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
Nov 10, 2025 • 11min
3348: [Part 2] Spend Less - Live More by Leif of Physician On Fire on Intentional Spending and Lifestyle Design
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 3348:
Leif challenges the conventional link between income and happiness by highlighting how mindful spending and intentional living can lead to greater freedom, satisfaction, and emotional well-being. Drawing on research, personal experience, and the FIRE movement, he illustrates how spending less, while counterintuitive in a consumer-driven culture, can actually unlock more time, autonomy, and joy.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.physicianonfire.com/spend-less-live-more/
Quotes to ponder:
"High income buys life satisfaction but not happiness."
"The things you own end up owning you. It’s only after you lose everything that you’re free to do anything."
"A dollar spent is a dollar not saved or invested."
Episode references:
High income improves evaluation of life but not emotional well-being (Kahneman & Deaton, 2010): https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1011492107
You Need a Budget (YNAB): https://www.youneedabudget.com/
Scott’s Cheap Flights (now Going): https://www.going.com/
Personal Capital (now Empower): https://www.empower.com/
Mint: https://mint.intuit.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 9, 2025 • 10min
3347: [Part 1] Spend Less - Live More by Leif of Physician On Fire on Intentional Spending and Lifestyle Design
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 3347:
Leif challenges the common belief that spending more equals living better, arguing instead that dialing back on expenses can actually unlock a richer, more meaningful life. With personal stories and data-backed insights, he highlights how financial discipline offers not deprivation, but freedom, especially for high earners who mistakenly conflate luxury with happiness.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.physicianonfire.com/spend-less-live-more/
Quotes to ponder:
"When you dial down the spending, you’ll be able to live more."
"It’s much easier to stay off the hedonic treadmill or keep it going at a slow speed than it is to hop off once it’s hit a ludicrous speed."
"We don’t seem to be getting any happier despite substantial wealth gains over the past decade."
Episode references:
Ramit Sethi – I Will Teach You To Be Rich: https://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/
World Happiness Report: https://www.worldhappiness.report/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 9, 2025 • 10min
3346: How Should Parents Talk To Their Kids About Money? by Lisa Harrison of Mad Money Monster
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 3346:
Lisa Harrison shares practical, age-appropriate strategies to help parents teach their children the value of money, covering topics like earning, saving, investing, and the emotional legacy of money talk. By reflecting on her own upbringing and that of her husband, she highlights how early financial messaging shapes adult behavior, and how we can break generational cycles by fostering openness and confidence around money with our kids.
Quotes to ponder:
"It’s important to remember that we all carry biases with us, and they absolutely influence how we teach our kids about the world."
"Have your younger children engage in chores, over and above what is expected of them as being part of the household, and pay them for their work."
"Explain the importance of earning, saving, and investing, and how it will relate to them throughout various stages of their lives." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 8, 2025 • 9min
3345: Why Following Your Dreams Will Make You Free by Wanderer of Millennial Revolution on Financial Independence and Purposeful Living
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 3345:
Wanderer argues that chasing your dreams doesn’t have to mean choosing between passion and financial stability, it’s about building financial independence first, so your dream can thrive without the pressure to instantly pay the bills. By strategically pursuing passion projects on the side and leveraging even modest income from them, you can lower your "Magic Number" and reach freedom faster, all while keeping your dreams alive and viable.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.millennial-revolution.com/freedom/why-following-your-dreams-will-make-you-free/
Quotes to ponder:
"Don’t let anybody tell you that life is about pursuing money or pursuing your dream. It’s not either/or. It’s both."
"Follow the money, then follow your dreams."
"If you have something you want to create, start stockpiling your resources now, so that you can give your dream the gift of time."
Episode references:
EconoMe Conference: https://economeconference.com/
Steve Jobs' Stanford Commencement Speech: https://news.stanford.edu/2005/06/14/jobs-061505/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 7, 2025 • 9min
3344: The Case For and Against Umbrella Insurance by Mike Ballew of EggStack on Insurance Planning and Financial Protection
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 3344:
Mike Ballew challenges conventional wisdom by weighing both sides of the umbrella insurance debate, highlighting its role in protecting high-value assets while exposing the flawed logic behind its standard sales pitch. With examples ranging from teenage drivers to backyard mishaps, he encourages readers to make a decision based not on fear, but on a realistic assessment of personal risk and legal protections.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://eggstack.com/blog/2022-07-03-The-Case-For-and-Against-Umbrella-Insurance/
Quotes to ponder:
"The decision whether or not to buy umbrella insurance really comes down to two things: assets and risk."
"The case for umbrella insurance is based on faulty logic: that your exposure is limited to the difference between your assets and the liability limit. It is not."
"Every state has protections against losing your primary residence and your retirement savings." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 6, 2025 • 13min
3343: Financial Mass Destruction by Jesse Cramer of Best Interest on Financial Risks and Economic Awareness
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 3343:
Jesse Cramer unpacks why Warren Buffett labeled derivatives and leverage as “financial weapons of mass destruction,” showing how these tools can amplify both profits and catastrophic losses. Through real-world analogies and examples like the 2008 financial crisis and Long-Term Capital Management, Jesse urges everyday investors to recognize the hidden risks around them and stick to steady, sustainable strategies.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://bestinterest.blog/financial-mass-destruction/
Quotes to ponder:
“Neither derivatives nor leverage is free.”
“The range of derivatives contracts is limited only by the imagination of man, or sometimes so it seems, madmen.”
“Wall Street ends up trillions of dollars too optimistic, until the music stops.”
Episode references:
When Genius Failed by Roger Lowenstein: https://www.amazon.com/When-Genius-Failed-Long-Term-Management/dp/0375758259
The Big Short by Michael Lewis: https://www.amazon.com/Big-Short-Inside-Doomsday-Machine/dp/0393338827
Odd Lots Podcast (featuring Brad DeLong): https://www.bloomberg.com/podcasts/odd-lots
SPIVA U.S. Scorecard by S&P Dow Jones Indices: https://www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/research-insights/spiva/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 5, 2025 • 10min
3342: When Should You Use Margin When Investing? By Shailesh Kumar with 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 3342:
Shailesh Kumar breaks down when margin investing makes sense, and when it absolutely doesn’t. He outlines smart, situational uses for margin loans like temporary liquidity gaps or strategic tax planning, while warning against high-risk behaviors like chasing dividends or funding lifestyle purchases with borrowed money. This piece offers a clear, practical guide for investors who want to leverage margin responsibly without falling into financial traps.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.goodfinancialcents.com/when-should-you-use-margin-when-investing/
Quotes to ponder:
"Margin is debt. You borrow capital from your broker to buy more assets, in most cases stocks."
"Too much debt kills, but a little debt can go a long way towards giving you financial flexibility."
"Multiple levels of leverage are financial insanity and can come back to bite you much sooner than you think."
Episode references:
The Margin Loan: How to Make a $400,000 Impulse Purchase: https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2021/01/29/margin-loan-ibkr-review/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 4, 2025 • 11min
3341: My Fear of Spending is a Form of Imposter Syndrome by Kiersten Saunders of Rich and Regular
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 3341:
Kiersten Saunders unpacks the emotional toll of financial transition, exploring how fear of spending, even after achieving financial milestones, can mirror imposter syndrome. Through raw self-reflection and everyday moments, she reveals the deeper psychology behind money habits and how learning to trust yourself with your own success is a crucial step in financial independence.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://richandregular.com/my-fear-of-spending-is-a-form-of-imposter-syndrome/
Quotes to ponder:
"Instead of letting my fear of spending beaucoup money take me down a path of scarcity, I am choosing to reframe my circumstances."
"It’s easier to ignore short term impulses when you know there’s something greater later."
Episode references:
Suze Orman: https://www.suzeorman.com
FinCon: https://finconexpo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 3, 2025 • 9min
3340: Sweet Talking Your Home Appraiser Pays Off by Sam of Financial Samurai on Real Estate Strategy and Home Value
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 3340:
Sam highlights how a thoughtful, human-centered approach can make a meaningful difference when dealing with a home appraiser during a mortgage refinance. By paying attention to small gestures, building rapport, and showing respect, he boosted his appraisal by $75,000, ultimately securing a better financial outcome. His story is a compelling reminder that while kindness isn’t a guarantee, it’s often a strategic advantage.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.financialsamurai.com/home-appraisal-tips/
Quotes to ponder:
"The home appraiser is key to getting a mortgage to buy a property or refinancing a mortgage."
“The value of one’s asset is only what someone is willing to pay for it." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 2, 2025 • 14min
3339: A Surprising Contender for Tax-Efficient Retirement Saving by Darrow Kirkpatrick of Can I Retire Yet
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 3339:
Darrow Kirkpatrick challenges conventional retirement advice by showing how a taxable account, when optimized for capital gains and held by low-bracket retirees, can rival the performance of tax-free retirement accounts. His simulations reveal the surprising tax efficiency of these investments, emphasizing the importance of income smoothing and smart asset placement over simply following standard saving strategies.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.caniretireyet.com/surprising-contender-for-tax-efficient-retirement-saving/
Quotes to ponder:
"One secret to successful retirement saving, in addition to getting started, is to avoid paying taxes, especially in high income tax brackets."
"Owning capital-gains-generating securities as much as possible in your taxable accounts can pay off big-time over the long haul, especially if you live in the lower tax brackets."
"While most taxable accounts can’t outperform the average tax-free account, they do have one clear advantage: far fewer rules about what you can and can’t do with your money!"
Episode references:
How to Access Retirement Funds Early: https://www.madfientist.com/how-to-access-retirement-funds-early/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
