BiggerPockets Money

In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench break down the biggest mistakes people make when calculating their FIRE number and planning for financial independence. Many early retirement calculators rely on simplified assumptions like the 4% rule or current spending levels, but real-life retirement planning is far more complicated. This episode covers how healthcare costs, inflation, one-time expenses, and changing lifestyle spending can dramatically impact your true FI number and long-term retirement success.

We also discuss safe withdrawal rates, stress testing your retirement plan flexible income streams, and why many FIRE investors underestimate future spending during early retirement. Whether you’re pursuing FIRE, early retirement, Coast FIRE, or traditional financial independence, this episode will help you build a more realistic retirement strategy and avoid common mistakes that can derail long-term wealth and portfolio sustainability.

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On this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench sit down with Ben Felix to break down one of the most debated topics in long-term investing: small cap value investing. Ben explains the research behind factor investing, the Fama-French multi-factor model, and why investors continue to look at small cap value ETFs like AVUV and Dimensional funds as potential upgrades to traditional index fund portfolios. 

If you've ever wondered whether AVUV, Dimensional ETFs, or small cap value funds can outperform broad market index funds like VTI over the long run, this episode gives you a deep evidence-based framework for deciding.

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What are high-net-worth investors actually doing with their money in 2026?

In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, we break down the latest asset allocation trends using real portfolio data from Long Angle—a community of high-net-worth investors. From equities and real estate to private credit and alternative investments, this is a behind-the-scenes look at where sophisticated investors are putting capital right now.

Joined by Tad Fallows, Managing Director at Long Angle, we explore how the top 1% are thinking about risk, return, and opportunity—and what it means for your own investing strategy.

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The “messy middle” is the longest—and hardest—phase of the financial independence (FIRE) journey. It’s where progress feels slow, motivation dips, and burnout can creep in.

In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, Mindy Jensen and Carl Jensen (our guest host for today) break down how to stay consistent, avoid over-optimization, and actually enjoy life while building wealth. From increasing income and investing smarter to designing the life you want before you retire, this is your guide to getting through the messy middle without losing momentum.

If your FIRE journey feels stuck, this episode will help you reset and keep going.

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Connect with Carl Jensen: https://www.1500days.com/

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Kim Hunter Borst didn’t start her financial independence journey in New York City—but it’s where everything changed.

After building a high-income life, she and her husband found themselves $69,000 in debt from lifestyle inflation. Instead of leaving NYC, they got intentional—cutting expenses, leveraging a rent-stabilized apartment, and maxing out retirement accounts.

Now, they’ve achieved financial independence and retired early—proving you don’t have to leave a high-cost city to build real wealth.

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Paula quit her $32,000 job in 2008—before she’d ever heard of the FIRE movement—with just $25,000 saved to travel the world.

When she came back, she started freelancing and made a pivotal decision: buying a triplex and house hacking. That one move changed everything. Today, she’s fully financially independent in New York City through real estate—all without ever earning more than $32K at her day job.

In this episode, we break down how she did it, the risks she took early on, and the strategy that turned a modest income into long-term financial freedom.

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Connect with Paula Pant:

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Most people think you need to leave expensive cities to reach financial independence. Walli Miller did the opposite.

After discovering the FIRE movement in 2015, Walli Miller moved to New York City—one of the highest cost-of-living cities in the world—and still retired at 39 with her husband, on a combined income under $200K/yr.

In this episode, we break down how they made it work, from intentional spending and leveraging NYC’s free lifestyle to redefining what financial independence actually looks like. If you think FIRE isn’t possible in a high-cost city, this episode might change your mind.

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In this episode, discover how Eli, a 24-year-old living in NYC, is on track to hit financial independence and retire early—despite the city’s high living costs. His strategies and mindset shift challenge common perceptions about NYC being an obstacle to FIRE.

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Connect with Eli Saperstein:

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In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Mindy Jensen and Carl Jensen (our guest host for the week!) break down 9 financial independence (FIRE) lessons most people don’t discover until it’s too late.

From the hidden downsides of early retirement to spending, purpose, and relationships, this episode covers what actually changes after you reach FI—and how to avoid the mistakes that can quietly derail your life.

Whether you're pursuing FIRE or already financially independent, these insights will help you build a more sustainable, fulfilling life.

To go beyond the podcast:

We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order!

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Corby Goade went from a modest teacher salary to financial independence through real estate investing—and he did it by mastering the fundamentals. In this episode, he shares how house hacking, long-term rentals, and smart leverage helped him build wealth over 25 years, even through the 2008 housing crash. Learn practical strategies for navigating market cycles, scaling a rental portfolio, and achieving financial freedom without a high income.

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Connect with Corby Goade: 

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