
Optimal Finance Daily - Financial Independence and Money Advice
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...
Latest episodes

Mar 27, 2025 • 10min
3087: [Part 2] Earn Like A Boss Spend Like An Intern by Chris of Keep Thrifty on Money Goals
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 3087:Chris from KeepThrifty shares how living like a student during a well-paying internship taught him a powerful lesson: spending should be driven by values, not income. By focusing on tracking expenses, prioritizing long-term goals over short-term indulgences, and finding joy in low-cost experiences, he shows how financial freedom becomes more achievable - no matter how much you earn.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.keepthrifty.com/earn-like-a-boss-spend-like-an-intern/Quotes to ponder:"Your spending can (and should) be independent of your income.""It’s not deprivation if you’re prioritizing something better.""That which gets measured gets managed."Episode references:The More of Less: https://www.amazon.com/More-Less-Minimalist-Living-Discover/dp/1601427964 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 26, 2025 • 10min
3086: [Part 1] Earn Like A Boss Spend Like An Intern by Chris of Keep Thrifty on Financial Freedom
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 3086:Chris of KeepThrifty shares practical, tested strategies for growing your income faster than inflation averaging 8% annually over 15 years by becoming a high-value team member. Learn how to lead with purpose, invest in your own development, support your team, and tackle the tough jobs no one else wants, all of which set you up for financial freedom.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.keepthrifty.com/earn-like-a-boss-spend-like-an-intern/Quotes to ponder:"Decisions are easier, priorities are clearer, and everyone just seems to work together better.""You need to keep learning and growing.""Improving your team helps your company a lot and you even more."Episode references:Crucial Conversations: https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Conversations-Talking-Stakes-Second/dp/0071771328The Obstacle Is the Way: https://www.amazon.com/Obstacle-Way-Timeless-Turning-Triumph/dp/1591846358Start with Why: https://www.amazon.com/Start-Why-Leaders-Inspire-Everyone/dp/1591846447 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 25, 2025 • 11min
3085: Emotions of Financial Independence by The Mad Fientist on Mental Health and Early 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 3085:The Mad Fientist explores the unexpected emotional terrain of nearing financial independence, revealing how fear, procrastination, and questions of purpose often surface just as the goal comes within reach. With honesty and introspection, he shares how early action, not early retirement alone, may be the key to building a more meaningful and enjoyable life.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.madfientist.com/emotions-of-fi/Quotes to ponder:"I’ve spent so many years building up my balances so the idea of actually taking money out is a bit frightening.""Has my procrastination been a way of keeping my dreams alive even though, deep down, I realize they are probably not attainable?""Financial independence isn’t the solution to every problem but it does provide the freedom and flexibility to make changes that improve your life." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 24, 2025 • 12min
3084: The Thought Process of a Frugal Mind by Chelsea of Smart Money Mamas
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 3084:Chelsea of SmartMoneyMamas.com breaks down the intentional decision-making process behind frugal living, showing how thoughtful spending can lead to greater happiness, reduced stress, and financial freedom. Rather than focusing on deprivation, her five-step method encourages creativity, community, and mindful consumption in a world driven by impulse buying.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://smartmoneymamas.com/thought-process-frugal-mind/Quotes to ponder:"Being frugal is about optimizing the balance between cost and happiness.""Your time does have value and the materials to make those things could end up costing more anyway.""When you buy something using the frugal thought process, be confident that you are spending money on something that matters."Episode references:Craigslist: https://craigslist.orgBuy Nothing Project: https://buynothingproject.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 23, 2025 • 11min
3083: Why We Paid Off Our Mortgage by Julien Saunders of Rich And Regular
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search forspecific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.Episode 3083:Julien Saunders shares how he and his wife strategically paid off their mortgage to unlock financial freedom, reduce stress, and gain control over their time. Their journey, driven by teamwork and discipline, reveals how owning a home outright can be a powerful step toward financial independence, especially for those underrepresented in that achievement.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://richandregular.com/why-we-paid-off-our-mortgage/Quotes to ponder:"We didn’t just payoff a mortgage; we bought time.""The primary reason we decided to payoff the mortgage was to create a level of freedom and flexibility that no job could ever provide.""We swung it about 30+ times over a 2 1/2 year period putting every single dollar to work."Episode references:Afford Anything: https://affordanything.comGo Curry Cracker: https://www.gocurrycracker.comMillennial Revolution: https://www.millennial-revolution.comDave Ramsey: https://www.ramseysolutions.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 23, 2025 • 11min
3082: How to Win a Negotiation Without Destroying Relationships by Seth Sinclair
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 3082:Seth Sinclair shares a powerful framework for negotiating with clarity, confidence, and empathy, helping you reach mutually beneficial outcomes without damaging trust or relationships. By focusing on curiosity, active listening, and honest communication, you'll walk away from difficult conversations feeling respected, and more likely to get what you want.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://michaelmehlberg.com/blog/2016/10/17/how-to-win-a-negotiation-without-destroying-relationshipsQuotes to ponder:"Curiosity diffuses conflict, lowers defenses, and opens the door to understanding.""Always seek to understand what the other person wants and why they want it.""Compromise isn’t weakness, it’s the recognition that both sides have value."Episode references:Crucial Conversations: https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Conversations-Talking-Stakes-Second/dp/1469266822Never Split the Difference: https://www.amazon.com/Never-Split-Difference-Negotiating-Depended/dp/0062407805Getting to Yes: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Yes-Negotiating-Agreement-Without/dp/0143118757 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 22, 2025 • 12min
3081: 10 Ways You Can Have Enough Money and Stuff by Courtney Carver of Be More With Less
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 3081:Courtney Carver invites readers to rethink their relationship with money and possessions by focusing on clarity, intention, and contentment. By embracing simplicity, self-awareness, and gratitude, she shares ten mindset shifts that help cultivate a deeper sense of “enough” regardless of financial status.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://bemorewithless.com/10-ways-you-can-have-enough-money-and-stuff/Quotes to ponder:"Deciding you have enough is what helps you actually feel like you have enough.""Decluttering can be a beautiful bridge to a life with less stuff and more meaning.""When you focus on what really matters to you, you naturally spend less on the things that don’t."Episode references:Becoming Minimalist: https://www.becomingminimalist.com/Tiny House Talk: https://tinyhousetalk.com/Zen Habits: https://zenhabits.net/The Minimalists: https://www.theminimalists.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 21, 2025 • 11min
3080: The Three Methods of Finance - When Enough is Enough by Jacob Lund Fisker of Early Retirement Extreme
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 3080:Saving, borrowing, or investing, Jacob Lund Fisker breaks down the three fundamental approaches to financing your life. By understanding the power of living off interest rather than paying it, you can accelerate financial independence and avoid the "one more year syndrome" that keeps many from retiring even when they’ve reached their goal. Find out how to determine your financial "enough" and pull the trigger on true freedom.Read along with the original article(s) here: http://earlyretirementextreme.com/the-three-methods-of-finance-and-when-enough-is-enough.htmlQuotes to ponder:"You can pay as you go. You save money and then you spend it. If you don’t have the money, you can’t afford it and if you can’t afford it, you don’t buy it.""Financial independence means not having to finance like the people in class 2 and it usually also implies not having to earn money by working, but let’s not get hung up on words.""There are a lot of stories about people who wanted to squeeze in just one extra bit of work to meet some retirement target. Then when they reach it, they think to themselves, well, if I worked just a little longer, I could buy this and this and that."Episode references:CharityVest: https://charityvest.orgEconoMe Conference: https://economeconference.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 20, 2025 • 12min
3079: Why We Sold Our Fancy Car (the Acura NSX) by Mr. 1500 of 1500 Days on Financial Flexibility
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 3079:Mr. 1500 reflects on the surprising reality of fulfilling a lifelong dream, owning an Acura NSX, only to realize that the joy of possession fades faster than expected. The mental burden of maintaining an expensive car, combined with a shift toward financial flexibility and simplicity, led to the decision to sell. Letting go brought more peace than regret, reinforcing the idea that true happiness isn’t found in material things.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.1500days.com/why-we-sold-our-fancy-car-the-acura-nsx/Quotes to ponder:"The pursuit is often more fun than the ownership of it.""In the end, the most important reason is that it just didn’t bring us happiness anymore.""There is beauty in simplicity. An internal combustion engine is a Rube Goldberg machine compared to an electric motor." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 19, 2025 • 13min
3078: Luxury or Essential By Darrow Kirkpatrick of Can I Retire Yet on 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 3078:Most of us aiming for financial independence don’t live in luxury, but what truly counts as a luxury? Darrow Kirkpatrick challenges the idea that luxuries are inherently bad, arguing instead that they should be evaluated based on their function, personal value, and overall cost. By asking whether an expense is optional, meaningful, and affordable, we can make smarter financial choices, prioritizing what genuinely enriches our lives without falling into the trap of unnecessary spending.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.caniretireyet.com/luxury-or-essential/Quotes to ponder:"A luxury is 'something inessential, but conducive to pleasure and comfort.'""The problem is when you develop habits to the point that expensive luxuries become necessities, or you want them in all areas of your life.""When you spend money, you choose consumption today over the lifetime of interest income you’d achieve from investing it instead." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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