
Optimal Finance Daily - Financial Independence and Money Advice
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...
Latest episodes

Feb 23, 2025 • 11min
3051: [Part 1] Stocks - Part XIX: How to Think about Money by JL Collins
Shift your mindset about money! Learn to prioritize what your investments can earn over what you can buy. Dive into opportunity costs and the magic of compounding; they’re vital for future financial growth. Distinguish between being rich and truly wealthy by focusing on strategic investing. Understand how your spending choices today can impact your financial potential tomorrow, leading to lasting prosperity.

Feb 23, 2025 • 12min
3050: The Reason You May Not be Getting Results and What To Do About It by Nia Shanks
Explore the significance of personalized fitness and nutrition strategies that suit your lifestyle rather than adhering to popular trends. Discover how experimentation is key to finding what truly works for you, whether it involves strength training or unique dietary choices. The podcast also touches on the dangers of forcing methods that don’t align with your personality, promoting a flexible approach. Additionally, essential financial management tools are discussed to help achieve financial freedom effectively.

Feb 22, 2025 • 10min
3049: Changing Jobs for More Money - Is it Worth It by Philip Taylor of PT Money
Changing jobs for a better salary is tempting, but there’s more to consider. Job satisfaction, stability, and lifestyle choices play crucial roles in career happiness. Job-hopping for money can lead to long-term dissatisfaction. Knowing your market value through salary surveys is helpful, yet building career capital in your current role may bring greater rewards. The podcast emphasizes the importance of emotional connection to work, especially in today’s economic landscape.

Feb 21, 2025 • 12min
3048: Your Budget is Like a Leaking Ship by Jacob Lund Fisker of Early Retirement Extreme
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 3048:Jacob Lund Fisker dissects common spending habits, from frequent furniture replacements to excessive transportation costs, revealing how consumerism encourages unnecessary expenses that make financial freedom seem out of reach. By plugging these financial leaks, it's possible to live comfortably on far less while enjoying a higher quality of life.Read along with the original article(s) here: http://earlyretirementextreme.com/your-budget-is-like-sinking-ship.htmlQuotes to ponder:"Most of the waste is, however, on leaks and quantity; not quality.""Every activity must be bleeding money. Perhaps this explains the common misconception that spending less means 'not really living' or 'living deprived' or 'having a lower standard.'""How can anyone enjoy the journey when having to deal with the problem of running the bilge pump all the time? Why not take care of the leaks?"Episode references:Investopedia - Consumerism: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/consumerism.asp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 20, 2025 • 14min
3047: Lessons from Millionaires by ESI of ESI Money on Early Retirement
ESI, a financial expert and the mind behind ESIMoney.com, shares powerful insights from his interviews with over 40 millionaires. He reveals that high income, disciplined saving, and early investing are crucial for wealth accumulation. ESI emphasizes the importance of self-control in spending, stating that even millionaires navigate their finances with prudence. The conversation also highlights key strategies for avoiding financial pitfalls and the value of strategic management, showcasing that true wealth often comes from a mindset of frugality rather than extravagance.

Feb 19, 2025 • 12min
3046: Before You Retire - Powerful Lessons from Mini Retirement by Chris of Keep Thrifty
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 3046:Chris of KeepThrifty.com shares key lessons from his own experience, emphasizing the importance of retiring to something rather than just from something, preparing mentally as well as financially, and structuring free time to create a fulfilling life. These insights can help you make the most of your retirement, whether it’s temporary or permanent.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.keepthrifty.com/before-you-retire-lessons-from-mini-retirement/Quotes to ponder:"Don’t retire from something, retire to something.""Understanding who I am outside of my job has been one of my toughest and most valuable lessons from this mini-retirement.""By defining clear boundaries and structure, we’ve been able to turn the blessing of free time in retirement from something good to something great." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 18, 2025 • 11min
3045: The Unexpected Benefit of Earning Less Money Each Year by Kevin of Financial Panther
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 3045:Earning less money each year might seem like a setback, but it can actually be a hidden advantage. By gradually reducing income, financial habits shift towards frugality, creativity, and long-term sustainability, making financial independence more achievable. This perspective challenges the traditional belief that constant income growth is the only path to success.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://financialpanther.com/the-unexpected-benefit-of-earning-less-money-each-year/Quotes to ponder:"Making less money forces you to be more creative with how you earn and spend.""When your income drops, you start asking yourself what really matters.""Instead of feeling like you need to make more money, you learn to make do with what you have." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 17, 2025 • 12min
3044: The Delay of Gratification - Reward and Regret by Amberly Grant with Fiology on Financial Independence
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 3044:Amberly Grant explores the balance between smart financial choices and living a fulfilling life, emphasizing that financial independence should enable joy, not postpone it indefinitely. She shares her own journey, illustrating how embracing adventure and relationships can coexist with responsible planning for the future.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.fiology.com/delay-of-gratification/Quotes to ponder:"Delayed gratification does not mean delayed joy.""The financial independence journey is about learning how to live the life you want, not about racing to a magic bank account balance.""If I say no to opportunities as rewarding as this, I wouldn’t be supporting my true self."Episode references:I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi: https://www.amazon.com/I-Will-Teach-You-Rich/dp/1523505745EconoMe Conference: https://economeconference.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 16, 2025 • 10min
3043: Why I Feel Like A Baller When I Shop At The Dollar Store by Lisa Harrison of Mad Money Monster
Lisa Harrison, a financial blogger and author of Mad Money Monster, talks about her savvy shopping habits at dollar stores. She reveals how embracing these budget-friendly outlets allows her to save money without sacrificing quality. Lisa addresses the stigma surrounding frugality, encouraging listeners to prioritize value over societal judgments. Her insightful anecdotes remind us that smart spending can be fun and fulfilling, making it clear that financial independence doesn't require expensive choices.

Feb 16, 2025 • 12min
3042: My Reality or Yours by Steve Pavlina on How to Examine Your Beliefs
Steve Pavlina, a personal development writer, dives into the nature of reality and belief systems. He challenges listeners to question their perceptions and consider how subjective realities intertwine. Discover how individual beliefs shape personal experiences and the importance of self-awareness in understanding different perspectives. Pavlina discusses the concept of synchronicity, inviting listeners to visualize their thoughts to explore meaningful coincidences. Embrace the idea that the best model of reality may shift to serve personal growth.