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...

Episodes

3382: Frugal or Cheap: How to Tell and Why it Matters by Vicki Cook and Amy Blacklock of Women Who Money

December 10, 2025 • 10 mins

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 3382: Vicki Cook and Amy Blacklock break down the subtle but impactful differences between being frugal and being cheap, helping you assess whether your money-saving habits align with your values or if they may be costing more than you think. Learn how mindful spending can pr...

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3381: When It Pays to Spend Money to Save Money by Amanda Brownlow on Intentional Spending

December 9, 2025 • 8 mins

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 3381: Amanda Brownlow challenges the traditional mindset of extreme frugality by showing how intentional spending can lead to long-term savings. From prioritizing health and quality items to investing in insurance and expert financial advice, she explains why spending a littl...

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3380: What You Can Learn From Millennials For a Better Financial Future by Kathleen Coxwell of New Retirement

December 8, 2025 • 9 mins

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 3380: Kathleen Coxwell highlights how millennials, often seen as financially unstable, are actually modeling habits that can lead to a more flexible and fulfilling retirement. From downsizing and ditching costly assets to prioritizing experiences, connection, and purpose, the...

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3379: Snatch Up Your Long Lost Money by J. Money of Budgets Are Sexy on Tracking Down Lost Assets

December 7, 2025 • 9 mins

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 3379: J. Money unpacks how billions of dollars in unclaimed property are just sitting around, waiting to be claimed, including hundreds his own wife forgot about from a decade-old paycheck. With step-by-step guidance and a few laughs, he shows how easy (and free) it is to sea...

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3378: You Don't Have to Give Up Important Things to Get Important Things Done by Michael Mehlberg

December 7, 2025 • 8 mins

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 3378: Michael Mehlberg challenges the productivity trend of cutting out distractions by flipping the script, urging us to protect the activities that fuel us through a not-to-give-up list. This powerful mindset helps you stay motivated, avoid burnout, and build a life that ba...

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3377: Money Stress: Why We Use Money to Feel Bad About Ourselves by Dr. Lisa Firestone of Psych Alive

December 6, 2025 • 11 mins

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 3377: Dr. Lisa Firestone explores how our emotional history, especially early experiences with money, shapes our current financial stress and self-worth. She reveals how the "critical inner voice" hijacks our judgment, fueling guilt, anxiety, and self-sabotage, and offers pra...

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3376: How Do the Wealthy Invest? by Nick Maggiulli of Of Dollars and Data on Building Wealth Mindfully

December 5, 2025 • 11 mins

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 3376: Nick Maggiulli unpacks how wealthy individuals allocate their assets, revealing that investment strategies often depend more on access and status than on performance alone. While ultra-wealthy investors lean heavily into alternatives like private equity and hedge funds,...

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3375: Should Cash Be Part of Your Emergency Fund? By Honey Smith with Get Rich Slowly on Smart Emergency Planning

December 4, 2025 • 9 mins

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 3375: Honey Smith explores the practical and psychological benefits of keeping physical cash as part of your emergency fund, especially in times when digital access to money may be disrupted. Weighing the pros and cons, from peace of mind and preparedness to lost interest and...

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3374: [Part 2] Rethinking the 4 Percent Safe Withdrawal Rule by Fritz Gilbert of The Retirement Manifesto

December 3, 2025 • 11 mins

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 3374: Fritz Gilbert outlines three key adjustments to improve the sustainability of retirement withdrawals in today’s uncertain market environment: lowering the withdrawal rate to 3.3%, adopting a dynamic spending strategy tied to market performance, and increasing internatio...

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3373: [Part 1] Rethinking the 4 Percent Safe Withdrawal Rule by Fritz Gilbert of The Retirement Manifesto

December 2, 2025 • 9 mins

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 3373: Fritz Gilbert challenges the conventional 4% safe withdrawal rule, arguing that its simplicity may be dangerously outdated given today’s market conditions. He outlines key concerns about relying on historical data, inflated equity valuations, and rising interest rates, ...

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3372: Want to Retire Early Abroad? Do These 10 Things First by Christina Browning of Our Rich Journey

December 1, 2025 • 11 mins

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 3372: Christina Browning shares ten crucial steps to ensure a successful early retirement abroad, drawing from her personal experience relocating to Portugal. From navigating foreign healthcare systems to stress-testing your lifestyle across seasons, these actionable tips hel...

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3371: When, Why and How We Give by Julien Saunders of Rich and Regular on Giving With Intention

November 30, 2025 • 10 mins

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 3371: Julien Saunders shares a heartfelt exploration of how giving, whether through financial support, gifts, or time, aligns with their values and fuels their pursuit of financial independence. By embracing a flexible, impact-driven approach to generosity, the Saunders famil...

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3370: How To Transform Loneliness Into Joyful Solitude by Kat Medina on Finding Peace in Solitude

November 30, 2025 • 8 mins

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 3370: Kat Medina reflects on how solo travel helped her redefine loneliness as a gateway to joyful solitude and personal growth. Through honest storytelling and a five-day self-connection challenge, she encourages us to disconnect from distractions and rediscover the richness...

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3369: What Happens to My Debt When I Die? by Christine Luken on Looking Out For Your Family's Financial Health

November 29, 2025 • 9 mins

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 3369: Christine Luken offers a clear-eyed guide to understanding how different types of debt, mortgages, credit cards, student loans, and medical bills, are handled after death, and who (if anyone) becomes responsible. With practical advice and real-life examples, she shows h...

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3368: 7 Lessons I Learned From Failing at Real Estate Investing by Jeff Rose of Good Financial Cents on Investment Lessons

November 28, 2025 • 10 mins

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 3368: Jeff Rose shares the hard-earned wisdom that came from diving headfirst into real estate investing without the right knowledge, mindset, or passion. His story underscores the importance of aligning your investment strategy with your skills and interests, highlighting th...

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3367: Financial Lessons From a Rugby Field by Michael Smith with Financial Finesse on Long-term Financial Strategy

November 27, 2025 • 10 mins

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 3367: Michael Smith draws powerful parallels between playing rugby and managing money, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, mental resilience, and meaningful relationships. His insights show how trusting a solid team of financial professionals, sticking to long-term strate...

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3366: Financial Independence Is A Hall Pass For Safe Reinvention by Dave of Accidental FIRE on Financial Freedom

November 26, 2025 • 10 mins

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 3366: Dave from Accidental FIRE explores how financial independence can become a powerful launchpad for reinvention after professional decline. Drawing from Arthur Brooks’ research and personal experience, he makes a compelling case for using FI not just to retire, but to piv...

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3365: Failing at Early Retirement by Jeremy of Go Curry Cracker on Retirement Planning

November 25, 2025 • 11 mins

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 3365: Jeremy challenges the notion that earning income after early retirement equals failure, sharing his own experiment with seasonal work as a UPS driver. His candid reflection reveals how flexibility, self-awareness, and reevaluating what “retirement” means can lead to gre...

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3364: [Part 2] Financial FOMO: What, Why and How To Avoid It by Joel of 5AMJoel on Financial Awareness

November 24, 2025 • 9 mins

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 3364: Joel explores how Financial FOMO quietly undermines progress by fueling comparison, indecision, and unrealistic expectations. With practical mindset shifts like appreciation, JOMO, and a "low information diet," he shows how to reclaim clarity, peace, and confidence on y...

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3363: [Part 1] Financial FOMO: What, Why and How To Avoid It by Joel of 5AMJoel on Financial Awareness

November 23, 2025 • 9 mins

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 3363: Joel unpacks the toxic effects of Financial FOMO, the anxiety-driven urge to chase every wealth-building trend, and how it can derail both your mindset and money. Through the story of Steve, we see how constantly comparing yourself to others’ financial wins can create a...

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Optimal Finance Daily - Financial Independence and Money Advice

Episodes

.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}3382: Frugal or Cheap: How to Tell and Why it Matters by Vicki Cook and Amy Blacklock of Women Who Money

.css-r6mb8g{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:1;overflow:hidden;}3381: When It Pays to Spend Money to Save Money by Amanda Brownlow on Intentional Spending

3380: What You Can Learn From Millennials For a Better Financial Future by Kathleen Coxwell of New Retirement

3379: Snatch Up Your Long Lost Money by J. Money of Budgets Are Sexy on Tracking Down Lost Assets

3378: You Don't Have to Give Up Important Things to Get Important Things Done by Michael Mehlberg

3377: Money Stress: Why We Use Money to Feel Bad About Ourselves by Dr. Lisa Firestone of Psych Alive

3376: How Do the Wealthy Invest? by Nick Maggiulli of Of Dollars and Data on Building Wealth Mindfully

3375: Should Cash Be Part of Your Emergency Fund? By Honey Smith with Get Rich Slowly on Smart Emergency Planning

3374: [Part 2] Rethinking the 4 Percent Safe Withdrawal Rule by Fritz Gilbert of The Retirement Manifesto

3373: [Part 1] Rethinking the 4 Percent Safe Withdrawal Rule by Fritz Gilbert of The Retirement Manifesto

3372: Want to Retire Early Abroad? Do These 10 Things First by Christina Browning of Our Rich Journey

3371: When, Why and How We Give by Julien Saunders of Rich and Regular on Giving With Intention

3370: How To Transform Loneliness Into Joyful Solitude by Kat Medina on Finding Peace in Solitude

3369: What Happens to My Debt When I Die? by Christine Luken on Looking Out For Your Family's Financial Health

3368: 7 Lessons I Learned From Failing at Real Estate Investing by Jeff Rose of Good Financial Cents on Investment Lessons

3367: Financial Lessons From a Rugby Field by Michael Smith with Financial Finesse on Long-term Financial Strategy

3366: Financial Independence Is A Hall Pass For Safe Reinvention by Dave of Accidental FIRE on Financial Freedom

3365: Failing at Early Retirement by Jeremy of Go Curry Cracker on Retirement Planning

3364: [Part 2] Financial FOMO: What, Why and How To Avoid It by Joel of 5AMJoel on Financial Awareness

3363: [Part 1] Financial FOMO: What, Why and How To Avoid It by Joel of 5AMJoel on Financial Awareness

Popular Podcasts

3382: Frugal or Cheap: How to Tell and Why it Matters by Vicki Cook and Amy Blacklock of Women Who Money

3381: When It Pays to Spend Money to Save Money by Amanda Brownlow on Intentional Spending