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
Dec 14, 2025 • 11min
3387: Why Your House Is A Terrible Investment by JL Collins on Real Estate Myths
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 3387:
JL Collins dismantles the myth of homeownership as a wise investment by outlining its hidden costs, risks, and poor returns compared to other financial vehicles. He challenges deeply held beliefs by showing how homes drain resources, limit flexibility, and often deliver subpar gains, all while being propped up by emotion and government subsidies.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://jlcollinsnh.com/2013/05/29/why-your-house-is-a-terrible-investment/
Quotes to ponder:
“While the structure never appreciates in value, the land a house sits on can appreciate in value due to changes in supply and demand.”
"Imagine if our investment could somehow tie its owner to the fate of one narrow location. The risk could be enormous!" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 14, 2025 • 9min
3386: A Minimalist Approach to Fitness by Jen Hayes on Sustainable Weight Loss
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 3386:
Jen Hayes reveals how adopting a minimalist mindset helped her lose 50 pounds by stripping away fitness industry noise and focusing on what truly matters. By choosing enjoyable movement, ditching fad diets, and prioritizing health over appearance, she built a simple, sustainable routine that feels good and actually works.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.simplyfiercely.com/minimalist-approach-fitness/
Quotes to ponder:
"Minimalism is about getting rid of the things that don’t matter so we can focus on the things that do."
"Life is too short to waste it doing things you hate."
"If your diet or exercise plan is making you miserable, try a different approach." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 13, 2025 • 11min
3385: [Part 2] How to Create Sustainable Money Habits by Liz of FrugalWoods on Mindful Consumption
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 3385:
Liz offers a practical and compassionate guide to building money habits that actually last, not by aiming for perfection, but by focusing on consistency, simplicity, and clarity. Through small behavioral shifts like removing temptations and redefining priorities, she shows how anyone can make sustainable progress toward financial peace and intentional living.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.frugalwoods.com/2020/01/31/how-to-create-sustainable-money-habits/
Quotes to ponder:
"Slice away at your spending and your possessions to let the best rise to the top."
“Make small, incremental changes you can stick to.”
“Spend money on things related to those priorities and eliminate spending that’s counter to those priorities.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 12, 2025 • 12min
3384: [Part 1] How to Create Sustainable Money Habits by Liz of FrugalWoods on Mindful Consumption
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 3384:
Liz from Frugalwoods lays out a practical framework for building sustainable money habits by emphasizing small, consistent changes over dramatic overhauls. By reshaping routines, engineering your environment, and disrupting autopilot spending, she shows how frugality can become effortless and long-lasting.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.frugalwoods.com/2020/01/31/how-to-create-sustainable-money-habits/
Quotes to ponder:
"Frugality can become your default and you can train yourself to do the right thing with your money."
"Routines create automatic pathways for how we live our lives; we can follow positive routines or negative routines."
"If you want to spend more time reviewing your finances and goal-setting, make it part of your weekly/monthly routine." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 11, 2025 • 11min
3383: The Honeymoon Phase of Early Retirement by Leif of Physician on FIRE on Finding Purpose in Retirement
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 3383:
Leif explores the emotional rollercoaster that often follows early retirement, comparing its initial thrill to a honeymoon that inevitably fades. As routines set in and novelty wears off, the real challenge emerges: facing boredom, fear, and the search for lasting fulfillment. Learn how pivoting from scarcity to abundance thinking can help transform this emotional shift into a powerful catalyst for personal growth.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.physicianonfire.com/honeymoon-phase-of-retirement/
Quotes to ponder:
"Fear is likely a result of wondering if you have enough. Not enough money. Maybe enough joy? Happiness? Potential fulfillment?"
"Choose the abundance mindset rather than the scarcity one, and you might find that you need fewer spreadsheets to keep track of your joy."
"Keep digging into what brought you moments of flow in earlier phases of life, keep bringing those back." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 10, 2025 • 10min
3382: Frugal or Cheap: How to Tell and Why it Matters by Vicki Cook and Amy Blacklock of Women Who Money
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 3382:
Vicki Cook and Amy Blacklock break down the subtle but impactful differences between being frugal and being cheap, helping you assess whether your money-saving habits align with your values or if they may be costing more than you think. Learn how mindful spending can preserve relationships, support long-term goals, and still keep your finances in check.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://womenwhomoney.com/frugal-or-cheap-how-to-tell-why-matters/
Quotes to ponder:
"Frugality means your spending decisions are aligned with your priorities and values, not going without or suffering because you lack things you need."
"Being cheap is being selfish with your money."
"Trying to save money can be a real challenge and there may be times where you find yourself being cheap instead of frugal."
Episode references:
BeFrugal: https://www.befrugal.com
Ibotta: https://www.ibotta.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 9, 2025 • 9min
3381: When It Pays to Spend Money to Save Money by Amanda Brownlow on Intentional Spending
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 3381:
Amanda Brownlow challenges the traditional mindset of extreme frugality by showing how intentional spending can lead to long-term savings. From prioritizing health and quality items to investing in insurance and expert financial advice, she explains why spending a little more now can prevent costly mistakes and replacements later.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://hellobrownlow.com/2020/10/14/spend-money-to-save-money/
Quotes to ponder:
"Spending money on a gym membership (that you actually use), home gym equipment, whole food items, supplements, and more can help keep you healthy."
"Staying healthy not only makes you feel good, but you save money in the long term, too."
"You may need to save up money to purchase what you really want, but that higher quality item will pay for itself over time because you won’t have to buy it again." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 8, 2025 • 10min
3380: What You Can Learn From Millennials For a Better Financial Future by Kathleen Coxwell of New Retirement
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 3380:
Kathleen Coxwell highlights how millennials, often seen as financially unstable, are actually modeling habits that can lead to a more flexible and fulfilling retirement. From downsizing and ditching costly assets to prioritizing experiences, connection, and purpose, their lifestyle offers valuable lessons in living well both now and later.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.newretirement.com/retirement/learn-from-millennials-for-better-retirement-2/
Quotes to ponder:
"Millennials crave the joy of adventures and discoveries, whether epic or everyday."
"Talking about money is a good thing. Behavioral research has found that having peers who have good financial habits can help you to have good financial habits."
"You can actually slow down the clock by trying new things."
Episode references:
U.S. Census Bureau: https://www.census.gov
Pew Research Center: https://www.pewresearch.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 7, 2025 • 10min
3379: Snatch Up Your Long Lost Money by J. Money of Budgets Are Sexy on Tracking Down Lost Assets
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 3379:
J. Money unpacks how billions of dollars in unclaimed property are just sitting around, waiting to be claimed, including hundreds his own wife forgot about from a decade-old paycheck. With step-by-step guidance and a few laughs, he shows how easy (and free) it is to search for and reclaim your lost funds, and possibly help your friends and family do the same.
Read along with the original article(s) here: http://www.budgetsaresexy.com/find-unclaimed-money-property/
Quotes to ponder:
"It literally takes a handful of seconds to get started, and there’s no excuse for not giving it a shot."
"Claims can be made into perpetuity in most cases, even by heirs."
"Unclaimed property is one of the original consumer protection programs."
Episode references:
Virginia unclaimed property search: https://vamoneysearch.gov/
Unclaimed.org (National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators): https://www.unclaimed.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 7, 2025 • 8min
3378: You Don't Have to Give Up Important Things to Get Important Things Done by Michael Mehlberg
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 3378:
Michael Mehlberg challenges the productivity trend of cutting out distractions by flipping the script, urging us to protect the activities that fuel us through a not-to-give-up list. This powerful mindset helps you stay motivated, avoid burnout, and build a life that balances achievement with joy.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://michaelmehlberg.com/blog/2018/5/30/you-dont-have-to-give-up-important-things-to-get-important-things-done
Quotes to ponder:
"Forced self-control only works when you're not stressed or tired."
"Without a clear purpose for every item that goes on this list, you'll find yourself ignoring it, or worse, binging on the very things you add to it."
"And that's the beauty of a not-to-give-up list. You put the focus on what's important in your life." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
