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Optimal Finance Daily - Financial Independence and Money Advice

Optimal Living Daily
  • 4.5 (1.2K)
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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...

  1. 5M AGO • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    How We Began to Slash Our Budget by Amanda Brownlow of Hello Brownlow on Managing Family Expenses

    Episode 3409: Amanda Brownlow shares the practical and personal journey she and her husband took to slash nearly $1,000 from their monthly spending, despite starting off with no budgeting experience. By swapping luxury for value, like ditching cable, using cash envelopes, and mastering couponing, they transformed their finances with sustainable habits anyone can replicate. Read along with the original article(s) here:⁠ https://hellobrownlow.com/2016/03/20/how-we-began-to-slash-our-budget/⁠ Quotes to ponder: "Cash is tangible and it’s harder for me to let go of than running my magic swipey card through the register." "The process is hard at first, but when you get the hang of looking at your entire paycheck down to the very last cent, you get to see exactly where all your money goes." "I started to shop less and less for things that I didn’t really need like that new eye shadow pallet or a new pair of shoes that I won’t even wear." Episode references: The Total Money Makeover:⁠ https://www.amazon.com/Total-Money-Makeover-Classic-Financial/dp/0785289089⁠

    9 min
  2. Trading Games by Nick Maggiulli of Of Dollars and Data on Smart Trading Strategy

    22H AGO

    Trading Games by Nick Maggiulli of Of Dollars and Data on Smart Trading Strategy

    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 3408: Nick Maggiulli unpacks the rise and downfall of Atlas Trading, a group of financial influencers charged with running a $100 million pump-and-dump scheme. Through this cautionary tale, and a parallel story of extreme legal risk-taking, he exposes the dangerous allure of quick profits, while reminding us that the real pros in finance aren’t making headlines; they’re quietly doing honest work. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://ofdollarsanddata.com/trading-games/ Quotes to ponder: “Do not use followers as exit liquidity. Do not flex, or entice others to do your trades. Do not lie.” “The more risk you take, the more likely you are to see an extreme outcome (to the upside or the downside).” “In the game of trading, the only winning move is not to play.” Episode references: Jason Zweig �� The Intelligent Investor column: https://www.wsj.com/news/author/jason-zweig SEC lawsuit press release: https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2022-219 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    11 min
  3. 6 Ways to Fix Your Finances and Resuscitate Your DOA Money Situation by Mikey Rox on Financial Recovery Steps

    1D AGO

    6 Ways to Fix Your Finances and Resuscitate Your DOA Money Situation by Mikey Rox on Financial Recovery Steps

    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 3407: Mikey Rox lays out six practical, no-nonsense strategies to help you take back control of your finances, from ditching impulsive spending to identifying hidden subscription drains. With expert insights from voices like Jeff Kreisler and Logan Abbott, this guide empowers you to be more mindful with your money and avoid common financial traps that keep people stuck. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://lenpenzo.com/blog/id50507-6-ways-to-resuscitate-your-doa-finances-today-2.html Quotes to ponder: "When you buy something that used to be $100 but is 35% off, you’re not ‘saving’ $35, you’re spending $65. Instead, compare the price you’re paying to zero, that is, the price of not buying it at all." "Pull up your online banking information and write down every single recurring subscription that you’ve paid during the past 90 days." "These methods are unavoidable, but keep in mind that paying in cash will always save you money. Try to be mindful and treat all of your payments as if they were cash." Episode references: Wirefly: https://www.wirefly.com Dollars and Sense: https://www.amazon.com/Dollars-Sense-Smart-People-Money/dp/006265120X Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    9 min
  4. How To Teach A Curious Friend About Financial Independence by A Purple Life on Introducing Financial Freedom

    2D AGO

    How To Teach A Curious Friend About Financial Independence by A Purple Life on Introducing 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 3406: A Purple Life shares her simple yet powerful approach to guiding friends through the path to financial independence. By letting curiosity lead the conversation, encouraging preparation, and offering gentle follow-ups, she shows how to make meaningful financial change feel both approachable and empowering. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://apurplelife.com/2019/04/16/how-to-teach-a-curious-friend-about-financial-independence/ Quotes to ponder: "People are sensitive to money talk." "Finances in the US have the weird distinction of being up there with sex, religion and politics for topics that we don’t often discuss." "Gentle reminders seem to help keep people on track." Episode references: 401(k): https://www.investopedia.com/terms/1/401kplan.asp Mint: https://www.mint.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    10 min
  5. [Part 2] The Greatest Risk To My Retirement Goal by Craig Stephens of Retire Before Dad on Securing Your Future

    3D AGO

    [Part 2] The Greatest Risk To My Retirement Goal by Craig Stephens of Retire Before Dad on Securing Your Future

    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 3405: Craig Stephens breaks down the future costs of college for his three children and how these projections impact his retirement timeline. With detailed modeling, realistic assumptions, and a surprise family update, he explores the financial trade-offs between saving for education and maintaining long-term retirement goals, all while embracing the unpredictability of life. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.retirebeforedad.com/greatest-risk-to-retirement-goal/ Quotes to ponder: "Kids come with a price tag, but ultimately they are priceless." "Estimating the cost of college 15 years out is not an exact science." "Any change to a variable alters the numbers by tens of thousands of dollars." Episode references: The World’s Simplest College Cost Calculator: https://www.savingforcollege.com/calculators/worlds-simplest-college-cost-calculator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    12 min
  6. [Part 1] The Greatest Risk To My Retirement Goal by Craig Stephens of Retire Before Dad on Securing Your Future

    4D AGO

    [Part 1] The Greatest Risk To My Retirement Goal by Craig Stephens of Retire Before Dad on Securing Your Future

    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 3404: Craig Stephens reflects on his ambitious plan to retire by age 55, beating his father by one year, and the financial realities that threaten that goal. With his children’s college expenses looming in the same year as his intended retirement, he explores the deep impact of generational choices, personal sacrifice, and the ROI of higher education. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.retirebeforedad.com/greatest-risk-to-retirement-goal/ Quotes to ponder: "I reject the notion that because younger generations are statistically more likely to live longer than our parents, we will need to work longer." "More than a decade ago when my Dad retired from his teaching career at age 56, I told him my retirement goal was to beat him and stop working at age 55." "According to a recent study by Alicia H. Munnell at the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, the average age of retirement for men in the US is 64." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    10 min
  7. 5 Things to Consider Before Making a Purchase by Dan Erickson with No Sidebar on Reducing Impulse Buys

    5D AGO

    5 Things to Consider Before Making a Purchase by Dan Erickson with No Sidebar on Reducing Impulse Buys

    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 3403: Dan Erickson shares five thoughtful strategies to help curb impulsive spending by encouraging a shift from emotional wants to practical needs. His advice empowers listeners to slow down, reflect on true priorities, and make purchasing decisions with greater clarity and purpose. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://nosidebar.com/purchase/ Quotes to ponder: "Wanting is an emotional response to being unsatisfied with what you already have." "When we spend money, we have to work harder and longer to recoup our loss." "Walking gives you time to consider the pros and cons of your motivations to buy." Episode references: Dictionary.com definition of "want": https://www.dictionary.com/browse/want Dictionary.com definition of "need": https://www.dictionary.com/browse/need Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    10 min
  8. In Defense of the Worry Warts by Greg Audino on Embracing Anxiety Traits

    5D AGO

    In Defense of the Worry Warts by Greg Audino on Embracing Anxiety Traits

    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 3402: Greg Audino offers a nuanced counterpoint to Wayne Dyer’s popular philosophy that worry is always unnecessary. By exploring the modern gray area between what we can and can’t control, Audino validates the emotional experience of striving in uncertain situations and emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance as the real starting point for growth. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://medium.com/invisible-illness/in-defense-of-the-worry-warts-6cd8e3af3319 Quotes to ponder: "Her worry becomes not about if she can control it, but how." "Wayne Dyer is quoted as saying, 'Recognize the preposterousness of worry. Ask yourself over and over, ‘Is there anything that will ever change as a result of my worrying about it?’'" "There’s nothing wrong with you for worrying. It’s not senseless, it’s circumstantial." Episode references: The Power of Intention by Wayne Dyer: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Intention-Learning-Co-create-World/dp/1401902162 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    11 min
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About

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...

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