BiggerPockets Money Podcast

Should you turn your primary home into a rental property or sell it when you move? It's one of the biggest financial decisions homeowners face, and in this episode, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench are helping Alyssa and John figure out the answer. This couple is relocating and facing a dilemma: they have a home with a low mortgage rate that could generate rental income, but they're also craving simplicity and wondering if selling would accelerate their path to financial independence. Alyssa and John open up about their complete financial picture, investment portfolio, and long-term FI goals as Scott and Mindy crunch the numbers and weigh the options. This Episode Covers: The financial pros and cons of converting your primary residence into a rental property How to analyze rental property cash flow and return on investment Tax implications of selling vs. renting out your home The impact of low mortgage rates on the rent vs. sell decision Lifestyle considerations: being a long-distance landlord and property management challenges How rental income affects your path to financial independence Real numbers breakdown: Alyssa and John's complete financial analysis Property management costs and whether DIY landlording is worth it How to make smarter real estate decisions during major life transitions And SO much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode #704 ~~~ Download the Goal Setting Document: www.biggerpocketsmoney.com/resources  ~~~ Subscribe to the 31 Day Challenge: www.biggerpocketsmoney.com/31days  ~~~ Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter: www.biggerpocketsmoney.com ~~~ Want to be a guest on the show? Apply here: https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/contact/ ~~~ Get 50% Off Your First Year of Monarch by using code ‘Pockets’: https://www.monarchmoney.com/ ~~~ Connect with Scott and Mindy: Scott: https://www.instagram.com/scott_trench/ Mindy: https://www.instagram.com/_mindyatbp/ ~~~ Follow BiggerPockets Money on Social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BPMoney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biggerpocketsmoney/ ~~~ Learn how to set and achieve your 2026 goals in this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast with hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench. In this episode, Mindy and Scott review their 2025 achievements and create actionable plans for 2026, covering everything from family milestones and fitness goals to business ventures and financial targets. You'll discover proven goal-setting techniques, strategic planning frameworks, and practical tips for turning New Year's resolutions into real results. What You'll Learn: Strategic goal-setting frameworks for personal, financial, and professional growth How to set realistic yet ambitious goals for 2026 Accountability strategies to actually achieve your resolutions Real examples of personal finance goals and wealth-building plans How to track progress and adjust goals throughout the year And SO much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ready to take control of your finances in 2026? Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench are breaking down one of the most powerful tools for financial success: the personal financial statement. Think of it as your complete financial snapshot—tracking your net worth, cash flow, assets, and liabilities all in one place. The best part? They're giving you a free comprehensive spreadsheet to make it ridiculously easy. This Episode Covers: What a personal financial statement is and why it's essential for reaching your 2026 FI goals How to calculate your net worth and track it over time Step-by-step instructions for filling out your financial statement spreadsheet Organizing your assets and liabilities in one powerful location Using cash flow analysis to understand where your money goes Tips for serious financial planning with your completed statement Access to the free comprehensive spreadsheet template at BiggerPocketsMoney.com/resources Mindy and Scott's recommended budgeting software, Monarch Money (use code 'Pockets' for 50% off Your First Year) Whether you're just starting out or ready to level up your money game, this episode gives you the foundation you need. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam and Carolyn reached financial independence in their thirties through frugality, real estate investing, and building side hustles that generated $10,000 per month. Then they made a bold move—quitting their jobs and briefly relocating to Canada. This Episode Covers: How Sam and Carolyn house-hacked their way to a multi-property real estate portfolio The unconventional side hustles that generated $10K monthly in additional income Their complete financial strategy: savings rate, expense tracking, and investment allocation The decision to quit their jobs and achieve full financial independence in their thirties Why they moved to Canada and how universal healthcare and education factored into their FIRE plan Navigating the challenges of early retirement and aligning goals as a couple Building systems for long-term wealth preservation and flexible lifestyle design Lessons learned and advice for aspiring FIRE seekers Whether you're just starting your FIRE journey or looking for creative ways to accelerate your path to financial independence, Sam and Carolyn's story offers actionable strategies you can implement today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench for a powerful conversation with Regina Moore, who achieved millionaire status before 35 through frugality and her career as a pharmacist. But when her young son was diagnosed with cancer, everything changed. In this deeply personal episode, Regina opens up about how a healthcare crisis tested her Lean FIRE plan in ways she never anticipated. And how financial independence—despite not being a perfect shield—gave her family options during their hardest moments. Her family was placed in an incredibly difficult position due to subsidy cliffs. The conversation highlights the practical realities Regina and others face, examines the structural challenges within current healthcare policy, and discusses potential solutions. This episode covers: How achieving FI before crisis provided crucial flexibility The ACA subsidy cliff and impossible financial trade-offs Adjusting FIRE plans when life doesn't go as expected Why she's still grateful she achieved financial independence Systemic healthcare issues  A must-listen for anyone pursuing financial independence who wants to understand what happens when real life tests your plan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices