by Adam Preston | May 21, 2025 | Podcast


Summary
It’s been a decade since I started down the FIRE path, and life looks very different these days – especially since becoming a dad. In this episode, I reflect on how early retirement gave me something more valuable than money: time.
But it also left me unexpectedly restless. I talk about mini-retirement, purpose, starting two businesses, and how becoming a parent reshaped my perspective on work, freedom, and what really matters.
Whether you’re deep into your FIRE journey or just getting started, this one’s for you.
Some of the topics we cover in today’s episode are:
- The Unexpected Dissatisfaction (00:03:33)
- The Value of Discomfort and Growth (00:05:03)
- Rediscovering Purpose Through Entrepreneurship (00:08:34)
- How FIRE Helped with Parenthood (00:10:35)
- Financial Security as a Buffer (00:11:13)
- Not Loving Early Retirement (00:12:06)
Links
by Adam Preston | Jul 1, 2024 | Podcast


Summary
Today on the podcast, we have Amy and her partner Matt from FI Freedom Retreats, a five-day financial independence retreat in Bali.
This was a passion project born out of Amy’s love and gratitude for the F.I.R.E. movement and community.
Heads up, I recorded this podcast in January this year and haven’t released it until now because I’ve been distracted with other things. This means there’s a good chance there won’t be any spots left in the retreat for this year, but I think you’ll still find our conversation interesting.
Some of the topics we cover in today’s episode are:
- Amy’s fear-based relationship with money (00:02:29)
- Geo-arbitraging in Mexico, Thailand, and Bali (00:09:37)
- Matt & Amy’s experience with healthcare while living in SE Asia (00:14:42)
- 90% savings rate in SE Asia (00:22:45)
- Why Amy started FI Freedom Retreats (00:35:41)
- Matt & Amy’s top tips for pursuing FI and living your best life (00:46:36)
Links
by Adam Preston | Jan 15, 2024 | Podcast


Summary
Today we’re joined by Ana Kresina, Head of Product and Community at Pearler and the Co-host of the ‘Get Rich Slow Club’ and ‘ETFs for Beginners,’ podcasts.
She’s also just become a published author with the book “Kids Ain’t Cheap”.
Some of the topics we cover in today’s episode are:
- Ana’s FIRE journey (00:03:37)
- Hitchhiking through Europe (00:07:09)
- Why Ana wrote a money book around raising kids or preparing to raise kids (00:10:02)
- The importance of normalising money conversations with children (00:23:12)
- Philanthropy and teaching your kids why giving matters (00:35:41)
Links
by Adam Preston | Jan 8, 2024 | Podcast


Summary
Today’s episode is something a bit different.
Terry, the host of the Wealth Time Freedom (WTF) podcast interviewed me a few months ago. The response was so positive from that episode that I decided to repost it on my show.
In this episode, Terry asks me about becoming a dad, my recent pivot with work and my new perspective on FIRE.
I found it to be a great conversation, and I hope you’ll enjoy it too.
Links
by Adam Preston | Dec 18, 2023 | Podcast


Summary
Today, my guest is fellow FIRE enthusiast/podcaster/blogger, Captain FI!
He’s actually been on the podcast before but I had to take that episode down due to ASIC’s 2022 guidelines.
Cap came and stayed at the Firebug household after attending the Rask event in my hometown. It was a lot of fun meeting and greeting others from the FIRE community and it was extra special to do so in my own backyard.
This was very much an improv podcast and I didn’t have any set questions.
We had a general chitchat about Captian Fi’s financial journey and other topics relating to FIRE.
Some of the topics we cover in today’s episode are:
- Who is Captain FI? (00:02:36)
- Investing a big lump sum into the share market (00:04:47)
- Finding a financial planner (00:16:01)
- Investing psychology (00:26:24)
- Reaching financial independence (00:41:26)
- Does your FI number include a paid-off house? (00:43:43)
- Selling shares to pay your living expenses (00:45:46)
- The psychology of spending (00:52:26)
Links