The Irish FIRE Podcast

Michael Houghton
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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.

  1. 1D AGO

    8 Years Later: The FIRE Mistakes That Shaped My Journey

    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.

    42 min

  2. MAR 9

    I Hate Bidding Wars

    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.

    20 min

  3. FEB 17

    Ireland vs New Zealand: A Cost of Living Showdown

    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.

    16 min

  4. JAN 27

    21 tiny habits that will help you build wealth in 2026

    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/newsletter This episode has been sponsored by KennCo Insurance. KennCo Underwriting Ltd T/A KennCo Insurance is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland.

    22 min

  5. 12/23/2025

    The Power of FIRE

    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/newsletter This episode has been sponsored by KennCo Insurance. KennCo Underwriting Ltd T/A KennCo Insurance is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland.

    17 min

  6. 11/28/2025

    Stress Free FIRE - with Brian & Izabela

    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/ktgriffinltd Join the Limerick FI Meet Up Group: https://www.meetup.com/financial-indepdence-limerick/ Sign up for 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.

    34 min

  7. 10/28/2025

    Financial Independence VS Financial Freedom

    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/newsletter This episode has been sponsored by KennCo Insurance. KennCo Underwriting Ltd T/A KennCo Insurance is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland.

    13 min

  8. 09/23/2025

    What Are You Grinding For?

    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 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.

    15 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Houghton
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    119
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2019 - 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Irish FIRE Podcast

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