In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Owen Rask is joined by Dave Gow from Strong Money Australia for a deep, honest conversation about the future of FIRE — and whether financial independence is still achievable in 2026.
With house prices, rents, and living costs rising faster than wages, Dave breaks down why FIRE hasn’t disappeared — but has changed. He explains how he would start again today from absolute zero, what income strategies still work, and why focusing on earning power matters more than ever in the early years.
This episode goes far beyond spreadsheets and savings rates. Dave opens up about the psychological reality of FIRE — including the fear of stepping back from work, the trap of endlessly moving the goalposts, and why so many people reach financial independence only to feel stuck, anxious, or unsure how to actually use their money.
They also explore what happens after accumulation:
- what relentless saving does to your mindset
- how ego and identity become tied to assets
- why some property portfolios delay freedom
- how semi-retirement and flexibility protect wealth
- and what a freedom-focused lifestyle really looks like
Most importantly, this episode is about hope. If you’ve been investing for 5, 7, or 10 years and feel like the finish line keeps moving — or you’re wondering whether it’s still worth trying — Dave’s message is clear: don’t lose hope, and don’t delay your life forever.
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Topics Covered
- Is FIRE still achievable in Australia in 2026?
- Why FIRE feels harder now — and why it’s not impossible
- How Dave would rebuild financial independence from $0 today
- The role of income: penalty rates, night shifts and FIFO work
- Why earning more matters more than saving harder
- Property vs shares in a modern FIRE strategy
- When leverage helps — and when it delays freedom
- Why asset choice matters after you stop working
- How low-yield property portfolios trap people in work
- The emotional fear of stepping back from a career
- Why people keep moving the goalposts after reaching FI
- Relentless saver syndrome and delayed gratification burnout
- The ego behind assets and net worth milestones
- Why “enough” is psychologically harder than getting rich
- How to create an anti-anxiety financial plan
- Semi-retirement as a risk-management strategy
- How flexibility and part-time work protect your portfolio
- Designing a freedom-focused lifestyle, not just retirement
- Finding meaning and purpose beyond full-time work
- Why time — not money — is the real asset
- Learning how to actually enjoy your wealth
