
Afford Anything
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.
Latest episodes

Jun 23, 2020 • 51min
Ask Paula: I'm Taking a Mini-Retirement in a Pandemic. What Should I Do?
#262: Tyson is taking a year off of work and plans to devote some of his time to domestic travel, volunteer work, and bolstering his rental property portfolio. He originally planned to travel internationally, but won’t due to the pandemic. How does this plan sound?Jace is wondering whether she should take advantage of the low stock market prices or keep a larger emergency fund due to the pandemic. Which is the better option, given her goal of financial independence?Jace also wants to know: where do you park your money after maxing out a 401k and Roth IRA?Venkat had to relocate after living in a condo for one year. He rents out the condo, but he’s in the red. Should he sell this condo? If so, when?TW has $250,000 in cash that he can use to either pay off his rental property or purchase two more properties. Which is the better option?For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode262 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 19, 2020 • 26min
PSA Thursday - Your Complete Guide to Donor Advised Funds
For more information, go to https://affordanything.com/tag/psa-thursday Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 15, 2020 • 53min
Why I Quit My Job in the Middle of a Recession -- Interview from Lessons from a Quitter
#261: I quit my job at the beginning of a recession and made it work. Two years ago, I did an interview with Lessons From a Quitter explaining how.Given that so many community members want to leave their jobs for something better in the future, whether it's freelancing, self-employment, or early retirement, I'm re-airing the interview.I hope my story sheds light on what's possible in the most inopportune times.For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode261 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 11, 2020 • 28min
PSA Thursday - How Does the CARES Act Impact Student Loans?
Welcome back to PSA Thursday, a mostly-weekly segment in which we talk about how to handle money, work, and life in the middle of a pandemic. In this episode, we cover how to manage student loans in the midst of the pandemic with Travis Hornsby, a Chartered Financial Analyst and the founder and CEO of Student Loan Planner. He's an expert in the complex topic of student loans. Travis shares deep insights into the changes that have occurred, and how those changes might alter the way you think about and manage your student loans going forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 8, 2020 • 58min
Ask Paula: Should I Fire My Financial Advisor During a Pandemic?
#260: Katelyn wants to fire her financial advisor and move her investments from mutual funds into Vanguard index funds. Should she do this during the pandemic? Or should she wait?Marisa asks: can you invest in a Roth IRA if your income is inconsistent and might exceed the cap?Anonymous Moving-for-a-New-Job had a Simple IRA at her old job that she can no longer contribute to. She also can’t contribute to a 401k until she’s been at her new job for a year. Where should she put her money in the meantime?Anonymous “Olivia” is interested in a Roth conversion ladder, but wants to know: does the pro-rata rule apply here as it does with a backdoor Roth conversion?Mary received an $80,000 grant of RSUs from her employer when she started. These RSUs began to vest after one year, and the price per share has increased 44 percent. What should she do with the shares?My friend and former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these questions in today’s episode. Enjoy!For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode260 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 5, 2020 • 1h 8min
How to Lead with a Vision, with Michael Hyatt
#259: Leadership comes in all forms. Whether you’re a small business owner, a manager or department head at work, or the head of a volunteer organization, having a crystal clear vision is critical to success. Without a clear vision, you’re likely to stumble along a path that leads to nowhere -- or worse, a dead end. Wouldn’t it be better to have an idea of where you’re going?Michael Hyatt, a prolific bestselling author on the topics of business and leadership, shares the pitfalls of not having a vision and 10 ways to nail down a solid vision that will lead you to the path you want to be on.Check out bonus resources: http://visiondrivenleader.com/afford Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 4, 2020 • 7min
PSA Thursday -- Actions Speak Louder Than Words
We have muted the podcast thusfar this week, in support of the #amplifymelanatedvoices movement and in support of the #theshowmustbepaused movement. We have assembled a list of resources that highlight books, websites, podcasts, nonprofit organizations and GoFundMe campaigns that I would like to direct your attention to in lieu of our normal programming. These resources can be found at https://affordanything.com/psathursday We are also matching $3,000 in donations to the Committee to Protect Journalists, the Atlanta Community Food Bank, and the Children's Development Association. Please DM me on Instagram with a screenshot of your donation and I'll match it. Instagram: paulapant Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 29, 2020 • 24min
PSA Thursday - Your Guide to Giving: How to Donate, Volunteer and Practice Spontaneous Kindness
Let's start with the good news: the majority of U.S. households, 6 in 10, donate money to nonprofits and charities, and 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. volunteer their time and talent. The only way our society is going to get through the struggles and the stresses that we face is if we are good to each other. Compassion and common humanity are crucial. In this PSA episode we discuss strategies around giving, including how to donate money and volunteer time effectively, as well as how to embrace the opportunity to practice informal, random, spontaneous acts of kindness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 26, 2020 • 53min
Ask Paula: Can I Quit My Job Before I'm Financially Independent?
On this podcast, topics include transitioning before financial independence, property inspections, ADU conversions, garage conversions, real estate investment strategies, sector-specific index funds, and portfolio allocation. The hosts offer advice on moving for a semi-retirement, handling homeowner challenges, and exploring property investment options.

May 18, 2020 • 58min
How to Stop Screwing Up Our Finances, Even in a World That Leads Us Astray -- with Dr. Dan Ariely
#257: “The checking account is like the trash can of personal finance.”Today’s podcast guest, the famed behavioral economist Dr. Dan Ariely, is not a fan of checking accounts. Or supermarket end caps. Or anything that distracts us from our financial goals.In this episode, he explains why.Dan Ariely is one of the world’s most renowned behavioral economists. He’s the James B. Duke Professor of psychology and behavioral economics at Duke University.His TED Talks have been viewed more than 15 million times. In 2018, he was named one of the 50 most influential living psychologists in the world.He’s the New York Times bestselling author of many books, including Predictably Irrational, a book that challenges our assumptions about our ability to make rational decisions. He also wrote Dollars and Sense, a book about our cognitive biases, and The Honest Truth About Dishonesty, a book about how we lie to everyone, including ourselves.For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode257 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices