70. Living off your portfolio during a market downturn

70. Living off your portfolio during a market downturn

April 17, 2026 · 56 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the challenges of living off a portfolio during market downturns after achieving financial independence.

What happens if the market crashes as soon as you hit FIRE? In this episode, Hayden and Dave get into one of the most practical and underrated challenges of early retirement: actually living off your portfolio when things get rocky. They cover: 👉 The stage of retirement where you're most at risk from market volatility 👉 The psychological shift from receiving a paycheck to relying on a portfolio, and why it's harder than it sounds 👉 Why having a backup plan before you need one changes everything 👉 Cash buffers, flexible income and expense levers you can pull without selling assets at the wrong time 👉 How debt, home equity and diversification fit into a drawdown strategy It's pearler's 5th birthday! Get 5 free trades here 🥳 Ask a Question FI Case Study Request Form Pearler Strong Money Australia Original Aussie FIRE e-book Strong Money Australia’s audiobook Disclaimer Any advice is general and does not consider your financial situation needs, or objectives, so consider whether it’s appropriate for you. You should also consider seeking professional advice before making any financial decision. Pearler is an Authorised Representative #1281540 of Sanlam Private Wealth Pty Ltd…

People in this episode

Hosts: Hayden Smith, Dave Gow

Topics covered

Keywords

Sponsors

Pearler

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Pearler, Strong Money Australia, Sanlam Private Wealth Pty Ltd

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