The Irish FIRE Podcast

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/

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

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.

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.

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.

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.