Tariffs are now on PAUSE! And just like that, the stock market is flying back up again. Is this a signal for us all to breathe a sigh of relief, or is more market volatility coming our way? It’s been a wild week so far, and it’s only Thursday! Just yesterday, President Trump paused new reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries, with markets slingshotting back up as a response. So, are we doing anything different with our investments now that things are slightly more stable? We’ve got Amberly, Mi...
Apr 10, 2025•36 min•Ep. 628
The path to FIRE (financial independence, retire early) isn’t easy. You’re working a lot, saving a lot, all while seeing many of your friends out traveling, buying new cars and bigger homes, leaving you feeling isolated on the path to early retirement . But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are FIRE freaks, just like you, all over the country, and before you quit the path to FIRE and start spending to impress your friends, we have a crucial piece of advice: find your FIRE community! Mindy an...
Apr 10, 2025•22 min
There’s no arguing that real estate and stocks are the two most proven ways to build wealth, but which one comes out on top in a race to FIRE ? Stay tuned as we put these investment vehicles to the test and show you the fastest path to early retirement! Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! Today, Mindy and guest co-host Amberly Grant are pitting real estate investing and stock investing against each other to determine which of these popular investments is most FIRE-friendly. The best...
Apr 08, 2025•35 min
You may not make six figures, but you want to achieve FIRE and retire early. You might be struggling to get by, let alone saving and investing to hit your FIRE number . If it seems impossible, you should take a page from Bryce Stewart’s book. He was a sixth-grade school teacher, making $44,000/year, underwater on his condo purchase, worrying about the bills with one baby and another one on the way. A decade later, he was retired, with more passive income than he could spend. Today, we’re sharing...
Apr 04, 2025•43 min
Would you delay your early retirement for years to feel safer and secure once you FIRE ? That’s what Mark Trautman did, FIRE-ing before discovering the FIRE movement was even a thing. While he could have retired in his 40s, Mark pushed his retirement date to 50 , retiring with a conservative withdrawal schedule that even beats the 4% rule . But, thanks to being invested throughout his retirement, Mark has blown past even his Fat FIRE dreams , spending what he wants, when he wants, without a worr...
Apr 02, 2025•42 min
Julie Rose “semi-retired” at just 36 years old with only $500K, trading her corporate job for sunrise safaris in Africa, beach walks in Bali, and mid-day hikes in Mexico. With “Barista FIRE,” you can retire with a lower FIRE number, still work (minimally) doing what you love, and have almost complete time freedom over your life. Why have FIRE when you can “semi-retire” decades earlier? Plus, your retirement nest egg will be growing in the background, all while you do what you want, when you want...
Apr 01, 2025•48 min
The stock market is shifting , and your portfolio needs to change NOW if you want to reach or stay FIRE (financial independence, retire early) . Many early retirees are sitting anxiously , watching their net worth fall by 10% (or more), making each withdrawal from their portfolio increasingly risky. If you’re close to financial independence or are retired early already , you CANNOT risk losing the gains you’ve worked so hard for . This is what we’re doing NOW to keep our FIRE portfolios crash-re...
Mar 28, 2025•42 min
Could hiring a financial advisor help you reach financial independence and retire early? This isn’t a popular move in the FIRE community, but it gave today’s guest peace of mind, preserved her wealth, and helped her save on taxes in retirement. Stick around to learn if it’s the right choice for you, too! Welcome to another episode of “Life After FIRE”! Today, we’re chatting with Amy, who was dealt a set of circumstances that altered her life and retirement plans . Amy and her late husband, Phil,...
Mar 26, 2025•43 min
Are we headed right for a recession , or are stocks on sale ? We don’t own a crystal ball, but Ricky Mulvey from The Motley Fool is capitalizing on the recent stock market swing by loading up on some of his favorite equities. Stay tuned to find out if now is an ideal time for YOU to “stock up,” too! Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast ! In light of the recent market pullback, Ricky is going to share why he thinks it’s the right time to take advantage of low stock prices . He’ll discu...
Mar 25, 2025•51 min
Is the 4% rule dead? Most FIRE-chasers are using this retirement rule completely wrong , and it could cost them their financial freedom. With stock prices falling and many Americans fearing another recession , now is the time to tighten up your retirement portfolio and ensure you can survive if stock prices correct or crash. If you get this wrong, you could delay your FIRE for years or have to go back to work mid-retirement. The 4% rule is one of the most bulletproof retirement formulas. It’s si...
Mar 21, 2025•39 min
Think you’ve blown your chances of achieving FIRE ? You haven’t! Just ask Nik Johnson , who spent years growing his nest egg , only to have it completely wiped out with one bad financial decision . Despite losing everything, he managed to rebuild it from ground zero and still retire early ! Welcome to another episode of “ Life After FIRE ”! Nik and his wife had done everything right. They practiced frugality , saved aggressively , and invested at every opportunity . But everything was turned on ...
Mar 19, 2025•33 min
You’ve worked so hard to finally achieve FIRE (financial independence, retire early); the last thing you want is your wealth to dwindle or disappear entirely. Unknown to most FIRE-chasers, four financial “horsemen” (of the personal finance apocalypse) could steal your wealth right out from under you, without you even realizing it. What are the four horsemen, and how are we protecting our FIRE portfolios from them ? To make sure you not only become wealthy but stay wealthy, we brought Whitney Elk...
Mar 18, 2025•48 min
Is your FI number TOO high? Whether you are ultra-conservative with your finances or want a lavish retirement lifestyle, setting a high bar could make your financial independence journey much harder…but not impossible. Today, we’ll provide a roadmap for building massive wealth! Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! With a six-figure income and a six-figure net worth at just 25 years old, Austin Crofoot should have no problem reaching financial independence by age 50, right? The only i...
Mar 14, 2025•58 min
The “ death march to FI ” isn’t for everyone. If you’re tired of climbing the corporate ladder or lacking a sense of purpose at your W2 job , it’s not too late to escape the rat race and design the life you want , just like the “Financial Tortoise,” Tae Kim , did! In this episode of “ Life After FIRE ,” Tae returns to the show to discuss his move from the corporate world to a job that gives him the freedom and flexibility to travel, spend more time with his family, and actually enjoy the journey...
Mar 12, 2025•36 min
How do the top 1% of Americans invest their money , and how do your investments compare? We’re breaking down the data, showing what the wealthiest Americans are invested in and how to copy their 1% portfolio so you can invest like the ultra-wealthy. To be in the top 1% of Americans, you must have at least eight figures. And while that’s a Fat FIRE number , most of us don’t need tens of millions to retire early. But copying some of the tactics of the top 1% could get you there faster. One thing s...
Mar 11, 2025•41 min
If there’s an issue that keeps aspiring early retirees up at night, it’s the dreaded middle-class trap . At just 28 years old , this financially savvy couple is already looking for ways to avoid this issue. Whether you’re just starting your FIRE journey or approaching early retirement , we’ll show you how to do the same in today’s episode! Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast ! So far, Leah and Zach Landis are doing everything right. They earn high incomes , they spend very little , a...
Mar 07, 2025•52 min
The wealthy are using one unique retirement account to build their fortunes tax-free. You may have never heard of it, but knowing about it can change the course of your retirement planning, allowing you to invest in much more than stocks, index funds , and bonds in your retirement accounts. We’re talking about making passive real estate income tax-deferred , flipping houses and sheltering the profits for when you retire, or having a rental property portfolio producing massive passive income , al...
Mar 04, 2025•1 hr 2 min
How has Scott achieved so much financial success already in his early 30s? He’s got a secret weapon nobody else has: Virginia Trench ! That’s right, the woman behind half of the puns you hear on this podcast is coming on the show! She's sharing her view on Scott’s early (and extreme) frugality, massively successful financial planning dates , goal setting as a couple , prenuptial agreements , and the Trenches’ recent decision to sell a solid chunk of their index fund portfolio . Virginia met Scot...
Feb 28, 2025•40 min
Teachers aren’t known for their high salaries , so how did this one reach early retirement and FIRE at just 45 years old ? Through “aggressive” saving and smart cost-of-living choices, Amy Minkley was able to quit her demanding international teaching job only three years after finding out about the FIRE movement . Now, she spends her days living in paradise and hosting “ FI Freedom Retreats ” once or twice a year for like-minded FIRE-chasers. To reach FIRE in your 40s , you must make some strate...
Feb 25, 2025•56 min
Is something stopping your FIRE ? Today’s guest wants to retire early at 35 , but with a shaky budget , extra expenses , and a problematic rental property , her path to early retirement isn’t clear. In today’s episode, we’ll break down her finances and help her get back on track ! Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast ! Sarah earns a great salary and diligently saves for retirement each month. You’d think she’s on pace to leave her W2 job in a few years, but there’s one problem—she has...
Feb 21, 2025•1 hr 4 min
2024 may be long gone, but it’s NOT too late to lower your taxes for the previous year. If you have real estate or retirement accounts , you already hold the key to minimizing your taxable income and owing less to Uncle Sam. But how do you do it? We’re sharing 2024 and 2025 top tax reduction strategies in today’s show with expert CPA and real estate investor Amanda Han ! Do you know about the real estate tax “loophole” that helps everyday investors cut their taxable income by tens of thousands? ...
Feb 18, 2025•44 min•Ep. 608
Is a 100% index fund portfolio no longer the FIRE formula? The market has changed, and maybe your portfolio allocation needs to change with it. With index funds at all-time-high prices and price-to-earnings ratios at an eye-watering 29 , you might be feeling a bit worried about whether your FIRE will last or you’ll even make it to FIRE in the first place. You’re not crazy; Scott is feeling the same way, too. Recently, Scott decided to make a move much of the FIRE community would protest— he sold...
Feb 14, 2025•36 min•Ep. 607
Travel hacking allows you to fly and travel for free , often in luxury, without spending tens of thousands of dollars on flights or hotels. So, how do you do it without managing thirty different credit cards in your wallet? Brian Kelly, AKA The Points Guy , world-renowned travel hacking expert and author of the new book How to Win at Travel , is here to show you as we rapid-fire our top credit card rewards questions at him. In this show, you’ll learn how to fly to Europe, Asia, and beyond for FR...
Feb 11, 2025•45 min•Ep. 606
Does the four-percent rule actually work? On paper, yes. So why don’t more people put it to the test? Today’s guest retired at forty-seven years old and is living proof that the math really does check out. Stay tuned to find out how! Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast ! Bobby Beck has done what so many in the FIRE community are seemingly unable to do—he actually retired on the four-percent rule! What’s more? He did it while living in the Bay Area , one of the most expensive markets ...
Feb 07, 2025•45 min•Ep. 605
Do we focus too much on just one type of wealth ? What if the key to a happy life isn’t retiring early , ascending the corporate ladder , or having more money than you know what to do with? Serial entrepreneur Sahil Bloom spent years chasing money, only to find that it didn’t provide happiness—it robbed him of it. Find yourself in the same boat? This episode is for you! Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast ! Today, Sahil joins the show to discuss the core concepts from his latest book...
Feb 04, 2025•56 min•Ep. 604
How can you use your retirement accounts to reach FIRE faster ? We’ve talked a lot about the “ middle-class trap ” —having too much of your net worth trapped in your retirement accounts and home equity—and we may have the secret weapon to help you escape it . Not only that, this strategy allows you to keep more of what you earn, take control of your investments, and build a (relatively) passive real estate portfolio while you get closer and closer to FIRE. Of course, we’re talking about self-dir...
Jan 31, 2025•52 min•Ep. 603
Buying a house , maxing out your 401(k) , and leveraging real estate can help you achieve financial independence . But suppose your goal is to retire early . Could relying too heavily on these principles actually delay early retirement ? Today, we’re going to show you how to break free from the “ middle-class trap ” that stops so many from retiring early! Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast ! Is most of your net worth “stuck” in home equity and retirement accounts ? This is a widespr...
Jan 28, 2025•38 min•Ep. 602
Why do so many in early retirement struggle with happiness ? We know you’ve told yourself, “ Once I hit FIRE, I’ll be living the dream! Every day will be like a vacation.” This is what Mindy was telling herself for years before becoming financially independent, and once she hit her goal, she realized life’s same problems still exist. If you’re FI already, this may sound familiar. So, how do you enjoy the path to early retirement so that when you reach your financial goal , the party doesn’t stop...
Jan 24, 2025•43 min•Ep. 601
Are you building wealth but feel like you can never enjoy it? Do you struggle with money, fearing you carry the same poor financial habits as your parents ? Whether you’ve got a lot of money or a little, many of us face the same mental financial challenges —anxiety, shame, and stress—but it doesn’t have to stay this way. Today’s guest is living proof that change is possible. After completely turning his financial life around , from maxed-out credit cards , a rock-bottom credit score , repossessi...
Jan 21, 2025•43 min•Ep. 600
Is it a good time to invest in real estate ? Yes, and we have proof that real estate may be underpriced , even as we hover around the most expensive average home prices in history. How can real estate be undervalued when prices are at historic highs? Dave is sitting down with Scott Trench , CEO of BiggerPockets, who has condensed ten hours' worth of research into one episode to prove to you that, without a doubt, real estate will be winning over the next few years . Plus, he’s about to make a BI...
Jan 17, 2025•50 min•Ep. 599
