Strength in Numbers with Marcus Crigler

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.

  1. 11H AGO

    Episode 26: Exclusive Training - The 4-Phase Formula That Gets You to $5M in 10 Years (Not 30)

    Most real estate entrepreneurs don’t struggle because of strategy. They struggle because their business never produces enough real profit to build long-term wealth. In this exclusive training, Marcus Krigler reveals the Straight Line Wealth Formula, a four-phase system designed to help real estate entrepreneurs go from inconsistent cash flow to financial peace and real net worth. Marcus breaks down why timing matters more than time, why most investors stay stuck in the hustle cycle for decades, and how to move through the phases of hustle, secure, expand, and exit in the right order to reach five million in equity in ten years. This is the foundational wealth training every real estate entrepreneur should hear. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: (00:00) Welcome to Strength in Numbers and why cash is oxygen (00:53) Launching the Simple Wealth Building community and Marcus’ background (03:18) Why this group exists and the importance of proven guidance (05:39) Fifteen years of real estate-specific accounting insights and what Marcus sees behind the scenes (08:03) Revenue is everywhere, but profit is discipline: why most entrepreneurs still stay broke (10:04) Financial planning and why most real estate businesses aren’t profitable enough at the bottom line (12:27) Why most investors grow without purpose and the importance of building towards an exit (14:50) The Straight Line Wealth Framework and why time is not money (timing is) (17:12) What your economy means and why timing your own market matters more than the external economy (19:35) Marcus’ personal story: debt, survival mode, and getting closer to revenue (21:56) Building a real estate-focused accounting department and growing into Beck CFO & CPA (24:16) Why success is a pattern, not an accident, and why most entrepreneurs stay stuck for decades (26:40) The Straight Line Formula: an overview of the four phases (29:03) Phase One: Hustle and the importance of a repeatable profit model (31:13) Phase Two: Secure — the most skipped step and why it prevents burnout and setbacks (33:36) Phase Three: Expand — how to scale the right way with reserves, not revenue (36:00) When to hire, how to measure return on equity, and building six times expenses in reserves (38:03) Phase Four: Exit — why most real estate entrepreneurs need five million in equity (40:24) Final thoughts, group goals, and upcoming resources inside the community Who This Episode Is For: Real estate entrepreneurs struggling to turn revenue into real profitInvestors tired of cycling between hustle and burnoutBusiness owners who want a reliable, predictable path to wealthEntrepreneurs looking for a proven system to build financial stabilityWhy You Should Listen: This training demystifies wealth-building for entrepreneurs and reveals the exact system Marcus has used personally and with hundreds of real estate investors. If you’re ready to move from chaos to clarity and finally build wealth with intention, this episode lays out the roadmap. Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

    41 min

  2. 3D AGO

    Episode 25: How Successful Investors Think Different About Profit and Structure with Brandon Rickman

    Most people wait until they “know enough” before they start. But that hesitation is exactly what keeps them stuck. In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler sits down with real estate investor and builder Brandon Rickman to unpack what drives long-term success in real estate. From flipping Brandon’s first house nights and weekends to scaling a high-volume operation and developing a 115,000 sq ft Class A self-storage facility, this conversation breaks down how experienced investors think differently about profit, risk, and growth. Listen and enjoy! You’ll Learn How To: Take action without waiting to “know everything.”Scale a real estate business through systemsUse wholesaling, flipping, and rentals togetherBuild long-term wealth while still generating cash todayLeverage relationships to shortcut costly mistakesWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (03:38) Brandon’s background from a single-family house to building a 115,000-unit storage facility (04:55) Flipping the first house nights and weekends (05:45) How volume grew from a few deals to 100 houses a year (08:23) Imperfect action beats trying to plan everything up front (09:05) CRMs, marketing channels, and SOPs (09:59) The importance of relationships before scaling fast (11:35) How Brandon prepared financially and mentally for large developments (13:12) Spotting opportunity in land and pivoting to self-storage (14:34) The “cheat code.” (17:41) The 3-1-1 strategy: wholesale three, flip one, hold one (22:46) Adjusting strategy as market conditions change (24:07) Private money vs hard money (27:31) Transitioning from borrower to lender as wealth grows (28:22) Why lending can be one of the strongest positions in real estate (30:30) Why relationships determine your cost of capital more than market conditions (31:41) Why arbitrage is how large funds make money (32:20) Who Flip Genius is built for (34:35) Why coaching and relationships shortcut years of costly mistakes (36:04) Lending across multiple states and how geography impacts private lending (40:27) Why investing in a lending fund reduces risk versus lending on a single deal (41:42) Brandon’s core takeaway: five trusted voices beat one emotional decision Who This Episode Is For: New investors who are stuck waiting to feel readyInvestors who are looking to balance cash flow with long-term wealthAnyone curious about self-storage, lending, or higher-level strategyBusiness owners who want a better structureWhy You Should Listen: If you’ve been trying to figure out what to do next, this episode shows how experienced investors think about profit, structure, and leverage, so growth doesn’t break the business. Connect with Brandon Rickman: Website: https://www.theflipgenius.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brandon.rickman.431258/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theflipgenius Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

    45 min

  3. DEC 19

    Episode 24: Why Paying Zero Taxes is the Dumbest Thing You Can Do with Kaden Hackney

    You save the money, you find the money, and then you invest it because we all owe it. But it's the opportunity to invest those savings that will ultimately generate long-term wealth through a tax strategy. In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler sits down with BEC CFO tax partner Kaden Hackney to explain why the mindset of paying zero taxes can actually slow down wealth creation. Listen as they break down the real purpose of tax strategy. From depreciation and real estate investing to understanding when not to eliminate taxes, this conversation brings clarity to one of the most misunderstood parts of running a successful real estate business. Enjoy the show! You’ll Learn How To: Why paying zero taxes is often a bad financial decisionUnderstand the difference between tax preparation and tax strategyUse real estate and depreciation to legally reduce taxesBuild a tax strategy that supports long-term financial freedomWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (03:25) Kaden’s path into tax strategy and real estate (05:17) What makes strong business partnerships work (07:30) Why company culture and accountability matter in growth (09:33) Tax preparation vs. tax strategy (13:04) Tax savings only matter if you invest them (16:21) Compliance risk and why documentation matters (18:07) Key takeaways from the new tax law changes (18:42) Hiring your kids as a legitimate tax strategy (22:55) Tax rates as an important part of tax strategy (24:06) Why 15–18% is the sweet spot for most entrepreneurs (25:30) The danger of chasing zero taxes (27:09) Bonus depreciation and real estate strategies explained (29:12) Choosing between selling deals or holding rentals (31:45) What a cost segregation study actually does (32:27) How tax benefits influence which assets to buy (35:35) Alternative tax-efficient investments beyond direct ownership (37:30) Understanding tax-efficient investments at higher income levels Who This Episode Is For: Real estate entrepreneurs who are earning high incomesBusiness owners who are tired of surprise tax billsAnyone trying to turn tax savings into real wealthWhy You Should Listen: Paying zero taxes might sound good, but it’s rarely the smartest move. This episode explains why intentional tax planning, paired with the right investments, creates far better outcomes over time. Connect with Kaden Hackney: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaden-h/ Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

    42 min

  4. DEC 16

    Episode 23: His Bookkeeper Cost Him $300K in Taxes on Money He Never Made

    It is the boring part of the business that has to be done, and has to be done successfully, as it could destroy every other part of the business: bookkeeping. In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler explains why ignoring the “boring” side of your business can quietly destroy everything you’re building. He also walks us through a real client story where bad bookkeeping caused over seven figures of income to be reported incorrectly, leading to hundreds of thousands of dollars in unnecessary taxes and years of cleanup, amendments, and potential IRS scrutiny. This is a wake-up call for any business owner who thinks bookkeeping is easy or not worth investing in. Listen and enjoy! You’ll Learn How To: Understand why bookkeeping is the foundation of a long-lasting businessSpot the hidden risks of inaccurate financialsAvoid bad books that lead directly to bad tax returnsAvoid paying taxes on income you never madeWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (02:26) What defines a “sophisticated” business with longevity (03:04) Why bookkeeping should be consistent (03:53) A real client story: millions in revenue, messy books (04:41) Discovering inaccurate financials going back 18 months (05:54) Cleanup work is expensive but avoidable (06:35) Reporting over $1M in income that never existed and paying taxes on income the business never earned (08:14) Why incorrect books always lead to incorrect tax returns (09:53) Bookkeepers are the heartbeat of the business (11:08) When to bring in higher-level accounting oversight (12:00) The importance of multiple review points in accounting Who This Episode Is For: Real estate entrepreneurs who want their business to lastOwners relying on one bookkeeper or a low-cost solutionInvestors who feel like they are overpaying in taxes but don’t know whyWhy You Should Listen: If you think bookkeeping is something you can ignore or deal with later, this episode will change how you see your entire business.  Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

    14 min

  5. DEC 12

    Episode 22: What My 12-Year-Old Taught Me About Running a Million-Dollar Business

    Sometimes the clearest lessons come from right inside your own home. In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler shares a story about his 12-year-old son, Carter, a tough, hard-working seventh grader who decided to try wrestling for the first time. What started as a new sport turned into a reminder about consistency, discipline, and doing the hard things even when they don’t feel good. Marcus breaks down how watching Carter grind through practices, get beat, show up again, and finally start winning mirrors what real estate entrepreneurs struggle with in their financials. Enjoy the show! You’ll Learn How To: Stay consistent even when the work feels uncomfortableBuild confidence by showing up dailyStrengthen your financial “muscles” so you can scaleApply real-life lessons to how you manage profits, cash flow, and metricsWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (01:39) Introducing Carter and how his story ties back to business (02:23) Daily practices, training, and the jump to school sports (03:52) First matches, early setbacks, and getting beat (06:33) Building confidence through repetition (07:38) The bridge between Carter’s consistency and business success (08:29) Skills you never lose once you learn them (09:21) Financial understanding is non-negotiable for business owners (09:53) Lessons aren’t always from gurus; they are in your everyday life Who This Episode Is For: Entrepreneurs who struggle to stay consistent with their numbersReal estate investors who want more confidence around financialsOperators who feel stuck in the painful part of learningAnyone who needs a simple reminder that success comes from showing upWhy You Should Listen: If you know your financials are weak or you are avoiding them because they feel uncomfortable, this episode will give you a practical, relatable push to strengthen the skills that make you money. Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

    11 min

  6. DEC 9

    Episode 21: He Built a Massive Rental Portfolio By Accident — Here’s What He Did Different with Jimmy Vreeland

    Most real estate entrepreneurs chase cash flow, flip for quick money, and think a high bank balance means they are rich. In this episode, Marcus Crigler sits down with Jimmy Vreeland to unpack how he built his rental portfolio backward and why that wrong path taught him the most valuable lessons. Jimmy shares how he went from buying rentals while deployed in Iraq, to building 100 poorly structured lease-option rentals, to nearly wiping out his business during COVID, and finally transforming everything once he understood liquidity, balance sheets, tax planning, and smart rental acquisition. This is one of the most honest conversations about wealth, risk, tax pain, and building rentals the right way. Enjoy the show! You’ll Learn How To: Understand the difference between being rich and being liquidBuild a rental portfolio without creating dangerous debt and tax exposureUse bonus depreciation and cost segregation the right wayChoose rental properties that appreciate, attract good tenants, and build long-term wealthWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (04:00) Doing everything backwards and why it both helped and hurt him (06:50) COVID hits: liquidity panic, market uncertainty, and the turning point (09:07) The CG talk that pushed Jimmy to build $1M+ in liquidity (10:48) Marcus explains switch-tasking vs multitasking (12:10) The painful $250k tax bill (13:00) Most investors didn't understand bonus depreciation (17:32) The four ways real estate pays you (18:46) What Jimmy buys today (19:25) Why C-class rentals fail to appreciate and drag down long-term returns (21:47) The truth about cash flow (22:13) High-income earners don’t need cash flow (23:24) Bad debt is any debt that doesn't pay for itself (24:44) Why buying only for tax savings is a terrible idea (27:19) The BRRRR but smarter approach (28:08) The difference between turnkey and what Jimmy offers (30:02) Every stage must work: buying right, scoping right, contractors, management, tenants (34:46) Why every real estate entrepreneur should buy rentals no matter what (35:55) Two greatest threats to anyone's wealth (37:28) History lesson: how America beat the British with a hyperinflated currency (38:08) Why hyperinflation has always rewarded people who own hard assets (39:05) Buying real estate is a wealth savings account (42:19) Why syndications frustrate many operators (44:25) Jimmy’s final advice: plan your taxes 15–18 months ahead Why You Should Listen: Jimmy lays out the lessons most investors only learn after losing money. If you want a rental portfolio that appreciates, reduces taxes, builds wealth, and doesn’t drain your time, this episode gives you the blueprint. Connect with Jimmy Vreeland: Website: https://jimmyvreeland.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimmyvreeland/ Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

    47 min

  7. DEC 5

    Episode 20: Why Most Real Estate Partnerships Fail (And How to Make Yours Succeed)

    Partnerships are one of the most common ways real estate businesses get started and one of the biggest reasons they fall apart. In this episode, Marcus Crigler breaks down why most partnerships fail, what causes the friction, and how you can protect yourself before emotions get involved. Marcus explains why partnerships often work during the startup phase but break down once the business grows, money increases, and each partner’s goals start going in different directions. If you are currently in a partnership, thinking about starting one, or trying to exit one, this episode is for you! You’ll Learn How To: Identify the early warning signs that a partnership is drifting apartStrengthen your operating agreement so it protects youDecide whether you should hire someone or make them a partnerCommunicate clearly so both sides walk away without destroying the businessWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (01:58) Most real estate businesses start as partnerships (02:46) The hidden reason good partners eventually grow apart (03:31) How a CPA sees partnership problems six months early (04:17) The poorly written operating agreements (04:47) What happens to money, leases, assets, and employees during a split (06:47) What should be inside a real operating agreement (07:34) How to avoid making your exit expensive and ugly (08:23) The truth about giving equity vs. hiring talent (10:06) Employees vs. partners: the cleanest way to grow your team (11:19) Where to start if you are trying to leave a partnership (12:51) Three scenarios Marcus sees most often and how to handle them Who This Episode Is For: Business partners who want to protect their relationship and their companyEntrepreneurs who are thinking about bringing on a partnerOperators who are stuck in a partnership that no longer worksFounders who want a clean, fair, and legally sound exit strategyWhy You Should Listen: A partnership can be the best thing you ever do or the most expensive mistake you ever make. If you want clarity and confidence in how you work with or separate from a partner, this episode is worth your time. Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

    15 min

  8. DEC 2

    Episode 19: The Alternative Investments Generating $20K+ Monthly (Without Deals) with Chris Miles

    It is not about working harder or smarter; it is about working right. Working hard is important, but if you are doing bad habits, it doesn't matter. In this episode of the Strength in Numbers Podcast, Marcus Crigler talks with Chris Miles, founder of Money Ripples, cashflow expert, and the man known as the Anti-Financial Advisor. Chris has retired twice and now teaches real estate investors how to build passive income through non-traditional paths like lending, land notes, oil and gas, and other alternative investments that outperform the typical 401(k) model. Listen as he breaks down mindset traps, the dangers of hustle culture, why most entrepreneurs overwork from fear, and how to build a stable financial life with liquidity, reserves, and cash flow that continues even when business slows down. You’ll Learn How To: Shift from hustle mode to “work optional” livingBuild passive income without relying on constant deal flowUse lending, raw land notes, and oil & gas for double-digit returnsAvoid the common money traps real estate entrepreneurs fall intoWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (06:47) The athlete mindset and why many entrepreneurs come from competitive backgrounds (09:00) How fear and trauma secretly drive many high achievers (10:07) Hustle is a season, not a lifestyle (11:53) Helping people become “work optional.” (13:24) Chris’ wake-up call: breaking down his dad’s finances (14:51) The realization that mutual funds and 401(k)s weren’t producing freedom (16:51) Why liquidity is what protects you (18:27) The danger of relying only on active income streams (19:29) Diversifying portfolio through lending, oil, and gas (22:46) Your business is your number one investment (23:46) Profit First mindset and why reinvesting everything means you’re not profitable (24:06) The trap of buying a lifestyle too early (26:01) Liquidity creates opportunity, and opportunity creates profit (26:34) What “retirement” really means (30:55) Why “high risk = high returns” is Wall Street’s biggest lie (31:54) The myth of tax benefits (35:29) The danger of deferring time with your kids, family, and life experiences (36:05) Why the 401(k) and IRA are among the worst places for entrepreneurs to trap money (39:17) Infinite banking explained: a tax-free high-yield savings account with a death benefit. (41:48) The importance of avoiding commission-focused agents (43:51) Tax-free growth, liquidity, and access without penalties (49:51) How high-net-worth investors store millions in cash value for safety (54:14) Why wealthy families and politicians have used this strategy (58:31) Chris introduces the “Work Optional Blueprint.” (59:01) Final advice: Better decisions come from following your gut Why You Should Listen: If your business makes good money but you are still stressed, grinding, or feeling like you can’t slow down, this episode gives you the freedom, stability, and passive income that pays you whether you work or not. Connect with Chris Miles: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moneyrippleswithchrismiles Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriscmiles/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriscmiles/ Chris Miles’ The Work Optional Blueprint

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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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