The FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement has transformed how people think about work, money, and retirement. In this comprehensive episode, Mindy and Scott break down everything you need to know about achieving financial independence and potentially retiring decades earlier than traditional retirement age.

We explore the mathematics behind FIRE, different approaches to the movement, and practical strategies for dramatically increasing your savings rate. From understanding the 4% rule to optimizing your investment portfolio, this episode provides a complete roadmap for anyone interested in financial independence. Perfect for both beginners exploring the concept and those already on their FIRE journey looking to optimize their approach.

What We Discuss:

The 4% Rule Explained

How to calculate your FIRE number 

Proven strategies to save 50%+ of your income 

Best investment vehicles for FIRE (401k, IRA, taxable accounts) 

Common FIRE mistakes to avoid 

Updated strategies for 2025 market conditions

Withdrawal strategies

And SO much more!

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In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, Mindy and Scott speak with Victor Haghani, a seasoned financial expert whose journey from Wall Street titan to FIRE advocate will transform how you think about wealth building.

Victor's path from Salomon Brothers and Long-Term Capital Management to founding Elm Wealth reveals the shocking truth: the complex strategies that made millions on Wall Street pale in comparison to simple index fund investing for achieving financial independence.

What We Discuss:

Why Victor's billion-dollar trading experience led him to index funds

The age-based asset allocation strategy that adapts as you approach FI

The psychological traps that derail FIRE journeys (even for Wall Street pros)

Practical portfolio management for the path to financial independence

And SO much more!

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You're eager to build serious wealth, but the idea of managing tenants, fixing toilets, handling trash issues, and dealing with the endless headaches that come with real estate investing makes you cringe. Even though we're the world's largest platform for real estate investors, we totally understand that the landlord life isn't suited for everyone. The great news? Real estate is definitely not your only ticket to wealth. There are five other proven methods to accumulate serious money that won't have you answering frantic tenant calls at 2 A.M.

On today's episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, Mindy and Scott team up to reveal the five most effective wealth-building strategies that don't require purchasing a single rental property. These approaches are accessible to virtually anyone, regardless of your current salary or existing savings account balance. Some of these strategies are extremely passive, needing only a few minutes monthly to kickstart your wealth accumulation, while others have the potential to dramatically boost your earnings but demand considerably more active participation.

In this episode, you'll learn:

The five ways to get rich WITHOUT investing in real estate 

The four “levers” of wealth you can pull to level up your financial lifestyle

“Boring” businesses and HUGE investment opportunities for those in their 20s, 30s, or 40s

Job hopping and why you could be underpaid and overworked at your current role

The investment accounts that can expedite your path to becoming a millionaire

The super passive investment anyone can use to build massive wealth in the background

And SO Much More!

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Buying a house, maxing out your 401(k), and leveraging real estate are considered the gold standard for building wealth, but what if these strategies are actually sabotaging your early retirement?

Today, we're diving into the controversial "middle-class trap" debate with Brad Barrett from the ChooseFI podcast! Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! Is your net worth locked up in home equity and retirement accounts you can't access? Brad, Mindy, and Scott are having a friendly but fierce debate about whether this middle-class trap is real or just financial fear-mongering, breaking down strategies to avoid it and revealing the ideal portfolio for early retirees.

In this episode, you'll learn:

If the Middle Class Trap is real or not!

The difference between your Net Worth vs. FI Number

The Psychological Barriers to Financial Freedom

And SO Much More!

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On this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench sit down with Dave Fleischer, a teacher who's proving that you don't need a six-figure salary to achieve financial independence. If you've ever felt discouraged because your FI number seems impossibly high or your current salary feels too small to build real wealth, this episode will completely shift your perspective by showing that financial independence isn't about how much you make, but how strategically you manage what you have. 

Whether you're a teacher, earn a median income, or simply want to see how creative financial planning can accelerate your journey to freedom, you'll discover actionable strategies that work regardless of your income level and prove that YOU can follow this simple path to achieve financial freedom too.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How Dave and his wife became net worth millionaires at 39 years old.

Can one move change your life?

Living below your means is key to building wealth.

If you can downsize your lifestyle, it is a cheat code.

And SO Much More!

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On this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench sit down with John Bowens from Equity Trust. John is an expert on the often-overlooked 72(t)t rule that could be a game-changer for early retirees.

This often misunderstood withdrawal strategy allows people under 59.5 to tap into their retirement accounts without facing the brutal 10% early withdrawal penalty that typically guards these funds. John breaks down the complex world of Substantially Equal Periodic Payments (SEPP), walking listeners through the different calculation methods, critical liquidity considerations, and smart investment strategies that can make or break a 72T IRA approach.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How to access retirement funds early with the often overlooked 72(t) rule

Avoiding 401(k) penalties and using retirement accounts to actually retire early 

The rules and regulations you MUST follow to withdraw penalty-free 

And SO Much More!

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Katie Gatti Tassin from "Money with Katie" escaped the middle-class wealth trap of endless working and spending by having her "financial awakening" early. Through just a few years of self-education she more than doubled her income, built a profitable business, and mastered retirement investing and passive income strategies. She's documented all of these wealth-building strategies in her new book "Rich Girl Nation: Taking Charge of Our Financial Futures," which you can pre-order today. 

You'll learn the exact mindset shifts and actionable steps that transformed Katie's financial life and how you can replicate her success to break free from the cash-gobbling cycle and skyrocket your own net worth.

In this episode, you'll learn:

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

Tracking spending in real-time is crucial for financial awareness. 

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

Earning more money requires smart strategies, not just hard work.

And SO much more!

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The 4% rule just got a major update! Bill Bengen, the creator of the famous 4% withdrawal rule, returns to share his latest research that's changing retirement planning forever. Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! Discover why he's now recommending a 4.7% withdrawal rate and what this means for YOUR retirement strategy.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why Bill Bengen updated his iconic 4% rule after decades of research

The psychology behind why retirees struggle to actually spend their money

How market conditions should influence your withdrawal strategy

The role real estate plays in a well-diversified retirement portfolio

Active vs. passive management strategies for retirees

How younger retirees should approach their investment timeline differently

Why protecting your principal matters more than maximizing returns

The importance of controlling expenses and finding purpose beyond money

And SO Much More!

Whether you're planning for retirement or already retired, this conversation will reshape how you think about withdrawal rates, portfolio management, and creating a sustainable financial future.

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Do you really need an LLC for rentals? What kind of insurance should you get? With so many questions (and confusion) surrounding asset protection for real estate investors, we’ve brought on an expert to set the record straight so you can protect your assets—without going overboard or breaking the bank!

Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! Today, we’re chatting with real estate attorney and fellow investor Bonnie Galam about the nuances of asset protection. The truth is that there are two sides to this coin, but most investors only focus on the defensive or “reactive” side. Bonnie will show you the keys to 360-degree protection—like setting up strong legal structures before problems arise and the essential documentation you should have from day one.

You’ll also learn about the potential pitfalls of equity partnerships, how personal events can put your properties at risk, and why car insurance and prenups matter more for your portfolio than you might think. Asset protection doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does need to be strategic, and this episode will help you prioritize what’s important now, what can wait, and how to create a legal framework that evolves as your real estate portfolio grows!

In This Episode We Cover:

Two sides of asset protection to focus on when starting a real estate business

Three actionable steps new investors can take to protect their assets today

Why you need to create an estate plan (even if you don’t have rentals yet!)

How much you should expect to pay for different types of legal protection

Debt versus equity partnerships (and why one is better for asset protection)

And So Much More!

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If you invest consistently, reaching FIRE (financial independence, retire early) by your mid-40s is absolutely possible. These two financial-freedom-chasing twins are proof of it! Only in their 20s, both Andy and Oliver from Twin Finances have six-figure net worths, rental properties, and fully-loaded stock accounts! Conveniently, right after getting their first jobs, they found out about the FIRE movement, and have been quickly approaching their FIRE numbers ever since!

Andy and Oliver have made substantial financial progress in just six years by doing what’s simple—a “set it and forget it” investing strategy that means less stress and faster FIRE. With $2M FIRE goals each, they’ve got a big gap to fill, but starting in their 20s gives them a huge leg up. In this episode, they break down their net worths, assets, and how they balance stocks and real estate to stay on track for FIRE by 45! 

Are you new to the FIRE movement? Check out Andy and Oliver’s beginner channel for personal finance, Twin Finances, and subscribe to BiggerPockets Money!

In This Episode We Cover

The “set it and forget it” investing strategy for FIRE by your mid-40s 

Why you MUST be flexible with your FIRE number as your life changes 

How to handle market corrections and crashes without losing your FIRE progress 

Andy and Oliver’s impressive net worths (they’re only in their 20s!)

Combining rental properties and consistent stock investing to diversify your FIRE income

And So Much More!

Check out more resources from this show on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BiggerPockets.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-645

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

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