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The Portfolio that Supports a 5% Safe Withdrawal Rate | Frank Vasquez
15 juli 2025 · 56 min
In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench are joined by Frank Vasquez, host of the Risk Parity Radio Podcast. Frank introduces the concept of a risk parity portfolio. Rather than relying on traditional stock-heavy portfolios, Frank reveals how strategic diversification across asset classes can potentially support higher withdrawal rates while actually reducing your risk of running out of money. Lees meer
The conversation covers the nuances of structuring a portfolio with equities, bonds, and alternative assets like gold and managed futures. They also explore the implications of real estate investments and the timing of transitioning from an accumulation to a decumulation strategy. Frank shares insights on the importance of balanced withdrawals, the challenges of adhering to conventional investment philosophies, and the need to move towards a holistic view of financial independence that includes well-being and responsible spending.
We Discuss:
Why the standard 60/40 portfolio may be failing FIRE investors
Optimal allocation strategies across equities, bonds, and alternative assets
The critical timing of portfolio transitions as retirement approaches
Strategic withdrawal approaches that prioritize longevity over accumulation
The psychological shift from wealth accumulation to wealth optimization
And SO much more!
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How Much Do You Need for Early Retirement? (How to Calculate Your FI Number)
11 juli 2025 · 36 min
What’s your financial independence number (FI/FIRE number)? Are you being too conservative, or are you cutting things close? Do you even have one? Today, we’re taking a deep dive into this hotly debated topic to help you build a nest egg that will support your early retirement! Lees meer
Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! How much money do you actually need to retire? For years, the four-percent rule has been the “official” stance of the FI community. But why is it, then, that so many people continue saving and investing when they can comfortably retire? In this episode, Scott and Mindy talk about their own FI numbers, how they calculated them, and how their financial positions have evolved over time. You’ll learn whether the four-percent rule still works today or if you need a larger buffer!
If you’re worried about inflation, one of the best things you can do is keep your living expenses in check. This might seem out of your control, but there are several ways to either lock in certain costs or eliminate them entirely. We’ll discuss the many advantages of a paid-off house, self-managing your rental properties in retirement, and a one-time investment that could help you save thousands of dollars over your lifetime!
In This Episode We Cover
How to calculate your financial independence number (and when to adjust it!)
The four-percent rule explained (and whether it still works in 2024)
Why most people chasing FIRE don’t retire on the four-percent rule
How to control your expenses and protect against inflation in retirement
The “home run” investment that could save you thousands of dollars
And So Much More!
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The Best Investing Order of Operations for FIRE (2025)
8 juli 2025 · 32 min
In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench discuss the order of operations for investing your money to achieve FIRE. They outline the steps for both traditional early retirees and those looking to invest in real estate (or start a business). Lees meer
If you’re a beginner in the FIRE movement, start here and work through these steps to FIRE the fastest. If you’re close to FIRE already or at a significant financial milestone, don’t worry. We have tips you can use right now to retire earlier and avoid the “middle-class trap” that kills so many FIRE dreams.The episode dives deep into why each step is essential and provides actionable tips for maximizing your investment strategy based on your personal goals.
What We Discuss:
Investing Order of Operations for FIRE
Invest Order of Operations for Real Estate Investors
Why we prioritize a Fully Funded 401(k) over a Roth IRA
And SO much more!
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How I'm Accessing My IRA at 45 (Without Paying Penalties)
4 juli 2025 · 50 min
Want to access your IRA before turning 59½ without paying the brutal 10% early withdrawal penalty? You're not alone, and there are completely legal ways to do it that most people never learn about. In this comprehensive guide, John Bowens from Equity Trust will walk us through the exact strategies that allow you to tap into your IRA funds for early retirement, major expenses, or financial emergencies while staying on the right side of the IRS. Lees meer
This episode delves into the serious considerations and potential consequences of accessing IRA funds before retirement age. It highlights the penalties and tax implications of early withdrawals, emphasizing the disruption to the growth of retirement savings. The discussion includes valid exceptions for penalty-free withdrawals, such as higher education expenses and first-time home purchases, while stressing the importance of evaluating all options and consulting with a financial advisor. Listeners are encouraged to weigh the immediate need against long-term financial health to make informed decisions.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
Legal penalty-free withdrawal strategies that bypass the 10% early withdrawal penalty
IRS-approved exceptions including first-time home purchases, higher education costs, and medical expenses
Tax implications of early IRA withdrawals and how they affect your overall financial picture
Long-term impact analysis of early withdrawals on your retirement savings growth
Alternative funding sources to consider before tapping into your IRA
When to consult a financial advisor and what questions to ask
Step-by-step evaluation process for weighing immediate needs against future financial security
Documentation requirements and proper procedures for penalty-free withdrawals
And SO much more!
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Your Complete Guide to Financial Independence (2025)
1 juli 2025 · 34 min
The FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement has transformed how people think about work, money, and retirement. In this comprehensive episode, Mindy and Scott break down everything you need to know about achieving financial independence and potentially retiring decades earlier than traditional retirement age. Lees meer
We explore the mathematics behind FIRE, different approaches to the movement, and practical strategies for dramatically increasing your savings rate. From understanding the 4% rule to optimizing your investment portfolio, this episode provides a complete roadmap for anyone interested in financial independence. Perfect for both beginners exploring the concept and those already on their FIRE journey looking to optimize their approach.
What We Discuss:
The 4% Rule Explained
How to calculate your FIRE number
Proven strategies to save 50%+ of your income
Best investment vehicles for FIRE (401k, IRA, taxable accounts)
Common FIRE mistakes to avoid
Updated strategies for 2025 market conditions
Withdrawal strategies
And SO much more!
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Wall Street Pro Reveals Why He Ditched Trading for Index Funds
27 juni 2025 · 39 min
In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, Mindy and Scott speak with Victor Haghani, a seasoned financial expert whose journey from Wall Street titan to FIRE advocate will transform how you think about wealth building. Lees meer
Victor's path from Salomon Brothers and Long-Term Capital Management to founding Elm Wealth reveals the shocking truth: the complex strategies that made millions on Wall Street pale in comparison to simple index fund investing for achieving financial independence.
What We Discuss:
Why Victor's billion-dollar trading experience led him to index funds
The age-based asset allocation strategy that adapts as you approach FI
The psychological traps that derail FIRE journeys (even for Wall Street pros)
Practical portfolio management for the path to financial independence
And SO much more!
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How to FIRE Without Investing in Real Estate
24 juni 2025 · 28 min
You're eager to build serious wealth, but the idea of managing tenants, fixing toilets, handling trash issues, and dealing with the endless headaches that come with real estate investing makes you cringe. Even though we're the world's largest platform for real estate investors, we totally understand that the landlord life isn't suited for everyone. The great news? Real estate is definitely not your only ticket to wealth. There are five other proven methods to accumulate serious money that won't have you answering frantic tenant calls at 2 A.M. Lees meer
On today's episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, Mindy and Scott team up to reveal the five most effective wealth-building strategies that don't require purchasing a single rental property. These approaches are accessible to virtually anyone, regardless of your current salary or existing savings account balance. Some of these strategies are extremely passive, needing only a few minutes monthly to kickstart your wealth accumulation, while others have the potential to dramatically boost your earnings but demand considerably more active participation.
In this episode, you'll learn:
The five ways to get rich WITHOUT investing in real estate
The four “levers” of wealth you can pull to level up your financial lifestyle
“Boring” businesses and HUGE investment opportunities for those in their 20s, 30s, or 40s
Job hopping and why you could be underpaid and overworked at your current role
The investment accounts that can expedite your path to becoming a millionaire
The super passive investment anyone can use to build massive wealth in the background
And SO Much More!
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Is Your FIRE Strategy Wrong? The Middle Class Trap Debate with Brad Barrett
20 juni 2025 · 53 min
Buying a house, maxing out your 401(k), and leveraging real estate are considered the gold standard for building wealth, but what if these strategies are actually sabotaging your early retirement? Lees meer
Today, we're diving into the controversial "middle-class trap" debate with Brad Barrett from the ChooseFI podcast! Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! Is your net worth locked up in home equity and retirement accounts you can't access? Brad, Mindy, and Scott are having a friendly but fierce debate about whether this middle-class trap is real or just financial fear-mongering, breaking down strategies to avoid it and revealing the ideal portfolio for early retirees.
In this episode, you'll learn:
If the Middle Class Trap is real or not!
The difference between your Net Worth vs. FI Number
The Psychological Barriers to Financial Freedom
And SO Much More!
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The Proven Path to Financial Independence in Your 40s
17 juni 2025 · 59 min
On this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench sit down with Dave Fleischer, a teacher who's proving that you don't need a six-figure salary to achieve financial independence. If you've ever felt discouraged because your FI number seems impossibly high or your current salary feels too small to build real wealth, this episode will completely shift your perspective by showing that financial independence isn't about how much you make, but how strategically you manage what you have. Lees meer
Whether you're a teacher, earn a median income, or simply want to see how creative financial planning can accelerate your journey to freedom, you'll discover actionable strategies that work regardless of your income level and prove that YOU can follow this simple path to achieve financial freedom too.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How Dave and his wife became net worth millionaires at 39 years old.
Can one move change your life?
Living below your means is key to building wealth.
If you can downsize your lifestyle, it is a cheat code.
And SO Much More!
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How to Access Retirement Funds Early Using the 72(t) Strategy
13 juni 2025 · 59 min
On this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench sit down with John Bowens from Equity Trust. John is an expert on the often-overlooked 72(t)t rule that could be a game-changer for early retirees. Lees meer
This often misunderstood withdrawal strategy allows people under 59.5 to tap into their retirement accounts without facing the brutal 10% early withdrawal penalty that typically guards these funds. John breaks down the complex world of Substantially Equal Periodic Payments (SEPP), walking listeners through the different calculation methods, critical liquidity considerations, and smart investment strategies that can make or break a 72T IRA approach.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How to access retirement funds early with the often overlooked 72(t) rule
Avoiding 401(k) penalties and using retirement accounts to actually retire early
The rules and regulations you MUST follow to withdraw penalty-free
And SO Much More!
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Money with Katie: Breaking Free from the Middle-Class Money Trap
10 juni 2025 · 53 min
Katie Gatti Tassin from "Money with Katie" escaped the middle-class wealth trap of endless working and spending by having her "financial awakening" early. Through just a few years of self-education she more than doubled her income, built a profitable business, and mastered retirement investing and passive income strategies. She's documented all of these wealth-building strategies in her new book "Rich Girl Nation: Taking Charge of Our Financial Futures," which you can pre-order today. Lees meer
You'll learn the exact mindset shifts and actionable steps that transformed Katie's financial life and how you can replicate her success to break free from the cash-gobbling cycle and skyrocket your own net worth.
In this episode, you'll learn:
The “financial awakening” that’ll have you saving more and spending less
Tracking spending in real-time is crucial for financial awareness.
Financial “truths” that could destroy your wealth if you follow them
Earning more money requires smart strategies, not just hard work.
And SO much more!
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4% Rule Creator Bill Bengen Reveals His NEW 5% Retirement Strategy
6 juni 2025 · 47 min
The 4% rule just got a major update! Bill Bengen, the creator of the famous 4% withdrawal rule, returns to share his latest research that's changing retirement planning forever. Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! Discover why he's now recommending a 4.7% withdrawal rate and what this means for YOUR retirement strategy. Lees meer
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why Bill Bengen updated his iconic 4% rule after decades of research
The psychology behind why retirees struggle to actually spend their money
How market conditions should influence your withdrawal strategy
The role real estate plays in a well-diversified retirement portfolio
Active vs. passive management strategies for retirees
How younger retirees should approach their investment timeline differently
Why protecting your principal matters more than maximizing returns
The importance of controlling expenses and finding purpose beyond money
And SO Much More!
Whether you're planning for retirement or already retired, this conversation will reshape how you think about withdrawal rates, portfolio management, and creating a sustainable financial future.
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The Ultimate Guide to Asset Protection: LLCs, Insurance & Partnerships
3 juni 2025 · 48 min
Do you really need an LLC for rentals? What kind of insurance should you get? With so many questions (and confusion) surrounding asset protection for real estate investors, we’ve brought on an expert to set the record straight so you can protect your assets—without going overboard or breaking the bank! Lees meer
Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! Today, we’re chatting with real estate attorney and fellow investor Bonnie Galam about the nuances of asset protection. The truth is that there are two sides to this coin, but most investors only focus on the defensive or “reactive” side. Bonnie will show you the keys to 360-degree protection—like setting up strong legal structures before problems arise and the essential documentation you should have from day one.
You’ll also learn about the potential pitfalls of equity partnerships, how personal events can put your properties at risk, and why car insurance and prenups matter more for your portfolio than you might think. Asset protection doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does need to be strategic, and this episode will help you prioritize what’s important now, what can wait, and how to create a legal framework that evolves as your real estate portfolio grows!
In This Episode We Cover:
Two sides of asset protection to focus on when starting a real estate business
Three actionable steps new investors can take to protect their assets today
Why you need to create an estate plan (even if you don’t have rentals yet!)
How much you should expect to pay for different types of legal protection
Debt versus equity partnerships (and why one is better for asset protection)
And So Much More!
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The “Set It and Forget It” Path to FIRE by Your 40s
30 mei 2025 · 33 min
If you invest consistently, reaching FIRE (financial independence, retire early) by your mid-40s is absolutely possible. These two financial-freedom-chasing twins are proof of it! Only in their 20s, both Andy and Oliver from Twin Finances have six-figure net worths, rental properties, and fully-loaded stock accounts! Conveniently, right after getting their first jobs, they found out about the FIRE movement, and have been quickly approaching their FIRE numbers ever since! Lees meer
Andy and Oliver have made substantial financial progress in just six years by doing what’s simple—a “set it and forget it” investing strategy that means less stress and faster FIRE. With $2M FIRE goals each, they’ve got a big gap to fill, but starting in their 20s gives them a huge leg up. In this episode, they break down their net worths, assets, and how they balance stocks and real estate to stay on track for FIRE by 45!
Are you new to the FIRE movement? Check out Andy and Oliver’s beginner channel for personal finance, Twin Finances, and subscribe to BiggerPockets Money!
In This Episode We Cover
The “set it and forget it” investing strategy for FIRE by your mid-40s
Why you MUST be flexible with your FIRE number as your life changes
How to handle market corrections and crashes without losing your FIRE progress
Andy and Oliver’s impressive net worths (they’re only in their 20s!)
Combining rental properties and consistent stock investing to diversify your FIRE income
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-645
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Leaving His Job at 36 to Give Back, NOT Get Rich During FI
27 mei 2025 · 48 min
For many of us, FI (financial independence) isn’t just about having the biggest bank account. Growing wealth is one thing, but getting rich isn’t the goal. Freedom, time with loved ones, and giving back to your community are. So, when he reached the millionaire mark and achieved Coast FI, Ryan Brennan knew it was time to leave his new director role and focus on something that fueled his FIRE in a non-financial way. Lees meer
But, how did he get to a seven-figure net worth in his mid-30s anyway? A few very savvy (and repeatable) money moves catapulted Ryan’s net worth, allowing him to reach a level of financial freedom three decades before traditional retirement age. Through smart investing, unconventional living, and using his money to multiply his investments, Ryan secured the financial runway to enjoy a long sabbatical, doing what he truly loves—service work.
After multiple volunteering trips, Ryan started the FI Service Corps, a group for those on their way to (or at) FI to give back to the community and help others in less fortunate positions. Ryan and his FI Service friends have helped build houses for qualifying low-income families, laid floors, and painted for Habitat for Humanity, and done it all while staying on track for early retirement. Want to give back, too? Join Ryan on a FI Service Corps volunteer trip!
In This Episode We Cover
Repeatable money moves Ryan made to reach Coast FI by 36
Why financial independence is so much more than just growing your net worth (it’s about giving back!)
How to know you’re ready to take a sabbatical or quit your job
The live-in flip house hack strategy that will supercharge your FIRE progress
Why Slow FI may be even better than retiring as early as possible
How to join Ryan and other FI friends on a trip to help those in need
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-644
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If No One Follows the 4% Rule, What IS the Right Withdrawal Rate?
23 mei 2025 · 55 min
Most people assume the “safe withdrawal rate” for retirement (or early retirement) is 4%. But, if that’s the case, why is it SO hard to find anyone who’s gotten to their FIRE number, quit their job, and lived entirely off of the 4% rule? If the 4% rule is so safe and backed by solid math, why are so few FIRE followers confident enough to actually use it? We don’t know. So we asked Karsten, AKA “Big Ern,” from Early Retirement Now to help answer! Lees meer
Karsten has done the math, and the 4% rule checks out. But even he, an early retiree, doesn’t follow it. So, instead of the safe withdrawal rate, what’s the comfortable withdrawal rate early retirees should be following to FIRE on time and with less stress? And with turbulence in today’s stock market, and rising prices (which cause your spending to rise), what does the right FIRE portfolio look like?
Karsten walks through how your portfolio should change as you approach FIRE. He explains why hedging with cash-flowing assets may be a smart move, how much cash to keep on hand, and whether those reserves can actually protect against sequence risk. Plus, should you pay off your mortgage on the path to FIRE? Scott and Karsten offer two different perspectives on whether it’s smarter to pay off your mortgage or invest that money instead.
If you’re planning to FIRE, this is info you need to know!
In This Episode We Cover
Is the 4% rule math or myth, and why doesn’t anyone actually trust it enough to use it?
The optimal FIRE portfolio for less risk and higher potential returns
Cash reserves and emergency “buckets” to limit your sequence of returns risk
Should you pay off your mortgage early or invest that money instead?
One smart hedge to protect your portfolio against a stock market downturn
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-643
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No, Taxes Won’t Derail Your FIRE: Here’s What You’ll Really Pay in Retirement
20 mei 2025 · 40 min
No, Taxes Won’t Derail Your FIRE: Here’s What You’ll Really Pay in Retirement Lees meer
Podcast Description
Taxes in retirement have been called a “silent wealth killer” for those pursuing FIRE—but does the data tell a different story? If you’re worried about a ticking tax bomb wiping out a huge chunk of your investment portfolio or even delaying early retirement, you won’t want to miss this one!
Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! Today, we’re joined by fellow investor and self-proclaimed data nerd Mark Livingstone, who has created a free resource and spreadsheet YOU can use to estimate your tax burden in retirement. For most early retirees, taxes are negligible compared to the amount of income they can withdraw, and Mark will demonstrate this with a step-by-step walkthrough of his powerful FIRE tax tool!
Along the way, you’ll learn the key differences between marginal and effective tax rates and why people who retire today pay much less tax than in decades prior. You’ll also hear about the four income “levers” you can pull in retirement, when income tax and capital gains tax kick in, and how to build the most tax-friendly withdrawal strategy possible!
In This Episode We Cover
Why taxes in retirement aren’t nearly as bad as you probably think
A step-by-step walkthrough of Mark’s free retirement tax spreadsheet
How the United States’ progressive income tax system works
Marginal and effective tax rates explained (and how they impact your tax burden)
The four income “levers” you can pull in retirement (and how each is taxed)
How taxes impact the safe withdrawal rate (and why the 4% rule works)
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-642
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Scott Steps Down as CEO: A New Age for BiggerPockets Money
16 mei 2025 · 43 min
BiggerPockets’ CEO Scott Trench announces his decision to step down as CEO, and focus full-time efforts on personal finance content with BiggerPockets Money. We also welcome BiggerPockets’ new CEO, Ale Ayestaran. Lees meer
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JL Collins: The “Simple” Path to Wealth, FIRE, and Stress-Free Investing
13 mei 2025 · 52 min
The Simple Path to Wealth is arguably the most influential book in the FIRE movement. JL Collins, its author, is revered among early retirees as one of the trailblazers for FIRE, showing that anyone, with the right investing consistency, can reach financial independence WITHOUT complicated investing strategies, risky alternative assets, or individual stock picking. This is THE simplest way to wealth, but does it still work in 2025? Lees meer
To see, we had to ask the man himself. So, back again, is JL Collins! Today, we’re answering the big questions many FIRE chasers still ask. What’s the right portfolio balance when growing wealth vs. retiring, does JL hold bonds or 100% index funds, should we be worried about all-time-high price-to-earnings ratios, and do you EVER need to rebalance your portfolio? JL answers them all, plus gives Scott his honest take on what a market crash would mean for his portfolio.
But what about real estate, cryptocurrency, and other alternative assets? Is there any space in your portfolio for those, or should you only invest in index funds and bonds? JL has some advice you might not expect, but it could help you if you’re itching to diversify.
Want to learn more about The Simple Path to Wealth? Pre-order the updated version, The Simple Path to Wealth (Revised & Expanded 2025 Edition), today!
In This Episode We Cover
The “simple” path to wealth, FIRE, and early retirement explained
JL’s exact stock/bond ratio while in retirement (and where yours should be)
Are Scott’s concerns about price-to-earnings ratios valid? JL shares his view
When to rebalance your portfolio and why “set it and forget it” investing WON’T work
REITs, real estate, and crypto: does JL invest in ANY of these alternative assets (and should you)?
And So Much More!
Links from the Show
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How to Create Huge Tax Savings Funding Your Kid’s College (& FIRE on Time!)
9 mei 2025 · 47 min
Paying for college is one of the biggest financial hurdles families face—even as you’re chasing or approaching FIRE. What’s the smartest way to save for higher education while also securing your financial future? Scott, Mindy, and Amberly are breaking it all down on today’s episode! Lees meer
Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! There are several ways to fund your child’s education, and if you’re actively building wealth, you likely have even more options at your disposal. We’ll show you how to find “free” money through government grants and scholarships, but since these could be off the table for those who are pursuing financial independence, we’ll also compare popular college savings accounts—like the 529 college savings plan and UTMA (Uniform Transfer to Minors Act) account. If you want to limit your tax liability, one option reigns supreme!
We know this is a personal decision, and you shouldn’t be guilted into one direction or the other. Whether you’re saving for your own children, your grandkids, or just curious about how to balance college tuition costs with FIRE goals, we’ll equip you with a practical roadmap for funding education on your own terms—one that keeps you on track to retire early!
In This Episode We Cover
How Scott, Mindy, and Amberly are funding their children’s college education
The pros and cons of 529 college savings plans versus UTMA accounts
How to uncover “free money” to help pay for college tuition costs
State-specific tax benefits to keep in mind when contributing to a 529 plan
Securing your financial future before saving for higher education
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-639
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I Retired Early in My 40s WITHOUT Withdrawing from My Portfolio! | Life After FIRE
7 mei 2025 · 31 min
You CAN retire early in just ten years IF you save and invest enough. Fortunately, your retirement expenses may be less than you think. Chris Luger, from Heavy Metal Money, didn’t think about retiring early until a divorce made him take control of his finances. He realized that the path to early retirement was only ten years away, so he started saving—a lot. Chris managed to save and invest 70% of his income for seven years, and just last year, he pulled the trigger and retired! Lees meer
And here’s the kicker—Chris isn’t even touching his retirement portfolio. Thanks to a passive income side hustle, he’s funding his lifestyle without drawing down his nest egg. Chris is proof that even after divorce, with kids and an event-packed lifestyle, you CAN afford to retire early.
What’s Chris’s investment portfolio made up of? What’s his passive income-producing side hustle? And how does he deal with stock market downturns without losing his head? Chris shares the raw realities of early retirement, the biggest struggles to prepare for, and the one thing that makes FIRE truly amazing once you achieve it.
In This Episode We Cover
How to retire early in your 40s by supercharging your savings rate
Why you need a passive income stream to have a stress-free FIRE lifestyle
Is a financial advisor worth it? Why Chris is confident in his decision to use an advisor
What you need to prepare for NOW if you’re planning on retiring early
Why Chris is worried about running out of life, not money, in early retirement (and you should be, too)
And So Much More!
Links from the Show
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The 4% “Rule” is Wrong for FIRE—Here’s a Better Alternative
6 mei 2025 · 1 uur 5 min
For decades, the 4% rule has been the calculation every FIRE chaser has used to determine when they can retire early—risk-free. The math is simple: have a portfolio big enough to withdraw 4% per year to fund your lifestyle. But there’s one BIG problem with the 4% rule that nobody is talking about—a problem that could force you to work longer, ruin your retirement lifestyle, and put your portfolio in jeopardy if you don’t plan carefully. Tyler Gardner, former portfolio manager and financial advisor, is back on the show to share why much of the FIRE community may be wrong about this “rule.” Lees meer
Scared of not having enough to retire, retiring during a market crash, or being forced to be frugal once you leave the workforce? That’s precisely what we’re talking about in today’s episode. The 4% rule has become untouchable within the FIRE movement, but its hard-and-fast downsides may lead to your FIRE’s demise.
Tyler shares what he thinks is the ultimate FIRE portfolio allocation, why he’s way more bullish on stocks and index funds than bonds, EVEN during retirement, and why target date retirement funds—often scoffed at—can actually help protect your portfolio once you FIRE. If you’re planning on retiring early with the 4% rule, think again. All of us have our doubts, and we’re sharing them today.
In This Episode We Cover
Why the 4% “rule” is WRONG for most FIRE chasers, and why withdrawing only 4% could be a mistake
The new (updated!) FIRE number that most people should be chasing
Hate your job and want to retire early? Here’s why you should find a better career (NOT quit) instead
The ultimate FIRE portfolio allocation and why a target date retirement fund actually makes sense for many
And So Much More!
Links from the Show
Mindy on BiggerPockets
Scott on BiggerPockets
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Email Mindy: Mindy@biggerpockets.com
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How to Build (and Enjoy) Your “Dream” Life in Early Retirement | Life After FIRE
2 mei 2025 · 23 min
What if you reached financial independence…before knowing what it was? That’s what happened to Chris Rusin. After discovering the FIRE movement and stumbling across Mindy and Carl’s blog, he realized he was already at his goal. Then, early retirement unlocked a new life full of wild adventures, creative rebirth, and deeper purpose! Lees meer
Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! Chris had been hustling, saving money, and chasing financial freedom for years before experiencing a big wake-up call. He encountered a half-billionaire who, despite “having it all,” was deeply unhappy and filled with regret. That moment sparked a shift—not toward more money, but toward more meaning.
Since then, Chris has dived for treasure with Navy SEALs, unearthed dinosaur fossils, and much more—all before turning 50! But he’s also faced his fair share of fear and uncertainty. After receiving a cancer diagnosis and losing his voice to chemotherapy, he made a promise: if his voice came back, he’d finally record the album he’d dreamed of making. And he did. Stick around till the very end to hear the “world premiere” of Chris’ brand-new song!
In This Episode We Cover
What really happens after you achieve financial independence
Designing your “dream” life once you reach early retirement
How to maintain a sense of purpose after retiring from your nine-to-five
The secret to weathering major portfolio swings in retirement
A BiggerPockets-exclusive live rendition of Chris’ brand-new song
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-636
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The Single Biggest Risk That Could Stop Your Early Retirement (& How to Dodge It)
29 april 2025 · 46 min
You’re part of the FIRE movement (financial independence, retire early) so you can quit your job, have complete time freedom, and truly enjoy your life. But what if early retirement isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be? What if you grind for years or decades, reach your FIRE number, quit your job, and realize… you’re bored? Your schedule is wide open, but what do you fill it with? You start asking yourself, “Did I pursue FIRE for financial freedom—or to escape something else entirely?” Lees meer
Tyler Gardner, former portfolio manager and financial advisor, has seen the toxic side of FIRE far too often. Tyler believes that working on something you love can be far more meaningful than early retirement, and he might be right. Early retirees often struggle with their post-career lifestyle, and many find they can’t thrive without meaningful work. This identity shift can cause profound dissatisfaction, even after so much sacrifice to get to this point.
Tyler’s advice: slowly phase out of work or have other income streams that can keep you going, not just for your mental health but your portfolio’s health. So, how do you do that? Mindy, Scott, and Tyler have a meaningful debate, with significant disagreements, on the best way to phase out full-time work, why a 100% stock portfolio may be safer than you thought, and the toxic side of FIRE nobody talks about.
In This Episode We Cover
The problem with FIRE and why early retirement won’t solve everything
The #1 risk early retirees are NOT prepared for and how to ensure you keep your FIRE blazing
How to phase out of work even if you have a demanding, full-time, 40+ hours per week job
Why working during early retirement is not a bad thing and has massive benefits
Creating cash flow before you retire and how to minimize the dreaded “sequence of returns risk”
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-635
Interested in learning more about today’…
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We Paid Off $500K in Debt: Now We’re on Track to Retire (Early) in Our 50s
25 april 2025 · 52 min
Fear that early retirement is out of the question because you have too much debt? It’s not game over. Whether you’re debt-free or still chipping away at your student loans, today’s guests are proof that FIRE is never too far out of reach—even if you’ve got half a million dollars in debt! Lees meer
Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! Amirra and Mazi Condelee’s first date was an all-timer. While many consider personal finance a taboo topic, they cut right to the money talk—specifically, debt. And it was a good thing they did because they’ve racked up a combined $500,000 in student debt. Most would assume this spells doom for financial independence, but Amirra and Mazi knew they could pay it off by increasing their income, cutting costs, and staying disciplined.
In just five years, they’ve snowballed out of student loan debt and toward their long-term goal—retiring in their 50s. Now that this power couple is nearly debt-free, they’re focused on saving for retirement. Tune in to learn what they still need to do to reach their (high) FIRE number, why they refuse to downsize their dreams, and how they plan to spend their retirement!
In This Episode We Cover
How Amirra and Mazi crushed $500,000 in student loan debt in just five years
Best practices for paying off debt and fast-tracking financial independence
How to determine whether your FIRE number is too high (or low!)
The money conversations you and your partner NEED to have
How to “travel hack” your way to FREE vacations (without spending more)
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-634
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Healthcare Hacks That Could Save You Thousands on the Journey to FIRE
22 april 2025 · 33 min
Wealth and health are closely intertwined, especially here in the US, where the high cost of healthcare can put significant financial pressure on families. But is there a remedy to these exorbitant expenses that Americans are missing? Stay tuned and we’ll show you how to negotiate your medical bills—even if you’ve reached FIRE! Lees meer
Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! Unpredictable healthcare costs keep many would-be retirees tethered to their nine-to-five jobs, but today’s guest has a solution. Jared Walker founded Dollar For, a nonprofit organization that has helped erase over $83 million in medical costs for everyday Americans. How? The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires many healthcare providers to offer a program that discounts costs for patients, so Jared and his team simply use it to negotiate people’s medical bills on their behalf.
High healthcare costs affect everyone, whether you’re facing hardship, trying to reach financial independence, or already retired. In this episode, Jared will share tips anyone can use to minimize their healthcare costs and negotiate their own medical bills!
In This Episode We Cover
How to negotiate and lower your medical bills (even if you’re retired)
Saving thousands on healthcare with this Affordable Care Act (ACA) program
How to use cash payments as leverage when negotiating medical debt
The healthcare “hack” that helps you spot erroneous or exorbitant charges
The two best ways to proactively minimize healthcare costs
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-633
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The Financial Order of Operations for FIRE (Step-by-Step Early Retirement Plan)
18 april 2025 · 34 min
Most people chasing FIRE (financial independence, retire early) are doing it all out of order, and it’s costing them years of financial freedom. So, we thought, “What’s the fastest way to achieve FIRE, and which steps would you take if you were starting from scratch?” Today, we’re bringing you a supercharged financial independence plan, sharing the exact financial order of operations that’ll take you from a $1,000 emergency fund to fully-fledged early retirement. Lees meer
We know the steps because we’re reverse-engineering our own paths to financial independence, and we WISH we had done some of these earlier. If you’re a beginner in the FIRE movement, start here and work through these steps to FIRE the fastest. If you’re close to FIRE already or at a significant financial milestone, don’t worry. We have tips you can use right now to retire earlier and avoid the “middle-class trap” that kills so many FIRE dreams.
We’re going through retirement accounts, emergency funds, cash-flowing investments, and side hustles to help you earn more. Plus, what to do once you make TOO much money to invest in tax-advantaged retirement accounts.
In This Episode We Cover
The exact financial order of operations to reach financial independence fastest
The bare minimum emergency fund you should have in your bank account at all times
How to calculate your FIRE number in five seconds so you know your goal
What to do when you make TOO much money to invest in a Roth IRA
When to STOP investing in retirement accounts to avoid the middle-class trap
Moves to make as soon as you’re retired early that’ll make your FIRE last even longer
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-632
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The “Silver Lining” for Investors After a Historic Week for Stocks| Life After FIRE
16 april 2025 · 30 min
We’re coming off one of the wildest weeks in stock market history. How are retirees reacting to these massive swings? How should you adjust your FIRE portfolio in case there are even more turbulent times ahead? We’re chatting with someone who’s in the loop! Lees meer
Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! Today, Emma von Weise, certified financial planner (CFP), returns to the show to give her perspective on the recent stock market volatility. She’ll share what her clients are doing and the course of action she recommends for those who are worried about their nest egg crumbling.
Times like these prove you need an investment plan. If you don’t already have one, Emma will show you how to create it. You’ll also learn how a few years of cash distributions can help you protect your investments and keep you from selling stocks at a loss. Are bonds actually a “safe haven” for investors? We’ll make sense of rising yields and, finally, share a tax strategy YOU can take advantage of during a stock market slide to trim your taxable income!
In This Episode We Cover
How to adjust your FIRE portfolio after recent stock market volatility
How cash distributions protect retirees from selling stocks low in a downturn
Why you need to create an investment plan today (if you don’t have one!)
How to balance “growth” and “safety” in your investment portfolio
Why bond yields have spiked after a huge sell-off (and whether you should buy)
Offsetting capital gains from stocks through tax-loss harvesting
And So Much More!
Links from the Show
Mindy on BiggerPockets
Scott on BiggerPockets
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Email Mindy: Mindy@biggerpockets.com
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Get $100 Off Your Ticket to BPCon2025
BiggerPockets Mone…
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Early Retirement “Traps” That Delayed My FIRE by a Decade
15 april 2025 · 37 min
Early retirement in your 50s is a dream for most Americans, but today’s guest is sharing how she could have retired in her 40s, a decade earlier, if she had avoided these FIRE “traps.” Yes, it IS possible to FIRE in your 40s even with much of your money in retirement accounts. “But I thought you couldn’t take out that money until you’re 59.5?” That’s where you’re wrong, and today, Diana Hummel is showing YOU how to withdraw from your retirement accounts even earlier. Lees meer
In her mid-30s, Diana had a huge wake-up call. Her parents, who had just retired, suddenly passed away. This lit a flame that would eventually ignite a full FIRE under Diana to live life on her terms well before the standard retirement age. She and her husband saved diligently, invested heavily, and were able to quit their jobs at 45, starting two businesses, one of which broke even while the other turned a profit.
The problem? Diana most likely had enough money to retire once she quit her W2, but she didn’t realize she could FIRE so early. Thanks to Roth conversions, 72(t) strategies, and smart tax planning, Diana is fully retired and ready to teach you how to FIRE faster!
In This Episode We Cover
How to withdraw from retirement accounts early and FIRE in your 40s or 50s
The 72(t) strategy explained and using your 401(k) to retire early (seriously!)
Early retirement healthcare and how Diana is covering it with pre-existing conditions
Retiring during a stock market crash and how new retirees can handle 2025’s bumpy market
The biggest FIRE regret Diana has and a lesson you should learn before you retire (early)
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-630
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How to FIRE in Your 40s on a Teacher’s Salary (or Average Income) (Finance Friday)
11 april 2025 · 50 min
Is it possible to reach FIRE by 45, even on a teacher’s salary or an average income? Today’s guest is proving that, yes, you can retire early, regardless of your paycheck. It may be a little harder than it is for high-income earners, but with frugality, discipline, and smart investments, regular people can achieve FIRE! Lees meer
Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! At just 31 years old, Kat has been diligently maxing out her retirement accounts, saving a ton of cash, and making enormous strides towards retiring by age 45. Most would say this is a long shot for someone with a teacher’s salary, but thanks to a high savings rate and savvy financial decisions, Kat is right on track to reach her lofty goal. The real question is, should she?
Kat will need to grind for the next 15 years to retire on her original timeline. Is it worth taking an extra couple of years to reach financial independence if it prevents burnout? In this episode, Mindy and Amberly will break down Kat’s options, help her avoid the dreaded middle-class trap, and give her a roadmap for achieving FIRE quickly while also enjoying the journey!
In This Episode We Cover
Kat’s roadmap to FIRE by age 45 (on a teacher’s salary!)
Why you DON’T need to be a high income earner to retire early
When to stop contributing to retirement accounts and pivot to other investments
Giving yourself financial flexibility by saving cash (and how to deploy it)
When you should (and shouldn’t) pay off your mortgage early
Why it’s worth taking extra time to enjoy the journey to financial independence
And So Much More!
Links from the Show
Mindy on BiggerPockets
Scott on BiggerPockets
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Join BiggerPockets for FREE
Email Mindy: Mindy@biggerpockets.com
Email Scott: Scott@biggerpockets.com
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Follow BiggerPockets Money on Instagram
“Like” BiggerPockets Money on Facebook
Subscribe to the BiggerPockets Money YouTube Chan…
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Tariffs Pause, Stocks Erupt, But the Volatility Could Be Far From Over
10 april 2025 · 33 min
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? Lees meer
We’ve got Amberly, Mindy, and Scott (with a mustache!) on the show to discuss how these new tariff pauses have affected their investments, portfolio, and FIRE investing plans. Amberly, our Canadian of the group, brings a valuable view as someone who is directly seeing how US tariffs impacted her country. Will America remain the economic superpower we’ve long been, or will tariffed countries quickly form new alliances? Is that good for YOUR future investments?
What about interest rates? With more theories that President Trump is making these moves to lower rates, could your next mortgage get more affordable? Or, will lower rates plus tariffs trigger serious inflation—or potentially even deflation? This news brings a lot of “what ifs,” and if you’re confused, fret not; we’ll explain it in this bonus episode.
In This Episode We Cover
The new tariff pause and why markets sprung up (massively!) on Wednesday
How we’re investing (right now) during all this stock market hysteria
The long-term trade risks that affect all Americans after these recent tariff proposals
Will interest rates fall with this much volatility; could a new Fed chair force lower rates?
One major flaw with the “manufacturing boost” theory that comes with new tariffs
Incoming inflation AND deflation risks as prices rise but American budgets shrink
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-628
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors…
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The #1 Thing That Made Our FIRE Grind Easier (and More Fun!) | Life After FIRE
10 april 2025 · 19 min
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! Lees meer
Mindy and Carl just came back from the EconoMe Conference, a three-day celebration of those chasing financial independence and early retirement, where you can meet new FI friends and rediscover why you’re after FIRE in the first place. But you DON’T have to wait until next year to go to a FIRE event; we’re sharing exactly how to find your FIRE tribe today.
Attending these events was one of the—if not THE—single most impactful parts of Mindy and Carl’s journey to early retirement as they often unlock new FIRE strategies you didn’t know were possible, allow you to grind side-by-side with FIRE-minded people just like you, and give you a sense of strong community that’s behind you EVERY step of the way, even during life after FIRE!
Do NOT skip out on this, or you could risk your FIRE!
In This Episode We Cover
The #1 way to stay motivated while on the path to financial freedom
The best big and small FIRE events to attend this year and next
What to do if you’re introverted and struggle at live events with many people
How to find your local FI meetup so you can make new FI friends
Want to meet Mindy and Carl in person? We’re sharing how you can!
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-627
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I FIREd with Index Funds, She FIREd with Rentals: Which is Better (& Faster)?
8 april 2025 · 32 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! Lees meer
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 part? They don’t exactly agree! First, Amberly will defend the position of real estate investing. From house hacking and live-in flips to out-of-state investing, there are several strategies you can use to create monthly cash flow, build wealth through appreciation, and save a fortune on taxes!
Meanwhile, Mindy will defend her time-tested stock investing strategy. Along the way, she’ll share the many advantages of passive investing, compare 60/40 and 90/10 stock-to-bond investment portfolios, and show you the ideal portfolio mix for those who plan to retire on the 4% rule. YOU decide which of our financially independent hosts has the strongest case!
In This Episode We Cover
Real estate versus stocks (and which will help you FIRE faster)
How YOU can “live for free” with the house hacking strategy
Saving hundreds of thousands in taxes with the live-in flip strategy
How to turn your rental properties passive by investing out of state
The perfect stock portfolio allocation for retiring on the 4% rule
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-626
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Teacher ($44K/Year Income) FIREs in 10 Years Making the RIGHT Sacrifices
4 april 2025 · 40 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 how he did it. Lees meer
Your income is NOT the limiting factor to you achieving FIRE, no matter how much it seems that way. Bryce took a slow and sacrifice-heavy path to early retirement and now makes more than 300% of the combined income of his and his wife’s teacher salaries. He was frugal without a doubt, but focusing on income-generating opportunities is what really slingshotted his net worth, passive income, and FIRE timeline.
So, what money move should you make RIGHT now to turn your median salary into investments that pay you passive income every month? What sacrifices should you be making to put your family in a FIRE financial position? What was the one purchase that launched Bryce’s path to FIRE? Whether you’re making under, over, or around six figures, you can retire earlier by taking Bryce’s advice.
In This Episode We Cover
The one investment Bryce made that helped him get to FIRE in 10 years
Building multiple income streams so you’re NOT reliant on your job
Why house hacking (living for free) is the ULTIMATE FIRE super-charger
Investments to make with a low/median income that will get you to FIRE faster
The #1 reason you should NOT tell your partner about your FIRE dreams…yet
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-625
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FIRE at 50 by Creating “FI Paychecks” That Fund My Early Retirement! | Life After FIRE
2 april 2025 · 39 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 worry! Lees meer
But it wasn’t the money that made Mark thankful for FIRE. Mark was able to be right next to his wife and even his father during their last days, being fully dedicated to them and not worrying about a job or paycheck he had to go after. This is the TRUE point of FIRE, and living like Mark could have the same powerful impact on you.
Speaking of paychecks, Mark’s “FI paychecks” are fueling his retirement, so much so that he barely (if ever) needs to withdraw from his retirement portfolio. How is this completely passive cash flow funding his life? Copy Mark’s strategy, and you could be Fat FIRE by 50, too!
In This Episode We Cover
The “FI paychecks” you should set up once you’re near early retirement
Why FIRE is about MORE than money; it’s about time with the ones you love
Mark’s “Fun Bucket” for worry-free spending on life-changing experiences
Why delaying your early retirement could help you FIRE without money anxiety
The one inflation/market downturn hedge Mark uses that provides him with passive income
Early retirement healthcare and how Mark pays for health insurance without employment
And So Much More!
Links from the Show
Mindy on BiggerPockets
Scott on BiggerPockets
Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place
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Email Mindy: Mindy@biggerpockets.com
Email Scott: Scott@biggerpockets.com
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“Like” BiggerPockets Money on Facebook
Subscribe t…
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Barista FIRE at 36 with ONLY $500K by Trading “Stuff” for Substance
1 april 2025 · 45 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. Lees meer
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, with who you want. Sounds like a dream life, right? Well, you’re not far from it already!
After barely scraping by (even with a good job), Julie knew something needed to change, but she wasn’t ready for it. It wasn’t until she got laid off multiple times that she realized it was time to put her financial future in her own hands. This led her down the FIRE movement rabbit hole, getting almost addicted to saving and investing, and finding herself in a position to quit her job and do what she really loves: travel and get PAID to plan trips for others.
Now, she’s Barista FIRE (FIRE with the help of a side hustle), living nomadically for a fraction of the cost of a basic life in the United States!
In This Episode We Cover
“Barista FIRE” and the faster way to semi-retire early with a lower FIRE number
Why consumerism WON’T fulfill you, but it will make you broke
Using side hustles to supercharge your savings rate and investing goals
Building your Barista FIRE income stream BEFORE you quit your job
Early retirement healthcare and how Julie pays just $40/month for coverage
Living your best life abroad for a fraction of the cost of living in the States
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-623
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Can Your FIRE Portfolio Survive a Stock Market Crash?
28 maart 2025 · 39 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-resistant. Lees meer
Last month, Scott talked about his big decision to sell off a chunk of his index fund portfolio in fears of overvalued stock prices. What followed? A significant stock sell-off, with some major indexes falling 10% already. Scott urges those close to FIRE to “lock in” their gains and avoid unnecessary risks to push their FIRE numbers higher.
So, what did Scott move his money into, and should you do the same? Should you switch to bonds for a safer but lower-return correction hedge? What happens if this stock downturn lasts years? Should someone in their 20s or 30s, just starting on the FIRE path, stop investing or double down? We’re answering all of your burning FIRE questions today!
In This Episode We Cover
Why Amy uses a financial advisor to help manage her money in retirement
Amy’s journey to financial independence, losing her husband, and retiring early
Assets under management (AUM) versus fee-only advisors (and which one to hire!)
How to reach your FIRE number sooner through “experimental deprivation”
Why you need to have regular money check-ins with your significant other
And So Much More!
Links from the Show
Mindy on BiggerPockets
Scott on BiggerPockets
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When You Should (and Shouldn’t) Hire a Financial Advisor | Life After FIRE
26 maart 2025 · 40 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! Lees meer
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, arrived at their FIRE number in 2020. Just as they were preparing for early retirement, Phil tragically passed, and Amy was left to not only navigate a new normal but also take control of her finances. Still reeling from the loss of her husband, Amy hired a financial advisor, which turned out to be one of the best decisions she ever made.
In this episode, Amy shares how she used money check-ins and a year of “experimental deprivation” to speed up her path to retirement. She also discusses the pros and cons of using financial advisors, the differences between the assets-under-management and fee-only models, and how to properly vet an advisor to ensure you’re getting your money’s worth!
In This Episode We Cover
Why Amy uses a financial advisor to help manage her money in retirement
Amy’s journey to financial independence, losing her husband, and retiring early
Assets under management (AUM) versus fee-only advisors (and which one to hire!)
How to reach your FIRE number sooner through “experimental deprivation”
Why you need to have regular money check-ins with your significant other
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-621
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Motley Fool’s Ricky Mulvey: Why I’m Buying MORE Stocks Despite Growing Recession Risk
25 maart 2025 · 48 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! Lees meer
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 discuss some of his best bargain buys, his biggest portfolio wins and losses in recent years, and, most importantly, the four-step approach you can use to identify stocks that could be set to soar in 2025.
If you’re a regular listener, you know that Scott and Mindy are partial to stashing their money in index funds, sitting back, and watching their wealth snowball over the long haul. You might say that Ricky has a slightly larger appetite for risk, as he isn’t opposed to picking stocks, timing the market, and getting out after three to five years. Stick around to find out if his strategy works!
In This Episode We Cover
Whether now is the time to buy stocks after the recent market pullback
Ricky’s four-step approach to finding value in the stock market
Using insider buying activity to find potential investing opportunities
How to prevent “tax drag” when buying and selling off stocks
Reviewing Ricky’s biggest portfolio wins and losses (Meta, Spotify, and more!)
And So Much More!
Links from the Show
Mindy on BiggerPockets
Scott on BiggerPockets
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Is the 4% Rule Dead?
21 maart 2025 · 36 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. Lees meer
The 4% rule is one of the most bulletproof retirement formulas. It’s simple: Build a portfolio from which you can comfortably withdraw 4% annually. Need $40,000 per year to live? Your FIRE number is $1,000,000. Need $100,000 per year? Then you’re looking at $2,500,000. This math has been checked, double-checked, and triple-checked to withstand even the greatest economic depressions. However, most people have their portfolio set up WRONG, and it could put them at significant risk.
So, how do you ENSURE you can retire (early) with the 4% rule? What hedges should you make in your portfolio so your wealth stays afloat even as the economic tide starts to turn? What are Scott and Mindy doing now to prepare for a rocky stock market? Don’t miss this one—it could cost you your FIRE!
In This Episode We Cover
The 4% rule explained and whether it still works in 2025 and during market downturns
Why your FIRE portfolio is WRONG, and it could be at massive risk right now
How to prepare for an economic downturn to ensure you stay FIREd or on the path to FIRE
What Scott is selling and buying right now to protect his wealth (will his strategy work?)
Alternatives to the 4% rule that will protect your retirement portfolio even during the greatest of depressions
And So Much More!
Links from the Show
Mindy on BiggerPockets
Scott on BiggerPockets
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Losing $150K, Starting Over, and STILL Retiring Early | Life After FIRE
19 maart 2025 · 30 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! Lees meer
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 its head when Nik decided to empty his retirement accounts and open a car dealership. Within just one year, Nik’s company had gone belly up, and as a result, all the money he had worked so hard to save was gone. It seemed that he had missed his one shot at early retirement, but rather than giving up on that dream, he started over. If he could do it once, he could do it again!
So, Nik found a W2 job, picked up a second job to fast-track his savings, and started throwing all his money at retirement accounts and real estate investments, and now, he and his wife are recently retired! Stick around as Nik shows you how to avoid the middle-class trap, what life looks like after FIRE, and the importance of community once you retire!
In This Episode We Cover
How Nik built, lost, and rebuilt his investments and still achieved FIRE
Supercharging your investments by creating extra income streams
How not to find seed money for a risky entrepreneurial venture
The savvy financial moves Nik made to avoid the middle-class trap
What the average “day in the life” of an early retiree looks like
Why you need a strong community around you once you retire
And So Much More!
Links from the Show
Mindy on BiggerPockets
Scott on BiggerPockets
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How to Stay Rich During FIRE by Dodging the 4 Financial “Horsemen”
18 maart 2025 · 45 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? Lees meer
To make sure you not only become wealthy but stay wealthy, we brought Whitney Elkins-Hutten, author of Money for Tomorrow, on the show to share the best ways to keep your portfolio safe from the four horsemen. Whitney scaled her portfolio from almost nothing to life-changing wealth, and she could have lost it all if she hadn’t learned how to protect it.
Mindy and Scott tag-team to show YOU how to protect your FIRE from these four horsemen, including sharing what they’re doing right now to set themselves up for a successful (and safe) financial future. Don’t let your wealth get drained before OR during FIRE; take these tips to heart ASAP!
In This Episode We Cover
The four “horsemen” that could destroy your FIRE lifestyle and disrupt your generational wealth
How Whitney went from accidental house flipper to financially-free investor
The overlooked investing “fees” that could cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars
Why you’re (probably) paying too much money for insurance (and how to start saving)
When (and when not) to pay off debt and which balances to prioritize first
And So Much More!
Links from the Show
Mindy on BiggerPockets
Scott on BiggerPockets
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Grab Whitney’s Book “Money for Tomorrow”
Save $100 on Real Estate’s Bigg…
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Can I Hit Financial Independence by 50 with THIS FI Number? (Finance Friday)
14 maart 2025 · 55 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! Lees meer
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 issue is that his FI number of $5,000,000 is much higher than most. As you’re about to hear, he’ll need to make several “bets” over the next few years, cross his fingers, and hope that at least one of them pays off in a huge way.
Like many in the FIRE community, Austin also wants to avoid the middle-class trap. Scott and Mindy will show him how to balance his retirement accounts with a mix of cash, brokerage accounts, and real estate investments—giving him the financial flexibility to pursue entrepreneurial ventures and retire on his terms. Stick around to hear how Austin can take advantage of a rebounding housing market by taking on assumable mortgages with rock-bottom interest rates!
In This Episode We Cover
The “levers” Austin needs to pull to reach his $5,000,000 FI number
The roadmap to achieving financial independence by age 50
How Austin built a six-figure net worth by just 25 years old
Building wealth by taking on assumable mortgages with low interest rates
Why the Austin, Texas housing market is poised to bounce back in 2025
Reducing your taxable income to maximize Roth IRA contributions
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-616
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Ditch Corporate! Start Taking the “Slow” Path to Retirement w/Tae Kim | Life After FIRE
12 maart 2025 · 33 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! Lees meer
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 to FIRE. For years, Tae was dead set on achieving his goal of becoming a chief financial officer (CFO), but as he approached the summit, he realized just how much freedom and control he was giving up. So, he started implementing a plan to quit and pursue entrepreneurship instead!
In four years, Tae went from making $0 on YouTube to over $250,000 per year. Today, he and his wife are comfortably coast FI, traveling the world, creating personal finance content, and continuing to save for retirement where they can. Stay tuned as Tae shares how he “reinvented” himself in his late 30s and the moment he realized he had “made it” on YouTube!
In This Episode We Cover
Why Tae quit the corporate grind right before reaching his lifelong goal
Building a financial runway that allows you to pursue entrepreneurship
Crucial financial steps to take before leaving your nine-to-five job
How to start an online business that gives you financial freedom
Why it’s never too late to “reinvent” yourself and design the life YOU want
And So Much More!
Links from the Show
Mindy on BiggerPockets
Scott on BiggerPockets
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Buy the Book “The Quitter’s Manifesto”
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How the Top 1% Invest (and How Do YOU Compare?)
11 maart 2025 · 38 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. Lees meer
One thing slingshots average Americans to the top 1%, and even the top 0.1%, but you don’t have to bank on this huge bet to get there. Surprisingly, the top 1% invests in assets that YOU already have access to, not elite-only investment opportunities or massive business deals. They’re invested in FAR more passive assets than you’d think, so you don’t HAVE to build a real estate portfolio to get there.
What gives you the best chance of hitting the top 1% in wealth? Maybe you don’t want to go that far—how do you get to the top 10%? Scott and Mindy share a few strategies that could skyrocket your net worth into the tens of millions—if you’re willing to do the work. Plus, they reveal where to park your money once you reach the top.
In This Episode We Cover
The average net worth of the 1% and the 0.1% in America (less than you’d think)
How the 1% invest their money and why they AREN’T heavily invested in real estate
The best investment for the chance of breaking into the top 1%
The “middle-class trap” that the 1% escape, but the upper-middle-class can’t
How the top 1% invest now compared to pre-pandemic and pre-2008
And So Much More!
Links from the Show
Mindy on BiggerPockets
Scott on BiggerPockets
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Are You Headed for FIRE or the Middle-Class Trap? (Finance Friday)
7 maart 2025 · 49 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! Lees meer
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, and they invest the difference. Well on their way to retiring early, they plan to quit their jobs by age 45 or sooner! But will their current asset allocation get in the way of their big goal? What kind of bridge will they need to tide them over until traditional retirement age? Will having children impact their financial freedom?
Fortunately, Leah and Zach have all kinds of options. Tune in as Scott and Mindy dive into the couple’s budget and discuss their best path forward. Along the way, we’ll debate whether they should pause their 401(k) contributions, double down on brokerage accounts, and deploy their cash savings on their “dream” home!
In This Episode We Cover
Breaking down Leah and Zach’s best path to FIRE by 45 (or sooner!)
The middle-class trap explained and how to avoid (or escape) it
The BEST ways to invest your cash and make it work harder for you
How much you should expect to pay in taxes once you reach retirement
When to stop growing your 401(k) plan (and where to invest instead)
And So Much More!
Links from the Show
Mindy on BiggerPockets
Scott on BiggerPockets
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BiggerPockets Money 219 - Syndications: Everything You Need to Know BEFORE …
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The Tax-Free Retirement Strategy 95% of Americans Don’t Know About
4 maart 2025 · 59 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. Lees meer
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, all with the tax benefits of your 401(k), IRA, or Roth IRA.
We’re, of course, talking about the self-directed IRA (SDIRA) and the sizable benefits that come with it.
To help, John Bowens (Certified IRA Services Professional) from Equity Trust is on the show to share the tax advantages most Americans have zero clue about. Scott starts the interview by coming in hot, throwing out his most significant objections to an SDIRA. We were even surprised by just how many benefits this single account has and how you can use it in ways most people would never assume of a retirement account.
We’re talking about how to buy rental properties IN your retirement accounts (and profit from them tax-free/deferred), whether a self-directed IRA or 401(k) makes the most sense for you, the “material participation” rule that you CANNOT afford to break, and how much this account costs to set up. This is a game-changing account for retirees who want to live a rich life, so do not skip out on it!
In This Episode We Cover
Scott’s biggest objections to the self-directed IRA (is he wrong?)
How to get tax-free/deferred passive income from real estate in your retirement accounts
The one tax that you MUST know about before investing in an SDIRA
Can you get a mortgage for a rental property in an SDIRA?
How much an SDIRA costs to set up and keep going (less than you’d think)
And So Much More!
Links from the Show
Mindy on BiggerPockets
Scott on BiggerPockets
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Scott and Virginia Trench Talk Goal Setting, Spending, Prenups, and Future Plans
28 februari 2025 · 37 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. Lees meer
Virginia met Scott before he was CEO, before he had a sizable rental portfolio, and before he became one of the internet’s favorite money nerds. Together, they’ve worked hand-in-hand, building a FI lifestyle that fits their family while chasing their own individual dreams, including Virginia becoming a published author with her new book, Our Secrets Were Safe, coming out this summer!
In this episode, we peel back the curtain and get a glimpse into how Scott and Virginia run the Trench household and its finances. What’s the one thing they have trouble not spending on? What is their repeatable process for achieving enormous financial goals? And is Scott secretly the world’s worst/best baker? If you’re a long-time listener, this is an episode you can’t miss!
In This Episode We Cover
The repeatable money date that Scott and Virginia use to keep their family finances in shape
Goal setting as a couple and how to reach seemingly impossible milestones
Prenuptial agreements and why Scott and Virginia would recommend one for couples
What Virginia thinks about Scott’s recent decision to sell off their index funds
The one spending problem that Scott and Virginia both admit they struggle with
And So Much More!
Links from the Show
Mindy on BiggerPockets
Scott on BiggerPockets
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Teacher Retires Early at 45 Thanks to Strategic Living (FIRE in Paradise!)
25 februari 2025 · 53 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. Lees meer
To reach FIRE in your 40s, you must make some strategic moves like Amy. Thankfully, you don’t need to make six figures to retire early in 2025. Throughout Amy’s career, she never entered the “high income” threshold but could still save aggressively, thanks to the perks of teaching at international schools. We’re talking free rent, subsidized travel, and plenty of paid vacation.
But it wasn’t always the dream life that it sounds like. Amy had constant stress and was routinely feeling burned out, forcing her to take multiple sabbaticals, change where she lived, and deal with some of the money trauma that had plagued her past. Now, she’s FIRE, thriving, and living entirely on her terms. You can (and should) do it, too!
In This Episode We Cover
How to reach FIRE in your 40s even if you feel like it’s too “late” for you
Why teachers should look into teaching abroad to save a significant portion of their income
Investing from abroad and what to do when you have little-to-no social security contributions
How much cash you should keep on hand when you’re ready to retire early
Living off the three percent rule (instead of the traditional four percent rule) by moving to low-cost-of-living areas
Why you must take a sabbatical at least once in your working career
And So Much More!
Links from the Show
Mindy on BiggerPockets
Scott on BiggerPockets
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BiggerPockets Mon…
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Finance Friday: Chasing FIRE by 35 WHILE Supporting Extra Family Members
21 februari 2025 · 1 uur 1 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! Lees meer
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 more expenses than the average person. Financially responsible for two extra family members, Sarah pays for their mortgage, food, and lifestyle, all while covering her own expenses!
Does Sarah’s financial situation need a major shake-up? Tune in as Scott and Mindy debate whether it’s time for Sarah to part with a property that’s bleeding money, strategize about when to put it on the market, and discuss what to do with the money from the sale. We’ll also touch on the tough conversations Sarah needs to have with family members if she wants to achieve her retirement goal!
In This Episode We Cover
The three things Sarah must do to achieve her goal of FIRE by 35
How to reach your financial goals despite extra expenses
What to do with a rental property that has negative cash flow
The BEST time to put an investment property on the market
How to budget for future children (family planning 101!)
And So Much More!
Links from the Show
Mindy on BiggerPockets
Scott on BiggerPockets
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Find Investor-friendly Tax and Financial Experts
Maximize Your Real Estate Investing with a Self-Directed IRA from Equity Trust
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