Fantasy vs Fact in Early Retirement - Inside the FIRE Movement

Clarke McEwan Accountants



Would you be willing to spend 10 to 15 years working two jobs, living in rented student-style digs and saving and investing every possible dollar, if it meant you could retire in your 30s? A growing number of millennials think FIRE is worth the sacrifice.

How does a 20-something rebel against the system in 2019? For a growing number of millennials, the answer is simple: by saving money. More specifically, they are radically reducing spending to stash away at least 50 per cent of their income and retire in their 30s or 40s.

FIRE (financial independence, retire early) is an international movement of people who seek financial control and flexibility by strict budgeting and frugal living. They have an aversion to debt and work extra jobs to boost their income early in life, then rely on low-cost growth investments such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to both build capital and draw from in early retirement.

It's about having the freedom to pursue your dreams and ambitions (no matter what your age), says Deacon Hayes, author of You Can Retire Early! Everything You Need to Achieve Financial Independence When You Want It. When your net worth is 25 times your annual expenses, you're considered financially independent.

FIRE was born in 1992 out of the best-selling book Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez. In the book, the authors correlated expenses and time spent at work to hours of your life.

The movement first gained popularity in the US, spread through a 1990s newsletter called The Complete Tightwad Gazette. Today, the FIRE message is shared through blogs and podcasts, with one – FIRE Drill – downloaded 7000 times per episode, securing it a spot in the top 100 investing podcasts on Apple's US charts.

You'll find other specialist forums on Reddit devoted to the FIRE movement in Australia, the UK, Europe, Canada and Asia.

Rich dad, poor dad, retired millennial

FIRE is one of those radical ideas that divides people because it involves some of the most personal things human beings deal with – money, relationships and self-worth.

Due to the passions stirred by the FIRE movement and his job in the public sector, the millennial behind the blog www.aussiefirebug.com prefers not to disclose his full name. "Matt" says he was always good at saving and being frugal, and discovered the FIRE movement online in 2014.

"FIRE is basically like financial independence [FI] on steroids," he says. "I knew FI was possible, but the people who had achieved it were all much older than me, so I assumed it must take decades of saving and investing."

Matt's investigation of FIRE strategies convinced him that FI as early as your 30s was possible, and the hundreds of people who comment on his website seem to agree.

"Careful spending in the consumer system we live in is also probably a positive, as is the willingness to be flexible about how you can earn a living in response to the way the world is developing." Dominic McCormick, Investment Consultant

One writes: "You merely need 10 years of pure sacrifice. I started late in my career, first decent job at age 30 and little money. Rented a small room, paying little and close to work. Worked hard, overtime etc. Scrooge for first five years. I took every dollar as gold because I understood the power of compounding.

Post five years, started to go easier on finances. Invested from day one. Fortunately it was 2008/2009 onwards. Bought a mixture of shares and Aussie properties. Had a like-minded partner, so it was a breeze. Retired age 38. Partner works one to two times a week. Two kids. Net worth A$2 million including super."

Matt says Australian FIRE chasers focus on investing in shares via ETFs and listed investment companies and believe there's a good chance they will be able to live off 4 per cent of dividends from their portfolio forever, which also factors in inflation. (This includes cashing in some of the shares over time.)

This investment strategy is common to FIRE groups in other countries, although some include other sources of investment such as rental property.

Financial independence, retire when?

Sydney-based investment consultant Dominic McCormick believes that, on the one hand, a rebellion against materialism is long overdue. "Careful spending in the consumer system we live in is also probably a positive, as is the willingness to be flexible about how you earn a living in response to the way the world is developing," he says.

Psychologist Jane Enter, of Cape Byron Medical Centre, agrees. "Millennials are extremely smart and they have looked at the way that boomers consumed and worked, and said they want greater balance and to do life differently."

The FIRE movement is also characterised by a desire to avoid reliance on government handouts.

However, the investment strategies used for FIRE by many millennials may be overly optimistic, McCormick believes.

"There seems to be excessive reliance on the rule that you can withdraw 4 per cent of the portfolio each year, and the growth as well as the income will reliably replace this."

What would happen in a deep or extended bear market, he asks. Even those who are older may face problems, "and we're talking about millennials who are looking at at least 50 years of retirement".

That said, many FIRE followers, including Matt, say they never plan to retire, they just want to be financially comfortable enough to do work they love. Others start later in life and don't have such an enormous portfolio to build.

Financial consultant Ivan Guan, author of FIRE Your Retirement: 3 Simple Steps to Financial Independence and Retire Early and founder of www.sgmoneymatters.com, says: "FIRE is a widely discussed subject among the online community in Singapore.

"Typically, FIRE becomes a topic when people reach their 40s. It is probably because they are sick of their corporate jobs and want to make some changes. At the same time, they have more financial resources [such as savings] and time [as their children have grown up] to devote to FIRE." FIRE-proofing life

McCormick says that, theoretically, the FIRE model could work, if millennials save and invest enough money to not only account for long retirement, but also inflation and unexpected life events such as illness.

"Over a longer time period, it is more likely that some form of disaster may hit. If you are retiring on a very frugal budget, you need everything to go right, including in life and the assets market. Often, FIRE followers just look back at how equities have done recently and assume high single-digit or double-digit returns.

"At the same time, younger people who follow FIRE need to be willing to give up on eating out a lot or going on expensive holidays, and a lot of millennials are about experiencing life as well."

"I don't think of FIRE as restricting my spending," says Matt. "I think about it as a shift in mindset and identifying what truly makes me happy.

"I'm human. I buy stuff I don't need all the time, but I know that spending money on something I don't need will mean I'm delaying my [progress] towards freedom."

He and his partner don't buy the latest smartphones, and they rent a small unit instead of buying a house.

On this, Guan, himself a millennial, concurs: "There is nothing wrong with buying a house if you can afford it. However, tying down your financial resources to a property [especially in Singapore] creates a huge future liability and opportunity cost. If you have a mortgage to pay, you simply can't quit being a slave of your work."

Matt and his partner also focus on the small stuff that adds up. "We make little smart decisions like always packing lunch for work, using credit card rewards for cheap flights and insurance, trying not to buy any clothes at full price, and stocking up on specials at the supermarket [we average A$600 a month at the supermarket, which is quite expensive and something we could really tighten up if needed].

"In a normal year we save 60 to 65 per cent of our income. We still go out for drinks once a week and get a Friday night takeaway. But if we haven't retired within five years – when I am 34 and my partner is 32 – something has gone drastically wrong."

Of course, you could argue that someone in a First World country or a higher-paid career has a better chance of building a bulletproof portfolio. For many people, FIRE is outside of the realm of their day-to-day life because they don't make a living wage, says Elizabeth Willard Thames, author of Meet the Frugalwoods: Achieving Financial Independence Through Simple Living.

"Achieving FIRE in Singapore is exceptionally challenging, considering the high cost of living in one of the world's most expensive cities," says Guan.

However, he believes the FIRE movement awakens a person's desire to achieve more in their lives, not only limited to financial success, but other aspects in life.

"It also helps bring up the society's standard of financial literacy. The bad thing about the FIRE movement is that, if you're not careful, you may end up sacrificing other important things in your life."

Matt agrees a potential disadvantage is alienating yourself from friends or family because they live a vastly different lifestyle than you. The advantage, he says, is peace of mind, options and being able to prioritise what's important.

The value of work

Work is not just about paying the bills. It can be meaningful if it gives you purpose, development opportunities and recognition. "People need meaning and connection, a reason to get up each day. For many, a job can provide that, as well as structure, and connection with colleagues," says Enter.

On the other hand, if you have a job you hate, or you just don't believe in the capitalist/consumerist world most of us live in, then the idea of giving up 40 hours a week of your life to work may rankle a little.

It is believed to be Confucius who said: "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life."

"When you work for your passion instead of survival, the whole dynamic changes," says Guan, "but I must admit it is not easy to achieve."

The answer for many may indeed be FIRE; in other words a focus on becoming financially independent as soon as possible.

It seems life after work, and a big life, is possible, no matter whether you're 30 or 65. According to Guan, "the difference between a dream and reality is action."

Editor's Disclaimer: the above article is intended for insight only and is not advised as an alternative to conventional investment planning

Should you buy or lease your business assets?

By Clarke McEwan • September 18, 2026
There are certain items of equipment, machinery and hardware that are essential to the operation of your business – whether it’s the delivery van you use to run your client deliveries, diagnostic equipment in your medical practice or the high-end digital printer to run your print business. But when a critical business asset is required, should you buy this item outright, or should you lease the item and pay for it in handy monthly instalments? To buy or to lease? That is the question Buying new pieces of business equipment, plant, machinery or vehicles can be an expensive investment. So, depending on your financial situation, it’s important to weigh up the pros and cons of buying, or opting for a leasing option. First of all, let’s look at why you might decide to buy the item… Buying: the pros and cons: - Pro: It’s a tangible asset – when you buy an item, you own the item outright and it will appear on your balance sheet as one your business assets. As such, by owning these assets outright you increase the perceived capital and value of your business. You can also claim the cost of the asset against your capital allowance for tax purposes. - Pro: It’s yours for the life of the asset – once you own the item, you have full use of the equipment for the duration of the life of the asset. Your use of the asset isn’t reliant on you being able to keep up regular lease payments, and if your financial circumstances change then you can sell the asset to free up the capital. - Con: It’s an expensive outlay – paying for the item up-front is a large outlay for the business and will require you having the cash to cover this cost. Spending a large lump sum in this way may take cash away from other areas of the business, so you need to be 100% sure that this purchase is the right decision and a sound investment. - Con: You may require extra funding – if you don’t have the liquid cash available to buy the item outright, you may need to take out a loan. Asset finance is available from funding providers, but does tie you into a loan agreement that will add to your liabilities as a business – reducing your worth on the balance sheet. Leasing: the pros and cons: - Pro: Leasing has a cheaper entry point – if the item you need to purchase has a large price tag, leasing allows you to make use of the asset without the cost of buying it in full. For start-ups and smaller businesses with minimal capital behind them, this can make leasing a very attractive option. You may not own the asset, but you can make use of it – and this may be the difference between the success or failure of your business. - Pro: You can spread the cost – there is still an associated cost of leasing, but you can spread the cost over a longer period, making it easier to find the necessary liquid cash to meet your lease payments. With this money saved, you can then invest in other areas of the business, helping you to expand, grow and bring in more customers and revenue. - Con: You don’t own the asset – there are different types of leasing agreement. Under a capital lease, you do own the asset (once you’ve paid if off). But if you opt for an operating lease, this is a more short-term lease and you won’t own the asset at the end of the contract. Ownership does have its advantages (including being able to sell off the asset if required) so it’s important to consider what kind of leasing agreement you’re entering into and what the advantages/disadvantages may be. - Con: You may pay more in the long run – most leasing agreements will attract additional costs and interest on your agreement, so you may well end up paying more than the market price for your asset in the long term. If you can cope with the higher cost, this is fine, but bear in mind that buying outright may have offered greater value. - Con: You may lose the use of the asset – if you can’t keep up your lease payments (due to poor cashflow for example) then the owner of the lease agreement may recall the asset. If this item is crucial to your business model, losing this key asset can have a profound impact on your ability to operate. In this respect, leasing is a more risky prospect, but also an easier option for businesses with less cash to splash.Talk to us about whether buying or leasing is the best way forward. Whether you opt to buy or lease your equipment isn’t always a straightforward decision to make – so it’s a good idea to consult with your accountant early on in the decision-making process. We’ll help you review your current financial position, assess your available cashflow and look at your regular cost base to decide whether buying or leasing is the right thing for your business.
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Discretionary trusts and the proposed 30% minimum tax

By Clarke McEwan • September 8, 2026
Discretionary trusts, often referred to as family trusts, have been a popular structure for Australian families and businesses for many decades. They are commonly used to operate family businesses, hold investments and assist with succession planning. Their flexibility, together with asset protection and estate planning benefits, has made them an attractive option for many groups. In the 2026–27 Federal Budget, the Government announced a significant proposed change. From 1 July 2028, trustees of discretionary trusts would generally be required to pay a minimum tax of 30% on the trust's taxable income. According to the Government, the proposal is intended to better align the tax paid on trust income with that paid by salary and wage earners, while reducing opportunities to split income between family members. However, the announcement has generated considerable debate. Professional bodies, business groups and tax advisers have expressed concerns that the changes could increase complexity and compliance costs for many genuine family businesses and investment structures. How the proposal is expected to work Under the proposal, the trustee would generally pay the minimum 30% tax on the trust's taxable income. Where trust income is distributed to individual beneficiaries or certain other non-corporate beneficiaries, those beneficiaries would generally receive a non-refundable tax offset recognising the tax already paid by the trustee. This is intended to reduce the risk of the same income being taxed twice, but while maintaining the impact of the 30% minimum tax rate. Importantly, the minimum tax would not apply to every trust. The Government has indicated that a number of trusts would be excluded, including fixed trusts, widely held trusts, complying superannuation funds, charitable trusts, deceased estates, special disability trusts and genuine testamentary trusts. Primary production income and certain income relating to vulnerable minors would also be excluded. The Government has also stated that more than 90% of small businesses are not expected to be affected. While that may be reassuring for some taxpayers, there are still some important issues that could affect family groups using discretionary trusts. What could this mean in practice? One area likely to receive close attention is the use of companies as beneficiaries of family trusts. Many family groups have historically distributed some trust income to a company. This can provide flexibility in managing cash flow, retaining profits within the business and funding future growth. Under the proposed rules, however, the corporate beneficiary would not receive a tax offset for the tax already paid by the trustee. In many cases this will mean that income distributed from a discretionary trust to a company would be subject to double taxation. Another practical impact of the proposed change is that some family groups may find it more difficult to fully utilise existing tax losses. While the impact will depend on each group's circumstances, the proposed minimum tax is likely to reduce some of the flexibility that currently exists when managing taxable income across a family structure within many groups. The Government has also proposed a temporary three-year rollover period, commencing from 1 July 2027, to help restructure into alternative business structures, such as companies or fixed trusts, without triggering immediate income tax or capital gains tax consequences. While this may assist some groups, restructuring is rarely straightforward. Depending on the circumstances, it might be necessary to consider things like stamp duty, loan approvals, financing arrangements, contract changes, licensing requirements and professional advice. Even relatively simple restructures can involve significant time and cost, so careful planning will be important. The rules are not yet final At this stage, the proposal remains subject to consultation. Treasury released a consultation paper in July 2026 seeking feedback on a range of design issues, including how the new rules would operate in different situations. Final legislation has not yet been introduced, meaning aspects of the proposal could still change before the rules become law. For this reason, most groups utilising discretionary trust structures should avoid making major structural decisions based solely on the announcement. Instead, it is sensible to monitor developments while considering whether existing structures are likely to remain appropriate if the proposal proceeds. What should you do now? For many families, discretionary trusts are about much more than tax. They can continue to provide valuable asset protection, succession planning and business flexibility. The proposed changes do not remove those benefits, nor do they prevent discretionary trusts from continuing to be used. However, the proposal does have the potential to change the tax outcomes for some family groups, particularly those with more complex structures or those that regularly distribute income to companies.  With the proposed start date still some time away, there is an opportunity to pause and carefully understand how the changes may affect your circumstances and consider whether any planning or restructuring might be appropriate. As the legislation develops, we can help you assess the impact on your business or investment structure and determine whether any action is warranted.

New reasonable travel and overtime meal rates

By Clarke McEwan • September 8, 2026
The ATO has released its updated reasonable travel and overtime meal allowance rates for the 2026–27 income year in Taxation Determination TD 2026/4. The overtime meal allowance has increased to $40.00, while the reasonable amounts for domestic and overseas travel have also been updated based on salary levels and travel destinations. Although these figures are widely publicised each year, they are often misunderstood. A common misconception is that employees can automatically claim a tax deduction up to the ATO's published rates. In reality, the rules are much narrower, and applying them incorrectly could lead to deductions being denied as well as interest and penalties. A travel allowance is the starting point The ATO's reasonable amounts only become relevant if an employee receives a genuine travel or overtime meal allowance from their employer. Generally, an allowance should: Be paid specifically to cover work-related travel or overtime meal expenses; Relate to particular work trips or overtime worked, rather than being a general additional payment; Be shown separately from normal salary or wages; and  Be intended to help cover expenses the employee is expected to incur. If an amount has simply been built into an employee's normal salary package or is not identified as a separate allowance, the ATO's reasonable rates generally do not apply. Instead, the normal substantiation rules will usually apply to any deduction claimed. The reasonable rates are not an automatic deduction One of the most common misunderstandings is that receiving a travel allowance allows an employee to automatically claim the ATO's published rate as a tax deduction. This is not how the rules operate. Employees can generally only claim the amount they actually spend on deductible work-related travel or overtime meal expenses. The ATO's reasonable amounts simply mean that, in certain circumstances, employees may not need to keep a receipt for every specific expense. Importantly, the expenses must still have been incurred and they must relate to work-related activities. Good records are still essential Even where a genuine travel allowance has been paid, employees should still keep sufficient records to demonstrate that they incurred the expenses and that their claim is reasonable. Useful records may include: A diary recording work trips and overnight travel; Details of meals and incidental expenses incurred while travelling; Bank or credit card statements showing the expenses were personally paid; A representative sample of receipts; and Where travel involves six or more consecutive nights away from home, a travel diary recording the dates, locations and purpose of the travel. While receipts may not always be required, relying solely on the ATO's published rates without any supporting evidence could expose you to unnecessary scrutiny if your return is reviewed. Practical tips for employees and employers If you receive a travel or overtime meal allowance, it is worth checking that the arrangement satisfies the ATO's requirements before claiming a deduction. Some practical steps include: Review your payslip. Check that the allowance is separately identified rather than being included in ordinary salary or wages. Keep records throughout the year. Maintaining a simple travel diary and retaining some supporting documents is much easier than trying to recreate the information months later. Only claim what you actually spend. The ATO's reasonable amounts are not a target or standard deduction. They simply provide a benchmark for when the normal receipt requirements may be relaxed. Take extra care on longer trips. If you are away from home for six or more consecutive nights, additional travel diary requirements will generally apply. A little preparation can avoid problems later The updated reasonable amounts provide a useful guide for employers and employees during the 2026–27 income year, but they should not be viewed as an automatic entitlement to a tax deduction. Understanding how the rules operate, keeping appropriate records and claiming only genuine work-related expenses can significantly reduce the risk of problems if the ATO reviews your tax return. If you or your employees receive travel or overtime meal allowances, now is a good opportunity to review your current arrangements. We can help you confirm whether the allowances meet the ATO's requirements and what records should be kept to support any future claims.

Penalty units increase from 1 July 2026

By Clarke McEwan • September 8, 2026
From 1 July 2026, the value of a Commonwealth penalty unit increased from $330 to $364. While this may sound like a minor administrative change, it has a direct impact on many ATO penalties, increasing the cost of a range of compliance failures. A penalty unit is simply the method used under Commonwealth law to calculate many fines and administrative penalties. Rather than specifying a fixed dollar amount, the legislation often refers to a certain number of penalty units. As the value of a penalty unit increases, so too do the penalties that rely on it. The new value applies to breaches that occur on or after 1 July 2026. Earlier breaches continue to be assessed using the previous rate. Where the increase is likely to be felt Many of the ATO's administrative penalties are based on penalty units, meaning the increase flows directly through to the amount payable. Failure to lodge on time One of the most common penalties applies where tax returns, activity statements or other required documents are lodged late. The base penalty is generally one penalty unit for every 28 days (or part of 28 days) that a document remains outstanding, up to a maximum of five penalty units. For a small entity, this means the maximum base penalty has increased from $1,650 to $1,820. Higher penalties may apply to medium and large entities, while significant global entities are subject to much larger penalty amounts. False or misleading statements Providing incorrect information to the ATO can also result in penalties. Where there is no tax shortfall, the law provides for base penalties of 20, 40 or 60 penalty units, depending on the circumstances and the taxpayer's level of care. At the new penalty unit value, these base penalties have increased to $7,280, $14,560 and $21,840 respectively, before taking into account any reductions or increases that may apply. Self-managed super funds Trustees of self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) should also be aware of the higher penalty amounts. A range of SMSF administrative penalties are calculated using penalty units. For example, some breaches that previously attracted a penalty of $19,800 (60 penalty units) now carry a penalty of $21,840. Importantly, these penalties are generally imposed on each individual trustee rather than the fund itself. This means the total cost can increase significantly where a fund has multiple individual trustees, and the penalties cannot usually be paid from the assets of the superannuation fund. Other obligations, such as certain record-keeping requirements, tax invoice obligations and some superannuation guarantee penalties, may also be affected by the higher penalty unit value. Why this matters For most taxpayers, these penalties are entirely avoidable. Late lodgements, poor record keeping and incorrect information remain some of the most common reasons businesses and individuals incur ATO penalties. While the increase in penalty units may not seem substantial on its own, the cost can add up quickly where there are multiple outstanding obligations or repeated compliance issues. It is also worth remembering that ATO penalties are generally not tax deductible, meaning they must be paid from after-tax income. The good news is that the ATO will often consider remitting penalties (in part or full) where there are genuine mitigating circumstances, reasonable care has been taken, or a voluntary disclosure is made before the issue is identified by the ATO. Addressing problems early typically results in a better outcome than waiting until formal compliance action begins. Practical steps to reduce your risk There are several simple steps that can help minimise the risk of penalties: Lodge on time. Providing information to us well before due dates gives enough time to prepare accurate returns and meet lodgement deadlines. Keep good records. Accurate and up-to-date records make it easier to prepare returns correctly and support your tax positions if questions arise. Review your compliance regularly. If you operate a business or manage an SMSF, periodic reviews can identify issues before they become costly. Seek advice early. If you think you've made a mistake or have fallen behind with your tax obligations, speaking with us as soon as possible will generally provide more options than waiting for the ATO to contact you. A timely reminder The increase in penalty units is a timely reminder that the cost of tax non-compliance continues to rise. While the higher penalties are intended to encourage timely and accurate compliance, they also reinforce the value of good record keeping and proactive tax management. If you have any concerns about outstanding lodgements, record-keeping obligations or any other tax compliance matter, please contact us. We can help you address issues early and minimise the risk of unnecessary penalties. 

SMSF and property – preparing for a smooth audit

By Clarke McEwan • September 8, 2026
For many SMSF trustees, property is one of the most significant assets held by their SMSF. Unlike personally owned assets, there is a legal requirement that all SMSF assets are valued each 30 June. This can be a simple process for assets that have a ready market like listed shares, however the process for other assets like property can be more onerous. Trustees are responsible for determining the market value of fund assets. After your annual financial statements are prepared your fund auditor will need to see objective and supportable evidence that backs up how you have arrived at the market value. Trustees have the option to use a qualified independent valuer for this and should consider this where an asset represents a significant part of the fund’s value or might be difficult to value. Where trustees choose not to use an independent valuer, they will need to be able to support asset valuations with evidence from multiple sources. Typically, for property this may include: Recent comparable sales – Generally at least 3 and the properties should be genuinely comparable in terms of size and location. A real estate agent appraisal that also includes comparable sales. Net income yields for commercial property (generally not sufficient evidence on its own). The ATO includes some helpful guidance on this in their Guide to valuing SMSF assets. Where an SMSF holds property that meets the business real property (BRP) definition it is possible that this property can be leased to a business that is operated by a member or a related party of the SMSF. However, the fact that an arrangement like this is permitted does not mean the fund trustees can charge a non-market rate of rent. When a rental arrangement is entered into with a related party of the super fund, that arrangement should be on arm’s length (commercial) terms and this should be supported by a rental appraisal.  An easy way to think about this is – do all the lease terms reflect an arrangement that would be agreed to if the tenant was an unrelated third party? To evidence that a related party arrangement is on arm’s length (commercial) terms an auditor should be provided with; A properly documented lease; A rent appraisal when the lease was first entered into; Evidence that the arrangement is operating based on the terms of the lease; and Evidence that where a prior lease term has expired the terms have been reset to market value – backed up by a new rent appraisal. Although your financial year 2026 SMSF audit might not be taking place for some months, the process can be much smoother where SMSF trustees are proactive and start to compile this evidence in advance, rather than waiting for the auditor’s request.
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