BiggerPockets Money Podcast

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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, […]

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: […]

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 […]

In this episode of The BiggerPockets Money Podcast, we explore how someone starting from zero at age 50 can build wealth and potentially reach a $1 million net worth by 65. We break down a realistic 15-year wealth-building strategy, including aggressive saving, living at the bottom quintile of expenses in your area, increasing income through […]

In this episode of The BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench are joined by special guest Carl Jensen to explore the bull and bear cases for megacap stocks, the future of AI, and what rapid technological advancement could mean for investors and the broader economy. They break down tech valuations, surging AI […]

How do you choose the right financial advisor? Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench explain what to look for when hiring a financial planner, including AUM vs. flat-fee vs. hourly compensation, CFP credentials, fiduciary status, advisor qualifications, questions to ask, and how to prepare for your first meeting. If you’re considering working with a financial advisor, […]

How do Scott and Virginia Trench actually run their household, set big financial goals, and build toward financial independence together? In this episode, Scott and Virginia pull back the curtain on the systems and conversations that keep their family, finances, and future moving in the same direction. They talk about their approach to goal setting, […]

How do Scott and Virginia Trench actually run their household, set big financial goals, and build toward financial independence together? In this episode, Scott and Virginia pull back the curtain on the systems and conversations that keep their family, finances, and future moving in the same direction. They talk about their approach to goal setting, […]

REITs have underperformed for 25 years, but could the next decade be different? Jussi Askola joins us to look at where REITs stand today, how they are valued, and where investors may find the best opportunities. We discuss how to value REITs using NAV and FFO, why management quality matters, and which sectors look most […]

Can a 29-year-old couple with a $1.7 million net worth become work optional by age 40? In this Finance Friday episode, we break down their financial plan after inheriting two rental properties and explore the biggest decision they face: keep investing in real estate, leverage their equity, or shift toward index funds? We analyze their […]

In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench react to the biggest takeaways and criticisms from Mindy’s recent episode with The Money Guys. Mindy shares her perspective on the conversation, clears up misconceptions, and discusses what financial independence really means from her point of view. The discussion also explores […]

On this episode of BiggerPockets Money, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench sit down with Adrianna Adams, CFP at Domain Money, to discuss some of the biggest mistakes people make on the path to financial independence and early retirement. From chasing the perfect FIRE number to overlooking liquidity and tax planning, Adriana shares the lessons […]

On this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench sit down with Cody Berman to uncover how he achieved financial independence before age 30 and built a $5 million net worth through entrepreneurship, side hustles, real estate investing, stock market investing, and multiple income streams. Cody shares the mindset, strategies, […]

What is the Middle Class Trap, and how can high earners avoid it on the path to financial independence? In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast hosts, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench explain why maximizing income isn’t always enough and how smart tax planning can dramatically improve your after-tax wealth. They explore how strategies […]

Trump Accounts are one of the newest tax-advantaged investment accounts for children, but where do they fit in your financial plan? In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, Jeremy Schneider of Personal Finance Club explains how Trump Accounts work, who should open one, how they compare to 529 plans and custodial accounts (UGMA/UTMA), and […]

What did Mindy and Carl Jensen learn from The Money Guys after they reviewed their portfolio? In this recap episode, Mindy and Carl share their biggest takeaways on retirement planning, cash reserves, Roth conversions, tax strategy, and portfolio diversification. They discuss what advice they’re putting into action, what they’re still debating, and how these lessons […]

Is Coast FI the smarter path to financial independence in today’s economy? In this episode, Scott Trench and Evan Lawler compare Coast FI vs. traditional FIRE, breaking down the trade-offs between reaching financial freedom as fast as possible or building enough wealth to let compound growth do the heavy lifting. They discuss investing, side hustles, […]

In this special episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Mindy Jensen and her husband Carl head to The Money Guy Show studio for a comprehensive portfolio review with Brian Preston and Bo Hanson. After years of maximizing traditional 401(k) contributions to reduce their tax bill, they’ve built substantial wealth, but now they’re asking an important […]

Are you actually spending too much, or does it just feel that way because of where you live? In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench break down a new budget benchmarking tool that compares your spending to households like yours using real government data, regional cost-of-living adjustments, fair market […]

Is $500,000 actually a more important financial milestone than becoming a millionaire? In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Mindy Jensen sits down with Evan Lawler to explore why reaching $500K early could put you on track for Coast FIRE and potentially grow into millions by traditional retirement. They discuss the power of compound […]

Military service offers more financial advantages than most Americans realize, but is staying for a 20-year pension always the smartest move? In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench sit down with Carol and Doug to discuss how military benefits can accelerate financial independence. They cover military pensions, VA disability […]

Reaching financial independence is only half the battle, knowing how to withdraw your money in early retirement is just as important. The right withdrawal strategy can help you minimize taxes, avoid unnecessary penalties, and make your portfolio last longer. In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench break down six […]

In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench tackle one of the biggest questions in the FIRE movement: Why has the traditional $1 million FIRE goal grown to $2.5 million or more? They discuss how inflation, rising living costs, lifestyle changes, and retirement planning have reshaped what financial independence looks […]

Is investing ethical? Can you build wealth, pursue financial independence, and still invest according to your values? Scott and Mindy tackle one of the biggest questions in personal finance, exploring ethical investing, ESG investing, capitalism, index funds, and the moral trade-offs that come with building long-term wealth. They discuss whether investing in companies like Tesla, […]

Healthcare is one of the biggest unknowns in any FIRE plan. If you’re considering early retirement, self-employment, or leaving a traditional job, understanding health insurance costs could save you thousands of dollars per year and prevent costly planning mistakes. In this episode, we break down the Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance, premium tax credits, […]

How do you build nearly $1 million in net worth while working seasonally, living intentionally, and creating a lifestyle you actually enjoy? In this episode, Heather shares her remarkable journey from living in a 300-square-foot cabin to building substantial wealth through nursing, guiding, rental properties, and smart financial decisions. We break down her real estate […]

Most people know they should have an estate plan, but keep putting it off. In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, Mindy Jensen and special guest Carl Jensen sit down with estate planning attorney Skipton Reynolds to break down everything you need to know about wills, trusts, probate, beneficiary designations, powers of attorney, guardianship […]

In this Finance Friday episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench analyze whether Katie can step back from work while still making sure that her husband, Jesus, can retire early at 50. They break down the FIRE math, withdrawal strategies, healthcare considerations, market risk, pension benefits, and the emotional challenges […]

If you work at a startup or public tech company and have RSUs, stock options, founder shares, or a potential IPO on the horizon, this episode could save you thousands—or even millions—in taxes. Equity compensation can be one of the fastest paths to building wealth, but it can also lead to costly mistakes if you […]

Want to build tax-free wealth even if your income is too high for a Roth IRA? In this episode, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench are joined by CPA’s Amanda Han and Matt MacFarland. They break down the Backdoor Roth IRA and Mega Backdoor Roth strategies step-by-step. You’ll learn how the Backdoor Roth works, how to […]

Most people think financial independence is all about cutting expenses, but there’s only so much you can cut. In this episode, Haley Sacks, better known as Mrs. Dow Jones, shares the strategies that actually move the needle when it comes to building wealth, reaching financial independence, and creating long-term financial freedom. We discuss how to […]

In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench break down practical strategies for doubling your net worth and accelerating your path to financial independence. From reducing fixed expenses and increasing cash flow to investing consistently and growing your income, we cover the core habits and wealth-building systems that can […]

In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, Bob Haines joins hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench to explain how to build an investor policy statement and create a long-term investment philosophy for financial independence and early retirement. We break down how FIRE investors can design a personalized investing framework that aligns with their goals, […]

In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench break down the six foundational principles for building wealth and achieving financial independence. From controlling major expenses and increasing your savings rate to investing strategically and building additional income streams, this episode covers the practical habits that consistently help people grow wealth […]

In this episode, Ben Felix joins Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench on the BiggerPockets Money podcast to break down his thoughts on the FIRE movement, portfolio design, safe withdrawal rates, and long-term investing. We discuss how to build a FIRE portfolio that balances risk, flexibility, quality of life, and long-term sustainability — without falling into […]

In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench break down the biggest portfolio mistakes people make on the path to financial independence. From holding too much cash and staying stuck in accumulation mode to ignoring tax optimization, estate planning, and withdrawal strategies, we cover the investing mistakes that can […]

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 […]