BiggerPockets Money

Wedding costs have been slowly growing over the past few decades. But recently, after a wild 2020, 2021, and 2022 wedding season, the average wedding cost has hit heights that most Americans simply can’t afford. But what can you do? Cancel your wedding and go straight to the courthouse? While this isn’t a bad option for some, most couples tying the knot want something their friends and family will remember for years. So, here’s how to do it on a budget!

We brought expert event planner and fundraiser AJ Williams on the show to go over what’s worth it, what’s not, and what couples should spend the MOST money on when planning their special day. Whether you’re getting married at home, stateside, or abroad, there are a few specific expenses of a wedding that you should never skip out on and some that could put you in a tough financial bind. With flowers, DJs, photography, and catering, which deserves a spot in your ceremony?

AJ will also go over how much a wedding costs on average, what the elite pay for their ceremonies and parties (you won’t believe the number), and the top wedding myths that could cost you. 

In This Episode We Cover

The average wedding cost in America and why prices have recently been rising

What to cut and what to keep during your wedding day

Budgeting for your wedding and how much of a buffer you REALLY need

Common wedding cost myths and tips to save you THOUSANDS 

Non-negotiables when planning your wedding and what is worth paying extra for 

And So Much More!

Links from the Show

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BiggerPockets Forums

Finance Review Guest Onboarding

Join BiggerPockets for FREE

Scott's Instagram

Amanda's Instagram

Grab Scott’s Book, “Set for Life”

Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place

Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show

Podcast Talent Search!

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Join The Real Estate InvestHER Community on Facebook

Register for an Upcoming InvestHER Event

Money Moment

How to Financially Thrive in Marriage (Even if You or Your Partner is In Debt!

AJ's Website

Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-437

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“Get rich slowly” is a concept that most people in the FIRE community can get behind. “Time off,” on the other hand, seems to go against the idea of grinding to financial independence now and waiting until later in life to enjoy the spoils. Today’s guest is bucking this trend—using his financial freedom to support a “retired” lifestyle that includes traveling the world, discovering new hobbies, and learning new skills!

Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! Today, we’re speaking with J.D. Roth, founder of the personal finance blog, Get Rich Slowly. Initially launched to document his quest out of debt, this popular blog helped J.D. fast-track his journey toward financial independence. He now considers himself “retired,” although the more risk-averse person might say it’s a little too soon.

If you’ve ever considered taking some time away from work but fear you don’t have the nest egg to support it, this is the episode you need to hear! J.D. tackles a handful of issues that FI-focused individuals don’t always touch on—including the importance of mental health and using a “mini” retirement to decompress. He also talks about why he’s not worried about his modest portfolio and shares the three five-year plans you need to prepare for any curveball life might throw in your direction!

In This Episode We Cover

How to implement a “mini” retirement on your journey to FIRE

Prioritizing your mental health in a fast-paced, work-first culture

How to take time off from work without blowing your nest egg

A day in the life of someone who is taking a year off from working

Important tips for saving more money and retiring even earlier

And So Much More!

Links from the Show

BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group

BiggerPockets Forums

Finance Review Guest Onboarding

Join BiggerPockets for FREE

Mindy on BiggerPockets

Scott's Instagram

Grab Scott’s Book, “Set for Life”

Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place

Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show

Podcast Talent Search!

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Register for an Upcoming InvestHER Event

Money Moment

Finance Friday: How Sabbaticals Make You Happier, Healthier, and Wealthier

Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-436

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Is early retirement healthcare crushing your budget? Are you tired of getting your standard two percent raise every year? What do you do when a “friend” borrows money and never pays you back? Some personal finance questions aren’t easily answered online. Instead, you need time-tested money experts to give their takes on the best moves to make. And in today’s episode, Mindy and Scott will do just that, taking questions from BiggerPockets Money listeners and answering them so you can reach financial freedom faster.

This time, we’ve got a couple of uncomfortable positions you probably wouldn’t want to be in. One listener has a friend who asked for a loan and then almost immediately stopped paying, with the “friend” never to be seen again. Another question concerns a parent wanting to be paid back for student loans they took out in their name. Mindy and Scott then share a creative way to pay off credit card debt and give options on the BEST place to find post-retirement (but pre-sixty-five years old) healthcare. Finally, Scott puts on his CEO hat and shows you exactly how to ask for a raise!

Got a money question you want to ask Mindy and Scott? Head over to the BiggerPockets Money Facebook group, or click here to submit your question on our next Q&A episode!

In This Episode We Cover

What to do when someone owes you money (and WON’T pay it back)

Student debt and whether or not you’re responsible for the loans your parents took out

Early retirement health insurance and how to find affordable coverage before Medicare kicks in

Knowing your market value and what to do when your employer can’t pay you more

How to ask for a raise and the easiest way to identify whether you’re “essential” or not

Creative ways to pay off your credit card debt when interest rates are high

And So Much More!

Links from the Show

BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group

BiggerPockets Forums

Finance Review Guest Onboarding

Join BiggerPockets for FREE

Scott's Instagram

Grab Scott’s Book, “Set for Life”

Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place

Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show

Podcast Talent Search!

Listen to The Real Estate InvestHER Show

Join The Real Estate InvestHER Community on Facebook

Register for an Upcoming InvestHER Event

Money Moment

Millennial Revolution Part 1

Millennial Revolution Part 2

Erin Lowry on Asking for a Raise

18 Options for Healthcare in Early Retirement with Lynn Frair

How to Ask for a Raise (and Actually Get It!) w/Kassandra Dasent

Submit your question for our next Q&A episode

Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-435

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The views and discussions presented in this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only. BiggerPockets does not endorse or promote financial astrology as a reliable method for making investment decisions. Listeners are encouraged to seek advice from qualified financial professionals before making financial choices.

Financial astrology. Yep, it exists. Traders and investors have been using the science behind the stars to predict pricesand market movement for centuries. But is there really a correlation between the planets and your profits? Surprisingly, yes. Certain planets have been known to negatively affect how markets perform, giving investors an upper hand on when to get in (and out) of an asset. So, how do you start making out-of-this-world investments? Learn from Susan Gidel!

With decades of experience as a journalist and marketing executive working for trading publications, Susan’s life revolved around the market. After years of working with successful investors and stock traders, she started to see patterns in price movement that conveniently coincided with astrological changes. She dug in deeper, finding that the stars, moons, planets, and signs affect not only the tides but traders too.

Even if you’re an astrological skeptic, Susan brings some surprising stats about stocks, index funds, and the signs. But that’s not all; Susan has reason to believe that a big recession could be headed our way and that real estate investors must pivot their investing strategy to a new type of property. Don’t know what the signs are signaling? Stick around to find out!

In This Episode We Cover

Financial astrology explained and using the signs to predict stock market moves

Why a transition from “earth” to “air” signs means real estate investors MUST pivot 

A big recession prediction and how long the bear market will last

Why you should NEVER invest when mercury is in retrograde (and what that even means)

The successful twentieth-century trader who used “natural rhythms” to beat the market 

And So Much More!

Links from the Show

BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group

BiggerPockets Forums

Finance Review Guest Onboarding

Join BiggerPockets for FREE

Mindy on BiggerPockets

Scott's Instagram

Grab Scott’s Book, “Set for Life”

Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place

Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show

Podcast Talent Search!

Listen to The Real Estate InvestHER Show

Join The Real Estate InvestHER Community on Facebook

Register for an Upcoming InvestHER Event

Money Moment

Hear Kathy on The “On the Market” Podcast

Is Mercury in Retrograde?

Visit Susan’s Website

Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-434

Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email us: [email protected]

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The last time Ramit Sethi was on the show, tears were shed, money fears were exposed, and Mindy was forced to take a hard look at her financial habits. Now, Ramit is back, as we revisit some of the critical moments of Mindy and her husband Carl’s interview on Ramit’s show, I Will Teach You To Be Rich. In this episode, Mindy challenges the FIRE frugality she’s been stuck on for so long and discovers why more money isn’t always a good thing.

If you’ve ever had a money struggle, whether too much or too little in the bank, Ramit is who you should listen to. His advice goes far beyond the regular “save more than you spend, invest the rest” type of advice you constantly hear from frugal podcasters. Instead, Ramit wants you to maximize your happiness and make the most out of life while not struggling to survive. In short, Ramit wants you to live a rich life, not a frugal one.

If you struggle to spend, pinch pennies, or are dead set on reaching FIRE as fast as possible, this episode is for you.Carl, Mindy, and Scott will go over the common misconceptions about money, debunk the “wasteful” spending myth, explain why you should die with zero, and critique the flaws of the FIRE community.

In This Episode We Cover

Why the FIRE movement is wrong and getting rich should NOT be the goal

What to do when you have lots of money but no time to spend it

How to “Die With Zero” and enjoy your wealth while you’re still here

The “what if I run out” fear and how to get over the dread of overspending 

Testing your spending and why you NEED to book that trip you’ve been thinking of

Building a rich life and how to make the most of it with the money you have

And So Much More!

Links from the Show

BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group

BiggerPockets Forums

Finance Review Guest Onboarding

Join BiggerPockets for FREE

Mindy on BiggerPockets

Scott's Instagram

Grab Scott’s Book, “Set for Life”

Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place

Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show

Podcast Talent Search!

Listen to The Real Estate InvestHER Show

Join The Real Estate InvestHER Community on Facebook

Register for an Upcoming InvestHER Event

Money Moment

Mile High FI Podcast

1,500 Days to Freedom

Carl's Email

Ramit Sethi’s Money Advice for Couples: Live a Rich Life, Together

Mr. Money Mustache on Life After FI: The Truth About Retiring Early in Your 30s

Hear Mindy and Carl on “I Will Teach You To Be Rich”

My Death March to Financial Independence

Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-433

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Terrified of running out of money in retirement? Countless people share the same fear. With so much recent discourse surrounding inflation and a looming recession, you may have a tighter grip on your money than usual. Today’s guest is here to help cool some of your concerns.

In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, we’re joined by David Stein from Money for the Rest of Us, who believes there are reasons to be optimistic about the economy and even more reasons to stay on the straight and narrow when it comes to investing. If you’re easily overwhelmed by the thought of investing or choosing the right asset classes, David’s message is clear: investing doesn’t need to be difficult. There are plenty of tools the average person can use to invest, grow their nest egg, and have enough money for retirement. Don’t let fear stop you from putting your money to work!

Whether you’re a novice or long-time investor, you’re in for a treat with today’s episode. Tune in as David addresses several issues—including the current state of the economy, whether we should brace for a recession, and the markets he’s investing in. He also talks about the benefit of steering clear of individual stocks in lieu of ETFs and index funds, as well as when it might be smart to buy an immediate annuity!

In This Episode We Cover

The four-percent rule and how to avoid running out of money in retirement

How current returns on real estate compare to those of other asset classes

The benefit of buying exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and index funds in lieu of individual stocks

Diversifying your investment portfolio to include non-U.S. markets

Three important principles to focus on when deciding where to invest

Buying annuities to lock in an additional income stream during retirement

And So Much More!

Links from the Show

BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group

BiggerPockets Forums

Finance Review Guest Onboarding

Join BiggerPockets for FREE

Mindy on BiggerPockets

Scott's Instagram

Grab Scott’s Book, “Set for Life”

Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place

Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show

Podcast Talent Search!

Listen to The Real Estate InvestHER Show

Join The Real Estate InvestHER Community on Facebook

Register for an Upcoming InvestHER Event

Money Moment

Choosing the Right Investment Type for Your Goals with David Stein

Check Out the Latest Five-Year TIPS at TreasuryDirect

Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-432

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The gender investing gap is real, but it’s not due to women lacking capital. More often than not, women are saving their money rather than investing in real estate and allowing it to grow. As successful women in real estate, today’s guests are here to break down the reasons for this investing gap and how we can work together to close it.

In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, we’re joined by none other than Liz Faircloth and Andresa Guidelli, co-hosts of our sister show, The Real Estate InvestHER Show. Like many novice investors, Liz and Andresa both discovered their love for real estate shortly after reading Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad Poor Dad. Years later, both have amassed their own large portfolios and are committed to helping more women dive into the world of real estate investing.

Regardless of gender, there’s something for everyone to take away from this episode. Liz and Andresa share about the unique challenges women investors face today, building your real estate network, and how to find your investing partner. They also deliver some actionable next steps for women who are hesitant to invest, as well as some tips for men who want to be allies for women investors!

In This Episode We Cover

The global economic impact of women investing their capital

The unique advantages and disadvantages women face when investing

How to be an ally for women investors in your sphere of influence

Actionable next steps for women looking to invest in real estate

The importance of community when getting into real estate

How to find the perfect partner for your real estate investments

And So Much More!

Links from the Show

BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group

BiggerPockets Forums

Finance Review Guest Onboarding

Join BiggerPockets for FREE

Mindy on BiggerPockets

Scott's Instagram

Grab Scott’s Book, “Set for Life”

Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place

Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show

Podcast Talent Search!

Listen to The Real Estate InvestHER Show

Join The Real Estate InvestHER Community on Facebook

Register for an Upcoming InvestHER Event

Money Moment

Download the FREE Partnership Question Guide

Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-431

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Want to cut your electric bill in HALF? A few secret yet simple hacks can save you hundreds, if not THOUSANDS, on your utility bills. And with energy prices almost double where they were just a few years back, everyone is antsy about turning on their air conditioners, even if you feel like you’re about to melt. Thankfully, we’ve got Larry and Hope Ware, also known as “Under the Median,” to show us EXACTLY how they lowered their electric bill by making some simple money moves.

Larry and Hope have been long-time frugalists. A few years into dating, they realized they were flat broke and had to make a tough choice: put their future family first or keep spending without second thoughts. They chose the frugal path to financial independence and, as a result, raised four children on a $40,000/year salary, becoming completely debt-freein the process. Larry and Hope know how to run a budget, and saving money is their sport of choice.

In this episode, Larry and Hope will unpack one of their most astonishing financial accomplishments of late; cutting their electricity bill in half. Through some utility-bill digging and kilowatt-testing, Larry and Hope have built a list of tips that could help you lower your utility bills to levels you may have never seen before. Want in on this money-saving cheat code? Tune in!

In This Episode We Cover

How to cut your electricity bill in half, EVEN if you live in a sweltering climate

Building your “Bare Bones Budget” and prioritizing where money is best spent

The “big green pile of cash” trap that you CAN’T fall into

The BIGGEST mistake most people make when budgeting

“Vampire energy” and how unused appliances could be stealing your cash

And So Much More!

Links from the Show

BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group

BiggerPockets Forums

Finance Review Guest Onboarding

Join BiggerPockets for FREE

Mindy on BiggerPockets

Kyle’s Website

Clarity Financial

Kyle’s Twitter

Grab Scott’s Book, “Set for Life”

Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place

Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show

Podcast Talent Search!

Money Moment

Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget

The Stupid-Simple Budgeting Trick I’m Using to Stop Blowing 5 Figures a Month

The Cheapest Way to Lower Your AC Bill This Summer

We Cut Our Electric Bill in Half in About 6 Weeks

Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-430

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First-time home buyer? After this episode, you’ll see the house-hunting process in an entirely new light. Throw out the granite countertops and exposed beams you’ve always dreamed of because making an emotion-first home-buying decision could ruin your financial future. If you’re trying to build wealth, you’ll want to follow Scott Trench’s home-buying checklist, which may show that renting is the best money move you can make.

The roles are reversed on today’s show because this ISN’T the BiggerPockets Money podcast; It’s Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin! Scott recently joined Nicole to talk transparently about the realities of buying your first home. In this show, Scott and Nicole go through why homeownership is falling across the US, whether or not buying in 2023 even makes sense, and why your house ISN’T what you think it is.

Plus, if you’ve been debating buying a rental property, Scott has some words of wisdom you MUST take to heart before putting in offers. You’ll also hear why SO many landlords are wrong about LLCs (DO NOT miss this section) and the EXACT steps you should take to put yourself in the best home-buying position possible!

Want to hear more Money Rehab? Never miss an episode and subscribe to Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin wherever you get your favorite podcasts, or here: https://link.chtbl.com/91jeLu8k

In This Episode We Cover

Scott Trench’s checklist for the first-time home buyer 

The “Lock-In Effect” and why homeowners are unable to sell their houses

Why your house isn’t the investment that you think it is

House hacking, living next to tenants, and the truth about becoming a landlord

Whether or not you need an LLC and how having one could actually hurt you

The exact process Scott follows before buying any property 

And So Much More!

Links from the Show

BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group

BiggerPockets Forums

Finance Review Guest Onboarding

Join BiggerPockets for FREE

Scott's Instagram

Grab Scott’s Book, “Set for Life”

Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place

Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show

Podcast Talent Search!

Money Moment

Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget

Tune into “Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin”

Nicole Lapin’s Money Hacks to Rehab Your Finances & Say Goodbye to Bad Debt

Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-429

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If you want to retire early, the Mad Fientist is your guide. For over a decade, Brandon, more commonly known as the “Mad Fientist,” has been running simulations, experiments, and exercises to discover which road to early retirement is the fastest. Now, in his forties, Brandon has time to reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and his regrets on the sprint to early retirement and financial freedom. And he’s also got a new update that’ll make your early retirement journey smoother.

After tinkering with the beloved and rarely challenged 4% rule, Brandon decided it was time to sit down and calculate how much you really need to retire early. For decades, financial freedom chasers have been breaking their backs, trying to have as much stashed away as possible to enjoy their well-earned time off from work. But, it turns out that this number might be overinflated, and you can retire with much less than you think. That means your early retirement timeline just got a LOT shorter.

In this episode, Brandon will describe why the 4% rule may be a bit too rigid, how to ensure you’ll have enough during early retirement, what to do during a market crash or correction, and why spending thousands of dollars on a coffee machine isn’t such a bad idea. If you want to maximize enjoyment in early retirement, instead of building a big bank account you probably won’t use, stick around!

In This Episode We Cover

Early retirement rules of thumb you MUST know when on the path to FIRE

The 4% rule and why you DON’T need to follow it to a tee

Retirement withdrawal rules and how much to spend during a crash/correction

The skill of spending and what Brandon regrets most from pre-FIRE life

Tracking your expenses and why knowing your costs is CRUCIAL to early retirement

And So Much More!

Links from the Show

BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group

BiggerPockets Forums

Finance Review Guest Onboarding

Join BiggerPockets for FREE

Mindy on BiggerPockets

Scott's Instagram

Grab Scott’s Book, “Set for Life”

Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place

Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show

Podcast Talent Search!

Money Moment

Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget

Hear Our Past Interviews with The Mad Fientist:

Accessing Retirement Funds Before Age 59½ with The Mad Fientist

Backdoor Roths, Mega Backdoor Roths, and Roth Conversion Ladders

Is It Time to Give Up on Financial Independence?

Hear Our Interview with "Just Keep Buying" Author, Nick Maggiulli:

The Problem with the 4% Rule (and Why You Could Retire Even Sooner

Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-428

Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email us: [email protected]

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