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Optimal Finance Daily - Financial Independence and Money Advice

Optimal Living Daily
  • 4.5 (1.2K)
  • Investing
  • Updated Daily

Optimal Finance Daily is the #1 narrated podcast for the FIRE movement (Financial Independence, Retire Early). We curate and read the internet's most influential blogs on stock market investing, passive income, debt repayment, and 401k strategies, transforming complex wisdom into actionable daily episodes. Hosted by Diania Merriam (founder of the EconoMe conference), this show is designed for growth-minded professionals seeking wealth management tips and money mindfulness. From budgeting and frugal living to index fund investing and tax strategies, Diania provides the tools to secure your financial freedom. Join thousands of listeners becoming "OLD friends" as we navigate retirement planning, savvy money management, and the path to a debt-free life. Your journey to an optimal life begins here.

  1. How to Cheat On Your Taxes Legally by Richard Close with Get Rich Slowly on Tax Strategies

    18h ago

    How to Cheat On Your Taxes Legally by Richard Close with Get Rich Slowly on Tax Strategies

    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 3604: Richard Close explains that the smartest way to lower your tax bill is not by breaking the rules, but by understanding them. By looking closely at legitimate deductions and credits that many people overlook, taxpayers can potentially save money while avoiding the costly consequences of tax fraud. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.getrichslowly.org/how-to-cheat-on-your-taxes-legally/ Quotes to ponder: "Never cheat on your taxes. The risks far outweigh the rewards." "Be creative, but work within the law. You just might save some money this year on your tax filings." "You may be surprised by how greatly you can benefit from being a legal tax cheat." Episode references: Internal Revenue Service (IRS): https://www.irs.gov Wealthfront’s high-yield Cash Account: ⁠⁠https://wealthfront.com/OFD⁠⁠ This experience may not be representative of other Wealthfront clients, and there is no guarantee of future performance or success. Experiences will vary. The Optimal Finance Daily Podcast, Diana Merriam (collectively "Media Partner") are not clients of Wealthfront. The Media Partner receives cash compensation from Wealthfront Brokerage for this paid endorsement placed in their video, creating a conflict of interest. More details available via the referral link. The Direct Deposit Plus Investing Program from Wealthfront Advisers LLC and Wealthfront Brokerage LLC provides eligible clients a 0.25% APY increase above the base APY on eligible Cash Account balances (up to an overall boosted rate of 4.30% for a limited time when including the 0.75% APY boost for new clients) when you direct deposit $1,000 a month, plus open, fund, and maintain an investing account. Wealthfront may change or end the program at any time and determine eligibility at its discretion. Terms apply. Full details at ⁠⁠wealthfront.com/promo-terms⁠⁠.  The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC ("Wealthfront Brokerage"), Member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") on cash deposits as of January 30, 2026, is representative, requires no minimum, and may change at any time. References to the APY for the Wealthfront Cash Account, including any APY increase, are to the APY paid by insured depository institutions that participate in our cash sweep program (the "Program Banks”).. Wealthfront Brokerage sweeps cash balances to Program Banks, where they earn the variable APY. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Securities investments are not bank deposits, bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value. Investment advisory services are provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    9 min
  2. You Might Also Like: The Story of Money

    18h ago ·  Bonus

    You Might Also Like: The Story of Money

    Introducing Why money is the biggest shared hallucination in human history from The Story of Money. Follow the show: The Story of Money What is money? And what can a small island in Micronesia teach us about how it works? On Yap, a remote island in the western Pacific, giant calcite “Rai” stones once functioned as currency, where ownership and collective trust — rather than physical possession — defined wealth and status. In this episode of The Story of Money, macroeconomist and author Felix Martin joins hosts Gillian Tett and Robin Wigglesworth to explore the stones of Yap, the origins of money and why the traditional “barter theory” may be a myth. Further reading: Money: The Unauthorised Biography (2015) by Felix Martin  Uap of the Carolines (1910) by William Henry Furness III A Treatise on Money (1930) by John Maynard Keynes  The Island of Stone Money (1991) and Money Mischief (1992) by Milton Friedman   ‘Tralla La’ in Uncle Scrooge #6 by Carl Barks (1954)  His Majesty O’Keefe (1954) Warner Bros  To enjoy future episodes, be sure to subscribe to The Story of Money wherever you get your podcasts. You can also follow the show's dedicated YouTube channel here.  Love listening to The Story of Money? Join us live on Saturday, June 20 at our inaugural NYC FT Weekend Festival at Spring Studios. Put your questions directly to our experts, experience your favourite podcast in person, and see the FT come to life. Register now and enjoy 10% off with code FTPodcast — this is one Saturday you won’t want to miss.  Learn more at ft.com/tsom or get in touch at thestoryofmoney@ft.com. Hosts: Gillian Tett and Robin Wigglesworth Guest: Felix Martin Producer: Lulu Smyth Senior Producers: Laurence Knight and Michela Tindera Executive Producers: Flo Phillips and Manuela Saragosa Original music: Breen Turner Broadcast engineers: Bianca Wakeman and Petros Giuompasis Podcast Development: Laura Clarke FT Global Head of Audio: Cheryl Brumley Video editors: Kristen Kenyon and Josh Divney at Podcast Discovery Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. 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. 5 Crucial Ways Dave Ramsey is Right About Money by Jen Hayes on Wealth Foundations

    1d ago

    5 Crucial Ways Dave Ramsey is Right About Money by Jen Hayes on Wealth Foundations

    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 3603: Jen Hayes reflects on the financial principles that transformed her own life, sharing how adopting key habits around debt, budgeting, and investing helped her pay off significant debt and build a stronger financial future. Her practical take on Dave Ramsey's core ideas offers listeners actionable ways to gain more freedom and control over their money. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.jenhayes.me/5-crucial-ways-dave-ramsey-is-right-about-money/ Quotes to ponder: "You know what you can do when you don’t have debt payments? Anything you want!" "Debt is debt. Period." "Live like no one else now so you can live like no one else later." Episode references: The Total Money Makeover: https://www.ramseysolutions.com/store/books/the-total-money-makeover-by-dave-ramsey Wealthfront’s high-yield Cash Account: ⁠⁠https://wealthfront.com/OFD⁠⁠ This experience may not be representative of other Wealthfront clients, and there is no guarantee of future performance or success. Experiences will vary. The Optimal Finance Daily Podcast, Diana Merriam (collectively "Media Partner") are not clients of Wealthfront. The Media Partner receives cash compensation from Wealthfront Brokerage for this paid endorsement placed in their video, creating a conflict of interest. More details available via the referral link. The Direct Deposit Plus Investing Program from Wealthfront Advisers LLC and Wealthfront Brokerage LLC provides eligible clients a 0.25% APY increase above the base APY on eligible Cash Account balances (up to an overall boosted rate of 4.30% for a limited time when including the 0.75% APY boost for new clients) when you direct deposit $1,000 a month, plus open, fund, and maintain an investing account. Wealthfront may change or end the program at any time and determine eligibility at its discretion. Terms apply. Full details at ⁠⁠wealthfront.com/promo-terms⁠⁠.  The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC ("Wealthfront Brokerage"), Member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") on cash deposits as of January 30, 2026, is representative, requires no minimum, and may change at any time. References to the APY for the Wealthfront Cash Account, including any APY increase, are to the APY paid by insured depository institutions that participate in our cash sweep program (the "Program Banks”).. Wealthfront Brokerage sweeps cash balances to Program Banks, where they earn the variable APY. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Securities investments are not bank deposits, bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value. Investment advisory services are provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    10 min
  4. It Never Gets Easier by Ross Enamait of Ross Training on Personal Discipline

    1d ago

    It Never Gets Easier by Ross Enamait of Ross Training on Personal Discipline

    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 3602: Ross Enamait explains that the discomfort of real growth never disappears—it simply grows alongside your ability to push yourself. By accepting that hard work is meant to be hard, you can stop chasing the illusion that success should feel easy and instead focus on the satisfaction that comes from continual improvement. Read along with the original article(s) here: http://rosstraining.com/blog/2016/09/it-never-gets-easier/ Quotes to ponder: “When you give everything you have, it doesn’t matter what you started with. You still have nothing left when you’re finished.” “Hard work will always be hard. Don’t be turned off by this simple truth. Instead, you should learn to embrace it.” “Training to become the best isn’t supposed to be easy or enjoyable. The joy comes after the fact.” Wealthfront’s high-yield Cash Account: ⁠⁠https://wealthfront.com/OFD⁠⁠ This experience may not be representative of other Wealthfront clients, and there is no guarantee of future performance or success. Experiences will vary. The Optimal Finance Daily Podcast, Diana Merriam (collectively "Media Partner") are not clients of Wealthfront. The Media Partner receives cash compensation from Wealthfront Brokerage for this paid endorsement placed in their video, creating a conflict of interest. More details available via the referral link. The Direct Deposit Plus Investing Program from Wealthfront Advisers LLC and Wealthfront Brokerage LLC provides eligible clients a 0.25% APY increase above the base APY on eligible Cash Account balances (up to an overall boosted rate of 4.30% for a limited time when including the 0.75% APY boost for new clients) when you direct deposit $1,000 a month, plus open, fund, and maintain an investing account. Wealthfront may change or end the program at any time and determine eligibility at its discretion. Terms apply. Full details at ⁠⁠wealthfront.com/promo-terms⁠⁠.  The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC ("Wealthfront Brokerage"), Member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") on cash deposits as of January 30, 2026, is representative, requires no minimum, and may change at any time. References to the APY for the Wealthfront Cash Account, including any APY increase, are to the APY paid by insured depository institutions that participate in our cash sweep program (the "Program Banks”).. Wealthfront Brokerage sweeps cash balances to Program Banks, where they earn the variable APY. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Securities investments are not bank deposits, bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value. Investment advisory services are provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    9 min
  5. [Part 2] The 7 Streams of Income to Get Rich by Nick Maggiulli on Financial Growth

    2d ago

    [Part 2] The 7 Streams of Income to Get Rich by Nick Maggiulli on Financial 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 3601: Nick Maggiulli explores four additional ways to build wealth through dividend income, rental properties, business ownership, and royalties, weighing the trade-offs between stability, scalability, and effort. He also argues that building one strong income stream can matter more than collecting many small ones, making it easier to choose opportunities that fit your personality and lifestyle. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://ofdollarsanddata.com/7-streams-of-income/ Quotes to ponder: "By focusing on building a strong foundation, you can then leverage this income to build other income streams when the time is right." "Regardless of what you decide to do, finding the right income streams for your lifestyle and personality is far more important than having more of them." "Dividend income can be useful for those who want another passive stream of income." Episode references: S&P 500 Index: https://www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/indices/equity/sp-500/ Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM): https://investor.vanguard.com/investment-products/etfs/profile/vym Wealthfront’s high-yield Cash Account: ⁠⁠https://wealthfront.com/OFD⁠⁠ This experience may not be representative of other Wealthfront clients, and there is no guarantee of future performance or success. Experiences will vary. The Optimal Finance Daily Podcast, Diana Merriam (collectively "Media Partner") are not clients of Wealthfront. The Media Partner receives cash compensation from Wealthfront Brokerage for this paid endorsement placed in their video, creating a conflict of interest. More details available via the referral link. The Direct Deposit Plus Investing Program from Wealthfront Advisers LLC and Wealthfront Brokerage LLC provides eligible clients a 0.25% APY increase above the base APY on eligible Cash Account balances (up to an overall boosted rate of 4.30% for a limited time when including the 0.75% APY boost for new clients) when you direct deposit $1,000 a month, plus open, fund, and maintain an investing account. Wealthfront may change or end the program at any time and determine eligibility at its discretion. Terms apply. Full details at ⁠⁠wealthfront.com/promo-terms⁠⁠.  The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC ("Wealthfront Brokerage"), Member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") on cash deposits as of January 30, 2026, is representative, requires no minimum, and may change at any time. References to the APY for the Wealthfront Cash Account, including any APY increase, are to the APY paid by insured depository institutions that participate in our cash sweep program (the "Program Banks”).. Wealthfront Brokerage sweeps cash balances to Program Banks, where they earn the variable APY. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Securities investments are not bank deposits, bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value. Investment advisory services are provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    13 min
  6. [Part 1] The 7 Streams of Income to Get Rich by Nick Maggiulli of Of Dollars and Data on Financial Growth

    3d ago

    [Part 1] The 7 Streams of Income to Get Rich by Nick Maggiulli of Of Dollars and Data on Financial 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 3600: Nick Maggiulli explores how building multiple streams of income can strengthen your financial future and reduce dependence on a single paycheck. He breaks down the advantages and tradeoffs of earned income, capital gains, and interest income, showing how each can play a role in creating long-term wealth. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://ofdollarsanddata.com/7-streams-of-income/ Quotes to ponder: "Earned income is the money you get in exchange for the time and effort that you put into your job." "Though saving money to invest can be hard, generating capital gains after you’ve invested your money is a form of truly passive income that can help you build wealth." "Overall, interest income can be a useful stream of income to supplement your other income sources as you continue to build your wealth." Wealthfront’s high-yield Cash Account: ⁠⁠https://wealthfront.com/OFD⁠⁠ This experience may not be representative of other Wealthfront clients, and there is no guarantee of future performance or success. Experiences will vary. The Optimal Finance Daily Podcast, Diana Merriam (collectively "Media Partner") are not clients of Wealthfront. The Media Partner receives cash compensation from Wealthfront Brokerage for this paid endorsement placed in their video, creating a conflict of interest. More details available via the referral link. The Direct Deposit Plus Investing Program from Wealthfront Advisers LLC and Wealthfront Brokerage LLC provides eligible clients a 0.25% APY increase above the base APY on eligible Cash Account balances (up to an overall boosted rate of 4.30% for a limited time when including the 0.75% APY boost for new clients) when you direct deposit $1,000 a month, plus open, fund, and maintain an investing account. Wealthfront may change or end the program at any time and determine eligibility at its discretion. Terms apply. Full details at ⁠⁠wealthfront.com/promo-terms⁠⁠.  The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC ("Wealthfront Brokerage"), Member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") on cash deposits as of January 30, 2026, is representative, requires no minimum, and may change at any time. References to the APY for the Wealthfront Cash Account, including any APY increase, are to the APY paid by insured depository institutions that participate in our cash sweep program (the "Program Banks”).. Wealthfront Brokerage sweeps cash balances to Program Banks, where they earn the variable APY. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Securities investments are not bank deposits, bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value. Investment advisory services are provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    11 min
  7. 7 Mentally Strong Financial Traits by Andrew of Dollar After Dollar on Financial Discipline

    4d ago

    7 Mentally Strong Financial Traits by Andrew of Dollar After Dollar on Financial Discipline

    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 3599: Andrew argues that building wealth depends less on income and more on developing the right mindset through disciplined choices, emotional control, persistence, and continuous learning. He shows how small daily decisions compound over time and explains why resilience and financial education can create lasting success. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.dollarafterdollar.com/7-mentally-strong-financial-traits/ Quotes to ponder: "Realize that the decision you make today, can have a huge impact on tomorrow." "Those with a strong mentality know this, and use their failures as learning experiences." "Knowledge is the fuel for a successful financial mentality." Episode references: Yahoo: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Yahoo-Inc Rich Habits: https://www.amazon.com/Rich-Habits-Success-Habits-Wealthy/dp/1934938939 Wealthfront’s high-yield Cash Account: ⁠⁠https://wealthfront.com/OFD⁠⁠ This experience may not be representative of other Wealthfront clients, and there is no guarantee of future performance or success. Experiences will vary. The Optimal Finance Daily Podcast, Diana Merriam (collectively "Media Partner") are not clients of Wealthfront. The Media Partner receives cash compensation from Wealthfront Brokerage for this paid endorsement placed in their video, creating a conflict of interest. More details available via the referral link. The Direct Deposit Plus Investing Program from Wealthfront Advisers LLC and Wealthfront Brokerage LLC provides eligible clients a 0.25% APY increase above the base APY on eligible Cash Account balances (up to an overall boosted rate of 4.30% for a limited time when including the 0.75% APY boost for new clients) when you direct deposit $1,000 a month, plus open, fund, and maintain an investing account. Wealthfront may change or end the program at any time and determine eligibility at its discretion. Terms apply. Full details at ⁠⁠wealthfront.com/promo-terms⁠⁠.  The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC ("Wealthfront Brokerage"), Member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") on cash deposits as of January 30, 2026, is representative, requires no minimum, and may change at any time. References to the APY for the Wealthfront Cash Account, including any APY increase, are to the APY paid by insured depository institutions that participate in our cash sweep program (the "Program Banks”).. Wealthfront Brokerage sweeps cash balances to Program Banks, where they earn the variable APY. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Securities investments are not bank deposits, bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value. Investment advisory services are provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    10 min
  8. Trading Financial Freedom for Mini-Retirement by Chris of Keep Thifty on Early Retirement Planning

    5d ago

    Trading Financial Freedom for Mini-Retirement by Chris of Keep Thifty on Early Retirement Planning

    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 3598: Chris explores why he willingly delayed financial freedom to take a year-long mini-retirement and spend more time with his young children while they still want him around. His story offers a thoughtful perspective on balancing long-term wealth with the fleeting opportunities that family life provides. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.keepthrifty.com/trade-financial-freedom-mini-retirement/ Quotes to ponder: "Enjoy these moments. They grow up so fast. Before you know it, they’ll be all grown up and you’ll wonder where the time went." "My kids are more important to me than just about anything in this world, and they aren’t going to stay little forever." "Trading twenty-seven months of financial freedom for fourteen months of mini-retirement now seems like a pretty good deal when you put our life situation in context." Episode references: Mr. Money Mustache: https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/ Wealthfront’s high-yield Cash Account: ⁠https://wealthfront.com/OFD⁠ This experience may not be representative of other Wealthfront clients, and there is no guarantee of future performance or success. Experiences will vary. The Optimal Finance Daily Podcast, Diana Merriam (collectively "Media Partner") are not clients of Wealthfront. The Media Partner receives cash compensation from Wealthfront Brokerage for this paid endorsement placed in their video, creating a conflict of interest. More details available via the referral link. The Direct Deposit Plus Investing Program from Wealthfront Advisers LLC and Wealthfront Brokerage LLC provides eligible clients a 0.25% APY increase above the base APY on eligible Cash Account balances (up to an overall boosted rate of 4.30% for a limited time when including the 0.75% APY boost for new clients) when you direct deposit $1,000 a month, plus open, fund, and maintain an investing account. Wealthfront may change or end the program at any time and determine eligibility at its discretion. Terms apply. Full details at ⁠wealthfront.com/promo-terms⁠.  The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC ("Wealthfront Brokerage"), Member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") on cash deposits as of January 30, 2026, is representative, requires no minimum, and may change at any time. References to the APY for the Wealthfront Cash Account, including any APY increase, are to the APY paid by insured depository institutions that participate in our cash sweep program (the "Program Banks”).. Wealthfront Brokerage sweeps cash balances to Program Banks, where they earn the variable APY. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Securities investments are not bank deposits, bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value. Investment advisory services are provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    9 min
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Optimal Finance Daily is the #1 narrated podcast for the FIRE movement (Financial Independence, Retire Early). We curate and read the internet's most influential blogs on stock market investing, passive income, debt repayment, and 401k strategies, transforming complex wisdom into actionable daily episodes. Hosted by Diania Merriam (founder of the EconoMe conference), this show is designed for growth-minded professionals seeking wealth management tips and money mindfulness. From budgeting and frugal living to index fund investing and tax strategies, Diania provides the tools to secure your financial freedom. Join thousands of listeners becoming "OLD friends" as we navigate retirement planning, savvy money management, and the path to a debt-free life. Your journey to an optimal life begins here.

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