Has the FIRE Formula Changed? Why 100% Index Funds Isn’t the Answer
Is a 100% index fund portfolio no longer the FIRE formula? The market has changed, and maybe your portfolio allocation needs to change with it. With index funds at all-time-high prices and price-to-earnings ratios at an eye-watering 29, you might be feeling a bit worried about whether your FIRE will last or you’ll even make […]
Finance Friday: Chasing FIRE by 35 WHILE Supporting Extra Family Members
Is something stopping your FIRE? Today’s guest wants to retire early at 35, but with a shaky budget, extra expenses, and a problematic rental property, her path to early retirement isn’t clear. In today’s episode, we’ll break down her finances and help her get back on track! Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! Sarah […]
Teacher Retires Early at 45 Thanks to Strategic Living (FIRE in Paradise!)
Teachers aren’t known for their high salaries, so how did this one reach early retirement and FIRE at just 45 years old? Through “aggressive” saving and smart cost-of-living choices, Amy Minkley was able to quit her demanding international teaching job only three years after finding out about the FIRE movement. Now, she spends her days […]
Are You Headed for FIRE or the Middle-Class Trap? (Finance Friday)
If there’s an issue that keeps aspiring early retirees up at night, it’s the dreaded middle-class trap. At just 28 years old, this financially savvy couple is already looking for ways to avoid this issue. Whether you’re just starting your FIRE journey or approaching early retirement, we’ll show you how to do the same in […]
Is the Mortgage Industry Safe with CFPB Under Fire?
Is the mortgage industry still safe? The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has been ordered to halt all work while awaiting a new Trump-appointed director. While you may not often hear about this government agency, the CFPB plays a huge role in the mortgage industry and is the reason 2008-style lending practices have not been […]
How to Stay Rich During FIRE by Dodging the 4 Financial “Horsemen”
You’ve worked so hard to finally achieve FIRE (financial independence, retire early); the last thing you want is your wealth to dwindle or disappear entirely. Unknown to most FIRE-chasers, four financial “horsemen” (of the personal finance apocalypse) could steal your wealth right out from under you, without you even realizing it. What are the four […]
Losing $150K, Starting Over, and STILL Retiring Early | Life After FIRE
Think you’ve blown your chances of achieving FIRE? You haven’t! Just ask Nik Johnson, who spent years growing his nest egg, only to have it completely wiped out with one bad financial decision. Despite losing everything, he managed to rebuild it from ground zero and still retire early! Welcome to another episode of “Life After […]
When You Should (and Shouldn’t) Hire a Financial Advisor | Life After FIRE
Could hiring a financial advisor help you reach financial independence and retire early? This isn’t a popular move in the FIRE community, but it gave today’s guest peace of mind, preserved her wealth, and helped her save on taxes in retirement. Stick around to learn if it’s the right choice for you, too! Welcome to […]
Can Your FIRE Portfolio Survive a Stock Market Crash?
The stock market is shifting, and your portfolio needs to change NOW if you want to reach or stay FIRE (financial independence, retire early). Many early retirees are sitting anxiously, watching their net worth fall by 10% (or more), making each withdrawal from their portfolio increasingly risky. If you’re close to financial independence or are […]
Barista FIRE at 36 with ONLY $500K by Trading “Stuff” for Substance
Julie Rose “semi-retired” at just 36 years old with only $500K, trading her corporate job for sunrise safaris in Africa, beach walks in Bali, and mid-day hikes in Mexico. With “Barista FIRE,” you can retire with a lower FIRE number, still work (minimally) doing what you love, and have almost complete time freedom over your […]