What if the smartest financial move in 2025 isn’t buying a home—but renting one?

This episode flips the script on traditional homeownership, spotlighting Jill Sirianni from the Frugal Friends podcast. Jill bought a house in 2020 for $225K, sold it five years later for $575K, and walked away with a $120K profit after all costs. Sounds like a win—until she ran the numbers and realized that investing her down payment in the stock market might’ve earned her even more.

But this isn’t just Jill’s story—it’s a wake-up call. With mortgage rates now hovering around 6–7%, monthly ownership costs averaging $2,700, and affordability ratios at historic lows, the gap between renting and owning has never been wider. Renting now costs about $850/month less than owning, freeing up cash flow for investing, travel, or breathing room.

The episode dives deep into:

• 📉 Why today’s housing market is tougher than ever

• 💸 The hidden costs of ownership (insurance, taxes, maintenance)

• 📊 Real-world math that challenges the “buy vs. rent” narrative

• 🧠 How flexibility and liquidity can be smarter than equity

Whether you’re a renter, buyer, or somewhere in between, this episode urges you to rethink the default and run your own numbers. Because in 2025, the American Dream might look a lot more like freedom than a front porch.

Additionally, Richard and Amanda swap thoughts on the shows they’re currently watching—The Diplomat and Nobody Wants This—before sharing plans to catch a Prince tribute band live in Athens on November 7th. They wrap up with a colorful recap of their fall getaway to Tiger and Lakemont, Georgia, where they soaked in the Autumn leaves around Lake Rabun and explored local gems like Max’s Place, The Swing Bar, and the GOAT (Great, Old, and Trendy) store.

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