BiggerPockets Money Podcast

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! Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! There are several ways to fund your child’s education, and if you’r...

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...

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...

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! Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! Chris had been hu...

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...

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! Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! Amirra and Mazi Condelee’s first date was an all-timer. While...

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! Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! Unpredictable healthc...

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...

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! Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! Today, Emma von Weise, certified financial planner (CFP), returns to the show to give her per...

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...

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! Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! At just 31 years old, Kat has...

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 any...

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 spen...

There’s no arguing that real estate and stocks are the two most proven ways to build wealth, but which one comes out on top in a race to FIRE? Stay tuned as we put these investment vehicles to the test and show you the fastest path to early retirement! Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! Today, Mindy and guest co-host Amberly Grant are pitting real estate investing and stock investing...

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....

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, Mar...

Julie Rose “semi-retired” at just 36 years old with only $500K, trading her corporate job for sunrise safaris in Africa, beach walks in Bali, and mid-day hikes in Mexico.  With “Barista FIRE,” you can retire with a lower FIRE number, still work (minimally) doing what you love, and have almost complete time freedom over your life. Why have FIRE when you can “semi-retire” decades earlier? Plus, your...

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 gai...

Could hiring a financial advisor help you reach financial independence and retire early? This isn’t a popular move in the FIRE community, but it gave today’s guest peace of mind, preserved her wealth, and helped her save on taxes in retirement. Stick around to learn if it’s the right choice for you, too!   Welcome to another episode of “Life After FIRE”! Today, we’re chatting with Amy, who was dea...

Are we headed right for a recession, or are stocks on sale? We don’t own a crystal ball, but Ricky Mulvey from The Motley Fool is capitalizing on the recent stock market swing by loading up on some of his favorite equities. Stay tuned to find out if now is an ideal time for YOU to “stock up,” too! Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! In light of the recent market pullback, Ricky is goi...

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 ba...

Think you’ve blown your chances of achieving FIRE? You haven’t! Just ask Nik Johnson, who spent years growing his nest egg, only to have it completely wiped out with one bad financial decision. Despite losing everything, he managed to rebuild it from ground zero and still retire early! Welcome to another episode of “Life After FIRE”! Nik and his wife had done everything right. They practiced fruga...

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 port...

Is your FI number TOO high? Whether you are ultra-conservative with your finances or want a lavish retirement lifestyle, setting a high bar could make your financial independence journey much harder…but not impossible. Today, we’ll provide a roadmap for building massive wealth! Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! With a six-figure income and a six-figure net worth at just 25 years old...

The “death march to FI” isn’t for everyone. If you’re tired of climbing the corporate ladder or lacking a sense of purpose at your W2 job, it’s not too late to escape the rat race and design the life you want, just like the “Financial Tortoise,” Tae Kim, did! In this episode of “Life After FIRE,” Tae returns to the show to discuss his move from the corporate world to a job that gives him the freed...