Does Money Buy Happiness? What the FIRE Community Gets Wrong
What happens after you achieve financial independence? Former Facebook employee turned comedian Paul Ollinger discovered the answer wasn't what he expected—and it completely changed how he thinks about money, work, and happiness.
This Episode Covers:
Why financial autonomy beats wealth accumulation—and what that actually means for your daily life
The psychological challenges of early retirement nobody talks about (and why having a plan is non-negotiable)
How he navigated major financial decisions in high-cost cities like New York without sacrificing his goals
The truth about happiness and wealth—does more money actually make you happier?
How to prepare for life's unexpected curveballs that can derail even the best financial plans
And SO much more!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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49:47
Will 2026 Healthcare Costs Destroy Financial Independence for Millions?
Will 2026 healthcare costs destroy your FIRE plan? Enhanced ACA tax credits expire in 2026—meaning health insurance premiums could DOUBLE or TRIPLE overnight. This healthcare subsidy cliff threatens millions who depend on affordable marketplace coverage.
In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench interview Matt McGough from KFF to break down the 2026 healthcare crisis and what you can do NOW to protect your early retirement.
This Episode Covers:
Who gets hit hardest by 2026 healthcare premium increases
Exact cost projections for early retirement health insurance in 2026
Actionable strategies to prepare NOW for rising healthcare costs
Which FIRE strategies still work after ACA subsidy changes
Affordable health insurance alternatives for early retirees
History of ACA subsidies and why they're expiring
Steps to protect your financial independence from the healthcare affordability crisis
And SO much more!
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Proof You Don't Need a High Salary for FIRE (Teacher Retires at 50)
Think you need a six-figure salary to retire early? Think again. Middle school teacher Andrew Luman is achieving financial independence and retiring at 50—all on a teacher's salary. In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench unpack Andrew's complete FIRE strategy, proving that early retirement isn't reserved for high earners.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How Andrew discovered the FIRE movement and started his financial independence journey
Building wealth on $35,000 a year: Andrew's early budgeting strategies
The power of a high savings rate and how to achieve it on a modest income
House hacking explained: How Andrew used a multi-unit property to eliminate housing costs
Real estate investing for teachers and average income earners
Portfolio breakdown: Andrew's asset allocation and investment strategy for early retirement
The four-day work week advantage and how it accelerated his path to FIRE
Choosing time over money: lifestyle decisions that make early retirement possible
Side hustles for FIRE: Which ones are worth it
Cash management strategies for approaching financial independence
Approaching your FIRE number: What the final stretch looks like
And SO much more!
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Stay on Track to FIRE With These Money Moves Before 2026
Time's running out on 2025, and there are critical financial moves you need to make before December 31st. In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, Mindy and Scott walk you through the essential year-end tasks that could save you thousands of dollars and keep your FIRE goals on track. These aren't just suggestions—they're time-sensitive opportunities that literally disappear when the calendar flips to January 1st.
Whether you're aggressively pursuing financial independence or simply want to optimize your money, ignoring these year-end deadlines could cost you big. The good news? Most of these tasks take less than an hour to complete, and the payoff can be substantial.
In this episode, you'll discover:
How to maximize your tax-advantaged retirement accounts before contribution deadlines
Why you need to spend every dollar in your FSA or lose it forever
Tax-loss harvesting strategies to offset gains and reduce your tax bill
Strategic charitable giving tactics that benefit both you and your favorite causes
When and how to rebalance your investment portfolio for optimal performance
Critical Roth conversion considerations before year-end
HSA contribution limits and why maxing out matters for FIRE
Required minimum distribution rules you can't ignore
How to bunch deductions to maximize tax benefits
The BiggerPockets Money End of Year Checklist
And SO much more!
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Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage or Invest? (Best Choice for FIRE)
Pay off your mortgage or invest? If you're pursuing FIRE, you've wrestled with this question. A paid-off house means thousands extra in your pocket each month and a lower FIRE number. But investing that same money could build significantly more wealth and get you to FIRE with a bigger nest egg. So which strategy wins?
To help you decide, Scott built a brand-new mortgage calculator that accounts for interest rates, investment returns, and taxes. He and Mindy use it to analyze real-world scenarios—high mortgage balances, different life stages, various risk tolerances—proving there's no one-size-fits-all answer.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Who should prioritize paying off their mortgage early
The hidden pros and cons of each strategy
Why your timeline to FIRE changes everything
How to use Scott's calculator for your specific situation
Different paths for those retiring soon versus decades away
Whether you want maximum wealth for a luxurious retirement or just want to quit your job as fast as possible, we've mapped out strategies for both.
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Intermediate to advanced personal finance strategies for people serious about the FIRE (financial independence retire early) movement—not just dreaming about it.
Tune in on Tuesdays and Fridays for new BiggerPockets Money episodes with your hosts, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench! Or visit BiggerPocketsMoney.com with additional resources.
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