

Afford Anything
Paula Pant | Cumulus Podcast Network
You can afford anything, but not everything. We make daily decisions about how to spend money, time, energy, focus and attention – and ultimately, our life.How do we make smarter decisions? How do we think from first principles?On the surface, Afford Anything seems like a podcast about money and investing.But under the hood, this is a show about how to think critically, recognize our behavioral blind spots, and make smarter choices. We’re into the psychology of money, and we love metacognition: thinking about how to think.In some episodes, we interview world-class experts: professors, researchers, scientists, authors. In other episodes, we answer your questions, talking through decision-making frameworks and mental models.Want to learn more? Download our free book, Escape, at http://affordanything.com/escape. Hosted by Paula Pant.
Episodes
Mentioned books

28 snips
Sep 21, 2023 • 48min
Cracking the Code of the Rich, with Seth Stephens-Davidowitz
Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, a data scientist, shares counterintuitive insights about the narratives around becoming and staying rich. Topics include the businesses that quietly make people millionaires, unconventional successes and reliable paths, dangerous decision making, managing remote employees with JustWorks, the role of randomness and storytelling in the art world, the key to happiness, and three key takeaways.

Sep 13, 2023 • 52min
Ask Paula: A Year Off Work, a Career Change, and a Divorce: How to Make It Work
In this live episode, the hosts answer questions on navigating divorce financially and planning for a one-year sabbatical. They discuss the division of assets in divorce, the importance of forensic accountants, and strategically increasing income post-divorce. They also cover financial planning quadrants, incorporating VA disability payments into financial planning, and offer strategies for long-term planning. The episode ends with playful conversation and promotions.

7 snips
Sep 6, 2023 • 1h
The Mental Toughness and Confidence Blueprint, with Dr. Nate Zinsser
Dr. Nate Zinsser, sports psychology mentor for elite athletes and soldiers, discusses developing mental toughness and confidence. Topics include the importance of confidence and self-reflection, cueing conviction and focus, writing down daily ESP check-ins, the remarkable story of Kyle Carpenter, rebuilding confidence and protecting growth, and exploring the red pencil mentality and addressing internal thoughts.

Aug 30, 2023 • 1h 6min
Ask Paula | 10-Year-Old Asks: How Do I Save for My First Car?
In this podcast, the hosts answer questions from a 10-year-old about saving for a first car, debate the best investment strategy for a young investor, explore different approaches to investing and the importance of industry knowledge, and discuss retiring on dividends vs the 4% rule. They also provide advice on whether to convert a traditional IRA to a Roth account while having student loans.

6 snips
Aug 25, 2023 • 1h 7min
The Reality Behind High Home Prices, with BiggerPockets CEO Scott Trench
Scott Trench, CEO of BiggerPockets, shares insights on real estate investing. Topics include economic trends, demographic shifts, interest rates, remote work's impact on housing market, and factors to consider when choosing a city to invest in. They also discuss the differences between commercial and residential real estate and the current state of single-family and multi-family real estate investments.

Aug 16, 2023 • 1h 10min
Ask Paula: I Sold All My Stocks Last Year. Now I'm Kicking Myself
Angie, who sold all her stocks last year, seeks advice on what to do with her $500,000 cash position. Christina wonders if she should refinance her student debt. A caller asks about how Paula and Joe handled their primary residences when moving out of state. Topics include panic selling, navigating financial news, paying off student loans, refinancing considerations, selling properties, living without possessions, and building towards financial independence.

9 snips
Aug 9, 2023 • 56min
The Science of Empathy, with Stanford Professor Jamil Zaki
#456: Stanford psychology professor Jamil Zaki shares his research and findings around the science of empathy – and how we can apply this to improving our relationships with colleagues, clients, customers, co-founders, and business and investing cohorts.Zaki is the director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab, and the author of “The War For Kindness.”We'll break down the science. We talk about why empathy matters in business, investments, and in career growth, and we’ll discuss its digital age dynamics. How does AI impact the way in which we relate to others?If you want to learn the science of emotional intelligence, and how to apply this to your career and business interactions, you’ll learn a lot from today’s episode.Enjoy!For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode456 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 5, 2023 • 53min
Ask Paula: I’m Recently Retired. Do I Pay Off My Rentals Or Buy More Real Estate?
#455: Yvette recently retired with the goal of reaching a $10,000 monthly income from her real estate investments. Should she put her money toward debt payoff or portfolio expansion?Carly wants to buy a second home and convert her current home to a rental. What are the pros and cons of tapping into existing equity versus saving cash for a down payment?An anonymous caller plans to move back to her touristy hometown in six to seven years. Is it smart to buy something now and take advantage of a thriving Airbnb market?I tackle these three questions in today’s episode.Enjoy!P.S. Got a question? Leave it at https://affordanything.com/voicemailFor more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode455 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 2, 2023 • 1h 19min
Ask Paula: Financial Disaster? How to Get Help Before It’s Too Late
#454: Amy says she hit “rock bottom” with her finances. She says she struggled to ask for help before her situation became an emergency. How can others ask for help sooner?Rebecca is a mother of four, which means she’s juggling four distinct college timelines and 529 plans. How does she make a withdrawal plan when there are so many unknowns? Anne Marie switched jobs. What should she do with her old retirement accounts?And Dylan wonders if the IRS Rule of 55 applies to Roth 401k accounts.Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these four questions in today’s episode.Enjoy!Enjoy!P.S. Got a question? Leave it at https://affordanything.com/voicemailFor more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode454 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

4 snips
Jul 27, 2023 • 43min
The Importance of Having a Life Outside of Work, with Simone Stolzoff
#453: Today I chat with Simone Stolzoff, a consultant for organizations ranging from Google to the Surgeon General’s Office, and the author of "The Good Enough Job." He’s a graduate of Stanford and U. Penn.Simone has spent a lot of time thinking about the role of work in our lives, and he's got some really interesting ideas about how we can see work as just one part of a happy and fulfilling life.We'll be talking about what happens when work becomes more than just a job, how to challenge the idea that work has to be our calling or our dream, and how to build a more well-rounded life. If you’ve ever “over-identified” with your job, then you’ll find today’s conversation thought-provoking. Enjoy!For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode453 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


