BiggerPockets Money Podcast FI Faster by Making More and Spending Less Using "Geo-Arbitrage"
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Sep 16, 2025 Join Daniel Mills, an international real estate investor and professor in Japan, as he unpacks the concept of geo-arbitrage. He reveals how living abroad can dramatically enhance your financial power without needing a career change. Daniel shares his journey to financial independence, highlighting simplified investment strategies and tax advantages for expats. Discover the cost-of-living comparisons between Japan and the U.S., and learn how navigating cultural complexities and immigration can position you on a faster path to FIRE.
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Geo-Arbitrage Multiplies Investing Power
- Geo-arbitrage can double your investing power without a raise or job change by choosing a lower-cost location while earning remotely.
- Daniel frames it as unlocking a different financial trajectory rather than just moving to a cheaper place.
Daniel's Current FI Snapshot
- Daniel reports a $2.1M net worth with a simplified, lower-leverage portfolio and paid-off condo in Japan.
- He describes about $45k rental cashflow and ~$36k from equities for roughly $84k pre-tax income.
Japan's Cost Myth Explained
- Japan is often perceived as expensive due to its 1980s bubble, but post-bubble realities made living costs much lower than many expect.
- Price variability and cultural norms (smaller living spaces) keep many everyday costs lower than the U.S.