Optimal Finance Daily - Financial Independence and Money Advice

3097: Money Does Not Buy Better Habits AND Scared to Death of Death: The Important Things We Postpone by Joshua Fields Millburn

Apr 5, 2025

Joshua Fields Millburn, a minimalist and author, delves into the belief that money alone ensures happiness. He argues that it's our daily habits that truly shape contentment, encouraging listeners to prioritize intentional living. Millburn also tackles the discomfort surrounding death, advocating for preparation rather than fear to achieve peace of mind. He emphasizes personal development and financial literacy as crucial elements for a fulfilling life, reminding us to focus on what genuinely enriches our lives.

10:31

Episode guests

Joshua Fields Millburn

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Focusing on developing healthier daily habits can lead to greater happiness and fulfillment than merely seeking increased financial income.

Preparing for death through essential legal documentation provides peace of mind and security, enabling individuals to navigate life's uncertainties more confidently.

Deep dives

The Value of Healthy Habits Over Income

Focusing on establishing healthier habits can lead to greater happiness than simply earning more money. This perspective highlights that happiness and contentment are primarily influenced by how individuals choose to spend their time, regardless of their financial circumstances. For example, engaging in activities such as yoga, cooking nutritious meals, and surrounding oneself with positive influences can significantly improve overall well-being. The emphasis is on personal development and intentional living, which can outweigh any financial gains by providing a sense of autonomy and fulfillment in daily life.

Intro

2min

Confronting Mortality and Building Better Habits

5min

Prioritizing Personal Development Over Wealth

2min

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Episode 3097:

Joshua Fields Millburn challenges the belief that income alone leads to happiness, emphasizing instead the transformative power of daily habits and intentional living. He also addresses the importance of preparing for the inevitable, death, not to live in fear, but to experience greater peace of mind and clarity in the present.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.theminimalists.com/money-habits/ & https://www.theminimalists.com/death/

Quotes to ponder:

"Once we earn $X, we quickly discover that the equation is broken."

"A much better conductor of individual contentment, then, has little to do with money: our daily habits."

"We needn’t be afraid, though just prepared."

Episode references:

LegalZoom: https://www.legalzoom.com/

WikiHow – How to Write a Will: https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Will

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