Irish Financial Independence Podcast
Welcome - I’m Michael Houghton, and I write and podcast about our family’s journey toward Financial Independence (FI).
In 2018, I began pursuing financial independence after growing tired of trading time for money and realising that, despite steady work and a decent income, we never felt like we were getting ahead financially. I was drawn to the idea that, through intentional living and the power of compounding, it was possible to build a different kind of life - one where work became optional and I could live on my own terms.
For me, the most valuable thing money can buy is freedom: freedom of time, freedom of choice, and freedom for my family.
Along the way, I’ve shared the journey openly through podcast episodes and detailed monthly updates, covering both the challenges and the wins as we worked toward FI.
At some point in 2025, we realised we had crossed an important milestone: our FI portfolio had grown large enough to support our relatively low-cost lifestyle if we chose to step away from full-time work. While I haven’t retired yet, we’re comfortable calling ourselves financially independent - and these days, much of what I write and podcast about is what life looks like on the other side of that goal.
You can also sign up to my monthly newsletter and receive regular updates, insights, and reflections delivered straight to your inbox.
The podcast is sponsored by KennCo Insurance. KennCo Underwriting Ltd T/A KennCo Insurance is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland.
Latest Podcast Episodes
Ireland vs New Zealand: A Cost of Living Showdown
Tuesday, 17th February 2026
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.
Listen Now21 tiny habits that will help you build wealth in 2026
Tuesday, 27th January 2026
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.
Listen NowThe Power of FIRE
Tuesday, 23rd December 2025
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.
Listen NowLatest Progress Updates
January 2026 Portfolio Update
Thursday, 5th February 2026
We arrived back in Ireland on the 18th of January - I think my youngest child summed it up best, as he arrived back into Dublin in his shorts, t-shirt and bucket hat “is it still winter here?”, he says, with a very disappointed look on his face. It has been tough settling back into an Irish winter, dealing with Jetlag and heading back to the school routine and work again after four weeks off.
Read MoreDecember 2025 Portfolio Update
Thursday, 22nd January 2026
This time last year, I did a full yearly review in my December update, and I thought it would be nice to dedicate a monthly update again exclusively to the portfolio again.
Read MoreNovember 2025 Portfolio Update
Tuesday, 9th December 2025
This update might come as a bit of a surprise, but we went ‘sale agreed’ recently on another investment property - number five this time! We last purchased a buy to let property in 2023 and I had promised my wife we wouldn’t purchase any more, however with me now working with a property manager, buying more property felt a lot more scalable.
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