BiggerPockets Money Podcast

Thinking about early retirement in the next 5 years? This episode breaks down exactly how to prepare—financially and emotionally—so you don’t just retire early, but stay retired. Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench walk through the critical steps to stress test your portfolio, plan for healthcare costs, optimize your tax strategy, and build a realistic withdrawal plan. Plus, they cover the often-overlooked side of FIRE: your health, purpose, and lifestyle design. If you’re in the “messy middle” or approaching financial independence, this is your blueprint to confidently retire early without costly mistakes. To go beyond the podcast: Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources - https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/ Subscribe on YouTube for even more content- www.youtube.com/biggerpocketsmoney  Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BPMoney We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if you didn’t have to grind your way to financial independence? In this episode, Alyssa shares how she reached Coast FI by prioritizing flexibility, intentional spending, and what she calls “hobby jobs” over traditional full-time work. After leaving a high-stress healthcare career, she designed a life of part-time income, travel, and freedom—proving you can build wealth while actually enjoying your life along the way. To go beyond the podcast: Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources - https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/ Subscribe on YouTube for even more content- www.youtube.com/biggerpocketsmoney  Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BPMoney Connect with Alyssa:  Blog: https://theprofessionalnursedropout.substack.com/ We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is a $2M net worth enough to retire in 10 years? In this Finance Friday episode, Mindy and Scott break down a real “messy middle” case study—Karl, a high-saving household navigating early retirement planning, rising expenses, healthcare costs, and market uncertainty after doing everything right.  You’ll learn how to evaluate your FI timeline using the 4% rule, safe withdrawal strategies, portfolio diversification, and tax-efficient investing across 401(k)s, Roth IRAs, and brokerage accounts. They also cover sequence of returns risk, Roth conversion strategies, and how to balance active income with long-term wealth building. If you’re wondering whether you’re truly on track for early retirement—or how to turn your net worth into lasting financial freedom—this episode gives you the frameworks and numbers to find out. To go beyond the podcast: Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources - https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/resources Subscribe on YouTube for even more content- www.youtube.com/biggerpocketsmoney  Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BPMoney Resources from this episode: KFF Health Insurance Calculator: https://www.kff.org/interactive/subsidy-calculator/ Rising Healthcare Costs in Early Retirement Article: https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/why-healthcare-costs-rise-sharply-with-age-in-early-retirement-and-why-early-retirees-need-a-bigger-buffer-than-the-4-rule/ Personal Financial Statement: biggerpocketsmoney.com/resources  We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From $500 a month to a $10M+ net worth, Tiffany Aliche shares how she rebuilt her life after $300K in debt—and the 10 pillars of “financial wholeness” that helped her do it. This episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast breaks down the mindset, strategy, and systems behind lasting wealth, stability, and freedom. To go beyond the podcast: Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources - https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/ Subscribe on YouTube for even more content- www.youtube.com/biggerpocketsmoney  Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BPMoney Connect with Tiffany Aliche: Buy ‘Get Good With Money’: https://getgoodwithmoney.com/ Website: https://thebudgetnista.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebudgetnista We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it actually take to think like a CEO? In this episode, Scott Trench breaks down the essential “CEO toolkit”—from strategic thinking and financial fluency to culture, decision-making, and crisis management—giving you the frameworks and systems you need to lead effectively, whether you’re running a company or simply trying to make better, higher-stakes decisions in your own life. To go beyond the podcast: Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources - https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/ Subscribe on YouTube for even more content- www.youtube.com/biggerpocketsmoney  Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BPMoney We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Building lasting wealth doesn’t have to be complicated. In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench break down the Financial Stability Framework, a practical roadmap designed to help middle-class households achieve long-term financial independence. To go beyond the podcast: Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources - https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/ Subscribe on YouTube for even more content- www.youtube.com/biggerpocketsmoney  Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BPMoney We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re within three years of early retirement, your success depends on more than just your net worth. In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench sit down with Fritz Gilbert to break down the most overlooked part of financial independence: the mental, emotional, and social transition into retirement. Learn why the final years before FIRE are critical, and how failing to prepare beyond finances can lead to loss of identity, lack of purpose, and unexpected dissatisfaction. You’ll discover Fritz’s powerful framework for navigating the four phases of retirement, how to replace work-driven identity with purpose and community, and why curiosity, experimentation, and health span planning are essential for long-term fulfillment. Whether you’re approaching financial independence or already planning your early retirement lifestyle, this episode gives you a practical roadmap to build a meaningful, flexible, and deeply satisfying life after work. To go beyond the podcast: Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources - https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/ Subscribe on YouTube for even more content- www.youtube.com/biggerpocketsmoney  Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BPMoney Connect with Fritz Gilbert Website: https://www.theretirementmanifesto.com/blog/ We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are the biggest mistakes people make on the road to financial independence? In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench break down the 13 biggest FIRE mistakes that quietly delay or derail your progress toward early retirement. From starting too late and ignoring spending habits to misunderstanding the 4% rule and overlooking healthcare costs, these common financial independence mistakes can cost you years on your journey to FIRE. You’ll learn how to avoid lifestyle creep, optimize your savings and investment strategy, reduce tax inefficiencies, and build a flexible financial independence plan that can adapt to real-world risks. Whether you’re just starting your FIRE journey or already investing for early retirement, this episode reveals the most co To go beyond the podcast: Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources - https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/ Subscribe on YouTube for even more content- www.youtube.com/biggerpocketsmoney  Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BPMoney We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench sit down with Evan Lawler, a full-time engineer and content creator, to break down his plan to reach Coast FIRE with $500,000 invested by age 30. Instead of pursuing traditional early retirement, Evan is building a disciplined, automated investment strategy that allows his portfolio to compound while he focuses on career growth and enjoying his 20s and 30s. Mindy and Scott unpack Evan’s early start in personal finance, his frugal lifestyle choices, Roth account strategy, and approach to negotiating raises and increasing income. From optimizing housing costs in Philadelphia to building long-term flexibility and balance, this episode offers a practical blueprint for anyone interested in Coast FIRE, financial independence, and smart wealth-building in their 20s. To go beyond the podcast: Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources - https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/ Subscribe on YouTube for even more content- www.youtube.com/biggerpocketsmoney  Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BPMoney Connect with Evan Lawler: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_financialfoundation/ Email: The.FinancialFoundation00@gmail.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The_FinancialFoundation We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you a high earner in your 30s or 40s with a growing net worth — but somehow still feel financially stuck? You might be caught in the "boring middle" — a phase where your wealth is locked in home equity and retirement accounts, leaving you cash-poor, inflexible, and far from the financial freedom you've been working toward. In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, Scott Trench and Mindy Jensen sit down with CFP David Jackson of  Domain Money to break down the middle-class trap and reveal why the conventional advice to max out your 401(k) may actually be slowing your path to financial independence. David shares three powerful strategic options for DEWK households (dual-income, employed, with kids) to build liquidity, optionality, and tax efficiency — without sacrificing long-term growth. You'll learn the Liquidity First Optionality Framework (LaFaF), how to think about diversifying across Roth, pre-tax, and brokerage accounts, and why psychological freedom matters just as much as portfolio size. Whether you're chasing FIRE, reassessing your retirement strategy, or simply tired of feeling trapped by your own financial success — this episode is your blueprint. To go beyond the podcast: Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources - https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/ Subscribe on YouTube for even more content- www.youtube.com/biggerpocketsmoney  Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BPMoney Interested in learning more Domain Money and working with David Jackson? Visit: https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/cfp/ Early Retirement Group, LLC (“BiggerPockets Money”), is acting as a promoter for Domain Money Advisors, LLC (“Domain”) and receives a flat fee for each client who enrolls in or purchases the promoted services. In addition to the compensation provided to Bigger Pockets Money, Scott Trench is a current client of Domain and received non-cash compensation related to his promotional activity. This compensation creates a conflict of interest because the promoter has a financial incentive to recommend the service. Clients should independently evaluate whether the service is appropriate for their needs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s the real relationship between money and happiness? In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench sit down with leading happiness researcher Matt Killingsworth to unpack what the science actually says about income and happiness. Drawing from real-time data collected through Track Your Happiness, Matt explains why happiness does not plateau at $75,000, how income and emotional well-being are logarithmically connected, and why control over your time may matter more than any specific dollar amount. Beyond debunking the famous happiness ceiling, this conversation dives into defining “enough,” avoiding the FIRE community’s “one more year” trap, and understanding how relationships, engagement, and community drive lasting fulfillment. If you’re pursuing financial independence and wondering whether more money will truly make you happier, this episode delivers research-backed clarity and practical frameworks to evaluate your own happiness metrics—so you can design a life that feels rich long before (and after) retirement. To go beyond the podcast: Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources - https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/ Subscribe on YouTube for even more content- www.youtube.com/biggerpocketsmoney  Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BPMoney Connect with Matt Killingsworth: Website: https://www.mattkillingsworth.com/ Track Your Happiness: https://trackyourhappiness.org/ We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench sit down with Grace Gudenkauf, a real estate investor who began her journey at just 23 years old with $15,000 in savings during COVID. Grace shares how she built a thriving rental portfolio in Iowa by leveraging local market knowledge, living below her means, and strategically balancing renovations, new construction, and entrepreneurship. Mindy and Scott unpack Grace’s approach to deal analysis, seller financing, local bank relationships, and pivoting strategies during rising interest rates. From flipping to building triplexes with a “build one, keep one” model, Grace reveals how she’s designing a low-leverage, resilient portfolio on her path to financial independence. If you want practical real estate investing strategies for your 20s—or a blueprint for long-term cash flow—this episode delivers. To go beyond the podcast: Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources - https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/ Subscribe on YouTube for even more content- www.youtube.com/biggerpocketsmoney  Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BPMoney Connect with Grace Gudenkauf: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grace.investing/ We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can you reach financial independence earning a median or below-median income? In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench break down why making less money can actually be a powerful advantage on the path to wealth. Instead of chasing a higher salary, they explore how lower fixed expenses, smarter tax positioning, and intentional lifestyle choices can accelerate financial freedom. Mindy and Scott reveal the strategic habits, mindset shifts, and wealth-building tactics that lower-income earners can leverage over time. From Roth strategies and house hacking to side hustles and multiple small bets, this episode shows how consistent, smart decisions can compound into long-term financial independence. To go beyond the podcast: Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources - https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/ Subscribe on YouTube for even more content- www.youtube.com/biggerpocketsmoney Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BPMoney We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench are joined by Emily Egashira to hear about her financial journey. Emily’s journey to financial independence proves that your starting point doesn’t determine your financial future. Growing up in poverty with a scarcity mindset, she transformed her life and is set to reach financial independence by 40 through disciplined saving, strategic investing, and powerful mindset shifts.  Emily breaks down the exact strategies that helped her save 45–50% of her income, manage healthcare costs as a self-employed professional, navigate market dips like the COVID-19 crash, and plan a dual early retirement with complex drawdown strategies. We also explore the psychology of money, overcoming limiting beliefs, growing income intentionally, and why having a financial plan changes everything on the path to FIRE and early retirement. To go beyond the podcast: Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources - https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/ Subscribe on YouTube for even more content- www.youtube.com/biggerpocketsmoney  Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BPMoney Connect with Emily Egashira:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyfrienditsem Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hey-Friend-Its-Em/61575209009919/ We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench are joined by Frank Vasquez to explore small cap value investing, factor research from Eugene Fama and Kenneth French, and how funds like AVUV compare to total market index funds like VTSAX. They discuss historical outperformance, diversification benefits, expense ratios, index construction differences, and whether small cap value deserves a place in your long-term portfolio. To go beyond the podcast: Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources - https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/ Subscribe on YouTube for even more content- www.youtube.com/biggerpocketsmoney  Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BPMoney Connect with Frank Vasquez:  https://www.riskparityradio.com/about Fairfax CASA Donation Page https://www.fairfaxcasa.org/give-now/ Father McKenna Center Donation Page: https://fathermckennacenter.org/how-you-can-help/donate/ We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench are joined by Paul Merriman. Paul shares decades of investing wisdom and explains why simple index investing often outperforms complex strategies. We explore the power of diversification beyond the S&P 500, the importance of bonds in a portfolio, and how glide paths reduce risk over time. Paul also breaks down the psychological traps that sabotage investors—and how to avoid them. If you want to: Build wealth with index funds Create a smarter asset allocation Reduce risk while maximizing long-term returns This episode is your blueprint. To go beyond the podcast: Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources Subscribe on YouTube for even more content Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners Connect with Paul Merriman: Website: https://www.paulmerriman.com/ Paul’s New Book ‘We’re Talking Millions!’: https://irp.cdn-website.com/6b78c197/files/uploaded/Were-Talking-Millions.pdf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if financial independence isn’t about retiring early — but about controlling your time right now? In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench sit down with Brian Herriot — millionaire in his 40s, now managing a $3 million portfolio, and author of Time Freedom — to talk about redefining what financial independence really means. Brian shares how he built wealth, why he shifted his focus from net worth to time control, and how entrepreneurship, investing, and spending habits all play a role in designing a life you don’t want to escape from. They dive into: The mindset shift from “early retirement” to “time freedom” How Brian grew from $1M to a $3M portfolio The life events that reshaped his financial goals Why flexible work can accelerate financial independence The connection between entrepreneurship and freedom Investing strategies that align with your life vision The overlooked importance of relationships in business Health insurance, risk management, and real-world FIRE challenges Work-life balance and building a sustainable version of success If you’re pursuing FIRE, building wealth, or questioning whether early retirement is actually the goal — this conversation will challenge how you think about money. To go beyond the podcast: Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources Subscribe on YouTube for even more content Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners Connect with Brian Herriot: Website: https://timefreedom.life/ Buy Brian’s New Book ‘Time Freedom’: https://timefreedom.life/book/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you choose a side hustle that actually makes money instead of wasting your time? In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast Nick Loper from Side Hustle Nation breaks down exactly how to find the right opportunity by aligning your skills and interests with real market demand. Whether you're looking for low-skill options to get started or high-paying side hustles that don't require heavy lifting, Nick explains how to identify opportunities in everyday problems, set realistic income expectations, and use AI to brainstorm ideas tailored to your specific situation. Learn why most side hustles fail, how to avoid common mistakes, and the proven framework for choosing something that will actually generate income. This Episode Covers: It's important to take an honest inventory of your available time for a side hustle. Setting realistic goals for your side hustle can help maintain motivation. Identifying your skills and interests is crucial for finding the right side hustle. Look for opportunities in everyday problems that others face. Low-skill side hustles can be a good starting point for many people. Market demand is essential; if a service is needed, there's potential for success. Building trust and reputation is key to gaining clients in any side hustle. AI can assist in brainstorming side hustle ideas tailored to your skills. Creative solutions for busy families can lead to lucrative side hustle opportunities. And SO much more! To go beyond the podcast: Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources Subscribe on YouTube for even more content Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners Connect with Nick Loper: Website Social Media AI Brainstorming Worksheet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the BiggerPocketsMoney podcast, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench host Ryan Sterling, CEO of NerdWallet Wealth Partners, to discuss the nuances of different financial advisor compensation structures. Whether you're planning your financial future or evaluating advisors, understanding these models can help you make informed decisions that align with your goals. This Episode Covers: The core differences between flat fee and assets under management (AUM) fee models How transparency and client mindset influence fee preferences The conflicts of interest inherent in AUM and commission-based models When AUM fees may be more appropriate for high-net-worth clients Practical scenarios demonstrating long-term cost implications of each model The evolving landscape of flat fee financial planning and industry fee compression Ryan’s insights on selecting quality advisors and the importance of credentials like CFP How fee structure impacts client behavior, trust, and long-term financial outcomes To go beyond the podcast: Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources Subscribe on YouTube for even more content Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners Connect with Ryan Sterling:  LinkedIn NerdWallet Wealth Partners We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order! NerdWallet Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training and nothing contained herein should be construed as investment advice. NerdWallet Wealth Partners does not guarantee investment results and does not provide tax or legal advice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trevor and his wife reached a $1 million net worth by age 32 and are on track to achieve financial independence well before 40. In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench chat with Trevor about his unconventional journey involving strategic career moves, real estate investments, and leveraging corporate benefits. Learn how Trevor went from a $1,000 net worth after college to $1 million through smart financial decisions and opportunities. Trevor shares his experiences, challenges, and the importance of financial flexibility in achieving Coast Fire in his 30s. To go beyond the podcast: Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources Subscribe on YouTube for even more content Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices