The FI Team Podcast Craig Curelop & Zeona McIntyre

Some people are well on their way to FI before even realizing what it is, and Luc Nadeau was one of them! Through rentals and buy-and-hold, this jack-of-all-trades investor generated enough equity and passive income to retire at the age of 42!
This week, Craig and Zeona sit down with Luc to talk about his real estate deals and how it got him out of debt, the advantages of DIY’ing rehabs and repairs, and how he eventually freed up some of his equity to invest in the stock market.
Stick around to hear how Luc knows Mr. Money Mustache, how one can maintain a frugal lifestyle, and about his part-time job of building caskets (!).
Key Takeaways
Luc was already financially independent when he first learned about the term in 2012!
His first real estate deal was a two-unit property, which he househacked before he even knew that that was a thing
In real estate, you can use equity to generate more wealth. If you can hold on to a property for over a decade, it could triple or quadruple in value.
Work on places that you like and make your neighborhood better.
Luc lets his children participate in his remodeling projects
To find true fulfilment, be a good person and try to make the world a better place.
Links
Luc Nadeau’s Youtube
Luc Nadeau’s blog
Books
The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
Factfulness by Hans Rosling
Robinson Family Governess by Judith Burtner

After 3 corporate jobs, Avery Carl realized that she did not make a good employee! Her first foray into real estate catapulted her into short-term and vacation rentals, and The Short Term Shop was born! Thanks to her go-getter attitude, she has over 30 properties under her belt and was one of The Wall Street Journal's Top 100 Agents in 2020.
This week, Avery talks about her vacation home loan hack, the diversity of her rental portfolio, and her reasons for focusing on drive-to markets. Know more about how she built a successful team, her recruitment process, and her WHYs for pursuing real estate investing.
Key Takeaways
Avery accidentally discovered FI and real estate investing after she and her husband bought their first rental property in 2013
Why she started her real estate sales business and how she scaled it up
How to plan your short-term rentals right in order to minimize vacancy
Learn the 3 types of short-term markets: metro markets, big-ticket vacation markets, and tourism-dependent regional markets
Avery got licensed in 2016 for ease of acquisition and switched to eXp Realty in 2019
Investors are the best lead source for a real estate agent: if they get something successful, they will keep buying.
How Avery rises to the challenge of working in a male-dominated industry
Sometimes you just have to pull the trigger and learn as you go!
Links
The Short Term Shop
Avery Carl’s Instagram
Book
Who Not How by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy

Jason Moore had a $20,000 student debt and a dream to see the world, so he worked as a “glorified carny” and traveled all over the US and overseas—for over a decade! He eventually bought his first property and turned it into a rental for passive income. Now, he’s based in Norway with his wife and kids, helping others achieve that same location independent lifestyle he’s created.
Whether you live on the road or at home, there are always going to be ups and downs so start living the life you want today. Tune in to get an idea of how you can build a business around the lifestyle you want (instead of the other way around!).
Key Takeaways
Set a number—how much you need each month to support your lifestyle, how much passive income you want, etc.—and then work your way backward.
The pros and cons of living in Norway.
With minimalism and frugality, you can set yourself up to win the FI game.
His work as a touring professional included driving the Meow Mix mobile(!)
Taking the unconventional path might get you to your goals faster.
With his savings and the Obama tax credit, Jason was able to purchase a $180,000 condominium in Colorado. He turned it into a rental and an Airbnb, and then later sold it for $352,000
When you start thinking about FI, you see the world through the lens of opportunity.
Real estate wealth is built over time so the earlier you get in, the better—but you can leverage and stack real estate to buy more real estate.
Links
Location Indie
Zero to Travel
Free Bonus from Jason
Book
The Catalyst: How to Change Anyone's Mind by Jonah Berger

Today on the show, we welcome hustler, inspirational investor, and member of the FI Team, Ben Rhodin! He lost his W2 job because of COVID, but instead of taking it easy, he used his free time to get into real estate investing. He managed his parents’ rentals, learned about financing, closed his first property, renovated it, and got his license—all in 2020(!).
From film school graduate to real estate agent, Ben is an example of someone who’s made the most of the hand he’s been dealt. He shares some of the lessons he’s learned from his parents and what he was able to do with a HELOC.
Key Takeaways
Helping his parents with their rentals while he was in film school taught Ben how to manage his own units
His parents have been putting about $70 every month in a mutual fund for him and his brothers so that they could use it later as downpayment for a home
In early 2020, he met Craig, started chatting with lenders, and went through the traditional channels for financing
But eventually, his parents took out a $400,000 HELOC and let him use that to close and renovate his first property—a single-family house with a basement
Ben encourages investors to be good people, to actively engage with others, and to keep looking at where they want to go, not at the obstacles that are in their way
He wants to achieve FI so that he doesn’t have to turn his hobbies into careers
Bonus! Zeona shares a few creative lending stories too
Links
Ben Rhodin’s BiggerPockets
Ben Rhodin’s Instagram
Book
SOLD: Every Real Estate Agent’s Guide to Building a Profitable Business by David Greene

Thirty-year-old David Bandler discovered house hacking less than a year ago (in the middle of the pandemic!) and just one week later, he put in an offer for his first property!  His story is a true testament to the power of going for it, and how important it is to have the right mindset and the right allies in place to embrace this path to FI.
On this week’s episode, he’ll talk about his process for vetting tenants, how he addressed unexpected house problems, and what living with roommates has been like. But not only that. Listen until the end to go deeper and learn how David reemerged from a difficult rock bottom in his life to overcome a struggle with addiction and truly soar to new healthy heights, choosing the path to FI.
Key Takeaways
David first learned about house hacking from a friend who introduced him to Craig. One week later, he was under contract for his first house!
David credits his sales background for how he patiently and diligently reached out to potential roommates.
Don’t stress over leaks and broken appliances because they can be fixed. Get a one-year warranty for anything that costs more than $1,000.
If you’re going to have roommates, set clear, general expectations and employ a chores rotation for accountability.
How to shift from a victim mentality by asking yourself “What was my part in this? What could I have done differently?”
How hitting rock bottom changed his perspective and taught him to lean into his fears and doubts to get to the other side.
Links
David Bandler’s LinkedIn
David Bandler’s Instagram
Books
The House Hacking Strategy by Craig Curelop
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Tax-Free Wealth by Tom Wheelwright

We are super stoked this week to be joined by the one and only @MoneyHoney FI Queen Rachel Richards! Retired at 27, she is known for helping a growing number of fans get their Financial $hit Together, and real estate investing was a key strategy!
Investing in real estate can seem daunting, but 24-year-old Rachel Richards decided to accept the risks when she bought her first property. Two+ years and some 40 units later, she had enough passive income to retire at the age of 27, and is currently living off $15,000 a month! Now, she’s the author of two bestselling books with an 8-week online course on financial literacy.
In this episode, Rachel talks about her rentals, the lessons she’s learned as a long-distance landlord, and how real estate can be a means to an end. Stay tuned to learn more about property management and also self-publishing as a passive income stream.
Key Takeaways
The books that Rachel read in high school that got her started on the path to FI
How zero college debt, her husband’s military benefits, and saving aggressively helped Rachel close her first rental—a $100,000 duplex
And how she jumped to a $400,000 move-in-ready 12-unit building for her 2nd investment
Learn about seller’s concessions as well as probate lists, bandit signs, short sales and pre-foreclosures  as creative strategies
How utterly important it is to hire the right property manager aka. one who is licensed, bonded, insured and certified!
The challenges she overcame to publish her first book “Money Honey”
How Rachel finds fulfillment in helping as many people as she can learn financial literacy and achieve FI
Spend money in a way that aligns with your values; and when your money is on the line, you’ve got to be your own advocate!
Links
Rachel Richard’s Website
Rachel Richard’s Instagram
Books
Money Honey by Rachel Richards
Passive Income Aggressive Retirement by Rachel Richards
Published by Chandler Bolt
You Must Write A Book by Honoree Corder
Playing With FIRE  (Financial Independence Retire Early) by Scott Rieckens