BiggerPockets Money Podcast

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 CoverPaying off over six figures of student debt and the beauty behind taking small stepsSeller 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 incomeGrowing your online brand and building a community that’ll push you to new heightsWhy building a massive real estate portfolio isn’t what it’s all cracked up to beTips for those that are still in debt or just starting in their investing journeyAnd So Much More!Links from the ShowFind an Investor-Friendly Real Estate AgentBiggerPockets Money Facebook GroupBiggerPockets ForumsFinance Review Guest OnboardingMindy's TwitterListen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One PlaceApply to Be a Guest on The Money ShowPodcast Talent Search!Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube ChannelListen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPocketsCheck Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and BudgetAmanda's InstagramShe Wolf of Wall Street WebsiteFrom Fired to FI Couple in 2 Years with Josh and AliBudgeting for a Baby: The Costs EVERY New Parent Should ExpectClick here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-366Interested 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 CoverHow 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 contributionRenting vs. selling your primary residence and when freeing up cash is the right move to makeEmergency reserves and the certain situation when Scott and Mindy are against themWhy retirement accounts can be a “trap” for the investor who wants to retire earlyAnd So Much More!Links from the ShowFind an Investor-Friendly Real Estate AgentBiggerPockets Money Facebook GroupBiggerPockets ForumsFinance Review Guest OnboardingMindy's TwitterScott's InstagramListen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One PlaceApply to Be a Guest on The Money ShowPodcast Talent Search!Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube ChannelListen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPocketsCheck Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and BudgetClick here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-365Interested 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 CoverThe “misaligned vision” that led to Rachel and her ex-husband’s divorceRed flags to watch out for and an instant sign that a relationship may not work outLosing 50% of your real estate portfolio to divorce and how to protect against it happening againWhat 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 marriedThe trust cost of divorce and how much Rachel had to pay to separateAnd So Much More!Links from the ShowFind an Investor-Friendly Real Estate AgentBiggerPockets Money Facebook GroupBiggerPockets ForumsFinance Review Guest OnboardingMindy's TwitterListen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One PlaceApply to Be a Guest on The Money ShowPodcast Talent Search!Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube ChannelListen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPocketsCheck Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and BudgetPrenups, Projects, Prolific Spending, and Planning for 2022 w/ Carl & Mindy JensenWhy You’re (Probably) Wrong About PrenupsClick here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-364Interested 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 CoverPublic student loan forgiveness and the “trap” many government workers find themselves inEmergency funds, safety reserves, and how to build one from scratchWhen to change jobs for more pay vs. when to keep big benefits, but a lower salaryHow to budget and the better way to track your expenses if you struggle to saveBuying a business and what it takes for first-time entrepreneursCreating a vivid vision of what your life, job, and business will look like in five to ten yearsAnd So Much More!Links from the ShowFind an Investor-Friendly Real Estate AgentBiggerPockets Money Facebook GroupBiggerPockets ForumsFinance Review Guest OnboardingMindy's TwitterScott's InstagramListen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One PlaceApply to Be a Guest on The Money ShowPodcast Talent Search!Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube ChannelListen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPocketsCheck Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and BudgetClick here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-363Interested 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 CoverWhy creating a financial plan/investment philosophy is so crucial when building wealth Goal setting and discovering the principles of investing that you followHow to set your “target state” and what to do after you’ve achieved your biggest goalsHow 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 positionThe three steps you can do TODAY that will fast-track your wealth-buildingAnd So Much More!Links from the ShowFind an Investor-Friendly Real Estate AgentBiggerPockets Money Facebook GroupBiggerPockets ForumsFinance Review Guest OnboardingMindy's TwitterScott's InstagramListen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One PlaceApply to Be a Guest on The Money ShowPodcast Talent Search!Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube ChannelListen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPocketsCheck Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and BudgetGet the Personal Investment Philosophy Template Here! Finance Friday: First Down Market? Here’s How to Stop StressingThe Money Date: What You Should (And Definitely Should Not) Do to Align Your Finances as a CoupleClick here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-362Interested 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 CoverPaying off six figures of student debt and using the extra income to invest heavilyHouse hacking and using primary residences to build wealthRoth IRA investing and what to do if you’ve hit the income limitThe best way to invest in your retirement with stocks and index fundsThe right way to do diversification and safely building wealth at a young ageSpeeding up your path to financial independence with rental property investingAnd So Much More!Links from the ShowFind an Investor-Friendly Real Estate AgentBiggerPockets Money Facebook GroupBiggerPockets ForumsFinance Review Guest OnboardingMindy's TwitterScott's InstagramListen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One PlaceApply to Be a Guest on The Money ShowPodcast Talent Search!Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube ChannelListen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPocketsCheck Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and BudgetFidelity InvestmentsClick here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-361Interested 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 CoverYear-end tax tips to lower your 2022 taxes as much as possibleWhen 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 NOWHow to get your children investing early with tax-free income from your businessThe biggest tax mistakes that investors make and why you may be overpaying in taxesCost segregation studies, bonus depreciation, and how to cancel out the capital gains of a home saleAnd So Much More!Links from the ShowFind an Investor-Friendly Real Estate AgentBiggerPockets Money Facebook GroupBiggerPockets ForumsFinance Review Guest OnboardingMindy's TwitterListen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One PlaceApply to Be a Guest on The Money ShowPodcast Talent Search!Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube ChannelListen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPocketsCheck Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and BudgetChoosing the Right Tax Professional for YOUR Specific NeedsBiggerPockets Money Bonus Episode: CARES Act: Everything You NEED to Know About the Coronavirus Stimulus PackageLandlord Tax Loopholes That’ll Help You Pay ZERO Taxes in 2022Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-360Interested 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 CoverThe house hack strategy and why it’s a phenomenal way for new investors to build wealthHome equity lines of credit (HELOCs) and when using this type of debt makes senseHome renovation budgeting and what to expect when doing an entire house remodelVelocity banking and why this form of leverage isn’t a smart move to make nowWhen to sell a rental property and when to keep a cash-flowing investmentThe medium-term rental strategy and how to get higher rents for the same room or unitAnd So Much More!Links from the ShowFind an Investor-Friendly Real Estate AgentBiggerPockets Money Facebook GroupBiggerPockets ForumsFinance Review Guest OnboardingMindy's TwitterScott's InstagramListen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One PlaceApply to Be a Guest on The Money ShowPodcast Talent Search!Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube ChannelListen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPocketsCheck Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and BudgetClick here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-359Interested 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 CoverWhy donating overseas has much more of an economic impact than domestic donationsHow GiveWell validates the charities they approve and how to do the same in your local areaTop tips for finding a charity that will use your dollar for its highest useRed flags to watch out for when researching charities and organizationsGiveWell’s past mistakes and how they’re using them to grow a better organizationTop charities that both GiveWell and BiggerPockets recommend donating to (like CrossPurpose!)And So Much More!Links from the ShowFind an Investor-Friendly Real Estate AgentBiggerPockets Money Facebook GroupBiggerPockets ForumsFinance Review Guest OnboardingMindy's TwitterScott's InstagramListen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One PlaceApply to Be a Guest on The Money ShowPodcast Talent Search!Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube ChannelListen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPocketsCheck Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and BudgetGive Well Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-358Interested 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 CoverThe average annual cost of raising a child and why it’s not what you’d expectCommon child care costs and innovative ways to significantly lower your spendingSurprise expenses you should prepare for and why you always need an emergency fundMoney tips for new parents and how to sleep soundly even if you’re not financially free yetRoth IRA investing for your child and how to fast-track them to financial freedom even earlierMedical costs of having a child from delivery to regular doctors visitsAnd So Much More!Links from the ShowFind an Investor-Friendly Real Estate AgentBiggerPockets Money Facebook GroupBiggerPockets ForumsFinance Review Guest OnboardingMindy's TwitterScott's InstagramListen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One PlaceApply to Be a Guest on The Money ShowPodcast Talent Search!Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube ChannelListen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPocketsCheck Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and BudgetToysrusInvestorMama Podcast4 Ways Real Estate Can Help Offset the Staggering Cost of Having KidsTaxes, Backdoor Roths, Options, and How to Max Out Your Childrens’ RothsInterested 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