Money Penney

Ryan Penney

Welcome to Money Penney. After realizing the traditional 9-to-5 grind wasn’t the life I wanted, I escaped the rat race at 35 and became work optional so I could live life on my own terms. Now I’m dedicating my time and energy to helping others have the option to do the same. On this show we’ll talk about financial education, investing, money psychology, real estate, and lifestyle design so you can build freedom and live your best life. Because once you buy back your freedom, you’re free to make the world a better place.

  1. Jul 29

    Episode 24: 16 mistakes from my Real Estate Journey thus far (Part 2)

    Real estate isn't always passive income—sometimes it's flooded basements, vandalized HVAC systems, Airbnb disasters, lawsuits, and expensive lessons you never saw coming. In this episode of the Money Penney Podcast, Ryan Penney shares 16 of the biggest mistakes he's made during his real estate investing journey. From mystery vandalism and nightmare tenants to failed assumptions and costly renovation mistakes, these stories reveal what can go wrong—and, more importantly, what you can learn from them. If you're investing in real estate, house hacking, managing Airbnbs, or dreaming of becoming financially independent, these lessons could save you thousands of dollars and years of frustration. **In this episode you'll learn:** * Why a vandalized HVAC system became one of Ryan's most bizarre investing stories * The hidden risks of owning Denver row homes without an HOA * Costly Airbnb mistakes that hurt cash flow and profitability * How to navigate floods, mold, difficult tenants, and unexpected property emergencies * Lessons from rushed renovations and inexperienced contractors * The mindset that helps successful investors recover from setbacks faster Every successful investor has made mistakes. The difference is learning from them—and ideally, learning from someone else's first. If this episode helps you avoid even one expensive mistake, it'll be well worth the watch. 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and share it with someone who's investing in real estate. Subscribe for weekly episodes on: • Real Estate Investing • Financial Freedom • Building Passive Income • Money Mindset • Escaping the Rat Race • Creating a Work-Optional Life #RealEstate #RealEstateInvesting #Airbnb #PassiveIncome #FinancialFreedom #MoneyPenney #Investing #RentalProperties #Entrepreneur #PersonalFinance

  2. Jul 22

    Episode 23: 16 mistakes from my Real Estate Journey thus far (Part 1)

    Everyone sees the wins on social media. Almost nobody talks about the mistakes. In this episode of the Money Penney Podcast, I'm pulling back the curtain on the 14 biggest real estate mistakes I've made over the last 10+ years of investing. These lessons cost me hundreds of thousands of dollars, countless sleepless nights, and more stress than I ever expected—but they also helped me become work optional at 35. If you're investing in real estate—or thinking about buying your first rental—this episode could save you years of expensive trial and error. In this episode, we cover:✅ The rehab project that nearly bankrupted me ✅ Why I lost money on Airbnb investments—and what I'd do differently today ✅ The hidden risks of duplexes, party wall agreements, and properties without HOAs ✅ Contractor nightmares and renovation mistakes that blew up my budget ✅ Why every investor needs larger cash reserves than they think ✅ How local regulations can completely change an investment overnight ✅ The biggest mistakes I made managing tenants and property damage ✅ How buying during the right market cycle can dramatically increase your returns ✅ The mindset that helped me push through setbacks instead of quitting Real estate isn't passive. It's messy. It's emotional. It's unpredictable. But if you can learn from someone else's mistakes instead of making them yourself, you'll dramatically increase your chances of building long-term wealth. After more than a decade of investing, I've learned that success isn't about avoiding mistakes—it's about surviving them, learning from them, and making better decisions the next time. If you're serious about real estate investing, financial independence, passive income, and becoming work optional, this episode is for you. 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please Like & Subscribe. Every week I share practical lessons on: Real Estate InvestingFinancial FreedomPassive IncomeMoney & InvestingBuilding WealthEscaping the Rat RaceMy goal is simple: help more people become work optional through smart investing and better financial decisions. 💬 Question for you: What's the biggest real estate lesson you've learned—or what's your biggest fear about getting started? Let me know in the comments!

  3. Jul 8

    Episode 21: 13 Mindset Shifts that help you escape the corporate rat race

    Are you living the life you want—or the life you've settled for? Most people don't fail because they lack talent. They fail because they're thinking with the same mindset that created their current reality. In this episode of the Money Penney Podcast, I break down the 13 mindset shifts that helped me escape the rat race, become work optional at 35, and build a life centered around freedom instead of obligation. These aren't motivational quotes—they're practical mental frameworks you can start applying today to make better decisions, build wealth, and create a life you're excited to wake up to. In this episode, you'll learn:Why delayed gratification is the foundation of financial freedomThe "Brick Wall Test" that reveals what you truly wantHow changing your identity changes your futureWhy asking "How can I?" is more powerful than saying "I can't."The difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindsetWhy uncertainty is an advantage, not something to fearHow accountability accelerates your successWhy serving others is one of the fastest ways to build opportunity and wealthIf you're feeling stuck in your career, chasing financial independence, or simply looking to level up your life, this episode will give you the mental tools to think differently—and ultimately live differently. Your future is shaped by the decisions you make today. If you enjoy the episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who's ready to stop settling and start building a life of freedom. 👇 Which mindset shift has had the biggest impact on your life? Let me know in the comments. #FinancialFreedom #Mindset #PersonalDevelopment #MoneyMindset #RealEstate #Investing #Entrepreneurship #WorkOptional #MoneyPenney #SelfImprovement

  4. Jul 1

    Episode 20: Mitigate your single largest expense...Taxes!

    The biggest expense you'll ever have... Probably isn't your mortgage. It's your taxes. The difference between the wealthy and everyone else isn't just how much they earn. It's how much they keep. The tax code isn't just a list of rules. It's a playbook. And if you understand it, you can legally keep more of your money to invest, grow, and build wealth faster. Here are a few strategies every investor should know: 🏠 Depreciation can reduce your taxable income—even while your property increases in value. 🔄 A 1031 Exchange lets you sell an investment property and reinvest the proceeds without immediately paying capital gains taxes. 💰 Refinancing can unlock equity without triggering a taxable event. 📉 Certain real estate strategies can create paper losses that may offset eligible income, depending on your circumstances. The goal isn't to avoid taxes. The goal is to understand the rules and use them the way they were designed. Because every dollar you keep is another dollar working toward your financial freedom. The people who build wealth don't just invest in assets. They invest in knowledge. 👇 Which tax strategy do you want to learn more about? 💬 Comment "TAX" and I'll know you're serious about keeping more of what you earn. 📌 Save this for tax season. 🔄 Share it with someone who thinks paying less tax is only for the ultra-wealthy. 📲 Follow @mrmoneypenney for more strategies on building wealth through investing and financial freedom. #Taxes #TaxStrategy #RealEstateInvesting #WealthBuilding #FinancialFreedom #PassiveIncome #MoneyMindset #Investing #PersonalFinance #Entrepreneur

  5. Jun 23

    Episode 19: Is it possible to get a 50% ROI? I'll explain how

    Can real estate generate 50%+ returns? According to Ryan Penney, absolutely. In this episode, Ryan pulls back the curtain on the strategies, mindset, and deal structures that can produce returns far beyond traditional investments. Ryan shares real examples from his portfolio and explains how thoughtful renovations, creative financing, market selection, and operational improvements can dramatically increase both cash flow and appreciation. You'll learn: • How to identify high-upside real estate opportunities • Why seller financing can improve returns dramatically • The role renovations play in forced appreciation • How amenities and upgrades increase property value • What market indicators Ryan watches before investing • How appreciation, cash flow, and leverage work together Ryan also discusses: 🏡 Job growth and population trends 📈 Market timing vs market selection 💰 Cash-on-cash return strategies 🚀 Scaling from one deal into a larger portfolio ⚡ How investors compound wealth over decades The biggest lesson? Extraordinary returns rarely come from luck. They come from finding opportunities others overlook and creating value through strategic execution. If you've ever wondered how investors build wealth faster than the stock market can provide, this episode offers a practical framework for thinking bigger about real estate. 🎙️ Subscribe for more episodes on: • Real estate investing • Financial independence • Wealth building • Short-term rentals • Building a work-optional life 👇 Comment below: What's the highest ROI you've ever achieved on an investment? #RealEstate #Investing #FinancialFreedom #CashFlow #PassiveIncome #MoneyPenney #WealthBuilding #RealEstateInvestor #Entrepreneur

About

Welcome to Money Penney. After realizing the traditional 9-to-5 grind wasn’t the life I wanted, I escaped the rat race at 35 and became work optional so I could live life on my own terms. Now I’m dedicating my time and energy to helping others have the option to do the same. On this show we’ll talk about financial education, investing, money psychology, real estate, and lifestyle design so you can build freedom and live your best life. Because once you buy back your freedom, you’re free to make the world a better place.