What’s the real relationship between money and happiness? In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench sit down with leading happiness researcher Matt Killingsworth to unpack what the science actually says about income and happiness. Drawing from real-time data collected through Track Your Happiness, Matt explains why happiness does not plateau at $75,000, how income and emotional well-being are logarithmically connected, and why control over your time may matter more than any specific dollar amount.

Beyond debunking the famous happiness ceiling, this conversation dives into defining “enough,” avoiding the FIRE community’s “one more year” trap, and understanding how relationships, engagement, and community drive lasting fulfillment. If you’re pursuing financial independence and wondering whether more money will truly make you happier, this episode delivers research-backed clarity and practical frameworks to evaluate your own happiness metrics—so you can design a life that feels rich long before (and after) retirement.

To go beyond the podcast:

• Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources - https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/
• Subscribe on YouTube for even more content- www.youtube.com/biggerpocketsmoney 
• Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BPMoney

Connect with Matt Killingsworth:

• Website: https://www.mattkillingsworth.com/
• Track Your Happiness: https://trackyourhappiness.org/

We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order!

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In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench sit down with Grace Gudenkauf, a real estate investor who began her journey at just 23 years old with $15,000 in savings during COVID. Grace shares how she built a thriving rental portfolio in Iowa by leveraging local market knowledge, living below her means, and strategically balancing renovations, new construction, and entrepreneurship.

Mindy and Scott unpack Grace’s approach to deal analysis, seller financing, local bank relationships, and pivoting strategies during rising interest rates. From flipping to building triplexes with a “build one, keep one” model, Grace reveals how she’s designing a low-leverage, resilient portfolio on her path to financial independence. If you want practical real estate investing strategies for your 20s—or a blueprint for long-term cash flow—this episode delivers.

To go beyond the podcast:

• Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources - https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/
• Subscribe on YouTube for even more content- www.youtube.com/biggerpocketsmoney 
• Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BPMoney

Connect with Grace Gudenkauf:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grace.investing/

We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order!

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Can you reach financial independence earning a median or below-median income? In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench break down why making less money can actually be a powerful advantage on the path to wealth. Instead of chasing a higher salary, they explore how lower fixed expenses, smarter tax positioning, and intentional lifestyle choices can accelerate financial freedom.

Mindy and Scott reveal the strategic habits, mindset shifts, and wealth-building tactics that lower-income earners can leverage over time. From Roth strategies and house hacking to side hustles and multiple small bets, this episode shows how consistent, smart decisions can compound into long-term financial independence.

To go beyond the podcast:

• Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources - https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/
• Subscribe on YouTube for even more content- www.youtube.com/biggerpocketsmoney
• Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BPMoney

We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order!

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On this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench are joined by Emily Egashira to hear about her financial journey. Emily’s journey to financial independence proves that your starting point doesn’t determine your financial future. Growing up in poverty with a scarcity mindset, she transformed her life and is set to reach financial independence by 40 through disciplined saving, strategic investing, and powerful mindset shifts. 

Emily breaks down the exact strategies that helped her save 45–50% of her income, manage healthcare costs as a self-employed professional, navigate market dips like the COVID-19 crash, and plan a dual early retirement with complex drawdown strategies. We also explore the psychology of money, overcoming limiting beliefs, growing income intentionally, and why having a financial plan changes everything on the path to FIRE and early retirement.

To go beyond the podcast:

• Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources - https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/
• Subscribe on YouTube for even more content- www.youtube.com/biggerpocketsmoney 
• Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BPMoney

Connect with Emily Egashira: 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyfrienditsem
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hey-Friend-Its-Em/61575209009919/

We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order!

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On this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench are joined by Frank Vasquez to explore small cap value investing, factor research from Eugene Fama and Kenneth French, and how funds like AVUV compare to total market index funds like VTSAX. They discuss historical outperformance, diversification benefits, expense ratios, index construction differences, and whether small cap value deserves a place in your long-term portfolio.

To go beyond the podcast:

• Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources - https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/
• Subscribe on YouTube for even more content- www.youtube.com/biggerpocketsmoney 
• Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BPMoney

Connect with Frank Vasquez: 

• https://www.riskparityradio.com/about
• Fairfax CASA Donation Page https://www.fairfaxcasa.org/give-now/
• Father McKenna Center Donation Page: https://fathermckennacenter.org/how-you-can-help/donate/

We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order!

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In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench are joined by Paul Merriman. Paul shares decades of investing wisdom and explains why simple index investing often outperforms complex strategies.

We explore the power of diversification beyond the S&P 500, the importance of bonds in a portfolio, and how glide paths reduce risk over time. Paul also breaks down the psychological traps that sabotage investors—and how to avoid them.

If you want to:

• Build wealth with index funds
• Create a smarter asset allocation
• Reduce risk while maximizing long-term returns

This episode is your blueprint.

To go beyond the podcast:

• Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources
• Subscribe on YouTube for even more content
• Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners

Connect with Paul Merriman:

• Website: https://www.paulmerriman.com/
• Paul’s New Book ‘We’re Talking Millions!’: https://irp.cdn-website.com/6b78c197/files/uploaded/Were-Talking-Millions.pdf

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What if financial independence isn’t about retiring early — but about controlling your time right now?

In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench sit down with Brian Herriot — millionaire in his 40s, now managing a $3 million portfolio, and author of Time Freedom — to talk about redefining what financial independence really means.

Brian shares how he built wealth, why he shifted his focus from net worth to time control, and how entrepreneurship, investing, and spending habits all play a role in designing a life you don’t want to escape from.

They dive into:

• The mindset shift from “early retirement” to “time freedom”
• How Brian grew from $1M to a $3M portfolio
• The life events that reshaped his financial goals
• Why flexible work can accelerate financial independence
• The connection between entrepreneurship and freedom
• Investing strategies that align with your life vision
• The overlooked importance of relationships in business
• Health insurance, risk management, and real-world FIRE challenges
• Work-life balance and building a sustainable version of success

If you’re pursuing FIRE, building wealth, or questioning whether early retirement is actually the goal — this conversation will challenge how you think about money.

To go beyond the podcast:

Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources

Subscribe on YouTube for even more content

Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners

Connect with Brian Herriot:

Website: https://timefreedom.life/

Buy Brian’s New Book ‘Time Freedom’: https://timefreedom.life/book/

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How do you choose a side hustle that actually makes money instead of wasting your time? In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast Nick Loper from Side Hustle Nation breaks down exactly how to find the right opportunity by aligning your skills and interests with real market demand.

Whether you're looking for low-skill options to get started or high-paying side hustles that don't require heavy lifting, Nick explains how to identify opportunities in everyday problems, set realistic income expectations, and use AI to brainstorm ideas tailored to your specific situation. Learn why most side hustles fail, how to avoid common mistakes, and the proven framework for choosing something that will actually generate income.

This Episode Covers:

• It's important to take an honest inventory of your available time for a side hustle.
• Setting realistic goals for your side hustle can help maintain motivation.
• Identifying your skills and interests is crucial for finding the right side hustle.
• Look for opportunities in everyday problems that others face.
• Low-skill side hustles can be a good starting point for many people.
• Market demand is essential; if a service is needed, there's potential for success.
• Building trust and reputation is key to gaining clients in any side hustle.
• AI can assist in brainstorming side hustle ideas tailored to your skills.
• Creative solutions for busy families can lead to lucrative side hustle opportunities.

And SO much more!

To go beyond the podcast:

• Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources
• Subscribe on YouTube for even more content
• Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners

Connect with Nick Loper:

• Website
• Social Media
• AI Brainstorming Worksheet

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In this episode of the BiggerPocketsMoney podcast, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench host Ryan Sterling, CEO of NerdWallet Wealth Partners, to discuss the nuances of different financial advisor compensation structures. Whether you're planning your financial future or evaluating advisors, understanding these models can help you make informed decisions that align with your goals.

This Episode Covers:

• The core differences between flat fee and assets under management (AUM) fee models
• How transparency and client mindset influence fee preferences
• The conflicts of interest inherent in AUM and commission-based models
• When AUM fees may be more appropriate for high-net-worth clients
• Practical scenarios demonstrating long-term cost implications of each model
• The evolving landscape of flat fee financial planning and industry fee compression
• Ryan’s insights on selecting quality advisors and the importance of credentials like CFP
• How fee structure impacts client behavior, trust, and long-term financial outcomes

To go beyond the podcast:

• Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources
• Subscribe on YouTube for even more content
• Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners

Connect with Ryan Sterling: 

• LinkedIn

• NerdWallet Wealth Partners

We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order!

NerdWallet Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training and nothing contained herein should be construed as investment advice. NerdWallet Wealth Partners does not guarantee investment results and does not provide tax or legal advice.

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Trevor and his wife reached a $1 million net worth by age 32 and are on track to achieve financial independence well before 40. In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench chat with Trevor about his unconventional journey involving strategic career moves, real estate investments, and leveraging corporate benefits. Learn how Trevor went from a $1,000 net worth after college to $1 million through smart financial decisions and opportunities. Trevor shares his experiences, challenges, and the importance of financial flexibility in achieving Coast Fire in his 30s.

To go beyond the podcast:

Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources

Subscribe on YouTube for even more content

Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners

We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order!

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The 4% rule has a major flaw: it doesn't account for healthcare costs. If you're planning to retire early, health insurance premiums will rise sharply as you age—from your 30s through your 60s before Medicare kicks in at 65. This isn't speculation; it's how the U.S. healthcare system works under the ACA.

On this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench break down why early retirees need a bigger financial buffer than traditional FIRE calculations suggest. Learn the real cost of healthcare in early retirement, strategies to reduce expenses (geographical arbitrage, health shares, catastrophic coverage), why you can't rely on ACA subsidies long-term, and how to build a healthcare plan that won't derail your path to financial independence.

To go beyond the podcast:

Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources

Subscribe on YouTube for even more content

Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners

We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order!

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