BiggerPockets Money Podcast

Scott and Virginia Trench Talk Goal Setting, Spending, Prenups, and Future Plans

Feb 28, 2025

Virginia Trench, a published author and Scott Trench's wife, joins the conversation to reveal their secrets to financial success. They discuss Scott's extreme frugality and their unique financial planning dates that keep them aligned on goals. Virginia shares insights on the value of prenuptial agreements and how they foster a lasting partnership. With their recent portfolio changes and personal anecdotes about cooking mishaps, this entertaining chat highlights their approach to achieving financial independence together.

43:59

Episode guests

Virginia Trench

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Scott and Virginia emphasize the importance of regular financial planning retreats to align their goals and maintain open communication about money management.

Their journey from extreme frugality to a goal-oriented financial approach illustrates the significance of adaptability and mutual trust in couple finances.

Deep dives

Scott and Virginia's Frugal Beginnings

Scott's early experiences with frugality, such as house hacking a duplex and refraining from turning on the heat during chilly Denver winters, illustrate a unique approach to living financially responsibly. Virginia reflects on her initial perception of Scott's extreme frugality, highlighting how it sparked her curiosity about their financial journey together. Their relationship evolved as they began to align their financial philosophies, transitioning from survival-mode frugality to a more goal-oriented approach. This shift allowed Virginia to appreciate the purpose behind their financial decisions, supporting their long-term objectives rather than merely coping with everyday expenses.

Intro

2min

Navigating Financial Philosophies in Relationships

9min

Planning for the Future: Prenups and Financial Retreats

4min

Achieving Financial Independence Together

8min

Adapting Goals for Lifelong Growth

6min

Goals, Finances, and Sweet Collaboration

14min

How has Scott achieved so much financial success already in his early 30s? He’s got a secret weapon nobody else has: Virginia Trench! That’s right, the woman behind half of the puns you hear on this podcast is coming on the show! She's sharing her view on Scott’s early (and extreme) frugality, massively successful financial planning dates, goal setting as a couple, prenuptial agreements, and the Trenches’ recent decision to sell a solid chunk of their index fund portfolio.

Virginia met Scott before he was CEO, before he had a sizable rental portfolio, and before he became one of the internet’s favorite money nerds. Together, they’ve worked hand-in-hand, building a FI lifestyle that fits their family while chasing their own individual dreams, including Virginia becoming a published author with her new book, Our Secrets Were Safe, coming out this summer!

In this episode, we peel back the curtain and get a glimpse into how Scott and Virginia run the Trench household and its finances. What’s the one thing they have trouble not spending on? What is their repeatable process for achieving enormous financial goals? And is Scott secretly the world’s worst/best baker? If you’re a long-time listener, this is an episode you can’t miss!

In This Episode We Cover

The repeatable money date that Scott and Virginia use to keep their family finances in shape

Goal setting as a couple and how to reach seemingly impossible milestones

Prenuptial agreements and why Scott and Virginia would recommend one for couples

What Virginia thinks about Scott’s recent decision to sell off their index funds

The one spending problem that Scott and Virginia both admit they struggle with

And So Much More!

Links from the Show

Mindy on BiggerPockets

Scott on BiggerPockets

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