# michaelhoughton.com > AI-optimized mirror of michaelhoughton.com containing 50 pages totalling 25,349 words of clean markdown content, structured data, and semantic HTML. Original source: https://michaelhoughton.com/. Last updated: 2026-06-13T23:35:09.160Z. Each page is available as HTML (with JSON-LD structured data) and Markdown (text-only, ideal for LLMs and RAG). ## Homepage - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/site-root.html): The Irish FIRE Podcast is hosted by Michael Houghton who shares his journey to financial independence living in Ireland. (774 words) ## Articles & Blog Posts - [Not Found](/content/newsletter-20-c2-a0-20/index.html) (3 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/financial-independence-with-alan-donegan/index.html): In this special first anniversary episode, Michael talks with Alan Donegan, a 41 year old entrepreneur from the UK, who became financially independent 18 months ago. (358 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/what-would-ramit-say/index.html): In this episode, Michael explores some of the ideas from Ramit Sethi and his book, podcast and TV program 'I will Teach You To Be Rich' and 'How to Get Rich'. (288 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/the-7-steps-to-fi/index.html): In this episode, Michael covers the 7 steps to financial independence. He also gives a personal portfolio update, as well as gives his own definition of financial independence. (219 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/the-mrs-smart-money-interview-part-2/index.html): In this episode, Michael continues his conversation with Kel, AKA Mrs Smart Money, who embarked on a "No Spend Year™" in 2019. She reduced her family's expenses by over €27,000, leading her to write a best-selling book, Mindful Money: More Money, More Freedom, More Happiness, became QFA qualified and became a money coach. Since her no spend year, she has harnessed her scientific background to create a powerful coaching formula to help others build the lives they deserve. (425 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/the-money-flamingo-tribute/index.html): In this episode, Michael pays tribute to the Money Flamingo website. He mentions how Tina's work has been a huge motivator for him, especially since 2021 and explores how many attributes from the Money Flamingo website are starting to apply to his own FIRE journey. (257 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/property-vs-stocks/index.html): In this episode, Michael talks with Andrew, who was last on the podcast in 2021 talking about Investment Trusts. This time, Michael and Andrew compared property VS stock. Likely the most discussed topic on many FIRE groups, what is the better investment, property or stocks? (305 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/da-simple-life/index.html): In this episode, Michael explains and introduces the philosophy of 'The Simple Life' - a concept that his wife sold him on back in 2010.  It is a philosophy that ensures that his family can maintain a low cost lifestyle, while ensuring maximum happiness and contentment. (306 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/when-fire-goes-horribly-wrong/index.html): In this episode, Michael dives into the Playing with FIRE documentary and explores the balance between achieving financial independence and living a fulfilling life in the present. He discusses the Rieckens' journey, the challenges they face, and whether the sacrifices they make are truly aligned with their core mission of spending more time as a family. (308 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/enough-is-enough/index.html): It has been 5 years today since The Irish FIRE Podcast launched - what better way to celebrate with a personal update from Michael, sharing his thoughts on defining enough, as he is looking to adopt early retirement. (214 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/the-mrs-smart-money-interview-part-1/index.html): In this episode, Michael talks with Kel, AKA Mrs Smart Money, who embarked on a "No Spend Year™" in 2019. She reduced her family's expenses by over €27,000, leading her to write a best-selling book, Mindful Money: More Money, More Freedom, More Happiness, became QFA qualified and became a money coach. Since her no spend year, she has harnessed her scientific background to create a powerful coaching formula to help others build the lives they deserve. (397 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/good-bad-money-spending-habits/index.html): In this episode, Michael takes a close look at intentional money spending. He explains how becoming good at spending money is a skill and gives examples of good and bad money spending habits. (206 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/the-theory-of-fire/index.html): In this episode, Michael concludes a 3 part series on his FI calculations. He talks about how the Die with Zero Calculator is actually an improvement on the 4% rule and discusses the art of subtraction once one reaches (or gets close to) FI. (279 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/the-cat-is-out-of-the-bag/index.html): 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! (387 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/realisations-on-100-episodes/index.html): 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. (286 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/the-transition-to-semi-retirement/index.html): 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. (249 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/the-community-strikes-back/index.html): 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. (325 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/stress-free-fire/index.html): 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. (372 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/life-options-in-a-post-fi-world/index.html): In this episode, Michael shares what life really looks like after reaching Financial Independence. Spoiler: it's not all hammocks and golf rounds. (459 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/21-tiny-habbits/index.html): 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. (396 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/what-fire-is-really-about/index.html): 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. (347 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/become-a-millionaire-with-sjoerd-bak/index.html): 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. (347 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/what-are-you-grinding-for/index.html): 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. (501 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/the-power-of-fire/index.html): 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. (368 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/the-fire-mistakes-that-shaped-my-journey/index.html): 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. (719 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/ireland-vs-new-zealand/index.html): 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. (375 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/are-we-fi-yet/index.html): 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. (285 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/freedom-before-fi-interview/index.html): 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. (579 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/from-bucket-list-to-best-self/index.html): 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. (397 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/financial-independence-vs-financial-freedom/index.html): 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. (371 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/privacy/index.html): The Irish FIRE Podcast - Privacy Policy (2,008 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/the-ask-about-wealth-interview/index.html): 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. (662 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/i-hate-bidding-wars/index.html): 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. (679 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/the-9-euro-cup-cakes/index.html): 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. (377 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/the-gen-z-fire-blue-print/index.html): Tom, a 26 year old pharmaceutical salesperson based in Wexford, shares his FIRE story with Michael. Tom was able to save €40,000 by the time he was 25 and purchase his first house aged 26. (365 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/disclaimer/index.html): The Irish FIRE Podcast - Disclaimer (657 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/fire-vs-financial-advisors/index.html): 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. (417 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/having-a-blast-with-alan-and-katie-donegan/index.html): 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. (507 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/seven-years-of-the-irish-fire-podcast/index.html): 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. (630 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/newsletter/index.html): Subscribe to The Irish FIRE Podcast monthly email newsletter. (347 words) - [may-2026-portfolio-update/index.html](/content/may-2026-portfolio-update/index.html) (1 words) - [april-2026-portfolio-update/index.html](/content/april-2026-portfolio-update/index.html) (1 words) - [march-2026-portfolio-update/index.html](/content/march-2026-portfolio-update/index.html) (1 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/progress/index.html): View my yearly and monthly updating on investing and financial independence by Michael (208 words) - [members/index.html](/content/members/index.html) (1 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/events/index.html): Come meet face to face at the Limerick FI Meet Up Group. (91 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/contact/index.html): Contact Michael, the host of The Irish FIRE Podcast. (48 words) - [Irish Financial Independence & Personal Finance Podcast](/content/podcast/index.html): A full list of The Irish FIRE Podcast episodes, as Michael discusses his financial independence journey in an Irish context. (7,246 words) - [podcasts/index.html](/content/podcasts/index.html) (1 words) ## Resources - [Full Page Index](/index.html): Browse all cached pages with rich metadata - [About This Cache](/content/about.html): Methodology, technical details, and usage guidelines - [XML Sitemap](/sitemap.xml): Machine-readable sitemap for crawler discovery - [Robots.txt](/robots.txt): Crawler directives