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
Feb 7, 2025 • 10min
3032: When Renting is Smarter Than Buying by Sierra Black with Get Rich Slowly
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 3032:Sierra Black explores how renting can often be the smarter financial choice, especially for items that depreciate quickly or have limited use. By weighing costs, resale value, and usage frequency, you can make informed decisions that maximize value and minimize waste.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.getrichslowly.org/when-renting-is-smarter-than-buying/Quotes to ponder:"Most products aren't investments. They lose value the moment you take them home from the shop, and continue to depreciate the longer you own them and the more you use them.""Anytime you're buying something you have a limited use for, you might want to pause and consider renting instead.""The key is to answer the questions mentioned and figure out if it will cost you more to rent or buy the thing you want."Episode references:Chegg (textbook rentals): https://www.chegg.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 6, 2025 • 12min
3031: When Searching for More Savings Costs You Time and Money by Amanda 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 3031:Amanda from WomenWhoMoney.com explores the balance between time and money, highlighting how excessive bargain hunting, couponing, and DIY projects can sometimes have diminishing returns. Instead of focusing on minor savings, prioritizing big wins like reducing housing, transportation, and food costs can lead to greater financial stability and more freedom to enjoy life.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://womenwhomoney.com/time-spent-searching-savings-costs-time-money/Quotes to ponder:"People search for ways to 'save money' on Google more than three times as much as they search for ways to 'save time.'""An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.""Once your time is gone, you can’t get it back." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 5, 2025 • 11min
3030: 8 Secrets Your Broker Won't Tell You (and Why You Need to Know Them) by Jeff Rose of Good Financial Cents
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 3030:Brokers may not always have your best interests at heart, and Jeff Rose exposes the conflicts of interest that can cost you money. From hidden commissions to misleading titles, understanding these industry secrets can help you make smarter investment decisions. Learn how to protect yourself, identify trustworthy advisors, and take control of your financial future.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.goodfinancialcents.com/what-your-broker-financial-advisor-wont-tell-you/Quotes to ponder:"Your broker might not have your best interest in mind when they make recommendations to you.""Your broker’s success can have little relation to your own. This represents a misalignment of interests that may cause your broker to benefit at your expense.""Brokers may be using deceptive titles to give you the wrong impression about their compensation model and qualifications." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 4, 2025 • 9min
3029: Why I’m Not a Financial Moron by Doc G of Earn And Invest on Money Mistakes
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 3029:Doc G reflects on how he avoided financial missteps despite never receiving formal financial education. Growing up in a household where his parents modeled financial intelligence through frugality, strategic investing, and entrepreneurship, he absorbed valuable money habits without realizing it. Now, as he raises his own children, he aims to pass down not only the habits but also the financial knowledge that can empower them for life.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.earnandinvest.com/blog/why-im-not-a-financial-moronQuotes to ponder:"They paved the way with good habits, frugality, and an appetite for risk taking.""I'm pretty sure that my parents saved at least fifty percent of their income for most of their careers.""I can't remember a single thing I purchased throughout childhood. But I sure do remember those trips."Episode references:EconoMe Conference: https://economeconference.comThe White Coat Investor: https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 3, 2025 • 9min
3028: The Art of Investing by Chris Reining on How to Invest with A Long-Term Mindset and 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 3028:Chris Reining explains how to approach investing with a long-term mindset, recognizing market fluctuations as opportunities rather than distractions. By blending analysis with intuition, successful investors develop a skill that, much like art, takes years to refine.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://chrisreining.com/art-of-investing/Quotes to ponder:"The stock market is there to serve you. When it offers a good business at a bad price you do nothing. When it offers a good business at a good price you buy.""The longer you invest the more you realize that being good at investing has little to do with combing through mountains of data or spending hours crunching numbers.""To be good is blending science and art. It’s hard data and soft data. Left brain, right brain."Episode references: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
Feb 2, 2025 • 12min
3027: Mortgages And the Banker's Jar by Barney of The Escape Artist on Build Wealth and Financial Independence
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 3027:Barney of The Escape Artist explores the psychological and financial impact of taking on a large mortgage, highlighting how debt can limit your freedom and choices. With a mix of personal experience and sharp financial insights, he emphasizes the importance of reducing mortgage debt strategically to regain control, build wealth, and ultimately, achieve financial independence.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://theescapeartist.me/2014/05/27/mortgages-and-the-bankers-jar/Quotes to ponder:"If ever in your life you get the urge to do something risky, exciting, different or adventurous, chances are you will not because you won’t have the balls to do it.""A mortgage is like a chainsaw. It's a powerful but slightly scary tool to be used carefully for a short period of time in a domestic situation. If you get it wrong, it might lop off a limb or two.""There is an optimal level of mortgage fear. A little edge of unease can be helpful as motivation to get out of the hole as quickly as possible. Too much fear, however, can paralyze and persistent debt worries will eat away at you." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 2, 2025 • 12min
3026: How I Finally Faced My Weight & Debt Problems by Leo Babauta of Zen Habits on Finding Simplicity
Leo Babauta of Zen Habits shares how he finally faced his weight and debt problems.Episode 3026: How I Finally Faced My Weight & Debt Problems by Leo Babauta of Zen Habits on Finding SimplicityLeo Babauta created Zen Habits, which is about finding simplicity and mindfulness in the daily chaos of our lives. It's about clearing the clutter so we can focus on what's important, create something amazing, find happiness.The original post is located here: https://zenhabits.net/ohno Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 1, 2025 • 11min
3025: Can I Afford It Is A Terrible Filter by Joshua Becker of Becoming Minimalist on Spending Decision 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 3025:Joshua Becker challenges this common financial filter, explaining why it’s incomplete and often misleading. Instead, he suggests five better questions to guide spending decisions, helping align purchases with personal goals, motivations, and long-term financial well-being.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.becomingminimalist.com/can-i-afford-it/Quotes to ponder:"Can I afford it? is a terrible filter because the answer is always subjective.""Everything we buy takes up physical space in our home and mental space in our mind.""With every purchase, we sacrifice a small amount of freedom." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 31, 2025 • 11min
3024: How I Hired The Best People In The World To Make Me Rich AND The Cr***y Couch Cacophony by Mr. 1500 of 1500 Days
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 3024:Mr. 1500 explains how index funds like VTSAX make investing even simpler, allowing you to focus on what truly brings you joy while your money works for you.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.1500days.com/how-i-hired-the-best-people-in-the-world-to-make-me-rich/ & https://www.1500days.com/ask-the-readers-the-crappy-couch-cacophony/Quotes to ponder:"It gives me great satisfaction to know that some of the most brilliant leaders today are on my payroll. I get to pursue what I want and they fund it.""If I give VTSAX $1,000,000 to manage, I pay $400 per year in fees. That’s an incredible value. Take my money, VTSAX.""Who am I to judge another human’s choices? Their choices are a culmination of decades of experience that I have no knowledge of."Episode references:Mile High FI Podcast: https://milehighfi.comEconoMe Conference: https://economeconference.comThe 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
Jan 30, 2025 • 8min
3023: Trouble with the 4 Percent Rule by Jillian Johnsrud on A Flexible Approach to Financial Independence
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 3023:Early retirement enthusiasts often base their plans on the 4% rule, but Jillian Johnsrud highlights the emotional and psychological challenges this approach can create. By exploring how transitions like leaving work can disrupt the satisfaction of earning and saving, Jillian advocates for a more personalized and flexible approach to financial independence. Her insights empower listeners to design retirement strategies that align with their values and happiness, instead of rigid formulas.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.jillianjohnsrud.com/trouble-with-the-4-rule/Quotes to ponder:"A plan that felt a little more palatable when the time comes to leave your 9-5 job.""Transitions deregulate us. Every time.""You can have 100% confidence in the 4% rule and still not enjoy pulling out 4% a year."Episode references:Tickets to EconoMe Conference: https://economeconference.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
