BiggerPockets Money Podcast

Mr. Money Mustache is the internet’s poster child for early retirement. At age thirty, Pete Adeney was able to leave a lucrative job as a software engineer to focus on building a financially free life. He brought the FIRE movement to the mainstream by teaching others online how simple spending skills could allow them to quit their corporate jobs, keep more money while working less, and live a life centered around passion, not a paycheck. His popular blog has garnered millions of visits, as early versions of himself flock to the financially-freeing wisdom so rarely talked about in average American society. Pete has been retired for nearly twenty years now, meaning he’s been FIRE more than double the amount of time he spent in the working world. So, how does he spend his days? What keeps him going? Does he still have enough money?And how can someone repeat his system? Scott and Mindy spend this episode asking the “life after FI” questions, so you can know exactly what you’re getting into when you retire early. Pete’s answers shed light on often untouched topics that most of the money community can’t answer. We’ll go deep into planning for financial independence, developing “spending skills” that can bring early retirement decades sooner, and the right way to quit your job and wean off work. Pete also shows what the day in the life of an early retiree looks like and how today’s stock market crash has affected his portfolio. Want to retire early? Strap in—we’ve got the man who brought FI to the masses on today’s show! In This Episode We Cover Pete’s repeatable plan for FI and the simple steps that can lead to financial freedom Quitting your 9-5 and why leaving work all at once could be a big mistake Why most early retirees never touch their nest egg (and why you probably won't either) Whether or not early retirement truly lives up to the hype The 2022 stock market crash and how it’s affected Pete’s portfolio and investing mentality Stocks vs. bonds and why someone who’s chasing early retirement should choose one over the other And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Scott's Instagram Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Mr. Money Mustache The Surprising (Scientific) Truth Behind What Makes You Successful Multpl.com Cfiresim calculator Early Retirement Extreme Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-377 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Margin loans could be the sneakiest way to snag a low-interest rate loan in today’s Fed-influenced environment. What most investors don’t know is that you can use your stock portfolio as collateral to get massively discounted lending, but it comes with considerable risk. Carl and Mindy Jensen used this type of lending to buy their most recent real estate purchase, a medium-term rental renovation project in the same neighborhood as their primary residence. At the time, Carl could get an interest rate so attractive that it was almost impossible to pass up. We’re talking about mortgage-sized loans with less than 2% interest! This seemed like a steal at the time, but as the market started to tank and big tech stocks like Tesla took a tumble, Carl and Mindy’s margin loan began getting hit. They faced a tough decision: either get liquidated and lose much of their stock portfolio or come up with the difference themselves. In this episode, you’ll hear exactly how Carl and Mindy grew their stock portfolio to multiple millions in worth, the mistakes they made along the way, why they took out a margin loan, and whether or not they’d do it again. If you’ve got a sizable stock portfolio but don’t know how to get funding for your real estate deal, stick around! Margin loans could be an option for you, but you’ll need to know how to work them first. In This Episode We Cover Margin loans explained and the risk that comes with a low-interest rate loan Investing in tech stocks and whether or not they’re worth it now that stock valuations are down Index fund investing and why single stock-picking may be riskier than you think What getting a “margin call” means, and what to do when your stock values drop HELOCs (home equity lines of credit) and using them as a safety net for paying off debt Carl and Mindy’s new medium-term rental and whether the headache was worth the new house And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Mile High FI Podcast 1,500 Days to Freedom Carl's Email Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Finance Friday: My Home Renovation Put Me in a HELOC Hole Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-376 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cryptocurrency is dead in the mind of most investors. What started as an awe-inspiring investment reaching massive multiples in just months, quickly became a subject of contention within the investing community. Some moretraditional investors called cryptocurrency an outright fraud, while others claimed it was the final puzzle piece in the battle for a stable fiat currency. Now, with many crypto prices down, is there any reason to invest? For long-time listeners of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, you’ll know that hosts Scott and Mindy don’t have a terribly favorable view of cryptocurrency. Not because they think it’s illegitimate, but because of its massive volatility that has borderline bankrupted many inexperienced investors. We wanted a deeper insight into why cryptocurrency could be worth investing in, so we brought Laura Shin onto the show. Laura is host of the Unchained podcast, where she updates the crypto community on the latest news stories, price action, and more. Laura is an agnostic crypto investor with a level-headed view of the benefits and risks of investing in this volatile asset. She gives us a masterclass on the current state of cryptocurrency, the history of Bitcoin, why assets like Ethereum may be more valuable, and why exchanges like FTX are not to be trusted. In This Episode We Cover The history of cryptocurrency and how Bitcoin started a worldwide craze Ethereum vs. Bitcoin and why “ultra-sound” money could beat the rest The “crypto winter” and whether or not now is a buying opportunity for investors Money crypto vs. tech crypto and why there may be more than one coin left standing FTX, fraud, and how crypto exchanges can lose your coins, and the best way to protect yourself And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Scott's Instagram Mindy's Twitter Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Finance Friday: First Down Market? Here’s How to Stop Stressing Unchained podcast Bitcoin: Investing Fad or Final Bullet to Fiat Currency? Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-375 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Private equity is a term often left undefined. Ask most people if they’ve heard of private equity, and they’ll say yes. But ask them to explain what it is or how it works, and most Americans will struggle to come up with even a sentence. The industry of private equity investing is shrouded in mystery, but it probably shouldn’t be. If you know what private equity is and how to invest in it, you could take home passive income that beats the stock market and real estate investing with none of the headaches or short-term panic of either. This simple-to-understand but constantly overcomplicated industry could make you better returns, with far less work, investing in businesses you already know and trust. This is precisely what Sachin Khajuria’s book, Two and Twenty: How the Masters of Private Equity Always Win, is all about. As a former partner at one of the world’s largest alternative asset firms with over two decades of experience, Sachin can explain the ins and outs of private equity better than anyone. Sachin will demystify the often shadowy world of private equity in this episode. He explains why it’s such a lucrative business and how it’s coming close to matching the same firepower as the public markets many of us invest in. With potential returns far higher than traditional assets, Sachin makes a strong case for why you should be looking into private equity now before the masses find out about it and flood the market. In This Episode We Cover Private equity explained and the simple yet highly profitable business model behind it The two and twenty rule and why private equity firms are designed to maximize your money Private equity returns and whether or not the high profits are worth the long time horizon The “unloved” businesses that have seen massive growth thanks to private equity Rising interest rates and how this could affect the value of private equity investments The businesses you already buy from that are owned by private equity How to find and invest in private equity even if you’re not a mega-millionaire And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Scott's Instagram Mindy's Twitter Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-374 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mastering personal finance is one of the most important things anyone can do. If you know where your money is coming from, where it’s going, and how to make more of it, you can retire comfortably, retire early, or have less financial anxiety at the end of the day. But, the world of personal finance can be complicated for beginners. With so many spreadsheets, calculators, money methods, and mistakes to avoid, where does someone just getting started go to understand the basics? We brought Scott and Mindy, our two masters of money, on for a solo show where they walk through some of the top tips in personal finance. They’ll touch on budgeting, saving, and expense tracking so you can know the ins and outs of your finances with far less effort than ever before. You’ll also hear about the different methods for paying off debt, good debt vs. bad debt explained, and the right way to think about interest rates. Finally, Scott and Mindy will go over investments, when the right time to invest is, how to prioritize what to invest in, and when you’re ready to invest in real estate. No matter where you’re at on the personal finance spectrum, investing or not, debt-free or full of debt, this episode can help you prioritize the dollars and cents in your life so you can reach financial freedom faster. And if you still don’t know where to start, stick around, as this episode is chock full of links to debt payoff methods, investment plans, budgeting examples, and more to help you on your journey! In This Episode We Cover Personal expenses vs. business expenses and why you should never mix the two Expenses explained and what does (and definitely does NOT) count in your budget The two skills every investor or business owner needs to succeed The different ways to pay off debt and how to know whether your interest rate is too high Good debt vs. bad debt and why many investors are choosing to hold on to low-interest loans The right and wrong way to use a HELOC (home equity line of credit) when investing in real estate How to prioritize your investments and building a personalized investment plan that will help you build wealth And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Scott's Instagram Mindy's Twitter Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Finance Friday: My Home Renovation Put Me in a HELOC Hole The Money Date: What You Should (And Definitely Should Not) Do to Align Your Finances as a Couple Finance Friday: Got Extra Cash? Here’s the Investment Plan for You Scott Trench’s Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Perfect, 1-Page Investment Plan Rookie Podcast Episode 200: Scott Trench’s 10-Step Checklist to Buy Your First Rental Property Rookie Readiness Checklist Scott Trench's Investment Investment Philosophy Worksheet Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-373 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to buy a business? If so, you’ll need franchises explained. At first, franchises seem like something only for fast food, gas stations, or hotel chains. But, in reality, a whole world of businesses are up for sale that have proven track records and could put profits into your pocket faster than starting your own business. But first, you’ll need to make sure you’re ready to own and run a franchise, as it’s not always the passive income stream investors believe it to be. When done right, franchises offer an almost irresistible offer to young entrepreneurs or those trying to escape the corporate ladder. You can trade in your soul-sucking nine-to-five, receive top-tier support and training, and get paid a salary, all while your business grows in the background. But before you start window shopping for which hair salon, water restoration, or pool cleaning business you want to own, you’ll need to talk to someone like Greg Mohr, author of Real Freedom: Why Franchises Are Worth Considering and How They Can Be Used For Building Wealth. Greg acts as a franchise consultant, helping match potential franchisees to a parent company that works best for their schedule, goals, and income-earning potential. You may think you know how a franchise works, what type you’d like to buy, and how much money you would make, but Greg’s in-depth, multiple-decade-long knowledge may tell you otherwise. So, if you want to run a business but don’t know where to start, Greg may be the perfect person to turn to. In This Episode We Cover The history of franchises and why buying a business often beats building one The true profits of running a franchise and how much an owner can expect to make How much franchise consultants cost (much less than you’d think), and why you need one Most common franchise mistakes to avoid and why you should never look at JUST the franchise fee Funding a franchise and how to use retirement accounts, HELOCs, and more to buy businesses Business partnerships and who should join forces to buy a franchise together And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Scott's Instagram Mindy's Twitter Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget The Benefits of Franchising vs. Starting a Business from Scratch Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-372 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Asking for Bitcoin explained is like asking how a rocket works; it's a little complex. A digital currency is valued at a certain amount of dollars (or euros, yen, etc.) and is used to pay for goods or exchange for other currencies. That makes sense. But things can get complicated as we go deeper into Bitcoin and the blockchain. There's no need to get overwhelmed; we brought Saifedean Ammous, economist and author of The Bitcoin Standard, onto the show to explain. Saifedean, like many investors, was skeptical of Bitcoin at first. He thought it was merely a fad that would pass away in a few years. But, after researching the history of money, the rise and fall of fiat currencies, and the standard that Bitcoin was built on, Saifedean changed his tone. Now, he's a huge proponent of this new "digital gold" and has spent years of his life warning others of fiat currency's faults and the opportunity behind Bitcoin itself. In today's episode, Saifedean explains what Bitcoin is, how it works, why the blockchain is needed, and why saving money isn't enough in today's fiat inflationary environment. You'll also hear why "hard money" like Bitcoin beats "easy money" like the American dollar and why the latest cryptocurrency crash isn't as bad as mainstream economists think. So if you've thought of snagging a bit of Bitcoin, this is the best place to start. In This Episode We Cover The history of money, fiat currencies, why rare, hard money is always the most safe The dangers of easy money, debasing currency, and the fallacy of required inflation How Bitcoin solves the fiat problem and why it can never be inflated or over-printed The blockchain explained and why it works for Bitcoin and not other applications like real estate Cryptocurrency's latest crash and why fluctuating Bitcoin prices are more typical than they seem Whether to bet on businesses, real estate, Bitcoin, or all three when investing And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Scott's Instagram Mindy's Twitter Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-371 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can a simple pressure washing business make you six figures of income a year? With a startup cost of only a couple hundred dollars, today’s guest Chris expanded his pressure washing, Christmas light-hanging, gutter-cleaning operation into a profitable business with multiple employees and a stacked schedule. But, as Chris has started to expand, he’s seen his personal profits decline, so should he outsource less so he can keep more of the revenue he’s working hard to bring in? Welcome back to another Finance Friday episode, where we talk to Chris, a twenty-six-year-old entrepreneur learning to navigate profits, payroll, customer acquisition, and more in his pressure washing business. Chris found an interesting niche to serve; older communities in his home state of California. He’s been able to build a brand, grow his business, and have a Rolodex full of repeat clients, but he still doesn’t know the best way to scale. Not only that, Chris also started investing in real estate, with a cash-flowing house hack allowing him to eliminate his housing costs. Chris wants to know the best way to expand his business while still retaining his high margins, what type of healthcareplan he should be on now that he’s twenty-six, when he should look to buy another house hack, and how to keep investing. Chris is on a bright path already, but with a few tweaks, he could be financially free in only a few more years! In This Episode We Cover How to build a business that will gross six figures even if you have no entrepreneurial experience Payroll, employees, and how to outsource more of your work so you can focus on expanding Turning a service-based business into a profitable, repeatable empire House hacking explained and using it to reduce your cost of living significantly Healthcare for entrepreneurs and why the HSA is the “ultimate retirement account” Growing your business so you can reach financial freedom even faster And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Scott's Instagram Mindy's Twitter Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Finance Friday: Tips to Build a House Hack STACK in Your 20s Finance Friday: From $33k in Debt to $100k+ in Net Worth Through House Hacking & Smart Saving with Budget Girl The House Hacking Strategy with Craig Curelop Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-370 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Multi-level marketing companies (MLMs) operate in secrecy. They don’t want you to know where the products are coming from, how they’re being sold, who’s making a profit, and how the business works. They only want you to buy. Buy this starter kit, host that party, convince your friends and join the cult—sorry, the “club.” Operating in darkness is how these pyramid schemes build their membership count, branch into new cities, and keep average Americans in debtbut still chasing an empty dream. So how did MLMs even come to be, and if they’re so blatantly nefarious, why hasn’t the government permanently shut them down? To answer these questions and many more, we brought on Jenner Furst, director of LuLaRich, the documentary that exposes the multi-billion dollar MLM empire, LuLaRoe. Jenner has worked tirelessly to uncover how these entities exist, what causes them to become so cult-like, and how unassuming Americans can fall prey to their money-making traps. We also talk about the hierarchy of pyramid schemes, the culture inside of one, and the uneven pay structure that falsely tricks new members into believing they can strike it rich. You’ll learn about the history of MLMs, the so-called “Amway Rules,” and how snake oil salespeople have used social media to grow their empires to even greater heights. In This Episode We Cover The history of pyramid schemes and MLMs and how they become popularized in America MLMs vs. pyramid schemes and the loose differences between these two types of businesses The cult-like culture that exists inside an MLM and the blatant red flags that stick out The false pay structure of MLMs and how they artificially promise returns that are impossible to achieve How social media and live posts caused the MLM fire to grow even faster How pyramid schemes play to people’s fears and desperations to get them to join And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Scott's Instagram Mindy's Twitter Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-369 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lynne Twist’s The Soul of Money sparked a conversation we needed to have. It didn’t make people think “how do I make more money,” instead it asked, “what world am I making with the money I have?” For decades, Lynne has beenfundraising for charities and causes around the globe. From ending world hunger to fighting for the climate, she’s made sure that her dollars are best put to use, helping the most people she can with the money she makes. Lynne’s rock-solid financial sense came from an unusual background. Her mother was raised well-off, but her family’s wealth came crashing down when they were forced to flee the home abroad they had made for themselves. Then, when Lynne’s father died, her mother became increasingly frugal, but for a good reason. Lynne’s mother wanted to use her money to give, not get, making every cent count in the budget. Later in life, Lynne and her husband lost a massive portion of their wealth, forcing her to ask the question—why pursue riches in the first place? On today’s show, we have a lively discussion on the toxic money culture that has enveloped American society, why financial independence is worth pursuing, and what those with much can do to help those with so little. Lynne’s take on wealth-building opens up a refreshing debate among early retirees and forces you to ask “why” instead of “how” when it comes to making money. Tune in, and be sure to check out Lynne’s new book, Living a Committed Life! In This Episode We Cover The “soul” of money and the scarcity belief that is causing society’s financial anxiety When is “enough” and how making less but giving more makes you richer The importance of self-sufficiency and why chasing financial freedom is always a worthwhile goal Learning to forgive yourself for money mistakes and why losing wealth isn’t always a bad thing Fighting world hunger and how Lynne is using her voice to tackle huge global issues Lynne’s brand new book, Living a Committed Life! And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Scott's Instagram Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget The Soul of Money Pacha Mama Alliance The Hunger Project Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-368 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Couch flipping may be the best side hustle you’ve never heard of. It’s so lucrative that today’s guest Parker used couch flipping to save up his down payment for his first house hack! Of course, who could have assumed otherwise from someone like Parker? He’s a financial analyst who made an intelligent move from expensive Boston to sunny Tampato house hack for the first time with one of his best friends. He’s making some impressive moves at a young age, but he still has questions about what to do next. Although Parker is thankful for buying the house hack, he doesn’t know what he should do after he moves out. Does he sell the property, keep it as a rental, transfer it into an LLC, or go back to renting as he saves up enough money for the next house hack? He also has some very pressing capital expenditures on his mind, like a new roof, HVAC, and other large system replacements that could cost him and his house-hacking partner tens of thousands out of pocket. These replacements won’t be cheap, but they could help improve the property before he potentially sells. And like most FIRE-minded twenty-something-year-olds, Parker needs to know where the highest ROI for him is. Does he continue to save up to buy another house hack, or should he be contributing to his tax-advantaged Roth, HSA, and 401(k) accounts? Plus, with such an unbelievably lucrative side hustle like couch flipping, how much time should he put into building this income-replacing revenue stream? Parker is on a great path, but with guidance from Mindy and Scott, he could reach financial independence even faster! In This Episode We Cover House hacking explained and the benefits of building a house hack stack early on When to transfer an investment property into an LLC (and whether it’s even worth it) How to calculate cash flow on an investment property to ensure you’re turning a profit The “shotgun” clause every investor should sign when partnering on a deal Couch flipping and how this side hustle can make you thousands every month Capital expenditures and how to estimate your costs for big future repairs And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Scott's Instagram Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-367 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Financial independence means something different to everyone. For some, it means having enough to not worry about being laid off. For others, it could mean making more money to buy a yacht, but for Ali and Josh (TheFICouple), financial independence means more time together, growing a family, and a community that helps others reach their highest potential. Just four years ago, Ali and Josh were strapped with six figures worth of debt, living paycheck to paycheck, struggling to survive. Now, they’re financially independent, working their jobs just two days a week, and spending the rest of the time building a better life for their future child. Ali and Josh are tenacious savers and investors, but they weren’t always like this. They were used to spending everything they made, scared to look at their bank accounts, and hoping that the future would somehow become brighter. Once they took the financial blinders off, Ali and Josh saw that the only way to build their ideal life was to deal with their financial hardships head-on. From there, they house hacked, heavily invested, paid off debt, and began publicly posting their wins, and losses, on social media under the @TheFiCouple handle. They’ve gone from surviving to thriving, and this episode hints at just a portion of what Ali and Josh are building. With a baby on the way, they’ve become even more aggressive with growing their online brand, their real estate portfolio, and their investment accounts. If you want to repeat the four-year path to FI like Ali and Josh, tune in! In This Episode We Cover Paying off over six figures of student debt and the beauty behind taking small steps Seller financing real estate and using it to buy properties without the big banks Quitting full-time work and still saving over eighty percent of your income Growing your online brand and building a community that’ll push you to new heights Why building a massive real estate portfolio isn’t what it’s all cracked up to be Tips for those that are still in debt or just starting in their investing journey And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Amanda's Instagram She Wolf of Wall Street Website From Fired to FI Couple in 2 Years with Josh and Ali Budgeting for a Baby: The Costs EVERY New Parent Should Expect Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-366 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don’t know how to become a millionaire? There’s a pretty simple formula for seven-figure wealth that the average American doesn’t know about. It isn’t complicated, but it does take a fair amount of time to come to fruition. If you follow the same strategy, regardless of where you’re starting right now, you too could become a millionaire in under ten years. This wealth-building formula is exactly what today’s guest, Remy, is looking for. Remy is doing his mid-twenties the right way. He’s got a great income, contributes heavily to investing, and already has six figures in equity thanks to buying his home two years ago. He’s made moves that many young investors would envy, but he wants to go even further over the next ten years. Remy is looking to become “real estate ready” in 2023, meaning he needs to be in a favorable position to start building his rental property portfolio so he can have a million dollars of real estate by the time he turns thirty-five. The plan is simple for Remy, but he’ll need to make some serious tradeoffs. Is more real estate worth forsaking his growing retirement accounts? Should he slash his emergency fund to pile more fuel onto the FIRE? And where can he cut his budget so he’s saving as much cash as possible, ready to invest in the next great deal that comes his way? If you want to get real estate ready like Remy, stick around! In This Episode We Cover How to invest more when you’re financially treading water every month Why requoting your car insurance after a certain age could save you thousands Real estate vs. retirement investing and which one is worth a bigger contribution Renting vs. selling your primary residence and when freeing up cash is the right move to make Emergency reserves and the certain situation when Scott and Mindy are against them Why retirement accounts can be a “trap” for the investor who wants to retire early And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Scott's Instagram Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-365 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone makes financial mistakes, even those that we trust with money the most. Rachel “Money Honey” Richardsto many people online is the epitome of someone who has their finances locked down. She grew a massive real estate portfolio in her twenties, hit financial freedom before thirty, and has written bestselling books that others use to increase their financial acumen. And although Rachel still is a financially free money nerd like no other, her recent divorce changed most of what she knew. Through a few simple mistakes, Rachel’s recent divorce dragged on longer, cost more, and left more up to chance than she would have liked. After going through the pain, struggles, and anxiety of leaving the marriage, Rachel wants everyone, whether single, dating or married, to not make the same mistakes she made. These mistakes are often small, and can be easily overlooked, but making them could be deadly to your finances and allow an unplanned divorce to bury you. But this isn’t all advice on what to do before or during a divorce. Rachel shares personal advice on red flags you should look for when starting a relationship, how to separate your finances so you keep what is yours, and why overlooking a prenup can be one of the worst moves to make when starting your marriage. No one plans for a divorce, and Rachel didn’t as well. So happily ever after or not, these life-saving moves are ones you should be thinking about making. In This Episode We Cover The “misaligned vision” that led to Rachel and her ex-husband’s divorce Red flags to watch out for and an instant sign that a relationship may not work out Losing 50% of your real estate portfolio to divorce and how to protect against it happening again What most couples get wrong about marital assets and how they’ll get split during a divorce Rachel’s four biggest money mistakes that you should NEVER make when married The trust cost of divorce and how much Rachel had to pay to separate And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Prenups, Projects, Prolific Spending, and Planning for 2022 w/ Carl & Mindy Jensen Why You’re (Probably) Wrong About Prenups Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-364 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Once you know how to save money, you can start stacking those savings to buy real estate and businesses or invest in long-term wealth-building investment accounts. But, without a steady stream of savings coming in, you're treading water, and one emergency expense could completely blow you off course. In a high-cost-of-living area like Washington, DC., this can seem even harder as rent, gas, and going out prices are far above the national average. But, there are some surefire ways to save (and make) more every month. On this Finance Friday episode, we talk to Richard, a government tech worker who makes a great salary but could potentially be bringing in much more. Richard’s dream of being the President naturally led him to real estate investing, and now he’s focused on building bigger, stronger, and smarter income streams so he has ultimate time freedom (and a high net worth) in the next few decades. But even with his tech salary, Richard struggles to save every month, with random expenses knocking him out as soon as they arise. Mindy and Scott go through Richard’s income and expenses as well as his debts, much of which are forgivable student loans. Richard debates whether sticking with his perk-heavy government job is worth the pay difference he could gain in the private sector. And whether or not buying cash-flowing businesses is a smart move, especially for someone without much savings. If you’ve struggled to boost your bank account, this episode may hit close to home! In This Episode We Cover Public student loan forgiveness and the “trap” many government workers find themselves in Emergency funds, safety reserves, and how to build one from scratch When to change jobs for more pay vs. when to keep big benefits, but a lower salary How to budget and the better way to track your expenses if you struggle to save Buying a business and what it takes for first-time entrepreneurs Creating a vivid vision of what your life, job, and business will look like in five to ten years And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Scott's Instagram Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-363 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A financial plan puts you on the path to long-term wealth and a life rich in time freedom. So why don’t most Americans have one? Everyday workers are often so focused on paying bills and having a sliver of time to relax that they completely forget the whole reason many of us work—to one day do what we want, when we want, with who we want. So, if you’ve been on the grind, making money, wanting to build wealth, but don’t know where to start, this is the episode for you. In it, Scott Trench walks through his “investment philosophy,” a simple, customizable plan that has allowed him to build wealth at record speed all in less than ten years. This document can be used by anyone in any position no matter how much you have invested or saved up. Once written, this simple financial plan gives you laser-focus on building wealth, so market crashes or corrections become a buying opportunity and slow months/years are something to cherish, not worry over. Scott and Mindy walk through this document piece by piece, giving you the exact answers you need to build your investment plan today. Although this document may sound simple, it’s what will define your life’s effort for the foreseeable future and give you the structure you need to accomplish massive wealth-building goals that may have seemed almost impossible before! Get the Personal Investment Philosophy Template Here! In This Episode We Cover Why creating a financial plan/investment philosophy is so crucial when building wealth Goal setting and discovering the principles of investing that you follow How to set your “target state” and what to do after you’ve achieved your biggest goals How to choose which asset classes to invest in (even if you’re brand new to investing) Emergency funds, safety reserves, and when or when not to keep a large cash position The three steps you can do TODAY that will fast-track your wealth-building And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Scott's Instagram Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Get the Personal Investment Philosophy Template Here! Finance Friday: First Down Market? Here’s How to Stop Stressing The Money Date: What You Should (And Definitely Should Not) Do to Align Your Finances as a Couple Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-362 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Retirement planning is something best started early on. The more time you give yourself to invest, the faster your accounts can grow, giving you early financial independence well before the age of sixty-five. But what are the two best ways to do this? On one hand, you’ve got cash-flowing rentals that appreciate while giving you freedom-enabling income with long-term wealth growth. On the other hand, you’ve got passive retirement accounts, many of which can save you boatloads on taxes and grow discreetly in the background while you work away. It’s hard to say which is a better bet, so why not do both? Today’s guest Benjamin is feeling a little under-diversified after heavily investing in real estate, but without much in his retirement accounts. Benjamin is well versed in the pros and cons of pre and post-tax retirement investing, but with a high income, he’s worried that he may have already reached the income cap for his Roth IRA. Thankfully, he’s unlocked the “holy grail” of retirement accounts, one that will skyrocket his retirement quicker than he thinks. But before all of this is done, Benjamin and his partner need to build their investment plan. This will help them stay the course when life events come up, allowing them to still retire rich, hopefully in less than a decade. If you want to build your own investment plan, we highly recommend using the one from our own Scott Trench! In This Episode We Cover Paying off six figures of student debt and using the extra income to invest heavily House hacking and using primary residences to build wealth Roth IRA investing and what to do if you’ve hit the income limit The best way to invest in your retirement with stocks and index funds The right way to do diversification and safely building wealth at a young age Speeding up your path to financial independence with rental property investing And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Scott's Instagram Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Fidelity Investments Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-361 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you talk about how to avoid taxes, most people will think you’re doing something fishy in the eyes of the IRS. Very few know you can use the tax code to massively lower your year-end burden, all while making an ordinary income. Real estate investors have been doing this for years, using so-called “tax cheat codes” like depreciation and cost segregation studies to write off massive paper losses on their taxes. But how do they do it, and if you’re an investor, can you do the same? Natalie Kolodij, IRS Enrolled Agent, works exclusively with real estate investors to lower their taxes as much as legally possible. She knows the tricks of the trade that allow investors to not only pay less at the end of the year but grow their businesses more efficiently so financial freedom comes even faster! Natalie is also an active real estate investor and part of the FIRE movement, so if there’s one person who knows the right tax moves to make, it’s her! Natalie gives us a masterclass on how investors can lower their 2022 taxes as the year comes to an end, how to set yourself up for a successful 2023, and the massive real estate tax write-offs you should be utilizing. She also touches on how much CPAs and tax preparers can cost, when to start strategizing your taxes, backdoor Roths, and how to legally pay your children tax-free income so they get a boost on their financial future. In This Episode We Cover Year-end tax tips to lower your 2022 taxes as much as possible When to hire a CPA or tax preparer (and how much they’ll cost you) 2023 tax deductions for real estate investors and what you should take advantage of NOW How to get your children investing early with tax-free income from your business The biggest tax mistakes that investors make and why you may be overpaying in taxes Cost segregation studies, bonus depreciation, and how to cancel out the capital gains of a home sale And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Choosing the Right Tax Professional for YOUR Specific Needs BiggerPockets Money Bonus Episode: CARES Act: Everything You NEED to Know About the Coronavirus Stimulus Package Landlord Tax Loopholes That’ll Help You Pay ZERO Taxes in 2022 Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-360 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The house hack strategy doesn’t always run smoothly. Turning an old home into a modern, rentable masterpiece takes money—especially if you’re doing a big renovation. One of the easiest ways to get the rehab funds you need? A home equity line of credit (HELOC). But, when used incorrectly, a HELOC’s adjustable interest rate can bury any chance you have at cash flowing, no matter how great of a mortgage rate you get. Welcome back to another Finance Friday episode! This time around, we’re tackling a rental property problem that is plaguing today’s guest, Josh. Josh has made some sound financial moves by having a stable income, a great side hustle, and his newest house hack. But, to maximize this house hack’s return on investment, Josh was forced to expand and convert many portions of his newly bought, hundred-and-fifty-year-old home. This forced his budget to shoot up higher than he was expecting. Now, he’s trying to figure out the best move as he manages his debt spread across his mortgage, a high-interest HELOC, a family loan, and more. Josh is poised to continue investing in real estate even after this intensive experience. He wants advice from veteran landlords Mindy and Scott on what his next move should be, how he can best capitalize on his remodeled home, and when he might be able to buy the next house hack. If you’re looking to reach financial freedom using real estate like Josh is, this episode is for you! In This Episode We Cover The house hack strategy and why it’s a phenomenal way for new investors to build wealth Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) and when using this type of debt makes sense Home renovation budgeting and what to expect when doing an entire house remodel Velocity banking and why this form of leverage isn’t a smart move to make now When to sell a rental property and when to keep a cash-flowing investment The medium-term rental strategy and how to get higher rents for the same room or unit And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Scott's Instagram Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-359 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the past decade, Giving Tuesday has been a way for everyday Americans to donate their money, or time, to charities and causes that help collectively make the world a better place. Whether it’s a little or a lot, we’re encouraged to give what we can to bridge the gap between those that have so little and many of us that have so much. But how do you know a charity or organization is using your donation accordingly? How can you spot-check to see if your dollars are being used for those in dire need? We brought on Elie Hassenfeld, GiveWell co-founder and CEO, to help us navigate the tricky subject of giving to worthwhile charities. Elie knows a thing or two about validating which charities are worth donating to. At GiveWell, he spends his days researching thousands of charities for hundreds of millions of donatable dollars, helping those of us that are too busy to find a home for the donations that we are willing to give. In just six tips, Elie will give you the framework for finding a worthwhile charity or organization to give to, so you know that your dollar is being stretched the farthest it can. We also touch on whether or not high administration costs are ared flag, whether it's better to give goods rather than money, and how to truly measure an organization's impact to see how many lives they’re saving or improving with each dollar donated. If you're still on the fence about where to give this Giving Tuesday, head over to GiveWell.org to know your dollar is making a difference! In This Episode We Cover Why donating overseas has much more of an economic impact than domestic donations How GiveWell validates the charities they approve and how to do the same in your local area Top tips for finding a charity that will use your dollar for its highest use Red flags to watch out for when researching charities and organizations GiveWell’s past mistakes and how they’re using them to grow a better organization Top charities that both GiveWell and BiggerPockets recommend donating to (like CrossPurpose!) And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Scott's Instagram Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Give Well Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-358 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The cost of raising a child is constantly changing. Every year, a new article comes out claiming that the cost of raising a child is hundreds of thousands of dollars. But is this figure accurate? Could kids actually cost far less than this, or does a few hundred thousand barely even scratch the service? What should new parents know before they bring home their first bundle of joy, and is financial independence even worth pursuing while raising a kid, let alone a few? We brought in the Investor Mama, Jen Narciso, who is not only raising kids but also chasing financial independenceand running her own podcast. Jen speaks to mothers all around the world who not only want the best for their children's futures but their finances as well. And, as someone raising two young children, she knows how much kids truly costbetween the car seats, formula, dance classes, doctors' bills, and everything in between. And, with Scott as a new dad, he’s got some serious questions to ask about how he can best raise his own daughter on a budget without sacrificing any quality of life in the process. Jen talks through the surprise expenses that most new parents overlook, how to save money on some of the most expensive items you need, the cost of child care and how to make it affordable, and whether to invest for your child’s future or your future retirement! In This Episode We Cover The average annual cost of raising a child and why it’s not what you’d expect Common child care costs and innovative ways to significantly lower your spending Surprise expenses you should prepare for and why you always need an emergency fund Money tips for new parents and how to sleep soundly even if you’re not financially free yet Roth IRA investing for your child and how to fast-track them to financial freedom even earlier Medical costs of having a child from delivery to regular doctors visits And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Scott's Instagram Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Toysrus InvestorMama Podcast 4 Ways Real Estate Can Help Offset the Staggering Cost of Having Kids Taxes, Backdoor Roths, Options, and How to Max Out Your Childrens’ Roths Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tech stocks were slam dunk investments for the past decade. No matter what you invested in—Google, Facebook, Amazon, or even some obscure AI toaster company—you probably made decent returns. But, after years of continuous economic growth and massive government stimulus, tech stocks are finally starting to get shaky. The problem? New investors like Zoe have huge paper losses on their dashboards. But is this worth worrying over? Zoe is an ideal investor. At just twenty-four, she already has close to six-figure wealth, with a house hack, a respectable retirement portfolio, and a solid income every month. She’s making the right moves but feels like some of her most recent choices haven’t hit the mark. She dabbled in stock picking as her income went up, investing in some of the biggest names in tech over the past few years. Her house hack, which is almost letting her live for free, was bought at the top of the market with an average interest rate. Zoe needs to know what to do next. Should she sell her tech stocks and invest the money into index funds where she can let it ride? Should she buy a new house hack that allows her to live for free instead of at a discount? And where should she put the thousands of dollars she’s saving every month to ensure her a life of financial freedom in the near future? Zoe has some enviable problems, and on this Finance Friday, we’ll be solving them! In This Episode We Cover The 2022 stock market crash and whether selling and cutting your losses is a smart idea The right way to invest in tech stocks and how to get educated on stock picking House hacking and how deals that aren’t “home runs” can still be huge winners Getting paid to learn about real estate and using your downtime to boost your financial knowledge FHA loans, conventional loans, USDA loans, and other ways to fund a property purchase for low money down The right moves to make in your early twenties and why Zoe is a role model for new graduates And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Scott's Instagram Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget The 4 Steps to Financial Freedom and Debt-Free Wealth Is Now the Time to Buy as The Housing Market Starts to Dip? Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-356 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Travel hacks, spending hacks, medical hacks. If there’s one thing that Chris Hutchins has learned from hosting the All the Hacks podcast, it’s that everything is negotiable. You can travel to over sixty countries for (almost) free, outsource your cooking at a reasonable rate and even get free money once forgotten. Chris should know—he’s done all this and more as he works to optimize every aspect of his life, both financially and personally! Chris was hacking at a very young age. In high school, he made a fake magazine so he could score free press passes to concerts. When he was away at boarding school, he would buy whole pizzas and sell them by the slice just to afford a few slices of his own. Then, later when he quit his job to travel the world, Chris and his partner hit over sixty countries, using credit card points to globetrott from South Africa to Singapore! Now, as a father, Chris is more concerned about hacking his time. He’s got kids to take care of and doesn’t want to waste a second of his day that could be spent planning for, or playing with, his children. In today’s episode, you’ll hear some of the most insane life hacks, from hiring a personal chef for a fraction of the cost to getting free champagne at any hotel stay and even snagging twenty to thirty percent off of your dream vacation villa. These hacks work (we tried them in real-time), and you may need a pen and paper to write them all down! In This Episode We Cover Credit card points, travel hacking, and how to get flights for free (or at a steep discount) Outsourcing and delegating everything so you spend more of your time with those who are most important Simple principles for an optimized life and why conventional wisdom is usually out of whack How to get deep discounts off of vacation properties during your next big trip Why you should NEVER cancel a flight until twelve hours before takeoff Where to find “unclaimed money” you never knew you had (we found some ourselves!) And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Scott's Instagram Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget All The Hacks Podcast Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-355 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You’re one bad real estate investment away from being cash flow-poor and debt-rich. That’s right, not every investment property works out, and when leveraged the wrong way, a single property could put your financial future on the wrong track. While it’s easy to watch social media real estate investors flaunt their infinite cash flow and no money down tricks, buying profitable real estate is a little harder than it seems. Today’s guest, Shane, finds himself in this position, as an over-leveraged investment is causing him to hemorrhage cash. Welcome back to another episode of Finance Friday, where hosts Mindy and Scott bring financial suggestions, no matter how extreme, to guests in many different situations. This week, Shane walks through his numbers, and from the start, Scott picks up on a big problem. Shane and his partner bring in a solid amount of income, but it’s slowly slipping out of their accounts every month as an overleveraged short-term rental property and high consumer debt eats away at their respectable income. This isn’t an easy position to dig yourself out of, and Scott has some serious suggestions for Shane that could flip his financial position 180 degrees. But, doing so will require Shane to make drastic moves that will force him to reevaluate his relationships with spending and debt. While this “rip off the band-aid” type approach can be painful at first, it could save Shane years' worth of time on his path to real estate riches. In This Episode We Cover Staying away from consumer debt and how it can destroy your financial position Real estate leverage and why too much of it can cause you to have negative cash flow Sacrificing subscriptions, eating out, and other spending categories that may be tanking your budget Having a money date with your partner or spouse to get on the same financial footing The biggest moves to make if you’re serious about getting out of debt and on the path to financial freedom Budget busters and how to build a more sustainable pattern of spending And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Scott's Instagram Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Designing a Frugal But Luxurious FI Life by Age 32 Food Spending Eating Away at Your FI Plans? Here’s How to Eat for Cheap BudgetBytes.com The Money Date: What You Should (And Definitely Should Not) Do to Align Your Finances as a Couple Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-354 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What should retirement planning look like? How can I invest if I am still paying off student loan debt? What makes a perfectly diversified portfolio? And when is the right time to pay off my rental properties? We went to the BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group to ask what you would like to know from a money expert. And thankfully, we found a couple of them who are friends of the show. Amanda Wolfe and Kyle Mast are here to answer some of your most-asked money questions! Amanda Wolfe was recently a guest on the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, sharing her story of reaching financial freedom after going through serious financial struggles and childhood poverty. Kyle Mast, Certified Financial Planner, has recently “retired” after helping his clients reach their financial goals with minimal stress and maximum freedom. They’re helping Mindy on today’s show to take questions directly from listeners about everything ranging from real estate to retirement planning and never feeling like you have enough. If you’ve struggled not knowing how to pay down debt, how much cash to have on hand, or are having a mental block when switching from saving to spending mode, this episode could alleviate your worries. If you’d like to get more connected with the BiggerPockets Money community and potentially get your questions answered on a future show, be sure to join the BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group! In This Episode We Cover How to invest while paying down student loan debt, or any other debt for that matter Transitioning from saver to spender when you have enough to finally retire Real estate vs. index funds and which is more optimal for a post-retirement portfolio Roadblocks on the way to financial freedom and why you DON’T need retirement accounts to invest for retirement What a diversified portfolio looks like (it’s much simpler than you think) Money moves to make if you don’t have much cash, but do have consistent income And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Episode 200 Special: A Personal Finance Masterclass with Kyle Mast How to Find the Best Possible Certified Financial Planner (CFP) for Your Needs with Kyle Mast She Wolf of Wall Street Website From Extreme Poverty to DIY Wealth and 2 Full-Time Incomes w/The She Wolfe of Wall Street Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-353 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With so much going on—a recession, rampant inflation, rising interest rates—overcoming your money fears can be more challenging than ever before. The world is changing, and many of us feel like we’re being swept along with it. Our dollars are worth less, our retirement accounts have fallen sharply, and our cash is wasting away. What should we do when it feels like every financial move has a benefit and drawback attached to it? Should we even be making moves right now? Don’t get overwhelmed with financial anxiety because today we’re bringing you an episode full of financial fixes for the everyday investor! We posted on the BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group a few months back, asking you which money fears keep you up at night. Now, we’ve got answers! Back on the show are J Scott and Kyle Mast! They join Mindy in giving solutions to your greatest financial fears. J and Kyle give suggestions on topics ranging from rising home prices and the inability to become a homeowner to being nervous about how inflation is eating away at the dollar. We also touch on the age-old question of whether or not we’redoing enough right now to set us up for retirement and how a recession could affect our hard-earned assets. J, Kyle, and Mindy all give their suggestions on these situations and spill some of their own financial fears to show you that even the experts still worry like everyone else. In This Episode We Cover Our biggest financial fears and what we’re doing to mitigate them in turbulent times Growing up with very little and why the “never enough” mentality always lingers Why buying a home isn’t your only option for building wealth in this market Setting yourself up for a plentiful retirement even if you got a late start Whether or not keeping a large cash position is a smart move to make Changing jobs to get more personal time and when flexibility trumps finances Inflation, interest rates, and how to stay sane during a recession And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter J’s BiggerPockets Profile J’s Personal Website Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget The Money Date: What You Should (And Definitely Should Not) Do to Align Your Finances as a Couple 7 Tips for Successfully Investing in ANY Market Condition With J Scott Syndications: Everything You Need to Know BEFORE You Invest Episode 200 Special: A Personal Finance Masterclass with Kyle Mast How to Find the Best Possible Certified Financial Planner (CFP) for Your Needs with Kyle Mast BiggerPockets FIRE Planning Worksheet Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-352 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stock market crashes aren't good news for anyone. For retirees though, this dip in prices can feel like a death wish, as active income is no longer an option. Have the hopes and dreams of financial flexibility gone out the window? Or is a market crash like we're experiencing today just a small blip on a retiree's radar? Pairing this with inflation, how will someone who has just retired make it? We’ve got Michael Kitces, retirement planning expert and financial genius with enough acronyms coming after his name to spell out the alphabet, on the show to answer whether or not retirees are in trouble. Michael has advised his clients for decades on the right way to save and invest for retirement. He’s been a proponent of the 4% rule and was bold enough to hold his claim even during the flash crash of 2020. But, with such high inflation and stark drops in equity values, does he still agree with his past predictions? Michael takes us on a trip down memory lane, visiting some of the worst financial crises in American history, showing how they compare to today. He also proposes that holding large amounts of cash, even during high inflationary times, isn’t the worst move to make, and whether or not he’s still investing as the market finds its bottom. If you’re worried about retiring during times like today, this is the man to listen to! In This Episode We Cover The 4% rule explained and whether this sage retirement advice still holds up How past retirees fared during high inflation, low growth time periods Which types of market crashes can be “dangerous” to retirees (and who should be worried) Why some of the brightest minds in personal finance are clinging to cash Purchasing power and how withdrawal rates are affected by high inflation The smartest move to make if you’re worried your retirement savings aren’t enough And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Scott's Instagram Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Buckingham Wealth Partners Bill Bengen (The Inventor of the 4% Rule) Talks Retirement, Past Crashes, and How You Can Withdraw Even More! Original Article from the Journal Of Financial Planning, October 1994 Are FIRE Naysayers Bad at Math? Yes. with Michael Kitces Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-351 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Margin loans, medium-term rentals, and potential mortgage rate mistakes summarize what Carl and Mindy have been up to over the past couple of months. It’s been a minute since we’ve checked in on the ever-frugal Jensen family. But they’ve been gone for a good reason. Back at the start of the summer, Carl and Mindy decided that they were finished with rehabbing and big fixer-upper projects. Then they found the perfect opportunity, waiting just a few doors down from them. So, they jumped at the chance to make another deal work. But Carl and Mindy did this type of deal in a peculiar way. Not only did they find it off-market, but they also funded it without a mortgage. Don’t get too excited—Carl and Mindy didn’t drop hundreds of thousands in cash just to buy one house. But, they did use another form of financing that most real estate investors aren’t aware of—margin loans. These types of stock portfolio-leveraged loans can come with unbelievably low interest rates. But, when equity values start to drop, so too can your safety when you use this type of financing. But it’s not all about property purchasing on this episode of Mindy & Carl’s Budget Review. The duo also talks aboutwhy their expense tracking has fallen off and how not knowing your expenses can cause far bigger problems than you’d think. They also touch on the medium-term rental strategy and how you can use it to get far higher rents with very little turnover in almost any of your rental properties! If this strategy interests you, we highly recommend grabbing the new book, 30-Day Stay. In This Episode We Cover Budgeting mistakes and how easy it is to get off track when you don’t know what you’re spending on Carl and Mindy’s newest fixer-upper, medium-term rental property purchase Using margin loans (stock loans) to fund your real estate deals When it makes sense to use a variable loan over a traditional fixed-rate mortgage How to profitably provide housing for those that have been affected by natural disasters The easiest way to get caught for mortgage fraud (and go to prison!) And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Mile High FI Podcast 1,500 Days to Freedom Carl's Email Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Spending Categories to Cut During a Downturn | Mindy & Carl’s Budget Review Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-350 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The new vs. used car debate has been going on for as long as automobiles have existed. For almost the entirety of time when cars were being bought and sold, it seemed like a responsible, frugal decision to buy used, save up some money, and take the repairs with the deal. But inflation has changed this debate in 2022 (and beyond). Used car prices are high—sometimes even higher than new cars—prompting shoppers to reconsider what makes the most financial sense. In the first half of this show, we talk to Liz Frugalwoods, financial blogger and borderline professional at buying and selling cars. She recently made the bold decision to buy new—a shock to many of her readers. How could Liz, a financial independence expert, do something as careless as buying a brand-new car? Had she given up on the path to frugality? Not exactly. Liz shares some good reasons why buying new instead of used makes more sense, especially today. To close out the episode, we bring on local mechanic Jesse Johnson, who gives a brief masterclass on buying, selling, and maintaining cars. As a mechanic with decades of experience, he knows exactly what car owners do to slowly destroy their daily drivers. He also knows how to get the most bang for your buck and when it’s the right time to sell that clunker sitting in your driveway. In This Episode We Cover The reasoning (and math) behind buying a new car vs. buying a used car Taxes, registration, fees, and other trade-offs when buying new vs. used The most important questions to ask yourself when shopping for a vehicle Tips when selling a used car and the #1 thing to NEVER do What parts of a car are worth repairing and which can wait How to find a great mechanic in your area and get a free car wash Trade-in tips and what to know to get the most out of a dealer And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Scott's Instagram The “Mile High FI” Podcast 1,500 Days to Freedom 1500 Days YouTube Channel Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Frugalwoods - Financial Independence and Simple Living Why We Bought a New Car Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-349 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unless you’re a money nerd, knowing how to start investing from scratch isn’t as easy as it seems. With so many options out there and the economy faltering, how do beginners avoid getting burnt? Is something like real estate investing out of reach for new investors in times like today? These questions become even more complicated if you’re like today’s guest, Steven. Steven recently became debt-free (woohoo!) after paying off six figures worth of combined student, auto, and credit card debt. But because he’s been so focused on paying off debt, investing isn’t coming easy to him. With a baby on the way, he wants to be sure he’s making the smartest moves possible to put himself, his wife, and his child in a position to succeed. But real estate investing, stocks, and other assets aren’t his only worry. With two job offers on the table, both with separate benefits and drawbacks, Steven is suffering from analysis paralysis, unsure how to move forward. Should he take the job with higher pay and remote flexibility or go with thelower-paid job that offers career growth potential? Thankfully, with Scott out on dad duty, Mindy doesn't have to serve as the lone suggester. Joining her on this episode is J Scott, experienced investor, father, and author of the newest book, Real Estate by the Numbers! In This Episode We Cover Paying off $100K in debt and how today’s guest did it in just three years Finding your financial tribe by attending meetups, joining Facebook groups, and connecting on the BiggerPockets forums Flexibility vs. finances in a job and which is more important for a new parent? Eating out expenses and how investing a few meals’ worth of expenses could change your child's future How to start investing as a beginner and the dangers in diversifying for those who want to build wealth Side hustles, moving to inexpensive areas, and more financial tradeoffs for a flexible lifestyle And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter J’s BiggerPockets Profile J’s Personal Website Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget The Money Date: What You Should (And Definitely Should Not) Do to Align Your Finances as a Couple 7 Tips for Successfully Investing in ANY Market Condition With J Scott Dave Ramsey Solutions ChooseFi Podcast Our Phantastic Life Youtube Channel Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-348 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dollar-cost averaging—you may have heard the term before, but maybe not its implications. According to Nick Maggiulli, it’s probably the easiest way to get rich with stocks, real estate, or really anything else. But what about buying the dip? Wouldn’t investing at historic lows be the wisest move to make when the markets take a tumble? Surprisingly, no! Don’t believe us? Listen on! Nick’s investing theory is simple. But, the math backs it up. Doing less will make you more money—much more money. In his book, Just Keep Buying, Nick lays down the time-tested, proven ways to build wealth without being an expert day trader, cryptocurrency coder, or stressed-out landlord. This simple system of investing will allow you to build an almost unspendable nest egg without being glued to the market charts and graphs all day long. But maybe stocks aren’t your thing. Maybe you're chasing hundred-millionaire status? Don’t worry, Nick also gives his take on achieving monumental money goals without following the same path as everyone else. No matter where you’re at in life, this is an investing lesson worth learning as early as possible! In This Episode We Cover Dollar-cost averaging vs. buying the dip and which will make you more in the long run How to invest with a falling stock market, high interest rates, and higher bond yields Individual stocks vs. index funds and who should pick which type of investment Cryptocurrency, NFTs, and investing in alternative assets The downside of diversification and why it won’t help you build a big portfolio Why even billionaires don’t feel like they’re rich enough And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Scott's Instagram Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Are FIRE Naysayers Bad at Math? Yes. with Michael Kitces Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-347 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Taking a sabbatical from work requires a few things: time, money, and the willpower to do some soul-searching. Most people think that they can’t take any more than two weeks of the year off work. They rack up excuses, blaming timing, too many projects, and everything in between. But what if taking a sabbatical, gap year, or any other type of long-ish break was the key to building wealth faster and being a happier, healthier you? Today’s guest Cindy, left a high-paid, stable job to take some much-needed time off. And after doing so, she’s urging you to do the same. Cindy, like most Americans, hasn’t taken time off since starting her working career. Besides the regular vacations and holidays, there never seemed like a good time for Cindy to take a break, recollect, and ask herself what she truly wanted. After taking a mini-sabbatical, she built up the courage to leave her job and hop off the grid for a bit. Surprisingly, Cindy’s net worth didn’t dwindle during her time off—it grew! This positive push from the markets and her newfound clarity allowed her to discover new passions, try self-employment, and later snag a much better job while continuing to work towards early retirement. If you’ve been debating taking some time off, this episode will give you all the tips you need to do so! In This Episode We Cover Building your list of “alternative careers” to widen your job possibilities Branching out far beyond your job title and doing more than what your degree is in How to sample a sabbatical to see whether or not you could handle the real thing Quitting your job during turbulent times and how to temporarily prepare for life without work Funding life with a job and what to do before you quit Planning out your passions so your sabbatical isn’t put to waste How employers look at applicants who just took a sabbatical (it’s not what you think!) And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter David on BiggerPockets David’s Site From Military to Millionaire Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money- Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We know financial freedom is possible for those in their 20s and 30s, just starting their careers, without children and serious financial obligations. But what about those getting started on their journey in their 40s and 50s? What about the stories of those who’ve had lifelong debt, went through a financially destructive divorce, or didn’t know early retirement was an option? Monica Scudieri, author of Grab Your Slice of Financial Independence, wasn’t financially free until recently. For the past decade, she’s been working hard to pay off a quarter of a million dollars in debt, get her investments in line, and rebuild a life that was financially set back thanks to divorce. While she sounds like a veteran money expert, Monica wasn’t always this frugal. She remembers spending 90% of her paycheck as soon as she got paid, and her ex-husband did very much the same. After her divorce, Monica was left with an astonishing amount of debt, very few assets, and close to no cash. She worked hard for the next decade digging herself out of debt, building up a cash-flowing rental property portfolio, and financially optimizing her life in every way she could. Now, she’s financially free, coaching others on how they can do the same! In This Episode We Cover Financial red flags to look out for when dating (and what to do if you spot them) Budgeting, tracking your expenses, and the smarter way to ensure you’re not overspending Having the “money conversation” with your partner or spouse before it’s too late Downsizing and ignoring lifestyle creep even if your partner can’t Building a small rental property portfolio and the huge benefits of investing early Side hustles and doing whatever you can to get out of consumer debt Why the Honda Civic remains the FIRE movement’s vehicle of choice And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-345 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everything you’ve been hearing about social security is a lie. For years, mainstream media and many financial figureheads have said that social security is on a fast track to bankruptcy, with no money left over for Americans when they grow old. But what if we told you that wasn’t true? What if you knew that social security would be there for you when you retire, even if you’ve just started working? Today’s guest, national social security advisor and expert Jeremy Keil, explains the basics of social security and teaches you how to maximize your benefits. One of the biggest misconceptions about social security is that you have no control over it. The truth is, you control your social security more than the government does. How long you work, when you file, and how you educate yourself are all in your control. While these things may seem insignificant, they could all affect your social security by thousands. If you play your cards right, social security could be the biggest asset of your life. Jeremy makes a strong argument that social security is the cheapest insurance you might get. In fact, it’s too good of a deal. The original purpose of social security was to help impoverished elderly Americans, so people with a lower income get more from social security. But, that doesn’t mean you’ll be stuck with pennies if you have a higher income. Social security is the “deal of a lifetime” since it lasts your lifetime, grows with inflation, and has no commissions. Can you think of a better investment than that? In This Episode We Cover Social security misconceptions and the truth about social security and whether or not it’s going bankrupt The history of social security and its original purpose for Americans How social security gets calculated and how the number of years you work can significantly affect your monthly social security payment How and when to file social security to maximize your retirement savings Survivors benefits, joint life expectancy, and how to file social security as a couple The break-even point and how to get “the eight percent guarantee” And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Scott's Instagram Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Keil Financial Partners Retirement Revealed Podcast Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-344 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2022 housing market doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. At the start of the year, competition was fierce, with bidding wars on every home and lines out the door just to view an open house. Now, in quarter three of this year, interest rates have hit decade-long highs, buyers are more in control, and days on market are starting to creep back up. As a homeowner, investor, or renter, you need to know what's on the horizon so you can build wealth while others run for the hills. Joining us today are James Dainard, Jamil Damji, and Kathy Fettke, a gaggle of real estate veterans and the expert guests on BiggerPockets’ On the Market podcast. They’ve seen up markets, down markets, and confusing markets like today. As investors who touch almost all corners of the United States, with different areas of expertise, they bring the facts on what’s happening in today’s housing market. We talk about interest rate updates, when the “inventory crisis” will end, why demand has taken a nosedive, and whether or not it’s still a good time to buy real estate. We also talk about the state of the economy, inflation, and how the Federal Reserve may be working to put us into another recession. This up-to-date episode will give you everything you need to make smart buying or selling decisions in today’s housing market. In This Episode We Cover Why interest rates are up and what it means for the housing market Whether or not the Federal Reserve is trying to cause a real estate correction When and where you can expect price drops and how long they’ll last Is now still a good time to buy real estate (investments AND primary residences) Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) and why they’re worthwhile in times like today The housing inventory crisis and how Millennial demand drove up prices And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Scott's Instagram Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget On the Market Podcast RealWealth Website Jamil's Instagram James Instagram Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Financial independence isn’t for everyone. That comes as a surprise for most of us within the personal finance community. Whether we like it or not, the “save, invest, and grind” until you can retire early lifestyle isn't a commonly accepted one. But what happens when your partner is the one who doesn’t agree? What steps can you take to help them see why early retirement is such a crucial piece of your life? This is just one of the topics we touch on with today’s guest, Mark. Mark is in a great position, and he’s already financially free. But, he doesn’t know what to do next, how to optimize his portfolio, and whether or not he’s making the right moves. With a blend of stocks, bonds, and real estate, Mark has a million-dollar diverse portfolio, but where can he tighten it up? And, if he’s able to do so, how does he get his wife on board? This episode serves as a reminder that even when all the hard work pays off, there is still a life to live. If you’ve spent years, or decades, grinding to finally reach a comfortable position in life, it’s necessary to know how to use that time once you have it. Do you keep stacking up investments so your children are ensured a comfortable life, or do you take some time for yourself, chase after your own dreams, and live a life you would love to live? In This Episode We Cover Why cutting down your expenses remains one of the fastest ways to hit financial independence Recalculating your rental property profits and making sure your cash flow is correct Turnkey rentals and using them as a low-stress way to quickly build a profitable portfolio Selling off investments to pay for your lifestyle and the risk of doing so Combining finances as a couple and how to propose the idea to a not-so-convinced spouse Defining your goals and drafting your “vision” that’ll help you make the right steps to achieve ultimate freedom And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Scott's Instagram Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget BiggerPockets FIRE Planning Worksheet The Money Date: What You Should (And Definitely Should Not) Do to Align Your Finances as a Couple Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-342 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Katie Gatti Tassin from Money with Katie had her “financial awakening” earlier than most. She saw the middle-class wealth trap of working, spending, and repeating for what it really was. This cash-gobbling cycle is one that many Americans fall into, but once you see the light, it’s hard not to almost automatically do better. And that’s what Katie did, trading twenty-dollar daily lunches and “hot girl expenses” for more saving, investing, and skyrocketing net worth. Through a few short years of self-education, Katie was able to more than double her income, build profitable side businesses, and have a master-like grip on her finances. She’s become an expert in retirement investing, passive income, and saving simply through reading blog posts, listening to podcasts, and starting something of her own. This, coming from someone who just a few years ago had less than $500 to their name. Katie walks through what spurred her “financial awakening” and how sharing the same thought process could activate your own. She also touches on financial myths that the middle class commonly falls into, the great Roth vs. 401(k)debate, and why lifestyle creep isn’t such a bad thing. She’s proof that you can turn your entire financial situation around in only a few short years, and if she could do it, why can’t you? In This Episode We Cover The “financial awakening” that’ll have you saving more and spending less Financial “truths” that could destroy your wealth if you follow them Self-education and the best personal finance podcasts and blogs and you should tune into Retirement investing and whether it makes sense to invest pre-tax or post-tax Starting side hustles and job hopping to more than double your salary The bright side of lifestyle creep and using it as a reward for your hard work And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Scott's Instagram Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Finance Friday: I Want to Cash Out My 401k Early, Should Mr. Money Mustache The Shockingly Simple Math Behind Early Retirements The Money With Katie Podcast Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the past two years, short-term rental investing has become a financial lifeline for those that are trying to make extra income. A small one or two-bedroom basement, garage apartment, or mother-in-law suite brings in enough cash flow for many to pay off a sizable amount of their mortgage. One such investor is Allen, who turned his low-interest rate primary residence into a lucrative short-term rental in the Portland, Maine area. Allen is a vacation rental house hacker, leasing his garage apartment at a nightly rate for those visiting the area. Thanks to local laws, he’s unable to increase his nightly rates, but the silver lining means Allen has an almost fully-occupied, revenue-producing rental most of the time. He wants to build his short-term rental empire to even greater heights, but after looking at the math, Scott and Mindy aren’t so convinced that this is the right move. With six figures in student debt and a moderate credit score weighing him down, Allen may be in a better position to do something else with his money. Scott and Mindy go through the numbers, calculations, and everything else you’d need to see whether or not another real estate investment is the right move for you. Even if you’re someone with a high income like Allen, you may be surprised by what Scott and Mindy propose. In This Episode We Cover When is the right time to buy real estate and how high-interest rates hurt your chances of getting a good deal Limiting your monthly spending and taking advantage of earning a high income Short-term rental house hacking and using it to cover most of your living expenses Stocks vs. real estate investing and when it’s the right time to choose one over the other Aggressive debt payoff and how to know whether an interest rate is too high Credit score tips and the factors that make yours go up and down And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Scott's Instagram Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Airbnb Finance Friday: Self-Employed Income and Short-Term Rental Investing Are FIRE Naysayers Bad at Math? Yes. with Michael Kitces Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-340 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone knows that real estate agent commissions are hefty. Those who have sold a house in the past few years may look at their settlement agreement and wonder where those tens of thousands of dollars really went. It’s not hard for a new agent in today’s world to lock in six-figures worth of real estate commissions within their first few years. But, not many agents, even uber-experienced ones, have been able to hit what Pat Hiban has. Pat was one of the first “billion-dollar” real estate agents. Unfortunately, the “billion dollars” doesn’t refer to commission checks, but it does refer to real estate sales as a whole. This is doubly impressive when you factor in the decades when this was achieved. Pat sold homes in the 80s, 90s, and 2000s when home prices were far less than they are today. So, you could consider Pat an inflation-adjusted “trillion dollar” real estate agent! But how did Pat, a sociology major without any connection to real estate, reach such heights within a few short years? And, a more important question to ask, why did Pat give it all up at the peak of his career? What was worth more to him than making seven figures and bringing home huge commissions every month? He gives hints as to why he left it all in this episode. And, as one of the newest BiggerPockets authors, you can pick up his books 6 Steps to 7 Figures and The Quitter’s Manifesto today! In This Episode We Cover Everything you ever wanted to know about real estate agent commissions and broker splits Why so many new real estate agents fail during their first few years Leveraging out your work, hiring employees, and scaling a business instead of building a job Real estate investing basics and the downsides of taking too much depreciation Quitting a lucrative career and the financial moves to make that ensure a successful transition The six steps to reaching seven figures for real estate agents (and any other entrepreneur!) And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Scott's Instagram Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-339 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Student loan debt—the gift that keeps on giving with interest, stress, and the overwhelming feeling that you won’t be able to pay them off. The larger the loan, the heavier the weight on your shoulders, but in today’s episode, we go over how to start lightening your load. Focusing solely on your debt makes it seem like there's no way out, but financial freedom is always achievable. Today’s guests, James and Bianca, have $278,000 of student debt between them. This debt has followed them for a while, and their original payoff plan would last for another twenty-four years. Despite their debt, James and Bianca have a strong financial portfolio with ten cash-flowing rental units. They make over $17,000 a month with only $7,300 in expenses. Even with a strong financial foundation, these student loans have loomed over them and kept them from true financial freedom. Scott and Mindy introduce James and Bianca to ways they could pay off their debt in the next few years and completely shift their mindset on defeating six-figure debt. Instead of having a burden on their backs for another twenty-four years, they could get their time back and be debt-free sooner. After listening to this episode, there’s a good chance you could too! In This Episode We Cover Living on less than half of your income and how to maximize your unused funds Income-based repayment plans and determining the best loan payoff plan for you Reallocating your portfolio and finding creative ways to pay off your debt Time management and how to know when you should outsource or delegate tasks Preparing for a career shift and how to create a solid financial foundation Getting into a debt-free mindset and finding financial independence even faster And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Scott's Instagram Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget BiggerPockets FIRE Planning Worksheet Student Loans Update: Repayment, Refinancing, and Potential Forgiveness w/ Robert Farrington Finance Friday: Using Student Loan Forgiveness to Catapult FI w/ Sammie Paying Off Student Loan Debt with a Median Income and Two Kids in Northern California with Kyle Renke Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-338 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

College isn’t the only option after high school. In fact, it’s not even the best option. Typically, twenty-two-year-olds fresh out of college are launched into the workforce with a lot of debt and little life experience. So how do you enter the workforce debt-free with life experience? Join the military. Today’s guest, David Pere, is a financially free veteran with 100 rental units, all thanks to his time in the military. He enlisted fresh out of high school in 2008. While he did the usual “stupid young guy stuff” for a few years, once he read Rich Dad Poor Dad in 2015, he decided to get serious about financial freedom. After thirteen years of active duty, in 2021 he was honorably discharged with a net worth of a million dollars. The military offers various benefits, from the ability to learn trades to getting life experience to its financial advantages. As a service member, you are in an ideal position to become financially free. Your housing and food get paid for, and you have access to government-backed savings plans and loans. You also get tuition assistance for yourself and your family. With all the support and benefits the military provides, you can start building the life you always dreamed of straight out of high school. In This Episode We Cover Why the military may be the best option straight out of high school The various opportunities to start a career through the military The GI Bill vs. tuition assistance and how to make sure you qualify The tangible and intangible skills you learn in the military and how they translate into the workforce The VA Loan, qualifications, and how to get rich with it via house hacks The TSP and the SDP and how to use them to grow your wealth faster And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter David on BiggerPockets David’s Site From Military to Millionaire Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget The (Almost) Guaranteed Way to 31x Your Investments DIY Your Way to FI with Tinian Crawford Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-337 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Becoming a millionaire by 30 is almost every 20-or-something-year-old’s dream. But what if you want to go even further? Instead of seven-figure net worth, what about an eight-figure net worth? Would this be enough to make your wildest dreams come true, or is planning for ultra-wealthy status a wasted pursuit, as most people could easily retire earlywith just a few million? The question we’re trying to ask is, how much is enough? It’s not Scott and Mindy asking this question, it’s today’s guest, Travis. You could call Travis an overachiever, although he doesn’t have the ego to fit that title. Travis has built close to a million dollars in net worth, with $10,000 of monthly passive income in just four years. He’s done this while working a full-time job and spending just $2,000 a month. If we could give a “You Did It, You Won the Money Show!” award, Travis would be first in line. But Travis is struggling to get his goals aligned with his portfolio. He set a lofty eight-figure goal for retirement, but with his rock-bottom spending rate, is this dollar figure even worth the work? Travis also wants to pose the stocks vs. real estate question, as he’s almost entirely invested in rental properties with very little left in retirement accounts or any stock accounts in general. So what is Travis’ next move? Quit the job, load up on stocks, or keep doing what he’s been doing? In This Episode We Cover Using the BRRRR strategy to grow a large rental portfolio in very little time Hitting millionaire status by your thirties through smart spending and consistent investing When to quit your W2 and pursue entrepreneurial pursuits full-time Stocks vs. real estate and loading up your Roth, 401K, and other retirement accounts Goal setting and when to take a step back from building wealth CapEx calculations, cash reserves, and prepaying your mortgage And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Scott's Instagram Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget BiggerPockets FIRE Planning Worksheet Ready to Retire: The Ultimate Pre-Retirement Checklist Coast FI: The Calculated Way to Retire Early WITHOUT Giving Up What You Love w/Jessica from The Fioneers Episode 200 Special: A Personal Finance Masterclass with Kyle Mast Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-336 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do timing the market and a circle have in common? There’s no point, literally and figuratively. Some people would like to have you think they’ve cracked the code and there’s some secret formula. There’s not. They may have been able to “time the market” once or twice, but they probably can’t repeat it multiple times. Being correct for the wrong reasons isn’t repeatable, and with the market being so arbitrary, timing it correctly for the right reasons is unlikely. Despite this, there’s still a way to have enormous success while realizing great returns in the stock market, and today’s guest, Jesse Cramer, explains that. In Jesse’s article, The Near-Zero Benefit from Timing the Market, he tells the story of three investors. All three investors have different experiences “timing” the market, and while they all have different outcomes, it’s not the outcome you’d expect. While you can’t time the market, time in the market can be just as lucrative. If you let your money compound interest over time, you’d be surprised at how much more you can earn by simply leaving your money alone. In This Episode We Cover Time in the market vs. timing of the market and which one wins over decades The unpredictability of the market and how to combat it Advice for new investors on how to manage emotions while investing The benefits of reinvesting your dividends and letting your investments compound The importance of self-education and how to use it as insurance when investing The history of the stock market and its overall growth And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Mile High FI Podcast 1,500 Days to Freedom Coronavirus: Is It Time to Give Up on Financial Independence? The Near-Zero Benefit from Timing the Market BestInterest Blog Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-335 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If someone told you that financial freedom could be achieved by traveling the world, you probably wouldn’t believe them. How can going on a work vacation to Europe make you richer? Surprisingly, doing this can help cut years off your retirement horizon, allowing you to save more, spend less, and invest for your future faster than ever before. Don’t believe it’s possible? Scott and Mindy prove the profits behind doing so in this Finance Friday episode! Today we’re talking to James, who is inches away from retirement. He has only a few years left before he can sail off into the sunset, but James wants to know how he can reach his goals even faster. He keeps his spending low, continuously invests, and has a remote work position, allowing him to work wherever he wants. He dreams of living in other areas of the United States but wants to ensure he has enough money to do so. His highest monthly cost? Housing! Like most Americans, a majority of James’ spending is for the roof over his head, but could geographic arbitrage turn his travel plans into a seriously profitable excursion? For those who are trying to hit FI, are close to FI, or simply want to spend more time enjoying life abroad, this episode is for you! In This Episode We Cover Calculating your FI number and getting to early retirement faster Defining your retirement goals and knowing what you want to do and where you want to be The 4% rule and whether or not it holds up as stock values have taken a tumble Geographic arbitrage and using it to reduce your largest monthly cost Coast FI and why a more gradual retirement option may work for you The five questions every investor should ask themselves when planning for retirement And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Scott's Instagram Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Ready to Retire: The Ultimate Pre-Retirement Checklist BiggerPockets FIRE Planning Worksheet Coast FI: The Calculated Way to Retire Early WITHOUT Giving Up What You Love w/Jessica from The Fioneers Ramit Sethi’s Money Advice for Couples: Live a Rich Life, Together Networthify Cfiresim Simulator Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-334 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the early retirement movement, becoming a millionaire is a crucial part of the financial path. While everyone has different spending habits, the first million will allow you to start pivoting so you can make choices for your enjoyment, not just for the sake of money. But when is it too late to start making these moves? Is there a certain point where early retirement, or retirement at all, is off the table? If you think so, listen to today’s episode with Courtney Robinson. Courtney was raised frugal, and unlike most, she never strayed off that path. Buying old cars, eating at home, and seeing matinee movies were the norm for her, but this began to get harder and harder as her family grew. Courtney was raising four children on her own, making only $15,000 per year, with multiple debts to pay off. But now, only ten years later, she’s a millionaire with equity, retirement investments, a large cash reserve, and multiple rental properties. How did she make the switch in the “late period” of her life? Courtney goes over the details that led her and her husbandout of bankruptcy, into investing, and eventually to millionaire status. By no means was this an easy or quick journey, but Courtney serves as living proof that even if you’re in your forties or fifties, you still have plenty of time to build a strong financial foundation, and maybe retire early! In This Episode We Cover Early frugality and the long-term benefits of teaching your children to save Living off of $15,000 per year and how to intelligently increase your yearly income Bankruptcy, debt payoff, and differentiating the “needs” from the “wants” in your life Paying off your mortgage and living for “free” in just a few years Calculating your FI number and making sure your investments match what you’ll need Emergency funds, cash reserves, and how much to keep in each account And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Scott's Instagram Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Dave Ramsey Solutions Early Retirement by 30 with $20K/Month in (Actually) Passive Income Finance Friday: How to Get to Early Retirement Even Faster Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-333 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Having shared finances, for most couples, is an automatic thing to do once married or after being together for many years. It seems natural to want to combine income, expenses, and investments all in one big pot. This was the norm for most couples over the past hundred years, but as technology has made individual accounts more defined, some couples are finding freedom in keeping their finances separate from their relationship. We thought we’d put this theory to the test by having Doug Cunnington and Carl Jensen, hosts of the Mile High FI podcast, on the show. Doug and his wife have separate finances, Carl (Mindy’s husband) has completely combined their cash flow, and David Pere (our trusted military millionaire) has walked the tightrope between combined and separate finances with his wife. But which couple is fairing the best? Unfortunately, we will not be having a couple vs. couple cage match?—but we will discuss the pros and cons of each strategy. Carl, David, and Doug all bring up interesting, and often emotional, arguments as to why they think their money-splitting strategy works best for their specific relationship. If you’re currently in a relationship, married, or about to be wed, this may be a crucial topic worth exploring before your spouse spends $50,000+ on an impulse Tesla order! In This Episode We Cover Three couples with three different ways of splitting finances How to combine monthly cash flow so that bills are paid The bright side of prenuptial agreements and why every married couple should have one Respecting your partner's money mindset by building a spouse-specific system for the two of you Saving for your child's college and whether or not higher education is worth it as college becomes increasingly optional Advice for couples who will (or already) combine their finances and investing And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter David on BiggerPockets David’s Site From Military to Millionaire Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Mile High FI Podcast 1,500 Days to Freedom Why You’re (Probably) Wrong About Prenups Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How would a six-figure side hustle change your financial picture? Think of the possibilities—being able to travel, becoming debt-free, or even buying your dream home. For most Americans, income is capped at what you make through a salary. There isn’t enough time, creativity, or energy left at the end of the day to make more. But, one specific subset of employees does have an upper hand that most people overlook—teachers. With a sizable summer break, teachers can make more than many others, even with their median incomes. Someone who took full advantage of this lucrative scheduling was Skyler. Skyler was raised in a very frugal household, resorting to food stamps and government subsidies at times. But Skyler was poised to turn a hard past into hard assets and later, financial freedom. He used financial aid to heavily discount his college tuition, rent-hacked (sometimes for free) into his mid-twenties, and thought of every decision as a return on investment. As he slowly whittled down the debt he had accumulated through school, real estate caught his eye. Skyler not only beganselling homes on the side as an agent but performing live in flips during the off-season of his teaching career. Thisskyrocketed his net worth, debt payoff schedule, and timeline to financial freedom. He’s made so many wise moves that Skyler will soon be saving eighty percent of his income all while living for free abroad! In This Episode We Cover Turning frugality into financial success through smart money-saving moves Student loan payoff and using the “debt snowball method” to become debt-free faster Live in flips and how to make six-figure, tax-free wealth through this lucrative side-hustle The true price of adopting a child in the US and why it’s something worth saving up for Making the most of your median-income job by building wealth in the background Geographic arbitrage and living for free (and tax-free!) in other parts of the world And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget How to Create Financial Security (From Scratch!) and Become “Set for Life” Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You’ve heard of money hacks before, but probably not like this. For the teenagers and parents of teenagers listening, this episode will give you everything you need to make yourself, or your child, financially successful, straight out of high school. Most parents think that a strong financial foundation is built through allowances, debit cards, and making their child get an after-school job. While none of that is bad advice, it doesn’t leave the teenager with a sense of financial security or knowledge of how to manage money. Thankfully, the Sheek Freak himself, Dan Sheeks, is back on the show to give his “ultimate teen money hack for parents.” This strategy has been built through years of teaching children how to manage and make money and is one of the easiest ways to get teens on the correct financial path. This isn’t an overcomplicated strategy, but it will take some buy-in from your teen. What they’ll get out of it is far more independence, responsibility, and the ability to save and invest for a better future. But Dan isn’t the only guest on today’s episode! We also have Carl Jensen and Claire Jensen joining us! Claire is fifteen years old, putting her in the perfect position to take ownership of her finances. She also asks some insightful questions your teen might ask when you try out this strategy. Thankfully, Claire is a fan of Dan's system, and she encourages all the parents (and teens) out there to try it too! In This Episode We Cover The “ultimate teen money hack” every parent should try with their high-schooler Teen debit cards, credit cards, and building up basic frugality Teaching your teen to “pay yourself first” through strategic spending and investing Letting your child make mistakes now, so they don’t make life-long mistakes later The perfect age to implement this strategy and when it matters most Common questions your teen may ask and getting them excited about money management And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Mindy's Twitter Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Mile High FI Podcast 1,500 Days to Freedom Escaping The Rat Race Before Your First Job w/ Dan Sheeks Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wealth-building isn’t a pre-formulated path for most people. For those raised in poverty, the thought of financial stability seems like a far-out dream. Achieving financial independence or early retirement basically becomes an afterthought, or a fantasy only someone else could achieve. Without basic financial literacy and education, you could spend life aimlessly wandering without saving, investing, or thinking about a more promising financial future. But Amanda “She Wolfe of Wall Street” Wolfe did the opposite of that. Amanda was raised in extreme poverty, going long stretches of time without food, clean clothes, a shower, or school supplies. From a young age, she knew that most of her problems stemmed from a lack of money. The best way to solve that? Go to school, work hard, and make more money, so she could never feel poor again. But, when Amanda started bringing in a full-time income, her so-called “savings plan” went out the window. Set on not making the same mistakes as her parents, she revamped and reverse engineered her spending to match her savings and investing goals. She did this purely through DIY financial literacy and tenaciously asking questions. It paid off, and now she boasts a social media following of over 100,000, with two full-time incomes and a large reserve of retirement savings to boot! In This Episode We Cover Escaping childhood poverty through basic financial education DIY financial literacy by asking questions others are too intimidated to 401ks, Roth IRAs, HSAs, and other tax-advantaged investing accounts Tweaking your “money mindset” to place yourself on the path to building wealth Amanda’s biggest financial mistake that, once corrected, increased her income two-fold Building your emergency reserves and using them to catapult your investments And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Scott's Instagram Mindy's Twitter Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget XY Planning Advisor Fidelity Investments She Wolf of Wall Street Website Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-329 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For average investors, private money lending has been mentally squared away as “something mega-wealthy people do.” Most investors will write off lending money because they think they lack the experience or funds to do a successful deal. But what if we told you private money lending requires less money than you thought, that it’s almost completely passive, and that today’s high-interest-rate environment may be the perfect time to start? Alex Breshears and Beth Johnson are graciously coming in as our private money messiahs, teaching us all how easy (and lucrative) it is to be a private money lender. They’ve been lending for years, not only to supplement their real estate portfolios but often to outright replace them. Private money is far more passive and flexible than performing a flip or BRRRR yourself, and almost anyone (and yes, we mean anyone) can do it in one way or another. It’s such a good way to make more money that Alex and Beth wrote the new BiggerPockets book, Lend to Live, on this exact subject. But before you print off business cards that say “private money expert” under your name, listen to what Alex and Beth have to say. They drop some valuable gems on who should (and shouldn’t) be a private money lender, how to protect yourself when you lend, points, rates, and fees you can charge, and building a pool of borrowers you can trust. If you’re anything like Scott and Mindy, then there’s a good chance you’ll walk away from this episode far more interested in private money than before! In This Episode We Cover How any investor can become a private money lender and build a pool of borrowers Why 2022 presents an interesting opportunity for new private money lenders Points, rates, laws, and setting up your private money structure Building the perfect private money team that can protect you on any deal The insane returns lenders get when doing different types of deals Betting on the “jockey” vs. the "horse” when vetting a potential borrower Private lending red flags that new lenders can easily fall prey to And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Scott's Instagram Mindy's Twitter Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget Loans Gone Wild: Turning a Private Loan Into a Profitable Flip After Foreclosure Private Money: What the Experts Warn Against Before You Lend (Or Borrow!) Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-328 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices