BiggerPockets Money Podcast

On this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench bring on Kyle Collette to discuss how he achieved financial independence and built a real estate portfolio worth more than $4 million while earning less than $40,000 per year. Through house hacking, rental property investing, frugal living, and strategic relationships, Kyle scaled […]

In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench break down the biggest mistakes people make when calculating their FIRE number and planning for financial independence. Many early retirement calculators rely on simplified assumptions like the 4% rule or current spending levels, but real-life retirement planning is far more complicated. […]

On this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench sit down with Ben Felix to break down one of the most debated topics in long-term investing: small cap value investing. Ben explains the research behind factor investing, the Fama-French multi-factor model, and why investors continue to look at small cap […]

What are high-net-worth investors actually doing with their money in 2026? In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, we break down the latest asset allocation trends using real portfolio data from Long Angle—a community of high-net-worth investors. From equities and real estate to private credit and alternative investments, this is a behind-the-scenes look at […]

The “messy middle” is the longest—and hardest—phase of the financial independence (FIRE) journey. It’s where progress feels slow, motivation dips, and burnout can creep in. In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, Mindy Jensen and Carl Jensen (our guest host for today) break down how to stay consistent, avoid over-optimization, and actually enjoy life […]

Kim Hunter Borst didn’t start her financial independence journey in New York City—but it’s where everything changed. After building a high-income life, she and her husband found themselves $69,000 in debt from lifestyle inflation. Instead of leaving NYC, they got intentional—cutting expenses, leveraging a rent-stabilized apartment, and maxing out retirement accounts. Now, they’ve achieved financial […]

Paula quit her $32,000 job in 2008—before she’d ever heard of the FIRE movement—with just $25,000 saved to travel the world. When she came back, she started freelancing and made a pivotal decision: buying a triplex and house hacking. That one move changed everything. Today, she’s fully financially independent in New York City through real […]

Most people think you need to leave expensive cities to reach financial independence. Walli Miller did the opposite. After discovering the FIRE movement in 2015, Walli Miller moved to New York City—one of the highest cost-of-living cities in the world—and still retired at 39 with her husband, on a combined income under $200K/yr. In this […]

In this episode, discover how Eli, a 24-year-old living in NYC, is on track to hit financial independence and retire early—despite the city’s high living costs. His strategies and mindset shift challenge common perceptions about NYC being an obstacle to FIRE. To go beyond the podcast: Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE […]

In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Mindy Jensen and Carl Jensen (our guest host for the week!) break down 9 financial independence (FIRE) lessons most people don’t discover until it’s too late. From the hidden downsides of early retirement to spending, purpose, and relationships, this episode covers what actually changes after you reach […]

Corby Goad went from a modest teacher salary to financial independence through real estate investing—and he did it by mastering the fundamentals. In this episode, he shares how house hacking, long-term rentals, and smart leverage helped him build wealth over 25 years, even through the 2008 housing crash. Learn practical strategies for navigating market cycles, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]