BiggerPockets Money Podcast

Think it’s too late for early retirement? Do you feel like just because you’re in your late thirties, forties, or fifties, FIRE doesn’t make sense for you? Well, think again because today’s guest defied the odds by retiring over fifteen years early, all while raising her daughter on her own and without a six-figure salary to sail her swiftly to a million-dollar net worth. Plus, she did all of it with no investing experience. If Jackie Cummings Koski can do it, so can you! Jackie grew up in a single-parent household. Her father worked hard to support her and her five siblings. This instilled a strong work ethic in Jackie and made her realize that running towards hard things, not away from them, was the true path to success. She figured out college on her own and, shortly after, landed a corporate job that took her far away from the small town she grew up in. She got married and had her daughter, but then everything changed. Jackie was getting divorced, forcing her to rely on herself fully for her financial future. In true Jackie fashion, she took this as a challenge and began educating herself as best as she could. Through smart saving, spending, and life-changing investing decisions, Jackie built her wealth in record time, reaching financial independence just ten years after finding the FIRE movement—all without any advantages! In This Episode We Cover How to reach financial independence without a high salary, inheritance, or advantages Stock investing 101 and how intentional investing can explode your net worth Why you must max out THESE investment accounts to be richer in retirement How Jackie spends just $40,000 per year owning her own home and raising her daughter Why you DON’T have to follow all the traditional FIRE rules to retire early And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group Network with Other Investors on The Path to FIRE Through the BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Join BiggerPockets for FREE Mindy on BiggerPockets Scott on BiggePockets Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area Find Investor-Friendly Lenders Money Podcast 154 - Bill Bengen (The Inventor of the 4% Rule) Talks Retirement, Past Crashes, and How You Can Withdraw Even More Email Mindy for the Full 4% Rule Article! Money Podcast 344 - Rethink Social Security: Myths, Benefits, and Clearing Up Misconceptions Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Better Investing Root of Good Mr. Money Mustache Mad Fientist 1500 Days 00:00 Intro 01:14 FIRE at 49! 02:50 Making Money in Retirement 06:11 Early Years, College, and Getting Divorced 11:21 Working Her Way Through College 15:06 Getting Hired After College 15:50 Starting to Learn About Stocks 20:02 Finding the FIRE Movement 26:54 Spending and Saving 36:01 Jackie's Podcast and New Book! 38:20 Connect with Jackie! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-527 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Personal finance doesn’t have to be complicated. Saving, investing, and retiring early shouldn’t be a stumbling path to wealth, but many Americans feel this way. So, to clear up some of the money misconceptions, we’re doing personal finance for beginners FAQ episode, where we take some of the most common money questions and answer them for you so you can start building wealth and get closer to financial independence! Many of these questions come directly from the BiggerPockets Money Facebook page, where you can ask your money questions 24/7! First, we answer, “How many bank accounts should you have?” and walk through exactly how we split up our money. If you’re looking to start building wealth, we touch on the numerous ways to invest in real estate, from basic beginner investing strategies to purely passive income-generating expert tactics. How much money do YOU need to retire? With the 4% rule, you can calculate it in seconds! We’ll explain this common money metric early retirees love to use and whether or not it still works in 2024. If you’re close to early retirement, should you start selling your investments to fund your financial freedom? We’ll share why most early retirees never need to sell their stocks, and speaking of stocks, we’ll also get into how to pick stocks and when to sell them! In This Episode We Cover The beginner money questions that you must have answers to if you want to build wealth How many bank accounts do you REALLY need, and Scott’s 3-account-setup Beginner and expert strategies to start investing in real estate (even with little money) The 4% rule explained, and how much money you actually need to retire How to pick stocks and whether or not index fund investing is a smarter move to make Withdrawing money from your accounts when you finally reach financial freedom And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group Network with Other Investors on The Path to FIRE Through the BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Join BiggerPockets for FREE Mindy on BiggerPockets Scott on BiggePockets Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area Find Investor-Friendly Lenders Grab Your Copy “The House Hacking Strategy” Past Episodes Mentioned in Today’s Show: BiggerPockets Real Estate 136 - Shawn Holsapple BiggerPockets Money 35 - Craig Curelop BiggerPockets Money 120 - Michael Kitces BiggerPockets Money 151 - Tony J Robinson BiggerPockets Money 153 - Bill Bengen Forbes: What Is The 4% Rule For Retirement Withdrawals? Secret IRS Rule 72(t)! | Eric Cooper Shares Early Withdrawal Hack! 00:00 Intro 01:14 How Many Bank Accounts? 07:04 Ways to Invest in Real Estate 16:25 The 4% Rule Explained 23:36 Selling Investments to Retire Early? 30:28 How to Pick Stocks Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-526 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cryptocurrency enthusiasts can’t fathom why Bitcoin will fail. If you tell them that you’re not investing in Bitcoin or other cryptos, they look at you like an uneducated investor, a sheep following the crowd without thinking for yourself. The promise of Bitcoin is so great that you’d have to be an outright fool to deny it, and anyone who refutes the future golden age of a decentralized society is simply mistaken and is only coping with the oncoming collapse of fiat currency and Western civilization. The problem with that theory? None of it is grounded in reality. Today, BiggerPockets CEO Scott Trench is going to prove it. After years of research on Bitcoin, the blockchain, and cryptocurrency as a whole, Scott has come to a simple conclusion: Bitcoin isn’t worth it. In fact, Bitcoin may be worth, unsurprisingly, nothing! But before all you Bitcoin maximalists come out of the woodwork, claiming we’re forever bullish on index funds and real estate, hear out Scott’s argument. Scott will explain the case for Bitcoin and why its end goal is actually quite altruistic. However, five fatal flaws will stop Bitcoin from ever becoming a world reserve currency or replacing fiat money. Besides its fatal flaws, Bitcoin isn’t a foolproof cryptocurrency by any means, and we’ll prove it! Finally, Scott gives his Bitcoin price prediction and his recommendation if you do want to hold some Satoshis. In This Episode We Cover The rational investor’s case against Bitcoin and why it’s NOT an investment The reasons why Bitcoin could change society for the better (but probably won’t) Five fatal flaws of Bitcoin that will stop it from ever taking over fiat currency How adopting Bitcoin could lead to a crashing economy with no growth The blockchain’s big problems and proof that the world isn’t ready to adopt cryptocurrency Scott’s long-term Bitcoin price prediction that will shock Bitcoin maximalists And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group Network with Other Investors on The Path to FIRE Through the BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Join BiggerPockets for FREE Mindy on BiggerPockets Scott on BiggePockets Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area Find Investor-Friendly Lenders BiggerPockets Money 371 - Bitcoin: Investing Fad or Final Bullet to Fiat Currency? w/Saifedean Ammous Everyone’s Talking About Cryptocurrencies. Should You Invest? 4 Reasons Cryptocurrencies & Blockchain Technology Are Poised to Transform Real Estate 00:00 Intro 02:16 The Case FOR Bitcoin 09:51 5 Fatal Flaws of Bitcoin 14:29 Bitcoin is NOT a Perfect Crypto 21:46 The Blockchain’s Big Problems 26:58 Bitcoin Price Prediction 28:48 What if Bitcoin DOES Take Over? Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-525 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to be a millionaire or build a business that brings in seven figures? Want generational wealth and to be debt-free? Want to know that you have enough money to take big risks while still keeping your bank account safe? If so, you need to start thinking like the rich to begin building wealth the same way they do. “That may be easy for you to say, you host the BiggerPockets Money Podcast!” Well, don’t take it from us; take it from Marc Russell. Marc grew up without advantages. He was in foster care for as long as he could remember, bouncing from house to house until finally, at age thirteen, he was adopted by parents with a strong, valuable work ethic. When Marc went to college, he had no money to pay for it, so he fought tooth and nail with the financial aid office to find scholarships, loans, or anything that could help him graduate. He was even kicked out of school once over not being able to pay a $900 fee! But this taught Marc how the system worked and eventually led to him landing a job at every FIRE chaser’s favorite place, Vanguard! Once Marc started helping the rich manage their money, he looked in the mirror and asked, “Why aren’t I doing these things?” Thus, he began imitating the investing tactics of the rich, budgeting for financial freedom, and investing everything he could, even if it meant a slower path to being debt-free. Now, Marc runs BetterWallet, helping everyday people start building generational wealth, no matter their circumstances. In This Episode We Cover How to copy the rich so you can build wealth no matter your upbringing Student debt, side hustles, and how to make it through college with little money Why you MUST save a large emergency reserve before you start working for yourself Investing vs. paying off debt and why the unconventional choice may be the best one Budgeting for your business and ensuring you have enough money before leaving your W2 And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group Network with Other Investors on The Path to FIRE Through the BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Join BiggerPockets for FREE Mindy on BiggerPockets Scott on BiggePockets Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area Find Investor-Friendly Lenders BiggerPockets Money 329 - From Extreme Poverty to DIY Wealth and 2 Full-Time Incomes w/The She Wolfe of Wall Street BiggerPockets Money 485 - How to Start Thinking, Acting, and Investing Like the Rich w/Vivian Tu Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-524 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is a six-figure salary enough to achieve FIRE? If you’re working towards financial independence, you know that any extra money at the end of the month can help propel you to your goals faster, but with inflation eating away most, if not all, of your paycheck, what do you do? If you want to reach early retirement, do you need a massive salary to save you from the high cost of rent, food, gas, and other everyday essentials? Or, can you easily retire with a $100K/year incomeif you make the right moves? Let’s find out! Today, Scott and Kyle are reviewing some of the hottest headlines in the world of personal finance and giving you their honest opinions. First, we talk about whether or not a six-figure salary is enough to achieve the “American Dream,” and if it isn’t, what YOU can do to make the most of that money. Then, we venture to a debate that everyone has an opinion on: should you withdraw from your retirement reserves to buy your first primary residence? Is this a smart money loophole or a move that could cost you in the long run? How much do you need to retire? According to Americans, the figure is close to $1.5M, but is this actually how much a smart saver or spender would need? Plus, we talk about the one generation on a surprisingly great track to wealth in retirement (it’s NOT the boomers!). Finally, are you fed up with guilt tipping? Don’t want to pay an extra quarter of your bill every time you go out to eat? Join the club because we’re discussing how tipping is getting out of control. In This Episode We Cover Whether or not a $100K/year income is enough to achieve the “American Dream” Using retirement funds to pay for your primary residence (when NOT to do this) How much Americans need to retire, and ways to retire with even less The one real estate investment ANY young American should be making today Why younger generations are on track to retire rich and achieve FIRE Tipping culture and what percentage we press when the payment screen turns around And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group Network with Other Investors on The Path to FIRE Through the BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Join BiggerPockets for FREE Mindy on BiggerPockets Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Money Moment Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area Find Investor-Friendly Lenders Grab the Personal Finance Classic, “Rich Dad Poor Dad” BiggerPockets Money Podcast 344 - Rethink Social Security: Myths, Benefits, and Clearing Up Misconceptions Articles from This Episode: $100K/Year Withdrawing from Retirement How Much to Retire Gen Z’s House Hacking Guilt Tipping Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-523 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Moving is hard. But could relocating to a low-cost-of-living area help you lead a more fulfilling life and achieve financial freedom? As today’s guest came to find out, the benefits of living in an affordable area often outweigh the glitz and glamor of a big city! Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! Today, we’re chatting with Allison Irby Vu, a financial planner who made a huge cross-country move in pursuit of a better financial future. With roots planted in Washington, D.C., Allison hadn’t considered moving until she stumbled across a program that offered her $10,000 to relocate to Tulsa, Oklahoma! Little did she know that this MAJOR life change would not only improve her financial situation but also allow her to spend more time with her son and tight-knit community. In this episode, you’ll hear all about Allison’s journey from her hometown to Tulsa. She shares how she went from living paycheck to paycheck (despite earning close to six figures!) to having an abundance of time and money for the things she values most. Allison also highlights the pros and cons of living in an area like Tulsa and how remote workers can plan their next big move! In This Episode We Cover How to reach financial freedom by moving to a low-cost-of-living area Getting PAID to move to a more affordable city (and how to qualify!) How to pay off large amounts of debt as quickly as possible Creating a budget that allows you to spend money on the things you value How to take FULL advantage of your remote job (and live anywhere in the world!) The biggest pros and cons of moving to an area like Tulsa, Oklahoma And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group Network with Other Investors on The Path to FIRE Through the BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Join BiggerPockets for FREE Mindy on BiggerPockets Scott on BiggePockets Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area Find Investor-Friendly Lenders BiggerPockets Money 11 – Designing a Frugal But Luxurious FI Life by Age 32 BiggerPockets Money 500 – FIRE Advice from Codie Sanchez, Ramit Sethi, Money with Katie, and More! Learn More About the Tulsa Remote Program Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-522 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Could real estate investing help you reach financial freedom much sooner than you thought possible? Today’s guest had his world turned upside down by one tragic incident, but he was able to quit his W2 job, pivot to real estate, and fast-track his journey to FIRE! Today, we’re chatting with technology instructor turned full-time real estate investor Keith Nugent. After a skydiving accident rendered him unable to perform his previous job duties, Keith knew he needed a new path to financial independence. Fortunately, he discovered real estate at the perfect time. Taking advantage of the fallout from the 2008 housing market crash, Keith started loading up on rental properties—often buying them for pennies on the dollar. In just twelve years, he had not only achieved his goal of thirty cash-flowing units by 2020 but also added an additionalten units to his portfolio! Thanks to real estate, Keith now has a career that fully accommodates his disability and will allow him to retire early. In the meantime, he enjoys his newfound financial freedom by traveling the world and spending time with his FIRE-bound friends. In this episode, Keith offers practical tips on how to start investing in real estate—from choosing your market to buying your first rental property and more! In This Episode We Cover How Keith became a full-time real estate investor after a tragic skydiving accident How to replace your W2 income and achieve financial freedom with real estate Why time in the market is MORE important than timing the market How to determine how much cash flow you need to support your retirement Why you NEED an estate plan and how to decide who inherits your assets And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group Network with Other Investors on The Path to FIRE Through the BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Join BiggerPockets for FREE Mindy on BiggerPockets Scott on BiggePockets Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area Find Investor-Friendly Lenders Money Podcast 330 - The Ultimate Teen Money Hack for Parents Money Podcast 397 - Estate Planning, Wills, & What to Do NOW to Protect Your Heirs Grab Your “Family Emergency Binder” Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-521 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The best side hustles can put some extra cash in your pocket, help you leave your W2 job, or even launch you toward FIRE. If you’re looking to make money in ways other than real estate investing, you don’t want to miss this side hustle special! Nick Loper, founder of Side Hustle Nation and host of The Side Hustle Show, has been building businesses since he was a teenager. From lucrative digital assets to service-based ventures, Nick has done it all, and today, he’s bringing some fresh ideas for you to try. As you’re about to learn, these fledgling businesses come in all shapes and sizes. Some take years to nurture before you reap any reward for effort, while others allow you to start earning immediately. In any case, you need to choose one you’re interested in and stick with it if you want to see results! In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, Nick dives into some of his favorite side hustles—many of which you can start TODAY with little to no money and minimal time. You’ll learn whether it’s still possible to build amoney-making blog in 2024, as well as how to make extra income by renting out assets like inflatables, hot tubs, and vending machines! In This Episode We Cover Nick’s favorite low-money side hustle ideas (not named real estate!) How to turn your own side business into a money-making machine Creative ways to earn royalties from YOUR original works or ideas How to build a digital asset that generates income for years to come Why you MUST follow the “rule of one hundred” with every new side hustle The non-digital assets you can rent out for a HUGE profit And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group Network with Other Investors on The Path to FIRE Through the BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Join BiggerPockets for FREE Mindy on BiggerPockets Scott on BiggePockets Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area Find Investor-Friendly Lenders How Anyone Can Easily Make Extra Money Using Side Hustles with Nick Loper Finance Friday: Pay Off Debt, Invest in Real Estate, or…Buy Vending Machines? Make an Extra $100/Day with These Work-From-Home Side Hustles Hear Nick on “The Side Hustle Show” Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-520 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to know how to avoid capital gains on your next home sale? If you tune in, you may dodge a quarter-of-a-million-dollar bullet (or more!). What about investing in one of the most tax-advantaged accounts that almost EVERYONE should have but most people don’t? What do you do when a family member asks to borrow money from you but has a bad track record with keeping their personal finances together? We’re getting into it all and more on this finance FAQ with Amanda and Scott! We get a ton of personal finance questions through the BiggerPockets Forums and our Facebook Page, so we decided to round up some of the most common ones and answer them for you. First, we’re talking about how to dodge capital gains tax when selling your home. Then, a concerned listener asks whether they should take out a loan on a family member’s behalf. A high-income earner wants to know whether renting or buying is their best bet, and we share whether paying off your mortgage early is a mistake! Got a medical expense coming up, or just want to boost your retirement investing? We’ll answer whether an HSA (health savings account) beats an FSA (flexible spending account)—but make sure you get this one right. If you invest in one of these accounts the wrong way, you’ll be throwing money away. Finally, a debt-free chaser asks whether they should use their emergency reserves to pay off debt or keep slowly slogging away with the snowball method. In This Episode We Cover How to avoid capital gains tax when selling your primary residence HSAs (health savings accounts) vs. FSAs (flexible spending accounts) Whether or not to use your emergency fund to pay off credit card debt Why you may want to reconsider loaning a family member money Whether to buy or rent in today’s housing market (EVEN with low money down) Pay off your mortgage early or invest the rest of your money? And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group Network with Other Investors on The Path to FIRE Through the BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Join BiggerPockets for FREE Mindy on BiggerPockets Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Money Moment Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area Find Investor-Friendly Lenders Fidelity Investments She Wolf of Wall Street Website Emergency Fund: How Much Do You Really Need in 2024? How to Pay Off Credit Card Debt FAST ($30K+ in 1 Year!) Renting a Home Is Financially Better Than Buying—Wait, What?! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-519 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you know it or not, “shrinkflation” is costing you. You’re paying more for less, as manufacturers boast record profits. Your paycheck is getting eaten away faster and faster every month, but you’re left with the same amount of stuff. How did this happen, and when is it going to stop? Phil Lempert, AKA the “SupermarketGuru,” has been analyzing consumer behavior, marketing trends, and the retail landscape for over two decades. Now, he’s sharing thetricks manufacturers use to get you to spend more while expecting less. Shrinkflation has become such a severe problem that even the president of the United States has recently mentioned its damaging effects on the American household. Phil gives us the inside scoop on why prices are rising while sizes shrink, how retailers are actually fighting back to get customers the savings they deserve, and which products are seeing the most shrinkflation today. Phil also shares his top tips to beat shrinkflation and save more money every month, how to show the companies that you WON’T put up with their price gouging games, easy ways to identify shrinkflation, and the supermarket chains that give you the best bang for your buck. If you’re tired of seeing your grocery bill inflate while your bank account shrinks, this is an episode you cannot miss! In This Episode We Cover Shrinkflation explained, and how manufacturers are taking advantage of Americans Products that are seeing the most shrinkflation and which items to avoid Why America’s need for “choice” is making shrinkflation even worse The grocery stores and brands that are the best for budget-conscious shoppers How to identify shrinkflation and the sneaky tricks manufacturers play to get you to spend more for less How to take action against shrinkflation and tell brands to STOP ripping you off! And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group Network with Other Investors on The Path to FIRE Through the BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Join BiggerPockets for FREE Mindy on BiggerPockets Scott on BiggePockets Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area Find Investor-Friendly Lenders Cutting Your Grocery Bill in Half with Erin Chase from $5 Dinners Persuasion Secrets and Predatory Practices Businesses Use on YOU Supermarket Savings Tips: How to Avoid Shrinkflation as Some Companies Give Consumers Less Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-518 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Buying a business? Maybe you’ve thought about it before. You could own a laundromat, self-storage facility, plumbing business, or landscaping service. It doesn’t sound glamorous, but these types of businesses can make you millions of dollars and lead you to financial freedom. And, with so many baby boomers retiring, tons of small businesses with built-in customer bases are for sale, just waiting for YOU to come and make money from them. But before you buy, there are some things you should know. Elliott Holland, an expert in acquiring small and medium-sized businesses, helps aspiring business buyers uncover whether a business is worth the price. Elliot’s team specializes in business due diligence, making sure that YOU don’t buy a business that’s worth less than what the owner/broker told you it was. Trust him; he’s saved many new entrepreneurs from making million-dollar mistakes. So, before you buy a business, listen to this episode. In it, Elliot walks through exactly how a business is valued, which loans you can use to buy a business, why you CAN’T trust the financials from the current business owner, questions to ask before you buy, and who should even be buying a business in the first place. Do this right, and you could be sitting on lifetime financial freedom, but take a wrong turn, and you could lose millions (we’ll share that story, too!). In This Episode We Cover How to buy a “boring business” that will lead you to financial freedom How businesses are valued and why you MUST understand “EBITDA” Tricky ways that business owners inflate their numbers to sell to you for more Who should (and definitely shouldn’t) be buying small businesses Three things you MUST look at before you make a bid on a business The wrong move that lost one business owner over $2,000,000 when buying a business And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group Network with Other Investors on The Path to FIRE Through the BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Join BiggerPockets for FREE Mindy on BiggerPockets Scott on BiggePockets Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area Find Investor-Friendly Lenders Codie Sanchez: These “Boring Businesses” Will Make You Rich Leila and Alex Hormozi’s Unbelievably Simple Investing Advice Sites to Buy Businesses: Acquire BizBuySell Flippa QuietLight Elliot’s Resources From Today’s Episode: LOI Template 12 Public Stories of Failed Due Diligence Success Stories Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-517 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to know how to get rich but fear it could be too late? Perhaps you’ve got responsibilities, bills to pay, and a family to feed. How can you possibly get ahead? Jaspreet Singh’s message is clear: you can still build wealth, but you’re going to have to be intentional with your money, just like every other rich person. There are no shortcuts! Today, Jaspreet is a serial entrepreneur, real estate investor, licensed attorney, and host of The Minority Mindset Show. But growing up, his parents wanted him to become a doctor. Despite the immense pressure to fulfill their wishes, Jaspreet found himself gravitating toward entrepreneurship. He started several businesses throughout adolescence and young adulthood—from playing drums at weddings and planning college parties to building ecommerce stores. He lost a TON of money along the way, but taking these risks early on paid off. Eventually, he discovered his true passion, financial education, and built an enormous online business by teaching others how to master personal finance. America’s capitalist financial system benefits those who are willing to “play the game.” In this episode, Jaspreet shares how fostering a “minority mindset” unlocks the ability to use this country’s tax code, banks, debt, and other systems to your advantage. The catch? It’s a hard, long road. Jaspreet recommends drastic lifestyle changes, such as ruthless frugality, a “decade of sacrifice,” and the 75/15/10 rule. Make no mistake—it’s not going to be easy. But years from now, you’ll be thankful you stuck to this tried-and-true wealth-building philosophy! In This Episode We Cover How to foster a healthy relationship with your money The three phases of wealth (and how to handle money in each stage) How risk tolerance varies in different stages of wealth building Why a “decade of sacrifice” is the foundation for long-term wealth What you MUST do to thrive in America’s financial system How to be “intentional” with your finances using the 75/15/10 rule Pre-tax versus post-tax investment accounts and avoiding risk in retirement And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group Network with Other Investors on The Path to FIRE Through the BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Join BiggerPockets for FREE Mindy on BiggerPockets Scott on BiggePockets Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area Find Investor-Friendly Lenders How to Get Rich Slowly and Retire Early Than Most with a Modest Portfolio How to Become a “Quiet” Millionaire and Avoid the Financial Guru Trap Subscribe to the Market Briefs Newsletter Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-516 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email us: moneymoment@biggerpockets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to know how to get out of debt for good? It’s not as easy as it sounds! The more you chip away at that number, the harder it becomes to resist frivolous spending. But by fostering a healthy money mindset, building credit, and using credit cards the right way, you can stay out of the red! Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! Ashley is a business owner and rental property investor who is well on her way to financial independence. But only a few years ago, she had racked up tens of thousands of dollars in debt on not one, not two, but THREE occasions. In this episode, she shares why she struggled to break free from the snare of consumer debt and why a drastic mindset shift was needed to climb out of a $150,000 hole. Ashley also takes a deep dive into credit history and touches on each of the five factors that impact your credit score. Along the way, she offers several personal finance tips that will help you pay off debt and raise your score—such as “tiering down” from credit cards you no longer use, increasing your credit age with one simple hack, and striking the perfect mix of credit accounts. Finally, how important is credit? Is it a trap to avoid or a necessary evil that can help propel you toward financial freedom? Stick around to find out! In This Episode We Cover How Ashley paid off over $150,000 of debt in just a few years Why sixty-five percent of your credit score is within YOUR control Common methods of paying down debt and which one to use When to keep your old credit cards open (and when to close them instead!) The credit card “hack” you can use to make your credit age appear longer Revolving credit versus installment loans (and why you should have both) And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group Network with Other Investors on The Path to FIRE Through the BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Join BiggerPockets for FREE Mindy on BiggerPockets Scott on BiggePockets Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area Find Investor-Friendly Lenders How to “Travel Hack” Like a Pro and Get FREE Flights, Hotel Stays, and More! w/Eli Facenda The Secret to Saving More, Spending Less, and a Perfect Credit Score How to Pay Off Credit Card Debt FAST ($30K+ in 1 Year!) How to Pull Yourself Out of Car, Student, or Credit Card Debt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to know how to travel for FREE in 2024 and 2025? We’re about to introduce you to the magical world of travel hacking. Never heard of it before? You’re about to have your mind blown. Travel hacking is one of the best ways to turn your everyday spending into free trips, hotel stays, business-class flights, and more. And if you’ve ever wondered how to get into those fancy airport lounges or snag yourself a lie-flat seat next time you’re headed across the Atlantic, this is the episode for you! Eli Facenda, a travel hacking expert, joins us on this episode to share the beginner's guide to traveling for free. Eli is so good at travel hacking that he started his own consulting agency to help business owners turn their regular expenses into first-class travel wherever they go in the world. Today, he’s sharing his favorite travel credit cards, tips to fly for FREE for the next four years, the biggest credit card point mistakes, and beginner wins to get you your next trip for free. We’ll also touch on the unbelievable rewards you can get from travel hacking, such as $1,000+/night hotel rooms for free or even a visit to Richard Branson’s private island, ALL through credit card points. Say goodbye to flying coach; these credit card tips will upgrade not only your wallet but your entire trip! In This Episode We Cover The best beginner credit cards to start earning points TODAY How to travel for FREE for the next four years with Southwest’s “Companion Pass” Why you should NEVER take cash back for your credit card points (do THIS instead) The most bang-for-buck points transfers that’ll get you exceptional hotel stays for free Biggest beginner mistakes that’ll cost you when trying to travel hack How to fly to Europe in business class THIS YEAR with just 50,000 points And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group Network with Other Investors on The Path to FIRE Through the BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Join BiggerPockets for FREE Mindy on BiggerPockets Scott on BiggePockets Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area Find Investor-Friendly Lenders Cards Mentioned in Today’s Show: Amex Gold Amex Platinum Barclays American Capital One Venture X Chase Freedom Chase Sapphire Preferred Citi American Costco Card Hilton Aspire Southwest Credit Cards Resources Mentioned in Today’s Show: AwardWallet CardPointers LoungeBuddy Max Miles Points One Mile at a Time TripIt Upgraded Points Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-514 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email us: moneymoment@biggerpockets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Please be advised: this podcast episode contains discussions about sensitive topics, including suicide, which may be distressing for some listeners. If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or emotional distress, help is available. You can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 to connect directly with trained counselors who can provide support and assistance 24/7. ____ Could you be ensnared in an elaborate Ponzi scheme? According to today’s guest, cases of financial fraud are MUCH more common than the average investor suspects. Tune in to learn how to protect your nest egg rather than leave your financial future in the hands of untrustworthy people! Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! Today, we’re sitting down with investment fraudster turned anti-fraud advocate, James Brandolino. In 2003, James set out to start his own hedge fund, pooling over three million dollars from friends and family. But one “down” month was the catalyst for eight years of fraudulent activity—a Ponzi scheme that included lying to investors, mailing false statements, and pulling money from the fund to keep the lights on. When the guilt became too much to bear, James turned himself in and has since committed his life to warning investors about the real threat of fraud. In this episode, James shares his whole story—from starting his fund to serving six years in prison. He talks about common “red flags” to look out for when investing and the importance of due diligence when something seems off. Of course, fraud is prevalent in the real estate investing space as well. Stick around for tips on avoiding real estate scams and how to vet a syndication partner before entrusting them with your money! In This Episode We Cover How this former fraudster built a $3.8 million Ponzi scheme How to prevent investment fraud from happening to YOU The most common fraud “red flags” to watch out for How to properly vet someone before entrusting them with your money Investment fraud in real estate syndications (and how to avoid scams!) Using your own network to help uncover fraudulent activity And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group Network with Other Investors on The Path to FIRE Through the BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Join BiggerPockets for FREE Mindy on BiggerPockets Scott on BiggePockets Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area Find Investor-Friendly Lenders Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-513 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email us: moneymoment@biggerpockets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Has the job market finally flipped? Throughout most of the pandemic, it seemed that any and every worker was a hot commodity. Job-hopping was the new norm as businesses outbid each other to get the best talent. Now, thanks to rising interest rates, a slower economy, and a return to the office, it seems that employees don’t have the same negotiating power they did just a couple of years ago, and the new jobs numbers are showing this. Welcome to a new type of format on the BiggerPockets Money podcast—a headlines show! We’re taking some of the top news stories from the world of personal finance and the overall economy and giving you our takes so you can make better money decisions. First, a strong jobs report comes in, but unemployment still rises as Americans find it harder and harder to get the job they want. Are employers back in control after years of workers owning the market? Then, we’ll touch on the latest inflation numbers and why costs are rising even as work becomes less available. Student loan borrowers receive a huge win as getting their debt discharged during bankruptcy becomes even easier. This could cause significant ripple effects for which degrees become financeable in the future! Finally, a 529 plan update that now gives parents a HUGE reason to invest in their child’s future education. Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-512 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email us: moneymoment@biggerpockets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Could one side hustle help you pay rent, save money to invest in real estate, or reach financial independence? Today’s guest picked up the perfect hobby that combines his background in art and love for home décor. The best part? It allows him to make extra money each month! Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! Because Kyle William earns a modest salary in an expensive city, there’s no room for new furniture and décor in his budget. However, he has found a way to not only fully furnish his apartment without paying top dollar but also turn this passion into a profitable side hustle. In his spare time, he scours the web for items that people no longer value, uses his artistic eye and do-it-yourself (DIY) skills to restore them to peak condition, and then flips them online for a hefty profit! Could you turn your own passion into a money-making side hustle, too? Whether you’re interested in flipping furnitureor another hobby altogether, tune in as Kyle shares where to find unwanted items, the best DIY skills for beginners, and how to cash in on your hard work! In This Episode We Cover The DIY side hustle Kyle uses to cover his rent (and improve his home!) How to start your own furniture flipping side hustle The best places to find valuable used items that can be recycled Beginner do-it-yourself (DIY) skills that YOU can learn today Kyle’s best home decorating hacks for thrifty creatives And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group Network with Other Investors on The Path to FIRE Through the BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Join BiggerPockets for FREE Mindy on BiggerPockets Scott on BiggePockets Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area Find Investor-Friendly Lenders Make an Extra $100/Day with These Work-From-Home Side Hustles How Anyone Can Easily Make Extra Money Using Side Hustles with Nick Loper Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-511 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email us: moneymoment@biggerpockets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Morgan Housel’s ground-breaking book, The Psychology of Money, changed how many Americans thought about saving, spending, and investing. Through a collection of financial lessons, Morgan opened up new thought patterns for many of us, showcasing that getting rich isn’t as complicated as you might think, but staying rich can be the actual challenge. Now, this personal finance powerhouse is back with a new book, Same as Ever. In Same as Ever, Morgan doubles down on what has, and most likely always will, work in the personal finance world. By showcasing some of the most commonly repeated financial events of the past, we can better shape our understanding of what will happen in the future and use history to our advantage to build even bigger wealth, enjoy our lives even more, and not repeat our past mistakes. But this episode goes much deeper than that. We talk about why so many Americans will die without building wealth, why people are afraid to invest, when to spend your wealth once you’ve built it, and exactly how Morgan invests his own money. Plus, why getting rich isn’t your biggest concern—staying rich is. In This Episode We Cover Why Morgan thinks you MUST be a “reasonable optimist” to get and stay rich Exactly how Morgan spends, saves, and invests his own money The real reason why most Americans will die without ever building wealth The “competition” which is always looking to take your success from you How to STOP being afraid of investing and start putting your future first When to spend your wealth and why dying with riches isn’t the real goal Financial regrets and mistakes of Morgan’s past, and advice for ANY investor And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group Network with Other Investors on The Path to FIRE Through the BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Join BiggerPockets for FREE Mindy on BiggerPockets Scott on BiggePockets Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! The Simple Path to Wealth—Index Funds Explained with JL Collins How to Get Rich Without Investing in Real Estate Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-510 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email us: moneymoment@biggerpockets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you want to make money online in 2024, good news: it’s easier than ever! Just ask today’s guest, who had to bootstrap his online business before you could launch a business with little to no startup costs. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and need a little inspiration to get your next business idea rolling, this episode is for you! Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! Today, we’re joined by serial entrepreneur Omar Zenhom from The $100 MBA Show. For many years, Omar worked as a full-time educator while nurturing his fledgling businesseson the side. Naturally, many of them didn’t work out. But rather than letting these failures deter him from entrepreneurship, Omar applied each new lesson to his next business venture. Eventually, he struck gold with WebinarNinja, a software company he scaled to 30,000 users before selling his business and enjoying the spoils. Want to achieve financial freedom without being reliant on your W2 job? Stick around to learn the ins and outs of building a business from the ground up—saving money to get started, leveraging your network to scale the business, and ultimately, selling your company for a huge profit! In This Episode We Cover How Omar built, scaled, and SOLD a multimillion-dollar SaaS (software as a service) company How to start your own online business from square one Why teaching is the ultimate skill you NEED to develop for business The pros and cons of bootstrapping versus raising capital Leveraging your network to help grow and scale your company Preparing to sell your business (and how to exit successfully!) And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group Network with Other Investors on The Path to FIRE Through the BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Join BiggerPockets for FREE Mindy on BiggerPockets Scott on BiggePockets Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! The Digital Nomad’s Guide to High-Income Skills and Making Money Online Humphrey Yang: How to Save $100, Quit Your Job, and Build a Business How I Turned My Tiny Side Hustle into a Multi-Million Dollar Business Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-509 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email us: moneymoment@biggerpockets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can you really be a one-income family in 2024? Not if you don’t know how to budget! To achieve her money goalswhile living on a single middle-class income, Emy knew she had to take control of her finances and seize any opportunity to save money. Single or married, you’ll learn to do the same in this episode! Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! Today, we’re chatting with budgeting coach Emy Lee, who was able to achieve her lifelong dream of being a stay-at-home mom by cleaning up her family’s finances. Of course, this was no easy feat. Growing up, Emy was taught very little about personal finance. It was only after shifting her mindset, creating a budget, and building smart money habits that she was able to make raising a family on one income a reality. In this episode, Emy shares some of her top budgeting tips—from saving money on groceries to avoiding common spending triggers. You’ll also learn about the 50/30/20 rule that makes budgeting easy, the “spendfluencing” problem to be mindful of when scrolling through social media, and the budgeting hack people with irregular income can use to keep their finances in order! In This Episode We Cover How Emy raises a family on a single middle-class income Lowering your grocery bill each month with simple shopping hacks The “carryover” fund that people with variable income MUST have How to avoid “spendfluencing” pitfalls on social media The most common spending triggers (and how to combat them!) Creating a realistic budget for your family using the 50/30/20 rule And So Much More! Links from the Show BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group Network with Other Investors on The Path to FIRE Through the BiggerPockets Forums Finance Review Guest Onboarding Join BiggerPockets for FREE Mindy on BiggerPockets Scott on BiggePockets Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show Podcast Talent Search! Money Moment Slash Your Food Budget by $150+ Per Week with EASY, Healthy, and Tasty Meals Food Spending Eating Away at Your FI Plans? Here’s How to Eat for Cheap Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-508 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email us: moneymoment@biggerpockets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices