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. 21H AGO

    Episode 42: Debt × Time × Scale Wealth - The Real Estate Freedom Formula Nobody Teaches You With David Shaw

    In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, David Shaw shares how he went from international real estate development to scaling a high-volume fix-and-flip business and eventually transitioning into private lending. But the real takeaway isn’t just the evolution of his business but the philosophy behind it. Listen as he breaks down the simple wealth formula that every real estate investor needs to understand. He also explains why lifestyle matters more than ego, the investor avatar that should shape your business decisions, and the Deferred Sales Trust to simplify your portfolio while compounding returns in the long term. Enjoy the show! You’ll Learn How To: Use debt strategically to accelerate wealthBuild scale the right way in a buy-and-hold portfolioTurn active income into long-term passive incomeSimplify your portfolio without triggering massive taxesWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (02:38) Introducing David Shaw and his background (04:54) How David made more money passively than his corporate job and decided to go all in (06:57) Scaling a fix-and-flip business (07:42) Why lifestyle has always been the priority (10:36) How investors naturally evolve through different financial phases (12:24) Why owning too many small rentals eventually creates fatigue (13:27) Lending produced higher returns than rentals (16:29) Making money vs managing money (18:30) Why most investors eventually transition into lending (21:00) Designing your life first, then building the business around it (23:01) The real monthly income number most families need (26:21) The rule of 5 million bucks (30:53) The wealth formula: Debt × Time × Scale (31:35) Debt is the real asset (35:14) How a Deferred Sales Trust works and why he’s using it (41:29) Pivoting quickly when interest rates killed the flip model (42:46) Listening to your investor base instead of forcing a product (46:23) Success is a marathon, not a sprint (49:16) The key to better decisions: educate yourself Who This Episode Is For: Real estate investors who are focused on buy-and-hold wealthFix-and-flippers who are thinking about their long-term exitEntrepreneurs who want freedomAnyone building toward financial independence through real estateWhy You Should Listen: David’s story is a full-cycle example of what a real estate career can look like, from hustle to expansion, to passive income to strategic investing. Connect with David Shaw: Website: https://fullcyclefunding.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidshaw_rei/ Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

    52 min

  2. 3D AGO

    Episode 41: The Balance Sheet Mistake that Bankrupts Entrepreneurs (Even When Revenue Looks Great)

    When things are great, everybody likes to stare at the P&L because it looks pretty. Revenue is up, profit looks solid, and things feel good. But according to Marcus Crigler, that’s exactly when entrepreneurs get into trouble. In this episode, he breaks down why the real danger isn’t on your profit and loss statement, but it’s on your balance sheet. Specifically, it’s your cash position and liquidity that determine whether you stay secure or slide backward into survival mode. You’ll Learn How To: Improve your liquidity and current ratioAvoid skipping the “secure” phase before expandingKnow when to slow down and strengthen your foundationUse a CFO to make forward-looking decisionsWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (03:18) What Marcus is seeing in today’s capital markets (05:28) Buy-and-hold looks different with today’s interest rates (06:44) Shorter hold times and lower risk strategies in uncertain markets (08:05) More equity is required in today’s deals (11:22) Marcus on financing real estate properties (14:06) The market’s shift toward strengthening balance sheets (14:43) What the current ratio is and why it matters (16:16) The four phases: Hustle → Secure → Expand → Exit (16:56) The secure phase is the most overlooked step (19:02) The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make before expanding (20:02) How bad debt keeps you stuck in a cycle (23:32) Important role of a good CFO (25:06) Why you need a KPI dashboard with green, yellow, red indicators (28:51) Why you can’t delegate wealth building to a financial advisor (30:20) Understanding the tax consequences of investments matters (30:53) The fear entrepreneurs face during exit (33:21) The expand phase is the right time to prepare for exit (55:39) The power of masterminds and surrounding yourself with strong operators Who This Episode Is For: Real estate entrepreneurs who are focused on revenue but tight on cashBusiness owners who are preparing to scaleOperators who have grown quickly but lack financial structureEntrepreneurs thinking about long-term wealth and exitWhy You Should Listen: This episode is a reminder that real wealth is built on a strong foundation. If you skip the secure phase, ignore liquidity, or expand without structure, you risk undoing years of progress. Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

    38 min

  3. FEB 13

    Episode 40: The Income Trap - Why Making More Money Won't Solve Your Cash Flow Problem - Tom Krol

    The people who win in the business think and live in net, they don't talk about gross. They live in simplicity, not complexity, and they treat hustle as a season, not a lifestyle. In this episode, Marcus sits down with Tom Krol to unpack a hard truth most entrepreneurs don’t want to hear: if you don’t know how to keep money, earning more of it will only amplify the problem. This conversation goes deep into money habits, pressure, scaling myths, stewardship, diversification, and why most entrepreneurs are chasing the wrong metrics. You’ll Learn How To: Stop obsessing over gross revenue and start thinking in netAvoid the “income trap” that keeps entrepreneurs stuckUse simple allocation instead of complicated budgetingBuild wealth without scaling yourself into stressWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (02:43) Who is Tom Krol? (04:28) The biggest mistake young entrepreneurs make with money (05:55) Data, not drama: Why your P&L tells the real story (09:27) Being a good steward of money (11:02) Tom’s personal wealth allocation model (50-20-20-5-5) (12:15) Why diversification matters (13:39) Debt is often misunderstood (14:15) Speak, think, and live in the net (17:15) The number one predictor of entrepreneurial success (17:46) The difference between success and wealth (23:15) Most online flexing is financial smoke and mirrors (24:19) Hustle is a season, not a permanent identity (28:06) You can’t exit hustle without mastering money basics (28:59) The shift from chasing and convincing to attracting and repelling (31:18) Scale vs leads (32:28) What makes someone a great coach (36:27) Coaching business is more scalable, sellable, and profitable (39:10) Things to consider if you want to be a coach (41:23) The simple daily order of operations: Revenue → Fulfillment → KPIs Who This Episode Is For: Real estate investors who are stuck in the "make more” cycleEntrepreneurs who are scaling revenue but not building wealthBusiness owners living deal-to-dealCoaches or aspiring coaches who want to build it the right wayWhy You Should Listen: If your lifestyle rises with your income, you’ll always feel behind. But if you master allocation, stewardship, and simplicity, you can build real wealth without building a monster business that owns your life. Connect with Tom Krol: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coaching_inc/ Website: https://coachinginc.com/ 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

  4. FEB 10

    Episode 39: The 3X Rule - Why You Need Triple Your Fixed Expenses in Cash Before You Expand

    Most real estate entrepreneurs expand too fast and pay for it later. They add expenses, hire people, and scale operations before their cash position can support it. In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler breaks down the 3X Rule: why you should have at least three times your fixed monthly expenses in cash before you expand. He explains how skipping this step can lead to stress, poor decisions, and fragile businesses, and why cash is essential for growth. You’ll Learn How To: Build a cash buffer that protects your businessDecide when you are actually ready to expandStop confusing expenses with growthThink about spending as ROIWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (03:43) What tax strategy really is (06:49) Why year-end tax scrambling no longer works (07:53) Understanding marginal vs effective tax rates (10:15) The simplest bookkeeping setup for new investors (11:31) Separating personal and business finances is non-negotiable (14:43) How experienced operators are shifting in today’s market (17:26) Flipping remains essential to housing supply (21:15) When new construction actually makes sense (24:53) Cash creates opportunity in every market (26:04) Smart places investors are parking cash today (28:18) The four phases of business: Hustle, Secure, Expand, Exit (29:15) You are not a real business owner until you pay yourself consistently (30:19) The 3X Rule explained using real numbers (31:45) “Low is smooth. Smooth is fast.” (32:27) How ROI thinking simplifies every business decision Who This Episode Is For: Real estate investors who are trying to scale responsiblyEntrepreneurs who are feeling cash pressure despite growthOperators who want a predictable incomeWhy You Should Listen: If you have ever felt stretched thin after expanding or unsure when to take the next step, this episode gives you a simple, practical rule to grow with confidence. Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

    38 min

  5. FEB 6

    Episode 38: Why Time Isn't Money (But Timing Is) - The 4-Phase Formula to Go From Broke to $5M in Equity

    Providing value is a requirement for making money. If you can't provide value, the rest of it doesn't matter. But you also have to understand that the concept of timing is money. In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler explains why time isn’t what creates wealth but timing. He walks through his own journey from financial stress and six figures of debt to building a business that runs without him, and lays out the four-phase framework that helps real estate entrepreneurs build wealth faster and with less burnout. Listen and enjoy the show! You’ll Learn How To: Stop confusing effort with progressFocus on timing instead of chasing more hoursMove through the four phases of wealth in the right orderBuild toward a clear exit instead of endless growthWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (01:15) Why “time is money” is the wrong mindset for entrepreneurs (02:09) Providing value is required, but not enough (03:09) Focusing on your economy instead of the economy (03:49) Marcus’ early career and financial struggles (06:32) Why getting closer to revenue is the first real shift (08:48) The moment finances finally came under control (10:16) The pattern every entrepreneur goes through (11:51) The straight-line wealth framework explained (14:01) Phase 1: Hustle and finding one repeatable profit model (16:37) Personal financial stability comes first (17:31) Phase 2: Secure. Why does skipping it create chaos? (20:35) Phase 3: Expanding based on reserves, not revenue (23:23) Phase 4: The exit phase (23:54) Why $5M in equity is the real finish line for most investors Who This Episode Is For: Real estate entrepreneurs who are feeling stuck in a constant hustleInvestors who want financial peaceBusiness owners who are ready to scale without burning outAnyone who wants a clear path to long-term wealthWhy You Should Listen: If you are working harder every year but feel like you are running in circles, this episode will show you how the right timing and the right order can help you reach real financial freedom. Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

    25 min

  6. FEB 3

    Episode 37: No Accountability No Wealth - Why Most Real Estate Investors Stay on the Income Roller Coaster

    Many real estate investors blame the market or timing when the numbers don't hit. More often than not, the real issue is a lack of accountability. In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler breaks down why a lack of accountability keeps investors stuck living deal to deal. He explains the difference between being accountable to actions versus being accountable to results, and why that distinction determines whether your business creates stability or constant stress. You’ll Learn How To: Stop blaming uncontrollable factors for missed numbersShift from action-based accountability to results-based accountabilityIdentify where accountability breaks down in your businessHold yourself and your team to higher standardsWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (02:01) A real-world example of failed leadership under pressure (02:41) Why being the “better team” doesn’t guarantee winning (03:36) Blaming uncontrollables destroys accountability (04:28) The hidden cost of ignoring execution failures (05:08) Why uncontrollable factors are never an acceptable reason (06:27) Accountability to results vs accountability to actions (07:31) The long-term cost of ignoring repeated performance issues (08:39) Why CEOs lose businesses despite being “good at their job.” (10:15) The importance of accountability Who This Episode Is For: Business owners who are tired of missing financial targetsLeaders who want better execution and better resultsEntrepreneurs who are ready to take full ownership of outcomesWhy You Should Listen: If you feel like your income keeps rising and falling no matter how hard you work, this episode will show you how true accountability creates stability, clarity, and long-term wealth. Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

    12 min

  7. JAN 30

    Episode 36: The Real Cost of Running Your Own Property Management (It's Not What You Think)

    Property management is one of the most misunderstood and most demanding businesses in real estate. In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler breaks down what it really takes to manage your own properties or run a property management company profitably. He explains why most property management companies struggle and the hidden costs that investors often overlook. You’ll Learn How To: Decide whether managing your own properties makes senseUnderstand the real skill sets required to run property managementAvoid the common financial mistakes property managers makeKnow when a property management business becomes profitableWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (01:30) The most common question investors ask about property management (02:40) The key questions to ask before starting a management company (03:01) The two very different skill sets in property management (04:24) Why owners rarely rave about outsourced property managers (04:47) Where the property management industry falls short (06:07) Property managers don’t operate as fiduciaries (06:44) The truth about profitability in the first 300 units (08:44) Why property management is not a get-rich-quick play (09:12) Buying vs starting a property management company Who This Episode Is For: Real estate investors who are considering self-managing their portfolioOperators who are planning to start a property management companyBusiness owners who want more control over their assetsWhy You Should Listen: If you have ever wondered whether running your own property management is worth the effort, this episode gives you the unfiltered truth. Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

    12 min

  8. JAN 27

    Episode 35: Why Real Estate Investors Making $500K+ Always Feel Broke (The Cash System That Fixes It)

    Why do real estate entrepreneurs always feel broke even if they are making money? In this solo episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler breaks down why that feeling is so common among high-earning investors and how a simple cash management system can fix it. Marcus shares the mindset traps that keep investors stressed about money, even at $500K+ in income, and explains the exact structure he’s seen successful investors use to build wealth and peace of mind. Listen and enjoy! You’ll Learn How To: Build a cash system that removes financial stressStop feeling broke even as your income growsSeparate lifestyle, business, and investment moneyUse reserves to stabilize your business long-termWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (01:26) Why do real estate entrepreneurs always feel broke? (03:00) How "feeling broke" affects your decision-making capabilities (04:25) Why draining bank accounts keeps stress high (04:51) Why a cash system removes decision fatigue (05:33) A real client story: high net worth, constant cash stress (06:30) “Stay broke, stay hungry.” (07:41) The three financial entities every investor must separate (08:15) Why cross-pollinating cash causes long-term problems (09:08) Why investment money should never go back to the business (10:18) Why lifestyle money should never fund the business (12:08) How active and passive income work together correctly (12:25) Discipline makes the system work Who This Episode Is For: Real estate investors who are earning high income but still feel brokeEntrepreneurs who are tired of living from deal to dealBusiness owners who want clearer rules around moneyWhy You Should Listen: If you are making more money than ever but still feel broke, this episode lays out a simple cash system that helps you overcome this feeling, make better decisions, and build real wealth with confidence. 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
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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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