Escape the Infinite Workday Trap (Plus: How to Grow $200/Month Into $300K)

Jun 26, 2025

Colette Stallbaumer, co-founder of Microsoft WorkLab and general manager for Microsoft 365 Copilot, delves into the 'infinite workday' phenomenon and its impact on work-life balance. She shares insights on how AI tools can help reclaim focus time and reduce burnout. The discussion also includes practical strategies for setting boundaries in an always-on culture. Additionally, listeners learn how stay-at-home parents can build retirement savings, with tips on using spousal IRAs and the power of compound interest to grow modest contributions into significant funds.

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INSIGHT

The Infinite Workday Phenomenon

The "infinite workday" blurs the boundary between work and home, causing work to extend into early mornings, midday meetings, and evenings.
This leads to morning overwhelm, lost focus time due to meetings, and a triple peak of evening work activity.

ADVICE

Leverage AI to Reclaim Time

Use AI tools like Microsoft Copilot daily to reclaim focus time and delegate tedious work tasks.
Adopting AI as a daily habit can enhance productivity and reduce workday length.

ADVICE

Use Spousal IRA for Retirement Savings

Stay-at-home parents can save for retirement by using a spousal IRA contributed by their working spouse.
Spousal IRAs don't require earned income but allow individual retirement savings under one’s own name.

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Get tips to reclaim your time from the “infinite workday,” then learn how to build retirement savings as a stay-at-home parent.

How do you reclaim your time in an always-on work culture? How can stay-at-home parents keep building retirement savings? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the rise of the “infinite workday” and answer a listener’s question about how to save for retirement as a stay-at-home parent. First, NerdWallet senior news writer Anna Helhoski joins the show to share her conversation with Colette Stallbaumer, co-founder of Microsoft WorkLab and general manager for Microsoft 365 Copilot, who shares new research into the “infinite workday.” She discusses how flexible work has blurred the lines between home and the office, often creating burnout and a sense of always being “on,” and offers solutions, including boundary-setting practices, productivity tips, and how AI tools like Microsoft Copilot can help reclaim focus time.

Then, Sean and Elizabeth shift gears to answer a listener’s question about saving for retirement as a stay-at-home parent. They break down options like spousal IRAs, the importance of emergency funds, and how even $200 a month can grow significantly under the right circumstances. They also talk through budget frameworks and how to have productive conversations with your partner about long-term goals.

Use NerdWallet’s free retirement calculator to check your progress, see how much retirement income you'll have and estimate how much more you should save: https://www.nerdwallet.com/calculator/retirement-calculator

Use NerdWallet’s free compound interest calculator to see how your savings and investment account balances can grow with the magic of compound interest: https://www.nerdwallet.com/calculator/compound-interest-calculator

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: infinite workday, always on work culture, work from home burnout, Microsoft WorkLab study, productivity tools, morning overwhelm, triple peak day, reclaiming focus time, meetings vs deep work, Copilot AI, Microsoft 365 productivity, flexible work boundaries, setting work boundaries, delay send email, work-life balance tips, workplace AI tools, using AI at work, spousal IRA, retirement options for stay-at-home parents, compound interest calculator, emergency fund strategy, 50/30/20 budget rule, saving while unemployed, Roth IRA withdrawals, IRA contribution limits, saving for retirement after quitting a job, financial planning for couples, money conversations with your partner, taxable brokerage account, pay yourself first, retirement savings calculator, saving for retirement with side hustle, and financial independence as a stay-at-home parent.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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