Strength in Numbers with Marcus Crigler

Marcus Crigler
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Entrepreneurship

Strength in Numbers with Marcus Crigler is the #1 podcast for real estate entrepreneurs who make good money but struggle with cash flow, tax planning, and building real wealth. If you're tired of living deal to deal, wondering where your money goes, and paying too much in taxes, this show will transform how you manage your real estate business finances.Host Marcus Crigler, CEO of BEC CFO Services, helps real estate investors escape financial stress by implementing proven wealth-building systems, advanced tax strategies, and cash flow management techniques that turn chaotic finances into predictable profit machines.Real estate wholesalers, fix and flip investors, and rental property owners making six or seven figures but still living paycheck to paycheck will discover how to stop constantly chasing the next deal. If you're overwhelmed by bookkeeping, financial management, and paying massive tax bills without knowing how to reduce them legally, you're ready to stop surviving and start building generational wealth.Every episode delivers actionable strategies on real estate tax planning, business cash flow optimization, wealth building for entrepreneurs, and financial systems that create freedom. Learn real estate tax deductions, legal tax avoidance strategies, cash flow forecasting, business budgeting for real estate investors, profit and loss analysis, entity structuring for tax benefits, and wealth building strategies beyond closing deals.Most real estate entrepreneurs focus on deal flow but ignore money flow. They hire accountants who only file taxes instead of providing proactive tax planning. Marcus shows you how to keep more of what you make, reduce your tax burden legally, and create financial systems that work whether you close one deal or ten deals per month.Listen to case studies of real estate investors who've saved $50K+ in taxes annually, built seven-figure net worth, and achieved financial freedom. Learn from entrepreneurs who've transformed their businesses from cash-hungry operations into wealth-generating machines.This isn't just spreadsheets and tax codes. It's about creating a real estate business that supports your lifestyle, reduces financial stress, and builds lasting wealth. Marcus addresses the mindset shifts, business systems, and financial habits that separate successful real estate entrepreneurs from those stuck in survival mode.If you like The BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Money Rahab with Nicole Lapin, The Dave Ramsey Show, or The Rich Dad Radio Show, you'll love Strength in Numbers.Subscribe now and join thousands of real estate professionals who've discovered that true wealth doesn’t come from closing more deals, but from keeping more of what you make. Stop living deal to deal. Start building wealth that lasts.

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 97: Why Your Real Estate Deals Aren’t Making What You Think

    Does your gut tell you that your real estate deals are highly profitable, but your bank account completely disagrees? Revenue does not equal profitability, and profitability does not equal cash flow. In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler brings on his very own Accounting Director, Melissa Dickens, to expose exactly why your deals are leaking money and how bad accounting is likely to blame. Melissa breaks down the unique complexities of real estate accounting, why keeping a spreadsheet of your rehab costs is completely useless if it doesn't reconcile with your official books, and the exact areas where most real estate investors are bleeding cash without even knowing it. You will also learn what a healthy, collaborative relationship with an accountant actually looks like (small hint, they shouldn’t just be a storage facility for your receipts). Enjoy the show! You’ll Learn How To: Stop confusing top-line revenue with actual, bottom-line profitability and cash flowTrack your profitability down to the exact property (not just the overall LLC)Reconcile your internal rehab spreadsheets with your official accounting softwareIdentify the hidden leaks in your business (like poor debt management and excessive subscriptions)Build a highly collaborative and profitable relationship with your accounting team What You’ll Learn in This Episode: (02:47) Melissa’s journey from hospitality to virtual real estate accounting (07:14) Why a business can have massive revenue but still be completely broke (08:10) Why waiting until tax season to review your financials is the worst mistake you can make (10:05) The importance of By-Deal Clarity and why tracking the LLC is not enough (11:41) Why your project managers are giving you inaccurate rehab cost estimates (14:05) Why real estate is arguably the most difficult industry for accountants to navigate (18:17) Where investors are losing the most money (poor expense tracking, late fees, and debt) (23:17) How to treat your accountant like a management partner instead of a receipt storage facility Who This Episode Is For: Real estate investors, flippers, and wholesalers who feel a disconnect between their revenue and their bank accountBusiness owners looking to transition from gut-feeling financial tracking to actual dataAnyone struggling to track the exact profitability of individual properties or deals Why You Should Listen: In real estate, numbers do not lie, but spreadsheets often do. If you are managing your rehab costs and property profits on a side spreadsheet that doesn't perfectly reconcile with your accounting software, you are operating blindly. By listening to this episode, you will learn exactly how to tighten up your cost-tracking, identify hidden cash leaks across your portfolio, and establish the level of financial clarity required to actually build lasting wealth. Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: Beck CFO & CPALinkedIn: Marcus CriglerFacebook: Marcus Crigler

  2. 5d ago

    Episode 96: Why Making More Money Won’t Fix Your Financial Problems

    Are you generating more revenue than ever, but still losing sleep over your cash flow? Two real estate investors can make the exact same gross revenue in the same market, but one will take home significantly more profit. The difference? A proven financial system. In this live episode of Strength in Numbers, host Marcus Crigler is joined by COO and tax guru Kaden Hackney to unveil their proprietary 13-step financial framework. They break down the four critical stages of real estate business growth (Stuck, Secure, Expand, Exit) and reveal why skipping the Secure stage is the number one reason businesses fail. You will also learn the two non-negotiable financial systems every business must have, how to correctly handle a surprise letter from the IRS, and how to determine whether you should scale your business or simply maintain your current profit margins. Enjoy the show! You’ll Learn How To: Navigate the 4 stages of business growth without moving backwardImplement 13 essential methodologies to manage cash, reduce debt, and lower taxesDiagnose why skipping the Secure stage is the leading cause of business failureCorrectly handle and resolve unexpected IRS letters without panickingDetermine whether your business needs to scale up or focus on building reserves What You’ll Learn in This Episode: (00:33) Why two investors in the same market can have vastly different take-home profits (03:55) The danger of running your business with a pile of parts instead of a system (09:40) The 4 Stages of Growth (Stuck, Secure, Expand, and Exit) (16:44) Why prematurely jumping from Stuck to Expand guarantees business failure (19:39) A rapid-fire breakdown of the 13 methodologies of financial management (30:00) Why operating without a cash discipline system means you have a hobby, not a business (33:36) What to do if you are netting $800k a year but still losing sleep (36:20) The exact steps to take when you receive a letter from the IRS (42:10) How to decide between scaling your operations or maintaining your current income Who This Episode Is For: Real estate investors, wholesalers, and flippers making $300,000 to $5M a yearBusiness owners who generate strong revenue but lack clarity on true profit and cash flowEntrepreneurs ready to stop living deal-by-deal and install a scalable financial system Why You Should Listen:  Making more money does not automatically solve financial chaos, it usually magnifies it. This episode provides the exact roadmap you need to transition from financial confusion to total clarity. By understanding the four stages of growth and installing these 13 methodologies, you will ensure that the wealth you are building is properly managed, tax-optimized, and fully secure. Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: Beck CFO & CPALinkedIn: Marcus CriglerFacebook: Marcus Crigler

  3. Sep 8

    Episode 95: Don’t Start Investing Until You Have These 4 Things

    Are you rushing to build your net worth and buy assets before your business is actually financially stable? Doing so is a recipe for disaster. In this solo episode of Strength in Numbers, host Marcus Crigler breaks down the concept of "investment readiness" and explains why trying to scale your portfolio too early can actually stunt your growth and bankrupt your business. Marcus outlines the four non-negotiable financial pillars you must establish across both your personal life and your business before deploying capital into external investments. You will learn why cash reserves are your ultimate safety net, how unpaid tax issues can result in the IRS seizing your new assets, and the golden rule of eliminating bad debt. Enjoy the show! You’ll Learn How To: Assess your "investment readiness" before attempting to scale your net worthBuild a bulletproof personal and professional cash foundation (targeting 6 months of reserves)Clear out old tax liabilities and keep your tax accounts fully up to date to avoid IRS seizureManage and clear out toxic bad debt before funding new venturesImplement the "slow is smooth, smooth is fast" philosophy to compound your wealth safely What You’ll Learn in This Episode: (01:10) Why trying to build net worth in the wrong order can stunt your personal and business growth (02:40) The importance of achieving financial stability in both your personal life and business (03:15) Why discipline entrepreneurs wait until they have 6 months of cash reserves before investing heavily (04:30) The absolute necessity of having your taxes paid up to date and clearing old IRS issues (05:20) Why additional 10% cash reserves are crucial if you carry debt on your balance sheet (05:50) The rule of "no bad debt": Clearing toxic liabilities before chasing new assets Who This Episode Is For: Real estate entrepreneurs and investors tempted to buy assets before their cash position is secureBusiness owners looking for a clear, step-by-step financial hierarchy to scale safelyAnyone wanting to stop living deal-by-deal and build a truly stable, compounding net worth Why You Should Listen:  Investing without a solid foundation is gambling. This episode provides the exact financial prerequisites you need to check off before putting your hard-earned cash into deals. By following Marcus's four-part readiness checklist, you will protect your business from catastrophe, avoid costly tax traps, and ensure that every dollar you invest actually stays in your pocket. Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

  4. Sep 4

    Episode 94: Where Real Estate Entrepreneurs Should Invest Their Money First

    Sitting on a healthy pile of cash reserves and wondering where to deploy it next? Before you rush to acquire another rental property or dump capital into alternative assets, you need to look inside your own business. In this solo episode of Strength in Numbers, host Marcus Crigler breaks down the ultimate investment hierarchy for real estate entrepreneurs. Marcus explains why investing internally in people, processes, and technology will almost always yield a higher return than external assets. You will learn how to determine if your business is financially ready to invest, why making your operations better naturally makes them bigger, and the simple five-question framework you must use to evaluate any external investment opportunity. Enjoy the show! You’ll Learn How To: Determine when your business is financially ready to start investing capitalIdentify the highest ROI internal investments (People, Process, and Technology)Know exactly when it is time to hire C-suite executives and operational leadersEvaluate any external investment using a simple five-question frameworkBalance passive and active external investments based on your desired time commitment What You’ll Learn in This Episode: (01:25) The "6X Reserve" milestone you must hit before making major investments(02:20) Why investing internally to make your business better naturally makes it bigger(02:50) The three internal pillars to fund first (People, Process, and Technology)(04:30) Transitioning to external investments once internal optimization is exhausted(05:25) The five key questions to ask before funding any external real estate or business venture Who This Episode Is For: Real estate business owners who have built strong cash reserves and want to scale safelyEntrepreneurs looking to boost their profit margins through strategic hiring and technologyInvestors needing a simple, effective framework to vet external real estate and alternative assets Why You Should Listen:  Deploying capital randomly is a recipe for disaster. This episode provides a clear, step-by-step hierarchy for investing your profits. You will learn why optimizing your own machine is often the most lucrative move you can make, and exactly how to vet external opportunities to ensure they align with your tax strategy, risk tolerance, and time capacity. Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

  5. Sep 1

    Episode 93: Why Profitable House Flips Can Still Put You Out of Business

    Are your massive fix-and-flip profits masking a deadly cash flow problem that could put you out of business? Because host Marcus Crigler breaks down why rehabbing properties is simultaneously one of the most profitable opportunities in real estate and the single biggest cash flow drain an investor can face. Marcus explains why you should never fund rehabs using your operating capital, the exact cash reserves you must hold before taking on a project, and how to structure private debt to maximize your cash flow instead of just your gross profit. You will also learn the two non-negotiable margin rules that dictate whether you should quick-sell a property or take on the risk of a full rehab. Enjoy the show! You’ll Learn How To: Protect your operating account by refusing to fund rehab projects with your own working capitalCalculate exactly how much cash you must hold in reserves (minimum 3X) before attempting a house flipNegotiate capital partnerships that defer interest payments and fund 100% of rehab draws upfrontUtilize the "2X Rule" to determine if a full rehab is mathematically worth more than a quick wholesale assignmentEnforce a strict 20% minimum profit margin to protect yourself from cost overruns and market shifts What You’ll Learn in This Episode: (01:23) Why the current lack of inventory makes rehabbing properties a long-term, high-profit strategy (03:13) The fatal mistake and why massive flip profits often hide a deadly cash flow drain (04:47) Why you should never fund rehabs with your primary operating capital (05:44) The 3X Reserve.requirement for operating capital before taking on your first flip (06:23) Why deferring interest payments and funding 100% of rehab costs is better than getting the lowest interest rate (07:33) The hidden 10% Reserve Rule for all private debt to protect your payroll during a bad flip (09:12) The 2X Rule and why a flip must pay double what a wholesale assignment would pay to justify the risk (10:20) The 20% Margin Rule and why accepting skinny margins will inevitably lead to bankruptcy when the market shifts Who This Episode Is For: Real estate investors and wholesalers looking to safely transition into fixing and flipping propertiesRehabbers struggling with inconsistent cash flow despite closing highly profitable dealsEntrepreneurs who need strict mathematical rules to evaluate deal margins and reduce operational risk Why You Should Listen:  A $100,000 profit on a house flip looks great on paper, but if it completely drains your operating account and forces you to miss payroll for six months, it is a bad deal. This episode provides the exact financial guardrails you need to safely rehab properties, negotiate better debt, and ensure that your flips actually generate cash flow instead of just trapping it. Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

  6. Aug 28

    Episode 92: It’s Not What You Make in Real Estate, It’s What You Keep with Brian Spear

    It is not just about how much money you make; it is about how much you actually get to keep. In this foundational episode of Strength in Numbers, guest host Brian Spear sits down with Marcus Crigler to reveal why sophisticated real estate investors obsess over after-tax cash flow instead of just chasing high gross returns. Marcus breaks down the critical difference between a reactive tax preparer and a proactive tax strategist. He explains exactly how high-income earners leverage the Real Estate Professional Status (REPS) to offset active income, the overlooked pros and cons of grouping elections, and why passive investors can never afford to be passive about their financial oversight. Tune in to discover the number one mistake that destroys investment compounding and how to ensure your wealth grows uninterrupted.  Enjoy the show! You’ll Learn How To: Distinguish between a tax preparer who just files documents and a tax strategist who actively builds wealthUtilize the Real Estate Professional Status (REPS) to offset active income with passive real estate lossesNavigate the pros and cons of grouping elections so your passive losses do not get permanently trappedEvaluate the true after-tax cash-on-cash return of an investment before committing your capitalProtect your compounding interest by avoiding premature lifestyle withdrawals from your investment pool What You’ll Learn in This Episode: (02:02) Guest host Brian Spear introduces Marcus Crigler and a free 50-page Tax Wealth Playbook(05:57) The fundamental difference between a standard tax preparer and a proactive tax strategist(10:15) How the IRS differentiates between active income and passive income(13:18) How Real Estate Professional Status (REPS) turns passive losses into active tax savings(19:08) The hidden pros and cons of grouping elections for passive investors(23:05) How to determine the exact meeting cadence you need with your tax strategist based on your investing volume(25:48) A real-world example of passive investors getting hit with phantom income after a syndication loss(30:04) The two critical, non-negotiable questions you must ask a CPA before hiring them(33:16) Marcus’s number one rule for investing, that is to never rob your compounding machine to fund your lifestyle(35:58) Brian’s final takeaway, and why every passive investor is essentially running their own family office Who This Episode Is For: High-income earners and W-2 executives looking to offset their active income with real estate investmentsPassive investors in syndications who want to avoid surprise tax bills, phantom income, and suspended lossesReal estate entrepreneurs who are ready to transition from a basic tax preparer to a proactive tax strategist Why You Should Listen: Most investors spend all their energy hunting for the highest possible returns, completely ignoring the tax architecture that determines what they actually get to keep. If you are blindly handing K-1s to a traditional tax preparer on April 15th, you are likely leaving tens of thousands of dollars on the table. This episode provides a masterclass on how to proactively plan your investments, leverage the tax code to your advantage, and protect your compounding wealth from unnecessary taxation and premature lifestyle withdrawals. Connect with Marcus Crigler:  Website: https://beccfo.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

  7. Aug 25

    Episode 91: How to Pay Yourself Without Starving Your Business

    Are high personal expenses and unpredictable payouts silently choking your business's growth? In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler reveals the exact steps to calculate and set an owner's compensation that sustains your lifestyle while allowing your business to scale. Marcus breaks down how to calculate your true business cash flow, why taking 100% of profits is a fatal mistake, and how to leverage low personal expenses or dual-income households to accelerate company growth. Learn the exact process for automating your pay, knowing when to adjust your salary, and protecting your company from cash crunches. Enjoy the show! You’ll Learn How To: Calculate your baseline personal expenses and true business cash flowSet a sustainable owner's compensation that doesn't drain company capitalAutomate your compensation schedule to maintain financial consistencyCalculate average cash flow using accounting statements or bank balance tracingDetermine the right time and frequency to increase or decrease your pay What You’ll Learn in This Episode: (01:15) The step-by-step process for calculating and setting owner's compensation (01:45) Why taking 100% of your business cash flow as salary ruins growth (02:45) Implementing and automating the One-Way Street payment policy (03:55) How to accurately calculate average cash flow using QuickBooks, Xero, or bank balances (05:30) What to do when your business cash flow is lower than your personal expenses (06:40) How dual-income households provide a strategic growth advantage (07:55) Why inflated personal lifestyles are the number one reason businesses fail to scale (09:30) When and how often you should adjust your owner's compensation (11:00) Why owner's pay can (and sometimes should) go down during stabilization phases Who This Episode Is For: Real estate entrepreneurs unsure of how much they can safely pay themselvesBusiness owners whose personal living costs are straining company cash reservesEntrepreneurs wanting a clear, repeatable formula for owner compensation and cash flow forecasting Why You Should Listen: Guessing your salary or treating your business bank account like a personal ATM will eventually stall your growth and trigger financial panic. This episode gives you a structured, step-by-step framework to balance personal needs with business reinvestment, ensuring you stay financially secure while building a resilient, self-sustaining operation. Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

  8. Aug 21

    Episode 90: The One Way Street Method - Make Money Once, Keep It Forever

    Are you constantly pouring your personal savings back into your business just to keep it afloat? In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler breaks down why blending your personal and business finances is the fastest way to destroy your financial stability. Marcus reveals his proven "One Way Street Method," explaining why your owner's compensation must be treated as a non-negotiable fixed expense, how to stop relying on "owner bailouts" to fix business problems, and why the basic level of business growth requires personal financial stability first. Listen in to discover how to set clear family finance goals and confidently distribute quarterly profits without stalling your company's growth. Enjoy the show! You’ll Learn How To: Separate your personal and business finances using the "One Way Street Method"Calculate and structure your owner's compensation as a fixed monthly expensePrevent your business from relying on an owner bailout to surviveManage your personal financial stability to improve your business decision-makingSafely distribute leftover business cash on a quarterly basis What You’ll Learn in This Episode: (01:54) Why personal financial stability is non-negotiable for business success (03:22) How taking the financial stress off your family actually fuels business growth (05:25) The core principles of the "One Way Street Method" (06:05) Why owner's compensation must be treated as a fixed business expense (07:05) The dangers of bailing out your business with your personal funds (08:08) Why your fixed pay must consistently exceed your monthly personal expenses (08:52) How to strategically plan and distribute leftover cash on a quarterly basis (11:05) Why the One Way Street Method guarantees personal stability and clarity (12:35) How enforcing strict financial rules enables discipline, growth, and self-sustainability Who This Episode Is For: Real estate entrepreneurs who are struggling to separate personal and business financesBusiness owners who want to stop relying on personal funds to keep their company afloatEntrepreneurs looking to build a self-sustaining business model Why You Should Listen: If you are constantly guessing how much you can afford to pay yourself each month, or if you are draining your personal savings to fund your business, you are suffocating both your family's stability and your company's potential. This episode gives you a bulletproof framework to guarantee your family is provided for first, allowing you to make clear, emotionless business decisions that drive massive long-term growth. Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

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Strength in Numbers with Marcus Crigler is the #1 podcast for real estate entrepreneurs who make good money but struggle with cash flow, tax planning, and building real wealth. If you're tired of living deal to deal, wondering where your money goes, and paying too much in taxes, this show will transform how you manage your real estate business finances.Host Marcus Crigler, CEO of BEC CFO Services, helps real estate investors escape financial stress by implementing proven wealth-building systems, advanced tax strategies, and cash flow management techniques that turn chaotic finances into predictable profit machines.Real estate wholesalers, fix and flip investors, and rental property owners making six or seven figures but still living paycheck to paycheck will discover how to stop constantly chasing the next deal. If you're overwhelmed by bookkeeping, financial management, and paying massive tax bills without knowing how to reduce them legally, you're ready to stop surviving and start building generational wealth.Every episode delivers actionable strategies on real estate tax planning, business cash flow optimization, wealth building for entrepreneurs, and financial systems that create freedom. Learn real estate tax deductions, legal tax avoidance strategies, cash flow forecasting, business budgeting for real estate investors, profit and loss analysis, entity structuring for tax benefits, and wealth building strategies beyond closing deals.Most real estate entrepreneurs focus on deal flow but ignore money flow. They hire accountants who only file taxes instead of providing proactive tax planning. Marcus shows you how to keep more of what you make, reduce your tax burden legally, and create financial systems that work whether you close one deal or ten deals per month.Listen to case studies of real estate investors who've saved $50K+ in taxes annually, built seven-figure net worth, and achieved financial freedom. Learn from entrepreneurs who've transformed their businesses from cash-hungry operations into wealth-generating machines.This isn't just spreadsheets and tax codes. It's about creating a real estate business that supports your lifestyle, reduces financial stress, and builds lasting wealth. Marcus addresses the mindset shifts, business systems, and financial habits that separate successful real estate entrepreneurs from those stuck in survival mode.If you like The BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Money Rahab with Nicole Lapin, The Dave Ramsey Show, or The Rich Dad Radio Show, you'll love Strength in Numbers.Subscribe now and join thousands of real estate professionals who've discovered that true wealth doesn’t come from closing more deals, but from keeping more of what you make. Stop living deal to deal. Start building wealth that lasts.

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