Optimal Finance Daily - Financial Independence and Money Advice
Optimal Living Daily | Diania Merriam
Optimal Finance Daily, hosted by Diania Merriam, the innovative mind behind the personal finance conference EconoMe, takes you on an enlightening journey through the world of personal finance. Each episode brings to life the most compelling and practical advice from leading financial bloggers and experts. Diania’s engaging narration and insightful commentary transform complex financial concepts into relatable, actionable insights. Whether it’s budgeting, investing, debt management, or money mindfulness, she covers it all, making financial wisdom accessible to everyone.Gain not just knowledge, but also the motivation to apply it in your daily life. It's not just a source of personal finance tips; it’s a daily companion that guides you towards financial independence and savvy money management, all delivered with Diania's trademark enthusiasm and expertise. By focusing on early retirement, financial independence, and saving money, each episode provides you with the tools needed to achieve your financial goals.This podcast is designed for those passionate about personal finance, early retirement, financial independence, and saving money. It’s your go-to source for practical advice on managing your finances, saving money, and working towards early retirement. Each episode offers actionable steps to foster financial independence and secure your financial future.Listen now, and become an OLD friend--your optimal life awaits...
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 7, 2025 • 9min
3309: [Part 1] Investing a Large Sum of Money: What to Do by Christina Browning of Our Rich Journey
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.
Episode 3309:
Christina Browning highlights the key mistakes to avoid when investing a large sum of money, especially on the path to financial independence. She stresses the importance of financial literacy, avoiding liabilities disguised as assets, and being cautious with individual stocks and speculative investments like cryptocurrency, guiding listeners toward smarter, more sustainable wealth-building choices.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.ourrichjourney.com/post/investing-a-large-sum-of-money
Quotes to ponder:
"Financial literacy is KEY!"
"Don’t buy liabilities disguised as assets."
"If you’re new to stock market investing, you probably don’t know nearly enough yet to know how to select stocks that you can be legitimately confident in." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 6, 2025 • 10min
3308: Interesting Financial Rules to Follow by J. Money of Budgets Are Sexy on How to Budget Successfully
Dive into a treasure trove of financial wisdom as J. Money challenges the reliability of common financial rules. He explores budgeting percentages, questioning if sticking to strict guidelines is practical. The discussion delves into home affordability, suggesting that income multiples might mislead buyers. Life insurance advice is scrutinized, alongside innovative approaches to saving for college. Finally, instead of the traditional income-based retirement plan, he advocates for focusing on future expenses, urging a personalized take on finance.
Oct 5, 2025 • 10min
3307: 100 Countries or an S.U.V.? by Chris Guillebeau on How to Build True Wealth with Experiences
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.
Episode 3307:
Chris Guillebeau challenges the conventional notion of success by contrasting the purchase of an expensive SUV with the life-changing experience of visiting 100 countries. He reminds readers that real wealth lies in experiences, freedom, and memories, not in depreciating possessions.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://chrisguillebeau.com/100-countries-or-an-suv/
Quotes to ponder:
"Most people spend their money on things that depreciate quickly, instead of on things that increase in value over time."
"With travel, the more you do, the richer you become."
"Memories, experiences, and personal growth are things that no one can repossess." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 5, 2025 • 9min
3306: How We Feel Secure with Owning Less by Amanda Brownlow on How to Become Financially Free
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.
Episode 3306:
Amanda Brownlow shares how shifting from owning more to embracing minimalism brought her family peace of mind, improved finances, and deeper contentment. By letting go of excess possessions and the mindset that more equals security, she discovered freedom, clarity, and more time for what truly matters.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://hellobrownlow.com/2019/03/26/how-we-feel-secure-with-owning-less/
Quotes to ponder:
“That first round of decluttering (the purge) lifted a weight from my shoulders that I didn’t know existed.”
“We feel secure in owning less because all that stuff that was cluttering our home and our minds was gone.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 4, 2025 • 11min
3305: Tax Lien Investing: Can You Make Good Money? by Vicki Cook and Amy Blacklock of Women Who Money
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.
Episode 3305:
Tax lien investing offers the promise of diversification, steady returns, and even the chance to acquire property at a fraction of its value. But as Vicki Cook and Amy Blacklock explain, the risks and complexities, such as bidding wars, due diligence, and potential repair or legal costs, make it a strategy best suited for experienced real estate investors. Their guidance helps you weigh whether the payoff justifies the time, effort, and risks involved.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://womenwhomoney.com/tax-lien-investing-make-money/
Quotes to ponder:
"You don't need to be a real estate agent or have a business to invest in tax liens."
"To make a smart tax lien investment, the due diligence takes time."
"If investing in tax lien certificates wasn't a good way to make money, there wouldn't be much competition for them."
Episode references:
National Tax Lien Association: https://ntla.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 3, 2025 • 11min
3304: 2 Things You Absolutely MUST Do If You Want to Get Out of Debt by Jackie Beck on How to Improve My Finances
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.
Episode 3304:
Jackie Beck emphasizes two foundational, yet often overlooked, steps to finally break free from debt: stop borrowing and stay committed through the ups and downs. Her practical advice reframes debt not as a budgeting puzzle but a mindset shift, encouraging listeners to build support systems, establish emergency funds, and plan for the inevitable surprises that come with financial transformation.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.jackiebeck.com/want-to-get-out-of-debt-dont-forget-the-most-important-step/
Quotes to ponder:
"You have to quit borrowing in order for any get out of debt method to work."
"When you’re in a hole and want to climb out, the first step is to put down the shovel."
"The most important thing when it comes to quitting debt is remembering that there are always alternatives to borrowing." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 2, 2025 • 11min
3303: Reasons to Stay Away From a Roth IRA by Scott Spann with Financial Finesse on Big Money Decisions
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.
Episode 3303:
Scott Spann explores situations where a Roth IRA may not be the best choice, highlighting factors like early withdrawal temptations, uncertain future tax rates, and the potential benefits of focusing on career development instead. His perspective encourages weighing personal circumstances and long-term financial goals before deciding between retirement account options.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.financialfinesse.com/2013/07/01/reasons-to-stay-away-from-a-roth/
Quotes to ponder:
"A wonderful feature of Roth IRAs is the ability to access your contributions at any time without taxes or penalties. This ease of accessibility can be dangerous for people who may be easily tempted to withdraw these contributions prior to retirement for non-emergencies."
"If you are debating between contributing to a Roth or advancing your knowledge and earnings potential, it just may make more sense to focus on career development for the best return on your investment."
"We could even see a national sales tax or a VAT that would be applied to all spending, whether it came from a Roth or not." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 1, 2025 • 11min
3302: The Number One Impact on Your Investments is YOU by Kent Thune with Get Rich Slowly
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.
Episode 3302:
Kent Thune reminds us that the greatest factor in long-term investing success is not the market, the economy, or government policy, but ourselves. By focusing on what we can control, like asset allocation, time in the market, and savings rate, while cultivating self-awareness and defining our own path, we gain both financial resilience and personal growth.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.getrichslowly.org/the-number-one-impact-on-your-investments-is-you/
Quotes to ponder:
“The markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.”
“If I have even just a little sense, I will walk on the main road and my only fear will be straying from it.”
“Meaning, happiness, and control in our lives best derive from internal sources.”
Episode references:
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (online test): https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test
Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ: https://www.amazon.com/Emotional-Intelligence-Matter-More-Than/dp/055338371X Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
5 snips
Sep 30, 2025 • 11min
3301: [Part 2] The Four Backstops to the Four Percent Rule by Sean Mullaney on Social Security Benefits
Explore the hidden safety nets for early retirees under the 4% rule. Discover how Social Security's structure reinforces financial resilience and learn via Chuck's example how small gains can come from high earnings. Sean Mullaney examines the potential of home equity, including downsizing or reverse mortgages, as a vital retirement resource. Insights into mortality's role demonstrate how life expectancy can buffer withdrawal risks. Gain practical advice on maintaining flexibility with the 4% rule to enhance financial stability.
Sep 29, 2025 • 10min
3300: [Part 1] The Four Backstops to the Four Percent Rule by Sean Mullaney on Early Retiree Planning
Explore the flexibility of the Four Percent Rule and discover its built-in backstops. Learn how retirees can adjust spending and benefit from guaranteed income like Social Security. Sean Mullaney highlights that retirement planning isn't as rigid as many think. He emphasizes that lifestyle adjustments often lead to financial resilience, making the 4% rule more adaptable. Uncover strategies for flexible withdrawals and why treating this guideline with openness can enhance financial security.
