In the first ever Frugal or Fiction episode of Frugal Living, audio editor intern Genny uncovers the truth behind real estate influencers. Can you make a passive income as a landlord? What do you need to know to become a real estate investor?

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The full show notes, including a transcript of the show, are located in the blog at Frugal.fm. This episode's sponsors are Aosom and Highlights.

Looking to expand your financial knowledge this year? Learn everything you need to know about Series I bonds (including why they're such a popular investment for frugal-minded people this year). We also discuss what's an HSA and what higher mortgage rates mean for home buyers.