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 […]
Written By Paula Pant
I paid rent today. I also collected rent today.
Ever since I moved to New York City, I’ve had this uncommon experience on the first of every month. It flies in the face of how society teaches us to adult.
The conventional thinking is that a person graduates from college, gets a […]
By Paula Pant
George is a worried baby boomer, wondering if today’s generation is drowning in the noise of today’s financial landscape. How does one find a balance between information and overload?
Heather is stunned by the notion that renting could make more financial sense than buying. Where she’s from, the numbers seem to always swing in favor of owning. What’s she missing?
Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these questions in today’s episode.
Enjoy!
By Paula Pant
Becky and her husband are about to semi-retire. But the four percent retirement withdrawal rule doesn’t make sense for them. Are there other financial frameworks they should explore?
Kris is excited about a potential boost in local real estate values when the World Cup comes to town. Will this have any significant impacts on his property?
Peyton’s parents are pressuring her to buy a house, but she’s worried this will cripple her early retirement goals. Is she right to be concerned?
Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these questions in today’s episode.
Enjoy!
By Paula Pant
Eva is finally closing in on her financial independence goals, but she’s grappling with how to make a smooth transition from accumulation to decumulation. What should she consider?
John has noticed a game-changing omission from recent discussions about traditional versus Roth IRAs. Is this as big of a deal as he thinks it is?
An anonymous caller is excited to convert his primary residence into a rental property. But he’ll only make a profit if he first sells some equities to pay down the mortgage. Is this a good idea?
Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these questions in today’s episode.
Enjoy!
By Paula Pant
An anonymous caller, whom we name “Samantha,” and her husband are financially strained and feeling torn. Shortly after purchasing two rental properties, their income dropped dramatically. Should they sell?
Tina is a full-time environmentalist. She’s worried that her index funds don’t align with her values on sustainability. Is there a world where she can be a savvy investor and fight climate change?
Another anonymous caller, whom we name “Sarah,” is excited and uncertain about her growing business. Should she hold steady or invest more resources into it? And how does she know if she’s making the right call?
Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these three questions in today’s episode.
Enjoy!
By Paula Pant
Imagine saving nearly your entire paycheck while your rental properties cover your bills. That’s exactly where real estate investor Andrew finds himself — and yet he’s at a crossroads.
At FinCon, a personal finance conference, former financial advisor Joe Saul-Sehy and I sit down with Andrew and another attendee who bring their money dilemmas live on stage.
Andrew’s question seems simple at first: should he sell his index funds to pay off his rental mortgages? But the real story runs deeper.
He feels called to entrepreneurship and wants to quit his corporate job to pursue it full-time. He could achieve minimal financial independence (lean-FIRE) if he pays off the properties, but that might limit his options.
Next, Chris, a Gen X dad, opens up about his Gen Z kids’ gloomy money outlook. His 22 and 24-year-old children, especially his daughter, believe their generation “will never retire.” They see high inflation, expensive housing, and low wages as insurmountable obstacles.
This sparks a deeper conversation about generational perspectives. We note that similar fears existed 15 years ago when millennials entered the workforce during the Great Recession. Joe shares how he helped his own kids develop healthier money mindsets by introducing them to financial voices they could relate to, like Broke Millennial author Erin Lowry.
The discussion evolves into how today’s young people actually have more opportunities than previous generations — they can work remotely, start online businesses with minimal capital, and create multiple income streams through platforms that didn’t exist before. Chris’s daughter, for instance, sometimes makes $35/hour driving for DoorDash during peak times.
We wrap up by talking about the importance of focusing on what you can control and finding purpose beyond just retirement planning. As Andrew points out, it might be worse to spend the best years of your life doing work you don’t care about than to face uncertainty in retirement. The key is taking action on the things within your control while building toward long-term security.
Throughout the conversation, both guests share personal stories that illuminate their situations – from Andrew’s experience at an oil refinery that pushed him toward entrepreneurship to Chris’s daughter storing cash for taxes from her DoorDash earnings, showing she’s more financially aware than she might think.
By Paula Pant
Anonymous, 60, recently lost her job and is worried about retirement. She owns a paid-off triplex, living in one unit and renting the others for $30,000 a year. She used her 401(k) funds to buy the triplex and now has $50,000 in retirement savings and $150,000 in cash. She expects only $2,400 a month from Social Security at age 67. After losing her son two years ago, she’s seeking advice on managing her underfunded retirement.
Noelle, 40, and her husband, 49, want to cancel his whole life insurance policy. They are debt-free, own their home, and plan to retire soon, relying on Noelle’s $80,000 income. They have $504,000 in retirement savings. Should Noelle keep her $100,000 term life policy until she retires?
Sleepless in San Antonio, age 35, plans to retire at 45 but is concerned about how this will affect Social Security benefits, which is calculated based on the top 35 earning years. Should they work longer in order to boost their Social Security benefits?
Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these three questions in today’s episode.
Enjoy!
By Paula Pant
Jessica and her husband are juggling two home sales and one home purchase within the next two to four years. How do they execute wisely while navigating a tight real estate market?
Zerai works two jobs that both offer a pension and retirement plan. Can he take advantage of everything at his disposal or must he make some tough choices?
Emily and her husband bought their home a year ago. But a national builder tempts them to sell and upgrade using a 3-2-1 buydown mortgage. Should they do it?
Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these three questions in today’s episode.
Enjoy!
By Paula Pant
Christine’s business is struggling. She needs more income. If she adds a full-time remote job to her plate, how will her retirement and finances change?
Rob enjoyed a banner year in 2023. He made over $1 million. But the sting of income tax has him making moves that violate his investment strategy. Is his tax tail wagging the dog?
Gena is excited to make the most of business deductions. Can she contribute 100 percent of her wages to a 401k and have the company match that?
Christina is tired of living like a pauper in the name of student loan repayment. Is Public Service Loan Forgiveness the answer?
Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these four questions in today’s episode.
Enjoy!
