Podcast Summary: BiggerPockets Money Podcast

Episode: If We Started FIRE Over in 2025, Here's Exactly What We'd Do

Hosts: Mindy Jensen & Scott Trench

Date: December 2, 2025

Episode Overview

In this insightful episode, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench, co-hosts of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, reflect on their respective journeys to Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE), and discuss what actions they'd take if they had to start over in 2025. They break down their strategies for beginning again at different life stages (23, 35, 53) and candidly examine how family responsibilities, evolving markets, and emerging technologies—especially AI—impact their approach. The conversation offers nuanced, actionable advice for both young adults and those starting over later in life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Journey Recaps—How They Achieved FIRE

• Mindy’s Story (00:56–02:01)

  • Began investing in the late 90s with a tech-heavy portfolio.
  • Focused on “live-in flipping”—renovating and selling primary residences for tax-advantaged gains.
  • Became a real estate agent to facilitate her investing strategy, which turned into a lucrative source of income.
  • Husband’s tech career provided a solid but not elite income.
  • Continued to work as an agent and joined BiggerPockets to support her family after her husband left his job.

• Scott’s Story (03:00–04:29)

  • Graduated without debt in 2013 and quickly learned from FIRE thought leaders like Mr. Money Mustache.
  • Saved diligently and started house hacking.
  • Invested mainly in stocks and real estate.
  • Leveraged career opportunities at BiggerPockets, calling that period a “rocket ship” for his career and investments.
  • Credits taking action and avoiding major financial mistakes as crucial to his accelerated FIRE journey.

2. What Would They Do Differently Starting Over?

• Scott at Age 35 (05:23–07:33)

  • As a married man with children, would strike a balance between pursuit of FIRE and family quality of life.
  • Less aggressive “death march” toward FIRE; more focus on career stability and benefits.
  • Would still look for opportunities like house hacking or live-in flips but with less intensity.
  • Timeline for financial independence would likely be mid-to-late 50s rather than 40s.
  • Quote: “There’s things that are more important than the pursuit of FIRE.” – Scott (05:37)

• Mindy at Age 53 (07:33–11:13)

  • Prioritizes her own retirement over funding children’s education if starting from zero.
  • Would get a real estate license to generate income.
  • Focus on maximizing income through hustling and frugality, especially with less time before retirement.
  • Quote: “I would be focusing on getting myself to retirement age... with enough money to retire or close to it.” – Mindy (07:48)

• Both Agree

  • The approach to achieving FIRE needs to adapt to life stages and responsibilities.
  • When younger, go “all out”; with family, prioritize stability; when kids are older or out of the house, consider turning up the hustle again.
  • Quote: “Going all out when your family dynamic allows for it is going to be the difference between really generating that wealth... or kind of just bumping along.” – Mindy (15:46)

3. If Starting at Age 23 in 2025

• Mindy’s Playbook (16:07–17:45)

  • Get a real estate license for income potential and entrepreneurial flexibility.
  • Regularly invest, even small amounts, to instill the habit.
  • Pursue side hustles to maximize retirement account contributions (Roth IRA, HSA, 401(k), Solo 401(k) for self-employed).
  • Focus on creating after-tax income for flexibility in early retirement.

• Scott’s Playbook (17:45–21:01)

  • Foresight that AI will impact wealth-building, making FIRE even more critical.
  • Urgency: The wealth gap will widen for those who take action early and invest vs. those who don’t adapt.
  • Priority on house hacking even more over market investing initially, mindful of AI-induced industry changes.
  • Entrepreneurship, adaptability, and “jack of all trades” mentality will be highly rewarding.
  • Quote: “I think for some people... AI is going to enable this FIRE community. If anything the stakes are so much higher...” – Scott (17:45)

• Practical Takeaway

  • Keep expenses low, save aggressively, and be ready for economic volatility.
  • Invest in broad index funds, look for steady income streams (e.g., house hacking).
  • Focus on building adaptable skills as the job market evolves rapidly.

4. AI, the Future of Work, and FIRE Strategy

• AI's Dual Impact (22:10–25:28)

  • Scott emphasizes the need for adaptability over acquiring static hard skills, especially as AI automates technical tasks.
  • Mindy focuses on targeting “AI-proof” jobs (healthcare, real estate, skilled trades).
  • Scott rebuts that even these areas aren’t immune—adaptability and ability to learn quickly are paramount as AI becomes more entrenched.
  • Personal anecdote: Scott uses AI for health and investing guidance, integrating it as a productivity tool.

• Trades vs. College (26:35–36:59)

  • Mindy highlights the value of skilled trades for those not inclined toward college, referencing Podcast Ep. 44 with Tinian Crawford (electrician).
  • Scott advocates for college as an ROI-based decision but recognizes that the degree—especially in a high-value field—matters more than the institution.

5. Nuanced FIRE Strategies by Life Stage

Emerging Theme:

• Intensity in Early Years: Go “all out” in your 20s or when family and life responsibilities allow it.

• Nuance for Parents: Avoid putting your family through extreme deprivation for the sake of early retirement. Strive for balance.

• Urgency Later in Life: If starting over at 50+, urgency and prioritizing your future well-being (over funding children's expenses, for example) is essential.

• Quote: “It is so valuable to put yourself through that [rigorous pursuit of FIRE] in your 20s... or the stakes are just so high for not doing it in your 50s.” – Scott (38:00)

• Mindy adds: “I want to have fun in my life.” (39:26), underscoring the importance of balance over a “death march to FI.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mindy: “You have to take Action. It’s one thing to find Mr. Money Mustache, but it’s quite another to actually do the things necessary to make it to early retirement.” (04:29)
• Scott: “If anything the stakes are so much higher to get on the other side of the capitalism equation early in life than they ever have been.” (17:45)
• Mindy: “Going all out when your family dynamic allows... is going to be the difference between really generating that wealth... or just bumping along.” (15:46)
• Scott on AI’s impact: “The mechanics of building a spreadsheet... These are not going to be rewarded over time. The mechanics of being able to learn AI quickly enough to then help you master building a spreadsheet are.” (24:37)
• Mindy on trades: “These trades are an excellent alternative to going to college when you know that’s not your jam and still being able to make a lot of money. And I believe they are AI proof.” (30:00+)
• On college: “I am not saying the college is dead... You can still make a good living even if you don’t go to college.” – Mindy (36:17)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:56–02:01 – Mindy’s FIRE journey recap
• 03:00–04:29 – Scott’s FIRE journey recap
• 05:23–07:33 – Scott’s plan if starting over at 35 with family
• 07:33–11:13 – Mindy’s plan if starting over at 53
• 16:07–17:45 – Starting over at 23: Mindy’s playbook
• 17:45–21:01 – Scott on urgency, AI, and FIRE stakes in 2025
• 22:10–25:28 – Deep dive: AI-proof jobs and future skills
• 26:35–36:59 – Discussion: College vs. trades; ROI of education
• 38:00–39:59 – Final thoughts: Nuances of FIRE at different life stages

Summary Table: FIRE Strategies by Age

| Age/Stage | Key Moves | Mindset/Considerations | |------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------| | 23 (2025) | Get RE license, invest early/often, side hustles | Go all out, leverage low expenses, AI/tech shifting job market | | 35 (w/ family) | Balance stability & FIRE, career focus, moderate frugality | Timeline less aggressive, prioritize kids/spouse comfort | | 53 (kids older/indep.) | High urgency, maximize income (RE license/agent), frugality | Prioritize your retirement, may pause family support (e.g., college) |

Conclusion & Final Thoughts

The hosts agree: Life stage and responsibilities should steer your FIRE journey, not just numbers and spreadsheets. When you’re footloose or your nest is emptying, push hard toward FIRE. But when family needs are paramount, embrace a slower and more balanced approach.

Scott: “There’s an even greater emphasis on flexibility and exploiting the new opportunities that technology brings...” (38:00)
Mindy: “I want to have fun in my life.” (39:26)

For listeners serious about FIRE, this episode marks an essential listen, blending practical strategy with hard-won wisdom—and a reminder that adaptability, action, and context will always be more important than any one-size-fits-all FI formula.