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
Jun 25, 2025 • 10min
3190: Why You Shouldn't Pay Off Your Mortgage Early by Jen Hayes on Flexible 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 3190:
Jen Hayes challenges the conventional wisdom of rushing to pay off your mortgage, emphasizing that financial decisions should align with individual circumstances. By comparing real-life examples and outlining when early repayment may not be ideal, she encourages a more flexible and personalized approach to financial freedom.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.jenhayes.me/why-you-shouldnt-pay-off-your-mortgage-early/
Quotes to ponder:
"Paying $54,000 is a much better deal than paying $100,000 (plus interest)!"
"Is it worth it to pay off your $200,000 mortgage in five years if you’re behind on retirement saving and you’re tired of being frugal?"
"You could, for example, pay off your mortgage over 10 or 12 years instead of 5 or 15."
Episode references:
The Baby Steps (Dave Ramsey): https://www.ramseysolutions.com/dave-ramsey-7-baby-steps
Risk Parity Radio: https://www.riskparityradio.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 24, 2025 • 10min
3189: Frugal Guide to Buying a Used Car by Renee Benes on The True Cost of Car Ownership
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 3189:
Renee Benes shares a no-nonsense approach to buying a used car that balances practicality, cost savings, and reliability. From understanding the true cost of ownership to negotiating smarter and prioritizing must-haves, this guide helps frugal buyers navigate the used car market with clarity and confidence.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.thefunsizedlife.com/used-car/
Quotes to ponder:
"You know a used car performs much like a brand-new car."
"Truly frugal people would think about the car’s fuel efficiency."
"You will probably need to compromise on some of your must-haves."
Episode references:
Gabi Insurance Comparison Tool: https://www.gabi.com
Kelley Blue Book (used car pricing): https://www.kbb.com
NADA Guides (car valuation): https://www.nadaguides.com
Edmunds Car Value Tool: https://www.edmunds.com/appraisal/
Endurance Warranty Reviews: https://www.endurancewarranty.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 23, 2025 • 10min
3188: 4 Lies Money Gurus Tell You by Christine Luken on Emotional Spending 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 3188:
Christine Luken dismantles common personal finance myths with empathy and clarity, showing how rigid budgets, cookie-cutter formulas, and willpower-based advice often backfire. Instead, she offers empowering alternatives like Prosperity Plans, emotional spending awareness, and habit-based strategies to help you transform your money mindset without shame or sacrifice.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.christineluken.com/4-lies-money-gurus-tell-you/
Quotes to ponder:
"You don’t need a budget, BUT you do need a plan, a Prosperity Plan."
"Money management really isn’t about math; it’s emotional!"
"The payment method is rarely the problem." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 22, 2025 • 11min
3187: Should You Get a Car Loan to Improve Your Credit Score? Heck No! by Paula Pant of Afford Anything
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 3187:
Paula Pant unpacks the surprising realities behind auto loans and credit scores, showing why taking on debt just to improve your credit can backfire. With clear insights into how credit scores are calculated, she explains smarter, debt-free ways to boost your score without falling into the trap of unnecessary borrowing.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://affordanything.com/will-getting-car-loan-improve-credit-score-heck/
Quotes to ponder:
"Debt should be used to solve problems, not to game a number."
"The credit score was never designed to be a symbol of financial success."
"A credit score is a measure of how good you are at managing borrowed money, not how wealthy or financially responsible you are."
Episode references:
Annual Credit Report: https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau - Understanding credit scores: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-credit-score-en-315/
MyFICO: https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/credit-scores Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 22, 2025 • 12min
3186: Why You Shouldn’t Optimize Your Life by Nick Maggiulli on Personal Development and Growth
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 3186:
Nick Maggiulli explores how the relentless pursuit of optimization, whether in finances, health, or daily decisions, can lead us astray from what truly matters. Using the Iowa Gambling Task as a metaphor, he reveals how life’s value often lies in its uncertainty and imperfections, urging us to prioritize meaningful progress over marginal gains.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://ofdollarsanddata.com/why-you-shouldnt-optimize-your-life/
Quotes to ponder:
"Once you remove the uncertainties of life, you can almost always find a better option that you could have chosen instead."
"It’s optimization all the way down."
"You start to live the life of a stranger. You eat the food of someone else, wear the clothes of not-you with kids that are more attached to their nanny than to you."
Episode references:
Iowa Gambling Task (Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iowa_gambling_task
Ramit Sethi - I Will Teach You To Be Rich: https://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com
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
Jun 21, 2025 • 10min
3185: What To Do When You Can’t Pay Your Bills by Michelle Schroeder-Gardner on Financial Roadmap
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 3185:
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner offers a practical and empowering roadmap for anyone overwhelmed by unpaid bills, emphasizing proactive steps like organizing finances, contacting creditors, and increasing income. Her guidance helps listeners reduce anxiety, avoid damaging financial consequences, and take control of their money with clarity and confidence.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.makingsenseofcents.com/2016/02/what-to-do-when-you-cant-pay-your-bills.html
Quotes to ponder:
"By facing the problem, you will be able to dig yourself out of debt, get rid of late bills, and have a better grasp of your financial situation."
"You won’t know what they can do for you until you ask."
"My recommendation for the best way to pay your past bills is to work on making more money." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 20, 2025 • 11min
3184: Polarizing Purchases by Tynan on Unlocking Deeper Prosperity and Mindset Success
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 3184:
Tynan explores the power of being unapologetically polarizing in a world that often rewards conformity. By standing firmly for your values and making deliberate, even controversial choices, you not only attract like-minded people but also unlock deeper authenticity, trust, and success.
Read along with the original article(s) here: http://tynan.com/polarizing
Quotes to ponder:
"Being polarizing means making your beliefs, preferences, and personality clear enough that people can decide whether or not they align with you."
"When you're polarizing, you're broadcasting that you stand for something and that you have the confidence to express it, even if others disagree."
"If someone disagrees with something about me, I’d much rather that be clear so that we can both move on with our lives."
Episode references:
How to Win Friends and Influence People: https://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/0671027034
The War of Art: https://www.amazon.com/War-Art-Steven-Pressfield/dp/1936891026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 19, 2025 • 10min
3183: The Quickstart Guide to Seller Financing Real Estate by Kalen Bruce on Alternative Investments
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 3183:
Kalen Bruce outlines how seller financing allows real estate investors to earn steady income without the headaches of being a landlord and offers an alternative path to homeownership for buyers struggling to secure traditional loans. By cutting out banks, both parties gain flexibility, but not without added risks like buyer default or balloon payments that require thoughtful planning.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://moneyminiblog.com/make-money/seller-financing-real-estate/
Quotes to ponder:
"Seller financing is great for buyers and sellers."
"You are essentially a landlord that doesn’t have to worry about repairs and maintenance issues."
"Your interest rate will be based on several things, including your perceived risk level." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 18, 2025 • 14min
3182: 9 Things We Would Do if We Won a Million Dollars Tomorrow by Julien and 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 3182:
Julien and Kiersten Saunders break down how they'd thoughtfully deploy a $1 million windfall, blending financial independence with generosity and smart investing. Their approach offers a grounded roadmap for anyone navigating sudden wealth, with a mix of practical financial moves, community uplift, and modest lifestyle upgrades.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://richandregular.com/9-things-we-would-do-if-we-won-a-million-dollars-tomorrow/
Quotes to ponder:
"Pre-paying bills for a year gives you the capacity to focus on your business without having to 'think' about paying bills."
"We believe in small businesses, digital entrepreneurs, content creators, and micro-enterprises."
"Nothing fancy, just good old-fashioned putting that money to work, planting seeds for the future, solving problems with a small side of splurge."
Episode references:
Vanguard VTSAX Fund: https://investor.vanguard.com/investment-products/mutual-funds/profile/vtsax Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 17, 2025 • 9min
3181: [Part 2] Frugality Is A Compounding Game by Liz of Frugal Woods on Personal Growth and Self-Reliance
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 3181:
Liz from FrugalWoods explores how small frugal habits, like DIY haircuts, trigger a compounding effect that goes beyond money, boosting self-reliance, deepening relationships, and even saving time. Her take on frugality reveals how insourcing everyday tasks can lead to long-term freedom, personal growth, and a stronger sense of capability.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.frugalwoods.com/2016/06/27/frugality-is-a-compounding-game/
Quotes to ponder:
"We’ve saved a combined $2,688 thus far, and will continue to save $1,032 every single year."
"Realizing that we’re capable of doing things ourselves opened a door for Mr. FW and me to start performing tons of tasks on our own."
"Rather than trying to stretch out the time between haircuts or use coupons or hunt down discounts, we simply removed this expense wholesale."
Episode references:
EconoMe Conference: https://economeconference.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
