BiggerPockets Money Podcast
Business & Finance
About
Intermediate to advanced personal finance strategies for people serious about the FIRE (financial independence retire early) movement—not just dreaming about it. Tune in on Tuesdays and Fridays for new BiggerPockets Money episodes with your hosts, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench! Or visit BiggerPocketsMoney.com with additional resources.
Episodes
- Your FIRE Number Is Probably Wrong — Here’s Why
This episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast discusses common mistakes in calculating a FIRE number and planning for financial independence. It covers factors like healthcare costs, inflation, and lifestyle changes that impact a realist…
- Is Small Cap Value Worth It? Ben Felix Explains the Truth About AVUV & Factor Investing
On this episode, Ben Felix joins the BiggerPockets Money Podcast to discuss small cap value investing. He explains factor investing, the Fama-French multi-factor model, and why investors consider small cap value ETFs like AVUV and Dimensio…
- How the Top 1% Are Investing in 2026 (Real Portfolio Data)
This episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast examines how high-net-worth investors are allocating their assets in 2026. It uses real portfolio data from Long Angle to explore trends in equities, real estate, private credit, and alternat…
- The Messy Middle of Financial Independence (How to Stay Motivated)
This episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast discusses how to stay motivated during the "messy middle" phase of the financial independence journey. It offers strategies for consistency, avoiding over-optimization, and enjoying life whil…
- From $69K Debt to Financial Independence in NYC
Kim Hunter Borst discusses her path to financial independence in New York City. She explains how she and her husband overcame $69,000 in debt through intentional actions like cutting expenses and maximizing retirement accounts, ultimately…
- Paula Pant Quit Her Job with $25K (Now She’s FI in NYC)
Paula Pant, featured on the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, discusses her journey to financial independence in New York City. She explains how she achieved this through real estate, starting with $25,000 saved and never earning more than $32K…
- She Retired at 39… After Moving to New York City
Walli Miller retired at 39 after moving to New York City. This episode details how she achieved financial independence through intentional spending and leveraging the city's lifestyle, despite a combined income under $200K/yr.
- Coast FI by 30 in a HCOL City (Here’s How He’s Doing it)
This episode features Eli, a 24-year-old in NYC, and his strategies for achieving Coast FI by age 30 despite the city's high living costs. It explores his approach to financial independence and early retirement.
- 9 Things No One Tells You About Financial Independence
This episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast covers 9 financial independence (FIRE) lessons. It explores aspects like early retirement, spending, purpose, and relationships, providing insights on common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
- How This Teacher Reached Financial Independence with Rentals
This episode features Corby Goade, a teacher who achieved financial independence through real estate investing. He discusses how house hacking, long-term rentals, and smart leverage helped him build wealth over 25 years. The episode covers…
- Retiring Early in 5 Years? Do THIS First
This episode discusses preparing for early retirement within five years, covering financial and emotional preparation, portfolio stress testing, healthcare costs, tax strategies, and withdrawal plans. It also addresses the importance of he…
- How She Quit Full-Time Work at 27 Without Millions (Coast FI)
This episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast features Alyssa, who discusses achieving Coast FI at 27. She explains how prioritizing flexibility and intentional spending allowed her to transition from full-time work to a life with part-t…
- Can He Retire in 10 Years? (We Ran the Numbers)
Mindy and Scott discuss a case study on early retirement planning, focusing on the 4% rule, safe withdrawal strategies, and tax-efficient investing across various accounts. They also cover sequence of returns risk, Roth conversions, and ba…
- How Tiffany Aliche Went from Rock Bottom to Millionaire
Tiffany Aliche recounts her financial journey from debt to millionaire status. She shares the 10 pillars of "financial wholeness" that contributed to her success, offering insights into wealth building and financial stability.
- The Hidden Systems Great CEOs Use Every Day
In this episode, Scott Trench explores the CEO toolkit, including strategic thinking, financial fluency, culture, decision-making, and crisis management. The discussion focuses on frameworks and systems for effective leadership and high-st…
- How Middle-Class Families Can Retire On Time Without Burning Out
Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast discuss how middle-class families can achieve financial independence and lasting wealth using the Financial Stability Framework. They provide a practical roadmap to help hous…
- Why the Last 3 Years Before Early Retirement Matter Most
This episode discusses the importance of the last three years before early retirement, focusing on the mental, emotional, and social transition. It provides a framework for navigating retirement phases and emphasizes preparation beyond fin…
- The 13 Biggest Financial Independence Mistakes (That Delay FIRE by Years)
This episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast discusses the 13 biggest financial independence mistakes, including starting late, ignoring spending habits, and misunderstanding the 4% rule. It offers ways to avoid lifestyle creep, optimiz…
- How He’ll Hit $500K by 30 (Coast FI Plan)
Evan Lawler, interviewed by Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench, outlines his strategy to achieve Coast FIRE with $500,000 invested by age 30. He shares insights on his investment approaches, frugal lifestyle, and income negotiation tactics.
- The Middle Class Trap: Why $750,000 Doesn't Feel Like Enough (Financial Plan)
This episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast discusses the "middle-class trap" where high earners feel financially stuck despite a growing net worth. It explores strategies for building liquidity, optionality, and tax efficiency, and di…
- Does More Money REALLY Buy Happiness? | Matt Killingsworth
In this episode, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast interview Matt Killingsworth, a happiness researcher. They discuss the real relationship between money and happiness, explaining why happiness does not plate…
- From $15,000 to Financial Independence Through Real Estate
In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench speak with Grace Gudenkauf, who built a real estate portfolio starting with $15,000 at age 23. She discusses her strategies including deal analysis, se…
- Can You Reach Financial Independence on a Median Income?
This episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast discusses how to reach financial independence with a median or below-median income. Hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench explore strategies such as lower fixed expenses, smarter tax positionin…
- Cruising to FIRE in Her 40s (After Living Pay Check to Pay Check!)
Emily Egashira discusses her financial journey on the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, outlining her path to financial independence by 40 through disciplined saving, strategic investing, and mindset shifts. She shares strategies for managing i…
- AVUV vs VTSAX: Why Small Cap Value Could Outperform
This episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast features Mindy Jensen, Scott Trench, and Frank Vasquez discussing small cap value investing. They compare funds like AVUV and VTSAX, examine historical performance, diversification, and expen…
- Paul Merriman’s 4-Step Portfolio Strategy for Long-Term Wealth
Paul Merriman shares his four-step portfolio strategy for long-term wealth on the BiggerPockets Money podcast. He discusses index investing, diversification, the role of bonds, and how to reduce risk over time, as well as common psychologi…
- The New FIRE? Why Time Freedom Beats Early Retirement
This episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast explores the concept of "time freedom" as an alternative to early retirement. Brian Herriot discusses his journey to financial independence, his shift from focusing on net worth to time contr…
- The Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Ideal Side Hustle
This episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast features Nick Loper from Side Hustle Nation, who explains how to find the right side hustle by aligning skills and interests with market demand. The discussion covers identifying opportunitie…
- Debate: AUM vs Flat Fee Which is Better?
This episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast features a debate on AUM vs. Flat Fee financial advisor compensation models. Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench host Ryan Sterling, CEO of NerdWallet Wealth Partners, to discuss the differences, t…
- How We Built a $1M Net Worth by 32 (Step-by-Step Breakdown)
Trevor and his wife built a $1 million net worth by age 32, aiming for financial independence before 40. This episode details their journey, including strategic career choices, real estate investments, and leveraging corporate benefits.
- The 4% Rule Was Never Designed for FIRE’s Healthcare Reality
This episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast examines how the 4% rule for retirement planning does not adequately account for healthcare costs. It discusses strategies for early retirees to manage health insurance premiums and other med…
- The Major MONEY Milestones To Hit By EVERY Decade!
This episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, with Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench, outlines essential financial milestones for your 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. It covers net worth benchmarks and financial habits to help you achieve financial…
- The Proven Path to Financial Independence by 44
Steven discusses his path to early retirement at 44, including his decision to work four additional years after reaching financial independence. He explains how this choice increased his net worth by $1 million and set him up for flexible…
- How to Negotiate Your Salary and Reach Financial Independence Faster | Paula Pant
Paula Pant shares her experiences and strategies for salary negotiation, covering topics like market value, employer perspectives, and negotiation tactics. The discussion aims to help listeners earn more and achieve financial independence.…
- Reached FI at 60: How to Switch from Accumulation to Drawdown with Bill Yount
Bill Yount shares his experiences and strategies for transitioning from wealth accumulation to drawdown after reaching financial independence at age 60. He discusses working with a flat-fee financial advisor to build a comprehensive decumu…
- Broke and in Debt at 50? How to Still Retire On-Time (Step-by-Step Plan)
This episode of BiggerPockets Money Podcast offers a step-by-step plan for individuals in their 50s with debt to achieve a million-dollar retirement. It covers debt payoff strategies, income optimization, smart expense cuts, and prioritizi…
- How to Reach Coast FIRE (The Relaxed Way to Retire!)
This episode discusses Coast FIRE, an alternative retirement strategy. Guest Andy Hill explains how he achieved Coast FIRE in his late thirties, transitioned from a corporate job to entrepreneurship, and built a business that supports his…
- How to Retire Early: A 15-Year Plan to Go from $1,000 to FIRE
This episode of BiggerPockets Money Podcast outlines a 15-year plan for achieving financial independence and early retirement. It covers the correct financial order of operations for FIRE, including prioritizing retirement accounts, debt p…
- How to Use AI to Reach Financial Independence Faster
This episode explores how AI tools can be used to achieve financial independence faster. It covers practical AI applications for personal finance, including budgeting, investments, income generation, and optimizing financial strategy. The…
- Scott Builds Four Portfolios with Four Different Strategies ($40k Experiment)
In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Scott Trench builds four distinct investment portfolios, each starting with $10,000 and employing different strategies, such as index funds, a 60/40 stock-bond portfolio, and a risk parit…
- Which Path to Financial Independence Is Faster? Sell or Rent?
Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench help Alyssa and John decide whether to sell their primary home or turn it into a rental property when they relocate. They discuss financial pros and cons, tax implications, and lifestyle considerations, analyz…
- How to Set FIRE Goals and Actually Achieve Them (2026)
Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench from BiggerPockets Money discuss how to set and achieve goals for 2026. They cover goal-setting techniques, strategic planning, and practical tips for financial and personal growth.
- How to Track Your Path to FI in 2026 (Step-by-Step Guide)
This episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast explains how to use a personal financial statement to track financial independence goals in 2026. It covers calculating net worth, organizing assets and liabilities, and analyzing cash flow.
- How this Couple Achieved FIRE in Their 30s (Average Income)
Sam and Carolyn discuss how they achieved financial independence in their thirties through real estate investing, side hustles, and a detailed financial strategy. They also share their decision to quit their jobs and move to Canada, coveri…
- Financial Independence Through the Unthinkable: A Healthcare Crisis
Regina Moore shares her story of achieving financial independence and how a healthcare crisis tested her financial plan. This episode discusses the practical realities faced, structural challenges in healthcare policy, and potential soluti…
- The Ultimate Guide to Early Retirement Drawdown (2026)
This episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast discusses strategies for early retirement drawdown, including different withdrawal strategies and tax-efficient planning. It also covers healthcare planning and estate considerations for maki…
- The Case for Blended (Instead of Sequential) Drawdown for Early Retirees
This episode explores tax-efficient retirement withdrawal strategies for early retirees. It covers sequential, blended, and cyclical drawdown methods, and how to optimize account withdrawals to minimize lifetime tax burdens.
- If We Started FIRE Over in 2025, Here's Exactly What We'd Do
In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Scott and Mindy explore how they would redefine their FIRE journey if they were to start over in 2025. They cover evolved tactical strategies for real estate and stock investments, the im…
- Does Money Buy Happiness? What the FIRE Community Gets Wrong
Paul Ollinger, former Facebook employee turned comedian, explores the connection between financial independence, early retirement, and happiness. He discusses how his perceptions of money, work, and happiness shifted, and the psychological…
- Will 2026 Healthcare Costs Destroy Financial Independence for Millions?
This episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast features Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench interviewing Matt McGough from KFF. They discuss the potential impact of 2026 healthcare costs on financial independence, specifically addressing the ex…