BusinessInvestingEducation

BiggerPockets Money

For those who have money… or want more of it!

Join Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench (from BiggerPocketsMoney.com) weekly for the BiggerPockets Money Podcast. Each week, financial experts Mindy and Scott interview unique and powerful thought leaders about how to earn more, keep more, spend smarter, and reach financial independence.

Play

Open in

63 episodes
daily
Avg 46 min
English

Episodes 63

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

#791
Today · 46 min
Did Buying a House Ruin Her Path to Financial Independence?
What if you had $1 million invested for financial independence at just 36, but still worried that buying a home could derail your early retirement plans? Cheryl and her family have two young kids, a $1 million FI portfolio, and big goals: reach Coast FI and potentially work part time within five years, while ultimately retiring with $3 million by age 59.5. But after buying a primary residence, Cheryl wants to know whether she’s made a major financial mistake or if she can make homeownership, part-time work, and financial independence all work together. On this Finance Friday episode, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench break down Cheryl’s numbers and explore what it will take to balance her family’s goals without losing sight of the bigger FI plan. To go beyond the podcast: Interested in a Flat Fee Financial Planner? Go to https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/fipro/ Interested in Learning More About Buying a Franchise? Check out: biggerpocketsmoney.com/franzy Get 50% Off Your First Year of Monarch by using code ‘Pockets’: https://www.monarch.com/pockets Connect with Cheryl: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millionairecher/ We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Yesterday · 26 min
Best of BiggerPockets Money: Ben Felix on the 4% Rule
How much can you safely withdraw in early retirement, and is the 4% rule still a good guideline? Ben Felix breaks down portfolio risk, asset allocation, bonds vs. stocks, flexible spending, and the psychological side of investing in retirement. To go beyond the podcast: Listen to the Full Episode Here: https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/podcast/ben-felix-100-equities-in-fire/ Interested in working with a Flat Fee Financial Planner? Go to https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/fipro/ Get 50% Off Your First Year of Monarch by using code ‘Pockets’: https://www.monarch.com/pockets We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#790
Wednesday · 31 min
Is House Hacking Dead in 2026? How to Find Deals That Still Work
Is house hacking still a good strategy for reaching financial independence in 2026? Scott Trench and Evan Lawler break down a real house-hacking opportunity, looking at mortgage costs, cash flow, market conditions, sold properties, and how to systematically find real estate deals that can help you build wealth. If you're considering house hacking, real estate investing, or using rental income to accelerate FIRE, this episode offers a practical framework for evaluating the numbers and knowing when to act. To go beyond the podcast: Interested in a Flat Fee Financial Planner? Go to https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/fipro/ Interested in Learning More About Buying a Franchise? Check out: biggerpocketsmoney.com/franzy Get 50% Off Your First Year of Monarch by using code ‘Pockets’: https://www.monarch.com/pockets Connect with Evan Lawler: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_financialfoundation/ 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! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#789
Tuesday · 46 min
How Much Can You Safely Withdraw in Early Retirement? | Christine Benz
How much do you actually need to retire, and once you get there, how do you turn your portfolio into income without running out of money? In this episode, Christine Benz from Morningstar joins us to talk about one of the biggest challenges of early retirement: decumulation. We get into how much you can realistically withdraw, what to do when markets are expensive or take a downturn, and how to build a portfolio that can support you for decades. Christine also explains why you don’t need a perfect portfolio or an overly complicated strategy to retire successfully, and why staying flexible may be one of the most important parts of a good retirement plan. To go beyond the podcast: Interested in a Flat Fee Financial Planner? Go to https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/fipro/ Interested in Learning More About Buying a Franchise? Check out: biggerpocketsmoney.com/franzy Get 50% Off Your First Year of Monarch by using code ‘Pockets’: https://www.monarch.com/pockets Connect with Christine Benz: Website: https://www.morningstar.com Podcast: The Longview We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#788
October 2 · 54 min
J Scott Explains Inflation, Interest Rates & the Economy
What is happening with inflation, interest rates, energy prices, and the economy, and what does it mean for investors? In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench welcome back J Scott to break down the current economic landscape and explain how inflation, Federal Reserve policy, energy costs, housing, interest rates, money supply, and geopolitical events can affect your finances and investments. They discuss why inflation still feels high, how rising energy prices impact the broader economy, why mortgage and borrowing costs can remain elevated, and whether investors should change their portfolios in response. To go beyond the podcast: Interested in a Flat Fee Financial Planner? Go to https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/fipro/ Interested in Learning More About Buying a Franchise? Check out: biggerpocketsmoney.com/franzy Get 50% Off Your First Year of Monarch by using code ‘Pockets’: https://www.monarch.com/pockets Connect with J Scott: https://linktr.ee/jscottinvestor We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#787
September 30 · 23 min
Want to Reach FI Faster? These Careers Give You the Biggest Advantage
What are the best careers for reaching financial independence? In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Mindy Jensen and Evan Lawler explore careers that can accelerate your path to FI. They break down how income potential, flexibility, pensions, benefits, variable income, and lifestyle can affect your ability to build wealth and reach financial independence faster.. They also discuss side hustles, managing inconsistent income, and why choosing the right career can be just as important as saving and investing when you're working toward FI. To go beyond the podcast: Interested in a Flat Fee Financial Planner? Go to https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/fipro/ Interested in Learning More About Buying a Franchise? Check out: biggerpocketsmoney.com/franzy Get 50% Off Your First Year of Monarch by using code ‘Pockets’: https://www.monarch.com/pockets Connect with Evan Lawler: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_financialfoundation/ 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! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#786
September 29 · 44 min
Naseema Went Bankrupt at 25, Became a Single Mom at 30, and Built $1.3M by 45
How do you go from nearly $1 million in debt to building a $1.3 million net worth? In this BiggerPockets Money episode, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench sit down with Naseema McElroy to hear how she rebuilt her finances through intentional money decisions, strategic debt payoff, disciplined investing, and strong financial systems. Naseema shares how selling a home helped her eliminate debt, how she learned to control major expenses, and why boring, consistent investing became the foundation of her wealth. She also opens up about navigating real estate setbacks, life transitions, and the path toward financial independence. If you’re paying off debt, investing, rebuilding after a financial setback, or working toward financial freedom, this episode is packed with practical lessons you can use to build wealth. To go beyond the podcast: Interested in a Flat Fee Financial Planner? Go to https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/fipro/ Interested in Learning More About Buying a Franchise? Check out: biggerpocketsmoney.com/franzy Get 50% Off Your First Year of Monarch by using code ‘Pockets’: https://www.monarch.com/pockets Connect with Naseema McElroy: Website:financiallyintentional.com Social: @financiallyintentional We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#785
September 25 · 51 min
How She Went From $18K in Debt to Nearly $1 Million in 6 Years
How do you go from $18,000 in debt to nearly $1 million in just six years? On the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench sit down with Kate to unpack the money decisions that completely changed her financial trajectory. She shares how she tackled debt, curbed sneaky spending, built an emergency fund, grew her income through career moves, and began consistently investing in low-cost index funds. More importantly, Kate explains how aligning her spending with what she actually values helped her build wealth without feeling like she was constantly depriving herself. If you're working toward financial independence, paying off debt, or simply trying to build better money habits, this episode is packed with practical strategies you can put to work. To go beyond the podcast: Interested in a Flat Fee Financial Planner? Go to https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/fipro/ Interested in Learning More About Buying a Franchise? Check out: biggerpocketsmoney.com/franzy Get 50% Off Your First Year of Monarch by using code ‘Pockets’: https://www.monarch.com/pockets Connect with Kate: Website: https://www.derekateonfire.com/ Email: derekateonfire@gmail.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! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#784
September 23 · 31 min
Why I’m Baking Lifestyle Inflation Into my Coast FI Plan
Lifestyle inflation can quietly derail your path to financial independence, but does spending more as your income and life change have to be a bad thing? Scott Trench and Evan Lawler break down how spending changes through different stages of life, what the data says about future expenses like housing and childcare, and how to build a realistic financial independence or Coast FI plan. They also explore the FI community’s shift away from extreme frugality and how to use data, flexibility, and better spending expectations to build wealth without sacrificing your quality of life. To go beyond the podcast: Check out the Budget Calculator from this episode: https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/budget/ Interested in a Flat Fee Financial Planner? Go to https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/fipro/ Interested in Learning More About Buying a Franchise? Check out: biggerpocketsmoney.com/franzy Get 50% Off Your First Year of Monarch by using code ‘Pockets’: https://www.monarch.com/pockets Connect with Evan Lawler: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_financialfoundation/ 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! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#783
September 22 · 55 min
Dividend Investing vs Index Funds: Which Is Better for Financial Independence?
In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench sit down with Eli Breece from Dividendology to unpack dividend growth investing and how it compares to traditional index fund investing. They discuss sequence of returns risk, dividend sustainability, free cash flow, valuation, bear markets, and how to evaluate dividend growth stocks. Eli also explains why he believes dividend investing can be a powerful approach to building long-term wealth and creating retirement income, while Mindy and Scott bring their own skepticism to the strategy. To go beyond the podcast: Interested in a Flat Fee Financial Planner? Go to https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/fipro/ Interested in Learning More About Buying a Franchise? Check out: biggerpocketsmoney.com/franzy Get 50% Off Your First Year of Monarch by using code ‘Pockets’: https://www.monarch.com/pockets Connect with Eli Breece: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dividendology We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#782
September 18 · 27 min
How to Use AI to Improve Your Finances and Reach FI Faster
In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench explore how you can use AI to make better financial decisions and move closer to financial independence. They share practical ways to ask better questions, give AI the right context, stress test your financial plan, and even develop an investment thesis. Plus, they talk about where AI can help and why you still need to double-check its work. To go beyond the podcast: Interested in a Flat Fee Financial Planner? Go to https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/fipro/ Interested in Learning More About Buying a Franchise? Check out: biggerpocketsmoney.com/franzy Get 50% Off Your First Year of Monarch by using code ‘Pockets’: https://www.monarch.com/pockets We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#781
September 16 · 27 min
Is Coast FI Riskier Than Traditional FI?
In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Mindy Jensen and Evan Lawler take a closer look at Coast FIRE and what it really means to stop aggressively saving for retirement while still working toward financial independence. They talk through what could go wrong, from market downturns and rising expenses to lifestyle creep and unexpected changes in your life or career. They also discuss how much flexibility Coast FIRE can give you, how to build in a little margin, and what to think about when deciding whether Coast FIRE or traditional FIRE makes sense for you. To go beyond the podcast: Interested in a Flat Fee Financial Planner? Go to https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/fipro/ Interested in Learning More About Buying a Franchise? Check out: biggerpocketsmoney.com/franzy Get 50% Off Your First Year of Monarch by using code ‘Pockets’: https://www.monarch.com/pockets Connect with Evan Lawler: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_financialfoundation/ 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! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#780
September 15 · 1 hr 10 min
Aswath Damodaran: Why AI Needs $10 Trillion in Revenue to Work
In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench sit down with Professor Aswath Damodaran, one of the world’s leading experts on valuation and a professor of finance at NYU Stern School of Business, to unpack whether the massive excitement around AI is justified by the numbers. They explore the billions being invested in AI infrastructure, how much revenue AI companies would need to justify today’s valuations, the risks of overinvestment and an AI bubble, and how investors should think about mega-cap tech stocks in an AI-driven market. Aswath also breaks down the potential impact of AI on employment and the broader economy, why storytelling can distort investment decisions, and why diversification and sound valuation principles matter more than ever. To go beyond the podcast: Interested in a Flat Fee Financial Planner? Go to https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/fipro/ Interested in Learning More About Buying a Franchise? Check out: biggerpocketsmoney.com/franzy Get 50% Off Your First Year of Monarch by using code ‘Pockets’: https://www.monarch.com/pockets We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#779
September 11 · 51 min
How She Built a $1 Million Net Worth and Quit Her Job Before 35
Two years ago, Alex Preziosi came to the BiggerPockets Money Podcast with one big question: should she quit her W-2 job and go all-in on real estate? Fast forward to today, and she's left behind her brutal commute, grown her real estate business, added another rental property, gotten married, and built a net worth of more than $1 million, all before 35! But here's the twist: Alex is now just $50,000 away from Coast FI and wondering if she can finally take her foot off the gas. Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench catch up with Alex to talk about quitting your job before financial independence, building wealth with real estate, Coast FI, entrepreneurship, and whether $1 million is really enough when kids and a growing family could be in the future. To go beyond the podcast: Interested in a Flat Fee Financial Planner? Go to https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/fipro/ Interested in Learning More About Buying a Franchise? Check out: https://www.biggerpocketsmoney.com/franzy Get 50% Off Your First Year of Monarch by using code ‘Pockets’: https://www.monarch.com/pockets Connect with Alex Preziosi: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerseygirlfinance/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrapreziosi/ Alex’s Previous Episodes: 395 and 589 We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#778
September 8 · 47 min
How to Buy a Franchise: What You Need to Know Before Investing
In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, Scott Trench is joined by Alex Smereczniak of Franzy to break down how to buy a franchise, what franchises actually cost, who is best suited for franchise ownership, and how to evaluate the risks and rewards of buying a franchise business. They also explore real-world franchise success stories, passive income potential, and how franchising can fit into a broader financial independence strategy. This episode is brought to you in partnership with Franzy. BiggerPockets Money may receive compensation if you choose to work with Franzy. As always, do your own research and evaluate whether a franchise opportunity is right for your financial situation and goals. To go beyond the podcast: Interested in a Flat Fee Financial Planner? Go to https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/fipro/ Interested in Learning More About Buying a Franchise? Check out: https://www.biggerpocketsmoney.com/franzy Get 50% Off Your First Year of Monarch by using code ‘Pockets’: https://www.monarch.com/pockets Connect with Alex Smereczniak: https://www.instagram.com/alexfromfranzy/?hl=en We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#777
September 4 · 56 min
Both Own Liquor Stores. One Makes $300K. The Other Makes $2.1M. What Went Wrong?
In this episode, Ashley Kehr and Tim Delaney share their very different experiences owning and operating liquor stores, from starting a business during COVID to buying an existing store and dealing with the realities of employees, cash flow, inventory, suppliers, and day-to-day management. They break down what it takes to build a profitable liquor store, how to source rare bourbon and whiskey, why standard operating procedures are critical, and the costly lessons that can come from poor financial oversight and business management. Whether you’re interested in buying a small business, starting a liquor store, entrepreneurship, retail business, or building passive income, Ashley and Tim offer practical lessons on turning a small retail business into a more scalable and profitable operation. To go beyond the podcast: Interested in a Flat Fee Financial Planner? Go to biggerpocketsmoney.com/fipro Get 50% Off Your First Year of Monarch by using code ‘Pockets’: https://www.monarch.com/pockets Connect with Ashley Kehr: Social: https://www.instagram.com/wealthfromrentals/ Website: https://www.ashleykehr.com/ Real Estate Rookie: https://www.youtube.com/c/RealEstateRookie Connect with Tim Delaney: Business Buying for Financial Independence: https://open.spotify.com/show/2kBagDg0jmHwOmPJggAnGH?si=525c0e8e64dd4136 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
#777
September 4 · 53 min
Both Own Liquor Stores. One Makes $300K. The Other Makes $2.5M. What Went Wrong?
In this episode, Ashley Kehr and Tim Delaney share their very different experiences owning and operating liquor stores, from starting a business during COVID to buying an existing store and dealing with the realities of employees, cash flow, inventory, suppliers, and day-to-day management. They break down what it takes to build a profitable liquor store, how to source rare bourbon and whiskey, why standard operating procedures are critical, and the costly lessons that can come from poor financial oversight and business management. Whether you’re interested in buying a small business, starting a liquor store, entrepreneurship, retail business, or building passive income, Ashley and Tim offer practical lessons on turning a small retail business into a more scalable and profitable operation. To go beyond the podcast: Interested in a Flat Fee Financial Planner? Go to https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/fipro/ Get 50% Off Your First Year of Monarch by using code ‘Pockets’: https://www.monarch.com/pockets Connect with Ashley Kehr: Social: https://www.instagram.com/wealthfromrentals/ Website: https://www.ashleykehr.com/ Real Estate Rookie: https://www.youtube.com/c/RealEstateRookie Connect with Tim Delaney: Business Buying for Financial Independence: https://open.spotify.com/show/2kBagDg0jmHwOmPJggAnGH?si=525c0e8e64dd4136 We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#776
September 1 · 53 min
The Brutal Cost of $50M in Real Estate by Age 31
In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Nic Morales shares how his experience working for the NFL led him into real estate investing and ultimately to managing a $50 million portfolio. He reveals the challenges, financing strategies, operational demands, and hard lessons behind scaling a large real estate business. To go beyond the podcast: Interested in a Flat Fee Financial Planner? Go to biggerpocketsmoney.com/fipro Get 50% Off Your First Year of Monarch by using code ‘Pockets’: https://www.monarch.com/pockets Connect with Nic Morales: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nic-morales-24797ab5/ 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 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#776
September 1 · 56 min
The Brutal Cost of $50M in Real Estate by Age 31
In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Nic Morales shares how his experience working for the NFL led him into real estate investing and ultimately to managing a $50 million portfolio. He reveals the challenges, financing strategies, operational demands, and hard lessons behind scaling a large real estate business. To go beyond the podcast: Interested in a Flat Fee Financial Planner? Go to biggerpocketsmoney.com/fipro Get 50% Off Your First Year of Monarch by using code ‘Pockets’: https://www.monarch.com/pockets Connect with Nic Morales: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nic-morales-24797ab5/ 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
#775
August 28 · 51 min
5 Kids, Modest Income, and $1M Net Worth in 7 Years
In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Dave shares how he and his family went from no real savings to building more than $1 million in net worth in just seven years while raising five kids on a median income. Dave explains how he used side hustles, aggressive saving, minimalism, DIY skills, and strategic investing to dramatically improve his family’s finances. Dave also shares how paying off the mortgage, investing in tax-advantaged accounts, controlling major expenses, and having regular money conversations with his spouse helped transform their financial trajectory. His story offers practical lessons for anyone trying to build wealth, increase their savings rate, and create more financial freedom without needing an enormous income. To go beyond the podcast: Interested in a Flat Fee Financial Planner? Go to biggerpocketsmoney.com/fipro Get 50% Off Your First Year of Monarch by using code ‘Pockets’: https://www.monarch.com/pockets Follow BiggerPockets Money on Social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BPMoney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biggerpocketsmoney Connect with Dave: http://www.davesguitarmusic.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 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Showing 1–20 of 63 episodes