Mitchel Sneddon sits down with Hayden Smith, co-founder of Pearler, to unpack whether FIRE is still achievable and what actually drives financial independence today. The conversation moves beyond theory into the real levers — spending, income, behaviour and simple ETF investing — and reframes investing as a tool, not the solution.
Together they discuss
- FIRE remains achievable, but outcomes are driven by income, spending and family choices, not markets alone
- Cutting spending is still the fastest and most controllable lever
- A simple rule of thumb that anyone can start with
- Many investors stall due to analysis paralysis on ETFs, when early decisions have minimal long-term impact
- Starting small builds engagement and accelerates understanding.
- Growth vs income portfolios are shaped by tax position and psychology, not just returns or theory
- Investing is not the solution — earning more or spending less drives wealth, with investing acting as a catalyst
