BiggerPockets Money Podcast

What if financial independence isn’t about retiring early — but about controlling your time right now?

In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench sit down with Brian Herriot — millionaire in his 40s, now managing a $3 million portfolio, and author of Time Freedom — to talk about redefining what financial independence really means.

Brian shares how he built wealth, why he shifted his focus from net worth to time control, and how entrepreneurship, investing, and spending habits all play a role in designing a life you don’t want to escape from.

They dive into:

The mindset shift from “early retirement” to “time freedom”

How Brian grew from $1M to a $3M portfolio

The life events that reshaped his financial goals

Why flexible work can accelerate financial independence

The connection between entrepreneurship and freedom

Investing strategies that align with your life vision

The overlooked importance of relationships in business

Health insurance, risk management, and real-world FIRE challenges

Work-life balance and building a sustainable version of success

If you’re pursuing FIRE, building wealth, or questioning whether early retirement is actually the goal — this conversation will challenge how you think about money.

To go beyond the podcast:

Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources

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Connect with Brian Herriot:

Website: https://timefreedom.life/

Buy Brian’s New Book ‘Time Freedom’: https://timefreedom.life/book/
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How do you choose a side hustle that actually makes money instead of wasting your time? In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast Nick Loper from Side Hustle Nation breaks down exactly how to find the right opportunity by aligning your skills and interests with real market demand.

Whether you're looking for low-skill options to get started or high-paying side hustles that don't require heavy lifting, Nick explains how to identify opportunities in everyday problems, set realistic income expectations, and use AI to brainstorm ideas tailored to your specific situation. Learn why most side hustles fail, how to avoid common mistakes, and the proven framework for choosing something that will actually generate income.

This Episode Covers:

It's important to take an honest inventory of your available time for a side hustle.

Setting realistic goals for your side hustle can help maintain motivation.

Identifying your skills and interests is crucial for finding the right side hustle.

Look for opportunities in everyday problems that others face.

Low-skill side hustles can be a good starting point for many people.

Market demand is essential; if a service is needed, there's potential for success.

Building trust and reputation is key to gaining clients in any side hustle.

AI can assist in brainstorming side hustle ideas tailored to your skills.

Creative solutions for busy families can lead to lucrative side hustle opportunities.

And SO much more!

To go beyond the podcast:

Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources

Subscribe on YouTube for even more content

Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners

Connect with Nick Loper:

Website

Social Media

AI Brainstorming Worksheet

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In this episode of the BiggerPocketsMoney podcast, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench host Ryan Sterling, CEO of NerdWallet Wealth Partners, to discuss the nuances of different financial advisor compensation structures. Whether you're planning your financial future or evaluating advisors, understanding these models can help you make informed decisions that align with your goals.

This Episode Covers:

The core differences between flat fee and assets under management (AUM) fee models

How transparency and client mindset influence fee preferences

The conflicts of interest inherent in AUM and commission-based models

When AUM fees may be more appropriate for high-net-worth clients

Practical scenarios demonstrating long-term cost implications of each model

The evolving landscape of flat fee financial planning and industry fee compression

Ryan’s insights on selecting quality advisors and the importance of credentials like CFP

How fee structure impacts client behavior, trust, and long-term financial outcomes

To go beyond the podcast:

Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources

Subscribe on YouTube for even more content

Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners

Connect with Ryan Sterling: 


LinkedIn


NerdWallet Wealth Partners

We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order!

NerdWallet Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training and nothing contained herein should be construed as investment advice. NerdWallet Wealth Partners does not guarantee investment results and does not provide tax or legal advice.
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Trevor and his wife reached a $1 million net worth by age 32 and are on track to achieve financial independence well before 40. In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench chat with Trevor about his unconventional journey involving strategic career moves, real estate investments, and leveraging corporate benefits. Learn how Trevor went from a $1,000 net worth after college to $1 million through smart financial decisions and opportunities. Trevor shares his experiences, challenges, and the importance of financial flexibility in achieving Coast Fire in his 30s.

To go beyond the podcast:

Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources

Subscribe on YouTube for even more content

Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners

We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order!
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The 4% rule has a major flaw: it doesn't account for healthcare costs. If you're planning to retire early, health insurance premiums will rise sharply as you age—from your 30s through your 60s before Medicare kicks in at 65. This isn't speculation; it's how the U.S. healthcare system works under the ACA.

On this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench break down why early retirees need a bigger financial buffer than traditional FIRE calculations suggest. Learn the real cost of healthcare in early retirement, strategies to reduce expenses (geographical arbitrage, health shares, catastrophic coverage), why you can't rely on ACA subsidies long-term, and how to build a healthcare plan that won't derail your path to financial independence.

To go beyond the podcast:

Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources

Subscribe on YouTube for even more content

Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners

We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order!
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