BiggerPockets Money

Dollar-cost averaging—you may have heard the term before, but maybe not its implications. According to Nick Maggiulli, it’s probably the easiest way to get rich with stocks, real estate, or really anything else. But what about buying the dip? Wouldn’t investing at historic lows be the wisest move to make when the markets take a tumble? Surprisingly, no! Don’t believe us? Listen on!

Nick’s investing theory is simple. But, the math backs it up. Doing less will make you more money—much more money. In his book, Just Keep Buying, Nick lays down the time-tested, proven ways to build wealth without being an expert day trader, cryptocurrency coder, or stressed-out landlord. This simple system of investing will allow you to build an almost unspendable nest egg without being glued to the market charts and graphs all day long.

But maybe stocks aren’t your thing. Maybe you're chasing hundred-millionaire status? Don’t worry, Nick also gives his take on achieving monumental money goals without following the same path as everyone else. No matter where you’re at in life, this is an investing lesson worth learning as early as possible!

In This Episode We Cover

Dollar-cost averaging vs. buying the dip and which will make you more in the long run

How to invest with a falling stock market, high interest rates, and higher bond yields

Individual stocks vs. index funds and who should pick which type of investment

Cryptocurrency, NFTs, and investing in alternative assets

The downside of diversification and why it won’t help you build a big portfolio

Why even billionaires don’t feel like they’re rich enough

And So Much More!

Links from the Show

Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent

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Mindy's Twitter

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Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget

Are FIRE Naysayers Bad at Math? Yes. with Michael Kitces

Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-347

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Taking a sabbatical from work requires a few things: time, money, and the willpower to do some soul-searching. Most people think that they can’t take any more than two weeks of the year off work. They rack up excuses, blaming timing, too many projects, and everything in between. But what if taking a sabbatical, gap year, or any other type of long-ish break was the key to building wealth faster and being a happier, healthier you?

Today’s guest Cindy, left a high-paid, stable job to take some much-needed time off. And after doing so, she’s urging you to do the same. Cindy, like most Americans, hasn’t taken time off since starting her working career. Besides the regular vacations and holidays, there never seemed like a good time for Cindy to take a break, recollect, and ask herself what she truly wanted. After taking a mini-sabbatical, she built up the courage to leave her job and hop off the grid for a bit.

Surprisingly, Cindy’s net worth didn’t dwindle during her time off—it grew! This positive push from the markets and her newfound clarity allowed her to discover new passions, try self-employment, and later snag a much better job while continuing to work towards early retirement. If you’ve been debating taking some time off, this episode will give you all the tips you need to do so!

In This Episode We Cover

Building your list of “alternative careers” to widen your job possibilities

Branching out far beyond your job title and doing more than what your degree is in

How to sample a sabbatical to see whether or not you could handle the real thing

Quitting your job during turbulent times and how to temporarily prepare for life without work

Funding life with a job and what to do before you quit

Planning out your passions so your sabbatical isn’t put to waste

How employers look at applicants who just took a sabbatical (it’s not what you think!)

And So Much More!

Links from the Show

BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group

BiggerPockets Forums

Finance Review Guest Onboarding

Mindy's Twitter

David on BiggerPockets

David’s Site From Military to Millionaire

Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place

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

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We know financial freedom is possible for those in their 20s and 30s, just starting their careers, without children and serious financial obligations. But what about those getting started on their journey in their 40s and 50s? What about the stories of those who’ve had lifelong debt, went through a financially destructive divorce, or didn’t know early retirement was an option?

Monica Scudieri, author of Grab Your Slice of Financial Independence, wasn’t financially free until recently. For the past decade, she’s been working hard to pay off a quarter of a million dollars in debt, get her investments in line, and rebuild a life that was financially set back thanks to divorce. While she sounds like a veteran money expert, Monica wasn’t always this frugal. She remembers spending 90% of her paycheck as soon as she got paid, and her ex-husband did very much the same.

After her divorce, Monica was left with an astonishing amount of debt, very few assets, and close to no cash. She worked hard for the next decade digging herself out of debt, building up a cash-flowing rental property portfolio, and financially optimizing her life in every way she could. Now, she’s financially free, coaching others on how they can do the same!

In This Episode We Cover

Financial red flags to look out for when dating (and what to do if you spot them)

Budgeting, tracking your expenses, and the smarter way to ensure you’re not overspending 

Having the “money conversation” with your partner or spouse before it’s too late

Downsizing and ignoring lifestyle creep even if your partner can’t

Building a small rental property portfolio and the huge benefits of investing early

Side hustles and doing whatever you can to get out of consumer debt

Why the Honda Civic remains the FIRE movement’s vehicle of choice

And So Much More!

Links from the Show

BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group

BiggerPockets Forums

Finance Review Guest Onboarding

Mindy's Twitter

Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place

Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show

Podcast Talent Search!

Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel

Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets

Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget

Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-345

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Everything you’ve been hearing about social security is a lie. For years, mainstream media and many financial figureheads have said that social security is on a fast track to bankruptcy, with no money left over for Americans when they grow old. But what if we told you that wasn’t true? What if you knew that social security would be there for you when you retire, even if you’ve just started working? Today’s guest, national social security advisor and expert Jeremy Keil, explains the basics of social security and teaches you how to maximize your benefits.

One of the biggest misconceptions about social security is that you have no control over it. The truth is, you control your social security more than the government does. How long you work, when you file, and how you educate yourself are all in your control. While these things may seem insignificant, they could all affect your social security by thousands. If you play your cards right, social security could be the biggest asset of your life.

Jeremy makes a strong argument that social security is the cheapest insurance you might get. In fact, it’s too good of a deal. The original purpose of social security was to help impoverished elderly Americans, so people with a lower income get more from social security. But, that doesn’t mean you’ll be stuck with pennies if you have a higher income. Social security is the “deal of a lifetime” since it lasts your lifetime, grows with inflation, and has no commissions. Can you think of a better investment than that?

In This Episode We Cover

Social security misconceptions and the truth about social security and whether or not it’s going bankrupt

The history of social security and its original purpose for Americans

How social security gets calculated and how the number of years you work can significantly affect your monthly social security payment

How and when to file social security to maximize your retirement savings

Survivors benefits, joint life expectancy, and how to file social security as a couple 

The break-even point and how to get “the eight percent guarantee” 

And So Much More!

Links from the Show

BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group

BiggerPockets Forums

Finance Review Guest Onboarding

Mindy's Twitter

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Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget

Keil Financial Partners

Retirement Revealed Podcast

Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-344

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The 2022 housing market doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. At the start of the year, competition was fierce, with bidding wars on every home and lines out the door just to view an open house. Now, in quarter three of this year, interest rates have hit decade-long highs, buyers are more in control, and days on market are starting to creep back up. As a homeowner, investor, or renter, you need to know what's on the horizon so you can build wealth while others run for the hills.

Joining us today are James Dainard, Jamil Damji, and Kathy Fettke, a gaggle of real estate veterans and the expert guests on BiggerPockets’ On the Market podcast. They’ve seen up markets, down markets, and confusing markets like today. As investors who touch almost all corners of the United States, with different areas of expertise, they bring the facts on what’s happening in today’s housing market.

We talk about interest rate updates, when the “inventory crisis” will end, why demand has taken a nosedive, and whether or not it’s still a good time to buy real estate. We also talk about the state of the economy, inflation, and how the Federal Reserve may be working to put us into another recession. This up-to-date episode will give you everything you need to make smart buying or selling decisions in today’s housing market.

In This Episode We Cover

Why interest rates are up and what it means for the housing market

Whether or not the Federal Reserve is trying to cause a real estate correction

When and where you can expect price drops and how long they’ll last

Is now still a good time to buy real estate (investments AND primary residences)

Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) and why they’re worthwhile in times like today

The housing inventory crisis and how Millennial demand drove up prices

And So Much More!

Links from the Show

BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group

BiggerPockets Forums

Finance Review Guest Onboarding

Mindy's Twitter

Scott's Instagram

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Podcast Talent Search!

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Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets

Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget

On the Market Podcast

RealWealth Website

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James Instagram

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Financial independence isn’t for everyone. That comes as a surprise for most of us within the personal finance community. Whether we like it or not, the “save, invest, and grind” until you can retire early lifestyle isn't a commonly accepted one. But what happens when your partner is the one who doesn’t agree? What steps can you take to help them see why early retirement is such a crucial piece of your life?

This is just one of the topics we touch on with today’s guest, Mark. Mark is in a great position, and he’s already financially free. But, he doesn’t know what to do next, how to optimize his portfolio, and whether or not he’s making the right moves. With a blend of stocks, bonds, and real estate, Mark has a million-dollar diverse portfolio, but where can he tighten it up? And, if he’s able to do so, how does he get his wife on board?

This episode serves as a reminder that even when all the hard work pays off, there is still a life to live. If you’ve spent years, or decades, grinding to finally reach a comfortable position in life, it’s necessary to know how to use that time once you have it. Do you keep stacking up investments so your children are ensured a comfortable life, or do you take some time for yourself, chase after your own dreams, and live a life you would love to live?

In This Episode We Cover

Why cutting down your expenses remains one of the fastest ways to hit financial independence 

Recalculating your rental property profits and making sure your cash flow is correct

Turnkey rentals and using them as a low-stress way to quickly build a profitable portfolio 

Selling off investments to pay for your lifestyle and the risk of doing so

Combining finances as a couple and how to propose the idea to a not-so-convinced spouse

Defining your goals and drafting your “vision” that’ll help you make the right steps to achieve ultimate freedom 

And So Much More!

Links from the Show

BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group

BiggerPockets Forums

Finance Review Guest Onboarding

Mindy's Twitter

Scott's Instagram

Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place

Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show

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Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel

Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets

Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget

BiggerPockets FIRE Planning Worksheet

The Money Date: What You Should (And Definitely Should Not) Do to Align Your Finances as a Couple

Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-342

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Katie Gatti Tassin from Money with Katie had her “financial awakening” earlier than most. She saw the middle-class wealth trap of working, spending, and repeating for what it really was. This cash-gobbling cycle is one that many Americans fall into, but once you see the light, it’s hard not to almost automatically do better. And that’s what Katie did, trading twenty-dollar daily lunches and “hot girl expenses” for more saving, investing, and skyrocketing net worth.

Through a few short years of self-education, Katie was able to more than double her income, build profitable side businesses, and have a master-like grip on her finances. She’s become an expert in retirement investing, passive income, and saving simply through reading blog posts, listening to podcasts, and starting something of her own. This, coming from someone who just a few years ago had less than $500 to their name.

Katie walks through what spurred her “financial awakening” and how sharing the same thought process could activate your own. She also touches on financial myths that the middle class commonly falls into, the great Roth vs. 401(k)debate, and why lifestyle creep isn’t such a bad thing. She’s proof that you can turn your entire financial situation around in only a few short years, and if she could do it, why can’t you?

In This Episode We Cover

The “financial awakening” that’ll have you saving more and spending less

Financial “truths” that could destroy your wealth if you follow them

Self-education and the best personal finance podcasts and blogs and you should tune into

Retirement investing and whether it makes sense to invest pre-tax or post-tax

Starting side hustles and job hopping to more than double your salary

The bright side of lifestyle creep and using it as a reward for your hard work

And So Much More!

Links from the Show

BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group

BiggerPockets Forums

Finance Review Guest Onboarding

Mindy's Twitter

Scott's Instagram

Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place

Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show

Podcast Talent Search!

Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel

Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets

Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget

Finance Friday: I Want to Cash Out My 401k Early, Should

Mr. Money Mustache

The Shockingly Simple Math Behind Early Retirements

The Money With Katie Podcast

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Over the past two years, short-term rental investing has become a financial lifeline for those that are trying to make extra income. A small one or two-bedroom basement, garage apartment, or mother-in-law suite brings in enough cash flow for many to pay off a sizable amount of their mortgage. One such investor is Allen, who turned his low-interest rate primary residence into a lucrative short-term rental in the Portland, Maine area.

Allen is a vacation rental house hacker, leasing his garage apartment at a nightly rate for those visiting the area. Thanks to local laws, he’s unable to increase his nightly rates, but the silver lining means Allen has an almost fully-occupied, revenue-producing rental most of the time. He wants to build his short-term rental empire to even greater heights, but after looking at the math, Scott and Mindy aren’t so convinced that this is the right move.

With six figures in student debt and a moderate credit score weighing him down, Allen may be in a better position to do something else with his money. Scott and Mindy go through the numbers, calculations, and everything else you’d need to see whether or not another real estate investment is the right move for you. Even if you’re someone with a high income like Allen, you may be surprised by what Scott and Mindy propose.

In This Episode We Cover

When is the right time to buy real estate and how high-interest rates hurt your chances of getting a good deal

Limiting your monthly spending and taking advantage of earning a high income

Short-term rental house hacking and using it to cover most of your living expenses

Stocks vs. real estate investing and when it’s the right time to choose one over the other

Aggressive debt payoff and how to know whether an interest rate is too high

Credit score tips and the factors that make yours go up and down

And So Much More!

Links from the Show

BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group

BiggerPockets Forums

Finance Review Guest Onboarding

Mindy's Twitter

Scott's Instagram

Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place

Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show

Podcast Talent Search!

Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel

Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets

Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget

Airbnb

Finance Friday: Self-Employed Income and Short-Term Rental Investing

Are FIRE Naysayers Bad at Math? Yes. with Michael Kitces

Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-340

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Everyone knows that real estate agent commissions are hefty. Those who have sold a house in the past few years may look at their settlement agreement and wonder where those tens of thousands of dollars really went. It’s not hard for a new agent in today’s world to lock in six-figures worth of real estate commissions within their first few years. But, not many agents, even uber-experienced ones, have been able to hit what Pat Hiban has.

Pat was one of the first “billion-dollar” real estate agents. Unfortunately, the “billion dollars” doesn’t refer to commission checks, but it does refer to real estate sales as a whole. This is doubly impressive when you factor in the decades when this was achieved. Pat sold homes in the 80s, 90s, and 2000s when home prices were far less than they are today. So, you could consider Pat an inflation-adjusted “trillion dollar” real estate agent!

But how did Pat, a sociology major without any connection to real estate, reach such heights within a few short years? And, a more important question to ask, why did Pat give it all up at the peak of his career? What was worth more to him than making seven figures and bringing home huge commissions every month? He gives hints as to why he left it all in this episode. And, as one of the newest BiggerPockets authors, you can pick up his books 6 Steps to 7 Figures and The Quitter’s Manifesto today!

In This Episode We Cover

Everything you ever wanted to know about real estate agent commissions and broker splits

Why so many new real estate agents fail during their first few years

Leveraging out your work, hiring employees, and scaling a business instead of building a job

Real estate investing basics and the downsides of taking too much depreciation

Quitting a lucrative career and the financial moves to make that ensure a successful transition

The six steps to reaching seven figures for real estate agents (and any other entrepreneur!)

And So Much More!

Links from the Show

BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group

BiggerPockets Forums

Finance Review Guest Onboarding

Mindy's Twitter

Scott's Instagram

Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place

Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show

Podcast Talent Search!

Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel

Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets

Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget

Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-339

Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page!

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Student loan debt—the gift that keeps on giving with interest, stress, and the overwhelming feeling that you won’t be able to pay them off. The larger the loan, the heavier the weight on your shoulders, but in today’s episode, we go over how to start lightening your load. Focusing solely on your debt makes it seem like there's no way out, but financial freedom is always achievable. 

Today’s guests, James and Bianca, have $278,000 of student debt between them. This debt has followed them for a while, and their original payoff plan would last for another twenty-four years. Despite their debt, James and Bianca have a strong financial portfolio with ten cash-flowing rental units. They make over $17,000 a month with only $7,300 in expenses. Even with a strong financial foundation, these student loans have loomed over them and kept them from true financial freedom. 

Scott and Mindy introduce James and Bianca to ways they could pay off their debt in the next few years and completely shift their mindset on defeating six-figure debt. Instead of having a burden on their backs for another twenty-four years, they could get their time back and be debt-free sooner. After listening to this episode, there’s a good chance you could too!

In This Episode We Cover

Living on less than half of your income and how to maximize your unused funds

Income-based repayment plans and determining the best loan payoff plan for you

Reallocating your portfolio and finding creative ways to pay off your debt 

Time management and how to know when you should outsource or delegate tasks

Preparing for a career shift and how to create a solid financial foundation

Getting into a debt-free mindset and finding financial independence even faster

And So Much More!

Links from the Show

BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group

BiggerPockets Forums

Finance Review Guest Onboarding

Mindy's Twitter

Scott's Instagram

Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place

Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show

Podcast Talent Search!

Subscribe to The “On The Market” YouTube Channel

Listen to The “On The Market” Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BiggerPockets

Check Out Mindy’s 2022 Live Spending Tracker and Budget

BiggerPockets FIRE Planning Worksheet

Student Loans Update: Repayment, Refinancing, and Potential Forgiveness w/ Robert Farrington

Finance Friday: Using Student Loan Forgiveness to Catapult FI w/ Sammie

Paying Off Student Loan Debt with a Median Income and Two Kids in Northern California with Kyle Renke

Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-338

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