Real estate is often sold as “passive.” Buy a turnkey property, hire a property manager, and let the checks roll in.

That’s the story.
This episode is the reality.

In this episode of Before the Returns, I break down why real estate is rarely truly passive—and how believing that it is can quietly erode your returns without you realizing it. I share a real experience from an out-of-state turnkey rental where a single email from a property manager almost cost me months of cash flow… until one 15-minute phone call changed everything.

This isn’t an anti–turnkey episode. It’s a clarity episode.

We talk about:

• What “turnkey real estate” actually means (and what it doesn’t)
• How property managers are incentivized—and why that matters
• Why delegation doesn’t remove responsibility, it just hides it
• The difference between distance and control in investing
• Why “passive” can be one of the most dangerous words in real estate

If you’re investing—or thinking about investing—in rental properties, especially out of state, this episode will help you recalibrate expectations, protect your margins, and think like an owner instead of a spectator.

Got feedback? Drop it here

Learn more at www.jadenzubal.com | Follow @jadenzubal | Join the *Before the Returns Weekly* newsletter

📩 Questions or ideas? Email: jadenzubal.wealth@gmail.com

⚖️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

Every January, motivation shows up again.

New goals.
New promises.
New discipline.

And yet, for so many families, money still feels tight, stretched, and frustratingly stuck — even when they’re doing “everything right.”

In this episode of Before the Returns, Jaden breaks down why motivation keeps coming back year after year — and why that’s not a failure. It’s a signal.

This isn’t a conversation about working harder, budgeting better, or finding more discipline. It’s about understanding the hidden conflict inside most financial lives — where one dollar is asked to do too many jobs at the same time.

You’ll learn:

• Why motivation keeps showing up (and what it’s actually trying to fix)
• The real reason money feels stretched even at decent income levels
• Why trying harder often increases financial tension instead of relieving it
• How financial conflict creates stress, guilt, and decision fatigue
• What families who feel calm and in control with money do differently

This episode is about clarity, not shame.
And it sets the stage for building a financial system that doesn’t rely on constant motivation to survive.

Key Takeaways

• Motivation is not the problem — it’s a signal
• Most families aren’t broke; they’re financially conflicted
• When money is pulled in too many directions, progress feels impossible
• Effort increases pressure when the underlying setup doesn’t change
• Financial peace comes from removing conflict, not adding discipline

Got feedback? Drop it here

Learn more at www.jadenzubal.com | Follow @jadenzubal | Join the *Before the Returns Weekly* newsletter

📩 Questions or ideas? Email: jadenzubal.wealth@gmail.com

⚖️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

Christmas isn’t expensive because of gifts.
It’s expensive because of a lie we’ve been telling ourselves for years.

In this episode of Before the Returns, Jaden breaks down why Christmas quietly exposes the strengths — and weaknesses — of a family’s financial system. It’s not about spending too much, lacking discipline, or “doing it wrong.” It’s about what happens when generosity, meaning, and preparation get confused with last-minute consumption.

Released just after Christmas, this conversation meets listeners right where they are — reflecting on what the season felt like and why it so often leaves families emotionally full but financially drained.

You’ll hear:

• Why Christmas pressure isn’t caused by gifts — but by unplanned generosity
• The hidden belief that makes December feel heavier every year
• How families with very different incomes experience Christmas differently
• Why structure creates peace, not restriction
• How intentional systems make generosity lighter instead of stressful

This episode isn’t about budgeting harder or spending less.
It’s about understanding the system behind the season — and why families who build wealth don’t avoid life, they prepare for it.

Key Takeaways

• Christmas exposes your financial system more than any other month
• Generosity feels heavy when it’s unplanned
• Consumption has replaced meaning for many families — often unintentionally
• Structure doesn’t kill joy; it protects it
• Financial peace comes from preparation, not perfection

Got feedback? Drop it here

Learn more at www.jadenzubal.com | Follow @jadenzubal | Join the *Before the Returns Weekly* newsletter

📩 Questions or ideas? Email: jadenzubal.wealth@gmail.com

⚖️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.