BiggerPockets Money Podcast

• Which FIRE Strategy is Best for You? (Lean to Fat FIRE)

  Join Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench on this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast as they dive into the different types of FIRE. Financial Independence, Retire Early isn't a one-size-fits-all approach - it's evolved into multiple distinct paths, each designed to meet different lifestyles, risk tolerances, and financial goals. This comprehensive exploration will help you understand which version of financial independence makes the most sense for your unique situation. From traditional FIRE to coast, lean, barista, chubby, and fat FIRE, each approach offers its own timeline, savings requirements, and lifestyle implications. Whether you're drawn to the minimalist appeal of lean FIRE or you're more interested in fat FIRE's promise of maintaining a luxurious lifestyle in retirement, understanding these distinctions is crucial for mapping out your financial future. Scott and Mindy break down the math, mindset, and practical considerations behind each path, giving you the clarity to choose your FIRE strategy and start building a personalized roadmap to financial independence. This Episode Covers: The six main types of FIRE and what makes each one unique Specific savings requirements and timelines for each FIRE path Real-world pros and cons of traditional, coast, lean, barista, chubby, and fat FIRE Which personality types tend to succeed with each strategy How to match your lifestyle and goals to the right FIRE approach The sacrifices and trade-offs involved in each path Practical steps to get started on your chosen FIRE journey And SO much more! 00:00 The 6 Types of FIRE  01:12 Traditional FIRE 04:38 Coast FIRE 09:43 Barista FIRE 13:11 Lean FIRE 18:15 Chubby FIRE 22:07 Fat FIRE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• FI Faster by Making More and Spending Less Using "Geo-Arbitrage"

  Discover how geo-arbitrage can double your investing power without requiring a raise, career change, or lottery win! In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench are joined by Daniel Mills to explore how remote workers can live lavishly on a middle-class salary by strategically leveraging location differences. This isn't just about moving somewhere cheaper - it's about unlocking a completely different financial trajectory through smart geographic choices. Daniel shares his journey to financial independence while living in Japan, breaking down his simplified investment portfolio, dramatically lower cost of living, and the tax strategies that allowed him to write off six-figure incomes. From navigating international investing challenges to discovering unique real estate opportunities, Daniel's story demonstrates how living abroad can accelerate your path to FIRE in ways you might never have imagined. This Episode Will Cover: How geo-arbitrage can double your investment power on the same income Daniel's path from English teacher to international real estate investor Simplified investment strategies that work from abroad Tax advantages and write-off opportunities for expats Real-world cost of living comparisons between Japan and the U.S. Practical challenges of investing internationally and how to overcome them Cultural integration strategies for successful expat living Whether geo-arbitrage is right for your FIRE journey And SO much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• How to Save 50% of Your Income Without Sacrificing Your Lifestyle

  What if we told you that your path to financial independence isn't about picking the perfect stocks, timing the market, or earning a massive salary? In this revealing episode of BiggerPockets Money, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench cut through all the noise to focus on what actually matters: your savings rate. This isn't just theoretical advice—Mindy and Scott get personal, sharing their own savings journeys, including the costly mistakes they made and the pivotal breakthroughs that transformed their financial lives. This episode completely reframes the conversation around saving money. Instead of extreme penny-pinching that breeds resentment, Mindy and Scott explore "creative frugality"—intelligent strategies that help you save significantly more without feeling deprived. From small incremental changes that compound into thousands of dollars annually to innovative approaches for slashing major expenses, you'll walk away with immediately actionable tactics that prove financial independence isn't about sacrifice—it's about smart optimization. This Episode Covers: Why your savings rate matters more than your investment returns or salary Mindy and Scott's personal savings rate journeys and biggest mistakes Lifestyle optimization strategies that boost savings without reducing happiness The psychology behind sustainable high savings rates Creative approaches to cutting your three biggest expenses Why starting a side business accelerates your FIRE timeline Investment strategies that support aggressive savers How to increase your savings rate at different career stages Common savings rate mistakes that derail FIRE progress How small changes compound into life-changing financial results And SO much more! 00:00 How to Supercharge Your Savings Rate 01:14 Mindy and Scott’s Savings Rate 03:40 Strategies for High Savings Rates 11:50 Creative Ways to Reduce Expenses 20:02 Increasing Income 26:06 We want to hear from you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Mr. Money Mustache’s Simple Secret to Retiring Early in Your 30s

  Pete Adeney, aka Mr. Money Mustache, joins BiggerPockets Money hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench to break down the shockingly simple math behind early retirement. The man who started the FIRE movement and retired at 30 reveals why most people are overcomplicating financial independence—and why your savings rate is literally the only number that determines when you can quit your job. Pete doesn't just share theory—he walks through the real strategies, investment decisions, and mindset shifts that allowed him to achieve financial freedom in his thirties. Whether you're new to FIRE or looking to optimize your current approach, this episode cuts through the noise to deliver the foundational principles that actually work. This Episode Covers: The one metric that determines your entire FIRE timeline Why saving 50% gets you to FI in just 17 years (and the math behind it) How Pete retired at 30 and what his portfolio looked like The psychology of frugality and why it's actually liberating Pete's current thoughts on real estate investing for FIRE His take on Bitcoin and alternative assets in a FIRE portfolio Common FIRE mistakes that derail people's progress Why your income level matters less than you think Practical strategies for increasing your savings rate immediately The mindset shifts that make extreme saving sustainable And SO much more!00:00 The Basics of Early Retirement 01:02 The Shockingly Simple Math Behind Early Retirement 01:21 Understanding Your Savings Rate 05:41 Pre-Tax Savings and 401k Considerations 11:06 The 4% Safe Withdrawal Rate 13:09 Seven Levels of Safety in Early Retirement 28:44 The $50,000 Earner 31:51 Raising Kids on a Budget 35:17 Health Insurance in Early Retirement 41:39 Real Estate as a Retirement Strategy 46:41 Bitcoin and Speculative Investments 51:19 Connect with Mr. Money Mustache Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• How to Make Your FIRE Portfolio Even MORE Passive (Finance Friday)

  Today on the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, we're diving into an incredible success story. Meet Beau, a retired military professional who built a massive real estate empire and achieved financial independence in his thirties. But here's the twist: even with a winning formula, Beau wants his investments to work even HARDER while he works even LESS. In this Finance Friday episode, Beau opens up his entire financial playbook with hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench. We're talking rental properties generating serious cash flow, private lending deals that most investors don't even know exist, and tax strategies so advanced they'll make your accountant jealous. This isn't your typical "I bought a duplex" story—this is next-level wealth building. If you're serious about real estate investing and want to see what's possible with the right strategy and execution, this episode is packed with actionable insights. In this episode, you'll discover: Beau's complete real estate portfolio breakdown and current cash flow numbers Advanced private lending strategies that generate consistent returns Tax optimization techniques for real estate heavy portfolios How to transition from active to passive real estate investing Strategic property sale timing and 1031 exchange considerations The pros and cons of private money lending versus traditional investments Portfolio diversification strategies for real estate investors How military discipline translated into investment success Specific steps to make your real estate investments more hands-off Risk management strategies for high-net-worth real estate portfolios And SO much more! 00:00 Beau’s FIRE Journey 02:43 Beau’s FI Number 04:52 Exploring Passive Income Options 09:53 Private Lending and Real Estate Portfolio Analysis 19:17 Evaluating Property Performance and Future Plans 28:54 Exploring Arbitrage in Real Estate Lending 33:32 Amortization and Long-Term Financial Planning 36:34 Balancing Private Lending and Real Estate Investments 44:32 Tax Strategies and Portfolio Diversification 54:51 Connect with Beau! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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