PodcastsBusinessThe Irish FIRE Podcast

The Irish FIRE Podcast

Michael Houghton
The Irish FIRE Podcast
Latest episode

118 episodes

  • The Irish FIRE Podcast

    I Hate Bidding Wars

    09/03/2026 | 19 mins.
    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.
  • The Irish FIRE Podcast

    Ireland vs New Zealand: A Cost of Living Showdown

    17/02/2026 | 16 mins.
    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.
  • The Irish FIRE Podcast

    21 tiny habits that will help you build wealth in 2026

    27/01/2026 | 21 mins.
    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.
  • The Irish FIRE Podcast

    The Power of FIRE

    23/12/2025 | 17 mins.
    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.
  • The Irish FIRE Podcast

    Stress Free FIRE - with Brian & Izabela

    28/11/2025 | 33 mins.
    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.

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About The Irish FIRE Podcast

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.
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