BiggerPockets Money Podcast

Buying your first home - either an investment or a primary residence - can be scary. This is a HUGE purchase, and no one wants to mess that up. But buying a house doesn’t have to be scary, if you’re properly prepared. This week, Scott and Mindy sit down and talk about the process - what you need to consider BEFORE you even start looking at houses and what to REALLY look for when you’re looking at houses. They also talk about different funding options, different purchasing strategies and even different ways to hack your housing to live for free - or make big money when you sell. If you’re in the market for your first property - or second or third - or you’re just starting to think about buying a house, this is an episode you cannot miss! In This Episode We Cover: First step that Scott recommend someone once they decide to purchase a home Consider exit options Three possible exit options Don't buy on a busy street Don’t put yourself in an artificial urgent state on buying your first house Don't spend every dime you have on your downpayment How real estate agents and mortgage brokers are incentivise On funding Mortgage broker versus a lender Adjustable versus fixed rate mortgage What a mortgage insurance is FHA versus conventional loan On house hacking Credit score on Credit Karma Pre-qualification versus pre-approval process How to find a real estate agent Things to inspect and to avoid on buying your first home 7 step checklist for buying your first home And SO much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Talking to your partner about money can be very difficult - especially when you’re bringing up the conversation for the first time. Today, we’ve brought Aditi Shekar back to discuss finances from a couple’s point of view. Yesterday we heard Aditi’s personal money story, and today she shares tips for speaking to your partner about your finances. How to go on a Money Date, all about her $20 prenup and why she feels everyone should have one, her guide to combining your finances. In fact, Aditi is so passionate about personal finance in general, and couples finance specifically, she created an app to help you share and discuss finances with your partner! Zeta is a personal finance app designed for couples to help you stay on top of your finances, together. Looking for a way to talk about money with your partner? This episode was made especially for you. In This Episode We Cover: The first thing that a couple should do once they discover that they are far apart on money The importance of talking about money early and often with your significant other Layers of fights about money Guide to combining finances On prenup and how she approach the subject with significant other On people who didn’t have prenups How to go on a money date Finding out who is the CFO in couple Her relationship advice and tip for listeners The importance of knowing your money personality And SO much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aditi Shekar learned entrepreneurship at a very early age - when she asked her father for a toy and he said no, make your own money. She’s been creating businesses ever since. Her father’s advice wasn’t the only great money management tips she received early on. In college, a finance professor did two entire classes on personal finance, sharing the benefits of starting early to save for retirement. Her financial independence journey was kickstarted when her apartment burned down - and she had no renters insurance. “I don’t want more stuff. I just want to figure out the life I want to lead.” Aditi and her husband took a roadtrip to discover where they wanted to live, and ended up in two separate cities, visiting on the weekends. Time apart made them realize they wanted to be together, so she moved to him, and started the life she truly wanted. In This Episode We Cover: Aditi's journey with money On learning about entrepreneurship and business ethics at age 5 Her philosophy on spending money How she developed discipline when she got her first job Saving early for retirement Big question to ask yourself when you're opening a retirement account How she started investing The importance of creating a rule of thumb Started teaching a class on personal finance The realisation she had after their apartment burned down The importance of emergency funds How her outlook changed in terms of life and finances after the fire incident happened Her goal in her financial journey And SO much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Erin Lowry last joined us on Episode 24 of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, where she talked about getting Financially Naked with your partner. She’s back today to talk about investing - and all the things many people don’t really know. Erin shares the basics that so many articles and podcasts gloss over - but that are so important to know in order to be financially successful. She also has a new book out: Broke Millennial Takes On Investing: A Beginner’s Guide to Leveling Up Your Money, where she tackles investment basics. If you’re new to investing, or just having trouble figuring out all the terminology, this episode is right up your alley. In This Episode We Cover: Where Erin started investing The importance of educating yourself On setting financial goals What a time horizon is Her take on insurance What to think about when it comes to investing Her take on retirement The easiest way to start investing for retirement What a target date fund is Two different ways to think about investing What are the difference between Traditional IRA and Roth IRA How to start investing when you still have debts Credit card debt versus student loans How powerful compound interest is Important thing she wants people to take away from this episode about investing And SO much more! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Forums Getting Financially “Naked” with Your Significant Other — With Erin Lowry NerdWallet MagnifyMoney Bankrate Investor.gov Vanguard Fidelity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Bonus Episode of The Money Podcast was recorded live at CampFI, a financial independence retreat for people on all parts of the journey to Financial Independence. Scott Trench was celebrating his mom’s birthday, so Mindy Jensen is joined by Paul Thompson and Paula Pant, asking attendees of CampFI why they are on the path to Financial Independence, and hearing a bit about their stories. Answers range from spending more time with kids, to lifestyle, health, and simply being able to retire at all. If you feel like you’re the only one on the path to financial freedom, this episode shows that you’re not alone, this journey IS possible, and you CAN do it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kiersten and Julien came from two very different money backgrounds. She’s the naturally spendy one, and he’s the natural saver. Their money views came to a head on their first vacation, when she put everything on a credit card—not to earn reward points—because she didn’t have the money to pay for it. The ensuing argument caused them to have some pretty tough money conversations very early on in their relationship. But it also set them up for early financial freedom. Kiersten decided her old, spendy ways weren’t what she wanted out of life. She started shedding her "things" so that she could pay off her debt and start investing. They researched and discovered a hole in the FI community. There just weren’t many blogs devoted to the African American community that focused on tips about money and early financial freedom. So, they started their blog, Rich & Regular, to bridge this gap. Investing in real estate helped create enough passive income for Julien to leave his corporate job, and for the couple to start living the life they truly want. Plus, don't miss when Julien casually drops one of the best paying-for-college tips that's ever been shared on this show. If you’re struggling with spending too much money or reconciling your frugal ways with that of your partner, this is a must-listen episode. In This Episode We Cover: Julien's money journey Frugality as part of his everyday life On feeling he needed different ways to earn income On his job right after college How Julien and Kiersten met Kiersten's money journey On her sales and retail experience How Kiersten had a problem with spending Julien’s hack to pay $25 per semester in college Reason Kiersten got into debt Talking about their relationship journey and how they fixed their money problems Went on a saving spree after paying off all his debts Didn’t get into investing together until after marriage Their philosophies on buying properties On their investment properties How their careers have progressed since marriage And SO much more! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Forums Getting Financially “Naked” with Your Significant Other — With Erin Lowry FinCon Financial 180 Mint CampFI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carol Scott has a successful real estate investing company that she runs with her husband, Jay. They have two children, live where they want, and just in general enjoy life on their own terms, free from the stress of having a “real” job, a boss and all the time constraints that come along it. But it wasn’t always this way for her. Carol grew up without having a lot of money. Her financial journey really begins at age 9, when her mother told her if she wanted to have nice shampoo, she had to figure out a way to earn money to buy it. Enter Carol’s hustle. Whenever Carol wanted to buy something, she started a new entrepreneurial endeavor. Face painting, caligraphy - anything related to art was fair game for young Carol. At age 15, she hopped onto her bike and rode up to the convenience store, all but demanding a job. She graduated college into a job where she had regular access to the C-Suite - and mentorship opportunities abound. Carol’s focus turned to learning - and she picked up tips from every person she encountered. She’s here today to share many of these tips with you, and to inspire your journey through her own. This is a tale of never giving up, and not being satisfied with what life throws at you. Go out and grab the bull by the horns. In This Episode We Cover: Carol's background with money On starting her financial independence and entrepreneurial journey at age 9 The importance of having a work ethic Did calligraphy, face painting, signs, and artsy stuff to earn money What she did with the money she earned On her college journey The big transition which occurred between her freshmen and sophomore year On the first internship she got Coming out of college with $35k in student loan debt and $40k in credit card debt Exposure to C-level people How growing up with no money influenced her behavior How she began making lots of money Taking leadership courses her companies pay for Moving to Franklin Covey 8 years into her career Her advice to those who are looking to get into a job that offers a high salary What’s urgent versus what’s important How she began managing her money How she handles her investments What she does post-career at eBay The importance of being resourceful The importance of spending time with the family And SO much more! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Forums eBay FranklinCovey BiggerPockets Money Podcast 70: 7 Tips for Successfully Investing in ANY Market Condition With J Scott Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Parents are supposed to know everything, and talking about money is impolite. So how do you make sure your parents are taken care of and that their wishes are followed throughout their golden years? Today Scott and Mindy sit down with Cameron Huddleston, author of Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk: How to Have Essential Conversations With Your Parents About Their Finances, who shares her story of the journey through her mother’s finances pre- and post-Alzheimer's. Cameron also shares the documents your parents need to have—the documents YOU need to have—to be able to help them navigate their finances as they advance in age. She offers encouragement for continuing the conversation after parents initially say, “That’s none of your business.” She explains everything from the perspective of someone who has been through the more difficult times of parental financial navigation. BiggerPockets Money guests have typically focused on their own journey to financial freedom. But this episode provides guidance for starting challenging conversations with your parents. Use Cameron's advice to sit down with them and make sure their wishes are followed. In This Episode We Cover: Cameron's journey with money Got $1 a week and saved money to buy model horses How she fell into the world of personal finance writing Worked as a reporter before transitioning into the personal finance field Learned about money once she started writing about personal finance The importance of having a will How she reconciled the shift with her parents How to start the conversation with your parents Scenarios to open the door to more conversations with your parents What you can do if your parents say their finances are none of your business or don't want to share any information with you Overview of key things to have in place as far as what your parents should have Legal documents—a will or a living trust Power of Attorney Document Living will or advance directive Long-term care insurance Resources people can go to to get professional help The importance of meeting with an attorney Where people can find an estate planning attorney Some of the fights that occur when there is a lack or prep and how to avoid this The difference between old people’s home and retirement community Mistakes to avoid as parents go into retirement or begin to age And SO much more! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Forums Kiplinger Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pete Mockaitis grew up in the cheapest place to live, Danville, IL. He watched his mother work her way up the local credit union ladder from teller to CEO, simply by doing more than necessary, repeatedly. His mother strongly discouraged debt, having seen so many of the credit union’s customers declare bankruptcy and have their entire bank accounts wiped out. As a kid, he saw firsthand that hustle pays off. He helped his brother with his paper route for a quarter, only to learn his brother was making $1.80. After high school, he got into college on a full ride scholarship, and graduated into his dream job with Bain & Company. He saved money by skipping the little things like taking a cab when he could walk, having roommates instead of living alone, and drinking water instead of ordering drinks when he was out. Pete’s true calling was entrepreneurship. To prepare for the jump to self employment, he figured out his burn rate - and discovered it was a lot lower than he originally thought. By figuring out how much he was spending, and computing the value of his pre and post tax time, Pete optimized his path to Financial Freedom, and is now enjoying the fruits of his labor. In This Episode We Cover: Pete's journey with money Lessons he learned from his mother How he applied the lessons he learned in his approach to early financial freedom How he pursued early financial freedom On growing up frugal Why it took him 3 years to save a year’s worth of living expenses His advice for people who would like to try the entrepreneurial route The importance of being smart with your savings On being real and quantitative On tracking recurring and non recurring expenses and breaking it down into dollars per day On his revenue generation His advice on building revenue On investing And SO much more! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Forums How to Become an “Overnight” Success in 10 Short Years with David Greene How To Be Awesome At Your Job Episode 386: How to Earn More, Spend Less, and Build Wealth with Mindy Jensen BiggerPockets Money Podcast 73: Ramit Sethi Will Teach You to Be Rich! BiggerPockets Money Podcast 56: Change Your Personal Finances (& Your Millennial Money Mindset) with Paychecks & Balances Podcast Movement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John and David didn’t have "the money talk" right away. They both worked in the financial industry, and each thought the other would be great with money. About a year and a half in, they discovered they were both AWFUL with money. Both had lots of debt with no real plans to pay it off. Enter the spreadsheet. David is a self-professed numbers nerd. He entered every expense from the last 12 months into a spreadsheet and discovered some shocking spending habits in several categories. These were places they could easily cut their spending so they could start paying down their debt. And like everyone else who finally figures out money, they hit it hard—planning menus, making grocery lists, and clipping coupons. (They didn’t buy anything they didn’t have a coupon for!) Rather than the debt snowball or debt avalanche methods, they approached their debt paydown with a new method: the debt lasso. They gathered up all their debt—mostly credit card—transferred it to 0% interest cards, and hit the payments hard. In the process, David and John discovered that no one is talking about money in the LGBTQ community. So they set out to change that, opening up the topic to help their community stop being fearful of money and start aligning their spending with their values. In This Episode We Cover: David and John's journey with money How they amassed such a huge debt Having a "money" conversation in regards to their expenses The importance of having a conversation about what their life goals are Cut about $30,000 of food spending a year Using the spreadsheet and looking at their net worth each month Paying off the smallest loan and gaining momentum Debt Snowball versus Debt Avalanche Their investment approach after their paying off their debt Built up emergency savings of $1,000 Ways to get yourself out of debt (by spending less than you make!) Why people are afraid to talk about money And SO much more! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Forums Waffles On Wednesday BiggerPockets Money Podcast 07: How Breakfast Food Motivated Financial Freedom with Mr. and Mrs. Waffles on Wednesday BiggerPockets Money Podcast 11: Financial Freedom in Less Than Five Years with Joel from FI 180 Financial 180 BiggerPockets Money Podcast 73: Ramit Sethi Will Teach You to Be Rich! Dave Ramsey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justin grew up without a lot of money in a small town. His parents divorced when he was eight, and his mother eventually quit her job to attend school. Necessity is the mother of invention, and a year of no income led to some very creative ways to squeeze more value out of every dollar. This "invention" stayed with Justin for his entire life, and he applies it to every facet of his finances. From his very low rent (in a high rent area) to his ridiculously low grocery bills to collecting travel rewards points, Justin gamifies every cent he spends. Today we hear how Justin actually made money from his college scholarships and military stipends, how he negotiated a smoking deal on his rent, and how his five tenets of grocery shopping pay off. Justin calls this "the lazy path to financial independence," but really he’s just being incredibly efficient with his resources. If you’re looking to cut expenses, listen to this show with a notepad handy. In This Episode We Cover: Justin's journey with money The idea of squeezing the amount of a dollar and cutting something out of your life Joining the military through the ROTC program and getting free tuition from the government What a career starter loan is and what his decision-making process was What his position looks like after going to college The moment he got serious about creating wealth The reason he is still very unhappy after achieving his goals The first investment he made On his expenses How he lived on $24,000 a year in Boston What's inside his sacred freezer The importance of getting to know your specific local grocery store His commandments on groceries On saving $69,000 a year Investing in real estate On retirement How he found his apartment And SO much more! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Forums BiggerPockets Money Podcast 26: Graduating College on Track for Financial Independence with Cody Berman BiggerPockets Money Podcast 71: 5 Years to Financial Freedom Through Real Estate Investing With Sarah P. Mr. Money Mustache BiggerPockets Money Podcast 03: Cutting Your Grocery Bill in Half with Erin Chase from $5 Dinners BiggerPockets Money Podcast 57: Financial Freedom, House Sitting & Travel Hacking With GoWithLess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Side hustle is a big topic on BiggerPockets. But finding the right one—and one that isn’t a scam—can be difficult. Today’s episode focuses on not only a legitimate side hustle, but also one that involves real estate AND can be as much or as little as you want it to be. Best of all, the most popular time to use this side hustle is at night and on the weekends. Signing agents work when their clients don’t—meaning they’re busiest at night and on the weekends—perfect for an actual side hustle. Startup costs are extremely low. They hover around $1,000. Working four to six jobs will pay off your initial investment! Mark Wills shares what you need to get started and how to find jobs once you’re all ready to go. If you’re looking to generate extra income, this episode is right up your alley. In This Episode We Cover: What a notary signing agent is The only requirement to become a signing agent How he became one What signing services exist for Biggest skillset you need to be a notary signing agent Startup cost when doing appointments On doing 10 to 15 appointments a day Who are not ideal candidates for the position The importance of paying attention to details On getting a notary commission The importance of taking a course to become a notary signing agent Other ways to make money through notary commissions outside of loan signing Kind of salary for signing appointments Attorney states versus escrow states And SO much more! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Forums BiggerPockets Money Podcast 03: Cutting Your Grocery Bill in Half with Erin Chase from $5 Dinners BiggerPockets Money Podcast 04: Eliminating Over $30,000 in Debt Through Extreme Organization with Former State Trooper Rosemarie Groner Newsletter Signup - I Will Teach You To Be Rich The Jerry Springer Show Bogleheads forum Bogleheads Investing Advice and Info Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ten years ago, Ramit Sethi released his groundbreaking book I Will Teach You to Be Rich. Now he’s back, with an all-new, updated version, delivered with the same authority and enthusiasm as the original. But wait, there’s more—MUCH more! Ramit... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dawn Brenengen’s money story begins a bit differently than most. Dawn’s parents shared their finances with her. She knew what things cost, she knew her parents worked hard to pay off their mortgage, and she saw her mother writing checks to pay bills every month. She went to college and graduated with relatively little debt—around $21,000 in student loans and credit cards combined. After graduation, she stayed at her low-paying college job until her father suggested she get a real estate license. Dawn completed the work for the license and got a job making almost the same money, working for a builder and selling their new homes. But she was the assistant to the agents who were making the BIG BUCKS, and she knew that’s what she really wanted to be doing. At the time, real estate agents were eligible to take the test to open up their own brokerage simultaneously with the licensing test, so she did that. While working as an assistant, she laid the groundwork to strike out on her own, eventually ramping up her income to multiple six-figures—with virtually limitless potential. Here Dawn share her story of how hard work and determination paid off tenfold—and all in just four short years! In This Episode We Cover: Dawn's background with money How she grew up in a financially literate household The debts she accumulated during and after graduating college How she paid off her debts Is it possible to invest your student loan? What happened after she got her real estate license How she got serious about making money and building her financial position Having a goal to get a job where she was making a bulk of the commission Started her own brokerage business on 2010 People she recommend to hire out on starting a business How much time and money needed on starting a business The benefits of having a business partner Applying all the money she makes in terms of her wealth building philosophy Dawn's investment approach Private lending on her surplus cash What a private lending is Her annual spending and her income And SO much more! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Forums Mr money Mustache Frugality as a Muscle - Mr. Money Mustache BiggerPockets Money Podcast 26: Graduating College on Track for Financial Independence with Cody Berman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Like so many of our guests, Sarah P. did not grow up understanding how money works. She wasn’t bad with money, she just wasn’t very good with it. She learned about financial independence through Mr. Money Mustache and completely revamped her... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

J Scott is a successful real estate investor (to say the least). But he’s also a student of the markets—and his studies have shown him that we are teetering near the top of this current real estate cycle. In this week’s episode, J shares three reasons why he believes we’re at or near the peak based on past market cycles, and he details seven things investors should be doing to prepare for a softening market. His number one piece of advice? Educate yourself! J brings his A-game in this episode, just like he does with every other podcast he's featured on. And make sure to stick around until the very end of the show for a special BiggerPockets announcement you'll definitely want to hear! In This Episode We Cover: Reasons J believes a market crash is coming On the 33 case studies of what economic cycles look like Talking about the last 2 recessions J Scott's analogy with economy to the seasons Phases of the economic cycle and indicators he knows the market is on the peak What a yield curve and GDP is The reason why the price drops in the market How can someone who is considering jumping into the real estate market invest with confidence What might happen in the next recession of the market How does a newbie investor get affected by the potential of being on peak phase of the economic cycle What should people be doing now in preparation for the next phase The importance of building credit and paying your debt on time His recommendations for someone who is investing right now The biggest mistake he sees people make And SO much more! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast BiggerPockets Bookstore J Scott's Books on Amazon Using the Power of Goal-Setting to Fundamentally Alter Your Financial Path with J Scott (episode) BiggerPockets Forums Mint Credit Karma Annual Credit Report TransUnion Equifax Experian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liz has always been a frugal gal and self-proclaimed personal finance nerd. Discovering The Wealthy Barber as a teen cemented her course down the financial independence path, even if there wasn’t a formal name for it at that time. And it’s a good thing for her family that she was so frugal - a botched surgery for her husband turned a routine procedure into a nightmare that involved a coma, a month in the hospital and years of recovery. Without her financial savvy, her family could have been financially ruined! Now, 7 years later, she has paid off her house and replenished her emergency fund using a Tiered Emergency fund that allows her maximum liquidity while also maximizing her earnings on those funds. Her unique plan combines online savings with CD ladders, savings bonds and money market funds. Liz explains just how important it is to her family to have the peace of mind a paid-off mortgage can provide, and how planning for unforeseen events is truly the best course of action. In This Episode We Cover: Liz’s background story On being smart with money throughout her 20s and 30s What happened after her husband's surgery On her work and immediate debt consequences while working towards financial independence On having the mindset of saving for retirement, for college, and for an emergency fund Having various accounts: Flexible Spending Account, High-Deductible Health Plan, Health Savings Account, & Health Reimbursement Account Learning financial independence through the book "The Tightwad Gazette" How she cuts off their expenses and the free entertainment they did Paying off their house for financial security The importance of not depending on stocks Tiered emergency plan On the concept called college compact Her philosophy on paying his son's college Financial independence retirement elective And SO much more! Links from the Show Mad Fientist HSA - The Ultimate Retirement Account BiggerPockets Money Podcast 64: Scholarships and Other Ways to Pay for College with Zach Gautier Harvard Business Review - Case Study BiggerPockets Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

J Grayson grew up poor. But with food on the table every night, he didn’t realize it. Then his sister tragically passed away from brain cancer, financially ruining the family. J fell into a pattern: skipping school, drinking, and doing drugs. A few... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steven Donovan graduated from high school and went to college—because that’s what you do. He graduated from college but got cold feet when it came time to get a “real job.” So, he bounced around random jobs with no plan and no focus. Despite... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paula Pant has seen it all and learned a thing or two... thousand. Today, we sit down and chat with her about, well, everything. Paula shares her habits, her take on journaling, and her morning routine. We delve into her fascinating backstory with... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jacqueline Burch got married and did what all newlyweds do, spent time with her husband. They continued down the road of "things you’re supposed to do"—had dinners out with friends, purchased a home, and had a baby! After her first son was born,... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach Gautier oversees academic and college counseling at a Denver-area high school. He reached out to us, and proposed a show to share creative ways to fund college tuition—and blew us away with the depth of his knowledge! This episode is for anyone who has children who have not yet graduated from college. And if you know someone else who can benefit from this information, please share it with them, too! This show includes tips that apply to kids of every age, from elementary school to middle school to high school students. We cover multiple ways to reduce higher education costs, such as transfer credits, AP courses, and CLEP tests, along with early college programs and dual credit options. We also discuss work-based scholarships and military options, as well as preparation for high school that starts in grade school. Zach shares his advice on taking the ACTs or SATs and also ways to decide which one to take (and whether to retake if you get a low score). This episode can help shave tens of thousands of dollars off your child’s college expenses! In This Episode We Cover: How Zach paid for college The CLEP test Systematic approach to transform college options The best financial choices that somebody can make Interventions that are very effective for your child to learn and figure out their love for school On helicopter parenting Things parents need to do when their children are pre-high school and high school age to save for college 529 plans as the biggest avenue that needs to be considered Brandon Turner's approach for his child college education 3 ways to fund college Dual credit program How much does SAT and ACT prep cost How to apply scholarships Two college batches when it comes their application review process His perspective on brand name college Things that people should be looking for in a school Ways to save money on college application process Other avenues to approach prior to entering college to get excess funding What is a loan and a grant And SO much more! Links from the Show Paychecks & Balances Khan Academy BiggerPockets Money Podcast 56: Change Your Personal Finances (& Your Millennial Money Mindset) with Paychecks & Balances Fastweb Cappex Scholarships.com BigFuture - The College Board Scholly BiggerPockets Money Podcast 22: How to Pay Off 6-Figure Student Loans While Pursuing Financial Independence with Travis Hornsby BiggerPockets Forums Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most common misconceptions of financial independence is that you can’t do it with kids. But Jordan Klint doesn’t listen to what other people say. He became financially independent with kids—and not just one or two of them. He did... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anna Li moved to America from Uzbekistan when she was 22. On today’s episode, she shares the opportunities she’s been presented with—and taken advantage of—from an opportunity to learn at the first non-government university in Uzbekistan that... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reshawn and Rob got married nine years ago, joining their lives, families and bank accounts. Premarital counseling revealed two different views on money—and they knew if they wanted to stay married, they needed to get themselves on the same page.... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gino Barbaro was a chef, working hard every day. He made good money and had no debt, but never seemed to be able to save more than 10%. He started dabbling in real estate investing, and after closing his fourth deal worth $11 million, he... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Rieckens was raised in a Navy family. He lived on base and often shopped in the commissary. It gave him a rather skewed sense of what things actually cost. Fast-forward to adulthood. He knew he should be investing, but he wasn’t sure what to... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grant grew up knowing his parents didn’t have much money. He recognized their constant stress about finances throughout his childhood, and one of his first memories was his dad telling him, “Money is freedom.” Graduating from college in the... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim and Amy were frugal—or so they thought. They spent less than they earned, so they figured they were doing it right. Then one day, they happened upon the concept of financial independence. Turns out, they had a LOT of room in their budget to cut... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rich Jones and Marcus Garrett are the men behind Paychecks and Balances, a podcast aimed at helping Millennials figure out their finances. And they should know a little on the subject—both Rich and Marcus made some pretty epic money mistakes in their youth. From Rich just not looking at his bills to Marcus actively going into almost $30K of debt in 72 hours (NOT a typo!), they know what owing money to someone feels like. Marcus details his D.E.B.T. plan so you can pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and pay off your debt for good. Are you looking to be debt-free in 2019? This episode can help you formulate a plan that works for your specific situation, with tips for staying out of debt once you arrive. In This Episode We Cover: Marcus and Rich's money journey How Marcus spent $26K in just one weekend How Rich optimized his budget around things he wants versus the things he needs The concept of the debt snowball Rich's hybrid approach to tackling his debt The purpose of an emergency fund Advice for being financially responsible The importance of focusing on priorities first Their advice for people on paying debts The importance of being conscious about your decisions, especially when it comes to paying debt Building responsible habits And SO much more! Links from the Show FinCon Podcast Movement Mint Annual Credit Report Bankrate Paychecks & Balances Podcast - How I Reached Six Figures in My Trading Account ft. Jason Brown- PB105 Uber Lyft We Read the 15 Best Personal Finance and Investment Books and Summarized the Action Items From Each That Will Make You Rich - Paychecks and Balances Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A little over halfway into BiggerPockets Money Podcast episode 55, Bryce dropped a bombshell: “We had three years of runway before we actually pulled the trigger.” What he meant is that they tested their portfolio for three years before quitting... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kristy Shen grew up poor. Knowing her parents couldn’t help her financially, she gave up her dreams of being a writer, and went to school to make big bucks as a software developer. She even graduated on the five-year program with an internship to... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Preparing For Retirement By Reducing Taxable Income & Saving More. In today’s episode, we chat with Eric Brotman, CEO of BFG Financial Advisors, who discusses his top 6 ways to reduce taxable income. Eric dives deep into each of these 6 methods,... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2018 Financial Freedom Lessons Today, Scott and Mindy go guest-less to recap and review the things they’ve learned over the first year of podcasting. Topping the list—and surprising no one—is tracking your spending. But we did learn some new things this year too, like how money dates are a great way to bring your spouse on board. Looking for change your financial situation in 2019? THIS is the episode that can start you down the path to financial freedom. In This Episode We Cover: What Scott and Mindy's goal is The most important thing that their guests have done for their success in achieving their financial goals A discussion on tracking your spending Why relentless self-education is so vital How to get your spouse on board with money dates Why there's no secret sauce for making more money How past money mistakes do not dictate your future money life How to apply intelligence and work ethic to earn more income How real estate helps people to pursue financial independence The four major categories people spend on: Housing Transportation Childcare expense Healthcare And SO much more! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Podcast BiggerPockets Podcast BiggerPockets Money Podcast 07: How Breakfast Food Motivated Financial Freedom with Mr. and Mrs. Waffles on Wednesday Waffles On Wednesday: Make Your Own Free Mobile Expense Tracking App in 30 Minutes Mr. Money Mustache Blog BiggerPockets Money Podcast 04: Eliminating Over $30,000 in Debt Through Extreme Organization with Former State Trooper Rosemarie Groner The Busy Budgeter BiggerPockets Money Podcast 10: Designing a Frugal But Luxurious FI Life by Age 32 with Liz Thames Frugalwoods BiggerPockets Money Podcast 24: Getting Financially “Naked” with Your Significant Other — With Erin Lowry Broke Millennial BiggerPockets Money Podcast 03: Cutting Your Grocery Bill in Half with Erin Chase from $5 Dinners 5 Dollar Dinners BiggerPockets Money Podcast 39: From “Bad with Money” to Intentional Saving and Spending with Jamila Souffrant BiggerPockets Money Podcast 32: Financial Freedom Through Small Life Changes and a Modest Real Estate Portfolio Planting Our Pennies BiggerPockets Money Podcast 08: From Financially Perfect to Rock Bottom (and Back Again) with Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche The Budgetnista BiggerPockets Money Podcast 11: Financial Freedom in Less Than Five Years with Joel from FI 180 FI 180 BiggerPockets Money Podcast 49: Wealth Transfer—How to Financially Prepare for Inheritance Money with Hari Mix BiggerPockets Money Podcast 50: Rebuilding Your Financial Life After Bankruptcy with Patrice Washington BiggerPockets Money Podcast 12: How to Become an “Overnight” Success in 10 Short Years with David Greene BiggerPockets Money Podcast 01: The Surprising (Scientific) Truth Behind What Makes You Successful with Mr. Money Mustache BiggerPockets Money Podcast 02: An All-Out Approach to Financial Independence at an Early Age with Scott Trench BiggerPockets Money Podcast 05: Jump Starting Your Early FI Plans by Live-in Flipping with Mindy Jensen BiggerPockets Money Podcast 09: Financial Independence at Age 30 (by House Hacking + Side Hustles) with Drew from Guy On Fire Guy on FIRE BiggerPockets Money Podcast 16: Financial Security Through Passive Income with Joel Larsgaard BiggerPockets Money Podcast 21: How Losing 265 Pounds Spurred Job & Investing Success with Tony Gayden BiggerPockets Money Podcast 19: The Ultimate Real Estate Retirement Plan with Chad Carson BiggerPockets Money Podcast 35: Hacking Your Life to Live for (Almost) Free with Craig Curelop BiggerPockets Forums BiggerPockets Money Podcast 22: How to Pay Off 6-Figure Student Loans While Pursuing Financial Independence with Travis Hornsby BiggerPockets Money Podcast 48: Breaking the Impulse Shopping Twitch to Embrace Minimalism with Anthony Ongaro Turo Airbnb BiggerPockets Money Podcast 29: From $200,000 in Student Loan Debt to $150,000 Net Worth in 3 Years with Nick and Alyssa Paros BiggerPockets Money Podcast 38: Getting Serious About Paying Off Debt with Phillip Taylor from PT Money BiggerPockets Money Podcast 18: Accessing Retirement Funds Before Age 59½ with The Mad Fientist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finding Financial Freedom Before Retirement Roger Whitney learned early on that your life doesn’t always cooperate with your plans. The passing of his mother - who had always worked hard and saved for ‘later’ made him realize that ‘later’ doesn’t always happen. So he set out to create a life he loves - and NEVER wants to retire from. But first, he made a bunch of money mistakes. His free-wheeling 20’s gave way to his more responsible 30’s, where he cleaned up his debt and got serious about his finances. Now he’s living his best life, and shares tips for having the conversation with your partner to allow you to live your best life, too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prioritizing Family with Financial Freedom Carlos Fuego is an emergency room doctor with a superpower—the ability to realize that money doesn’t buy happiness and family time is far more important than the status of being a doctor. He realized that... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patrice Washington was flying high in 2006, the multi-million dollar real estate company she had started with her husband was practically printing money. But 2007/2008 came, and things went south fast. A high-risk pregnancy finally pushed her over the... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hari Mix figured out money in grad school and started saving for his future before he graduated. He became an assistant professor at Santa Clara University—and then, his mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer and his whole focus shifted. Today, Hari shares his experiences with his mother’s passing and how discussing it before she died made it easier for him to manage her estate afterwards. He shares some REALLY great tips for ways to handle an estate, including having all your documents in order and having a will. This episode gets pretty deep into topics that no one ever wants to think about, but that everyone will have to deal with, both with their parents and for their children. Having a will is a great first step, but there are lots of other things you can do to ease the financial transfer burden—and things you need to know before making any moves. The more prepared you are, the easier this process will be during one of the most difficult times of your life. If you’re in a position to inherit wealth from a parent or transfer wealth to heirs upon death, this is an episode you cannot miss. In This Episode We Cover: Hari's journey with money Why prioritizing saving and long-term goals for retirement is so vital The steps he took to handle his mother and grandfather's financial affairs How he ended up creating his own estate plan The importance of being open and honest with your family about financial affairs Steps for approaching your loved ones' financial affairs How to avoid the probate process How he fielded the discussion with the other heirs in his grandfather’s financial affairs The importance of talking to a professional The right time to contact an estate planning attorney Tips for investing an inheritance His written investment policy statement How he came up with his investing plan What he did after his mother died His idea of inflating his lifestyle The checklist you need for when somebody dies Peculiarities of inheriting money and IRAs And SO much more! Links from the Show Mr. Money Mustache American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys LegalZoom Nolo.com Bogleheads Investing Advice and Info Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anthony Ongaro had a habit. Every time he had a bad day, every time life wasn’t amazing, he opened up his online shopping site, and One-Click purchased something. Anything. It didn’t matter. He didn’t need it, it didn’t matter what it was, but... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Wang has been sharing his views on money for more than 14 years—more than enough to earn him the title of Great Uncle of Personal Finance Blogging. And he’s learned a LOT about money in those 14 years. Today, Jim shares his "big money... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s episode features Sam Dogen from Financial Samurai. After one month working for a top investment firm, Sam knew 70-hour workweeks were not the life he wanted. So Sam took action immediately. Instead of fancy cars and dinners out, Sam shared a studio apartment with a friend and socked away HUGE sums of money—50% of mediocre starting salary. He invested in real estate (shocker), stocks, and bonds—and continued his massive savings rate. Taking advantage of the economic downturn, Sam engineered his layoff and an enormous payout. Sam now lives the life he wants, having set up multiple passive income streams during his working years. He spends time with his family every day and embodies the concept of financially free. He no longer trades his time for money; his money just simply reproduces itself and does all the heavy lifting. This episode is a great look at how a little upfront discomfort can lead the your best life. Links from the Show Craigslist PayPal BiggerPockets Jobs Why Households Need To Earn $300,000 A Year To Live A Middle Class Lifestyle Today (blog) Don't Quite, Get Laid Off Instead (blog) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Giovanisci is a serial entrepreneur. He decided early on that “working for the man” was not in his cards, and set out to never have to do that again, creating side hustles that generated income so he could be his own boss and do everything on... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tinian Crawford went to college - and took 6 years to complete his Associates Degree in Graphic Design. College just wasn’t for him - he didn’t enjoy it and didn’t get much out of it. He knew he needed a job, but wasn’t sure what he wanted to... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You’ve probably heard J Scott’s real estate story (spoiler alert—he’s killing it!). But he’s never really told his money story that led up to this massive real estate success. Today, we talk to J and discover that in his 20s, he knew nothing... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Real estate is a hot topic right now, and who better to talk about the subject than BiggerPockets founder Joshua Dorkin and BiggerPockets Real Estate Investing Podcast Host Brandon Turner? No one, that’s who. So we went to these experts, and grabbed some excellent real estate advice. We get a brief history of their experiences with money and chat about their new book, How to Invest In Real Estate. Buy the book at www.biggerpockets.com/investinre This fun episode also includes tips for managing your money while you save for your first investment, Josh’s inverted funnel analogy and Brandon’s Harry Potter references. Thinking about adding real estate investing into your portfolio? This episode will educate and inspire. Links from the Show BiggerPockets Forums FinCon BiggerPockets BiggerPockets Podcast (to find all shows mentioned) BiggerPockets Blog BiggerPockets Forums BiggerPockets Webinar Bitcoin is a Stupid, Horrible Thing to Invest In! Scott's Email Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zina Kumok’s parents immigrated to the United States, with no money education and completely unprepared for the consumer society they found themselves in. They quickly got into credit card debt in order to have the lifestyle they “deserved.” An avid listener of Dave Ramsey, Zina quickly determined she did not want to ever be in debt. However, she graduated with $24,000 in student loan debt and made it her mission to pay that off as soon as she could. Every single extra dime she found, she threw at her debt until it was all gone. So once the debt is gone, Zina realized that she needed to ramp up her investing. Not one to just ‘show up and wing it,’ she set about learning how to invest properly. Zina’s story illustrates that you CAN pay off debt while making a lower salary, you CAN pursue financial independence while self-employed, and that your past does not define you. Links from the Show FinCon Dave Ramsey’s Podcast Behavior Gap (Carl Richards) BiggerPockets Money Podcast 35 with Craig Curelop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You’re on the path to financial independence—but you’re not sure what to do with your money. Index funds sound great, but your total financial situation doesn’t end with index funds. Today we sit down with Kyle Mast, a Certified Financial... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we chat with Joe Saul-Sehy from Stacking Benjamins. Joe shares his money story, which starts off with him figuring out how to get into debt, then discovering he didn’t like being there. He learned that you can’t diagnose what’s wrong with... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jamila Souffrant grew up watching her mom struggle to provide for her. She decided early on that she wanted to be a millionaire, her solution to not having enough was to simply make a lot of money. She saved like crazy, but didn’t have a plan for it. A good student, she attended college and got into an internship program that places minority students with Fortune 500 companies and pays them well. During college, she saved 80-90% of her salary - but was still considered herself “bad with money,” buying luxury items she doesn’t remember. Internship led to employment, and Jamila changed her focus from IT to the real estate department. But her finances stayed the same. She contributed to her 401(k), but not even enough to get the full company match in her 20s. The switch flipped in her 30s, after an exceptionally bad commute home. She discovered FI through podcasts and blogs, and finally understood this could be her reality, too. Jamila and her husband kicked their savings into high gear and started investing. Jamila went from “bad with money” to saving $169,000 in two years! This episode shows it’s not too late to start your Financial Freedom journey, too. Links from the Show BiggerPockets Forums Mad Fientist Mr. Money Mustache The Millionaire Educator Podcast Movement Mindy's Twitter Profile Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Phillip Taylor studied to be a CPA in college, just like his dad. He graduated with some debt and decided to add to it by buying a house. In order to afford his new house, he didn’t max out his 401k—he didn’t even contribute enough to get the... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices