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Hello, hello, hello! Welcome to the BiggerPockets Money Newsletter!

This week, we'll jump into:

—Mindy Jensen, host of the BiggerPockets Money podcast

P.S. BPCON2025 is October 5-7 in Las Vegas! Join us for a Finance-Focused track! Get your tickets at www.biggerpockets.com/conference

MY FAVORITE BLOG ARTICLE

Are You Checking Your Credit Card Statements?

I was surprised to discover that 1 in 4 Americans DON'T review their credit card statements every month.

This quick and simple task can save you money AND be the first line of defense against fraud!

Read more here.

AMBERLY MAKES CENTS

A Few Ways to Get Back Into Reading

I ebb and flow from reading, and whenever I get back into it, I feel calmer and more centered. It's actually something I have started making more time for in my hectic life.

If you haven't picked up a book in a while, here are some tips to get you started!

Want to level up your skills? Visit BiggerPockets Best-Selling Books for all things nonfiction.

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THIS WEEK ON MONEY

Have We Been Wrong About the 4% Rule All This Time?!?

For decades, the 4% rule has been the calculation every FIRE chaser has used to determine when they can retire early—risk-free. The math is simple: Have a portfolio big enough to withdraw 4% per year to fund your lifestyle.

But there’s one BIG problem with the 4% rule that nobody is talking about—a problem that could force you to work longer, ruin your retirement lifestyle, and put your portfolio in jeopardy if you don’t plan carefully.

Tyler Gardner, former portfolio manager and financial advisor, is back on the show to share why much of the FIRE community may be wrong about this “rule.”

Listen to Tyler's point of view here.

LIFE AFTER FIRE

FI in His 40s—With $6,000 in Cash Flow!

Your retirement expenses may be less than you think. Chris Luger, from Heavy Metal Money, didn’t think about retiring early until a divorce made him take control of his finances. He increased his savings rate and retired within 10 years.

And here’s the kicker: Chris isn’t even touching his retirement portfolio. Thanks to a passive income side hustle, he’s funding his lifestyle without drawing down his nest egg.

Chris is proof that even after divorce, with kids and an event-packed lifestyle, you CAN afford to retire early.

Listen to Chris share his whole story here.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

Is It Time to Cut Vacation Rental Losses?

In our Facebook group, a listener writes: "We purchased a fixer-upper with cash about 2.5 years ago and finished our first full ski season. While it’s finally making some money, it’s not as much as we would have liked ($30k gross), especially considering that there is still about $20,000-S25,000 in CapEx items to address in the next few years.

Is it time to sell?"

Read what others have said, and share your own views here.

Together with BPCON2025

Real estate feeling a little lonely? Come to BPCON2025. You’ll find your people, get fresh investing strategies, and score a free expert-led workshop ($300 value).