what recent rental law changes mean for larger landlords
and why respecting a deal once you go sale agreed really matters
This is a property episode about discipline, patience, and resisting the pressure to “win” at all costs.
Show Notes:
Get notified when The Irish Property Podcast launches - https://www.propertypodcast.ie
Get the monthly newsletter with updates on Michael's FIRE journey:https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
This episode has been sponsored by KennCo Insurance. KennCo Underwriting Ltd T/A KennCo Insurance is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland.
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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 Notes:
Join the newsletter:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
This episode has been sponsored by KennCo Insurance. KennCo Underwriting Ltd T/A KennCo Insurance is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland.
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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 earners - this episode is for you.
Show Notes:The original article:https://www.independent.ie/business/money/21-tiny-habits-that-will-help-you-build-wealth-in-2026/a2046147432.html
Join the newsletter:https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletterThis episode has been sponsored by KennCo Insurance. KennCo Underwriting Ltd T/A KennCo Insurance is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland.
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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 family, buying coastal property, and embracing opportunity without fear.
Show Notes
Subscribe to the newsletter:https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletterThis episode has been sponsored by KennCo Insurance. KennCo Underwriting Ltd T/A KennCo Insurance is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland.
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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 and Izabela's Passive Property Builder:https://www.facebook.com/ktgriffinltdJoin the Limerick FI Meet Up Group:https://www.meetup.com/financial-indepdence-limerick/Sign up for the newsletter:https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletterThis episode has been sponsored by KennCo Insurance. KennCo Underwriting Ltd T/A KennCo Insurance is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland.
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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 compounding can carry him from FI toward true financial freedom.
Show Notes:Interview with Paul Overy - Ask About Wealth:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hwo_Z_UswlI
Subscribe to the newsletter:https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletterThis episode has been sponsored by KennCo Insurance. KennCo Underwriting Ltd T/A KennCo Insurance is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland.
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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, Michael explains why he has chosen not to walk away from work. He discusses the benefits of public sector contracting, how flexibility and balance have transformed his relationship with work, and why sometimes continuing to work on your own terms can be more rewarding than leaving altogether.FIRE, Michael argues, isn’t about never working again. It’s about freedom, balance, and choice. For Anne, that meant walking away. For Michael, it means staying but in a way that no longer feels like a grind.Show NotesJoin the newsletter:https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletterThis episode has been sponsored by KennCo Insurance. KennCo Underwriting Ltd T/A KennCo Insurance is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland.
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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 interview also considers the human side of FI - how financial freedom has improved family life, the way he teaches his kids about money and investing, and what purpose looks like once work is optional. Michael shares what it’s like writing for The Irish Independent, filling his days with meaningful projects, and the habits and lessons that have shaped his path. Stick around until the end for a fun quick-fire round where Michael reveals the book that changed his perspective, the small things you can do this week to start investing, and the lessons he wishes he’d known ten years ago.
Show Notes:
Here are the links to the original interview:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0XxPgEeuGayTqaEwUE19mk
See the interview on Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndeNIEUwtn0
Become an Irish FIRE newsletter subscriber:https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletterThis episode has been sponsored by KennCo Insurance. KennCo Underwriting Ltd T/A KennCo Insurance is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland.
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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” landlord
Delegating property tasks and embracing manual labour
Feeling out of sync with the 9-5 life (even when it’s “flexible”)
The surprise guilt of working less - and still feeling overcommitted
The temptation and reality of buying a holiday home
Lessons learned from an entrepreneurial brother-in-law
Why retirement isn't the answer - and FIRE is more about framework than finality
Show NotesSubscribe the the monthly newsletterThis episode has been sponsored by KennCo Insurance. KennCo Underwriting Ltd T/A KennCo Insurance is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland.
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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-limerickSubscribe to the monthly newsletter:https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletterThis episode has been sponsored by KennCo Insurance. KennCo Underwriting Ltd T/A KennCo Insurance is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland.
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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: Join the newsletter at: https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletterThis episode has been sponsored by KennCo Insurance. KennCo Underwriting Ltd T/A KennCo Insurance is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland.
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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 landlord. Show Notes: Follow Alan & Katie's Youtube Chanel: https://www.youtube.com/@rebeldonegans Become a newsletter subscriber: https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletterThis episode has been sponsored by KennCo Insurance. KennCo Underwriting Ltd T/A KennCo Insurance is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland.
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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 bucket list played a key role in helping him learn to swim”
Show Notes
Buy the book here:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bucket-List-Best-Self/dp/B0DVS1L6WKSubscribe to the newsletter:https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletterThis episode has been sponsored by KennCo Insurance. KennCo Underwriting Ltd T/A KennCo Insurance is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland.
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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 Notes:Michael on Ireland AM (about halfway through):https://play.virginmediatelevision.ie/watch/vod/52791801/ireland-am-fri-21-febSign up for the newsletter:https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
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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 financially independent.
Show Notes:
Connect with Sjoerd on Linked In:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjoerdbak/
Visit Sjoerd's Website:https://www.bamillionaire.com/
Get Sjoerd's tracking template by subscribing to his newsletter:https://bamillionaire.kit.com/template
Subscribe to The Irish FIRE Podcast Newsletter:https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
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