logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2023
55m 17s

450: The “Middle Class Trap” That’s Keep...

BIGGERPOCKETS
About this episode

The fear of Job loss has become real for most Americans. And if you’re falling into the “middle-class trap,” a sudden loss of income could be even more severe. After the recent tech layoffs of 2022 and 2023, businesses outside of the Silicon Valley bubble are starting to feel the effects of higher interest rates and lower consumer spending. But what happens if YOU’RE the one who’s getting laid off? Will you be able to pay the bills? How much of a severance package can you expect? And what moves should you make NOW to get ahead?

Mindy and Scott are taking questions directly from listeners to put YOU in the best financial position possible. On this show, you’ll learn what to do AS SOON as you hear about layoffs in your company, how much you could get paid for severance, and why you CAN NOT rely on unemployment for everything. Next, we hear from a high-income earner who can’t get out of debt and is stuck in the “middle-class trap.” For those with too much cash on their hands, Mindy and Scott get into investing in syndications, plus what to do if your house bills are slowly eating you alive.

Got a money question you want to ask Mindy and Scott? Head over to the BiggerPockets Money Facebook group, or click here to submit your question on our next Q&A episode!

In This Episode We Cover

What to do if you get laid off and how to start making income ASAP

Severance packages and questions you NEED to ask your employer if you lose your job

The “middle class trap” that high-income earners get stuck in

Syndication investing 101 and when to RUN away from a potential investment

What to do if you’ve "bought too much house” and payments are putting pressure on your finances

Unemployment income and why you CAN’T rely on it to pay for your life

Why EVERYONE needs a side hustle to survive (yes, even YOU!)

And So Much More!


Links from the Show

BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group

BiggerPockets Forums

Finance Review Guest Onboarding

Join BiggerPockets for FREE

Scott's Instagram

Mindy on BiggerPockets

Grab Scott’s Book, “Set for Life”

Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place

Apply to Be a Guest on The Money Show

Podcast Talent Search!

Money Moment

Syndications: Everything You Need to Know BEFORE You Invest

Want More Syndication Info? Email Scott

Check Out Mindy’s ENTIRE 2022 Budget

Surviving a Layoff: What HR Wants You to Know


Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-450

 

Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email us: moneymoment@biggerpockets.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Up next
Jul 8
The Best Investing Order of Operations for FIRE (2025)
In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench discuss the order of operations for investing your money to achieve FIRE. They outline the steps for both traditional early retirees and those looking to invest in real estate (or start a busi ... Show More
39m 4s
Jul 4
How I'm Accessing My IRA at 45 (Without Paying Penalties)
Want to access your IRA before turning 59½ without paying the brutal 10% early withdrawal penalty? You're not alone, and there are completely legal ways to do it that most people never learn about. In this comprehensive guide, John Bowens from Equity Trust will walk us through th ... Show More
52m 39s
Jul 1
Your Complete Guide to Financial Independence (2025)
The FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement has transformed how people think about work, money, and retirement. In this comprehensive episode, Mindy and Scott break down everything you need to know about achieving financial independence and potentially retiring decad ... Show More
37m 12s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2023
A Foolproof Plan to Ditch Debt #620
Sitting on your butt is killing you! According to the Heart Foundation, folks who sit the most are 90% more susceptible to dying from cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes. And while taking a load off and having a seat isn’t going to immediately harm you, the accum ... Show More
50m 41s
Jul 2024
Ask HTM - Utilizing Roth Contributions in a Pinch, SAVE Plan for High Earners, & Buying a Home to Save Money #847
Let’s dive into the week with some fresh listener questions we have lined up for you! And don't just stand on the sidelines- if you have a question you’d like us to answer, toss your voice memo our way. It only takes about 90 seconds to record and you can find a step by step guid ... Show More
53m 59s
Feb 2023
Ask HTM - Personal Loans for a Crypto Biz, Travel Nursing FTW, & Small Business Benefits #634
We’re kicking off the week by answering listener questions! And if you have a question that you’d like for us to answer on the show, we’d love for you to submit your own via HowToMoney.com/ask , send us your voice memo. Regardless of how random or bizarre you might think it is, w ... Show More
52m 51s
Dec 2020
Ask HTM - Payoff My Mortgage or Hold as Cash, Tapping a 401(k) to Pay Off a Credit Card, and MVNO's for Everyone to Save Money #298
We’re kicking off the week by answering your questions! And if you have a question for us, we’d love for you to submit your own via HowToMoney.com/ask/ , send us your voice memo!1 - How can I get a conversation started with my girlfriend about personal finances?2 - Should I pay o ... Show More
41m 58s
Jun 2024
10 Tips to Optimize Taxes When You Retire Early
In this episode of the Personal Finance Podcast, we are going to talk about the 10 tips to optimize taxes when you retire early. How Andrew Can Help You: Don't let another year pass by without making significant strides toward your dreams. "Master Your Money Goals" is your pathwa ... Show More
36m 21s
Dec 2021
TIP404: The Untold History of Money w/ Joe Brown
Trey Lockerbie chats with the very fun, Joe Brown of Heresy Financial. Joe is most known for his youtube channel, providing entertaining videos on a wide range of financial topics. Joe is a wealth of knowledge and provides an amazing framework for thinking through the current eco ... Show More
1h 12m
Aug 2021
Ask HTM - Working with a Partner who is Bad with Money, Best Ways to Pay for Grad School, & Tax Implications of Inherited Money #400
We’re kicking off the week by answering listener questions! And if you have a question that you’d like for us to answer on the show, we’d love for you to submit your own via HowToMoney.com/ask/ , send us your voice memo. Regardless of how random or bizarre you might think it is, ... Show More
45m 9s
Feb 2024
390 - Recession-Proof Business: Your 2024 Get Rich Survival Guide
We’re in a tough economy right now, and business is harder than it’s been in years. Do these 3 things now to recession-proof your business and get rich in the 2024 economy. WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: 00:39 — 2 threats that can cripple your business (and how to beat them!) 00 ... Show More
10m 41s
Jan 2024
Ask HTM - Rule of 55 and Early Retirement, 5% Down Payments, & Transitioning a Kid to Financial Adulthood #772
Let’s dive into the week with some fresh listener questions we have lined up for you! And don't just stand on the sidelines- if you have a question you’d like us to answer, toss your voice memo our way. It only takes about 90 seconds to record and you can find a step by step guid ... Show More
43m 31s
May 2024
TIP630: The Wealthy Gardener w/ Kyle Grieve
On today’s episode, Kyle Grieve discusses the book The Wealthy Gardener. He covers a variety of wealth topics like how to optimize your time to generate wealth, why it’s so important to avoid wage slavery, why you should embrace challenges to live a more fulfilling life, why we m ... Show More
57m 54s