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.

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.

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.

#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

#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

#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

#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

#452: Peter Atwater, an economics professor at The College of William and Mary and author of “The Confidence Map,” joins us to discuss how confidence shapes our financial markets.He explains how The Hunger Games relates to the Lehman Brothers collapse. He describes why you should “Buy Adele and Sell Pharrell.”From the Panic of 1857 to the patterns behind modern media consumption, Peter talks us through the intricate web of behavioral oddities that extend beyond finance.He talks about the “K-shaped recovery” – how different segments of the population are experiencing different economic realities.He touches upon economic, political, and social trends, and the hidden dynamics that shape market behavior and reveal the profound impact of consumer confidence.Our conversation will leave you with a deeper understanding of how behavioral patterns shape the financial landscape – including your investments.Enjoy!For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode452 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#451: Rachel’s car is nearing its end of life and she’s short on cash. Should she sell before she’s hit with a major repair?Cam wants to arbitrage a hefty low-interest loan with a three-year payback period. Is this the opportunity of a lifetime or a disaster waiting to happen?Kris has tried all the budgeting apps but they’re cumbersome and time-consuming. Is there a better way to track his monthly expenses?An anonymous caller feels stretched thin with a high mortgage on a single income. Should she sell off some stocks to lower her monthly payments?Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these four 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/episode451 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#450: On the First Friday of each month, we roll out a bonus episode that’s totally different from what we usually produce.These bonus episodes are special, unique, and – we hope – round out a fuller, more multifaceted picture of what we think about.Today, I’m introducing you to a business and economics correspondent from Moscow who I’m honored to call a close friend. Her name is Andrea Palasciano. She’s covered business stories from Paris, Marseilles, Rome and Moscow. She’s fluent in Italian, German, Spanish, French, English and Russian. She’s covered stories ranging from diamond mining in Siberia to sleep deprivation.She’s close friends with Evan Gershkovich, the 31-year-old Wall Street Journal reporter who’s currently in a Russian prison. Today is his 100th day behind bars.Andrea and I were both Knight-Bagehot Fellows and bonded during our year of immersing ourselves into deeply understanding how to tell better stories about business and economics. She joins me in this special episode to talk about the stories she’s covered, the sabbatical experience, and why it’s critical to understand how a bond works (!!).Enjoy!For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode450 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices