By Paula Pant
The US economy showed surprisingly robust job growth in May, adding 172,000 new jobs and signaling a broadening recovery that extends far beyond essential services.
But underneath the strong labor market, headlines are flashing mixed signals: treasury yields are climbing on inflation worries, real estate markets are seeing regional corrections, and consumer sentiment is beginning […]
By Paula Pant
Why is the finish line of financial independence so much scarier than the starting line?
While the early stages of accumulating wealth are full of possibility, approaching the moment where work becomes optional can trigger an unexpected wave of financial anxiety, causing many to stall out right at the edge of freedom.
Joe […]
By Paula Pant
If you’ve ever wondered why some people thrive in real estate while others get burnt out, it usually comes down to one thing: understanding whether you’ve bought an investment or a job.
Joe and I tackle questions about the reality of scaling a rental portfolio, the math behind “high-yield” accounts, and how to stay […]
By Paula Pant
The U.S. economy added 115,000 new jobs in April, far exceeding general expectations.
But beneath that headline number lies a tale of two economies.
While sectors like healthcare, transportation, and retail are surging, the information technology sector is experiencing what can only be described as a “bloodbath.”
In this special bonus episode, we’re […]
By Paula Pant
What if you could earn short-term rental yields without the short-term rental headaches?
As major cities continue to regulate away 3-day stays, investors are shifting their focus to the “Goldilocks” of real estate: the midterm rental.
Jeff Hurst, the CEO of Furnished Finder and former President of VRBO, joins […]
By Paula Pant
In this Q&A episode, Joe and I answer three listener questions that wrestle with the gap between plans and reality.
Bringham is 23, recently awarded 100% VA disability ($4,300/month for life), and has mapped out a detailed 30-year plan: buy a house, have 2-3 kids, become a […]
By Paula Pant
What if paying off debt wasn’t the end of your financial journey, but the beginning of something bigger? In today’s episode, we meet three listeners at pivotal crossroads, each wrestling with how to align their money with what they truly want from life.
First, we talk with […]
By Paula Pant
Welcome to Greatest Hits Week – five days, five episodes from our vault, spelling out F-I-I-R-E.
Today’s letter R stands for Real Estate. This episode originally aired in May 2022, but the insights on long-distance investing remain just as relevant for anyone feeling priced out of their local market.
We tackle the five biggest […]
By Paula Pant
What happens when we actually check our predictions? In this episode we play clips from our 2023 conversation with Scott Trench from BiggerPockets and ask the uncomfortable question: were we right?
Two years ago we made some big calls about the housing market. Mortgage rates had doubled. Prices hadn’t crashed. Inventory was vanishing. Everyone had […]
By Paula Pant
“Should I buy a home?” Home prices have soared, interest rates remain sticky, and many first-time buyers feel like they’re watching the train pull out of the station. If you’ve saved for years but can’t afford a home nearby, should you stretch to buy (maybe hours away) or invest that cash instead?
In this episode, […]
