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 20, 2025 • 10min
3393: How to Lower Your Heating Bills This Winter by Sierra Black with Get Rich Slowly on Cutting Heating 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 3393:
Sierra Black shares practical and proven strategies for slashing winter heating bills without sacrificing comfort. From upgrading insulation and heating systems to simple DIY hacks like layering rugs, sealing drafts, and using space heaters wisely, her approach balances budget-consciousness with eco-friendly living.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.getrichslowly.org/how-to-lower-your-heating-bills/
Quotes to ponder:
"If you haven't done it already, spending a few hours going around your windows and doors with some draft-sealing putty or caulk will make a huge difference to how comfortable your home is in the winter."
"Rather than keep the whole house toasty, I've lowered the temp on the main thermostat and set up a space heater in my office."
"Adding layers to your house will make it feel warmer even if the thermostat stays at a modest temperature."
Episode references:
U.S. Department of Energy – Weatherization Assistance Program: https://www.energy.gov/scep/wap/weatherization-assistance-program Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 19, 2025 • 11min
3392: Could You Be Making This Super-Common Credit Card Mistake? By Jackie Beck on Smarter Credit Usage
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 3392:
Jackie Beck reveals how using a credit card for emergencies can easily spiral into long-term debt and financial stress. Through her personal story, she emphasizes the importance of building an emergency fund, defining true emergencies, and making intentional spending decisions to break free from the debt cycle.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.jackiebeck.com/common-credit-card-mistakes/
Quotes to ponder:
"You don’t need an emergency credit card. You need an emergency FUND."
"If you don’t have the money yet, you can’t afford whatever it is yet." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 18, 2025 • 10min
3391: The Value of Growing Your Career is Worth Millions More Than I Thought by ESI of ESI Money on Expanding Lifetime Earnings
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 3391:
ESI highlights how even a modest boost in annual salary growth, just 1%, can translate into millions more over a career when invested wisely. By breaking down salary scenarios and compounding returns, he proves that strategic career growth isn't just valuable, it's transformative for building wealth and achieving financial independence.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://esimoney.com/the-value-of-growing-your-career-is-worth-millions-more-than-i-thought/
Quotes to ponder:
"Even if you only earn 1% more than average, you end up with over a million dollars more!"
"If you plug along and are willing to accept 'average' for your career/income, you’re potentially missing out on millions of extra dollars during your lifetime."
"If you can grow your income faster than average (most people) and invest the difference at a reasonable rate over a working lifetime (or even any decent length of time) the difference is amazing and worth millions." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 17, 2025 • 11min
3390: How to Withdraw Money From Your IRA Penalty Free by Jeff Rose of Good Financial Cents on Smart IRA Withdrawals
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 3390:
Jeff Rose breaks down practical ways to access IRA funds without paying the early withdrawal penalty, offering guidance for those facing medical bills, unemployment, education costs, or even buying a first home. This article is a must-listen for anyone navigating financial hardship while trying to protect their retirement savings.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.goodfinancialcents.com/how-to-tap-your-ira-with-no-penalty/
Quotes to ponder:
"Just because you can touch your retirement money with no penalty, doesn’t mean that you don’t have to pay the tax."
"If you find yourself being recently let go and so as long as you receive unemployment for 12 consecutive weeks, then you are allowed to tap your IRA to pay for health insurance premiums for yourself and your family."
"You can use your IRA money penalty-free to help with the cost to include: tuition, fees, books, supplies, room and board, and required equipment." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 16, 2025 • 12min
3389: Should You Save More For Retirement Or Pay Off Debt First? by Mark Dennis with Financial Finesse
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 3389:
Mark Dennis explores the classic personal finance dilemma of whether to save more for retirement or focus on paying off debt. Blending both mathematical logic and behavioral psychology, he outlines a hybrid approach that leverages guaranteed investment returns while maintaining motivation through small debt victories, helping you take control of your money and stay on track long-term.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.financialfinesse.com/2018/03/29/should-you-save-more-for-retirement-or-pay-off-debt-first/
Quotes to ponder:
"Use those good feelings of accomplishment to help motivate you to stay on track and hammer away at the next debt on your list until you kill that one too."
"Free money is free money, and nothing beats a guaranteed return on your investment."
"People often struggle to fully understand how compound growth works, which leads us to underestimate how much our savings could potentially grow."
Episode references:
Retirement Estimator Calculator: https://www.calcxml.com/do/ret02 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 15, 2025 • 10min
3388: The Risks and Rewards Of International Bonds by Robert Farrington of The College Investor on Global Bond Market
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 3388:
Robert Farrington outlines how international bonds can offer valuable diversification to a portfolio, especially when U.S. markets falter. While foreign bonds bring potential for growth and currency advantage, they also carry unique risks, making thoughtful allocation and rebalancing essential for long-term investors.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://thecollegeinvestor.com/33391/international-bonds/
Quotes to ponder:
"Rather than buying the bonds of some country directly, which can be complex, you can invest in foreign bonds through mutual funds and ETFs."
"The global bond market is far larger and more liquid than the global stock market."
"Foreign bonds denominated in the issuing country’s currency (i.e., U.K. bonds in British pounds) will have an inverse correlation with the dollar."
Episode references:
Total International Bond ETF (BNDX): https://investor.vanguard.com/investment-products/etfs/profile/bndx
LearnBonds: https://www.learnbonds.com
Total World Bond ETF (BNDW): https://investor.vanguard.com/investment-products/etfs/profile/bndw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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
