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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. Dollar Cost Averaging by Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich on Smart and Steady Investing

    9H AGO

    Dollar Cost Averaging by Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich on Smart and Steady Investing

    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 3350: Ramit Sethi breaks down dollar-cost averaging as a smart way to invest consistently over time without trying to time the market. He explains how this strategy can protect against volatility, while also comparing it to lump-sum investing, which often yields higher returns, but not without emotional trade-offs. Sethi also provides a practical guide for building an index fund portfolio from scratch, even on a limited budget. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/dollar-cost-averaging/ Quotes to ponder: "Investing isn’t a race, you don’t need a perfect asset allocation tomorrow." “Your asset allocation determines how much money you invest in different areas.” “Spend less than you make and invest the difference.” Episode references: VTSAX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund): https://investor.vanguard.com/investment-products/mutual-funds/profile/vtsax Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX): https://investor.vanguard.com/investment-products/mutual-funds/profile/vfifx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    10 min
  2. You Might Also Like: The Oprah Podcast

    9H AGO · BONUS

    You Might Also Like: The Oprah Podcast

    Introducing Ann Packer: "Some Bright Nowhere" | Oprah's Book Club from The Oprah Podcast. Follow the show: The Oprah Podcast In this episode of Oprah’s Book Club: Presented by Starbucks, Oprah and Ann Packer discuss Some Bright Nowhere, Ann’s poignant new novel and Oprah’s 120th Book Club selection. This book explores what happens when a wife's dying request shatters everything her husband believed about their 35 years together. Ann’s evocative and beautifully written novel inspired a thought-provoking conversation among readers at a Starbucks coffeehouse in New York City. As our audience discussed the inherent challenges and life-changing insights that come with the privilege and responsibility of caregiving, they were warmed by a Starbucks holiday classic: the Peppermint Mocha. BUY THE BOOK! https://www.harpercollins.com/products/some-bright-nowhere-ann-packer 00:00:00 - Welcome Ann Packer, author of ‘Some Bright Nowhere’ 00:02:40 - Thando shares her feelings about the main characters  00:04:50 - How Ann created the story  00:06:50 - Ann knew the ending before she started 00:07:38 - Recurring theme in Ann’s books  00:10:35 - Ann takes on hard questions  00:14:50 - How Ann wrote from the male perspective  00:17:07 - Support for male caregivers  00:25:30 - Male and female caregiving differences  00:30:38 - The difficulty of speaking your truth  00:31:54 - The power of a dying wish  00:33:48 - What cancer takes away from people  00:39:29 - What can be learned from loss  00:40:32 - Ann wants to normalize talking about death  00:42:50 - How it feels to hit send on your finished book SUPPORT THE SHOW Learn more about Jack’s Caregiver Coalition - a national non-profit that ensures no man should care alone. Jack’s is a center for empowerment, support, and community for men who are caregivers.  https://www.jackscaregiverco.org/ Follow Oprah Winfrey on Social: Instagram Facebook TikTok Listen to the full podcast: Spotify Apple Podcasts #oprahsbookclub Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

  3. Room For Error by Jesse Cramer of BestInterest on Financial Planning and Resilience

    1D AGO

    Room For Error by Jesse Cramer of BestInterest on Financial Planning and Resilience

    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 3349: Jesse Cramer unpacks the underestimated power of "room for error" as a life and investing strategy, drawing insights from Morgan Housel, Charlie Munger, and Howard Marks. Instead of chasing peak performance, Cramer advocates for avoiding disaster, building resilience, and prioritizing consistency, especially when stress can derail even the best-laid plans. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://bestinterest.blog/room-for-error/ Quotes to ponder: "In investing and in life, prioritize avoidance of terrible situations." "Room for error lets you stick around long enough to let the odds of benefiting from a low-probability outcome fall in your favor." "Invest! Harness the power of humanity’s economic engine and compound returns." Episode references: The Power of Inversion: https://fs.blog/inversion/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    11 min
  4. [Part 2] Spend Less - Live More by Leif of Physician On Fire on Intentional Spending and Lifestyle Design

    2D AGO

    [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

    11 min
  5. [Part 1] Spend Less - Live More by Leif of Physician On Fire on Intentional Spending and Lifestyle Design

    3D AGO

    [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

    10 min
  6. How Should Parents Talk To Their Kids About Money? by Lisa Harrison of Mad Money Monster

    3D AGO

    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

    10 min
  7. Why Following Your Dreams Will Make You Free by Wanderer of Millennial Revolution on Financial Independence and Purposeful Living

    4D AGO

    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

    9 min
  8. The Case For and Against Umbrella Insurance by Mike Ballew of EggStack on Insurance Planning and Financial Protection

    5D AGO

    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

    9 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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