Optimal Finance Daily - Financial Independence and Money Advice

Optimal Living Daily | Diania Merriam

Episodes

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Sep 30, 2025 • 11min

3301: [Part 2] The Four Backstops to the Four Percent Rule by Sean Mullaney on Social Security Benefits

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 3301: Sean Mullaney explains how early retirees may have hidden safety nets that reduce the risk of running out of money under the 4% rule. From the progressive structure of Social Security benefits to the flexibility of housing choices and even the reality of life expectancy, these backstops can provide confidence and stability in retirement planning. His analysis highlights why early retirees often have more resilience than they might initially believe. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://fitaxguy.com/the-four-backstops-to-the-four-percent-rule/ Quotes to ponder: "An additional year of work for Chuck at a $130,000 salary netted Chuck only $557 more in annual Social Security benefits at full retirement age!" "Real estate can serve as a natural backstop to help ensure retirees have financial security and success." "Failure requires that he has to both run out of assets and live long enough to run out of assets." Episode references: Camp FI: https://campfi.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Sep 29, 2025 • 10min

3300: [Part 1] The Four Backstops to the Four Percent Rule by Sean Mullaney on Early Retiree Planning

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 3300: Sean Mullaney highlights why the Four Percent Rule may not be as rigid as many fear, pointing to natural backstops like flexible spending and Social Security that help safeguard retirement plans. He shows how early retirees often adjust their lifestyles and eventually benefit from guaranteed income streams, making the 4% Rule more resilient than it first appears. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://fitaxguy.com/the-four-backstops-to-the-four-percent-rule/ Quotes to ponder: "Spending in retirement can be adjusted." "There is a natural reduction in energy and interest in certain kinds of spending as one ages." "If her portfolio is struggling to produce the amount Melinda needs to live off of, Social Security payments provide a backstop and can help make up the difference." Episode references: Earn and Invest Podcast: https://earnandinvest.com/ BiggerPockets Money Podcast: https://www.biggerpockets.com/podcasts/money Portfolio Visualizer: https://www.portfoliovisualizer.com/ New Retirement: https://www.newretirement.com/ The Simple Path to Wealth: https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Path-Wealth-financial-independence/dp/1533667926 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Sep 28, 2025 • 10min

3299: How to Handle Feeling Overworked and Overwhelmed by Paula Pant on Intentional Living and Happiness

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 3299: Paula Pant explores practical ways to manage the crushing weight of overwork and overwhelm, offering strategies to regain focus, energy, and a sense of control. By shifting perspective, setting boundaries, and rethinking how we use our time, she highlights how to move from exhaustion to intentional living. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://affordanything.com/how-to-handle-feeling-overworked-overwhelmed/ Quotes to ponder: "When you feel overwhelmed, everything seems urgent and important." "Overwork isn’t just about the number of hours you spend, but about the mental load you carry." "The more you try to push through exhaustion, the less productive and creative you become." Episode references: Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Things-Done-Stress-Free-Productivity/dp/0142000280 Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less: https://www.amazon.com/Essentialism-Disciplined-Pursuit-Greg-McKeown/dp/0804137382 The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary Results: https://www.amazon.com/ONE-Thing-Surprisingly-Extraordinary-Results/dp/1885167776 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Sep 28, 2025 • 11min

3298: The Most Important Decision in Life by Nick Maggiulli of Of Dollars and Data on Marriage and Finances

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 3298: Nick Maggiulli highlights how the dating market, unlike traditional money-based exchanges, is one of the most influential forces shaping our long-term happiness. He argues that choosing the right partner is the most important decision of our lives, far outweighing financial costs, and urges us to invest time and effort into relationships with the seriousness they deserve. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://ofdollarsanddata.com/the-most-important-decision-in-life/ Quotes to ponder: "These kinds of markets are called matching markets and they will have a bigger impact on your long-term happiness than any traditional market ever will." "So how can you complain that 'dating is expensive' or 'time-consuming' when it’s literally one of the best trades you can make in your life?" "Some of the best investments in life don’t have a ticker symbol. They can’t be found in the Wall Street Journal. They aren’t something that can be bought or sold." Episode references: The Power of Now: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Now-Guide-Spiritual-Enlightenment/dp/1577314808 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Sep 27, 2025 • 11min

3297: Credit Unions vs. Banks by Daniella of I Like to Dabble on How to Make Great Financial Decisions

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 3297: Daniella breaks down the key differences between banks and credit unions, highlighting how each serves customers differently in terms of fees, interest rates, accessibility, and customer service. By weighing the pros and cons, she helps you decide which type of financial institution aligns best with your lifestyle, whether you value personal connection, convenience, or digital tools. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://iliketodabble.com/credit-unions-vs-banks/ Quotes to ponder: “The biggest difference between a bank and a credit union is that banks are for-profit institutions and credit unions are not-for-profit institutions.” “You’ll definitely get more bang for your buck when you choose a credit union.” “If you like checking your balance online or transferring money from your phone, a bank might be a better option than a credit union.” Episode references: FDIC: https://www.fdic.gov NCUA: https://ncua.gov Credit Union National Association: https://www.cuna.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Sep 26, 2025 • 9min

3296: The Four Best Financial Assets by Christine Luken on Money Goals and How to Build Wealth

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 3296: Christine Luken highlights four essential financial assets that anyone can build, regardless of their bank balance: a strong credit score, a high income, a growing net worth, and most importantly, a high financial IQ. By focusing on these areas, you can create lasting security, resilience, and wealth no matter what financial storms come your way. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.christineluken.com/the-four-best-financial-assets/ Quotes to ponder: "People with low credit scores are saddled with higher interest rates than those with high credit scores." "A high income is only an asset if you don’t spend it all." "Knowledge is power, but applied knowledge is like a magical super power!" Episode references: Think and Grow Rich: https://www.amazon.com/Think-Grow-Rich-Landmark-Bestseller/dp/1585424331 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Sep 25, 2025 • 9min

3295: 5 Lessons From Our Buy Nothing New Challenge by Jaime of Keep Thrifty on How to Design Your Lifestyle

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 3295: Jaime reflects on a year-long experiment of buying nothing new and the unexpected lessons it revealed about habits, discipline, and intentional spending. While the challenge wasn’t perfect, it led to a 40% reduction in new purchases and highlighted the value of patience, creativity, and starting small when making lifestyle changes. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.keepthrifty.com/buy-nothing-new-challenge/ Quotes to ponder: "Our buy nothing new challenge is supposed to help us be more intentional with our spending. I want you to know that I very intentionally bought this dress!" "Buying stuff in the second half of the year felt like binging on food after a miserable diet." "When taking on a new challenge, start small (a full year is a long time, a three month challenge would have been a better first step)." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Sep 24, 2025 • 9min

3294: How to Avoid Career Opportunity Costs by Jacob Lund Fisker on True Self-Actualization

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 3294: Jacob Lund Fisker critiques the traditional middle-class career path as a costly distraction from true self-actualization, arguing that blindly pursuing job titles and material rewards can rob us of a more meaningful life. He challenges listeners to reimagine work and productivity, suggesting that even a few years of strategic earning can unlock a life driven by curiosity, creativity, and personal growth. Read along with the original article(s) here: http://earlyretirementextreme.com/how-to-avoid-career-opportunity-costs.html Quotes to ponder: "People who work regular jobs, it is very hard to feel a sense of meaning of the work one does, unless you really believe in the 'vision'." "There is an easy alternative, which involves working for 5 years and then saying: No, stop. It is not the standard I measure myself by." "Productivity is but a fetish that whoever feeds off of the middle class have invented for their benefit." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Sep 23, 2025 • 10min

3293: How Basic Knife Skills Can Save You Money by Julien Saunders of Rich and Regular on How to Reduce Grocery 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 3293: Julien Saunders explains how mastering basic knife skills can significantly cut grocery costs by avoiding the hefty markups on pre-cut produce and convenience foods. With a good chef’s knife and some practice, you can save time, improve your cooking confidence, and keep more money in your pocket while preparing healthier meals at home. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://richandregular.com/how-basic-knife-skills-can-save-you-money/ Quotes to ponder: “The quartered watermelon is 79% more expensive because someone had to go through the ‘hassle’ of cutting it and wrapping it in plastic.” “Believe it or not, dull knives are more dangerous than sharp knives.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Sep 22, 2025 • 10min

3292: [Part 2] Why You Should Invest, Even in Peak Markets by Chelsea of Smart Money Mamas on Investment Advice

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 3292: Chelsea illustrates how even investing at the peak of the Great Recession would have yielded strong long-term gains, especially with dividends reinvested. By showing historical data from past downturns, she highlights that discipline, patience, and consistency in the stock market can transform even the worst-timed investments into substantial wealth. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://smartmoneymamas.com/investing-in-peak-markets/ Quotes to ponder: “In only 1 out of the past 10 recessions, starting in 1948, would you have seen your $10,000 investment lose money over a 10-year period, and only then if you had chosen not to reinvest the dividends.” “The sooner you get your money invested in the market, the more wealth you’ll have in the future. Your money works for you, don’t let it sit idle!” Episode references: National Bureau of Economic Research: https://www.nber.org Bureau of Economic Analysis: https://www.bea.gov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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