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
Sep 27, 2025 • 11min
3297: Credit Unions vs. Banks by Daniella of I Like to Dabble on How to Make Great Financial Decisions
Dive into the world of banking as the host explores the fascinating differences between banks and credit unions. Discover how credit unions, as non-profits, often offer lower fees and personalized service, while banks provide more convenience and comprehensive services. Weigh the advantages and drawbacks of each option, plus learn about the importance of researching your choices based on your lifestyle needs. Whether you prefer a personal touch or high-tech banking solutions, this discussion provides valuable insights for making informed financial decisions.
Sep 26, 2025 • 9min
3296: The Four Best Financial Assets by Christine Luken on Money Goals and How to Build Wealth
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 3296:
Christine Luken highlights four essential financial assets that anyone can build, regardless of their bank balance: a strong credit score, a high income, a growing net worth, and most importantly, a high financial IQ. By focusing on these areas, you can create lasting security, resilience, and wealth no matter what financial storms come your way.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.christineluken.com/the-four-best-financial-assets/
Quotes to ponder:
"People with low credit scores are saddled with higher interest rates than those with high credit scores."
"A high income is only an asset if you don’t spend it all."
"Knowledge is power, but applied knowledge is like a magical super power!"
Episode references:
Think and Grow Rich: https://www.amazon.com/Think-Grow-Rich-Landmark-Bestseller/dp/1585424331 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 25, 2025 • 9min
3295: 5 Lessons From Our Buy Nothing New Challenge by Jaime of Keep Thrifty on How to Design Your Lifestyle
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 3295:
Jaime reflects on a year-long experiment of buying nothing new and the unexpected lessons it revealed about habits, discipline, and intentional spending. While the challenge wasn’t perfect, it led to a 40% reduction in new purchases and highlighted the value of patience, creativity, and starting small when making lifestyle changes.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.keepthrifty.com/buy-nothing-new-challenge/
Quotes to ponder:
"Our buy nothing new challenge is supposed to help us be more intentional with our spending. I want you to know that I very intentionally bought this dress!"
"Buying stuff in the second half of the year felt like binging on food after a miserable diet."
"When taking on a new challenge, start small (a full year is a long time, a three month challenge would have been a better first step)." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 24, 2025 • 9min
3294: How to Avoid Career Opportunity Costs by Jacob Lund Fisker on True Self-Actualization
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 3294:
Jacob Lund Fisker critiques the traditional middle-class career path as a costly distraction from true self-actualization, arguing that blindly pursuing job titles and material rewards can rob us of a more meaningful life. He challenges listeners to reimagine work and productivity, suggesting that even a few years of strategic earning can unlock a life driven by curiosity, creativity, and personal growth.
Read along with the original article(s) here: http://earlyretirementextreme.com/how-to-avoid-career-opportunity-costs.html
Quotes to ponder:
"People who work regular jobs, it is very hard to feel a sense of meaning of the work one does, unless you really believe in the 'vision'."
"There is an easy alternative, which involves working for 5 years and then saying: No, stop. It is not the standard I measure myself by."
"Productivity is but a fetish that whoever feeds off of the middle class have invented for their benefit." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 23, 2025 • 10min
3293: How Basic Knife Skills Can Save You Money by Julien Saunders of Rich and Regular on How to Reduce Grocery Costs
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 3293:
Julien Saunders explains how mastering basic knife skills can significantly cut grocery costs by avoiding the hefty markups on pre-cut produce and convenience foods. With a good chef’s knife and some practice, you can save time, improve your cooking confidence, and keep more money in your pocket while preparing healthier meals at home.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://richandregular.com/how-basic-knife-skills-can-save-you-money/
Quotes to ponder:
“The quartered watermelon is 79% more expensive because someone had to go through the ‘hassle’ of cutting it and wrapping it in plastic.”
“Believe it or not, dull knives are more dangerous than sharp knives.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 22, 2025 • 10min
3292: [Part 2] Why You Should Invest, Even in Peak Markets by Chelsea of Smart Money Mamas on Investment Advice
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 3292:
Chelsea illustrates how even investing at the peak of the Great Recession would have yielded strong long-term gains, especially with dividends reinvested. By showing historical data from past downturns, she highlights that discipline, patience, and consistency in the stock market can transform even the worst-timed investments into substantial wealth.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://smartmoneymamas.com/investing-in-peak-markets/
Quotes to ponder:
“In only 1 out of the past 10 recessions, starting in 1948, would you have seen your $10,000 investment lose money over a 10-year period, and only then if you had chosen not to reinvest the dividends.”
“The sooner you get your money invested in the market, the more wealth you’ll have in the future. Your money works for you, don’t let it sit idle!”
Episode references:
National Bureau of Economic Research: https://www.nber.org
Bureau of Economic Analysis: https://www.bea.gov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11 snips
Sep 21, 2025 • 10min
3291: [Part 1] Why You Should Invest, Even in Peak Markets by Chelsea of Smart Money Mamas on How to Be A Disciplined Investor
Discover why waiting for the perfect moment to invest can hinder your financial growth. Learn about the dangers of holding cash, especially during market peaks, and how inflation erodes its value. Chelsea emphasizes the importance of disciplined investing through strategies like dollar-cost averaging and lump-sum investments. Fear-driven financial decisions can lead to missed opportunities, while a long-term perspective often yields positive results. Stay invested and let your money work for you!
Sep 21, 2025 • 9min
3290: Creating a Home Gym by Ross Enamait on Working Out on A Budget
Explore how to construct an effective home gym without breaking the bank. Emphasizing creativity and practicality, the discussion reveals low-cost tools like pull-up bars and sandbags. It encourages building habits with bodyweight exercises before splurging on equipment. Get ready to elevate your fitness game with accessible strategies that fit any budget or space!
7 snips
Sep 20, 2025 • 12min
3289: WELLthy Living AND Accountability is the Key to Financial Success by Dawn Dahlby on Building Wealth
Discover how intertwining financial wealth and self-worth leads to a fulfilling life. Intentional planning and accountability are vital for aligning daily habits with personal values. Explore the impact of routines and partner support on progress. A personal story illustrates the power of accountability in achieving goals, highlighting techniques like brain dumping and weekly check-ins. Transforming internally can spark external changes, paving the way for a secure and purposeful life.
Sep 19, 2025 • 10min
3288: 5 Lessons I Learned From My Investment In Amazon Stock by Mr. Finer on Stock Market Investing Advice
Mr. Finer shares intriguing lessons from his investment in Amazon, emphasizing the importance of patience, research, and long-term conviction. He discusses how backing visionary leaders can pay off and warns against the temptation to sell too early. The value of doing your own research shines through as a way to dismiss expert opinions. He also touches on the role of luck in achieving investment success, making for a thought-provoking exploration of what truly drives returns.
