November 4, 2025
AAR22 - Renting vs. Owning: No Easy Answer
The Investing for Beginners Podcast - Your Path to Financial FreedomAbout this episode
You can find Evan’s home buying calculator at einvestingforbeginners.com/home . In this episode, Evan Raidt and Dave Ahern tackle the classic debate of renting vs. owning a home. They break down the numbers behind home affordability, share real-life experiences, and discuss how your personal goals and financial situation should drive your decision—not outdated advice or pressure from others. From the dramatic shift in home price-to-income ratios to the realities of being “house poor,” Evan and Dave offer honest insights, practical tips, and a few laughs to help you make the best choice for your life. Topics Covered: How home affordability has changed since the 1980s The real monthly costs of owning a home What it means to be “house poor” Pros and cons of renting vs. owning The impact of lifestyle and flexibility on your decision Common misconceptions about buying a home Personal stories: why Evan bought and why Dave rents Using calculators and tools to make smart decisions Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction & The Home Price-to-Income Ratio 02:00 Renting vs. Owning: The Real-Life Experience 06:00 Why Most People Don’t Plan for Homeownership 09:30 Planning Ahead vs. Waiting for Opportunity 12:45 How Home Affordability Has Shifted 16:00 The Modern Reality: Dual Incomes & Rising Costs 19:30 Breaking Down the True Cost of Buying a Home 25:00 What Does “House Poor” Really Mean? 28:00 Comparing Monthly Costs: Renting vs. Owning 31:00 Pros and Cons: Maintenance, Flexibility, and Lifestyle 35:00 Personal Stories: Decision Factors for Evan & Dave 39:00 Misconceptions and Outdated Advice 41:30 Final Thoughts, Tools, and How to Reach Out Resources Mentioned: Home Buying Calculator Monthly Budget Tool Questions or feedback? Email Evan at evan@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below—your stories and questions help us make the show better! Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate—we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. This message is sponsored by Greenlight. Don’t wait to teach your kids real-world money skills, start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at greenlight.com/investing . Have questions? Send them to Evan at evan@einvestingforbeginners.com If you’d like to discuss sponsorship or advertising opportunities, shoot us an email at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com . SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices