How Are You Creating Your Happiest Life? (SB1734)

Sep 12, 2025

Paula Pant, founder of the Afford Anything podcast, and Joel Larsgaard, co-host of the How to Money podcast, dive into the idea that money doesn't equal happiness. They discuss Benjamin Franklin's timeless wisdom and the importance of optimism for successful investing. The conversation meanders through topics like the surprising age happiness peaks, parenting pressures, and the key role of friendships in life satisfaction. Expect humorous anecdotes, relatable trivia from 1998, and insights on balancing financial goals with a fulfilling life.

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INSIGHT

Happiness Rises When Priorities Align

Life satisfaction varies with stage: Joel reports rising happiness as work finds its place and kids age.
Midlife dips exist but intentional reprioritizing can reverse the trend.

ANECDOTE

Doing What You Love Increased OG's Joy

OG describes steady increases in life satisfaction with occasional dips tied to life stages.
He attributes improvements to doing what he enjoys and removing low-value tasks.

ANECDOTE

Parenting Twins: Chaotic But Fondly Remembered

Joe recalls twin kids with opposite sleep schedules that made parenting chaotic but memorable.
He remembers those years fondly even after the stress faded.

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If having more money guaranteed happiness, we’d all just set our financial targets, cash the checks, and live joyfully ever after. But as Joe Saul-Sehy, OG, Paula Pant (Afford Anything), and Joel Larsgaard (How to Money) unpack in this lively roundtable, life’s richest rewards often have little to do with your net worth. They explore why some wealthy people still feel miserable, how Benjamin Franklin’s approach to living can still teach us a thing or two, and why optimism may be your secret investing edge.

From the science that says peak life satisfaction might just happen around age 70, to the underrated role of good friends in a rich life (financially and emotionally), this episode blends timeless wisdom with modern money smarts. Whether you’re chasing financial independence, already there, or just trying to make sure your journey is as fulfilling as your destination, you’ll find ideas you can put into practice right now.

And because this is the basement, expect the conversation to meander into relatable stories, some eyebrow-raising trivia, and a few debates on what balance really looks like when you factor in both spreadsheets and smiles.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why money alone won’t guarantee happiness (and what really does)
How Benjamin Franklin’s life principles still apply in today’s financial world
The connection between optimism and long-term investing success
The surprising age when happiness may peak (and what to do before you get there)
How to balance financial independence with enjoying the present
Why strong social circles are a must-have part of your wealth plan

Questions to Ponder (and maybe share your answers with the Basement Facebook Group!):

Do you think your happiness will peak at a certain age—or is it more about circumstances?
How do you balance saving for the future with enjoying your money today?
What’s one small, intentional change you’ve made that had a big impact on your happiness?

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