What if we told you that your path to financial independence isn't about picking the perfect stocks, timing the market, or earning a massive salary? In this revealing episode of BiggerPockets Money, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench cut through all the noise to focus on what actually matters: your savings rate. This isn't just theoretical advice—Mindy and Scott get personal, sharing their own savings journeys, including the costly mistakes they made and the pivotal breakthroughs that transformed their financial lives. This episode completely reframes the conversation around saving money. Instead of extreme penny-pinching that breeds resentment, Mindy and Scott explore "creative frugality"—intelligent strategies that help you save significantly more without feeling deprived. From small incremental changes that compound into thousands of dollars annually to innovative approaches for slashing major expenses, you'll walk away with immediately actionable tactics that prove financial independence isn't about sacrifice—it's about smart optimization. This Episode Covers: Why your savings rate matters more than your investment returns or salary Mindy and Scott's personal savings rate journeys and biggest mistakes Lifestyle optimization strategies that boost savings without reducing happiness The psychology behind sustainable high savings rates Creative approaches to cutting your three biggest expenses Why starting a side business accelerates your FIRE timeline Investment strategies that support aggressive savers How to increase your savings rate at different career stages Common savings rate mistakes that derail FIRE progress How small changes compound into life-changing financial results And SO much more! 00:00 How to Supercharge Your Savings Rate 01:14 Mindy and Scott’s Savings Rate 03:40 Strategies for High Savings Rates 11:50 Creative Ways to Reduce Expenses 20:02 Increasing Income 26:06 We want to hear from you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices