SparkRental’s Bucks Outside the Box Podcast:
Uncommon Cents for Unconventional Investors
Challenge assumptions. Question the status quo. Build an extraordinary life.
The Latest from SparkRental’s Bucks Outside the Box Podcast:
No Jargon or Fluff: A Real Estate Podcast of Quick Bites!
In 2018, SparkRental cofounders Brian Davis and Deni Supplee started broadcasting live every week to the SparkRental Facebook page and Landlords & Real Estate Investors’ Hub. Eventually they started publishing broadcasts as their Live Off Rents podcast, and eventually started challenging conventional wisdom with their Bucks Outside the Box show.
Today, we still release new episodes every week, interviewing some of the sharpest minds in personal finance, investing, real estate, and financial independence.
We pack a ton of information in concise 5-15 minute episodes. From stock investing strategies to real estate, passive income to active earning, early retirement, active vs. passive real estate investing and beyond, we’ve got you covered.
Most of all, we help you keep the big picture in mind: building the life you want and reaching financial independence.
Happy listening!

Want all the benefits of real estate investing without the headaches?
Learn how to invest passively in group real estate investments.
Every month, our Co-Investing Club vets a new real estate syndication deal. All deals are open to all members (including non-accredited investors).
Our target returns: 15-30%.
Curious? Watch this 86-second video.
Prefer Reading? Check Out Our FIRE & Real Estate Blog!
Home Renovations with the Highest ROI: Which Renovations Add the Most Value?
The Big Picture On Home Renovations With The Best ROI: Improvements like garage door replacements, manufactured stone veneer, and new front doors offer high returns on investment due to their significant impact on a property's first impression. Minor kitchen remodels...
12 Lessons About Money from Game of Thrones and HoTD
The Big Picture On Money And Real-Estate Lessons From Game of Thrones and House of The Dragon: Just like in the series, leveraging resources and forming strategic alliances can significantly amplify real estate investment returns. Managing and mitigating risks are...
The Role of Dividends in Financial Independence/Retiring Early
The Role Of Dividends In Financial Independence: Dividend stocks, particularly Dividend Kings with over 50 years of increasing dividends, are ideal for generating passive income. Investing in stocks with high dividends can help investors achieve financial independence...
How to Increase Property Value: 11 Ideas to Boost Equity & Rents
The Big Picture On How To Increase Property Value: Boost the property's exterior with landscaping, a fresh coat of paint, or new fixtures to make a strong first impression. Modernize the kitchen and bathrooms with new hardware, countertops, and fixtures. This upgrade...
Should Landlords Accept Rent by Credit Card?
The Big Picture On Accepting Rent by Credit Card: Accepting rent by credit card provides flexibility for renters who might be short on cash and can help them avoid late fees. For landlords, it offers faster and more reliable payments. Using credit card payments can...
Investment Property Interest Rates: Latest Update
The Big Picture Investment Property Interest Rates: Getting loans for rental property allow investors to take advantage of increased capital, leverage, improved cash flow, and more. There are many potential sources of property loans, including conventional, personal,...
Curious about other passive real estate investments?
Check out our comparison chart of Real Estate Crowdfunding Platforms. Our cofounder G. Brian Davis has invested in most of them personally, for firsthand experience. Here’s a quick preview of just a few:
Concreit | Groundfloor | Fundrise | Ark7 | Lofty | Arrived | Connect Invest | Streitwise | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Min. Investment | $1 | $10 | $10 | $20 | $50 | $100 | $500 | $1,000 |
Investment Format | Pooled Fund of Loans, Fractional Ownership in Rentals | Secured Loans | Pooled Funds & REITs | Fractional Ownership in Rentals | Fractional Ownership in Rentals | Fractional Ownership in Rentals | Short-Term Notes | REIT |
Real Estate Type | Hard Money Loans & Apartment Buildings | Residential (Short-Term Loans), Notes, Cash Flow Advances | Residential & Commercial | Single-Family Rentals (Long-Term & Airbnb), Multifamily | Single-Family Rentals, Mixed-Use, Commercial | Single-Family Rentals (Long-Term & Airbnb), Multifamily | Secured Residential & Commercial Loans | Commercial Office Buildings |
Dividend Freq. | Weekly | N/A | Quarterly | Monthly | Daily | Quarterly | Monthly | Quarterly |
Dividend Yield Last Year | 6.24% (more with referrals) | N/A | 7.70% | Avg. 4.6% | Varies by property | 1.9 - 8.3% (long-term rentals), 1.4 - 5.6% (short-term rentals) | 7.5-9% | 5.1% |
Total Return Last Year | 6.24% (more with referrals) | Avg. 9.78% | 7.70% (income account); 0.68% (growth account) | Avg. ~8% | Varies by property | Varies by property | 7.5-9% | 5.1% |
Hold Time w/o Penalty | 1 Year (but no principal penalty) | 2-18 Months | 5 Years | 3 Months | None | 5 Years | 6-24 Months | 5 Years |
Built-In IRA | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Year Launched | 2018 | 2013 | 2012 | 2019 | 2018 | 2021 | 2015 | 2017 |
Brian Invests Personally | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not Yet | Yes | Not Yet | Yes |
Learn More | Concreit | Groundfloor | Fundrise | Ark7 | Lofty | Arrived | Connect Invest | Streitwise |
Is This Podcast for You?
If you don’t want to work forever, it’s for you.
At SparkRental, we’re all about helping you replace your day job income with passive income from investments. Build enough investment income, and your day job becomes optional. You can quit to spend more time with your family, choose a career you’re more passionate about, travel, volunteer full-time.
Or you can keep working your current job if you love it, and build even more wealth.
While we tend to focus on building passive income through rental properties, we know that financial independence and/or retiring early — FIRE — works best with diverse income streams. So yes, we talk about finding motivated sellers, tools like free rental income calculators, finding rental property loans, and property management tips & tricks. But we also explore wider FIRE issues like savings rate, safe withdrawal rates, and how the FIRE lifestyle can save you money in surprising ways.
Most of all, we want to help you think differently about your money, and about lifestyle design: creating your own personal ideal life. Real estate is merely a means to that end!