In this eye-opening episode of the Jake & Gino podcast, Gino flies solo to interview Chris Miles, founder of Money Ripples, cashflow expert, and former financial advisor turned passive income evangelist. Together, they pull back the curtain on the real problems with traditional retirement planning—and how most people have been brainwashed into believing the 401(k) is their only path to freedom.

Chris reveals how he escaped the rat race at just 28 years old by ditching accumulation and embracing cash flow-focused investing. He shares why the FIRE movement gets it wrong, how financial advisors are incentivized to sell—not serve—and why real estate, hard money lending, and infinite banking may offer far better alternatives.

Whether you're tired of the "set it and forget it" retirement advice or you're simply looking to build wealth that works now, this episode delivers practical insights and controversial truths.

Connect with Chris Miles:
https://www.moneyripples.com
Listen to the Money Ripples Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Topics Discussed:

• Why the 401(k) was never meant for the average person
  
   
• The myth of the 4% rule (and why it's actually 2-3%)
  
   
• What most millionaires still worry about in retirement
  
   
• How to escape the saver-scarcity mindset
  
   
• The problem with the FIRE movement and mutual funds
  
   
• Cash flow investing vs. equity-focused investing
  
   
• Building your financial network and foundation
  
   
• Why Chris prefers whole life insurance, real estate, and lending
  
   

Subscribe for weekly insights on wealth, mindset, and multifamily investing from the Jake & Gino Network.

00:00:00 - Introduction  

00:06:04 - Why Traditional Retirement Advice Failed Chris' Dad  

00:07:28 - The Myth of the 4% Rule and FIRE Movement Critique  

00:12:28 - Are You Living in Financial Fear? Emotional Ties to Money  

00:18:23 - Breaking Intergenerational Money Patterns  

00:25:30 - The System Is Broken. Follow the Money  

00:30:55 - How to Build a Real Financial Foundation  

00:37:20 - The Best Vehicles for Wealth Building in 2025  

00:40:47 - Why Equity Is Great, But Cash Flow Is King  

00:43:23 - Raw Land, Oil & Gas, and Other Income-Producing Vehicles  

00:47:40 - Connect with Chris Miles  

00:48:13 - Gino Wraps it Up

We're here to help create multifamily entrepreneurs... Here's how: Brand New? Start Here: https://jakeandgino.mykajabi.com/free-wheelbarrowprofits Want To Get Into Multifamily Real Estate Or Scale Your Current Portfolio Faster? Apply to join our PREMIER MULTIFAMILY INVESTING COMMUNITY & MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. (*Note: Our community is not for beginner investors) 👉https://jakeandgino.com/apply About Jake & Gino Jake & Gino are multifamily investors, operators, and mentors who have created a vertically integrated real estate company. They control over $250M in assets under management. They have created the Jake & Gino Premier Multifamily Community to teach others a simple three-step framework for investing in multifamily real estate. Connect with Jake & Gino on the social media platform you are most active on: https://jakeandgino.com/link-tree/

In this episode of the Jake & Gino How-To series, Gino Barbaro dives deep into the critical difference between growth and scaling—and why understanding this difference can make or break your multifamily investing journey.

Discover:

• How "Profit Per Unit" (PPU) became a more valuable KPI than total doors
  
   
• Why revenue is vanity, profit margin is sanity, and cash is king
  
   
• What tools and systems (like EOS and Scaling Up) helped streamline operations
  
   
• The cadence of accountability: daily huddles, weekly L10s, quarterly priorities
  
   
• Why understanding your values is essential to scaling with purpose
  
   

Whether you're managing 10 units or aiming for 1,000+, this episode delivers tangible strategies, inspiring stories, and actionable advice to grow smarter — not just bigger.

Want to learn more about implementing these systems? Visit https://www.wheelbarrowprofits.com or email Gino directly at [email protected] for a FREE copy of their book or the Cadence of Accountability Doc.

We're here to help create multifamily entrepreneurs... Here's how: Brand New? Start Here: https://jakeandgino.mykajabi.com/free-wheelbarrowprofits Want To Get Into Multifamily Real Estate Or Scale Your Current Portfolio Faster? Apply to join our PREMIER MULTIFAMILY INVESTING COMMUNITY & MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. (*Note: Our community is not for beginner investors) 👉https://jakeandgino.com/apply About Jake & Gino Jake & Gino are multifamily investors, operators, and mentors who have created a vertically integrated real estate company. They control over $250M in assets under management. They have created the Jake & Gino Premier Multifamily Community to teach others a simple three-step framework for investing in multifamily real estate. Connect with Jake & Gino on the social media platform you are most active on: https://jakeandgino.com/link-tree/

In this episode of the Jake & Gino podcast, we sit down with Nick Maggiulli — creator of Dollars and Data and bestselling author of Just Keep Buying and Just Keep Mining. Nick breaks down his new book and signature "Wealth Ladder" framework — a six-level approach to building wealth based on net worth and financial behaviors.

We discuss how your income, mindset, and investment strategy must evolve as you move up the ladder. Whether you’re just starting out with less than $10K or strategizing how to break into the $10M+ wealth bracket, this conversation will help you identify where you are, what’s holding you back, and what to do next.

You’ll also hear about:

• The dangers of ego-driven spending (looking at you, $800 car payments)
  
   
• Why most people get stuck at levels 1 and 2
  
   
• Why increasing income is more powerful than cutting spending
  
   
• Why saving, investing, and possibly starting a business are keys to long-term wealth
  
   

Grab Nick’s new book Just Keep Mining and visit: https://ofdollarsanddata.com

Connect with Nick:
Twitter: @dollarsanddata
Website: https://ofdollarsanddata.com

SUBSCRIBE for more investing, business, and financial mindset episodes every week.

00:00:00 - Introduction  

00:03:02 - What is the Wealth Ladder? The 6 Levels Explained  

00:10:47 - What Assets Dominate Each Level of Wealth?  

00:14:04 - Wealth Disparities & Home Ownership Data  

00:14:55 - The Matsushita Story: Wealth Evolution Through Strategy Shifts  

00:16:54 - Why Most People Never Reach Level 5 or 6  

00:19:39 - How Income and Mindset Shape Your Net Worth  

00:23:56 - Wealth as a Scorecard & Source of Purpose  

00:29:31 - Key Behaviors and Strategies for Leveling Up  

00:32:50 - When to Start a Business or Stay in Your Lane  

00:34:45 - Best Investing Advice: Just Keep Buying  

00:36:42 - Book Recommendations  

00:37:32 - Gino Wraps it Up  

We're here to help create multifamily entrepreneurs... Here's how: Brand New? Start Here: https://jakeandgino.mykajabi.com/free-wheelbarrowprofits Want To Get Into Multifamily Real Estate Or Scale Your Current Portfolio Faster? Apply to join our PREMIER MULTIFAMILY INVESTING COMMUNITY & MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. (*Note: Our community is not for beginner investors) 👉https://jakeandgino.com/apply About Jake & Gino Jake & Gino are multifamily investors, operators, and mentors who have created a vertically integrated real estate company. They control over $250M in assets under management. They have created the Jake & Gino Premier Multifamily Community to teach others a simple three-step framework for investing in multifamily real estate. Connect with Jake & Gino on the social media platform you are most active on: https://jakeandgino.com/link-tree/

In this how-to video, Gino Barbaro—co-founder of Jake & Gino and Barbaro360—dives deep into how to perform a rental comp analysis in multifamily real estate. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned investor, understanding how to comp rents properly is crucial for accurate underwriting, valuation, and deal evaluation.

Learn what metrics matter most when running rent comps, how to leverage AI tools for efficiency, and how to avoid rookie mistakes that can cost you money. From vintage and unit size to location and median income—this guide breaks down everything you need to know to confidently analyze rental income potential in any market.

Subscribe for more weekly real estate education videos!

Visit:

 https://jakeandgino.com

Book a Call: https://jakeandgino.com/apply/

We're here to help create multifamily entrepreneurs... Here's how: Brand New? Start Here: https://jakeandgino.mykajabi.com/free-wheelbarrowprofits Want To Get Into Multifamily Real Estate Or Scale Your Current Portfolio Faster? Apply to join our PREMIER MULTIFAMILY INVESTING COMMUNITY & MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. (*Note: Our community is not for beginner investors) 👉https://jakeandgino.com/apply About Jake & Gino Jake & Gino are multifamily investors, operators, and mentors who have created a vertically integrated real estate company. They control over $250M in assets under management. They have created the Jake & Gino Premier Multifamily Community to teach others a simple three-step framework for investing in multifamily real estate. Connect with Jake & Gino on the social media platform you are most active on: https://jakeandgino.com/link-tree/

In this episode of the Jake & Gino podcast, we welcome Brent Bowers, Army veteran turned land-flipping expert and founder of The Land Sharks. Brent shares how he escaped the rat race, built passive income through vacant land investing, and found lifestyle freedom without traditional rentals.

We dive deep into:

• His transition from military service to real estate success
  
   
• The hamster wheel of wholesaling and how land helped him break free
  
   
• Scalable strategies to flip, finance, and profit from land deals
  
   
• How he built a business that fuels his family’s lifestyle—on his own terms
  
   

Whether you're just getting started or looking to expand into land or passive income, Brent’s story offers real, actionable insights you won’t want to miss.

Connect with Brent: https://www.thelandsharks.com

Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction  

00:03:01 - Brent’s Money Bio & Entrepreneurial Roots  

00:05:51 - Military Mindset Shift & Humbling Beginnings  

00:09:27 - The Deal Junkie Mentality & Breaking Free  

00:16:27 - Why People Sell Land for Pennies  

00:18:36 - Entitlements, Site Work, and Scaling  

00:23:35 - Built-to-Rent, Mobile Homes, and Market Strategy  

00:29:15 - Market Cycles, Mistakes, and Lessons Learned  

00:38:01 - Coaching the Next Generation of Land Investors  

00:41:11 - Books That Changed Brent’s Life  

00:45:50 - Gino Wraps it Up 

We're here to help create multifamily entrepreneurs... Here's how: Brand New? Start Here: https://jakeandgino.mykajabi.com/free-wheelbarrowprofits Want To Get Into Multifamily Real Estate Or Scale Your Current Portfolio Faster? Apply to join our PREMIER MULTIFAMILY INVESTING COMMUNITY & MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. (*Note: Our community is not for beginner investors) 👉https://jakeandgino.com/apply About Jake & Gino Jake & Gino are multifamily investors, operators, and mentors who have created a vertically integrated real estate company. They control over $250M in assets under management. They have created the Jake & Gino Premier Multifamily Community to teach others a simple three-step framework for investing in multifamily real estate. Connect with Jake & Gino on the social media platform you are most active on: https://jakeandgino.com/link-tree/

Managing rentals isn't glamorous—but it's where the profits are made. In this How-To episode, Gino Barbaro, co-founder of Jake & Gino, breaks down the 4 P’s of managing your rentals: People, Price, Promotion, and Product. If you’re struggling to fill units, you’re likely violating one of these essential principles.

Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting out, mastering these four levers will help you increase cash flow, reduce downtime, and grow a scalable multifamily business.

 Want to go deeper? Visit

 https://www.wheelbarrowprofits.com

 to schedule a call and get a free copy of our Wheelbarrow Profits book.

We're here to help create multifamily entrepreneurs... Here's how: Brand New? Start Here: https://jakeandgino.mykajabi.com/free-wheelbarrowprofits Want To Get Into Multifamily Real Estate Or Scale Your Current Portfolio Faster? Apply to join our PREMIER MULTIFAMILY INVESTING COMMUNITY & MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. (*Note: Our community is not for beginner investors) 👉https://jakeandgino.com/apply About Jake & Gino Jake & Gino are multifamily investors, operators, and mentors who have created a vertically integrated real estate company. They control over $250M in assets under management. They have created the Jake & Gino Premier Multifamily Community to teach others a simple three-step framework for investing in multifamily real estate. Connect with Jake & Gino on the social media platform you are most active on: https://jakeandgino.com/link-tree/

In this episode of the Jake and Gino Podcast, we sit down with Brandon Green, founder of Alchemy of Money, to unpack a journey filled with transformation, entrepreneurial grit, and real estate mastery.

From cold-calling in IT sales to flipping foreclosures with FHA loans, Brandon shares how early failures and IRS audits paved the way to building scalable, investor-focused financial services. We dive into his identity journey, leadership evolution, and the surprising truth about achieving financial freedom.

• The difference between short-term vs. long-term sales
  
   
• Building wealth without a degree
  
   
• Scaling a business the hard way (through fire!)
  
   
• Life after selling a brokerage
  
   
• Why real financial freedom is eliminating the word “should” from your calendar
  
   
• How Alchemy of Money helps real estate entrepreneurs sleep better at night
  
   

Learn how to make your money work for you — and why your business’s financial backend could be holding you back.

 Visit: https://alchemyofmoney.co

00:00:00 - Introduction  

00:02:29 - Buying His First Property with an FHA Loan  

00:04:39 - Identifying as a Billionaire & Learning to Scale  

00:08:15 - Why Setting the Right Goals Matters  

00:16:59 - “Wandering in the Desert” Post-Exit  

00:20:37 - Why Freedom = Eliminating “Should”  

00:23:57 - Learning to Lead: The Assistant Who Quit  

00:31:11 - Sales: Short-Term vs. Long-Term Relationships  

00:36:42 - What is Alchemy of Money?  

00:45:38 - The Name Behind “Alchemy”  

00:46:43 - Gino Wraps it Up

We're here to help create multifamily entrepreneurs... Here's how: Brand New? Start Here: https://jakeandgino.mykajabi.com/free-wheelbarrowprofits Want To Get Into Multifamily Real Estate Or Scale Your Current Portfolio Faster? Apply to join our PREMIER MULTIFAMILY INVESTING COMMUNITY & MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. (*Note: Our community is not for beginner investors) 👉https://jakeandgino.com/apply About Jake & Gino Jake & Gino are multifamily investors, operators, and mentors who have created a vertically integrated real estate company. They control over $250M in assets under management. They have created the Jake & Gino Premier Multifamily Community to teach others a simple three-step framework for investing in multifamily real estate. Connect with Jake & Gino on the social media platform you are most active on: https://jakeandgino.com/link-tree/

 In this episode of the Jake and Gino Podcast, Gino Barbaro dives deep into the current multifamily housing landscape and dissects whether the apartment oversupply crisis is reaching its end. Gino walks you through how the market cycle has evolved since the 2008 recession and explains why some cities like Dallas, Austin, and Phoenix are facing increased vacancy and downward rental pressure—while others like New York remain tight.

If you're an investor, developer, or market watcher, this is your how-to guide on surviving (and thriving) in today’s multifamily environment.

Want a FREE copy of "Wheelbarrow Profits" or “Happy Money, Happy Family, Happy Legacy”?
Email Gino at: [email protected]

Learn more about the Wheelbarrow Profits Community:
https://www.wheelbarrowprofits.com

We're here to help create multifamily entrepreneurs... Here's how: Brand New? Start Here: https://jakeandgino.mykajabi.com/free-wheelbarrowprofits Want To Get Into Multifamily Real Estate Or Scale Your Current Portfolio Faster? Apply to join our PREMIER MULTIFAMILY INVESTING COMMUNITY & MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. (*Note: Our community is not for beginner investors) 👉https://jakeandgino.com/apply About Jake & Gino Jake & Gino are multifamily investors, operators, and mentors who have created a vertically integrated real estate company. They control over $250M in assets under management. They have created the Jake & Gino Premier Multifamily Community to teach others a simple three-step framework for investing in multifamily real estate. Connect with Jake & Gino on the social media platform you are most active on: https://jakeandgino.com/link-tree/

In this episode of the Jake and Gino Podcast, we dive deep into the world of retail real estate with Andy Weiner, Founder and President of Rockstep Capital. Andy shares how he transitioned from running a family clothing empire to revitalizing struggling malls in secondary and tertiary markets. Discover how his “Rock Steps” culture drives high performance, why retail isn’t dead, and how positive leverage and local community partnerships are the secret to sustainable success.

You’ll learn:

- Why the future of malls lies in mixed-use redevelopment

- How Andy secures non-recourse community bank loans

- The benefits of buying at a 15-cap and de-malling to an 8-cap

- The biggest mistakes new retail investors make

- The unique power of local investors and positive leverage

Whether you're a seasoned multifamily investor or curious about diversifying into retail, this is a masterclass in spotting hidden value in overlooked markets.

Learn more: https://rockstep.com

Visit Rockstep’s Learning Center: https://rockstep.com/learning-center/

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction  

00:04:08 - Family Business Struggles and Strategic Lesson  

00:06:00 - Leadership at 32: Earning Respect and Setting Vision  

00:07:53 - First Real Estate Deal: Assembling Land for Lowe’s  

00:09:40 - Identifying Opportunity in Retail Real Estate  

00:15:24 - The Vicksburg Model and Rockstep’s Track Record  

00:23:51 - Top Investor Mistakes in Shopping Centers  

00:25:20 - Has E-Commerce Killed Retail?  

00:29:22 - “Rock Steps” Culture and Company-Wide Accountability  

00:34:12 - Brick-and-Mortar + App + Distribution: The Retail Trifecta  

00:46:28 - Tractor Supply Love & Market Size Criteria  

00:48:04 - Gino Wraps it Up

We're here to help create multifamily entrepreneurs... Here's how: Brand New? Start Here: https://jakeandgino.mykajabi.com/free-wheelbarrowprofits Want To Get Into Multifamily Real Estate Or Scale Your Current Portfolio Faster? Apply to join our PREMIER MULTIFAMILY INVESTING COMMUNITY & MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. (*Note: Our community is not for beginner investors) 👉https://jakeandgino.com/apply About Jake & Gino Jake & Gino are multifamily investors, operators, and mentors who have created a vertically integrated real estate company. They control over $250M in assets under management. They have created the Jake & Gino Premier Multifamily Community to teach others a simple three-step framework for investing in multifamily real estate. Connect with Jake & Gino on the social media platform you are most active on: https://jakeandgino.com/link-tree/