In 'The Simple Path to Wealth,' JL Collins provides a clear and accessible roadmap to financial independence. The book, written in a conversational style, emphasizes the importance of living below your means, avoiding debt, and investing in broad-based index funds, such as Vanguard's Total Stock Market Index Fund. Collins discusses key financial principles like the 'F-You Money' concept, the 4% rule, and the dangers of engaging investment advisors. He shares his personal journey and investment mistakes, making the book relatable and inspiring. Although the book is heavily focused on the U.S. market, its underlying principles are applicable to a wide range of investors.
In 'The Simple Path to Wealth,' JL Collins provides a clear and accessible roadmap to financial independence. The book, written in a conversational style, emphasizes the importance of living below your means, avoiding debt, and investing in broad-based index funds, such as Vanguard's Total Stock Market Index Fund. Collins discusses key financial principles like the 'F-You Money' concept, the 4% rule, and the dangers of engaging investment advisors. He shares his personal journey and investment mistakes, making the book relatable and inspiring. Although the book is heavily focused on the U.S. market, its underlying principles are applicable to a wide range of investors.
The Simple Path to Wealth is arguably the most influential book in the FIRE movement. JL Collins, its author, is revered among early retirees as one of the trailblazers for FIRE, showing that anyone, with the right investing consistency, can reach financial independence WITHOUT complicated investing strategies, risky alternative assets, or individual stock picking. This is THE simplest way to wealth, but does it still work in 2025?
To see, we had to ask the man himself. So, back again, is JL Collins! Today, we’re answering the big questions many FIRE chasers still ask. What’s the right portfolio balance when growing wealth vs. retiring, does JL hold bonds or 100% index funds, should we be worried about all-time-high price-to-earnings ratios, and do you EVER need to rebalance your portfolio? JL answers them all, plus gives Scott his honest take on what a market crash would mean for his portfolio.
But what about real estate, cryptocurrency, and other alternative assets? Is there any space in your portfolio for those, or should you only invest in index funds and bonds? JL has some advice you might not expect, but it could help you if you’re itching to diversify.
Want to learn more about The Simple Path to Wealth? Pre-order the updated version, The Simple Path to Wealth (Revised & Expanded 2025 Edition), today!
In This Episode We Cover
The “simple” path to wealth, FIRE, and early retirement explained
JL’s exact stock/bond ratio while in retirement (and where yours should be)
Are Scott’s concerns about price-to-earnings ratios valid? JL shares his view
When to rebalance your portfolio and why “set it and forget it” investing WON’T work
REITs, real estate, and crypto: does JL invest in ANY of these alternative assets (and should you)?
And So Much More!
Links from the Show
Mindy on BiggerPockets
Scott on BiggerPockets
Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place
Join BiggerPockets for FREE
Email Mindy: Mindy@biggerpockets.com
Email Scott: Scott@biggerpockets.com
BiggerPockets Money Facebook Group
Follow BiggerPockets Money on Instagram
“Like” BiggerPockets Money on Facebook
Subscribe to the BiggerPockets Money YouTube Channel!
The Simple Path to Wealth (Revised & Expanded 2025 Edition)
How I Lost Money in Real Estate Before It Was Fashionable
Grab “The Simple Path to Wealth (Revised & Expanded 2025 Edition)”
Get to FIRE Faster with “Set for Life”
Sign Up for the BiggerPockets Money Newsletter
Property Manager Finder
The Simple Path to Wealth—Index Funds Explained with JL Collins
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-640
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BiggerPockets Money Podcast 
