After ten years and three months, I’ve decided the October update will be the last net worth update, and I’m stepping back from Aussie Firebug for a while.
This blog started as a way to prove, using our real numbers, that early financial independence is achievable without a huge income, wealthy parents, or winning Lotto.
Our latest numbers showed that our passive income, using the 4 percent rule, was higher than our monthly expenses for the first time.
For the month of October 2025, we were financially independent.
So why stop now?
The Spark Is Gone
I will be honest.
My interest in FIRE content has faded. What once felt new and exciting now feels repetitive and disconnected from where I am in life.
The spaces I used to spend time in, like /r/fiaustralia, the MMM blog, and even my own Aussie FIRE Facebook group, no longer resonate with me.
The movement has not changed. I have.
Discovering financial independence changed my life. I devoured every book, blog, and podcast I could find.
But as our wealth grew and life opened up, my focus shifted. By 2023, creating Aussie Firebug content felt like a chore.
I had completely lost interest.
All the exciting stuff had already happened, and the snowball was well and truly rolling. Becoming financially independent felt inevitable.
We were already living the life we wanted. A number ticking over in a spreadsheet wasn’t going to change anything.
2023 was also the year our daughter was born, and the year before that, I’d started a business.
Somewhere during those years, my obsession shifted.
Family became my top priority once I became a dad. As life got busier, the time I spent on Aussie Firebug steadily declined.
When I did get time away from family, I kept gravitating towards the business. In the past, that time would have gone to AFB.
My spare time is now mostly consumed by building products, not for the money, but for the craft of entrepreneurship itself.
Creating something new, understanding sales and marketing psychology, and finding an edge over the competition genuinely excites me.
I haven’t felt this level of energy for something since I discovered Mr Money Mustache in 2013.
It’s not always smooth sailing, but working through a problem and watching the result come to life is an incredible feeling.
Seeing a customer thrilled that something your team built solves a real problem for them is unbelievably rewarding.
It’s addictive.
The truth is, my passion for FIRE has tapered off, and I have no desire to create content about something I am no longer obsessed with.
I Have Mostly Done Everything I Wanted To Do
When I started, I had three goals.
- Get 100 readers on the blog.
- Interview Brandon from the Mad Fientist, Steven McKnight, and Mr Money Mustache on my podcast, since they were the biggest influences on my FIRE journey.
- Share monthly net worth updates until we hit financial independence.
I have ticked off the first two.
The third one did not end the way I originally planned.
There is a clear turning point in everyone’s financial independence journey when your monthly passive income, using the 4 percent rule, covers your monthly expenses.
It happened for us in October.
We reached financial independence.
However, one good month does not guarantee a repeat, particularly given how much our expenses fluctuate.
I planned to keep publishing updates for three years after reaching that point, because I knew there would be plenty of ups and downs.
But I’m calling stumps here for a few reasons:
- As explained above, I’ve lost the motivation for creating FIRE content.
- I think the 4 percent rule is far too conservative. Inspired by the book Die With Zero, I am no longer aiming to preserve my portfolio indefinitely, but to draw it down to zero, or close to it, by the time I die. This significantly changes our drawdown, as shown by the fabulous calculator from engaging-data.com below.
https://engaging-data.com/will-money-last-retire-early/
If we stopped working today with our current FIRE portfolio, we would have a 71% chance of not running out of money by age 96, even with a 6 percent withdrawal rate.
Those are solid odds.
What sets this calculator apart from the traditional 4 percent rule is its ability to model flexible spending.
No one draws the same fixed percentage every year, humans simply do not work that way.It also factors in mortality. There is a greater than 50 percent chance I will be dead by 80,
which puts the trade-offs into sharp focus.This is exactly the point Bill Perkins makes in Die With Zero. The biggest risk is not running out of money, it’s running out of time.
- Super is not officially part of our FIRE portfolio, but there’s a good chance we will be able to access it eventually. This adds another ~$250K to the pot (in today’s dollars).
Keeping It Relatable
I tend to be inspired by people who are in a similar position to me.
My favourite blogs, podcasts, and YouTubers are all people I can relate to and learn from because, in one way or another, their situation mirrors my own.
Lately, I have found it harder to relate to the struggles and mindset of many people who email me. That is not a criticism, it is simply a reflection of where I am now.
That is not to say I cannot offer useful insights from the roughly 13 years I have been doing this. I can, but it is harder to genuinely connect given how different my circumstances are today.
As an example, I think Die with Zero is an excellent book for people who are close to, or already at, FIRE, but a poor fit for someone just starting.
That is how I feel about my current situation more broadly. I am not sure I can provide the same level of value to beginners as I once did. My mindset is completely different to when I was at the start of the journey.
Where to now?
So, where to from here?
That is a good question, and one I have been sitting with for months.
I am not shutting down Aussie Firebug for good, but I am taking an extended break to focus on other priorities.
My time writing about FIRE has largely come to a close.
I have said and done more than I ever set out to do. There is nothing left that I feel I need to add.
This blog has been far more popular than I ever could have imagined. Not in a million years did I expect it to reach the audience it did.
I still enjoy long-form, thoughtful conversations, so I would like to continue the podcast. That said, it may evolve into something broader and not be focused solely on FIRE. We will see where that leads.
This blog has given me far more than I ever expected, and I’m proud of what it became.
Thank you all for following along.
🔥🐞
Congratulations, you’ve served your time educating and entertaining the FIRE movement. I think you have reached the natural point everyone who pursues financial independence should hope to arrive at. The point where frugality no longer consumes you – you are free to do whatever takes your fancy.
Thank you for everything and good luck on the next stage of the journey!
Hi Matt,
From the early days….over to the UK… and back. I have been here since the beginning, and want to thank you for all the content. “Frugal” is what I’ve taught my kids, and you inspired me to to retire 5 years earlier than I anticipated (and that was 5 years ago!).
Just wanted to say thanks for the journey.
Cheers mate,
Craig 🙂
That’s the beauty of financial independence. Once you’ve set the money making machine in motion, you just need to sit back and relax.
The challenge becomes… What to do with the time and freedom… And it’s difficult!!! But it’s easier to know what you’re no longer interested or you don’t like. That’s for sure.
Just another grifter.
Thank you, Matt and enjoy your money and your life.
Everything is temporary and all the best.
Brgds,
John
Congratulations, thank you and all the very best for your future challenges. You’ve done a remarkable job 🙌
It’s been a pleasure Aussie firebug
Thank you for including us in your journey.
Till you post again
I bid you farewell and good luck
Thank you for sharing thoughts, figures and inspiration through the years, AFB.
Now enjoy the next phase of your life. All the Best.
Thanks Firebug, I can’t tell you how much I appreciated your website and podcasts. They were a big inspiration to me and I’ve recommended your site to many people.
All the best for the future. I’m 54 and you’ve been a reminder every now and again of the journey I’m on and to stay on course. I agree with another commentor, nothing is for ever. You’ve added value to the world in this way and will in another way as long as it is creative and with passion.
Thankyou Matt for all your incredible insights over the last decade. Genuinely appreciate the time and effort you have sacrificed along the way. You have changed my trajectory in life for the better 🙏
Thanks Matt for all your content. It helped me a lot to set my FIRE journey. Take care and hope you’ll keep finding something as exciting as FIRE was for yoy
Well done and good luck. This is why any of us should be setting goals – to live the life we want.
Congratulations and thank you for all of the content and valuable resources over the years.
Enjoy mate!
Very best wishes to you! Personally I was surprised you didn’t completely step back earlier due to two factors: the finfluencer laws in Australia make it hard to discuss investing publicly, and then some Karens jumped in on a few threads, which changed the vibe a bit.
You’ve built a tremendous site and hopefully one day some posts or podcasts you had to archive will come back for us to read.
Other than that, FIRE isn’t really possible anyhow as people can’t sit on the couch for 50 years. The idea is to build up your finances so that you have better options and security as you grow into the next phase of life.
I still have some Firebug podcasts to go over but thank you for all your work and positivity in promoting financial independence. And congrats on starting a family and doing it your way!
Thanks for your contributions. I’ve been following along for a while and enjoyed seeing your net worth updates. I completely agree with shifting passions and priorities especially when kids come into the mix. Enjoy the next phase of your family and business focus.
All the best big dog
Thank you AFB. You are the first figure that I followed on FIRE journey. It has opened up my knowledge, learned from other bloggers, and met lots of new friends in the journey.
Thank you once again. Hope you are happy always in whatever you do.
Congratulations AFB on what you have achieved personally & for your education & awareness raising which will have changed more lives than you will ever know.
Also congratulations on adapting over time as you continued to learn not just about personal finance but what FIRE meant to you & your young family. Adaptation is a true measure of resilience.
All the best firebug. You will still continue to inspire us.
Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
You have said something along the lines of Mr Money Moustache was your primary inspiration, the guy whose story and reflections seemed to resonate with you the most. I’d like you to know that your podcast has been that for me, so thank you Matt.
It’s also nice to see you graduate for it too, and move onto a bigger and better task in trying to be a great dad to your kids. Kids are the best. I hope you continue to share your journey and opinions, and ultimately inspire more guys to improve in their relationships too.
Thank you for all the motivation and thoughtful content over the years
Congratulations on what you have achieved, along with Strong Money Australia, The Barefoot Investor and other stalwarts like Noel Whittaker, you have made a great contribution to the development of financial independence and mindset in Australia. You have helped a lot of people more than you would have thought and the work you’ve done has resonated with a lot of people – simply by being honest and open about your FIRE progress. Besides that, FIRE within itself is not intrinsically about happiness but what you learn and really find out about yourself – your own motivations of what makes you happy. Now that you’ve created your own business, making something of value, solving a problem, meeting customer needs, the reality is that you have definitely achieved FI but probably not so much RE as you will want to keep growing your business because that’s the fun stuff – just ask Warren Buffet. So thanks again AFB in what you have done and helped contributed to the financial journeys of many people in Australia. Well done Sir. (Your only retirement is from the update of this blog – rest easy and enjoy those next steps)
AFB Thanks for all your content. I have really enjoyed listening and getting inspired by you. I often look at your net worth to see the possibilities. Best wishes for a well lived life.
Thanks for your content. All the best. Hope you have a heap more months like October 😉 you will be killing it.
Thanks for sharing all your thoughts and findings during your journey of FIRE. I FIRED in Dec 2019 and have enjoyed your journey but understand where you are with it all now. as Chasing the dream is no more and FIRE is now a reality and the money pot keeps growing. I am now gliding down the Die with Zero slope.
I wish you well with your new life priorities and may you keep the “fire in your belly” for your new passions as bright as you did for Aussie Firebug.
The 4% Rule? Removing your PPOR (Because it does not generate income, and even if you were to sell it, you would have to pay a rent) and your super because you can’t access it now, removing your liabilities, you basically have $948K invested and producing passive income. THe 4% rule gives you $37,920 AUD per year. For a household of 4 including 2 kids, how can you realistically think that it would be enough to provide your family a normal life? I genuinely believe that financial indepance and retiring early are words cover with glitters that fascinate people. But how can you say you reach FI with a family of 4 with $38K a year? This is not living. I believe that this quest for many of those pursuing it is flowed from the start.
Yikes Ben. Did you read these parts of the Oct blog?
“‘Our FIRE portfolio now sits at just over $1.35 million, and that figure doesn’t include our super or home equity”
and
“A big reason why we don’t sell down shares is that I’m still generating an income outside of investing, so there’s currently no need.”
$377,596 of liabilities
You are a changemaker! Thank you for breaking down walls to improve financial literacy. You have made knowledge accessible.
I love that you are putting your your family first, after all, that was a huge part of why you started this journey.
Best wishes
Thank you Aussie Firebug for your amazing in g content and also the transparency with which you r shared your journey with us and given many of us food for thought into our personal journeys! I am happy to say I’ve achieved FI and am enjoying the RE phase at age 38!! And your content and insights have certainly contributed to my success and so I want to thank you sincerely for everything! Wishing you the greatest success with your business and family life!!
I feel exactly the same way! I started out about the same time you started over 10 years ago and have grown with your content. As the nest egg grows more sustainable and you have kids the priorities definitely change and you see it snow ball and know you’re going to be ok. Thank you so much for the content (and responding to my questions) it mirrored exactly what I needed at that stage in life. Good luck mate.
Hi mate you were one of the first people I followed online and who explained FIRE so clearly, with clear numbers and examples from your life. The transparency of showing your actual numbers made it a lot more real for me and I thank you for that (as I know most other bloggers just talk in %). I used to wait eagerly for each monthly update!
I’m still super passionate about FIRE, although have moved more into the Flamingo FIRE camp after having family and kids (which as you say changes a lot of priorities and viewpoints in life).
Hopefully you will keep the blog up, as I often send people to you when they first start asking questions. And hopefully one day when my kids are a bit older they can read it too!
Thanks again for everything mate, and I’m glad you’ve found new passions to pursue in life. Money is just a tool, it’s never the end in itself.
Hey Kevin,
May I know what is Flamingo FIRE camp? and where can i find more information on this?
Rob, it’s another page created to show other stages towards independence. https://www.moneyflamingo.com/start-here/
Hi,
This blog, whilst something I’ve not engaged with in an active way, is not something I have read religiously. Notwithstanding this point, I really want to share my appreciation for taking the time to share your experience. You have inspired many to share your knowledge and given them the tools to succeed selflessly an I really think that selflessness needs to be recognised. I’m not great at these forums but I just want to say thank you, you are someone special. All the best for the future.
I think this is amazing. What you’ve written here reflects a psychological journey I observe many take as their net worth grows, and that I am aware of taking in my own journey too.
This seems, to me, to be a powerful – and perhaps less discussed – impact of financial independence: it doesn’t just free you materially and practically, it also has the potential to free & expand you ideologically, psychologically,spiritually, creatively. When you no longer need to focus on how you will ‘survive’, you’re able to consider meaning, purpose and legacy in vastly different ways. (Classic Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need, but also something much more than this…)
How incredible to share this experiential learning with your children as they grow.
I’ve just dipped in and out of your content over the past couple of years, but I’ve really enjoyed following your journey and your honesty and integrity – so visible in this post, also.
Enjoy the rest of your journey, and thanks for sharing this part with all of us!
Congrats. I was on the same journey and when I went from tracking every dollar to no longer thinking about the cost of most things, I realised I’d reached my goal and it was time to move on to something new. I focused on business which supercharged my path from 7 to 8 figures and I expect you’ll end up here very soon because you described perfectly what I love about business.
Thank you so much for sharing your journey, you have been so inspiring, I have enjoyed reading each and every post. All the best with the next chapter in life!
Thank you for your honesty – I agree with your perspective after beconing familiar with the Die with Zero principles and is so great to hear you have found your purpose ams zest for life.
Aussie Firebug has been invaluable to get the thinking and tools towards facilitating financial independance so a sincere thank you for helping myself and others on the journey to this point. Wishing you every happiness on your next chapter.
Congratulations, thank you and best wishes. You’ve made a real and lasting impact to my family and I’m sure many many others. I wish you every happiness and success in whatever you do!
Congratulations on a great achievement. It’s been great following your journey. Good luck for the future
Thanks for the memories.
Thanks for the years of inspiration mate. Hope you do keep going with the Pod…you have a knack for it!
Congratulations and thank you for all the content!
You could never run out of money in Australia because of the aged pension
Do you live on aged pension? I do. It’s maximum for a single person is $29k a year- well below poverty line. I really regret not using the knowledge AFB has shared over the last 10 years but stupidly I only listened and didn’t take action.
Respect ✊🏽
Love your authenticity.
Thanks for sharing your story, you’ve been an enormous inspiration and source of insight.
Onwards and upwards.
Well done. I came to a similar conclusion recently and it took a cancer diagnosis to shocking me into realigning I might not even be here to enjoy the money. I had been working quite hard and if I was being honest with myself not enjoying life.
You’ve changed mine and my husband’s life. We’ve been big fans of yours for many years and your recommendation to read Die With Zero changed us.
It gave us the confidence to take a big leap and move our family to south coast NSW this year, instead of waiting until retirement. We’re now focused on using our money to make memories with our two young kids (similar ages to yours!). We’ve even dropped down to part-time work to spend more time with them.
Thanks so much for the inspiration, we wish you and your family all the very best.
Thanks Matt, you’ve positively shaped the direction of my and my family’s life – I don’t say this lightly! The content from an Aussie perspective has been invaluable and I continue to get a lot out of your podcasts as the content has evolved.
Cheers,
Brian
Well done mate you were the first fire blog i came across many years ago …truly influenced my own journey. Thanks so much for all the content, esp in a scene where it can be hard to find aussie stuff.
Thanks for your content and efforts, I have really loved engaging with your work on a monthly basis. You’ve done a really great job. All the best.
Cheers mate. You introduced me to this journey and I thank you. All the best for the future.
Thank you for sharing your journey and inspiring me at every step of the way. I have tried to discuss finances more openly with friends and family as a way to discuss opportunities for those that may be unaware of the possibilities and your sharing is what has helped me be comfortable. Your monthly updates are like a catch up with a good mate at the pub that I never had the pleasure to meet. I wish you all the best.
GFY.
I wouldn’t have started my journey to FIRE without your content. Thanks!
Thank you for everything 🙂 I’ve enjoyed listening and hearing your journey, it’s been refreshing to hear a considered and well thought out perspective that cuts through the usual noise and drama of mainstream media
In time honored FIRE community tradition… it is my duty to say “congrats, and go fuck yourself!”
Those of us at similar life stages to you completely understand. FIRE is fun and engaging when you’re starting out with not much and seeing things grow… but once you get a decent sum invested it does start to lose its sparkle once you realise you’re there.
Hope you’re able to enjoy the time with family and work/hobbies
Wow — can’t believe this day has come, but it feels right. The mission is fulfilled.
You’ve helped an enormous number of people, myself included. I found your work early in my FIRE journey after discovering MMM and then digging into the Australian way of doing it.
I also had the pleasure of meeting you in person at a conference in Melbourne, which made it even more real that there was a thoughtful human behind the content.
All I can really say is thank you. Because of the path you helped illuminate, I’m now at home, present with my toddler and newborn, and not stressing about having to find work immediately & on path to secure full FI in few years. That’s a gift.
Wishing you a deeply rewarding next chapter — you’ve earned it.
Mate, thank you for writing this so plainly.
Aussie Firebug was one of the few Australian FIRE sites that treated money like an engineering problem: show the numbers, show the assumptions, and let people decide. That transparency mattered, and you almost certainly changed more lives than you will ever see, including plenty of quiet readers.
What you said about the spark being gone makes complete sense. There is a phase where optimisation, tracking, and learning are essential. Then the snowball is rolling, life already looks how you want it to look, and net worth updates start to feel like reporting the weather rather than building the boat.
The shift toward family and building products also tracks. FIRE is a tool, not an identity. Once it has done its job, it is natural to want something with friction again: creating, shipping, learning, and solving real problems.
I also appreciate the honesty around drawdown philosophy changing. Moving beyond preserve forever toward flexibility and spending with intent is a real mindset shift and it changes what content even makes sense to create.
Thanks for the decade of work and for stepping back without drama. Congrats on October 2025 and all the best for the next chapter.
Thankyou thankyou for giving your time snd sharing your journey. you taught me a lot and especially knowing when to step back and let it go! enjoy the next adventure.
Been a pleasure, thank you, blessings on you and the family 🔥
Brilliant job AFB. Enjoy your family, enjoy your business. And come back and visit Jonny and I over here in New Zealand again sometime. You are welcome anytime. Thanks for all your outstanding work.
Hi mate
Your decision makes sense to me
A personal big thank you to you from me.
Your blog/content got me started on investing in index funds in Australia (and FIRE generally). Before that I was going around in circles on American blogs trying to figure out how to properly start.
Your FB group has also been very helpful at times, along with your insights/thoughts on your FIRE journey.
Would not be where I currently am on my own financial/FIRE journey without you.
Cheers, and all the best with what you decide to do in the future!
Nice work mate, your podcast changed my life trajectory in 2018 and the wealth I have built since is astonishing, don’t underestimate the great impact you have had on your followers, awesome work!
Thanks – you’ve certainly helped our family and I’ve enjoyed the reads and listens.
Enjoy your well-earned next chapter
Thank you AFB! You inspired a mindset and practical shift in the financial side of my life. May you continue to educate with humility and genuine curiosity.
Your blog was one of the first I found on my FIRE journey several years ago, so thank you for the content and inspiration.
I hope you are really proud of what you have achieved.
Good luck and all the best 🙂
All the very best in your future endeavours. The only thing constant in this universe is change.
Enjoy the long service leave. Well deserved!
Thanks for all your work mate. Congrats on the next phase of your life. Enjoy!
Thank you so very much. It’s been a pleasure to watch your journey and see that it is possible for someone our age.
Hey mate
Thanks for all the content, and will miss following along side your journey.
Good on you Matt! Thank you for all the hard work you’ve put in over the years. Fantastic content. Inspiring stuff. Enjoy your early retirement ;-).
You were my first FIRE page/blog/podcast I discovered. I was already well on my way but you inspired me to keep going and I learnt a lot. I retired in June at 56 . Enjoy this new phase of your life , build lots of memories and spend it !!!!
Thank you!
Really proud to have been here with you . Really sad to read this could be it . Please please update us at least once a year . This blog has been my lifeline . This has been the best place for so many people to come together because the govt is so confusing . My family is much better off for your knowledge passed on to us all . Will miss this place
Matt,
Because of you and the community you have built, I have learnt so much. You’ve taken away the fear of ‘not enough’ along with the others from the introductions your page has enabled.
Totally appreciate where you are at and wish you all the best.
Maybe we can entice you on to a national tour so we can say thank you in person. I’m sure many of us would like to thank you with a beer! ☺️
All the best to you, your family & the next stage of your adventure.
Julia
Appreciate all you’ve done. I have learnt a lot. I still listen to and enjoy your podcasts. If you still enjoy making them 😉 I’d continue to listen to anything your are about as I enjoy all of the guests you have on.
Matt thanks for your work here I’ve read and listened to everything. A mate told me about FIRE and your blog drinking beers around a fire in 2018 and it blew my mind. I consumed everything, read all the books, reddits etc same as you. Now I’m the same, barely read anything and have unlocked flexibility for the family already. On track for full FI in about 5 years but actually don’t care as much now. Knowing I can pull the pin and work part time or some lower stress feels great. Focus now is to pay forward the knowledge to others when they are ready to absorb it.
I’ve been consuming your content religiously since 2019. the US based content creators like Mad FIreientist and MMM just didn’t hit a cord with me as it wasn’t as relevant. I am about 2 years away from FIRE now. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Thanks Matt you have truly inspired me on my journey to financial freedom and have always recommended your podcasts (especially the early ones) to everyone! All the best.
Thank you for your outstanding commitment to monthly podcasts. It is a truly massive achievement.
Are you going to leave the podcast up and available? Please do if you can.
Awesome work mate. Really appreciated all your content over the years. Cheers Cam
You are an inspiration. This blog (and by extension you) have changed my life. My attitude toward money feels liberating to me, and I think you deserve all the time in the world with your new family.
Best wishes for the future. It has been a pleasure to read your articles and listen to your podcasts. Your decision is a good one considering your current stage of life. Good on you.
I loved listening to your podcasts as I walked to work in the morning. And I totally get it…people evolve, our interests change. Well done and enjoy your journey!
Thankyou so much !
Sharing your journey has been so valuable to so many.
Good luck with your growing family and business 🙂
Your content has been a source of inspiration. Thankyou for all you have shared. I have learned so much and it’s put me on a path to financial freedom. Being much older than you, I wont be able to retire early, but I will continue make educated decisions along the way thanks to all I have learned.
Enjoy your family and your business adventures.
Legend, have devoured your podcasts and blogs and FB group since 2017/8 and am close to FIRE myself now.
You have a great legacy here, I hope you feel that and are proud cos so many of us have been exposed to this world because of you.
Thank you and good luck!
Hi Matt,
A well considered decision. Ditto to almost all the comments and sentiments above.
This evolution resonates with me too and my enthusiasm is now firmly in the planning and structuring SMSF and other assets effectively.
There are existing Australian podcasts and commentary about preparing and navigating for an “epic retirement”!
I’d very likely still be a “wannabe” share investor if not for your article “How to Buy ETFs”! Growing up without financial mentors (especially re: sharemarket), this article—more than anything—was the simple step-by-step guide I needed and it didn’t exist anywhere else.
Thank you for your dedication and generosity to AFB. You helped me and my family more than you could know.
Oh Matt, feels like the end of a Era!
Congratulations on all you achieved.
See in around 😆
Whoops see you around
Cheers, dude! Thank you for the motivation you’ve given me over the years. Wishing you and your family all the happiness in the world!
Hi Aussie firebug. Your blog and podcast got me started on the fire journey so thats for that.
I’ve really enjoyed the podcast and have listened to every episode. Glad to hear you will keep going with this as its a great show and would be just as enjoyable if it were about a different topic.
Thank you AFB. All the best to you and your family.
Thank you Aussie FB. It was a pleasure to have a parasocial connection with someone in this life, to compare numbers, see how well you were doing and be inspired. Things change and new passions arise, that is life. Think of money as energy you can use for yourself and to help others. Cheers.
Like so many others here, I want to deeply thank you Matt for your courage, hard work, openness and generosity with sharing what you know, lived and learned. I’ve been following along since the beginning and your words helped me and my husband so much in achieving FIRE in our mid 40’s, 2 years ago. We would not be here in this very unique life experience without you. A million thank yous my friend and best wishes for everything that lies ahead!
Appreciate all the hard work to date, been following for the last 5 years and with two new kids myself completely understand your reasoning. All the best and hopefully we get a reformatted version of the blog in the future to enjoy.
PS – if you start a financial based “travelling with kids” blog, I’m definitely going to follow.
Thank you for time and education mate. You’ve def. helped me grow my wealth.
Good on you, Brother. Fatherhood sounds like it suits you, and I think it’s a great thing you’re prioritising your family. Thanks for the inspiration over the years, and I wish you and the family all the best for the future 🙂
Absolute legend in the Australian FIRE community! Thankyou for inspiring many and glad to be part of your journey over the years
all the best mate, I’ve bennefited from the knowledge you have shared and enjoyed your content. That being said – you have no obligation to continue – so good on you for following your interests
Thank you for all your help and good luck on the next phase of your life. All the best 🙂
Thankyou Aussie Firebug. I have enjoyed the journey and also got a lot of value from the content you have shared. You have an endearing Aussie country down to earthedness and inquisitiveness that made your podcast guests relax and open up. You have made a huge contribution to financially educating and inspiring Australians!
Thanks so much for everything. Really appreciate the advice and wisdom shared over the years! It’s helped to shape a positive now and future for my family. All the best with wherever the future takes you and the family 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experience during the past many years. Also it is heart warming to hear such an honest post today. I have been wondering since your child was born if there was going to be a shift in your mindset. Boom! hahah I also have the privilege of being a mother of 2 little gorgeous children. And my priorities have also changed since they arrived in my life. Good luck with your new beginnings. I hope you keep making beautiful memories with your family. And luck you being in such a good financial position to enjoy the next many years to come. Thank you!!!! 🙂
Great work mate, well done. Been a fun blog to read over the years.
Given you like writing and that people like and support it, perhaps you can start a new blog more related to your new life. Around starting a business, specifics to the data space, family/work balance, etc. No more FIRE, maybe a little FI, but all the stuff you’re doing instead of “RE”
Wow! Thank you for everything you’ve done to help the rest of us along with all your great content. I do hope you’ll leave the website up permanently, though, as it’s such a great resource. Congratulations!
Congrats on getting to this point!
I found your stuff a wee while back (I think in 2019?). I had found MMM and Mad FIentist folks before, but hearing someone from a local Aussie context was so helpful.
In particular, I have really been inspired by yourself and Money Flamingo, in terms of recalibrating / reassessing the FIRE approach to be focussed more on increasing life flexibility, and how to use that to build a life that is bloody wonderful and fulfilling.
It’s helped me to create a much more relaxed, open-minded relationship to work. And has contributed to my (years long wrestle with the decision) to have kids. We are now welcoming our first baby in April 2026, and are feeling really positive about it, thanks in part to the inspo you’ve given through sharing your knowledge and experience, and the flexibility we’ve built by following a similar path (currently past Flamingo FIRE but also who’s counting – not me!)
It feels great to be excited about our work (I relate to your entrepreneurial bug, as that’s what I’m also pursuing), delving into the adventure of family life, and not having the same stress as many of those around us with money.
Thanks for all your work and passion for the topic, and for sharing so candidly. It’s been wonderful to get to follow your journey.
Hope you will share some more of your passions in your next chapter. I for one have enjoyed hearing your insights into entrepreneurship, family, and topics beyond FIRE, as I’m sure many of your readers / listeners have.
Thank you AFB!
Thank you so much for being so real and openly sharing your journey for all these years! My FIRE goals have also shifted and changed over time, and I have come to a place that feels right for me. I also plan to draw down capital and do things a bit differently than the traditional FIRE approach and hearing your updates really helped me feel better about it all. All the best to you and your family.
Thanks Matt, for all your thoughts, education, and your willingness to be so transparent with your finances and your family life. It’d be great to hear from you from time to time as you move from this success to the next ones.
Congratulations AFB! I remember listening to your first podcasts and getting so inspired! I’m still on the journey but congratulate you for reaching your goal. Thank you for all your great content and all the best for the future!
Thank you AFB, I may have found you later in the game but you were my gateway drug to the world of financial independence I never knew existed. Congratulations on reaching FIRE and good luck on the road ahead. Enjoy the time with your family now while they still think dad is cool (luckily still plenty of years ahead to show them just how cool he is), you’ve inspired me to do the same with my own young kids. Best of luck!
You’re FIRED or doused, thanks.
Thanks mate. I enjoyed listening to your pod and got a lot out of it over the years. Have a great next chapter.
Good on you for recognising what matters most now and having the courage to follow it. Choosing what’s best for you and your family is exactly what all of this was meant to enable, and it’s a powerful example in itself. Wishing you every success and enjoyment in this next chapter 🙂
Good luck and many thanks for your enthusiasm and transparency AFB.
You were instrumental in my successful FIRE journey.
I always thought it was so brave and kind to share your financial journey so openly. I and no doubt many others have benefited from your content and I am thankful. Wishing you all the best with your future endeavours.
Congratulations Matt! Still walking the FIRE talk in that you’ve identified your priorities and what brings you purpose. You outlasted many, many of us, and you’ve paved the way for others to come after. All the very best to you and your family.
I want to say a big THANK YOU 👏 I turned 50 this year, and I’m ashamed to say, I was financially illiterate up until a few years ago when I stumbled across your podcast.
I grew up with an Accountant for a dad and an entrepreneurial father-in-law, and neither of them guided me toward financial literacy. (That’s not a harsh judgement, but a simple reality.)
Since listening to your podcast and developing an understanding of all things finance, I have been able to make some pretty big decisions that have put me in a position to quit my job and take on a year of full-time study, with the outcome being a re-engineered life that will see me through to… who knows?
Not only that, but I have been able to spark the same interest and hunger for financial literacy in my four children, who will undoubtedly benefit over the many extra years they’ll have investing for the long game and blocking their ears to all the noise.
I wouldn’t normally write anything like this, but I think you deserve to know the impact you have on ‘average Joe’s’ like me.
Your perspective on life, your ability to not get swept away with the ‘excess lifestyle’ culture, your humility and heartfelt passion for your growing family, and your generosity and vulnerability of the content you’ve shared are inspiring.
Thanks again, and God Bless
Congrats on your achievements Matt. I didn’t think I would ever lose the drive for FIRE after finding your blog in 2019, but after reaching a similar level of NW to you and Mrs Firebug, I’ve lost interest. I think FIRE is a tool that can be used for progress and once you reach semi-FIRE or Coast-FIRE it becomes inevitable and the freedom gained is extremely comforting. I no longer fear losing my job or taking a 5 year break due to health issues or needing a holiday. Further, I enjoy work much more now it is truly optional. All things you and other bloggers have discussed in the past.
My wife and I wouldn’t be where I am today without your contributions, so thanks for everything. As recompense I hope you enjoy this article from another great thinker on having a toddler – https://waitbutwhy.com/2025/10/toddler.html
Thanks for all the knowledge. All the best!
Thanks, I’ve always enjoyed you content as it seemed to come from a good place (rather than a sales pitch). It helped me to assess my own situation and we hit FIRE a couple of years ago thanks to resource like AussieFireBug. Wishing you the best on the next stage of your journey.
Thanks AFB,
You’ve made a massive difference in my life and I’ve recommended you to many Australians seeking fire.
Excited for the next part of your journey and the focus on family.
All the best mate!
Great website, great content and a fitting farewell. I’ve followed your journey from the start as it’s paralleled mine and a lot of what you have said in this post resonates with me also. Good luck with your little girls, enjoy family life and the next chapter. Spark that instead!
Well done, I have enjoyed your content and congratulate you for choosing you. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Thankyou for all your time and effort in producing these blogs. The transparency of the numbers and actually living the advice, the ups and downs, the occasional change in strategy have been super helpful.
Wishing you all the best!
Thanks I have been a fan of this blog since I found it in 2019. Thank for you for creating something which helped me and gave me something to listen to and read for so long.
The foundations of my success began years before I started work when my parents spending the money their friends spent on luxury cars on sending all their children to a private secondary school. We all graduated from the University of Melbourne and went on to earn above average income careers.
My sister has sold off a rental property to raise the money to allow her to send her two daughters to a private high high in Year 7 and Year 9 when new student vacancies open up.
My eldest niece went to a public primary school where the sex ratio was even. However, when she started year 7the public high school suddenly became mono-sex with only a handful of other girls. This defacto male mono-sex learning environment resulted in bullying and a dimming of he light of hope and love of learning.
The cost of private school education has soared in decades since we benefited from that decision by our parents.
So my sister has sold off her rental property to raise cash so she can send both her daughters to a private girls high school when places may open in Year 9 and Year 7.
I share this story as a warning that extrapolating FIRE without factoring a huge expense such as paying for private school education or children for six years could punch a huge hole in your extrapolated retirement capital.
I am a big fan of your work. Sad for you leave