
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 2, 2025 • 12min
3058: Raising Consumer Conscious Teenagers in an Age of Excess by Joshua Becker of Becoming Minimalist
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 3058:Joshua Becker explores practical ways to guide young people in resisting materialism, understanding advertising influence, and prioritizing experiences over possessions. By fostering mindful consumption habits early, parents can empower teens to make thoughtful financial choices that align with their values.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.becomingminimalist.com/consumer-conscious-teens/Quotes to ponder:"Marketers spend billions of dollars every year targeting our children with advertisements, hoping to shape their buying habits for decades to come.""Help them see that happiness is not found in the accumulation of possessions, but in the pursuit of meaning, relationships, and contribution.""The best way to help our teenagers become wise consumers is to model it ourselves." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 1, 2025 • 11min
3057: 5 Reasons to Choose a 15-Year Mortgage by Andy Hill of Marriage Kids and 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 3057:Andy Hill shares how this decision helped his family stay disciplined, build wealth faster, and eliminate debt years ahead of schedule. If paying off your mortgage early aligns with your goals, his insights might just inspire you to rethink your home loan strategy.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/5-reasons-to-choose-a-15-year-mortgageQuotes to ponder:"We would be saving nearly $100,000! Instead of giving the mortgage company $95,130, we decided to keep it.""When we're completely debt-free, we're going to be able to live more, give more, and save more.""The 15-year helps to accelerate the mortgage payoff process and brings us closer to a more stress-free lifestyle in the Hill house." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 28, 2025 • 12min
3056: Save $50 a Day & Feel No Pain? Hmm I Dunno About That by J. Money of Budgets Are Sexy
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 3056:J. Money explores whether saving $50 a day is realistic and how to make it painless. By identifying small spending leaks, making simple swaps, and staying intentional with money, you can build a solid financial cushion without feeling deprived. These practical tips prove that smart saving is more about mindset than sacrifice.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.budgetsaresexy.com/save-50-day-and-feel-no-pain-hmmi-dunno/Quotes to ponder:"Saving money isn’t always about cutting out the fun, it’s about being more intentional with where your dollars go.""When you track your spending, you start to notice patterns and little leaks where money slips away unnoticed.""Small changes, like brewing coffee at home or packing lunch, add up faster than you think." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 27, 2025 • 11min
3055: Everyone Else Could Be Wrong by Steven Keys of Trip Of A Lifestyle on Intentional 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 3055:Steven Keys challenges conventional wisdom, highlighting how herd mentality can lead to poor choices in finance, lifestyle, and beyond. By seeking out unconventional perspectives, prioritizing logic, and boldly carving your own path, you can break free from societal norms and create a life that truly fits you.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.tripofalifestyle.com/perspective/everyone-else-could-be-wrong/Quotes to ponder:"You really shouldn’t go along with anyone, majority or minority, blindly.""Even if you ask more people or find more resources, you’ll have a psychological tendency to ignore the outliers, even when they’re actually correct.""When you open yourself up to the possibility of thinking differently from everyone else, you set yourself free." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 26, 2025 • 11min
3054: The More Runway You Have, The Safer You are by Barney of The Escape Artist 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 3054:Barney of TheEscapeArtist.me explains how to calculate your runway, why an emergency fund is essential, and how financial independence shifts your options and decision-making. More runway means more freedom, but the benefits plateau after a certain point, making it crucial to define what "enough" means for you.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://theescapeartist.me/2021/10/19/the-more-runway-you-have-the-safer-you-are/Quotes to ponder:"The moral of this story is that the more runway you have, the safer you are.""You need to have a margin of safety in your life. Some redundancy in your personal finances in case of redundancy in your career.""It is HUGE to go from having no runway to having the ability to take a year off. But just going from 25x to 26x shouldn’t really change your life much."Episode references:The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel: https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Money-Timeless-lessons-happiness/dp/0857197681 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 25, 2025 • 9min
3053: The Power of an Online Only Savings Account by Tiffany Aliche of The Budgetnista
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 3053:Traditional savings accounts might be holding you back. Tiffany "The Budgetnista" Aliche highlights the power of online-only savings accounts, explaining how they offer higher interest rates, fewer fees, and better financial discipline by keeping your savings out of easy reach. Learn how to set one up and maximize your money with smart, simple strategies.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://thebudgetnista.com/the-power-of-an-online-only-savings-account/Quotes to ponder:"An online-only savings account is like a financial gym - it helps strengthen your saving muscles by keeping your money separate from your daily spending.""When your savings account is harder to access, you're less likely to dip into it for impulse purchases.""Online banks often offer interest rates that are 10 to 20 times higher than traditional banks. That means your money grows faster - without any extra effort." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 24, 2025 • 11min
3052: [Part 2] Stocks - Part XIX: How to Think about Money by JL Collins
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 3052:JL Collins breaks down how to shift your mindset from short-term price fluctuations to long-term ownership, using VTSAX as a prime example of investing in the entire U.S. economy. Learn why patience, resilience, and a buy-and-hold strategy can lead to financial security over time.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://jlcollinsnh.com/2013/06/14/stocks-part-ixx-how-to-think-about-money/Quotes to ponder:"You can’t successfully dance in and out of the Market.""As long as the company is sound, the fluctuations in its stock price are fairly inconsequential.""Nothing is sure, but I can’t think of a surer bet than this." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 23, 2025 • 11min
3051: [Part 1] Stocks - Part XIX: How to Think about Money by JL Collins
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 3051:JL Collins breaks down the mindset shift needed to stop thinking about what money can buy and start focusing on what it can earn. By understanding opportunity cost and the power of compounding, you can make choices that lead to long-term prosperity rather than fleeting riches.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://jlcollinsnh.com/2013/06/14/stocks-part-ixx-how-to-think-about-money/Quotes to ponder:“It’s not hard. Stop thinking about what your money can buy. Start thinking about what your money can earn. And what the money it earns can earn.”“You have probably heard of The Magic of Compounding. As your savings grow, you earn interest on a bigger and bigger pool of money.”“One of the beauties of being financially independent is that by definition you will have enough money so that the power of Compounding is greater than the Opportunity Cost of what you spend.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 23, 2025 • 12min
3050: The Reason You May Not be Getting Results and What To Do About It by Nia Shanks
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 3050:Nia Shanks emphasizes the importance of finding an approach to training and eating that works for you rather than forcing a method that causes stress or doesn’t align with your preferences. Whether it’s strength training, intermittent fasting, or another nutrition plan, success comes from experimentation and personalization, not rigid adherence to popular advice.Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.niashanks.com/reason-not-getting-results-what-to-do/Quotes to ponder:"You don’t have to do what’s popular or what other experts swear by if that method doesn’t fit your lifestyle and personality.""Bottom line with nutrition is don’t be afraid to experiment and discover what works for you.""Bottom line, if a particular method doesn’t fit your personality or mesh with your lifestyle, then don’t force it." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7 snips
Feb 22, 2025 • 10min
3049: Changing Jobs for More Money - Is it Worth It by Philip Taylor of PT Money
Changing jobs for a higher salary can be enticing, but the discussion stresses that money isn't everything. Job satisfaction and stability play crucial roles in long-term happiness. Frequent job-hopping may leave professionals feeling unfulfilled. Lists like salary surveys can guide fair pay, yet building career capital by staying put may offer greater rewards. The balance between financial gain and personal fulfillment is highlighted, encouraging listeners to think critically about their career choices.
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