Afford Anything

Afford Anything

Paula Pant | Cumulus Podcast Network

You can afford anything, but not everything. We make daily decisions about how to spend money, time, energy, focus and attention – and ultimately, our life.How do we make smarter decisions? How do we think from first principles?On the surface, Afford Anything seems like a podcast about money and investing.But under the hood, this is a show about how to think critically, recognize our behavioral blind spots, and make smarter choices. We’re into the psychology of money, and we love metacognition: thinking about how to think.In some episodes, we interview world-class experts: professors, researchers, scientists, authors. In o...

Sahil Bloom: Which of the Five Wealth Types Are You Neglecting?

Sahil Bloom: Which of the Five Wealth Types Are You Neglecting?

#584: Think about how you spend an average day. Would the 10-year-old version of yourself be impressed? What about the 90-year-old version?These two powerful questions frame our conversation with Sahil Bloom, founder and managing partner of an early-stage venture fund with investments in over 60 startups and author of The Curiosity Chronicle, a newsletter that reaches more than a million readers worldwide.Sahil shares the story of his own wake-up call. While living in California and ear

Feb 21, • 1:22:47

Q&A: Everyone Is Arguing About Roth IRAs And We Have Thoughts

Q&A: Everyone Is Arguing About Roth IRAs And We Have Thoughts

#583: Contrary to recent discussions, Jesse has concluded that a traditional IRA is the smarter way to go for most people once marginal tax rates are factored in. Is he missing something?  An anonymous caller is four years away from early retirement but she’s unsure if her portfolio allocations are in the right place. How and when should she start converting equities to cash?Luz is confused about how to handle company stock options. Is there an ideal spread between the exercise price an

Feb 18, • 1:08:54

The Marriage Contract You Never Saw (But Can't Escape), with Harvard Law Alum Aaron Thomas

The Marriage Contract You Never Saw (But Can't Escape), with Harvard Law Alum Aaron Thomas

#582: They had it all. Six thriving children. A 40-year marriage. A household income of $200,000.Then in her 60s, she discovered a shocking truth: he had gambled away their entire retirement savings in penny stocks. She had no access to their financial accounts during the marriage. After divorcing, she was left with nearly nothing. Today, she relies on her adult kids for support.Harvard-trained family law attorney Aaron Thomas joins us for a Valentine's Day discussion about prenuptial a

Feb 14, • 1:33:52

When Disaster Hits Home – Literally

When Disaster Hits Home – Literally

Enrollment for Your First Rental Property is open! affordanything.com/enroll____________________________#581: Today's question is different. There's something special about it — and you'll understand why in a moment.An 84-year-old listener left us a voicemail about his struggle to break free from mortgage debt. He and his 83-year-old wife need to move from their two-story townhouse because they can’t climb the stairs any longer. They found a single-story ranch house that fits their need

Feb 11, • 57:41

Treasury Tantrums, Arctic Routes, and McKinley's Ghost

Treasury Tantrums, Arctic Routes, and McKinley's Ghost

#580: "If you want to understand what's happening in the economy, look at bonds," begins today's episode, where we explore how the bond market acts as a crystal ball for economic trends.The bond market has been sending some clear signals lately. Interest rates remain elevated, with 10-year Treasury yields about 1 percent higher than their September 2024 low. After a challenging 2024 where bond returns flattened to just 1.18 percent, both the U.S. and U.K. are seeing historically high yi

Feb 8, • 1:01:33

Q&A: Two Weeks Until My Tenants Move In And I Have Nowhere to Go

Q&A: Two Weeks Until My Tenants Move In And I Have Nowhere to Go

#579: Todd is in a real estate bind. He found out six days before closing on a new home that it wasn’t legally sellable. And renters are moving into his current home in two weeks. What should he do?Anonymous is excited about expanding her real estate portfolio. Should she sell her $2.5 million rental property in the Bay Area to do this, or can she keep it and leverage the equity instead?Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these two questions in today’s episode.Enjoy!P.S.

Feb 4, • 1:04:02

The Hidden Cost of Playing It Safe With Money, with Dr. Margie Warrell

The Hidden Cost of Playing It Safe With Money, with Dr. Margie Warrell

#578: Fear blocks smart money moves. Ask Harvard Business Review advisor Dr. Margie Warrell, who guides Fortune 500 companies through strategic risk-taking. Her client roster includes NASA, Morgan Stanley, and Google.Her understanding of courage started at home. Her 13-year-old daughter landed an Australian TV role. She flew to LA for acting classes. There, she learned the hard truth: Success meant waiting tables for 20 years.The daughter's verdict was clear: "Mum, I don't want it enoug

Jan 31, • 1:16:01

Q&A: The Efficient Frontier Was Perfect Until HR Got Involved

Q&A: The Efficient Frontier Was Perfect Until HR Got Involved

#577: Kelsey is excited about investing along the efficient frontier, but it feels impossible with the lack of fund options in her employer-sponsored 401k. What’s the best way to deal with this problem?Molly discovered that her rollover from a 401k to a traditional IRA hadn’t been invested in mutual funds and was still in a money market fund. Manually calculating her net worth helped her identify this oversight, and she shares her experience with us.Former financial planner Joe Saul-Seh

Jan 28, • 1:03:15

The World's Richest People Are Weird by Design, with William Green

The World's Richest People Are Weird by Design, with William Green

#576: The world's greatest investors have a secret: they're weird. When one young fund manager met Bill Miller for the first time, he refused to shake hands. Instead, he locked eyes and declared: "I'm going to beat you, man."William Green joins us to share what he's learned from decades of conversations with investing legends — from the hyper-competitive to the deeply philosophical. These conversations reveal that success isn't just about strategy; it's about understanding yourself and

Jan 24, • 1:25:26

Q&A: The Roth Decision at Every Income Level (And Why It Matters Now!)

Q&A: The Roth Decision at Every Income Level (And Why It Matters Now!)

#575: Apar’s income has more than doubled after he started his own business. His advisor recommends Roth contributions but he’s skeptical due to his high income. Who’s right?Keith is frustrated by the conflicting advice he’s heard about Roth conversions. Is it better to do it while he’s young and earning a lower income, or should he wait until closer to retirement? Krish is fascinated by cryptocurrency and its impact on global investing. What opportunities should he capitalize on, and

Jan 21, • 1:19:12

The Hidden Psychology of Financial Pressure, with Dr. Sunita Sah

The Hidden Psychology of Financial Pressure, with Dr. Sunita Sah

#574: What would you do if someone in authority told you to do something that felt wrong? Most of us like to think we'd speak up, push back, stand our ground. But research tells a very different story.In fact, when Yale researchers conducted a famous experiment in the 1960s, they found that 65% of people would administer what they believed to be deadly electric shocks to another human being... simply because someone in a lab coat told them to.Today's guest has spent over 15 years studyi

Jan 17, • 1:31:22

Q&A: Wait, Are We All Wrong About Zero APR Strategies?

Q&A: Wait, Are We All Wrong About Zero APR Strategies?

#573: An anonymous caller has always put her large purchases on zero percent APR credit cards, but something’s been nagging at her. Is she walking on thin ice with this strategy?Von is confused why he keeps hearing that Roth accounts are better than traditional if they both lead to the same mathematical result. What’s he missing? Molly and her husband are well on their way to financial independence, but they feel unfulfilled with their careers. Can they afford to plunge into student deb

Jan 14, • 57:46

Your Last Thoughts Won't Be About Money, with Dr. Jordan Grumet

Your Last Thoughts Won't Be About Money, with Dr. Jordan Grumet

#572: At age 7, Dr. Jordan Grumet lost his father. This early loss shaped his career path — he became a physician, following in his dad's footsteps. But by 2010, feeling burned out from internal medicine, he took an unexpected turn: he became a hospice doctor.In this episode, Dr. Grumet joins us to discuss what he's learned from thousands of conversations with people in their final days. These discussions have revealed a pattern: people don't typically regret their bank balance on their

Jan 10, • 1:21:32

Q&A: When Your Crypto Bet Pays Off TOO Well

Q&A: When Your Crypto Bet Pays Off TOO Well

#571: An anonymous caller’s crypto investments have recently skyrocketed to 17 percent of her investment portfolio. Given the volatility of this asset, should she rebalance it or go all in? Jocelyn wants to buy a house in three years but she’s reluctant to keep her sizable down payment in cash. What if she splits the difference and invests half the money instead?Allison feels antsy holding $1 million in cash with falling interest rates on the horizon. How does she optimize this money wh

Jan 7, • 1:15:35

The Compound Effect of 52 Tiny Financial Changes

The Compound Effect of 52 Tiny Financial Changes

Grab your free copy of the 52-week guide to micro-improvements at https://affordanything.com/financialgoals_______In 2012, the British cycling team pulled off what seemed impossible. After 76 years of losses, they won the Tour de France, took second place, and grabbed 8 Olympic gold medals. Their secret? Tiny improvements that added up to massive change.That's the philosophy behind "One Tweak a Week," a year-long financial roadmap broken into 52 small, manageable steps. Each tweak takes

Jan 3, • 1:11:24

Financial Lessons We Learned - and What’s Ahead for 2025

Financial Lessons We Learned - and What’s Ahead for 2025

#569: Let’s take a look back on the biggest financial and economic stories of 2024 - and a look ahead to 2025! The Fed GDP The Bull Market The Deficit Inflation Bitcoin Basel III Endgame and Scientific Breakthroughs References and Resources: Michael Kitces interview https://AffordAnything.com/episode525 One Tweak a Week: https://AffordAnything.com/financialgoals For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode569 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit

Dec 30, 2024 • 1:05:00

Dr. Cal Newport: A No-Pressure Plan for Next Year's Resolutions [GREATEST HITS WEEK]

Dr. Cal Newport: A No-Pressure Plan for Next Year's Resolutions [GREATEST HITS WEEK]

Marie Curie won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 and the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911. She’s famous for her work in radioactivity. Lin-Manual Miranda is a songwriter, producer and director who won the Pulitzer Prize in Drama in 2016, as well as several Tony awards.What do they have in common?They lived a century apart. They innovated in disparate fields. But they shared a similar productivity practice.Both achieved greatness by embracing the practice of slow productivity, says Geo

Dec 27, 2024 • 1:25:23

Your Rich BFF, Vivian Tu: Wall Street's Dirty Little Secrets [GREATEST HITS WEEK]

Your Rich BFF, Vivian Tu: Wall Street's Dirty Little Secrets [GREATEST HITS WEEK]

Do you ever wonder what happens behind closed doors on Wall Street? Vivian Tu, also known as Your Rich BFF, is here to spill the tea.Vivian grew up in a modest immigrant family. After college, she found herself working insane hours on Wall Street after college.While working on Wall Street, Vivian saw some weird things.Once, a coworker stumbled hungover into the office after a trip to Atlantic City, carrying a duffel bag with thousands of dollars in cash inside.Vivian realized that there

Dec 26, 2024 • 1:03:56

Noah Kagan: 48 Hours to Entrepreneurship — Your Million Dollar Weekend [GREATEST HITS WEEK]

Noah Kagan: 48 Hours to Entrepreneurship — Your Million Dollar Weekend [GREATEST HITS WEEK]

If you’ve ever thought: “I’d love a business BUT …“I don’t have TIME.”“I don’t have MONEY.”“I don’t have IDEAS.”“I have TOO MANY ideas and I don’t know where to start.”“I’m not technical.”“I’m not creative or artistic.”“I’m not good at sales.”You’re not alone. Countless people don’t start businesses or side hustles for these reasons.And they’re losing thousands — perhaps millions — in opportunity cost.How much could you make if you started a side hustle that eventually scaled into a bus

Dec 25, 2024 • 1:25:40

Charles Duhigg: How to Have Smarter Conversations [GREATEST HITS WEEK]

Charles Duhigg: How to Have Smarter Conversations [GREATEST HITS WEEK]

Great communication will get you a raise. It’ll get you promoted. You’ll land the corner office.You’ll make friends and be the life of the party.You’ll land business deals and form lucrative partnerships.Supercommunication is a superpower.But how do we build it?Sometimes, you might walk away from a conversation with the joy of having made a cool new friend.Or you snagged a critical piece of information that you realllllly needed. Or you successfully negotiated an extra $5,000 off your c

Dec 24, 2024 • 1:24:30

Morgan Housel: How to Trend-Proof Your Portfolio and Think Beyond Fads [GREATEST HITS WEEK]

Morgan Housel: How to Trend-Proof Your Portfolio and Think Beyond Fads [GREATEST HITS WEEK]

Ever made a flippant, seemingly minor decision that radically changed the course of your life?Morgan Housel has experienced this. At age 17, he made a quick decision that ended up saving his life. Sadly, two of his friends were less fortunate.He shares that story in today’s podcast episode, and sheds light on the lessons he’s learned from it.Housel says that his lifesaving choice — and many of our other important decisions — are snap verdicts, ones that we don’t spend much time thinking

Dec 23, 2024 • 1:06:38

Q&A: Why Smart Investors Are Questioning VTSAX and Chill

Q&A: Why Smart Investors Are Questioning VTSAX and Chill

#568: Jason is confused by the recent discussions about the efficient frontier and Paul Merriman’s four-sector strategy. It seems a lot like another form of stock-picking. What’s the difference?Michelle straddles the Roth income threshold and is frustrated that she never knows if she’ll qualify for a Roth contribution until tax season. Is her current savings plan too complicated?Evan has $100 to spend on personal finance books for his high school’s library. What books would Paula and Jo

Dec 20, 2024 • 1:23:18

Lessons from High-Stakes Decisions, with Polina Marinova Pompliano

Lessons from High-Stakes Decisions, with Polina Marinova Pompliano

#567: What happens when an astronaut goes blind during a spacewalk?For Chris Hadfield, this wasn't a hypothetical scenario. While working outside the International Space Station, cleaning solution from his helmet visor spread into both eyes, leaving him completely blind in the vacuum of space.His response? Stay calm and methodically evaluate options. He could call Houston. He could have a crew member rescue him. He could try to cry to flush out his eyes - though that's tricky in zero gr

Dec 17, 2024 • 1:04:45

Q&A: Breaking Up with Total Market Funds After 10 Years

Q&A: Breaking Up with Total Market Funds After 10 Years

#566: Jackie is sold on Paul Merriman’s “Four Funds” approach, but she’s overwhelmed by the logistics of diversifying her single fund portfolio.. What are the best practices to redistribute her investments, handle taxes, and manage rebalancing?Heidi’s mother recently passed and she’s struggling to decide between distribution options, their tax implications, and investment options for the annuity she inherited. An anonymous caller and her husband want to buy a second home, pay for their

Dec 13, 2024 • 1:22:33

Codie Sanchez: From Wall Street to Washing Machines

Codie Sanchez: From Wall Street to Washing Machines

#565: When Codie Sanchez worked in finance, she wasn't planning to buy a laundromat. But facing 60-70 hour workweeks and realizing she didn't want her boss's job, she started looking for an exit strategy. Instead of buying a fancy car during her "midlife crisis," she purchased that first laundromat - a decision that would lead her to acquire multiple laundromats, car washes, and other local businesses.Codie joins us to break down how regular people can buy and run profitable local busin

Dec 10, 2024 • 1:47:01

The Real Story Behind These New Tariffs

The Real Story Behind These New Tariffs

#564: Our economy just gave us two big surprises that shape how we'll do business and invest in 2025.Our job market is going through major changes. Sure, we added 227,000 jobs - way more than anyone expected. Healthcare and hospitality are booming. But here's what you need to watch: our unemployment rate just climbed to 4.2%. When you look at how many people are joining or leaving the workforce, you'll spot some interesting signals about where we're headed.You've probably heard about th

Dec 7, 2024 • 54:39

What the Crypto Shift Means for Your Money, with Tatiana Koffman

What the Crypto Shift Means for Your Money, with Tatiana Koffman

#563: Bitcoin is hitting new all-time highs. Is this just another bull cycle, or are we witnessing a fundamental shift in how the world thinks about money?That's the question at the heart of our conversation with Tatiana Koffman, General Partner at Moonwalker Capital and author of "The Myth of Money."Koffman joins us to explain why Bitcoin might be considered "digital property" rather than just a currency. She breaks down how Bitcoin derives its value from mathematical scarcity – simila

Dec 3, 2024 • 1:13:43

The Secret Psychology of Successful Negotiators, with Matt Schultz

The Secret Psychology of Successful Negotiators, with Matt Schultz

#562: More than 90 percent of people who ask to get their credit card annual fee reduced are successful. Yet most people never ask. Why? They assume the answer will be no.Matt Schultz, the author of “Ask Questions, Save Money, Make More,” joins us to explain the psychology and tactics behind successful negotiation. The key insight: companies want to keep your business. Banks, employers, and service providers invest in long-term relationships because it's more profitable than constantly

Nov 29, 2024 • 1:17:56

Q&A: Why Your Retirement Math Isn’t Adding Up

Q&A: Why Your Retirement Math Isn’t Adding Up

#561: Joanne is confident that her short and long-term financial plans are set, but she’s not certain about the medium-term. What’s the proper way to allocate money for different time horizons?Jessie is intrigued by Paul Merriman’s simple portfolio recommendations but wonders about his lean away from growth stocks. Are value funds generally better for everyday investors?Nancy is worried she’ll miscalculate her financial independence number because her net worth includes pre and post-tax

Nov 26, 2024 • 1:07:37

The Father of the 4% Rule Finally Sets the Record Straight

The Father of the 4% Rule Finally Sets the Record Straight

#560: Bill Bengen, the former rocket scientist who discovered the "4 percent rule" of retirement planning, joins us at the Bogleheads conference in Minnesota. Bengen clarifies that calling it a "rule" is misleading since it doesn't fit everyone's situation. The 4 percent figure came from studying the worst-case scenario since 1926, when someone who retired in 1968 could only safely withdraw 4.2 percent annually. Out of 400+ retirees in his database, that was the only one who had such a

Nov 22, 2024 • 58:19

Q&A: Should We Ditch Rental Properties Entirely?

Q&A: Should We Ditch Rental Properties Entirely?

#559: An anonymous caller, whom we name “Samantha,” and her husband are financially strained and feeling torn. Shortly after purchasing two rental properties, their income dropped dramatically. Should they sell?Tina is a full-time environmentalist. She’s worried that her index funds don’t align with her values on sustainability. Is there a world where she can be a savvy investor and fight climate change?Another anonymous caller, whom we name “Sarah,” is excited and uncertain about her g

Nov 20, 2024 • 1:15:39

Why Your Retirement Math Might Be All Wrong — If You Follow the 4% Rule

Why Your Retirement Math Might Be All Wrong — If You Follow the 4% Rule

#558: What happens when you spend three decades talking to retirement experts? You learn that most of what people think they know about retirement planning is oversimplified or wrong.Christine Benz, director of personal finance and retirement planning at Morningstar, joins us on the Afford Anything podcast to share what she's discovered after 31 years of interviewing experts across personal finance, tax planning, and Social Security.One key insight: The standard advice about withdrawing

Nov 15, 2024 • 1:08:59

Help! The Money is Good … But My Dream Life is Different

Help! The Money is Good … But My Dream Life is Different

#557: Imagine saving nearly your entire paycheck while your rental properties cover your bills. That's exactly where real estate investor Andrew finds himself — and yet he's at a crossroads. At FinCon, a personal finance conference, former financial advisor Joe Saul-Sehy and I sit down with Andrew and another attendee who bring their money dilemmas live on stage.Andrew's question seems simple at first: should he sell his index funds to pay off his rental mortgages? But the real story ru

Nov 12, 2024 • 52:25

Q&A: When a Million Dollars Feels Like a Burden

Q&A: When a Million Dollars Feels Like a Burden

#556: An anonymous caller was raised to work hard, live below his means, and save. He feels undeserving of his recent $1,000,000 inheritance and struggles to spend it. What should he do?Jack bought a house with a seven-year adjustable-rate mortgage. He’s confused about when and how he should refinance out of it. What should he do?Jack is also wondering how to do the breakeven calculation between contributing to a Traditional IRA with upfront income tax savings versus a Roth IRA with def

Nov 8, 2024 • 1:09:06

MadFientist: The Hardest Part of Early Retirement Wasn't the Money

MadFientist: The Hardest Part of Early Retirement Wasn't the Money

#555: Brandon Ganch (known online as MadFientist) joins us from Scotland to share how his life has transformed since retiring in 2016 at age 34. “I thought retirement was an age, not a function,” he said. “And when I realized it was just a math function, it changed my entire life.” Eight years into retirement, Brandon talks about how his spending and lifestyle have evolved. While his investment portfolio has grown "exponentially," he's had to push himself to spend more money. He and his wife h

Nov 5, 2024 • 1:03:33

The Most Expensive Election Trade Ever Made (A Cautionary Tale)

The Most Expensive Election Trade Ever Made (A Cautionary Tale)

#554: The U.S. jobs market hit a surprising speed bump in October, adding just 12,000 new jobs — way below the expected 100,000.  A mix of natural disasters and labor unrest explains the slump. Recent hurricanes in the Southeast wiped out somewhere between 40,000 to 70,000 jobs, while strikes at Boeing and other companies added to the slowdown. Against this backdrop, the Federal Reserve looks ready to cut interest rates next week by 0.25 percent. Meanwhile, gold is having its biggest moment si

Nov 1, 2024 • 50:34

The Brutal Money Truth No One Wants to Hear, with Dr. Brad Klontz and Adrian Brambila

The Brutal Money Truth No One Wants to Hear, with Dr. Brad Klontz and Adrian Brambila

#553: This is the third and final episode in a three-part series. Dr. Brad Klontz and Adrian Brambila join us to share 21 harsh truths about building wealth. This episode focuses on the final 11 harsh truths, following up on their previous conversations about the first 10 harsh truths.The conversation begins with a key distinction: poor people buy stuff, while rich people buy time. They explain how wealthy people focus on building passive income streams rather than trading hours for obj

Oct 29, 2024 • 1:38:56

The Harsh Truths About Money, with Dr. Brad Klontz and Adrian Brambila

The Harsh Truths About Money, with Dr. Brad Klontz and Adrian Brambila

#552: In this special three-part series, we discuss some of the 21 Harsh Truths About Money. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode552 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 25, 2024 • 1:48:11

The Dark Experiment That Explains Your Money Problems, with Dr. Brad Klontz and Adrian Brambila

The Dark Experiment That Explains Your Money Problems, with Dr. Brad Klontz and Adrian Brambila

#551: Financial psychologist Dr. Brad Klontz and Youtuber Adrian Brambila join us to talk about money psychology, starting with a dark but revealing story about an experiment with dogs. Scientists put dogs in electrified cages from which they couldn't escape. Eventually, the dogs stopped trying to escape and just lay down, even when later moved to cages where escape was possible. This 'learned helplessness' mirrors how people can get trapped in negative beliefs about money when they gro

Oct 22, 2024 • 1:25:14

Paul Merriman: The 4-Fund Strategy That Beats the S&P 500

Paul Merriman: The 4-Fund Strategy That Beats the S&P 500

#550: Paul Merriman, a former wealth manager turned financial educator, joins us to share investing wisdom that could reshape how you think about your money. We kick things off talking about portfolio diversification. Paul suggests a simple four-fund strategy that includes large cap, small cap, and value stocks. He says this mix has historically beaten the S&P 500 with lower risk. We then dive into international investing. Paul explains that while adding international stocks doesn't necessaril

Oct 18, 2024 • 1:05:13

Am I Wrong to Worry About Retirement, with $2 Million Saved?

Am I Wrong to Worry About Retirement, with $2 Million Saved?

#549: Steven is stuck on the question of financial stability. How do you know if you have it? Is there an objective answer based on net worth? Or is it a calculation relative to your income and age? Jack isn’t sure how to factor his house into his net worth. It’s an asset, but he has a mortgage against it, and there are transaction costs associated with selling it. How should he frame it? Patricia and her husband are debt-free with a $2.2 million net worth, but she’s constantly stressed about

Oct 15, 2024 • 1:15:36

Is Your Retirement Safe in Today's Economy?, with Dr. Karsten Jeske (Big ERN)

Is Your Retirement Safe in Today's Economy?, with Dr. Karsten Jeske (Big ERN)

#548: Economist Dr. Karsten Jeske talks with us about the current economic landscape. Karsten, who retired at 44, breaks down the Fed's recent decisions and how they might affect our finances. He explains how markets often anticipate interest rate changes before they happen. Karsten challenges traditional views on inflation and unemployment, telling us that textbook models don't always match reality. Karsten shares his personal investing experiences, covering both market highs and lows. He emp

Oct 11, 2024 • 1:19:07

Ask Paula: “We Have $2 Million at 40 – Now What?”

Ask Paula: “We Have $2 Million at 40 – Now What?”

#547: An anonymous caller and her husband have a $2 million net worth at 40, but they’re worried that the one-fund portfolio that got them there isn’t good enough anymore. Are they right? Jared feels frustrated that so much personal finance media is centered around tech and freelance workers. Does Paula and Joe have negotiation advice for someone in the union?Sam owns two overseas properties in a country that’s experienced runaway inflation for the past decade. He’s worried he’ll lose $500,000 w

Oct 8, 2024 • 1:15:24

The Surprising Economic Proposal Both Candidates Agree On

The Surprising Economic Proposal Both Candidates Agree On

#546: The Federal Reserve slashed interest rates by half a percentage point. What does this mean for your mortgage, your savings account, and the economy at large?In this First Friday economic episode, we dive deep into the Fed's decision. But that's just the beginning.As the presidential election looms, we'll also unpack the economic proposals from both candidates, examining how their plans for housing, taxes, and more could shape your financial future.We emphasize critical, non-partisan analys

Oct 4, 2024 • 1:31:12

Retire at 30? The Math Behind Making Work Optional

Retire at 30? The Math Behind Making Work Optional

#545: Kat feels thrown off. She’s realizing that the simple investing strategy that nearly 5x’d her portfolio in six years might be unwise. Should she course correct? And how? Ryan and his wife are torn between buying what they want (a single-family house) and what seems prudent (a multi-family house). How do they decide? Is there a third way? At 30, Danielle has saved enough for a traditional retirement. But she’s confused about how this meshes with planning for an early retirement. How shoul

Oct 1, 2024 • 1:11:23

How to Face Your Financial Fears

How to Face Your Financial Fears

#544: Remember that time you found a $20 bill in an old jacket pocket? The rush of excitement, followed by the quick mental math of what you could buy with it? That's your money mindset at work. In this episode, we dive deep into the psychology behind our financial decisions. You'll hear about the three money mindsets: anxious, obsessed, and avoidant. Ever clutched onto every penny out of fear? That's the anxious mindset. Spent big to impress others? Money obsession. Ever thought "I'd rather

Sep 27, 2024 • 44:35

How to Handle 7 Types of Hardball Negotiation Tactics, so You Can Earn More and Spend Less

How to Handle 7 Types of Hardball Negotiation Tactics, so You Can Earn More and Spend Less

Deeply Discounted Beta Test Cohort, Open Now through Sept 27: affordanything.com/yournextraise____#543: Picture this: You're at a car dealership, trying to get the best price on your dream car. The salesperson hits you with a "take it or leave it" offer. Your palms are sweaty, your heart's racing. What do you do?That's just one of the tricky situations we dive into in this episode. We're tackling seven types of hardball negotiation tactics that can trip you up in all sorts of situations - from a

Sep 24, 2024 • 1:14:36

Are We All Financial Hypochondriacs? Why We Feel Broke, Even When Our Bank Accounts Are Full

Are We All Financial Hypochondriacs? Why We Feel Broke, Even When Our Bank Accounts Are Full

#542: Ever feel like you're never doing enough with your money, even when your finances look good on paper?You're not alone.Katie Gatti Tassin, host of the Money with Katie podcast, dives into a phenomenon called "money dysmorphia" in today’s interview.She shares how she got flooded with responses when she asked her listeners about money dysmorphia. Folks with hefty savings and investments still worry they're not doing enough. It's like they're always waiting for the other shoe to drop.Where doe

Sep 20, 2024 • 39:05

Your Dream Retirement Might Hinge on This One Choice, featuring Katie Gatti Tassin, host of Money with Katie

Your Dream Retirement Might Hinge on This One Choice, featuring Katie Gatti Tassin, host of Money with Katie

#541: Ever wondered if you're making the right choice between a Traditional and Roth 401(k)? You're not alone. In this episode, Katie Gatti Tassin, host of MorningBrew’s Money with Katie podcast, joins us to tackle this common retirement savings dilemma.We deep-dive into the debate between using Traditional vs. Roth 401(k) accounts for retirement savings, in the context of: Future tax rates  Tax complexities for small business owners and high earners Social Security uncertainty Stock-based compe

Sep 18, 2024 • 33:19

GREATEST HITS: The Science of Empathy, with Stanford Professor Jamil Zaki

GREATEST HITS: The Science of Empathy, with Stanford Professor Jamil Zaki

Originally aired August 2023: Stanford psychology professor Jamil Zaki shares his research and findings around the science of empathy – and how we can apply this to improving our relationships with colleagues, clients, customers, co-founders, and business and investing cohorts.Zaki is the director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab, and the author of “The War For Kindness.”We'll break down the science. We talk about why empathy matters in business, investments, and in career growth, and we’

Sep 16, 2024 • 1:00:33

Secrets to Getting Promoted, from Harvard Business Alum Leslie Zane

Secrets to Getting Promoted, from Harvard Business Alum Leslie Zane

What can M&Ms, McDonalds, Harry Potter, Aquafina, Taylor Swift, Jeopardy, and Bed Bath & Beyond teach us about landing a dream job or securing a promotion?Plenty.Imagine you're at a job interview.You've rehearsed your answers, polished your resume, and you're feeling confident.But what if the key to landing that job isn't just about your skills and experience? What if it's about how you make people feel?How you make people feel is your brand, Zane says. That's what Leslie Zane, a Harvard Busines

Sep 13, 2024 • 1:26:27

Ask Paula: Escaping a $100K Tax Nightmare

Ask Paula: Escaping a $100K Tax Nightmare

#539: An anonymous caller feels trapped. She owes $100,000 in back taxes on earnings she had to give up as a result of a lawsuit with her former business partner. What should she do?Saul and his wife want to retire in Mexico but they don’t want to give up the ability to continue investing in US stocks. Can they buy a primary residence that doubles as a short-term rental?Nina and her partner are eager to start a $500,000 renovation on their home but they’re still three years away from sa

Sep 10, 2024 • 1:03:30

Fed Forecasts, Buffett's Birthday, and Selena Gomez's Billion-Dollar Brand

Fed Forecasts, Buffett's Birthday, and Selena Gomez's Billion-Dollar Brand

#538: The latest jobs report just dropped, and it's a game-changer. Job creation numbers are lower than expected, at 142,000 new jobs in August. This comes on the heels of the biggest downward revision in job numbers since 2009.We're diving deep into what this means for the Federal Reserve's long-anticipated first rate cut. Are we looking at a modest quarter-point cut in interest rates, or a more substantial half-point drop?The Fed's decision could mean the difference between that dream house be

Sep 6, 2024 • 38:13

Fed Forecasts, Buffett's Birthday, and Selena Gomez's Billion-Dollar Brand

Fed Forecasts, Buffett's Birthday, and Selena Gomez's Billion-Dollar Brand

#538: The latest jobs report just dropped, and it's a game-changer. Job creation numbers are lower than expected, at 142,000 new jobs in August. This comes on the heels of the biggest downward revision in job numbers since 2009.We're diving deep into what this means for the Federal Reserve's long-anticipated first rate cut. Are we looking at a modest quarter-point cut in interest rates, or a more substantial half-point drop?The Fed's decision could mean the difference between that dream house be

Sep 6, 2024 • 37:43

Ask Paula: “I Ran Out of Gas with 85 Cents in My Bank Account”

Ask Paula: “I Ran Out of Gas with 85 Cents in My Bank Account”

#537: Frequent contributor Joe Saul-Sehy shares an emotional, personal story of getting into a soul-crushing level of debt in his 20s and early 30s.He owed so much in back taxes to the IRS that he didn’t file a tax return for three years.He ran out of gas and was stranded on the side of the highway, with 85 cents remaining in his bank account.By the time he pulled himself out of debt, his twin son and daughter were seven years old.Learn the gripping, gut-wrenching story of Joe’s past money mista

Sep 3, 2024 • 1:29:52

The Psychology of Quitting Your Job, with Dr. Tessa West

The Psychology of Quitting Your Job, with Dr. Tessa West

#536:NYU Psychology Professor Dr. Tessa West has spent nearly two decades studying relationships, including those in the workplace. She talks about her research on why people feel disconnected from their jobs and what to do about it.Dr. West breaks down five main ways people might feel unhappy at work:1. Crisis of identity: This is when you've poured a lot into your career, but you're starting to question if it's really who you are anymore.2. Drifting apart: This happens when your job changes, n

Aug 30, 2024 • 56:37

Ask Paula: Is Your DIY Investing Strategy Holding You Back?

Ask Paula: Is Your DIY Investing Strategy Holding You Back?

#535: Melissa and her partner are preparing for the best earning years of their lives. Could they benefit from automated tax-loss harvesting and transition from DIY investing to a robo-advisor?An anonymous caller just learned something surprising about their Roth 401k and feels squeamish about making future contributions to this account. What’s Paula and Joe’s advice?Hampton is following up on a question from Episode 524 to spark an intriguing discussion on the generational tax advantages of a R

Aug 28, 2024 • 46:55

Ask Paula: Is Your DIY Investing Strategy Holding You Back?

Ask Paula: Is Your DIY Investing Strategy Holding You Back?

#535: Melissa and her partner are preparing for the best earning years of their lives. Could they benefit from automated tax-loss harvesting and transition from DIY investing to a robo-advisor?An anonymous caller just learned something surprising about their Roth 401k and feels squeamish about making future contributions to this account. What’s Paula and Joe’s advice?Hampton is following up on a question from Episode 524 to spark an intriguing discussion on the generational tax advantages of a R

Aug 27, 2024 • 46:18

What You Can Learn From the CEO Who Built KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut

What You Can Learn From the CEO Who Built KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut

#534: We sit down with David Novak, the co-founder and former CEO of Yum! Brands, the giant parent company behind KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and the Habit Burger Grill. David shares stories from his remarkable career, offering insights into leadership, decision-making, and personal growth.We dive into one of David’s most memorable projects: the creation of Crystal Pepsi. David talks about how the idea was born out of a gut instinct when he noticed a trend toward clear beverages. The media buzz w

Aug 24, 2024 • 1:40:02

Q&A: My Insurance Bill Jumped 60 Percent – Should I Drop It?!

Q&A: My Insurance Bill Jumped 60 Percent – Should I Drop It?!

#533: Kristin is floored by the 60 percent increase in her homeowner’s insurance this year. Should she cancel the policy and self-insure instead?Susana and her husband are torn. They bought their dream home last year but now need to relocate indefinitely. What should they do with the house?An anonymous caller wants to help his soon-to-be wife invest a five-figure gift she received in another country. How do they untangle the complexities of managing money from abroad?Former financial planner Joe

Aug 20, 2024 • 1:08:47

How to Get a Bigger Paycheck

How to Get a Bigger Paycheck

#532: We’re diving deep into the art of negotiation, especially when it comes to asking for a raise. The episode is broken down into three main parts, each designed to give you practical tools and insights that you can apply right away.First up, setting the stage. Before you even think about negotiating, it’s crucial to understand the difference between “interests” and “positions.” You’ll learn why knowing the underlying reasons behind what both you and the other party want is key to finding a w

Aug 17, 2024 • 1:03:43

Mastering the Art of Negotiation, with Jeff Wetzler, Ed.D.

Mastering the Art of Negotiation, with Jeff Wetzler, Ed.D.

#531: Let's talk about negotiations. You know, those back-and-forth talks where you try to get the best deal possible on a used car, a house, or a couch on Facebook Marketplace? Or when you ask your boss for a raise? Turns out, asking the right questions can be a game-changer.According to Jeff Wetzler, Ed.D., people often hold back information when they're negotiating. They might be worried about looking bad or giving away too much. But if you can get them talking, you can learn a lot. It's like

Aug 14, 2024 • 1:13:57

The Overlooked Power of Stock-Based Compensation, with Brian Feroldi

The Overlooked Power of Stock-Based Compensation, with Brian Feroldi

#530: We sit down with financial educator Brian Feroldi to dive into the often-overlooked world of stock-based compensation. This form of compensation is becoming more common, especially in large companies, but many employees don’t fully understand how to make the most of it. Brian helps break down the basics, explaining what stock-based compensation is and why companies use it to attract and retain employees.We start by discussing why companies offer stock options or restricted stock units (RSU

Aug 12, 2024 • 1:01:08

Q&A: The Unintended Consequences of Early Retirement

Q&A: The Unintended Consequences of Early Retirement

#529: Anonymous, 60, recently lost her job and is worried about retirement. She owns a paid-off triplex, living in one unit and renting the others for $30,000 a year. She used her 401(k) funds to buy the triplex and now has $50,000 in retirement savings and $150,000 in cash. She expects only $2,400 a month from Social Security at age 67. After losing her son two years ago, she's seeking advice on managing her underfunded retirement.Noelle, 40, and her husband, 49, want to cancel his whole life i

Aug 6, 2024 • 1:16:54

The Stock Market is in Panic Mode and the Unemployment Rate Jumped – But Everything’s Fine

The Stock Market is in Panic Mode and the Unemployment Rate Jumped – But Everything’s Fine

#528: The Federal Reserve recently decided to hold interest rates steady, leading to significant shifts in the stock market. The Dow dropped over 850 points, and the NASDAQ entered correction territory, falling more than 10% from its peak.But what do these numbers mean for you? We break down the latest jobs report, which shows a rise in unemployment to 4.3%, triggering a recession indicator known as the Sahm Rule. This isn't just economic jargon; it affects real lives, impacting job security, in

Aug 2, 2024 • 31:49

Q&A: Can They Be Financially Independent in Five Years … By Breaking the Rules?

Q&A: Can They Be Financially Independent in Five Years … By Breaking the Rules?

#527: Luke and his wife are breaking some personal finance rules in the name of financial independence. Are they right to take this approach or is there a better way?Christina is worried. She’s retired with a paid-off condo in Florida. But rising fees, insurance rates, and a major HOA assessment are killing her cash flow. Is it time to become a renter?Les is surprised by Paula and Joe’s allocation recommendations for international equities. Based on market capitalization, it makes no sense. What

Jul 30, 2024 • 1:00:55

Why Normal People Are Irrational Investors, with Finance Professor Meir Statman

Why Normal People Are Irrational Investors, with Finance Professor Meir Statman

#526: Recorded LIVE on stage at the Morningstar Conference in Chicago! We chat with behavioral finance professor Meir Statman. He breaks down the differences between standard finance and behavioral finance, making it clear that understanding human behavior is an essential part of investing.Statman starts by explaining that standard finance assumes people are rational. They make decisions purely based on logic and aim to maximize wealth. However, behavioral finance sees people as normal, not alwa

Jul 26, 2024 • 1:06:03

Michael Kitces: Is the Economy Worse than We Think?

Michael Kitces: Is the Economy Worse than We Think?

We chat with renowned financial advisor Michael Kitces at the Morningstar Investor Conference in Chicago.Kitces answers a big question: Is the economy worse than we think? He explains that a few big companies like Nvidia, Meta, and Alphabet are holding up the S&P 500. But this doesn’t mean the economy is bad. It's common for a small group of companies to drive the market. Since it’s hard to predict which companies will do well, he stresses the need for diversification.Kitces tells us to focus on

Jul 23, 2024 • 1:43:07

Q&A: Don’t Waste Your Inheritance! Here’s How

Q&A: Don’t Waste Your Inheritance! Here’s How

#524: Mark and his partner will soon inherit an IRA worth over a quarter million dollars. With today’s elevated interest rates, would throwing it all at a primary residence be the smartest play?  An anonymous caller and his girlfriend are musicians who dream of building a home with a monetizable recording studio. How do they untangle personal wants from business needs? Will feels stumped about the options in his defined benefit pension plan. When should he choose a guaranteed annuity over a lu

Jul 19, 2024 • 1:05:56

The Power of Deep Work, with Google’s Productivity Expert Laura Mae Martin

The Power of Deep Work, with Google’s Productivity Expert Laura Mae Martin

#523: How much is an hour of your time worth?Google's Executive Productivity Advisor , Laura Mae Martin, joins us to answer that question. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 16, 2024 • 50:31

Q&A: Help! I’m STUCK On A Financial Tracking Hamster Wheel

Q&A: Help! I’m STUCK On A Financial Tracking Hamster Wheel

#522: Emily Anne is worried about her obsessive tracking behavior. She’s in great financial shape but struggles to shake the constant compulsion to check her accounts. What should she do?An anonymous caller and his partner plan to use geo-arbitrage to retire early before reaching their financial independence number. Can they have their cake and eat it too?Kevin and his wife are having second thoughts about their Delaware Statutory Trust (DST) real estate investments. How do they back out without

Jul 12, 2024 • 1:07:41

Behind-the-Scenes with Paula and Joe

Behind-the-Scenes with Paula and Joe

If you're a longtime listener, you'll enjoy this candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about entrepreneurship and growth between Paula Pant and former financial advisor and Stacking Benjamins host Joe Saul-Sehy.For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode521 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 10, 2024 • 40:15

How The Supreme Court's Chevron Ruling Could Impact Retirement

How The Supreme Court's Chevron Ruling Could Impact Retirement

#520: Happy 248th birthday, USA!In this 5th of July First Friday economic update, we cover five topics: the economic impact of elections in the UK; the S&P 500 topping 5500; the effect of the Supreme Court’s Chevron ruling on Social Security and retirement planning; the latest jobs report; and California’s new law allowing accessory dwelling units to get sold separately as condos.For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode520Resources Mentioned:UK’s Office fo

Jul 5, 2024 • 44:06

Jim Kwik: Secrets to a Smarter Brain

Jim Kwik: Secrets to a Smarter Brain

#519: We sit down with Jim Kwik, a brain coach and expert in memory improvement, speed reading, and optimal learning. As a child, Jim suffered a brain injury that made learning difficult. He was labeled "the boy with the broken brain," which deeply affected his confidence and performance in school. Today, he’s an expert in memory, focus, learning, cognition and mental performance. He’s here to remind us that our brains are our number one wealth-building tool. He talks to us about strategies

Jul 3, 2024 • 1:24:35

Rachel Rodgers: The Million Dollar Mindset

Rachel Rodgers: The Million Dollar Mindset

#518: If you want to learn about building wealth through entrepreneurship, you’ll enjoy this episode.When Rachel Rodgers graduated from law school, she didn’t take the conventional path to working at a big law firm. Instead, she opened her own practice, specializing in intellectual property law. Many of her clients were entrepreneurs and small business owners.Rachel quickly realized that many of her clients faced significant challenges in trying to grow their business. This ignited a new vision

Jun 28, 2024 • 1:04:20

Should I Raid My Retirement Plan to Buy Real Estate?

Should I Raid My Retirement Plan to Buy Real Estate?

#517: Kimiko is dismayed that the asset allocation books she’s read led her down a path to an underperforming portfolio heavy in ex-US stock investments. Where should she go from here?Julie and her husband dream of owning a vacation rental in the Denver area even though the math doesn’t add up. It seems like everyone around can make it work though. What’s missing? Casey is excited to build his real estate portfolio and purchase his third rental property. He’s also worried that his plan to fund t

Jun 26, 2024 • 1:13:08

Dr. Brian Klass: The Secret to Financial Resilience

Dr. Brian Klass: The Secret to Financial Resilience

#516: Have you ever wondered how small, seemingly insignificant actions can have massive impacts on your financial life? In today's episode, we talk to Dr. Brian Klaas, a Professor at University College London and an affiliate researcher at the University of Oxford. He explains how our decisions can lead to unintended and unanticipated consequences. He describes why resilience is more important than efficiency when it comes to protecting your investments and career from unexpected shocks. You'll

Jun 21, 2024 • 1:06:12

Q&A: Sell Your Home or Stay Put?

Q&A: Sell Your Home or Stay Put?

Jessica and her husband are juggling two home sales and one home purchase within the next two to four years. How do they execute wisely while navigating a tight real estate market?Zerai works two jobs that both offer a pension and retirement plan. Can he take advantage of everything at his disposal or must he make some tough choices?Emily and her husband bought their home a year ago. But a national builder tempts them to sell and upgrade using a 3-2-1 buydown mortgage. Should they do it?Former f

Jun 18, 2024 • 56:44

Why the Latest Economic Report is a Rorschach Test

Why the Latest Economic Report is a Rorschach Test

#514: The S&P 500 hit a record high — and the GameStop guy is back, and he now owns 9 million shares of GME, making him the 4th largest shareholder.Interest rates from remain the same, and are expected to hold steady until September. Inflation remains unchanged from last month.Last month we saw a massive explosion of new jobs, at 272,000 — nearly 90,000 more than predicted. But we also saw unemployment tick up, which created mixed signals.Learn the implications of the latest economic news — and

Jun 14, 2024 • 35:27

Bachelorette Star Jason Tartick: The Truth About Financial Infidelity

Bachelorette Star Jason Tartick: The Truth About Financial Infidelity

Jason Tartick, a former banker and TV star from The Bachelorette, discusses finances in relationships. He describes eight crucial questions about money that every couple should discuss. When a couple is dating, but before they get serious, he says, each person should divulge their debt-to-income ratio. This is your monthly debt payments divided by your gross monthly income. Keeping this ratio below 30-40% is crucial for financial stability. Banks consider this when approving loans.Couples still

Jun 11, 2024 • 58:01

Don't Let One Big Bill Blow Up Your Budget (Here's How)

Don't Let One Big Bill Blow Up Your Budget (Here's How)

#512: An anonymous caller who received a large inheritance feels paralyzed by all the investment philosophies he’s read about. How does he pick a winning strategy he can stick with?Josh is an expectant dad looking to buy a bigger house but doesn’t know how much everything will cost. Should he save more or invest more?Another anonymous caller worries that large expenditures like buying a new car or replacing her home’s roof will blow up her budget in retirement. How does she plan for unexpected e

Jun 7, 2024 • 1:02:40

Q&A: "I'm Scared of Running Out of Money in Retirement!"

Q&A: "I'm Scared of Running Out of Money in Retirement!"

#511: Sara is five years from retirement with a paid-off house. But she’s worried that her money will run out before she turns 80. What does she need to do now to protect her future self? Lauren is a personal finance nerd who gets it. But one question perplexes her: When should she should choose an ETF over an index mutual fund? What about vice versa? Paula and Joe explain.An anonymous caller plans to sell her house and live a “slow-madic” lifestyle. But she’s on disability and needs to keep her

Jun 4, 2024 • 53:12

How to Master the Psychology of Persuasion, with Michael McQueen

How to Master the Psychology of Persuasion, with Michael McQueen

#510: Maybe you’re trying to convince:– Your spouse | to embrace the FIRE movement.– Your teenage kids | to invest some of their summer job money in stocks.– Your neighbor | to sell you their house in a private, off-market deal.– Your boss | to give you more vacation time.– Your client | to pay you more.Today’s episode is about how to change minds, build trust, navigate conversations, and influence and persuade others.We chat with Michael McQueen, a social researcher, strategist, and the author

May 31, 2024 • 55:02

I’m Retiring at Age 34 and a Half!

I’m Retiring at Age 34 and a Half!

#509: Rob wants to retire early, but a real estate investment led to $30,000 of credit card debt. Should he take on more debt to pay it off?An anonymous return caller took Paula’s advice and ran with it, doubling her income within a few years. Should she update her investment strategy now that she’s in a higher tax bracket?Humaira is tired of paying rent with nothing to show for. Can she leverage some benefits by using her credit card to pay the bills?Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I

May 28, 2024 • 44:24

Stanford Researcher Dr. Mary Murphy on How to Cultivate a Growth Mindset

Stanford Researcher Dr. Mary Murphy on How to Cultivate a Growth Mindset

#508: Recently I chatted with Stanford researcher Dr. Mary Murphy, a renowned expert in the field of psychological and brain sciences. Dr. Murphy, who is a Professor at Indiana University and conducts research at Stanford University, shared insights into the concepts of fixed mindset and growth mindset. We deep dived into her extensive research on how these mindsets impact motivation, performance, and relationships at work and home. She conducted research alongside legendary psychologist Dr.

May 24, 2024 • 54:48

How One Ex-Inmate is Building a Better Future

How One Ex-Inmate is Building a Better Future

#507: Robert was recently released from prison and wants to start his life on the right foot. What’s Joe and Paula’s advice for him?Suzy is excited to deploy her first corporate bonus but scared to invest everything in a lump sum. Should she stick with what’s worked in the past and just dollar cost-average?Meghan doesn’t understand how stock pricing affects capital appreciation. Is it always better to buy when share prices are low?Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these three q

May 21, 2024 • 1:01:04

MadFientist: Life is Too Short to Wait for Someday

MadFientist: Life is Too Short to Wait for Someday

#506: "Today's guest, Brandon Ganch, also known as the MadFientist, reached Financial Independence (FI) and quit his job as a software developer at 34. But then he faced a vexing question: what should he do with the rest of his life? In this episode, Brandon shares his journey with FI, revealing the gap between the ideal life you envision on spreadsheets and the reality that unfolds. He talks about reaching FI sooner than planned, having more money than anticipated, and the adjustments he had t

May 17, 2024 • 1:07:13

Harvard Dropout Builds Nation’s First Car-Free Utopia, with Ryan Johnson and JD Roth

Harvard Dropout Builds Nation’s First Car-Free Utopia, with Ryan Johnson and JD Roth

#505: Ryan Johnson isn't your average CEO. He's a visionary reimagining city life, one car-free community at a time. In this episode, we chat with Ryan, the co-founder of Culdesac, about building walkable neighborhoods designed for human connection, not just traffic. We'll dive into his experience with Opendoor, his passion for electric bikes (he owns over 60!), and his audacious plan to revolutionize urban living. Buckle up (or maybe don't) for a conversation about the future of cities, the pow

May 14, 2024 • 59:00

The Points Guy: Growing a Side Hustle into a 140-Person Business

The Points Guy: Growing a Side Hustle into a 140-Person Business

#504: Brian Kelly faced a harsh reality during the Great Recession – $65,000 in income and crushing credit card debt.  He started a simple side hustle, a website called The Points Guy, as an attempt to earn a few hundred dollars a month.   Fast forward to today: The Points Guy boasts 11 million monthly visitors and a thriving team of 140 employees.   In this episode, Brian pulls back the curtain on his incredible journey, transforming a fledgling side hustle into a multimillion-dollar enterpr

May 10, 2024 • 1:05:35

Q&A: “My Husband is Not Reliable with Money. Should We Split Finances?

Q&A: “My Husband is Not Reliable with Money. Should We Split Finances?

#503: Lindsay’s husband struggles with a mental disability. She’s worried about the impact on her family’s finances. How does she maintain harmony in her marriage and protect her kids’ future? An anonymous caller is stoked about her young nephew’s interest in saving for retirement. What’s Paula and Joe’s advice for a teenage saver? Another anonymous caller wants to get personal about Paula’s personal finances. Following up on a discussion from episode 494, Melanie has exciting news to share a

May 7, 2024 • 1:26:30

Fed Keeps Interest Rates High; Jobs Grow for 40th Consecutive Month

Fed Keeps Interest Rates High; Jobs Grow for 40th Consecutive Month

#502: The Fed met earlier this week and elected to keep interest rates at a 23-year high, in an effort to wrestle inflation closer to its two percent target. Despite this, the April jobs report, which was released today, shows that jobs grew for the 40th consecutive month, and unemployment remains under 4 percent, an historic low, for the 27th straight month. The 12-month inflation rate is 3.5 percent, based on March CPI data. Stocks remain on a tear, but performance is lopsided, with 10 comp

May 3, 2024 • 43:19

Mic Drop! ChooseFI's Brad Barrett Interviews Paula Pant

Mic Drop! ChooseFI's Brad Barrett Interviews Paula Pant

#501: Drop the mic! ChooseFI's Brad Barrett takes the host role in this special episode, interviewing Paula Pant about the financial independence community. This episode was recorded LIVE at a comedy club in Brooklyn, as the final installment of the Episode 500 and 501 celebration. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode501 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 1, 2024 • 1:27:11

LIVE EVENT Q&A: Episode 500, Part 2, with ChooseFI’s Brad Barrett

LIVE EVENT Q&A: Episode 500, Part 2, with ChooseFI’s Brad Barrett

Enjoy Part 2 of our two-part Episode 500 special, recorded live at a comedy club in Brooklyn. Host Paula Pant and special guest Brad Barrett from ChooseFI answer questions from the audience, live on stage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 26, 2024 • 59:47

LIVE FROM BROOKLYN: Episode 500 with ChooseFI’s Brad Barrett

LIVE FROM BROOKLYN: Episode 500 with ChooseFI’s Brad Barrett

Enjoy Part 1 of our two-part Episode 500 special, recorded live at a comedy club in Brooklyn. Brad Barrett, host of the ChooseFI podcast, joins us on stage to talk about what financial independence ideas and practices have changed … and what ideas and practices have remained consistent, universal and time-tested throughout the years. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode500 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 24, 2024 • 54:08

Vicki Robin: Financial Independence After 70 [GREATEST HITS WEEK]

Vicki Robin: Financial Independence After 70 [GREATEST HITS WEEK]

We delve into the world of Financial Independence (FI) with a pioneer -- Vicki Robin, the co-author of Your Money or Your Life. In the 1970s, Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez, from vastly different backgrounds, came together over a shared vision: FI as a life philosophy, not just a savings strategy. Their book, "Your Money or Your Life," which sold more than one million copies, outlined a three-dimensional approach to FI: Financial Intelligence: Thinking clearly and objectively about money. Finan

Apr 19, 2024 • 44:29

A.J. Jacobs: Habits, Health, and Human Connection [GREATEST HITS WEEK]

A.J. Jacobs: Habits, Health, and Human Connection [GREATEST HITS WEEK]

Esquire Magazine editor-at-large and bestselling author A.J. Jacobs joins the show to discuss his experimental approach to life. Jacobs, whose TED Talks have been viewed more than 3 million times, shares best practices around motivation, habits, confidence, boosting happiness, and optimizing creativity. In this episode: -- Discover the benefits that come from frequently changing your habits -- Learn why "fake it 'til you become it" is A.J.'s secret weapon for habit development. -- Explore how ex

Apr 18, 2024 • 34:33

Michael Kitces: Investing in Stocks vs. Skills [GREATEST HITS WEEK]

Michael Kitces: Investing in Stocks vs. Skills [GREATEST HITS WEEK]

Stocks or skills? How should you invest? Should you pour money into unlocking your income potential? Or should you pour money into the market? Forget the motivational posters -- unlimited potential is real. But unlocking it takes investment. The question is: Do you invest in yourself or the market? Stocks, bonds, real estate offer clear returns. But what about investing in your skills, a side hustle, or education?  Financial advisor Michael Kitces joins us to crack the code on maximizing your

Apr 17, 2024 • 1:06:41

JL Collins: How to Beat Wall Street with a Boring Portfolio [GREATEST HITS WEEK]

JL Collins: How to Beat Wall Street with a Boring Portfolio [GREATEST HITS WEEK]

JL Collins, the author of "The Simple Path to Wealth," achieved financial independence in 1989 with a surprisingly simple strategy: saving half his income and investing in index funds. In this episode, JL breaks down his ultra-simple investing approach. He argues that keeping things uncomplicated leads to better results in the long run. "The less you mess with your investments," he says, "the more freedom you have to focus on what truly matters." This episode is for anyone who feels overwhelme

Apr 16, 2024 • 29:31

Jean Chatzky: The 50% Off Fallacy & Other Ways You're Sabotaging Your Savings [GREATEST HITS WEEK]

Jean Chatzky: The 50% Off Fallacy & Other Ways You're Sabotaging Your Savings [GREATEST HITS WEEK]

Today’s guest is Jean Chatzky, financial editor for the TODAY Show, host of the HerMoney podcast and a frequent guest on TV shows like Oprah, Regis & Kelly, and The View. We discuss six money rules to guide your spending, including: #1: The more time you spend looking, the less happy you’ll be with what you find. #2: Your retirement trumps their tuition. #3: Losing money hurts more than it should. #4: Big numbers make smart people do stupid things. #5: Don’t lend money to friends & relatives,

Apr 15, 2024 • 29:52

Q&A: We Save $5,000 Per Month. Where Should We Invest It?

Q&A: We Save $5,000 Per Month. Where Should We Invest It?

#499: Eugene and his wife are retiring with a $10 million net worth and a guaranteed income that exceeds their annual budget. Do they still need things like life insurance and a financial advisor?The next question, at 30:24, comes from an anonymous caller. Her HOA costs have doubled since she bought her condo. She’s wondering if it’s still a good investment. Should she keep it or sell it?We answer Nandini’s question at 48:14. Nandini and her husband save tons every month toward no goal

Apr 12, 2024 • 1:04:04

Harvard Business Professor Explains Investing in NFTs

Harvard Business Professor Explains Investing in NFTs

#498: Financial literacy includes understanding NFTs, DeFi, and cryptocurrency. But it's hard to separate education from hype. Harvard Business School's Scott Duke Kominers, a professor in Harvard's Entrepreneurial Management Unit, and a Faculty Affiliate of the Harvard Department of Economics and the Harvard Center of Mathematical Sciences and Applications, joins us alongside Web3 expert Steve Kacizinsky to explain the financial, technological and social significance of NFTs. NFTs, or Non-Fun

Apr 10, 2024 • 1:05:12

Tribute to Dr. Daniel Kahneman, Who Won a Nobel in Economics Even Though He Never Took an Econ Class

Tribute to Dr. Daniel Kahneman, Who Won a Nobel in Economics Even Though He Never Took an Econ Class

#497: Princeton Professor Daniel Kahneman never took an economics class. But he won the 2002 Nobel Prize in economics, thanks to his advancements in understanding the psychology of money. In today’s episode, we pay homage to the late Dr. Kahneman, who passed away on March 27 at age 90. We also discuss the jobs report, inflation data, the booming stock market, the next Bitcoin halving, Capital One’s acquisition of Discover, and the National Association of Realtors settlement. Enjoy! For more inf

Apr 6, 2024 • 36:49

The Pay Cut Price of Freedom

The Pay Cut Price of Freedom

#496: How much of a pay cut would you take for a lighter workload?  Today we hear from Paul, 35, who’s grappling with that question.  Paul’s boss offered him the chance to cut his hours and salary by 25 percent. He’d love to work fewer hours. He has a decent net worth, plenty of savings, and no debt. Should he grab the opportunity? Or stick with his long-term financial independence and early retirement plans? An anonymous caller and her husband want to retire at 55. They also want a bigger ho

Apr 3, 2024 • 1:05:23

Dr. Cal Newport: Achieve More by Doing Less

Dr. Cal Newport: Achieve More by Doing Less

#495: Marie Curie won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 and the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911. She's famous for her work in radioactivity. Lin-Manual Miranda is a songwriter, producer and director who won the Pulitzer Prize in Drama in 2016, as well as several Tony awards. What do they have in common? They lived a century apart. They innovated in disparate fields. But they shared a similar productivity practice. Both achieved greatness by embracing the practice of slow productivity, says Geo

Mar 28, 2024 • 1:19:33

My Husband Makes Double My Income, But Saves Nothing! Should I Be Worried?

My Husband Makes Double My Income, But Saves Nothing! Should I Be Worried?

#494: Tatyana is about to pay off her house at age 39! What’s next? Her husband, who earns twice as much (and whom she met after she bought the home), has no savings. They want a boat. Should she focus there? Matthew recently ended a relationship that resulted in a real estate buyout with an 8.1 percent interest rate. With rates expected to decline, how long should he wait to refinance the loan? Rachel’s friends know her as the finance gal, but she’s stumped about closed-end funds. What should s

Mar 20, 2024 • 50:17

Wall Street Secrets, with Your Rich BFF Vivian Tu

Wall Street Secrets, with Your Rich BFF Vivian Tu

#493: Do you ever wonder what happens behind closed doors on Wall Street? Vivian Tu, also known as Your Rich BFF, is here to spill the tea. Vivian grew up in a modest immigrant family. After college, she found herself working insane hours on Wall Street after college. While working on Wall Street, Vivian saw some weird things. Once, a coworker stumbled hungover into the office after a trip to Atlantic City, carrying a duffel bag with thousands of dollars in cash inside. Vivian realized that ther

Mar 13, 2024 • 1:00:38

I’m Earning Extra from my Side Hustle. But Does This Cramp My Chances at Investing?

I’m Earning Extra from my Side Hustle. But Does This Cramp My Chances at Investing?

#492: Christine’s business is struggling. She needs more income. If she adds a full-time remote job to her plate, how will her retirement and finances change? Rob enjoyed a banner year in 2023. He made over $1 million. But the sting of income tax has him making moves that violate his investment strategy. Is his tax tail wagging the dog? Gena is excited to make the most of business deductions. Can she contribute 100 percent of her wages to a 401k and have the company match that? Christina is tire

Mar 7, 2024 • 56:27

Why Bitcoin is Back in the News | First Friday

Why Bitcoin is Back in the News | First Friday

#491: Welcome, Emma Chamberlain’s fans!! Thanks for joining the Afford Anything community. You can find out how to escape the 9-to-5 grind at affordanything.com/escape Once a month, on the First Friday of the month, we explore the hot economic and money stories that are dominating the headlines. These days, Bitcoin is back in the news. As of Friday morning, March 1st, its price ranged around $62,000, which is pretty darn close to its previous all-time high of $68,700. But why? Crypto was hot in

Mar 1, 2024 • 22:53

Inside the Mind of a Supercommunicator, with Charles Duhigg

Inside the Mind of a Supercommunicator, with Charles Duhigg

#490: Great communication will get you a raise. It'll get you promoted. You'll land the corner office. You'll make friends and be the life of the party. You'll land business deals and form lucrative partnerships. Supercommunication is a superpower. But how do we build it? Sometimes, you might walk away from a conversation with the joy of having made a cool new friend. Or you snagged a critical piece of information that you realllllly needed. Or you successfully negotiated an extra $5,000 off yo

Feb 28, 2024 • 1:20:28

Ask Paula: What to Do with a Six-Figure Windfall?

Ask Paula: What to Do with a Six-Figure Windfall?

#489: Cara made $100,000 in commissions this year, her biggest bonus ever. What should she do with the money if she wants to retire early? An anonymous caller is upset that the 401k plan he sold his boss on is charging him an Assets Under Management (AUM) fee. Should he keep the 401k at all? Remy and her husband need to come up with $30,000 for IVF treatments. How do they build their family without breaking the family finances in the process? Another anonymous caller and his partner have lived i

Feb 21, 2024 • 1:08:54

Gut Instincts and Big Decisions, with Morgan Housel

Gut Instincts and Big Decisions, with Morgan Housel

#488: Ever made a flippant, seemingly minor decision that radically changed the course of your life? Morgan Housel has experienced this. At age 17, he made a quick decision that ended up saving his life. Sadly, two of his friends were less fortunate. He shares that story in today's podcast episode, and sheds light on the lessons he's learned from it. Housel says that his lifesaving choice -- and many of our other important decisions -- are snap verdicts, ones that we don’t spend much time thinki

Feb 14, 2024 • 1:03:23

Ask Paula: "Should I Put My Dreams on Hold … and Buy a House Instead?"

Ask Paula: "Should I Put My Dreams on Hold … and Buy a House Instead?"

#487: Luis’s wife is killing it at her side hustle. The unexpected income has led Luis to YouTube for hacks to capitalize on their surplus. Can a 529 plan double as long-term care savings? Elizabeth is frustrated with the housing market. She’s been saving for years but isn’t anywhere near her goal. Should she give up and spend it on a dream pottery course instead? Steve has a dilemma. He doesn’t borrow money on principle. And his wife doesn’t want to sell their current house until they’ve closed

Feb 7, 2024 • 1:08:09

Stocks are Hot. Jobs are Hotter. What’s Next?

Stocks are Hot. Jobs are Hotter. What’s Next?

#486: By every definition of the word, we’re in a bull market. The S&P 500 hit record highs for five consecutive days last week, and remained strong throughout this week. The Dow is above 38,000 for the first time in history. Unemployment has stayed below 4 percent for 24 months, marking the strongest employment in half a century. And consumer sentiment, which reflects more pessimism than the data warrants, is showing signs of improvement. The Fed met this week and decided to hold rates steady,

Feb 2, 2024 • 53:53

How to Start a Business in One Weekend, with Noah Kagan

How to Start a Business in One Weekend, with Noah Kagan

#485: If you’ve ever thought: "I’d love a business BUT …” I don’t have TIME I don’t have MONEY I don’t have IDEAS I have TOO MANY ideas and I don't know where to start I'm not technical I'm not creative or artistic I'm not good at sales You're not alone. Countless people don't start businesses or side hustles for these reasons. And they're losing thousands -- perhaps millions -- in opportunity cost. How much could you make if you started a side hustle that eventually scaled into a busin

Jan 31, 2024 • 1:23:03

Ask Paula: The Hidden Cost of Student Loan Forgiveness

Ask Paula: The Hidden Cost of Student Loan Forgiveness

#484: Kristen’s financial advisor charges a 1.3 percent fee on her investments. They also sold her term life, whole life, and long-term disability insurance. Do they have her best interests at heart? Casey has $290,000 in student loan debt. He committed 10 years to one employer for a chance at public service loan forgiveness. But five years in, Casey questions what he’s missing out on. Sara feels like it’s time to move to a more conservative asset allocation but she’s torn between buying bonds f

Jan 24, 2024 • 1:07:07

 Thriving in a High-Pressure World, with Jennifer Breheny Wallace

Thriving in a High-Pressure World, with Jennifer Breheny Wallace

#483: Competitive. Results oriented. Driven to be the very best. These are a few ways to describe achievement culture. Achievement culture can also be described as stressful, high pressure and unhealthy. Yet, there is consistently the pressure – internally and externally – to make more money, be a better parent, spouse, friend, or employee. These burdens comes at a heavy cost to our well-being. Jennifer Breheny Wallace, author of the New York Times Best Seller “Never Enough: When Achievement Cul

Jan 18, 2024 • 49:30

Ask Paula: Should We Drain Our Brokerage to Make a HUGE Down Payment?

Ask Paula: Should We Drain Our Brokerage to Make a HUGE Down Payment?

#482: A caller named “M” wonders if liquidating stocks for a larger down payment makes sense in a high-interest rate environment. An anonymous caller wants to take a pay cut to pursue his passions. But 75 percent of his net worth is in real estate. Is this too risky? Tiffanie hasn’t saved enough for early retirement, but she has a plan to use home equity to accelerate her goals. Is this going to work? Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these three questions in today’s episode. E

Jan 10, 2024 • 1:05:50

What’s In Store for 2024? Bitcoin, Home Buying, and Kiyosaki’s $1.2 billion in debt

What’s In Store for 2024? Bitcoin, Home Buying, and Kiyosaki’s $1.2 billion in debt

#481: Predicting the stock market is a terrible idea. But we can look at economic indicators and upcoming events to get a big-picture, 30,000-foot view of where our economy might be heading in 2024. In today’s episode, we explore what’s in store for 2024. We talk about the recent surge in Bitcoin prices, and the expected SEC approval of a Bitcoin ETF. We discuss when the Fed will lower interest rates, and the impact this might have on home buying. We talk about Robert Kiyosaki’s recent admission

Jan 5, 2024 • 34:02

Your Blueprint for Life's Toughest Challenges, with Hal Elrod

Your Blueprint for Life's Toughest Challenges, with Hal Elrod

#480: The death of a sibling. Being declared dead after a head-on collision with a drunk driver. Suffering financially during the Great Recession. CANCER. Today’s guest, Hal Elrod, has battled all of these tough challenges. His little sister passed away in his mother's arms. Years later, Hal was hit by a drunk driver, broke 11 bones, declared dead, and once revived, learned that he might have to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. (He eventually regained his ability to walk.) And after

Jan 4, 2024 • 1:12:29

Ask Paula: Is Mom Getting Ripped Off by Her Investment Advisor?!

Ask Paula: Is Mom Getting Ripped Off by Her Investment Advisor?!

#479: Nicole’s 78-year-old mom is paying huge fees for low returns. How can Nicole help her mom make better investments? Paul is a single dad, worried about paying his daughter’s college costs. He’s trying to figure out how to report lower income on the FAFSA, so that his daughter can get better financial aid. Nick is in his 40’s. His long-term care insurance rate is nearly doubling. Should he stop spending on this type of insurance? Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these thre

Dec 27, 2023 • 1:10:55

Buy the Damn Guac, with Jamila Souffrant

Buy the Damn Guac, with Jamila Souffrant

#478: Ever skipped that extra drink, pricey cheese, or a night out for the sake of your wallet? If this feels familiar, then you’ll appreciate today’s episode with Jamila Souffrant. Jamila is a Certified Financial Education Instructor, podcast host, and author, guiding us on making savvy choices to save while still having fun. Jamila explores the power of understanding our ""why not,"" staying motivated on our financial paths, shaping a success-bound mindset, and posing THREE crucial self-assess

Dec 20, 2023 • 58:24

Ask Paula: Investing for the Future vs. Paying Down the Past

Ask Paula: Investing for the Future vs. Paying Down the Past

#477: Kayla is torn between paying off a loan early or catching up on missed retirement contributions. Josh wants to retire early and meets the threshold for zero capital gains taxes. Should he put all his retirement savings into a brokerage account? An anonymous caller wants to know how to merge financial lives with her husband from another country. Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these three questions in today’s episode. Enjoy! P.S. Got a question? Leave it at https://affo

Dec 13, 2023 • 1:00:18

Astronaut's Guide to Taking YOUR Moonshot, with Mike Massimino from NASA and Big Bang Theory

Astronaut's Guide to Taking YOUR Moonshot, with Mike Massimino from NASA and Big Bang Theory

#476: Mike Massimino stared in disbelief at his TV. The date was July 16, 1969, and he marveled as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon. At that moment, he knew he wanted to become an astronaut. He was six years old. But as Mike grew older, he developed more “realistic” dreams. After all, every kid wants to become an astronaut. The chances of making it are incredibly slim. He went to a local college, studied engineering, and took a job at IBM. But he couldn’t shake the tiny voice in

Dec 6, 2023 • 1:28:35

Tribute to Charlie Munger, The Man Who Taught Warren Buffett How to Invest

Tribute to Charlie Munger, The Man Who Taught Warren Buffett How to Invest

#475: Born in 1924, Charlie Munger was raised during the Great Depression. At the time of his death on Tuesday, his net worth was estimated at $2.6 billion. But Munger’s greatest achievement wasn’t merely the scorecard of his net worth. His wit and wisdom, which Munger shared with the world through his book, Poor Charlie’s Almanack, which made him one of the most respected investors of the last century. Munger is the man who taught Warren Buffet how to invest. He’s lauded as the moral compass of

Dec 1, 2023 • 23:55

Surviving a $35,000 Credit Card Scam, Job Loss and Foreclosure, with Tiffany Aliche, The Budgetnista

Surviving a $35,000 Credit Card Scam, Job Loss and Foreclosure, with Tiffany Aliche, The Budgetnista

#474: When Tiffany Aliche was in her 20’s, she fell victim to a credit card scam. A crafty swindler convinced her to take out a cash advance against her credit card for $35,000. He said that he’d invest the money and produce Bernie Madoff-style returns. She was an inexperienced investor. She believed him. She never saw that money again. Aliche worked at a preschool. She didn’t make much money to begin with. But matters worsened when the school shut down, and she lost her job. She fell behind on

Nov 29, 2023 • 1:06:04

Ask Paula: How to Pay Off a $8,000 Medical Bill Without Going Broke

Ask Paula: How to Pay Off a $8,000 Medical Bill Without Going Broke

#473: Sarah has cash to pay a $8,000 medical bill but she’s reluctant to drain her savings. Should she sign up for the hospital’s interest-free payment plan? Jennie is an independent consultant but gets paid as a W-2 employee. Without access to a SEP IRA or a 401k plan, is there another option to save for retirement? An anonymous caller is wondering how to run a cost-benefit analysis on pursuing a graduate degree. Brian is getting inundated with spam calls as a real estate investor. Is there a w

Nov 22, 2023 • 56:01

Happiness Habits, with Harvard Professor Arthur Brooks

Happiness Habits, with Harvard Professor Arthur Brooks

#472: Imagine this: You’re a teenage musical prodigy, a world-class classical French horn player. You drop out of college at age 19 and spend your twenties touring the globe as a musician (including, once, tripping and falling off the stage at Carnegie Hall). At age 31, you retire from your musical career, get a Ph.D., and become a professor – first at Syracuse and then at Harvard, where you teach both at Harvard Business School and at the Harvard Kennedy School. You publish 13 books and write a

Nov 15, 2023 • 1:04:40

Ask Paula: I Came Into A Lot of Money. What Should I Do With It?

Ask Paula: I Came Into A Lot of Money. What Should I Do With It?

#471: Bob split a $350,000 windfall between savings and paying down his mortgage. But now he’s wondering if he made a good choice. Can Paula and Joe do the math to justify his gut-driven decisions? Julia wants to tap the equity from a second home to buy a third home in Texarkana, Texas. Is this a good plan? Joey Jr. wants to retire early, put two kids through college and buy a vacation home within the next five years. How can he afford to do it all? An anonymous caller wonders if $1 million is a

Nov 8, 2023 • 1:04:18

The GDP Grew 4.9 Percent, Unemployment is at a Near-Record Low … and Everybody’s Stressed About Layoffs

The GDP Grew 4.9 Percent, Unemployment is at a Near-Record Low … and Everybody’s Stressed About Layoffs

#470: The economy is booming. GDP grew 4.9 percent last quarter, the fastest rate of growth since 2021. Consumer spending jumped 4 percent. Unemployment is holding steady at 3.8 percent, historically low. The U.S. added net new jobs for the 34th consecutive month. And yet – people are worried. Online discussion around layoffs at its highest point since July 2020. High-profile headlines about major staffing cuts – most recently from Schwab, which is dismissing 2,000 employees – fuel these fears

Nov 3, 2023 • 35:59

Ask Paula: Feeling FOMO About Your Home Equity? Here's What to Do

Ask Paula: Feeling FOMO About Your Home Equity? Here's What to Do

#469: Lindy feels like her $300,000 of accumulated equity could be put to better use. But she doesn’t want to buy more real estate right now. What’re her options? Katie wants to become a landlord in her home state but she’s concerned about the effects of redlining. Should she look into Section 8? Claudia lives in Germany and wants to buy an apartment in Manhattan. But she knows nothing about US real estate. Where does she start? I tackle these questions in today’s episode. Enjoy! P.S. Got a que

Nov 1, 2023 • 49:37

How MICE Impacts Your Money, with Bryan Kuderna

How MICE Impacts Your Money, with Bryan Kuderna

Money management is all about setting priorities. Maybe you have the twin goals of sending your kids to college while also saving enough for retirement. And maybe you’re struggling to figure out how to balance the two. Today, Bryan Kuderna, a certified financial planner, shares a framework for helping us set priorities. We talk about the importance of economic literacy, in addition to financial literacy. We discuss how retirement has changed throughout history. And we apply those broader lessons

Oct 26, 2023 • 1:00:44

Ask Paula: Use One Debt to Pay Off Another?

Ask Paula: Use One Debt to Pay Off Another?

#467: Should Knoxville use a higher-interest Home Equity Loan (HELOC) to pay off a lower-interest 401k loan? Joelle’s tenant is interested in a rent-to-own agreement. Is this a good idea from a landlord’s perspective? A recent wildfire shifted Sharon’s house into a flood zone. Should she sell before FEMA redraws the map and it becomes official? Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these three questions in today’s episode. Enjoy! P.S. Got a question? Leave it here. For more informa

Oct 18, 2023 • 41:11

How to Handle Medical Bills, with Dr. Virgie Bright Ellington

How to Handle Medical Bills, with Dr. Virgie Bright Ellington

#466: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reported in 2022 that medical debt is the most common reason to get a debt collector call. A Census Bureau study in 2021 found nearly 1 in 5 households (19%) couldn’t pay for medical care when it was needed. These statistics underscore the fact that the potential for unforeseen medical expenses to negatively impact our lives is ENORMOUS. Dr. Virgie Bright Ellington, a medical billing expert and author of “What Your Doctor Wants You to Know to Crush

Oct 12, 2023 • 57:38

Good News for the Economy; Bad News for the Markets

Good News for the Economy; Bad News for the Markets

#465: The Fed is holding interest rates steady for now. The jobs report is better than expected. Stocks and bonds are both going down. What's going on right now in both the economy and in the markets and where should you put your money and your time and attention? That’s what we’re going to cover in this episode. Links mentioned: https://affordanything.com/inflation https://affordanything.com/365 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 6, 2023 • 34:10

The Science of Friendship (and How It Improves Your Net Worth), with Dr. Marisa Franco

The Science of Friendship (and How It Improves Your Net Worth), with Dr. Marisa Franco

#464: More than ever, most people's lives are packed to the brim with activity. We are trying to fit in demanding jobs and families, commuting and a neverending list of chores. Social lives often suffer. It’s no wonder that in 2021, 12% of U.S. adults said they did not have any close friends, up from 3% in 1990. This has enormous consequences on our health, productivity, and our ability to grow our net worth, make money, and enjoy life. Dr. Mariso Franco, a renowned psychologist and best selling

Oct 4, 2023 • 48:14

Ask Paula: Student Loan Deferment HACK – How Christina Saved $60,000 in Interest

Ask Paula: Student Loan Deferment HACK – How Christina Saved $60,000 in Interest

#463: Mary is struggling to compare two job offers: one from a large corporation and another from a tiny business. How should she decide? An anonymous caller wants to buy a different home, and convert his current home into a rental. How should he finance this move? Christina recently slayed her debt and put herself on track for financial success. But now she’s bored. How can auto-investing be more exciting? Speaking of debt, Christina shares a creative HACK to SAVE $60,000 in student loan intere

Sep 27, 2023 • 59:35

Cracking the Code of the Rich, with Seth Stephens-Davidowitz

Cracking the Code of the Rich, with Seth Stephens-Davidowitz

#462: As a society, we’re fascinated by stories of the rich. We hear news, see social media posts, and read books about how others become wealthy, how to maintain that status, and what their lifestyles look like. But what if the media we’re consuming is misleading us? Dr. Seth Stephens-Davidowitz’s research shows that the stories about the rich that dominate the popular press are misleading. Stephens-Davidowitz holds a PhD in economics from Harvard University. He’s a data scientist and a New Yor

Sep 21, 2023 • 47:48

Ask Paula: A Year Off Work, a Career Change, and a Divorce: How to Make It Work

Ask Paula: A Year Off Work, a Career Change, and a Divorce: How to Make It Work

#461: A special LIVE recording in front of an audience at Podcast Movement, an industry conference in Denver. Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle two questions in today’s episode. Our first question comes from a soon-to-be-single-mother on the precipice of divorce. How should she navigate this financially? Our second question comes from the spouse of a Purple Heart veteran of the war in Afghanistan. She and her husband would like to take a one-year sabbatical from work when they

Sep 13, 2023 • 52:22

The Mental Toughness and Confidence Blueprint, with Dr. Nate Zinsser

The Mental Toughness and Confidence Blueprint, with Dr. Nate Zinsser

#460: Mental toughness is the bedrock of starting a business, growing a multimillion-dollar portfolio, investing in real estate, crushing your debt, retiring early. Today’s guest, Dr. Nate Zinsser, mentors elite athletes, soldiers and executives in confidence and mental toughness. He is the sports psychology mentor for two-time Superbowl MVP Eli Manning and the Director of the Performance Psychology Program at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He’s mentored the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers a

Sep 6, 2023 • 1:00:18

Ask Paula | 10-Year-Old Asks: How Do I Save for My First Car?

Ask Paula | 10-Year-Old Asks: How Do I Save for My First Car?

#459: Andrey is a savvy 10-year-old wondering what’s the best way to save up for his first car. Ingrid wants to know if her parents’ preference for Retiring on Dividends is a better approach compared to the 4 Percent Rule. Erica’s part-time work schedule will place her in an unusually low tax bracket this year. Should she take this rare chance to execute a Roth conversion? Or is it better to prioritize debt payoff? Chloe is worried about the end of student loan forbearance. Should she pull back

Aug 30, 2023 • 1:06:13

The Reality Behind High Home Prices, with BiggerPockets CEO Scott Trench

The Reality Behind High Home Prices, with BiggerPockets CEO Scott Trench

#458: Today we chat with Scott Trench, the CEO and President of BiggerPockets, a real estate investing education company with more than 2 million members. He joins us to share cutting-edge insights on today’s real estate market. We discuss economic trends, demographic shifts, and talk about how interest rates impact home buyers. Whether you're a potential homebuyer, an investor, or simply curious about the housing market, this conversation will shield light on what’s REALLY happening in today’s

Aug 25, 2023 • 1:06:48

Ask Paula: I Sold All My Stocks Last Year. Now I'm Kicking Myself

Ask Paula: I Sold All My Stocks Last Year. Now I'm Kicking Myself

#457: Angie sold all the stocks in her retirement account last year. And now the market’s climbing. What should she do with her $500,000 cash position? Christina will be graduating with six figures of student debt. Should she refinance out of a federally protected loan to lower her interest rate? An anonymous caller wonders how Paula and Joe handled their primary residences when they moved out of state. Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these four questions in today’s episode.

Aug 16, 2023 • 1:10:09

The Science of Empathy, with Stanford Professor Jamil Zaki

The Science of Empathy, with Stanford Professor Jamil Zaki

#456: Stanford psychology professor Jamil Zaki shares his research and findings around the science of empathy – and how we can apply this to improving our relationships with colleagues, clients, customers, co-founders, and business and investing cohorts.Zaki is the director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab, and the author of “The War For Kindness.”We'll break down the science. We talk about why empathy matters in business, investments, and in career growth, and we’ll discuss its

Aug 9, 2023 • 55:54

Ask Paula: I’m Recently Retired. Do I Pay Off My Rentals Or Buy More Real Estate?

Ask Paula: I’m Recently Retired. Do I Pay Off My Rentals Or Buy More Real Estate?

#455: Yvette recently retired with the goal of reaching a $10,000 monthly income from her real estate investments. Should she put her money toward debt payoff or portfolio expansion? Carly wants to buy a second home and convert her current home to a rental. What are the pros and cons of tapping into existing equity versus saving cash for a down payment? An anonymous caller plans to move back to her touristy hometown in six to seven years. Is it smart to buy something now and take advantage of a

Aug 5, 2023 • 52:15

Ask Paula: Financial Disaster? How to Get Help Before It’s Too Late

Ask Paula: Financial Disaster? How to Get Help Before It’s Too Late

#454: Amy says she hit “rock bottom” with her finances. She says she struggled to ask for help before her situation became an emergency. How can others ask for help sooner? Rebecca is a mother of four, which means she’s juggling four distinct college timelines and 529 plans. How does she make a withdrawal plan when there are so many unknowns?  Anne Marie switched jobs. What should she do with her old retirement accounts? And Dylan wonders if the IRS Rule of 55 applies to Roth 401k accounts. Form

Aug 2, 2023 • 1:18:42

The Importance of Having a Life Outside of Work, with Simone Stolzoff

The Importance of Having a Life Outside of Work, with Simone Stolzoff

#453: Today I chat with Simone Stolzoff, a consultant for organizations ranging from Google to the Surgeon General’s Office, and the author of "The Good Enough Job." He’s a graduate of Stanford and U. Penn. Simone has spent a lot of time thinking about the role of work in our lives, and he's got some really interesting ideas about how we can see work as just one part of a happy and fulfilling life. We'll be talking about what happens when work becomes more than just a job, how to challenge the i

Jul 27, 2023 • 43:18

Mind Games: How Confidence Shapes our Financial Markets, with Economist Peter Atwater

Mind Games: How Confidence Shapes our Financial Markets, with Economist Peter Atwater

#452: Peter Atwater, an economics professor at The College of William and Mary and author of “The Confidence Map,” joins us to discuss how confidence shapes our financial markets. He explains how The Hunger Games relates to the Lehman Brothers collapse. He describes why you should “Buy Adele and Sell Pharrell.” From the Panic of 1857 to the patterns behind modern media consumption, Peter talks us through the intricate web of behavioral oddities that extend beyond finance. He talks about the “K-s

Jul 20, 2023 • 1:02:50

Ask Paula: The Hidden Costs of Leverage

Ask Paula: The Hidden Costs of Leverage

#451: Rachel’s car is nearing its end of life and she’s short on cash. Should she sell before she’s hit with a major repair? Cam wants to arbitrage a hefty low-interest loan with a three-year payback period. Is this the opportunity of a lifetime or a disaster waiting to happen? Kris has tried all the budgeting apps but they’re cumbersome and time-consuming. Is there a better way to track his monthly expenses? An anonymous caller feels stretched thin with a high mortgage on a single income. Shoul

Jul 12, 2023 • 1:17:45

The Surreal Business of War: A Reporter's Account of the Russian Economy in Chaos

The Surreal Business of War: A Reporter's Account of the Russian Economy in Chaos

#450: On the First Friday of each month, we roll out a bonus episode that’s totally different from what we usually produce. These bonus episodes are special, unique, and – we hope – round out a fuller, more multifaceted picture of what we think about. Today, I’m introducing you to a business and economics correspondent from Moscow who I’m honored to call a close friend. Her name is Andrea Palasciano. She’s covered business stories from Paris, Marseilles, Rome and Moscow. She’s fluent in Italian,

Jul 7, 2023 • 1:01:31

Ask Paula: Should You Buy Real Estate in Today’s Economy?

Ask Paula: Should You Buy Real Estate in Today’s Economy?

#449: Jackie is a 42-year-old paralegal with two rental properties. She wants to buy three more. She asks for Paula’s thoughts about today’s economy. Should she buy under these economic conditions? Jen’s husband will retire with a pension that pays twice their living expenses. Does she still need her own retirement account? Rachael just bought a duplex, which she wants to househack. But she’s having second thoughts. Did she bite off more than she can chew? “Minouche” is a return caller with new

Jul 6, 2023 • 1:20:17

Ask Paula: We Make $300k. Why Are We NOT Financially Independent?

Ask Paula: We Make $300k. Why Are We NOT Financially Independent?

#448: An anonymous caller is dealing with guilt over spending a large cash gift. What’s the best use if she doesn’t have an obvious financial goal to throw at it? Eric reached financial independence a few years ago but he hesitates to quit his job. What the heck is a Roth conversion ladder and how can he overcome his psychological barriers? Another anonymous caller and his wife earn $300,000. He feels like they should be financially independent but they’re far from it. What’s going on? Former fi

Jun 28, 2023 • 1:15:23

The Human Side of Remote Work, with Nick Bloom

The Human Side of Remote Work, with Nick Bloom

#447: We talk to Stanford economist Nick Bloom about his groundbreaking research on working from home. Nick has been studying remote work for more than 20 years – since the 1990’s, when people were “telecommuting.” His research, in real-time, looked at how events such as 9/11 shaped attitudes about remote work. The pandemic created a surge of interest in his research. It brought many newcomers to the field. But Nick has the benefit of historical knowledge. He’s spent his career deep-diving into

Jun 21, 2023 • 51:06

Ask Paula: How to Build a New Career After Adversity

Ask Paula: How to Build a New Career After Adversity

#446: Paul suffered a stroke at 48. He’s on disability and feeling lost. How does he figure out what’s next? Should Ashley’s aging parents spend a third of their retirement savings on a house? Margaret is wondering if she could use her 401k for a down payment and save on her taxes. An anonymous caller is concerned she won’t have enough access to cash if she retires at 50. Is an Indexed Universal Life policy the right solution? Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these four questi

Jun 14, 2023 • 1:10:09

Boldly Unemployed: Embracing Entrepreneurship, with Steve Chou

Boldly Unemployed: Embracing Entrepreneurship, with Steve Chou

#445: We sit down with Steve Chou, an accomplished entrepreneur who, alongside his wife, built two businesses that each bring in seven figures – and gives them the freedom to spend more time with their kids. We delve into the challenges he faced in the early stages of his business and how he overcame these obstacles. Additionally, Steve opens up about the personal and emotional aspects of running a business. He candidly discusses the fears, doubts, and sacrifices he and others have encountered d

Jun 7, 2023 • 49:23

The End of the Student Loan Pause: What You Need to Know

The End of the Student Loan Pause: What You Need to Know

#444: The student loan pause is coming to an end. A moratorium on student loan repayments has been in place since the start of the pandemic, but starting Sept. 1st, millions of borrowers will be required to start making payments on their loans again. What does this mean for borrowers? In this episode, we'll discuss what borrowers can do to prepare, including an in-depth look at the variety of repayment plan options. We’ll also talk (in general terms) about how to handle ANY surprise new monthly

Jun 2, 2023 • 29:04

Building Your Dream Business, with Amy Porterfield

Building Your Dream Business, with Amy Porterfield

#443: As a former corporate powerhouse turned successful entrepreneur, Amy knows firsthand the challenges and triumphs of building a business from scratch. Amy is the host of the top-ranked podcast "Online Marketing Made Easy," and the owner of a multi-million dollar digital course business. She is also the author of “Two Week’s Notice,” a guide to quitting your job and building your own business. Get ready to be inspired as we uncover Amy's secrets to building a thriving business and learn how

May 31, 2023 • 56:13

Ask Paula: I Tripled My Income. Now What?

Ask Paula: I Tripled My Income. Now What?

#442: An anonymous caller is struggling with a tempting offer from her family to buy her first house. Chris recently tripled his income. How should he manage this unexpected surplus? Tyson is wondering if it's a good time to convert his bonds into treasuries. “Jaula” wants to know if she should count her side hustle income as part of her retirement money. Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these four questions in today’s episode. Enjoy! P.S. Got a question? Leave it here. Learn

May 24, 2023 • 1:00:55

How to Invest in a Volatile Market, with JD Stein

How to Invest in a Volatile Market, with JD Stein

#441: It’s GRADUATION WEEK!For those of you who’ve been following along this past year, you know that I’ve been completing the Knight - Bagehot Fellowship at Columbia University.This week, my family and I are celebrating the countless hours of studying, all-nighters and eye opening experiences, so here at Afford Anything, we’re airing an important episode from our archives.This episode addresses important questions we’ve been getting from the Afford Anything community, including: Where

May 18, 2023 • 53:37

Ask Paula: Am I Saving Enough For Retirement?

Ask Paula: Am I Saving Enough For Retirement?

#440: An anonymous caller wants to retire and travel in 20 to 30 years. How does she know if she’s saving enough? Trace plans to take a mini-retirement next year. Where should she keep her savings until then? Samantha and her partner have lived out of their truck for 20 years. They sorta-kinda feel ready to buy a house and settle down. But they’re hesitating. What if they hate it? “Barbara,” an anonymous caller from Episode 422, is struggling with a scarcity mindset. How does she stop worrying a

May 10, 2023 • 1:01:08

Banks Collapsing?! What’s Next? – Plus ENCORE episode with Financial Advisor Michael Kitces

Banks Collapsing?! What’s Next? – Plus ENCORE episode with Financial Advisor Michael Kitces

#439: There are massive rapid changes unfurling in the financial world. This week’s biggest news: First Republic Bank collapsed; JP Morgan Chase acquired it. (As it happens, I was one of 12 people who was lucky enough to have dinner with Chase CEO Jamie Dimon exactly one week ago – just days before the acquisition. I tell that story around the 8-minute mark of today’s episode.)The Fed issued a 10th consecutive rate hike, raising interest rates another quarter of a percentage point. Infl

May 4, 2023 • 1:33:56

Life in Five Senses, with Gretchen Rubin

Life in Five Senses, with Gretchen Rubin

#438: “Do you want to save money? Or do you want to enjoy your life?”That’s a common question, but it’s strange. It assumes these ideas are opposites: frugality is synonymous with deprivation; spending is a proxy for enjoyment. That premise is wrong. Let’s stop conflating spending with happiness. Let’s stop using “savings” or “free” as a euphemism for second-tier or sucky.Most online articles that discuss free or frugal enjoyment are poorly-thought-through listicles that offer half-bake

Apr 27, 2023 • 48:10

The Five Types of Perfectionists, with Katherine Morgan Schafler

The Five Types of Perfectionists, with Katherine Morgan Schafler

#437: Do you have a project you want to start … but you’re stuck in analysis paralysis? Do you feel like if you want to do something right, you have to do it yourself? Do you try to wind down after the end of a long day, but your energy levels are just not quite restored? If you answered “Yes!” to any of these questions, then this episode is for you. Psychotherapist Katherine Morgan Schafler, a former on-site therapist at Google, and author of “The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control,” joins

Apr 19, 2023 • 55:38

Ask Paula: How Do I Pay for Grad School?

Ask Paula: How Do I Pay for Grad School?

#436: Jeremy wants to attend graduate school. Should he take student loans or cash out his investment portfolio? Andy is wondering if the 4 percent rule stands up to high inflation. (There’s a shockingly simple answer!) Did Rudolfo discover a hack to supercharge his 401k investing? Nandini is overwhelmed by her investing choices. What accounts should she use? What funds should she pick? Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these four questions in today’s episode. Enjoy! P.S. Got a

Apr 12, 2023 • 1:02:57

Ask Paula: How To Prepare for A Layoff

Ask Paula: How To Prepare for A Layoff

#435: Lee is 30 and facing a tech layoff. She can live for a year on her savings. She’s thinking about taking the rest of the year off. How should she prepare her investments?Stacy wants to buy an Airbnb but she’s scared she’ll regret selling her company stock to do it.An anonymous caller is tired of living paycheck-to-paycheck as a freelance artist. How can she stabilize an inconsistent income?Danelle is a DIY investor. She can’t find a financial advisor who gives advice without insist

Apr 5, 2023 • 1:14:47

Tips for Tipped Workers, with Barbara Sloan

Tips for Tipped Workers, with Barbara Sloan

#434: The majority of financial advice is geared to people with 9-5 jobs: “Negotiate for a raise.” “Max out your 401k match.” “Budget based on your income.” Where’s the financial advice for people who earn money in tips: restaurant servers, bartenders, hairstylists, concierge, valets, ushers, nail salon workers, strippers, or other service industry professionals?What about gig economy workers, freelancers and entrepreneurs? People who don’t earn a regular paycheck?Not only do these work

Mar 30, 2023 • 51:35

Ask Paula: Should I Quit My Cushy Job?

Ask Paula: Should I Quit My Cushy Job?

#433: Should “Walker,” an anonymous caller, give up a cushy job to take a year-long sabbatical in Europe? Blue wants to rent out his East Coast home, take a sabbatical from work, travel to the West Coast with his family, and start a YouTube channel and other entrepreneurial projects. How should he manage his money to make this happen? Melissa regrets buying a house two years ago in Ft. Lauderdale. She’s poured $30,000 into repairs, all of which she borrowed. Her home-related debts have mounted.

Mar 22, 2023 • 1:17:47

The Risk of Not Fully Living, with Michael Lynch

The Risk of Not Fully Living, with Michael Lynch

#432: Have you ever worried about running out of money after you retire? Do you keep checking your net worth to make sure you have enough? Does this always feel a little … unsatisfying? This episode discusses why. Today's guest, Michael Lynch, is a certified financial planner and author. His most recent book, “It’s All About The Income,” says that we’re obsessed with the wrong thing. Retirement planning is focused on growing assets. But your assets aren’t going to keep the lights on. Your INCOME

Mar 15, 2023 • 50:05

Mr. Money Mustache Talks About His Dating Life

Mr. Money Mustache Talks About His Dating Life

#431: The title says it all. Paula Pant interviews Mr. Money Mustache about his dating life. We chat about why he wants to date inside the FIRE community (financial independence, retire early) – and whether he’s had any luck. We discuss the perils of navigating into the dating world after a divorce, which he did at age 43. And – AHEM – HE’S ON THE APPS. Well, specifically, he’s on one app. And it’s technically not an app, it’s a website. Whatever. HE’S ONLINE DATING, FOLKS. We talk about the dif

Mar 9, 2023 • 1:09:59

Ask Paula: My Parents Are Drowning In Credit Card Debt. What Should I Do?

Ask Paula: My Parents Are Drowning In Credit Card Debt. What Should I Do?

#430: D is worried that she’s going to suffer from her parents’ poor financial choices. Is it time to confront them about it?An anonymous caller and her fiance both own a house. Which one do they move into after the wedding?In a world of rising inflation, Nick wants to know if it’s time to change the way he saves for his future.Another anonymous caller wants to buy a second home within a decade. How does she start planning now?Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these fo

Mar 1, 2023 • 1:00:27

How BIG Things Get Done, with Dr. Bent Flyvberg

How BIG Things Get Done, with Dr. Bent Flyvberg

#429: Have you ever thought about remodeling a kitchen? Retrofitting a camper van for #vanlife? Converting your basement into an Airbnb? Building a custom website? Recording an album? Did you worry that this project will cost more and take longer than you expected?  This episode is all about how to complete projects on-time and under budget.  Today's guest, Dr. Bent Flyvberg, is an Oxford University professor with a Ph.D. in urban geography. He’s published more than 200 scholarly articles on meg

Feb 23, 2023 • 53:16

Ask Paula: Do I really need a Financial Advisor?

Ask Paula: Do I really need a Financial Advisor?

#428: Jamie currently lives at home and dreams of reaching financial freedom by her early 30s. How can she take advantage of her low expenses to accelerate her wealth building?An anonymous caller has enough to retire in 5 years. Does she still need her financial advisor or is it time to do it on her own?Meghan is a personal finance enthusiast who wants to start a coaching side hustle. What’s the best way to get started? Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these five ques

Feb 16, 2023 • 1:01:00

Start a Micro-Business & Build Multiple Income Streams, with Nick Loper

Start a Micro-Business & Build Multiple Income Streams, with Nick Loper

#427: Okay, maybe the phrase “side hustle” is overused. But it’s also misunderstood.“Side hustle” is a catch-all term that people use to describe everything from low-paid gig economy labor – Doordash, Uber Eats, Rover – to six-figure consulting for Fortune 500 companies. On the remote-work side, it includes everything from freelance graphic design (services) to selling bundles of presentation deck templates (digital products). On the physical goods side, it includes everything from whol

Feb 10, 2023 • 1:03:41

Key Takeaways: Best Lessons from the Last Year

Key Takeaways: Best Lessons from the Last Year

#426: Behavioral researcher, Vanessa Van Edwards, talks to us about the critical importance of charisma - and how to use the perfect blend of warmth and competence to be charismatic.Dr. Michael Slepian walks us through what secrets mean, what they cost, and how we think about them.We dive into the world of long distance real estate investing, and talk about two of the major components of investing - Cash and mindsets - to help you determine if long distance real estate investing is righ

Feb 4, 2023 • 1:22:23

Ask Paula: My Dad Died, and My Mom Is CLUELESS About Finances

Ask Paula: My Dad Died, and My Mom Is CLUELESS About Finances

#425: Ellen’s dad died unexpectedly. Her mom is clueless about finances. How does she help a 70-year-old unravel financial complexities?Mike has an opportunity to buy into his friend’s growing business. What should be his legal, financial, and relationship considerations?Pepp wants to know what’ll happen to her Restricted Stock Units when her company goes private.An anonymous caller needs to build her nest egg. She’ll be a full-time student with no income. She has 20 years until retirem

Feb 1, 2023 • 1:15:45

The Power of Knowing When To Walk Away

The Power of Knowing When To Walk Away

#424: We’re taught to stay in the game. Persist. Be gritty. Try, try again. But sometimes, the best decision is to walk away. Move on. How do you know when that’s right? When should you double-down … and when should you fold? Today’s guest, Annie Duke, won more than $4 million as a professional poker champion. She wrote the bestselling book Thinking in Bets and co-founded a nonprofit that teaches kids decision-making skills. Her most recent book, “Quit: The Power of Knowing When To Walk Away,” t

Jan 25, 2023 • 1:10:06

Ask Paula: Can I Make Money With My Passion?

Ask Paula: Can I Make Money With My Passion?

#423: We’ve heard the warnings about following your passion. People ask if you can *actually* make money doing what you love. They frame the question “passion or profit?” as though these are in opposition.  The majority – who have never tried – decry, “what if you fail?”Nobody asks the more important question: what if you succeed?Are you still going to love your passion when you rely on it to pay the bills?We grapple with that question in today’s episode, which is devoted to side hustle

Jan 18, 2023 • 1:11:14

Ask Paula: We’re Saving 72 Percent Of Our Income … and It SUCKS

Ask Paula: We’re Saving 72 Percent Of Our Income … and It SUCKS

#422: Emily is saving aggressively for financial independence, but it’s hard to enjoy the present. Is it time to increase spending?Monroe wants to stop working. Forever. Which is more important: debt payoff or investing?Another anonymous caller and his spouse dream of building a homestead on an expensive piece of land. How much is too much to spend on housing?Given the high costs of moving, Sarah wonders if buying a starter home is the best decision. Should she and her fiance jump strai

Jan 12, 2023 • 1:16:45

How to Schedule Your Day for Peak Enjoyment, with Laura Vanderkam

How to Schedule Your Day for Peak Enjoyment, with Laura Vanderkam

#421: Life is busy.We spend too much time on chores, errands, commuting, emails and other draining tasks. We lack time for joy and hobbies.Or do we? Today’s guest, Laura Vanderkam, talks to us about how to make the most of our time and carve out more space for gratifying experiences.Laura Vanderkam is a time management and productivity expert. Her latest work, “Tranquility By Tuesday: 9 Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for What Matters” shares actionable steps to help you fill your

Jan 4, 2023 • 1:01:23

What We Learned in 2022

What We Learned in 2022

#420: Harvard professor Arthur Brooks described two types of intelligence – and explained, in scientific terms, the wisdom that comes with age.Dr. Ellen Vora, M.D., shared insight into the roots of procrastination, offering evidence-based tips for how to overcome our own inner demons of anxiety, fear and laziness.Psychology professor Bill von Hippel described why too much happiness is just as detrimental to our long-term health and wellbeing as too little happiness.Wall St. Journal colu

Dec 29, 2022 • 1:29:31

Ask Paula: Should I Stay At My Job For the 401k?

Ask Paula: Should I Stay At My Job For the 401k?

#419: Casey isn’t happy at her job. If she leaves before her one-year mark, she’ll lose her 401k contributions. Should she stay or find a new job?Daan resides in a high-cost-of-living area where real estate appreciates rapidly. But there’s no cash flow. How should he evaluate real estate as an investment?Emily already maximizes her 401k contributions. Should she contribute to an after-tax 401k next?Ryan’s investing for his son. If the yield is the same between two mutual funds, can he l

Dec 21, 2022 • 58:20

Maybe We Should Spend More, with Dr. Jordan Grumet

Maybe We Should Spend More, with Dr. Jordan Grumet

#418: When Jordan Grumet was a child, his dad died unexpectedly. That was decades ago. Jordan is a father today, but he thinks often about the possibility of dying young. And he wonders how to balance enjoying today vs. saving for tomorrow, given that none of us know how long we’ll be on this earth. How do we think about our lives when the clock starts to run out?  Beyond money, what other tools can we use to live a fulfilling life? Jordan Grumet, a hospice doctor and host of the Earn and Invest

Dec 15, 2022 • 46:58

Ask Paula: Marriage and Money: What Are the Right Conversations?

Ask Paula: Marriage and Money: What Are the Right Conversations?

#417: Our first anonymous caller is getting married. What are the financial considerations the couple should be thinking through since there is a large income gap between them? Our second anonymous caller is concerned about her ability to continue working due to major depression. Should she consider disability insurance? Carly is an accidental landlord and would love to keep her rental property. The problem? It’s losing money right now and she’d probably take a loss if she sold it. What should s

Dec 12, 2022 • 1:09:05

The Crypto Crash, the Housing Market, and Hot Takes on the Latest Economic Headlines

The Crypto Crash, the Housing Market, and Hot Takes on the Latest Economic Headlines

#416: Crypto is tanking. Household debt is climbing. Student loans are tangled up in the court system. And the house market…did what?! Today’s bonus First Friday episode takes a look at the latest economic headlines, with analysis, commentary and hot takes. Enjoy! For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode416 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 2, 2022 • 50:39

How I Give Away 41% of My Income, with Bob Lotich

How I Give Away 41% of My Income, with Bob Lotich

#415: The average American donates 2.1 percent of their income to charity, according to data from the Giving Institute. But an ordinary couple living in Nashville, Bob and Linda Lotich, refuse to be average. When they were both 31, they decided to “give their age” – they pledged to donate 31 percent of their income to worthwhile causes. They’ve increased their charitable giving every year since, to match their age. The couple is now 41 years old, and they give away 41 percent of their income. Wh

Nov 30, 2022 • 47:07

Ask Paula: I Think I Can Retire Early. Am I Crazy?!

Ask Paula: I Think I Can Retire Early. Am I Crazy?!

#414: Amanda is worried that her recently diagnosed health condition might force her to stop working. How should she financially prepare her family?Anonymous is a savvy DIY investor who wants to retire early and is wondering if she should hire a financial advisor.Should Krista tap into the equity from one of her rentals to rebalance a portfolio that is weighted heavily in real estate?Natasha thinks she and her husband have saved enough to retire early but it feels scary. Is she truly re

Nov 23, 2022 • 1:15:42

Why We’re Paying Attention to the Wrong Things, with Dr. Daniel Crosby

Why We’re Paying Attention to the Wrong Things, with Dr. Daniel Crosby

#413: If an idea dominates the headlines, we notice it.But maybe we shouldn’t.Today’s guest, psychologist and behavioral finance expert Dr. Daniel Crosby, says there’s a difference between a prediction that gets repeated, and one that’s likely to unfold. What’s salient isn’t accurate, he says. And vice versa. He also talks about how money problems have morphed over time. He chats about how our evolutionary wiring is at odds with our goals. And he even discusses how we’re wired to be ‘la

Nov 16, 2022 • 57:52

Ask Paula: Should I Repay Debt or Invest?

Ask Paula: Should I Repay Debt or Invest?

#412: Taylor recently graduated. She wants to reach financial independence as soon as possible. What should she do first: invest or repay low-interest debt? Carter doesn’t want to pay too much for his investments. He’s worried about the tax drag. He wants to know how to improve cost efficiency in his portfolio. How should he manage decisions about basis points, dividends and capital gains? Our first anonymous caller has been working and investing for a decade. Today her portfolio is large enough

Nov 9, 2022 • 1:06:15

Invest Anywhere: Learn About a City Like an Expert

Invest Anywhere: Learn About a City Like an Expert

#411: In the final installment of this two-part mini-series, we walk you through becoming a subject matter expert in your investment city of choice.We discuss who you should talk to, where you can find them and what you should talk to them about.Timing of discussion points as of November 2022:06:11: Who you should talk to 10:09: Why conversations with non- real estate professionals are important11:49: Where to meet other real estate investors13:19: Expanding your network, character due

Nov 4, 2022 • 38:04

The Routine Habits of Breakthrough Thinkers, with Jeremy Utley

The Routine Habits of Breakthrough Thinkers, with Jeremy Utley

#410: You face plenty of problems. But you have a scarcity of good solutions. Stanford Professor Jeremy Utley can help. He says that solving complex problems requires creativity. And creativity comes from deliberate practice. It’s not an innate talent. It’s a skill. And it’s useful in any occupation, from accounting to zookeeping. Jeremy speaks and writes on the history of invention, discovery, creativity, and innovation. He also leads Stanford d.school's work with professionals. Today he talks

Nov 2, 2022 • 1:08:29

Ask Paula: Should I Sell My Rentals to Buy More Stocks?

Ask Paula: Should I Sell My Rentals to Buy More Stocks?

#409: Liz and her husband are planning to retire in 5 to 10 years. They have rental income properties, but Liz is bored of managing these, and she’s intrigued by the idea of buying stocks at a discount when the market is low. Should she sell her rental properties and use the money to buy stocks instead?Rebecca is a high income earner and thinking about investing in a Roth 401k … but she’s scared of how much she’ll have to pay in taxes. Should she do it anyway?Anonymous made big changes

Oct 26, 2022 • 1:07:17

Build Your 15-Year Career, with Kiersten and Julien Saunders

Build Your 15-Year Career, with Kiersten and Julien Saunders

#408: When Kiersten and Julian Saunders began dating in 2012, they fell in love quickly, and their relationship felt strong – until they started talking about money.They broke up as a result of their first money conversation.Luckily, they got back together, figured out how to have tough conversations, and paid off $200,000 in debt over the next five years.Then they started thinking about how to hack their careers. They came up with a plan for a 15-year career.Today, they join us on the

Oct 21, 2022 • 1:00:33

Ask Paula: The 5 Types of Accountants (and Who To Avoid!)

Ask Paula: The 5 Types of Accountants (and Who To Avoid!)

#407: Ionnie wants to vet her tax professional as diligently as she assesses her financial advisor – how should she go about doing that? Anonymous needs a career change, and she needs help figuring out how to approach the decision making process when choosing and preparing for her next field of employment MM prefers the simple path to wealth and investing in real estate but is looking for more information on a more intentional and selective approach to investing. Ingrid calls in to ask whether s

Oct 12, 2022 • 1:15:03

Invest Anywhere: I’ve chosen my city…now what?

Invest Anywhere: I’ve chosen my city…now what?

#406: In this two-part episode, we first tackle the data points needed to assess various investment locations within your city of choice. We will cover seven specific neighborhood characteristics to review before diving into deal finding, and three things to look at once you've found a specific deal to evaluate. Then, we interview Kristen Lazure, the producer behind the Netflix movie "Get Smart With Money". The movie follows 4 financial coaches — Tiffany Aliche, Peter Adeney, Ross Mac and myself

Oct 7, 2022 • 48:44

Ask Paula: How to Handle a HUGE Bonus, Commission or Windfall

Ask Paula: How to Handle a HUGE Bonus, Commission or Windfall

#405: Daniel and his wife want to go on an extended vacation and leave their jobs next year…and still have money in case there’s a problem at their rental properties. Would a HELOC help them? Anonymous and her husband have received a large commission and want to understand how to better plan for their future by optimizing for these inconsistent windfalls. Brian has hit coast F.I.R.E and would like guidance on how to prioritize between tax advantaged accounts and retirement accounts. Anonymous an

Oct 5, 2022 • 1:04:00

How I Paid off $500,000 in Credit Card Debt, Then Launched a Company With $35 Million in Annual Revenue — with Rand Fishkin

How I Paid off $500,000 in Credit Card Debt, Then Launched a Company With $35 Million in Annual Revenue — with Rand Fishkin

#404: When Rand Fishkin was 25 years old, he carried $500,000 in credit card debt. Less than a decade later, Rand was the Founder and CEO of a company that grossed $35 million in annual revenue. In this episode, Rand shares the story of hitting his financial rock-bottom and making the ultimate comeback. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 28, 2022 • 1:05:09

How I Reached Financial Independence Through Real Estate – With Chad Carson

How I Reached Financial Independence Through Real Estate – With Chad Carson

#403: September Sabbatical continued! If you’ve been listening to the show for the past few years, then you know that we’ve entered our September Sabbatical, where the team takes a break from podcast production and airs a few of our favorites from the 400+ episodes we’ve aired to date. F.I.R.E. holds four pillars: Financial psychology, Investing, Real estate, and Entrepreneurship. This September, we’re running four weeks of episodes focusing on each of these four pillars. Today’s episode is focu

Sep 23, 2022 • 1:12:29

The Psychology of Money, with Morgan Housel

The Psychology of Money, with Morgan Housel

#402: Do you wrestle with the idea of leaving your savings in an account earning next to nothing versus investing it in the stock market? Do you use investment strategies that allow you to work with your nature, rather than against it? Are you careful to seek investment advice from those who share your investment goals, or do you get caught up in the trends of day traders? Morgan Housel, author of The Psychology of Money, joins us to discuss why investing is not the study of finance, but the stu

Sep 15, 2022 • 1:10:22

You are a Badass at Making Money, with Jen Sincero

You are a Badass at Making Money, with Jen Sincero

#401: It’s September! If you’ve been listening to the show for the past few years, then you know that I’m on what I’ve dubbed my September Sabbatical, in which I’m taking a break from podcast production.F.I.R.E. holds four pillars: Financial psychology, Investing, Real estate, and Entrepreneurship.This September, we’re running four weeks of episodes focusing on each of these four pillars. Today, we kick off with an episode focused on financial psychology. Learn more about your ad choice

Sep 7, 2022 • 1:01:17

#400: The Lies Told About Early Retirement

#400: The Lies Told About Early Retirement

Today we’re sharing three talks given at the EconoMe conference, with each of these talks relating to F.I.R.E. The three discussions are: FI-Landia is a lie - What I Learned On My Journey To F.I.R.E., with Carl Jensen What If You Achieve All Your Goals But You’re Still Not Happy, with Rich Jones How To Never Again Say, “I Can’t Afford It”, with Paula Pant Details below: Carl Jensen: 05:27: Session begins 08:02: Sharing the message of financial independence and being hit with the “What If’s”

Sep 2, 2022 • 1:28:09

Ask Paula: The stock market is down - Can I still retire?

Ask Paula: The stock market is down - Can I still retire?

#399: Bella is SO CLOSE to reaching F.I.R.E and is worried about her withdrawal rate if the stock market drops. If the stock market does drop, can she withdraw as much as she had originally planned? Sam has been investing for several decades and thinks that he should stay invested in his portfolio, despite the recent drop in value…but he is still wondering if there’s a chance that he should sell. Meisha is making more money at her new job but can’t contribute to her 401(k) for the first six mont

Aug 31, 2022 • 1:12:04

How To Travel For (Almost) Free, with Chris Hutchins

How To Travel For (Almost) Free, with Chris Hutchins

#398: Chris Hutchins is an avid life hacker, a financial optimizer and the host of the top ranked podcast “All The Hacks”, where he shares his quest to upgrade his life without having to spend a fortune. These passions have led him to being featured in a documentary on financial Independence called “Playing with FIRE” and collecting millions of points and miles. If you want to learn more about optimizing your spend so that you can travel with less of an impact to your bank account, you’ll want t

Aug 24, 2022 • 1:13:13

Ask Paula: Is the bank trying to scam my parents…?

Ask Paula: Is the bank trying to scam my parents…?

#397: Nic’s parents are forced to confront earlier than anticipated retirement…and they aren’t financially prepared. Now, a bank is offering to buy a part of their mortgage or a part of their house. Is this a scam?!Jon from Colorado is curious about after tax contributions to a Roth 401k, and would like us to talk about why we wouldn’t recommend it.Anna is househacking, and she locked down an awesome interest rate. But, she’s still carrying PMI and is wondering if there’s a way to remov

Aug 17, 2022 • 59:13

Creating Happiness At Work, with Julie Winkle Giulioni

Creating Happiness At Work, with Julie Winkle Giulioni

#396: International best selling author and leadership speaker, Julie Winkle Giulioni, talks through a multidimensional career framework that features eight dimensions of career development. She spells out how to apply the dimensions of contribution, competence, connection, confidence, challenge, contentment, choice and climb to different parts of your professional life, whether that’s assessing your current job, navigating a conversation with your superior or setting yourself up for the next pr

Aug 10, 2022 • 1:00:06

Invest Anywhere: There are THOUSANDS of Cities, Where Do I Invest?!

Invest Anywhere: There are THOUSANDS of Cities, Where Do I Invest?!

#395: Welcome to Invest Anywhere, our monthly series on long-distance real estate investing. Invest Anywhere airs on the First Friday of each month and is co-hosted by Paula Pant and Suni Rao. In this episode, we tackle the challenging decision of how to evaluate a city for rental property investment. We will cover three specific sets of analysis, talking through a macro business cycle view, a more specific economic analysis, and then encourage you to review your own personal network. Enjoy! 01:

Aug 5, 2022 • 1:05:18

Ask Paula: How Much Should I Invest vs. Keep in Cash?

Ask Paula: How Much Should I Invest vs. Keep in Cash?

#394: Bill listened to our episode with Bill Bengen, father of the 4% rule, and he wants to know if there was a way for him to figure out how much money he should be keeping in cash. Sheryl gets stock from her company, and she would usually sell it…but the stock value has decreased. And now, she isn’t sure what she should do. Heather inherited an IRA but MUST empty it within ten years - but she doesn’t need it right now. What should she do?? Julie and her husband have access to an HSA for ONE MO

Aug 3, 2022 • 1:04:26

Money and Investing Have Changed, with Chuck Jaffee

Money and Investing Have Changed, with Chuck Jaffee

#393: Chuck Jaffee is a forty year veteran financial journalist who regularly writes for the Wall Street Journal and is also a nationally syndicated financial columnist. He discusses how money and investors' attitude towards investing has changed over the last few decades. 00:44: Introducing Chuck Jaffe 03:05: How people interacted with the market in the 1980’s 06:50: Dealer and liquidity risk when investing in the market 09:23: How the environment 40 years ago impacted investor psychology  12:

Jul 28, 2022 • 1:05:15

Ask Paula: Did the Great Recession Lead to the FIRE Movement?

Ask Paula: Did the Great Recession Lead to the FIRE Movement?

#392: Colleen and her husband own SEVEN paid off rental homes. Now they’re heading into retirement and disagree on what to do with some of that equity. Kevin wants to hit FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and believes his motivation comes from witnessing the financial trauma of the Great Recession. He’s wondering if others are motivated to reach FIRE for similar reasons. Anonymous wants to learn more about utilizing HSA accounts and Susan wants to learn more about investing in tax lien

Jul 20, 2022 • 57:31

Powerful Tactics to Take Control of Your Life and Career, with Dr. Reza Abraham

Powerful Tactics to Take Control of Your Life and Career, with Dr. Reza Abraham

#391: Dr. Reza Abraham, an international leadership consultant, walks us through a framework of staying in control of your career and your life. This framework utilizes a singular core, three cornerstones and twelve principles.  He explains how to apply and execute these principles to reinforce personal fulfillment, growth and progression.  0:00:47: Introducing Dr. Reza Abraham + the framework for staying in control of your life through a core, three cornerstones and 12 pillars 0:02:48: The cor

Jul 13, 2022 • 1:14:27

Ask Paula: Help! My Bills Are Too High

Ask Paula: Help! My Bills Are Too High

#390: We start this episode with two anonymous callers who have opposite problems: one says her bills are too high, while the other is worried that she’s saving too much. Anonymous (“Izzy”) saves A LOT. She wants to relax about her spending more, and start including more joy into her life. How should she approach the next 10 or 20 years, so that she can enjoy her financial security? A different anonymous caller (“Starlight”) has the opposite problem: her expenses are mounting. Her bills make her

Jul 6, 2022 • 1:24:59

Invest Anywhere: Should I Bother Investing in Long-Distance Real Estate?

Invest Anywhere: Should I Bother Investing in Long-Distance Real Estate?

#389: Should you bother investing in real estate … especially from a distance? Is the hassle worth it? What’s the upside? Do you really want this? Or should you just stick with index funds? Isn’t it scary to invest out-of-state? How do you know if you’re ready? In today’s episode of Afford Anything Presents: Invest Anywhere, my co-host Suni Rao and I tackle these common questions. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode389 Learn more about your ad choice

Jul 1, 2022 • 52:09

Feeling Anxious About Your Investments?, with Scott Nations

Feeling Anxious About Your Investments?, with Scott Nations

#388: Recessions are terrifying. Market crashes often bring out the worst in people’s anxieties and fears. This fear triggers us to act even more irrationally than usual – which can lead to making expensive mistakes in our investment portfolios. In today’s episode, Scott Nations, who spent his career studying market volatility, describes some of the most common cognitive biases and irrational behaviors that investors make. He shares tips on how to master the mental game of investing, especially

Jun 29, 2022 • 1:09:21

Ask Paula: Is a Crash Coming?

Ask Paula: Is a Crash Coming?

#387: Lila is concerned about inflation and the risk of a recession. Should she invest in the stock market, despite the scary headlines? Or should she pay off her primary residence or her investment properties? Linda invested in a 529 for her son’s college, and he’ll be starting in the fall. But, the value of the plan dropped right before she was planning on using it and she is wondering how to keep from losing more money. Jen and her husband want to retire in 8 years. They’re hoping to have pai

Jun 22, 2022 • 1:08:25

Once-a-Year Special Announcement for Anyone Interested in Real Estate

Once-a-Year Special Announcement for Anyone Interested in Real Estate

Register by June 30, 2022 at https://affordanything.com/enroll Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 21, 2022 • 5:46

The Psychology of Secrets, with Dr. Michael Slepian

The Psychology of Secrets, with Dr. Michael Slepian

#386: We all have our secrets. We keep some secrets from bosses, colleagues and clients, like the fact that we hope to retire early, change careers, or start a business. We keep other secrets from friends and family, like our income, net worth, spending habits and investing mistakes. Research from around the world shows that we tend to keep the same types of secrets – around 38 common varieties, including secrets about finances, ambitions, beliefs, habits, unpopular opinions, mental health, trau

Jun 15, 2022 • 1:05:22

Ask Paula: How to Invest When You’re Unsure of the Goal

Ask Paula: How to Invest When You’re Unsure of the Goal

#385: Anonymous (“Jennifer”) keeps hearing us say that you should “start with the end in mind” – that your investments should match your goals and timeline. But what if you don’t have any specific financial goal? What if your risk tolerance is different than you once thought? Rachel’s new employer won’t let her contribute to retirement for more than a year - what should she do?? Carri’s parents are in poor health and can’t work much - what should they do about their life insurance policy and the

Jun 8, 2022 • 1:11:13

Invest Anywhere: Six Strategies to Make Money in Real Estate

Invest Anywhere: Six Strategies to Make Money in Real Estate

#384: Welcome back to the third episode in our special series, Afford Anything Presents: Invest Anywhere. Invest Anywhere is a new monthly series that runs on the First Friday of each month. It lays out the information you need to invest in real estate at a distance. Many of you want to invest in real estate, but you live in a high-cost-of-living area. (Ahem, California and New York). The homes in your city are prohibitively expensive, and they offer lackluster returns. You could invest in a low

Jun 3, 2022 • 1:18:07

How to Talk About Money with Confidence and Charisma, with Vanessa Van Edwards

How to Talk About Money with Confidence and Charisma, with Vanessa Van Edwards

#383: Behavioral researcher Vanessa Van Edwards, who runs the research lab Science of People, breaks down the psychological secrets behind feeling and looking more confident, competent and charismatic. She explains how to apply these techniques to critical conversations around money, whether you’re negotiating your salary, buying a home or car, or arguing with your spouse about your household spending. Subscribe to get the show notes delivered via email, for free, at https://affordanything.com/s

Jun 1, 2022 • 1:14:40

Ask Paula: What Do I Do With Free Money?

Ask Paula: What Do I Do With Free Money?

#382: Joe is buying his first house hack and would like to understand if the FHA loan or the doctor loan would be better for him. Sara wants to leave her job to spend time with her children, and she needs help in calculating her FIRE number. Kat received a windfall and is wondering if she should invest it in stocks, real estate, or a combination of both. Aisha is moving to the US and wants to start investing ASAP - how should she approach her goal to reach FIRE? Former financial planner Joe Saul

May 24, 2022 • 1:17:16

How to Not Let Your Feelings Hijack Your Decisions, with Mollie West Duffy

How to Not Let Your Feelings Hijack Your Decisions, with Mollie West Duffy

#381: Maybe you’re envious of your friend who bought Bitcoin in 2015 and held until it hit 7-figures. Maybe you’re anxious about rapidly rising home prices. Maybe you regret that you didn’t buy a rental property five years ago, because – at the time – you felt like prices had already risen so much (from 2012 to 2017) that you just couldn’t justify paying 2017’s pricetag. Our lives, finances and careers invoke many strong feelings. In today’s episode, Mollie West Duffy, the co-author of Big Feeli

May 19, 2022 • 1:23:11

Ask Paula: How to Optimize Your Investments Along the Efficient Frontier (If You Dare!)

Ask Paula: How to Optimize Your Investments Along the Efficient Frontier (If You Dare!)

#380: Matt wants to optimize his portfolio and wants to know if he should invest along the Efficient Frontier – despite the fact that the asset allocation it recommends is absolutely bonkers; it’s wild and risky and tilted like nothing he’s ever seen before. Ionnie just rolled over her Roth IRA and would like to understand how to withdraw her contributions without getting penalized. Anonymous and her spouse are both in the military and about to reach retirement. They have an expensive whole life

May 11, 2022 • 1:25:32

Invest Anywhere: 4 Benefits and 5 Challenges of Long-Distance Real Estate Investing

Invest Anywhere: 4 Benefits and 5 Challenges of Long-Distance Real Estate Investing

#379: Welcome to our First Friday bonus episode. Once a month, Afford Anything presents a special feature called Invest Anywhere, in which we teach our audience how to invest in real estate from thousands of miles away. We kickoff today’s episode by discussing current market conditions. Yesterday the Fed raised interest rates by another 50 basis points, which means mortgages are more expensive than they’ve been in years. Additionally, jittery investors worried about an impending recession led th

May 6, 2022 • 1:14:36

Ask Paula: Should I Take a Higher-Paying Job if I Can’t Save As Much for Retirement?

Ask Paula: Should I Take a Higher-Paying Job if I Can’t Save As Much for Retirement?

#378: Anonymous is 25. She has a job offer that comes with a substantial raise. Hooray!Buuut … there’s a problem. If she accepts this job offer, her new employer won’t allow her to contribute as much money to her company retirement accounts. How should she think about the trade-off between increasing income and funding her retirement?Meanwhile, Dan from California is retiring soon and wants to know what he and his wife should do with the loan they took out against their 401(k).Finally,

May 5, 2022 • 1:15:18

How I Discovered The 4 Percent Retirement Rule, with Bill Bengen

How I Discovered The 4 Percent Retirement Rule, with Bill Bengen

#377: Today’s episode is sheer retirement nerd bliss.We talk to the creator of the 4 percent retirement safe withdrawal rule, Bill Bengen.If you’re new to retirement planning, you might not yet grasp the gravity of this. Let’s cut to the chase: the 4 percent rule is one of the most revolutionary, groundbreaking insights in the field of retirement research in the past 30 years.To understand why, let’s climb in our time machines and return to 1994.Back then, many financial advisors were t

Apr 26, 2022 • 1:02:53

Ask Paula: How Should My 64-Year-Old Mom Handle a Toxic Boss?

Ask Paula: How Should My 64-Year-Old Mom Handle a Toxic Boss?

#376: Meghan’s mom is 64 years old and suffering under a toxic boss. It’s tough to switch jobs at her age. How should she think through the next steps? Ellen has a 20-year-old son with physical and developmental disabilities. Her other child, age 21, will need to look after him for the rest of their lives. How should she handle their inheritance? Joe wants to start working part-time in four years, and fully retire four years after that. He worries he’s investing too aggressively for his retireme

Apr 20, 2022 • 1:02:59

The 2X Rule (and Other Wealth-Accelerating Advice), with Nick Maggiulli

The 2X Rule (and Other Wealth-Accelerating Advice), with Nick Maggiulli

#375: Here’s the deal: The majority of people who write about personal finance repeat the same tired aphorisms and cliches. “Millennials aren’t investing enough,” they’ll lament. “Millennials are amassing wealth at a slower pace than previous generations!” But when you ask for their source, they turn up blank. Each writer points to a headline, which sources another headline, in a neverending circular secondary-source-citation that fails to point to any primary data source. Nick Maggiulli doesn’t

Apr 13, 2022 • 1:04:29

Ask Paula: How Can I Minimize My Taxes?

Ask Paula: How Can I Minimize My Taxes?

#374: Andy in Palm Springs wants to create an income stream through a taxable brokerage account. What strategy should he use to minimize the tax impact of withdrawing his gains? Jake wants investment cash flow until he’s eligible for his military pension in 10 years. Should he buy small multifamily properties right now, wait a few years and invest in syndications or should he invest in index funds through taxable accounts? Anonymous is a US Citizen, lives in London, and can’t invest in index fun

Apr 6, 2022 • 48:00

Invest Anywhere: The 5 Ways Real Estate Makes Money

Invest Anywhere: The 5 Ways Real Estate Makes Money

#373: How do people make money in real estate? Many focus on rental income, but this is only one of five ways that properties create wealth. We explain five surprising ways that real estate builds your balance sheet: cash flow, appreciation (market-based and forced), tax benefits, principal paydown, and instant equity at closing. Why does this matter for long-distance investors? If you’re investing out-of-state, you’ll need to choose a city or town. How do you decide? First, think about how

Apr 1, 2022 • 1:08:46

Ask Paula: I’m 33 and Want to Retire at 45 – What Should I Do?

Ask Paula: I’m 33 and Want to Retire at 45 – What Should I Do?

#372: Eve has been investing in her brokerage account and the tax liabilities are starting to add up. She wants to retire in 12 years and is wondering if she should invest in after-tax contributions and plan on a Roth conversion. Anonymous has rental properties and wants to start building his kids credit histories. Is it a good idea to add them as co-borrowers on the mortgage? Lily is really excited about investing in real estate, but househacking wasn’t the right fit. She’s looking for advice o

Mar 29, 2022 • 56:25

What’s the Point of Happiness, Anyway?, with Dr. Bill Von Hippel

What’s the Point of Happiness, Anyway?, with Dr. Bill Von Hippel

#371: Psychology professor Bill von Hippel explains the evolutionary science behind how we’re hardwired as humans. We’re wired to be social, to connect, to communicate and cooperate. We’re wired to want to learn and teach, to build a collective body of knowledge that stretches beyond what any single individual could ever learn in their lifetime. We’re wired to feel surges of happiness that fade, so that we’re intrinsically motivated to keep repeating behaviors that lead to additional surges of h

Mar 23, 2022 • 1:02:39

Ask Paula: My Income Is Dropping From $190,000 to $40,000; What Should I Do?

Ask Paula: My Income Is Dropping From $190,000 to $40,000; What Should I Do?

#370: Kristen is 32, and she and her husband want to retire in less than 20 years. They make too much to contribute to a Roth IRA. Should they use back door Roth conversions to speed along their path to early retirement? Michelle makes $190,000 and is going to switch to a career that pays $40,000 on average. To prepare for this lower salary, she's selling her current home and buying a different one. Should she pay off her new home with the proceeds from the old one? Or should she invest her prof

Mar 16, 2022 • 1:09:30

Why Does the Stock Market Crash? | Stocks 101 Explained, with Brian Feroldi

Why Does the Stock Market Crash? | Stocks 101 Explained, with Brian Feroldi

#369: To answer these questions, we need a deep, tree-trunk understanding – a core, fundamental understanding – of how the stock market operates. What, exactly, IS a stock – and how are stocks valued? What’s the difference between the Dow Jones, the S&P 500, and the Nasdaq? Why is the market a voting machine in the short-term, but a weighing machine in the long-term? Brian Feroldi, the author of “Why Does the Stock Market Go Up?,” joins us for a Stocks 101 explainer episode. If you’d like a deep

Mar 9, 2022 • 1:01:19

Ask Paula: Talk Crypto To Me

Ask Paula: Talk Crypto To Me

#368: Grace wants to buy a manufactured home for rental income. Should she calculate her returns differently for a manufactured home? Alex is curious about cryptocurrency. How should she analyze the returns promised by different platforms and where can she go to learn more about crypto in general? Thomas and his wife have parallel goals of saving for a down payment and contributing to retirement accounts. How should they balance both of these goals? In today's episode, former financial planner J

Mar 4, 2022 • 1:02:12

The Roots of Procrastination, Inattention and Anxiety, with Dr. Ellen Vora, M.D.

The Roots of Procrastination, Inattention and Anxiety, with Dr. Ellen Vora, M.D.

#367: Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, many commentators have remarked that we’re living in an “epidemic of anxiety.” More than 40 million Americans suffer from anxiety, and countless millions more notice themselves “acting out” against their responsibilities in smaller, self-sabotaging ways: procrastinating, lacking motivation, grappling with an inability to concentrate. In today’s episode, Dr. Ellen Vora, M.D., discusses both the internal and environmental factors that can exacerbate

Mar 2, 2022 • 1:01:24

Ask Paula: How Do I Invest For My Parents' Retirement?

Ask Paula: How Do I Invest For My Parents' Retirement?

#366: Micheal’s parents just sold their home to pay off debt and fund their retirement. How should he invest the profits? Ryker would like to understand what it would take for cryptocurrency to be considered as a good investment option for a diversified portfolio. Megan has qualified for her employer's 401k and needs help deciding between investing in a Roth 401K and a Roth IRA. In today's episode, former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these tough questions. Do you have a question

Feb 24, 2022 • 1:08:48

Inflation, Explained

Inflation, Explained

#365: Nearly every financial news story for the past several months has centered around inflation – but what, exactly, is inflation? What are its causes? What are its effects? How is it measured? What notable inflationary events have unfolded throughout history, and what can we learn from these? In this episode, we peel back the layers of the onion in order to deepen our understanding of the concept of inflation. We discuss hyperinflation, biflation, stagflation; we discuss the CPI, the PPI, and

Feb 18, 2022 • 59:21

Ask Paula: No Spouse, No Family - How Do I Financially Prepare For Care Later In Life?

Ask Paula: No Spouse, No Family - How Do I Financially Prepare For Care Later In Life?

#364: Our first caller is curious about whether he should keep his 30 year term life insurance policy or let it lapse with 12 years left on the policy? Anonymous is wondering which financial products would work best for to cover her older age care and expenses? Max is thinking through real estate and stock market returns as they relate to future population trends. Ramon asks us about the details behind infinite banking. Do you have a question on business, money, trade-offs, financial independenc

Feb 9, 2022 • 1:11:21

Two Types of Intelligence, with Harvard Professor Arthur Brooks

Two Types of Intelligence, with Harvard Professor Arthur Brooks

#363: In our 20’s and 30’s, we have high levels of fluid intelligence, or raw intellectual horsepower. We can ace tests, impress people with our memory and recall, and analyze facts, documents and data. But in our 40’s and 50’s, we have higher levels of crystallized intelligence, which allows us to draw together novel insights from across domains. Fluid intelligence allows us to analyze, or break apart. Crystallized intelligence allows us to synthesize, or put together. Each type of intelligence

Feb 4, 2022 • 1:04:28

Ask Paula: Okay Seriously, Why Hasn’t Anyone Solved the Budgeting Issue?

Ask Paula: Okay Seriously, Why Hasn’t Anyone Solved the Budgeting Issue?

#362: David is questioning how to better manage his spending. He’d like a stronger framework to think through budgeting challenges. Elisa and her husband bought a home, and now they’re saving extra income every month. She has a pension and her husband is an entrepreneur. How much should they be saving for retirement and how should they invest their extra money? Geoff invested primarily in taxable brokerage accounts for the last twenty years. He’s built a $6 million portfolio and reached financia

Feb 1, 2022 • 1:27:00

The GameStop Revolution, One Year Later — with Spencer Jakab

The GameStop Revolution, One Year Later — with Spencer Jakab

#361: Wall Street Journal columnist Spencer Jakab marks the one-year anniversary of that weird time when the subReddit Wall St Bets pumped shares of meme stocks like GameStop and AMC Theaters, triggering a short squeeze that forced several hedge funds to lose billions. What did we learn from that experience? And how do we actually take down Wall Street? How do we launch a truly effective financial revolution? We share those insights in today’s episode. Subscribe to the show notes at https://affo

Jan 26, 2022 • 1:08:58

Ask Paula: I’m Worried My Parents Are Getting Ripped Off By Their Financial Advisor … Help!

Ask Paula: I’m Worried My Parents Are Getting Ripped Off By Their Financial Advisor … Help!

#360: I’m worried my parents are getting ripped off by their financial advisor. What should I do? My wife is trying to qualify for student loan forgiveness … but we might lose a bunch of tax benefits in the process. Is it worth the risk? I’m enrolling in grad school, and I want to optimize how to pay for rent and groceries. Should I use money from a 529 plan? Three callers. Three questions. In today's episode, former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these tough Q’s. Enjoy! Do you hav

Jan 19, 2022 • 57:49

The Four Quadrants of A Successful Life, with Andrew Hallam

The Four Quadrants of A Successful Life, with Andrew Hallam

#359: Money, relationships, health and purpose: life is running smoothly when all four of these elements are working together in tandem, like wheels on a car. But how can we make spending and investing choices that facilitate stronger relationships, better health and a deeper sense of purpose? Andrew Hallam, who became a millionaire on a teacher’s salary, shares researched-backed, evidence-based insights into how to find balance, drawing from the worlds of behavioral finance and stock market his

Jan 12, 2022 • 1:06:10

Ask Paula: Should I Invest in Index Funds More Actively?

Ask Paula: Should I Invest in Index Funds More Actively?

#358: Where is the balance between the risks and potential returns of actively and passively investing in index funds?Where do you place your savings after you max out your retirement and HSA accounts? How do you finance building a rental unit when there’s already a home on the lot? Is it more beneficial to buy back pension time with post tax deductions or a 457b plan? Or should I not buy back pension time at all? In today’s episode, former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I discuss the purpo

Jan 8, 2022 • 1:13:30

Practical Investing and the Efficient Frontier, with Joe Saul-Sehy

Practical Investing and the Efficient Frontier, with Joe Saul-Sehy

#357: Discussing advanced investing topics with me is former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy. You may recognize him from the Ask Paula episodes, but we discuss financial topics shared in his new book "STACKED: Your Super-Serious Guide to Modern Money Management" - co-authored with Emily Guy Birken. Subscribe to the show notes at https://affordanything.com/shownotes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 5, 2022 • 1:07:03

Ask Paula: FIRE vs. FOMO -- How Do You Balance Between These?

Ask Paula: FIRE vs. FOMO -- How Do You Balance Between These?

#356: How do you find balance between smart money management vs. missing out on opportunities? Should you pile money into investments or take that dream trip to Tanzania? What should you do when your heart leads you to a decision that doesn't make sense on paper? In today's episode, former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I discuss the purpose and practice of mindful money. Subscribe to the show notes at https://affordanything.com/shownotes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoic

Dec 29, 2021 • 53:21

A Hospice Doctor's Advice on Financial Independence, with Jordan Grumet

A Hospice Doctor's Advice on Financial Independence, with Jordan Grumet

#355: When Jordan Grumet realized he has achieved financial independence, he fell into a deep depression. He didn’t know who he was anymore, he says, and he didn’t know what should come next. He learned about how to deal with us by observing his hospice patients. In this episode, Grumet, a hospice doctor, describes how working with the dying has taught him about life. Subscribe to the show notes at affordanything.com/shownotes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 21, 2021 • 1:01:59

Ask Paula: How Do I Make Sure I Don't Spend the Money I've Invested?

Ask Paula: How Do I Make Sure I Don't Spend the Money I've Invested?

#354: Charlie in Cali has enough money saved to pay cash for a house, but she and her husband decided to finance their home, instead. They’d rather invest the money and arbitrage the spread. But one problem: how can they keep themselves from touching this investment? Jay is choosing between Fidelity and M1 Finance, and has questions about tax loss harvesting. Nicole and her siblings will be inheriting some properties that they eventually plan to sell. How should they set up or organize these pro

Dec 16, 2021 • 1:04:02

The Secret to Perfect Timing

The Secret to Perfect Timing

#353: Daniel Pink joins us to discuss an unusual theory: (1) that our energy rises, falls, and then rises again; (2) that this pattern plays out across our days (morning energy, afternoon slump, nighttime second wind); (3) this also plays out across our lives, with serious implications for how we spend those “muddled middle” years of our 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. Get the show notes delivered to your inbox by visiting https://affordanything.com/shownotes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcast

Dec 9, 2021 • 1:23:28

Ask Paula: Should I Pull Money from My Emergency Fund to Invest or Pay Off Debt?

Ask Paula: Should I Pull Money from My Emergency Fund to Invest or Pay Off Debt?

#352: Anna and her husband have volatile income, but Anna thinks that having 18 months of living expenses is unnecessary. She’s torn between paying off her student loans ($30,000) or investing the money. Mentally, she always figured she would pay off her debt first, but wouldn’t investing pay off in the long run? Charlotte and her husband are taking a phased approach to financial independence, where they need to bridge two gaps before they each turn 59 ½. How can they calculate how much they nee

Dec 3, 2021 • 1:10:04

The Six Myths of Productivity

The Six Myths of Productivity

#351: Geoff Woods, Vice President of The ONE Thing and host of The ONE Thing podcast, is an expert on ruthless prioritization, habit development, and goal setting. The simple framework he presents allows you to focus deeply and commit to the actions you need to take if you want to take your productivity to the next level this year. Get the show notes delivered to your inbox by visiting https://affordanything.com/shownotes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 2, 2021 • 1:15:25

Ask Paula: How Much Should We Spend on a Wedding?

Ask Paula: How Much Should We Spend on a Wedding?

#350: Anonymous and her husband have set themselves on the path of saving for retirement. But an old mistake haunts them: a financial planner convinced them to buy a mix of whole and term life insurance, which costs them $700 per month. Do they need whole life insurance, and where else can they save their money? Mike has $60,000 in cash earning one percent interest. He has plans to buy a home and get married in three to five years. Where else can he put his cash to earn a little more? Is the sto

Nov 23, 2021 • 1:04:22

A Candid Conversation with Mr. Money Mustache & Paula Pant

A Candid Conversation with Mr. Money Mustache & Paula Pant

#349: A frank and candid conversation about life, dead-lifting, and enjoying the hell out of doing meaningful work. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode349 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 19, 2021 • 1:08:59

Ask Paula: How Should We Invest to Retire By Our Mid-40’s?

Ask Paula: How Should We Invest to Retire By Our Mid-40’s?

#348: Aja’s mom is 75 and has to take required minimum distributions from her IRA. She doesn’t need the money. Where should she put it? Anonymous from MA is flummoxed by HSA-compatible health plans. His copay and deductible are awful, and even bronze plans seem better. Are HSA plans overrated, or does the math work out? Julia and her husband, both 27, want to retire by their early to mid-40s. Is there a point at which they should stop contributing to tax advantaged accounts and only contribute t

Nov 9, 2021 • 1:12:29

The Radical Invention of the Index Fund, with Robin Wigglesworth

The Radical Invention of the Index Fund, with Robin Wigglesworth

#347: Back in the 1960’s, Jack Bogle thought that actively-managed mutual funds performed better than a passive indexing strategy.He pseudonymously published a paper saying so.But academic data from the University of Chicago challenged his preconceived notions. He attended seminars that showed how the drag on returns that come from management fees and trading costs, coupled with the reality that the bulk of gains come from a hard-to-predict handful of equities (a concept known as “skew”

Nov 5, 2021 • 56:37

Ask Paula: How Can We Reach Financial Independence by 35?

Ask Paula: How Can We Reach Financial Independence by 35?

#346: Pensions make Chad uncomfortable, to the point of quitting his job to roll his $175,000 over to an IRA. Is the 12 percent match his employer offers good enough to beat the two percent growth of his pension? Or should he leave and never look back? Anonymous and his wife have $275,000 saved and a child on the way. They’re 27 and want to reach financial independence by 35. They want to buy a house, but with this crazy market, what’s the smartest way for them to use their savings? Anonymous an

Nov 2, 2021 • 1:02:56

How to Understand Your Medical Bill, with Marshall Allen

How to Understand Your Medical Bill, with Marshall Allen

#345: Let’s talk about one of the biggest expenses you might ever encounter: health care costs. When you get a hospital bill, do you understand it? After all, it looks like it’s written in code (and sometimes it literally is). How do you know if the bill is accurate? Has everything been coded properly? Are you being charged for the services that you actually received? If you need to dispute an item, what’s the process? Pulitzer Prize finalist Marshall Allen joins us to shed light on the complex

Oct 26, 2021 • 49:04

Ask Paula: I’m Bored at Work, and I’m 14 Years from Retirement; Should I Tough It Out?

Ask Paula: I’m Bored at Work, and I’m 14 Years from Retirement; Should I Tough It Out?

#344: Russell’s job offers the option to contribute to a 457 plan. Since he’s in the highest tax bracket, should he take advantage of the tax deferral offered through the 457 or invest within a taxable brokerage account? Anonymous is on track to be financially independent in 14 years, but isn’t living up to her potential working a boring job. How can she live up to her potential and do more without sacrificing her quality of life? C wants to know what tax implications she should consider before

Oct 19, 2021 • 1:00:04

Are We Heading for a Housing Crash in 2022?

Are We Heading for a Housing Crash in 2022?

#343: The real estate market in 2021 has been bonkers. That’s the technical term. From 2012 to 2020, home prices nationwide rose at an annualized average of 5.8 percent per year. From April 2020 to April 2021, home prices climbed 17.2 percent. This sudden surge in prices has many homeowners and would-be investors fearful of a crash. The memories of the stark price run-up prior to The Great Recession are all too salient. What goes up must come down, right? Not exactly. In this episode, we walk th

Oct 11, 2021 • 59:40

Ask Paula: How to Make Smarter Real Estate Decisions

Ask Paula: How to Make Smarter Real Estate Decisions

#342: Russell is a busy professional who’d like to invest passively in real estate. Is there data he can use to compare this approach to owning and managing their own properties? Laura wants to purchase her first investment property in Miami. Should she cash out some RSUs and stock from her company to use as a down payment? And what type of mortgage is she eligible for since she already owns a home? Jordan and his wife own three properties and are under contract on a new house since they have a

Oct 4, 2021 • 1:07:39

Courage and The Consequences of Inaction, with Ryan Holiday

Courage and The Consequences of Inaction, with Ryan Holiday

#341: Imagine a line.Cowardice exists at one extreme end of that line. Recklessness exists at the other extreme end.And in the balanced middle, you’ll find courage.Today’s conversation is about courage. We’re not talking about inspiring physical acts of bravery in this episode; rather, we’re discussing moral and social courage.The type of courage you need to make an investment. Buy a rental property. Invest in stocks. Start a business or side hustle. Retire early. Travel overseas. Have

Oct 2, 2021 • 56:05

How to Make $1 Million in Business with No Employees, with Elaine Pofeldt

How to Make $1 Million in Business with No Employees, with Elaine Pofeldt

#340: Imagine this: You start a side hustle. Maybe you sell planners or lead workouts in the park. You make a few thousand dollars during your first year. It’s fun beer money, but not enough to quit your day job. But you keep growing. You run this as a one-person operation, though you bring on freelancers or independent contractors. Your revenue grows into the five figures. Then six figures. After a few years, you’re running a one-person, million dollar company. This sounds like a pipe dream, ri

Sep 29, 2021 • 1:11:52

How to Invest in Real Estate, Debt-Free, from Thousands of Miles Away, with Rich Carey

How to Invest in Real Estate, Debt-Free, from Thousands of Miles Away, with Rich Carey

#339: Have you ever thought, “I’d like to invest in rental real estate but there are no cheap properties in my area!” “Homes in my city are too expensive. I’d have to invest out-of-state, but that sounds terrifying.” Or have you ever thought, “I’m curious about real estate but I’m not a fan of the idea of taking on all that debt.” Today’s interview is right up your alley. We talk to Rich Carey, who bought 20 single-family rental properties in Alabama, totally debt-free, while stationed in German

Sep 24, 2021 • 1:14:34

Why Investors Need a Latticework of Ideas, with Morgan Housel

Why Investors Need a Latticework of Ideas, with Morgan Housel

#338: This month, we’re running four episodes based around the four pillars of F.I.R.E. — financial psychology, investing, real estate and entrepreneurship. Today’s episode, which originally aired in April 2018, offers advice to investors who want to sharpen and hone their competitive edge. Here are three lessons from this conversation with investment writer Morgan Housel: Lesson #1: Great investors need patience and humility. Lesson #2: Read broadly. Don’t just read books about finance and inve

Sep 14, 2021 • 1:04:22

Habits are Overrated, with Kristen Berman

Habits are Overrated, with Kristen Berman

#337: Meet Kristen Berman, a top researcher in the field of behavioral economics. She’s the co-founder of Irrational Labs, which designs products that are evidence-based in the behavioral sciences. Her co-founder, Dan Ariely, is the James B. Duke Professor of psychology and behavioral economics at Duke University, and one of the most famous behavioral economists in the world. Here are some of the (counterintuitive!) ideas that Kristen shares: Habits are overrated. Automate instead Budgeting do

Sep 8, 2021 • 1:01:26

Ask Paula: Should We Sell a Condo if We’re Barely Breaking Even?

Ask Paula: Should We Sell a Condo if We’re Barely Breaking Even?

#336: Anonymous and his partner have a one-bedroom condo that they rent out in Pasadena, CA. The problem? They’re barely breaking even. Should they keep the condo, or sell it and make better use of the profits?Sam wants to know: how much of an emergency fund does a rental property need?Michael and his wife expect their taxable income to be less than $10,000 this year. Should Michael (age 56) take distributions from his 401k to minimize or eliminate their income tax burden?Shanon wants t

Sep 3, 2021 • 1:10:09

What You Think You Want vs. What You Really Want, with Luke Burgis

What You Think You Want vs. What You Really Want, with Luke Burgis

#335: Have you ever spent years studying the wrong major, climbing the ladder at the wrong company, chasing the wrong career?  Have you spent years living in the wrong city? Wrong relationship? Wrong lifestyle? It’s hard to discern what *we think we want* from what we really want. Society teaches us what we’re “supposed” to want. And we follow along. The result is keeping up with the Joneses. It’s the hedonic treadmill. It’s lifestyle inflation. And it causes conflict, both within ourselves and

Sep 1, 2021 • 1:06:54

Ask Paula -- What Paintbrush Did Michelangelo Use? (said no one ever)

Ask Paula -- What Paintbrush Did Michelangelo Use? (said no one ever)

#334: In today’s episode, we answer three questions from a college senior named Rafael. He asks about productivity tools and tactics, student debt, Robinhood and market investing, and how to establish yourself as an expert in a given domain. We answer his questions by widening the lens. People often ask about productivity tools. “Do you use Asana or Trello?” But nobody asked Michelangelo what paintbrush he used to paint the Sistine Chapel. The discussion around tools misses the point, which is t

Aug 25, 2021 • 1:03:44

The End of Recessions?, with Ben Carlson

The End of Recessions?, with Ben Carlson

#333: In the 1890s and early 1900’s, we had recessions every two years. From 2009 to 2020, we enjoyed an 11-year bull run, the longest bull run in history. And when we finally had a recession, it lasted only two months. It was the shortest recession in U.S. history. The duration between recessions is growing longer (these days, we average 10 years between recessions, as opposed to two years at the turn of the previous century). And when recessions strike, we recover faster. The average length of

Aug 18, 2021 • 1:05:34

Ask Paula: What’s the Point of Financial Independence if I’m Not Going to Retire?

Ask Paula: What’s the Point of Financial Independence if I’m Not Going to Retire?

#332: Ginger’s financial independence (FI) number is $2 million, but she doesn’t want to fully retire early. Once she hits ‘coast’ FI, she wants to 1) buy her time back with outsourcing, 2) take a mini-retirement, and 3) buy a vacation home. Does it make sense for her to divert retirement contributions to these goals, or should she aim to save $2M? Wilson plans to have a two percent withdrawal rate in retirement. Given this low rate, should he go all-in on stocks? Or should he split up his retir

Aug 12, 2021 • 1:01:22

Four Thousand Weeks, with Oliver Burkeman

Four Thousand Weeks, with Oliver Burkeman

#331: Four thousand weeks. That’s how long we live if we’re lucky enough to celebrate our 80th birthday. We rarely think of our lifespan in terms of weeks. When we do, it seems painfully short. And that’s the point that Oliver Burkeman, author of Four Thousand Weeks, wants to drive home. Rather than fight a losing battle against time, Oliver recommends that we embrace our cosmic insignificance, redefine what a meaningful life looks like, choose what to fail at, burn bridges, and ruthlessly limit

Aug 7, 2021 • 54:44

Ask Paula: How Do I Know If I’m Ready to Retire?

Ask Paula: How Do I Know If I’m Ready to Retire?

#330: Linda is 58 and wondering how to account for her Social Security benefits when thinking through the 25x expenditure equation. Her expected expenses are $100,000 - $150,000. How can she figure out if she’s ready to retire? Alise has dreamed of living abroad for long periods of time and wants to buy a property in Portugal before the minimum spend requirement increases. Should she go through with this, or is there another way to gain dual citizenship or travel abroad for long periods of time?

Aug 2, 2021 • 52:02

Challenging Your Confirmation Bias, with Economist Larry Kotlikoff

Challenging Your Confirmation Bias, with Economist Larry Kotlikoff

#329: Have you ever thought about how an economist views financial planning? Would you guess that it's vastly different from how some financial planners approach this work? Today's guest, Laurence Kotlikoff, is a Professor of Economics at Boston University. The Economist named him one of the world's 25 most influential economists in 2014. Professor Kotlikoff has written 19 books, and hundreds of professional articles and Op-Eds. He's here to explain why economists take a different view than fina

Jul 29, 2021 • 1:05:03

Ask Paula: I’m on the Verge of Retirement and My Taxes are Rising … Help!

Ask Paula: I’m on the Verge of Retirement and My Taxes are Rising … Help!

#328: Sarah O Sahara’s parents sold their rentals and business of 24 years. They’d like to create a trust for their grandkids with boundaries in place to avoid entitlement. How should they structure this trust? Anonymous in Canada has a fully paid off condo that she wants to turn into a rental once her new townhome is ready. Should she mortgage against the condo to reduce the mortgage on her townhome? Are there any tax benefits to having a mortgage on a rental? Luis’s wife wants to start moonlig

Jul 21, 2021 • 1:01:06

Decoding Greatness, with Ron Friedman, Ph.D

Decoding Greatness, with Ron Friedman, Ph.D

#327: The stories of success that highlight talent and hard work don’t tell a complete picture. The best artists, athletes, and entrepreneurs don’t always have innate talent. Not all of them have put in 10,000 hours of practice. What sets them apart is their framework for learning. Award-winning social psychologist Dr. Ron Friedman discusses his new book, Decoding Greatness, which answers the question, “why are some people so good at what they do, and what can we learn from this?” You’ll learn h

Jul 14, 2021 • 1:03:25

Ask Paula: The Dangers of Frugality

Ask Paula: The Dangers of Frugality

#326: Anonymous is struggling with being too frugal, possibly to the detriment of her health. I mentioned in a previous episode that I struggled with frugality for a long time. She wants to know: in what ways was frugality a hindrance or an asset, and how did I get myself out of such a frugal mindset? John and his wife aren’t sure how much they should contribute to their daughter’s Ohio 529 plan. They want her to graduate from undergrad debt-free, but they imagine she’ll get help from scholarshi

Jul 7, 2021 • 1:04:33

Bitcoin for Beginners

Bitcoin for Beginners

#325: Okay, so everyone and their dog is talking about Bitcoin — but what exactly is it? And what’s Ethereum? If you’re feeling lost in the topic and confused by the jargon, start with this episode in which we cover the basics about blockchain technology and cryptocurrency. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode325 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 2, 2021 • 50:47

Ask Paula: I Make $50,000; How Can I Buy a House?

Ask Paula: I Make $50,000; How Can I Buy a House?

#324: Rob and his fiancé are grappling with what to do about her $400,000 of federal student loan debt. Should they pay it off immediately, or bank on a 20-year dismissal? “Nurse Dreaming of FI” isn’t sure what her family’s next financial move should be. She’s torn between investing extra money into index funds, or using it to buy a fix-and-flip. Her goal is to make work optional. Which path will lead her there? Daniel recently discovered the financial independence retire early (FIRE) movement a

Jun 28, 2021 • 1:14:14

What's in Store for the Economy and the Future of Work?, with ChooseFI hosts Brad Barrett and Jonathan Mendonsa

What's in Store for the Economy and the Future of Work?, with ChooseFI hosts Brad Barrett and Jonathan Mendonsa

#323: Brad and Jonathan from ChooseFI join us for a deep philosophical and practical discussion around what we learned from 2020. We explore... What the pandemic taught us about work, finance, and life The importance of being mentally and logistically nimble and flexible The distinction between directionality vs methodology What we’ve learned about how to get a job, what type of education to get, and what to do with the rest of our lives For more information, visit the show notes at https:/

Jun 21, 2021 • 1:28:08

Ask Paula: If I Retire at 50, How Do I Bridge the Gap?

Ask Paula: If I Retire at 50, How Do I Bridge the Gap?

#322: Jess wants to reach financial independence by the time she’s 50. But she’s worried that she doesn’t have enough money in cash or taxable brokerage accounts to bridge the gap in her first few years of retirement. What moves should she make, if any? Yisell wants to invest money now. Should she cash out her $70,000 pension in hopes to generate more than the $1,000 per month she’s guaranteed from it? Abbey is 22 and she would like to go back to graduate school for nurse anesthesia. Should she

Jun 18, 2021 • 1:17:33

How to Transition to Your Dream Career, with Ashley Stahl

How to Transition to Your Dream Career, with Ashley Stahl

#321: Have you dreamed of making a career transition, only to realize you have no idea where to start, who to talk to, or how to convey your skills to interviewers? Career expert Ashley Stahl has the information you need to take control of your career and pivot into something new. Ashley struggled with this, too -- but in the process, she figured out a system for identifying someone’s core skills and core nature to find a career and company more aligned with both. She also chats about the 10 cor

Jun 8, 2021 • 1:11:44

Ask Paula: Thinking about Money from First Principles

Ask Paula: Thinking about Money from First Principles

#320: Rob is hoping to retire at age 60, but he has a pesky mortgage balance he wants to eliminate beforehand. He and his wife expect to inherit $300,000. Should they use this money to pay off their mortgage or should they bulk up their retirement accounts? Another anonymous caller has two separate questions. One is about the tax efficiencies of ETFs vs. mutual funds, while the other is about Ginny Mae funds and whether there are bond funds that have an inverse relationship with equities. Priya

Jun 4, 2021 • 1:21:40

The Scout Mindset, with Julia Galef

The Scout Mindset, with Julia Galef

#319: Julia Galef is an acclaimed expert on rational decision making. She’s hosted the Rationally Speaking podcast for the last decade, and she’s passionate about good reasoning. Her book, The Scout Mindset, highlights the importance of looking at situations objectively and honestly. This is something a lot of people struggle with -- humans are often irrational -- but Julia argues that this is a skill that we can develop with self-awareness.  In this interview, she shares the difference between

Jun 1, 2021 • 1:07:43

Ask Paula: How to Think About Finances at the 30,000-Foot Level

Ask Paula: How to Think About Finances at the 30,000-Foot Level

#318: Joe is a new real estate agent and he’s looking for ways to save. Is opening a SEP IRA a good account when you’re no longer a W2 employee? Grace has a similar concern: she’s a tutor, but she’s paid as a contractor. Should she forget about her Vanguard brokerage account and open a SEP IRA or Solo 401k? Kim is newly divorced and celebrating the freedom to make her own financial decisions. She’s struggling to make a living -- also as a new realtor -- and wants to get started with real estate.

May 25, 2021 • 1:00:10

How to Win at Work & Succeed at Life, with Michael Hyatt & Megan Hyatt Miller

How to Win at Work & Succeed at Life, with Michael Hyatt & Megan Hyatt Miller

#317: What if work and life can coexist together - without enormous trade-offs? What if all you have to do is ruthlessly prioritize within each area and manage the rest with automation and delegation? If it sounds like a pipedream, it’s not. Guests Michael Hyatt & Megan Hyatt Miller, authors of Win at Work & Succeed at Life, share how work/life balance is more achievable than you think. They also discuss how constraints increase productivity, why working over 40 hours a week can harm your mental

May 19, 2021 • 1:07:12

Ask Paula: I Doubled My Investments During the Pandemic. What Should I Do Next?

Ask Paula: I Doubled My Investments During the Pandemic. What Should I Do Next?

#316: Pauly from Portland doubled the inheritance money he received from $50,000 to $100,000 during the pandemic. Now he’s wondering if it’s okay to use this $100,000 as a downpayment on a home in Portland. Is that a wise use of the money? Preethi accidentally withdrew funds from her Roth IRA as an excess distribution, and she’s already filed her taxes. What should she know for tax time next year? Michele wants to reach financial independence (FI), and her grandparents are leaving her their hous

May 11, 2021 • 1:21:41

The Science of Behavioral Change, with Katy Milkman

The Science of Behavioral Change, with Katy Milkman

#315: Do you ever grapple with the differences between your present self and your ideal self? Katy Milkman, host of the Choiceology podcast and the James G. Dinan Professor at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, shares the science of getting from where you are now to where you want to be. Her book, How to Change, is a “science-based blueprint for achieving your goals, once and for all.” In this discussion, Katy reveals Why your strategy is key to making lasting change How we

May 7, 2021 • 1:03:24

Ask Paula: I’m Worried About My Parent’s Retirement. What Should I Do?

Ask Paula: I’m Worried About My Parent’s Retirement. What Should I Do?

#314: Briale opened a Variable Annuity inside a 403b at work when she was 23. She has 17 years to go before retirement. As an elementary school teacher, her pension will be $6,000 per month. Should she stop contributing to the annuity and contribute to a Roth IRA instead? Hunter put a credit freeze on his two children’s credit, which required sending each credit union documentation via mail. Experian and TransUnion confirmed the credit freeze, but Equifax didn’t. Upon calling, the representative

May 5, 2021 • 1:19:36

The Unspoken Rules that Could Cost You Thousands, with Gorick Ng

The Unspoken Rules that Could Cost You Thousands, with Gorick Ng

#313: Do you know the unspoken rules about how to get ahead in your workplace or industry (and as a result, how to earn more)? Unspoken rules, and the corresponding social norms, create a major impact in how we’re perceived in the workplace -- and therefore how often we’re promoted. But these rules are rarely taught. Managers expect us to understand these implicit rules, but they never explain them to us. How are we supposed to succeed? Gorick Ng, a career advisor at Harvard who specializes in w

Apr 28, 2021 • 1:23:39

Ask Paula: How Should I Invest $5,000 Per Month?

Ask Paula: How Should I Invest $5,000 Per Month?

#312: After paying basic living expenses and maxing out their 401k’s and Roth IRAs, Caroline and her partner have $4,000 - $5,000 left each month. Where should they put this money if their goal is to simply have their money work harder for them? Sanjay is torn between selling his townhome or renting it out. The rental numbers don’t work on his 15-year mortgage -- should he refinance to a 30-year mortgage instead? Kyle wants to construct a portfolio with the highest Sharpe ratios and wants to kno

Apr 19, 2021 • 1:21:46

The Surprising Solution to Overthinking, with Jon Acuff

The Surprising Solution to Overthinking, with Jon Acuff

#311: Do you find yourself overthinking and getting stuck in unproductive thought loops? According to a study commissioned by today’s guest, 99.5 percent of 10,000 people said they overthink. Chances are, you can relate. That guest is Jon Acuff -- a New York Times bestselling author who loves to nerd out about goals. In this discussion, he shares 10 signs you're overthinking, explains the differences between overthinking and being prepared, and presents a framework called the three R’s (retire,

Apr 12, 2021 • 1:11:30

Ask Paula: What Should I Do With $25,000?

Ask Paula: What Should I Do With $25,000?

#310: Greta is tired of financial modesty. She wants to achieve financial independence through diversified income streams, and has her eyes set on owning local duplexes. What should she focus on to make this happen?  Jeannie wants to know: when should you scale back 401k contributions so you can invest in something else, like real estate? Steph and her husband came into $25,000 and aren’t sure what to do with it. Should they pay off their student loans, save it towards a house and starting a fam

Apr 7, 2021 • 1:23:39

Are We Due For Another Housing Market Crash?

Are We Due For Another Housing Market Crash?

#309: Are we in a housing bubble? Are we going to see a repeat of 2006 all over again? Are there any good investment deals to be found right now? These are the questions playing on many people's minds, and we seek to explore the answers in today's First Friday bonus episode. We start by exploring some of the forces that are at play in today's real estate market. What separates the market of 2006 from the market of today? In the second half of the episode, Paula explains how and why she chose to

Apr 3, 2021 • 40:58

Ask Paula: I Want to Travel After I Retire; How Much Should I Save?

Ask Paula: I Want to Travel After I Retire; How Much Should I Save?

#308: Ziggy purchased an $890,000 property in San Mateo, CA in 2016. After living there for a year, he had to move, so he rented it out. Unfortunately, it’s cash flow negative. Is this property worth holding onto, or should he sell? Vivek has a paid-off primary residence that he’s interested in renting out for a few years, before selling. He’s worried about capital gains tax – does turning the home into a rental impact the amount he’ll pay? Anonymous in Virginia wants to travel after retiring, w

Mar 29, 2021 • 1:01:02

The Tax Risks That Could Blow Up Your Retirement Plan, with Ed Slott

The Tax Risks That Could Blow Up Your Retirement Plan, with Ed Slott

#307: “Taxes are the single biggest factor that separates people from their retirement dreams.” That’s a quote from today’s guest, Ed Slott, a nationally recognized IRA distribution expert, practicing CPA, and bestselling author. He argues that there’s a high likelihood that tax rates could rise in the future, and as a result, we need to shovel more money into tax-exempt accounts like Roth IRA and Roth 401k’s. Ed says taxes are one of the biggest threats to our retirement plans, and draws attent

Mar 24, 2021 • 1:23:10

Ask Paula: How to Shift From Financial Independence to a Mini-Retirement?

Ask Paula: How to Shift From Financial Independence to a Mini-Retirement?

#306: Jake and his wife want to retire in five years, at which point they’ll have 14 years before they can access their 401k funds. To help bridge that gap, Jake wants to know: what should their asset allocation look like for their taxable brokerage account? This year, Kim’s employer enrolled all employees into a “fully funded indemnity program combined with a nationwide direct primary care membership.” What the heck is this program, and how might it impact Kim’s finances? Burnt Out in Boston is

Mar 17, 2021 • 1:14:21

The 7 Steps to Financial Independence + 7 Rules of Investing, with JD Roth

The 7 Steps to Financial Independence + 7 Rules of Investing, with JD Roth

#305: Financial independence is a continuum, a spectrum. How do you know where you stand? In this episode, financial writer JD Roth discusses the seven stages of financial independence, the seven rules of investing, the formula for calculating your lifetime wealth ratio, and the importance of managing your career as though it’s an asset. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode305 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 10, 2021 • 1:26:05

Ask Paula: Help! I Can Only Save $200 a Month

Ask Paula: Help! I Can Only Save $200 a Month

#304: Paige and her fiancé have two autumn 2021 goals: save for a wedding and an emergency fund. There’s one problem: they only have around $200 per month to save. How can they grow the gap when they’ve run out of things to cut and ways to earn more? Kat’s investor friend connected her with a wholesaler who only deals in cash. How can she find $130,000 to buy her subject property? Anonymous “Countryside Living” is renting their grandparent’s property, which they plan to make their forever home.

Mar 5, 2021 • 1:20:22

A World Without Email, with Cal Newport

A World Without Email, with Cal Newport

#303: Can you imagine living in a world without email? Most of us can’t - how would we get work done? - but this is what Cal Newport advocates for in his newest book, A World Without Email. Cal cites a study that found the average knowledge worker checks various communication tools once every six minutes. At that rate, it’s a wonder we get any work done at all. Cal argues that modifying our habits (like checking email at designated times) isn’t enough. We need to look for solutions outside the i

Mar 3, 2021 • 1:27:44

The Financial Benefits of Optimism, with Michelle Gielan

The Financial Benefits of Optimism, with Michelle Gielan

#302: Did you know that optimists worry about their finances 145 fewer days than pessimists? They’re also more likely to save money, and are 7x as likely to experience better financial health. Michelle Gielan, bestselling author of Broadcasting Happiness, defines optimism “as the expectation of good things to happen and the belief that our behavior matters.” She shares specific tactics and mindset shifts we can make right now to become more optimistic and resilient, and, in the process, develop

Feb 24, 2021 • 1:03:13

Ask Paula: How Can I Reach FIRE in 11 Years?

Ask Paula: How Can I Reach FIRE in 11 Years?

#301: Amelia is worried that she and her husband are under-insured. Should her husband get a short-term disability policy, even though it’s expensive and they’re unlikely to need it? Sarah wants to refinance her owner-occupied triplex, but she’s torn between a 15-year and a 30-year option. Which is better in her situation? Steven just discovered the financial independence (FI) movement in July 2020, and he wants to reach FI in 11 years. He has $30,000 in cash and $26,000 of student loan debt. Ho

Feb 16, 2021 • 1:27:31

The Two-Fund Investment Portfolio, with Paul Merriman

The Two-Fund Investment Portfolio, with Paul Merriman

#300: Here’s the deal: Target Date Retirement Funds are simple, automated, easy. The problem? What’s simple might not be optimal. Investment expert Paul Merriman joins us to discuss the two-fund portfolio, a mix of one target date fund and one small cap value fund. He describes why this could be the ultimate portfolio for buy-and-hold investors who want to boost their returns, without excessive complexity or risk. If you’re wondering what to do with your 401k, tune in. For more information, visi

Feb 9, 2021 • 1:21:15

Ask Paula and Joe: Should I Sell My $575,000 in Tesla Stock?

Ask Paula and Joe: Should I Sell My $575,000 in Tesla Stock?

#299: Chris bought Tesla a few years ago and Jinko Solar eight months ago. Both of these have gone up in value by a lot. What tax strategies can he use to sell these shares? Holly and her three sisters stand to inherit two side-by-side duplexes. How can they structure the ownership of these properties in a fair way? Eric feels hopeless about health insurance as a self-employed business owner. Are DPCs or healthshares the way to go? Frank and his wife have a nine-year retirement plan that involve

Feb 5, 2021 • 1:05:34

How to Talk to Friends about Money, with Erin Lowry

How to Talk to Friends about Money, with Erin Lowry

#298: Money conversations with friends, family members, or significant others are unavoidable. Most of us dread these conversations - they’re awkward, heated, or draining. Erin Lowry, author of Broke Millennial Talks Money, shares tips and scripts for tactfully setting financial boundaries and expectations without drama. If you’re anxious about being in a wedding, splitting the tab with friends, or asking your siblings about taking care of your parents, this episode is for you. For more informat

Feb 3, 2021 • 56:37

PSA Thursday Part II: Let the People Trade!

PSA Thursday Part II: Let the People Trade!

This morning, almost every major brokerage halted trading on the most volatile stocks, including GameStop, BlackBerry, Bed Bath & Beyond, Nokia, and AMC Theaters. We're in a situation where major trading platforms are blocking retail investors - us - from placing trades, while allowing hedge funds and institutional investors to drive prices. That is not a free market. When you don't let people buy, and you don't let people sell, you're locking people out of the game entirely. Yesterday, I was wo

Jan 28, 2021 • 9:21

PSA Thursday: Wall Street Bets, GameStop, and the Rise of Meme Stocks

PSA Thursday: Wall Street Bets, GameStop, and the Rise of Meme Stocks

If you blinked, you missed the biggest stock market story since the crash of March 2020. It’s a story that led GameStop, a brick-and-mortar company that sells *physical* video games (remember when games came on 5.25-inch floppy disks?), to skyrocket its share price by 700 percent in two weeks. It’s a story of short selling, of high-frequency trading, and of individual investors who harbor deep anger towards hedge funds. It’s a story of social media vs. Wall Street ... and the innocent bystander

Jan 28, 2021 • 22:35

Ask Paula: Should I Househack or Pay Off My Student Loans?

Ask Paula: Should I Househack or Pay Off My Student Loans?

#297: George is torn between paying down his student loan debt (which he deferred) or buying a househack. Which is better for his long-term goal of reaching financial independence? Mario is curious to know: is his two-fund portfolio at a 90/10 split is a good asset allocation for his Roth IRA? Hanan wants to figure out if a backdoor Roth IRA conversion will work for her. She also wants to investigate whether a Vanguard Institutional 500 Index Trust and a Vanguard Institutional Total Bond Market

Jan 25, 2021 • 1:13:17

Investing is the Art of Probabilistic Thinking

Investing is the Art of Probabilistic Thinking

#296: There’s a lot happening in the market. The Dow is at a new high, there are runaway stocks causing irrational exuberance, and yet, unemployment claims are on the rise. How can this be? To make sense of this, we discuss how improving judgment and using mental models can protect us against risks and short-term thinking. We review one question people rarely ask that might save them from making costly investment mistakes. We then wrap up with a discussion on the so-called death of cities, and w

Jan 20, 2021 • 59:18

What Your Childhood Taught You About Money, with Rachel Cruze

What Your Childhood Taught You About Money, with Rachel Cruze

#295: How well do you know yourself and the reasons why you manage money in the way that you do? You might not know at all, or you might have some degree of understanding, but digging into your money story can shed insight on your behaviors with money today. Rachel Cruze, four-time bestselling author and daughter of Dave Ramsey, shares three frameworks that can help us better understand our money habits. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode295 Learn mo

Jan 12, 2021 • 1:18:07

Ask Paula: If I Were to Interview Suze Orman Again Today, How Would It Go?

Ask Paula: If I Were to Interview Suze Orman Again Today, How Would It Go?

#294: Jeffrey is curious: if I were to interview Suze Orman today, would I agree more or less with her thoughts on the financial independence retire early (FIRE) movement? Matt wants to know: if a property cash flows really well, is it worth paying significantly more than the appraised value to purchase that income stream? Sara and her husband are returning to the states after living abroad for a few years. They’re moving to an expensive area where three to four bedroom homes cost $800,000+. The

Jan 4, 2021 • 1:17:23

The One Question That Makes Everything Easier, with Geoff Woods

The One Question That Makes Everything Easier, with Geoff Woods

#293: Geoff Woods, Vice President of The ONE Thing and host of The ONE Thing podcast, is an expert on ruthless prioritization, habit development, and goal setting. The simple framework he presents allows you to focus deeply and commit to the actions you need to take if you want to take your productivity to the next level this year. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode293 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 1, 2021 • 1:14:59

PSA Thursday: Kickoff 2021 with a 31-Day Challenge

PSA Thursday: Kickoff 2021 with a 31-Day Challenge

Sign up to take the 31-Day Challenge for an Awesome 2021 at https://affordanything.com/31daychallenge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 31, 2020 • 23:56

Ask Paula: I’m an Investor Who likes Volatility; What Should I Buy?

Ask Paula: I’m an Investor Who likes Volatility; What Should I Buy?

#292: Three Kids, FI has an all-equities broad stock market index portfolio that he’s held for years. He’s confident he can handle maximum volatility, so what investments can he lean into to that will provide him with great long-term returns? Jordan is a new listener and he has three questions: should he use $100,000 to buy more rental properties or invest in a brokerage account? Should he and his wife upgrade their home and buy a property that’s worth double their current home? And finally, how

Dec 29, 2020 • 1:02:17

PSA Thursday - Year-End Tax Moves to Finish 2020

PSA Thursday - Year-End Tax Moves to Finish 2020

Welcome back to PSA Thursday, a weekly-ish segment in which we talk about how to handle money, work, and life in the year that is 2020. Today, we focus on the importance of end-of-year tax planning before you ring in 2021. We cover these tips: Open a retirement account  Adjust your tax withholdings Check your 529 Plan  Make charitable contributions Why this could be a good year to make a Roth conversion Spend down the balance in your FSA For more information, visit the show notes at

Dec 24, 2020 • 16:08

How to Command Respect at Work, with Tracy Tutor

How to Command Respect at Work, with Tracy Tutor

#291: Tracy Tutor is the author of Fear is Just a Four-Letter Word as well as the first female real estate broker on Million Dollar Listing LA. Tracy took her 20 years of experience in the industry and distilled the lessons she learned into this book. During our conversation, she shares tips and tactics for overcoming a fear of speaking out, how humor can help us connect with others, and why it’s important not to silence our inner voices. For more information, visit the show notes at https://aff

Dec 22, 2020 • 52:23

Ask Paula: Is Upgrading Our Lifestyle Worth Mortgaging a More Expensive House?

Ask Paula: Is Upgrading Our Lifestyle Worth Mortgaging a More Expensive House?

#290: Sharon owns two condos that are worth $1.4M and has a cash cushion of $120,000 plus a $50,000 emergency fund. She’d like to move into a small house while keeping her cash cushion intact. Should she take out a home equity loan on her mortgage to essentially pay for her house in cash, or get a traditional mortgage and use her savings towards the downpayment? Jury and her partner are torn between two options: buying a condo, which would allow them to live off of one salary and invest the othe

Dec 15, 2020 • 56:46

PSA Thursday: What’s Happening with Student Loans?

PSA Thursday: What’s Happening with Student Loans?

An update on the latest news in student loan forgiveness and forbearance, plus smart strategies for student loan repayment in 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 11, 2020 • 14:47

Business Principles that Improve Your Life, with Josh Kaufman

Business Principles that Improve Your Life, with Josh Kaufman

#289: Josh Kaufman, bestselling author of The Personal MBA, discusses the five parts to every business and how this information applies to everyone - not just entrepreneurs. He shares many examples and ideas on how to level up your business or career through simple steps. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode289 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 8, 2020 • 1:05:26

Ask Paula: How Should You Invest a $1 Million Lump Sum?

Ask Paula: How Should You Invest a $1 Million Lump Sum?

#288: Karen and her wife are in their 50s, financially independent, and partially retired. They need $150,000 to buy a new home, and they aren’t sure which option is best. Should they take advantage of the CARES Act and pull money from their traditional IRAs? Raid their Roths? Or take out a mortgage? Ingrid’s mom is retiring this year. To fund her retirement, she’ll sell her property for $1 million. How should she invest this money so that she can live off of it in perpetuity? Elaine has saved $

Dec 4, 2020 • 1:15:09

PSA Thursday: To Buy or Not to Buy?

PSA Thursday: To Buy or Not to Buy?

Many people in the personal finance / FIRE community have a complicated relationship with the concept of consumer spending. They may see family, friends and neighbors demonstrate one extreme -- they’re profligate spenders who will buy anything -- and, in an effort to be nothing like them, they may overcompensate by becoming extreme penny-pinchers. (I see this often at the start of a person’s FIRE journey, when the pendulum is swinging sharply in the other direction). The reality is that neithe

Dec 3, 2020 • 12:55

Put Yourself on the Hook, with Seth Godin

Put Yourself on the Hook, with Seth Godin

#287: Seth Godin is the author of 19 bestselling books on mastery, creativity, business and marketing. His books have been translated into 35 languages, and one of his books was the top bestselling marketing book of the last decade. He’s an inductee to the Marketing Hall of Fame (yes, it exists). Seth joins us today to talk about creativity, the importance of practice, and how to overcome your limiting ideas. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode287 Lea

Nov 30, 2020 • 1:03:34

PSA Thursday: How to Slash Your Food Budget, with Rosemary Fotheringham

PSA Thursday: How to Slash Your Food Budget, with Rosemary Fotheringham

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2019, Americans spent just over $8,000 on food. If you're on a tight budget, slashing your grocery bill is one of the easiest ways to spend less. But what if you don't want to compromise on healthy eating? Today's guest, Rosemary Fotheringham, is a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP) who's also on the path to financial independence. She and her husband slashed their monthly grocery bill from $1,200 down to $300 - without eating pas

Nov 26, 2020 • 30:51

Ask Paula: How Long Will It Take Me to Become a Millionaire?

Ask Paula: How Long Will It Take Me to Become a Millionaire?

#286: Kaitlyn has $78,000 saved for a property, but she isn’t sure whether she should buy a personal residence, a rental property, or both. How can she best use this money? An anonymous listener wants to lower their housing expenses. Should she and her husband buy a cheaper property and turn their current home into a rental, or should they stay and pay off the mortgage as quickly as possible while saving for a downpayment on another property? Alex is just getting started with financial independe

Nov 25, 2020 • 1:08:10

Ask Paula: How Can I Pay for Grad School?

Ask Paula: How Can I Pay for Grad School?

#285: Sam wants to use the funds in her Vanguard S&P 500 index funds for a downpayment on a house. She isn’t sure if she should keep her savings in the market. Should she move her money, and where? Hailey purchased a duplex in March and is already looking to sell due to a hostile tenant during the purchase process. How can she shift her focus from her initial return on investment to a long-term outlook? Zoe dreams of attending grad school, but her savings are locked away in retirement accounts.

Nov 20, 2020 • 54:14

PSA Thursday: Broadcasting Live from FinConX

PSA Thursday: Broadcasting Live from FinConX

Paula Pant and Andy Hill broadcast from Dallas, where they’re part of a bare-bones skeleton production crew that’s hosting the 10th annual FinCon, a conference for a community of personal finance podcasters, YouTubers and bloggers. On the evening before the event, they reflect on the importance of community, especially when it comes to learning about money management. Enjoy this behind-the-scenes glimpse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 13, 2020 • 22:05

The Psychology of Money, with Morgan Housel

The Psychology of Money, with Morgan Housel

#284: Morgan Housel is an award-winning financial journalist, and he’s a leading thinker and author in the world of investing. His new book, The Psychology of Money, highlights the influence that our behavior has on our financial success. We discuss developing self-awareness around our biases, saving like a pessimist and investing like an optimist, being critical of who we take investment advice from, diversification, expectation management, tail risks, and much more on the topic of behavioral f

Nov 9, 2020 • 1:10:27

PSA Thursday: Teaching Technology to the Elderly

PSA Thursday: Teaching Technology to the Elderly

Many of us have experienced disconnection from our loved ones this year, especially with older family members. It can be difficult to stay in touch when parents and grandparents aren't technologically savvy. They might not know how to text, how to use their cell phone to place a call, or how to initiate a video call. We hope that can change after you listen to this episode. To help us learn how we can stay connected with the senior citizens in our lives, we brought on Bria Sullivan. For the pas

Nov 5, 2020 • 36:07

Ask Paula: Could the Stock Market Be Too Much of a Gamble?

Ask Paula: Could the Stock Market Be Too Much of a Gamble?

#283: Andrea’s parents have a seemingly salesly financial advisor. He tried to get them to purchase a second life insurance policy, among other potentially pushy moves. Are her parents better off without his advice? Teresa can’t shake the feeling that the stock market is more of a gamble than an investment. Is there any advantage to holding funds for the long-run if the market drops and you lose your gains? June is curious about the best college planning strategies for families who are working t

Nov 2, 2020 • 1:11:18

PSA Thursday - The Affordable Care Act, with Tanja Hester

PSA Thursday - The Affordable Care Act, with Tanja Hester

With the uncertainty of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) looming before us, many are asking: How can we plan for healthcare - now and in the future? How much will I need to save to cover healthcare in retirement? What can I do if I can't afford the expensive premiums?  As a community of entrepreneurs and early retirees, this is a major concern. To help us understand the healthcare landscape, Tanja Hester, author of Work Optional and the blog Our Next Life, joins us. For more information, visit

Oct 31, 2020 • 48:26

The Smart Way to Start a Side Hustle, with Alan Donegan

The Smart Way to Start a Side Hustle, with Alan Donegan

#282: Alan Donegan is the cofounder of PopUp Business School. His mission is to change the way entrepreneurship is taught and to make it more accessible. If you’ve daydreamed of starting a side hustle, Alan’s simple advice and actions will give you the knowledge you need to get started now. You’ll know if your idea is viable within a month. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode282 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 30, 2020 • 1:12:45

PSA Thursday - What’s in Store for the Rest of 2020?

PSA Thursday - What’s in Store for the Rest of 2020?

After a brief hiatus, PSA Thursday is back! For this episode, we take a short break from covering current events to 1) reflect on why this show exists, and 2) give you a sneak peek of future PSA Thursday episodes. Enjoy! For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/psathursday Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 15, 2020 • 11:28

The Art of Decision-Making, with Annie Duke

The Art of Decision-Making, with Annie Duke

#281: Annie Duke, best-selling author of Thinking In Bets and former world champion poker professional, discusses the decision making strategies and tools outlined in her new book, How to Decide. Learn how to make quicker decisions, overcome hindsight bias, make decisions with incomplete information, and improve your decision making skills. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode281 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 14, 2020 • 1:17:51

Ask Paula - Could This NYC Couple Contribute Only $10,000 Per Year Towards Retirement?

Ask Paula - Could This NYC Couple Contribute Only $10,000 Per Year Towards Retirement?

#280: Amy and her husband have $900,000 saved for retirement. They’re 40 years old and plan to retire at 65. Due to a job change + pay cut, they might only have $10,000 per year to save for the next 25 years. Will this be enough, given their yearly expenses of $144,000? Janie wants to get a solar power system for her house, but isn’t sure how to pay for it. Should she borrow funds from her seven-month emergency fund, or use funds from a taxable brokerage account that were earmarked for retiremen

Oct 6, 2020 • 1:20:38

How to Avoid Financial and Life Disasters, with Dr. Gleb Tsipursky

How to Avoid Financial and Life Disasters, with Dr. Gleb Tsipursky

#279: You might know several decision-making principles, but do you have a step-by-step strategy that pieces those principles together? Dr. Gleb Tsipursky is an internationally-recognized thought leader on decision-making strategies. He shares two decision-making techniques for any aspect of your life in this episode. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode279 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 2, 2020 • 1:03:22

The Loopholes That Destroy Our Ability to Form Habits, with Gretchen Rubin

The Loopholes That Destroy Our Ability to Form Habits, with Gretchen Rubin

#278: Does this sound like you? You want to exercise, but you can never find the time for a workout. Eventually, you grow tired of putting exercise off. You commit to working out every morning. You become so enthusiastic, you buy new gym clothes for the occasion. Your enthusiasm carries you for five days, and on day six, you’re swamped with work. You promise yourself you’ll exercise tomorrow - after all, taking a break for one day won’t hurt. And then … you never get back on the wagon. The cycle

Sep 29, 2020 • 1:16:37

Timeless Financial Lessons from My Grandma, with Michelle Singletary

Timeless Financial Lessons from My Grandma, with Michelle Singletary

#277: Michelle Singletary writes The Color of Money, for The Washington Post and is a winner of the prestigious Gerald Loeb Award. Her column is syndicated in more than 100 newspapers nationwide. She’s the author of three finance books and holds an MBA from Johns Hopkins University. But her strongest financial education came from her grandmother. Her grandmother raised five grandchildren while working full-time as a Nursing Assistant at a hospital. She earned $13,000 per year, but never took wel

Sep 21, 2020 • 1:09:59

Cut the Fluff and Become a Digital Minimalist, with Dr. Cal Newport

Cut the Fluff and Become a Digital Minimalist, with Dr. Cal Newport

#276: Have you found yourself mindlessly scrolling through social media feeds over the last few months? Have you also found yourself in a state of sadness, anxiety, or aggravation afterwards? We live in an increasingly noisy world. A world in which many of us use social media, or the internet in general, to escape. But our escapes often leave us feeling empty and annoyed at ourselves for wasting several hours of precious time. Here’s one possible remedy for this tiring, relentless cycle: embrace

Sep 15, 2020 • 1:22:29

Avoid These 13 Hidden Money Mistakes That Most People Make, with Jill Schlesinger

Avoid These 13 Hidden Money Mistakes That Most People Make, with Jill Schlesinger

#275: Even the nerdiest of money nerds are susceptible to making a dumb financial mistake. “Nope, not me! There’s no way I make any financial mistakes. I live and breathe this stuff.” You’re not capable of making any financial mistakes? Even 'hidden' mistakes, like having the wrong life insurance policy, not having an estate plan, or listening to the wrong ‘experts'? Exactly. Jill Schlesinger, author of The Dumb Things Smart People Do With Their Money, sets the record straight on 13 things you s

Sep 8, 2020 • 1:16:02

Finding Hope and Happiness in a Confusing World, with Mark Manson

Finding Hope and Happiness in a Confusing World, with Mark Manson

#274: What does it take to create a sustainable sense of hope? That’s the question that I invited Mark Manson, megabestselling author of Everything is F*cked and The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, to answer. Mark says that three basic factors contribute to a sense of hope: 1) autonomy, 2) purpose, and 3) community. Mark and I keep these three factors in mind as we discuss how to define success, find new challenges, and choose what’s meaningful in life. We touch on the importance of emotional r

Sep 4, 2020 • 1:00:28

The Emotional Complexity of Money, with Dr. Dan Ariely

The Emotional Complexity of Money, with Dr. Dan Ariely

#273: Dr. Dan Ariely, famed behavioral economist and best-selling author of Predictably Irrational, returns to discuss how to handle the emotional and financial volatility of 2020. Specifically: Preparing for a job loss The value of resilience Handling emotional spending Cutting through the noise to find a signal. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode273 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 31, 2020 • 55:59

PSA Thursday - How to Avoid Parental Burnout, with Andy Hill

PSA Thursday - How to Avoid Parental Burnout, with Andy Hill

Andy Hill, father of two and founder of Marriage, Kids, and Money, joins us to discuss parental burnout in the midst of the pandemic. He shares his best tips on creating a family schedule, learning to embrace the reality of working from home with interruptions, and maintaining sanity as kids venture back to school - all while being a good enough parent and partner. For more PSA Thursday episodes, go to https://affordanything.com/psathursday Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoice

Aug 27, 2020 • 30:42

Ask Paula: I’m Three Years from Retirement. How Should I Invest?

Ask Paula: I’m Three Years from Retirement. How Should I Invest?

#272: “Anonymous Moving-Back-home” and her partner earn $150,000 per year after taxes. They’re currently saving 80 percent by living with family. What should they do with their savings? Leigh and her husband are three years away from retirement. They have an extra $50,000 in income this year and plenty of options for where to invest this money. Which one is the best? Kelsey doesn’t feel comfortable investing in total stock market index funds and would rather invest in ESG funds. How can she tell

Aug 24, 2020 • 1:17:45

PSA Thursday - Here's a simple framework for deciding how to earn extra income

PSA Thursday - Here's a simple framework for deciding how to earn extra income

Millions of people are in financial limbo now that the $600 supplemental federal unemployment benefit has expired. The new $300 supplemental benefit is slooowly getting approved by FEMA, state-by-state, through an excruciatingly snail-like process, and you might not have time to wait. This episode will help you take action. We cover how to think about the ways in which you can earn extra income and decide which path is best for you. For more information, check out our guide at https://affordany

Aug 20, 2020 • 13:51

Retirement Planning in 2020, with Dr. Wade Pfau

Retirement Planning in 2020, with Dr. Wade Pfau

#271: Dr. Wade Pfau, one of the foremost experts in the academic field of retirement planning, joins us to talk about how the events of 2020 might impact your retirement plans. If you’re wondering if you need to change your investing strategy, Wade’s recommendations may fascinate you. Watch out! These are NOT the recommendations you’re expecting from a typical financial independence retire early show. Prepare to be caught off-guard by what he says. For more information, visit the show notes at h

Aug 19, 2020 • 1:12:01

Ask Paula: Buy a Home, Buy Investments, or Pay Off Debt? How Do I Decide?

Ask Paula: Buy a Home, Buy Investments, or Pay Off Debt? How Do I Decide?

#270: Briana and her husband want to buy a home, but they don’t have enough saved for a downpayment. They also have student loan debt and a car loan. Which should they prioritize? Javier is sick of being in debt. What can he do to put himself in a better situation? Tracie wants to buy her first rental property, but she has student loans and a car loan to pay off. If she receives $20,000 from a cash-out refi, how should she use this money? Vanitha wants to start a non-profit organization in memor

Aug 13, 2020 • 1:06:13

How to Ask Better Questions, with Charles Duhigg

How to Ask Better Questions, with Charles Duhigg

#269: Are you scared to take the first step toward the habits that you want to build? Do you believe in your ability to change? Or are you completely lost as to where to start? Charles Duhigg, the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author of the best-selling books The Power of Habit and Smarter Faster Better, and host of the How To! podcast, joins us to tackle these questions. By asking “why” instead of “how,” layer-by-layer we can reveal the factors that truly hold us back from taking action.

Aug 7, 2020 • 55:45

PSA Thursday - Get Ready for a School Year Like No Other with Mandy Bert and Rob Phelan

PSA Thursday - Get Ready for a School Year Like No Other with Mandy Bert and Rob Phelan

Do you have school-age children? If so, then brace yourself for a school year like no other. This year, some children will return to school five days a week. Others will learn from home five days a week, and yet others will experience a hybrid of the two. You and your kids may face wildly different schedules and challenges than anything you've encountered before. How can you cope with this? Mandy Bert and Rob Phelan, who both work as teachers and are on the K-12 Education Team at the ChooseFI

Aug 6, 2020 • 37:33

Ask Paula: Should I Invest or Pay Off My Mortgage Early?

Ask Paula: Should I Invest or Pay Off My Mortgage Early?

#268: Natasha has $3,300 per month to either invest or use toward an early mortgage payoff. Which option should she choose?An anonymous caller and military member wants to know if she should move money from a USAA brokerage to Vanguard to pay less in fees. Her goal is to retire in 12 years with $3,000/month in passive income from rental properties, which will supplement her military pension. Should she only contribute to her TSP up to the match, and invest the rest in rentals?Chaim and

Aug 4, 2020 • 1:36:05

How to Talk To Your Tenants About Financial Difficulties

How to Talk To Your Tenants About Financial Difficulties

Welcome back to PSA Thursday, a mostly-weekly segment (sometimes on Thursdays) in which we talk about how to handle money, work, and life in the middle of a pandemic. This week, we continue the conversation on what landlords can do to create and maintain open lines of communication with tenants. Doing so can help you avoid a situation in which your tenants ghost you. If you find these tips helpful, head to https://affordanything.com/psalandlord to download word-for-word scripts you can use wit

Jul 31, 2020 • 24:39

This Year’s Financial Reckoning, with Farnoosh Torabi

This Year’s Financial Reckoning, with Farnoosh Torabi

#267: This week, one of the most acclaimed names in the world of personal finance journalism joins us to reflect on the events of 2020. Farnoosh Torabi started covering personal finance in 2003 as a reporter for Money Magazine. She later became a correspondent for Jim Cramer's The Street and the host of CNBC's primetime show Follow the Leader. She's the host of the award-winning So Money podcast and the author of several bestselling personal finance books, including When She Makes More: 10 Rules

Jul 28, 2020 • 57:48

Ask Paula: Your Real Estate Questions, Answered

Ask Paula: Your Real Estate Questions, Answered

#266: Paul’s parents own a property worth $100,000, and they owe $80,000 on the mortgage. If he wants to buy this property from them, how should he do it? Max is torn between investing in a rental property or taking advantage of a mega backdoor Roth 401k through his company. Which is the better option? Ali is a travel nurse and wants to get into real estate investing. Should she buy a duplex that needs fixing up or a cheaper apartment that’s rent-ready? Kate and her husband own a townhome that h

Jul 22, 2020 • 1:06:13

PSA Thursday: The Impact of Evictions, with Princeton University Eviction Lab expert Alieza Durana

PSA Thursday: The Impact of Evictions, with Princeton University Eviction Lab expert Alieza Durana

Welcome back to PSA Thursday, a mostly-weekly segment in which we talk about how to handle money, work, and life in the middle of a pandemic. This week, our focus is on answering a question that many landlords in our community have asked in recent months: what do we do when our tenants can't pay the rent, and our bills are due?  To answer this, we asked Alieza Durana, a journalist who works with the Eviction Lab at Princeton University, for her expertise.  The Princeton Eviction Lab is a grou

Jul 17, 2020 • 34:20

Personality Isn’t Permanent, with Dr. Benjamin Hardy

Personality Isn’t Permanent, with Dr. Benjamin Hardy

#265: Are you the same person you were five years ago? Ten years ago? Fifteen years ago? Of course not. Things in your life have changed: your interests, hobbies, decision-making process, and habits are different than they were a decade ago. Likewise, our personality changes -- and this means we can decide who we want to become. Today’s guest, organizational psychologist Dr. Benjamin Hardy, literally wrote the book on personality impermanence. During this episode, he shares research on why our p

Jul 14, 2020 • 1:11:03

PSA Thursday: How to Stay Safe During the Reopenings

PSA Thursday: How to Stay Safe During the Reopenings

Welcome back to PSA Thursday, a mostly-weekly segment in which we talk about how to handle money, work, and life in the middle of a pandemic. This week, we focus on life and staying safe when venturing outside of your home. Many of us are concerned with reducing the risk of coronavirus infection in places like grocery stores, gas stations, or backyard BBQs, but the guidelines on how to stay safe aren't always clear. In this episode, we discuss specific precautions to take... When using a public

Jul 9, 2020 • 16:37

Ask Paula: How Do I Pick the Right Mix of Investments for My Retirement Portfolio?

Ask Paula: How Do I Pick the Right Mix of Investments for My Retirement Portfolio?

#264: An anonymous listener, whom we call “Mary,” is curious about the auto-rebalancing feature offered by M1 Finance. Is it too good to be true? J isn’t happy with the target date retirement fund she chose for her 401k. She has limited options and is wondering: should she move funds around? If so, is now a bad time, considering the market volatility? Another anonymous listener is wondering how to choose the right mix of investments for a retirement portfolio. She also wants tips on rebalancing

Jul 6, 2020 • 1:06:56

PSA Thursday: The History of the PPP -- and 4 Extra Relief Options for Entrepreneurs

PSA Thursday: The History of the PPP -- and 4 Extra Relief Options for Entrepreneurs

Here's the sordid history of the Payroll Protection Program, plus four additional options for getting pandemic relief as an entrepreneur. In this episode we share the following resources for small businesses: Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) Employee Retention Credit. SBA 7(a) Program Mainstream Lending Program   For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/psa-thursday Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 2, 2020 • 29:37

How to Build Financial Resilience in 2020, with Dr. Brad Klontz, financial psychologist

How to Build Financial Resilience in 2020, with Dr. Brad Klontz, financial psychologist

#263: It’s been a tough year, and we’re only halfway through it. Today’s guest has insights and actions to help you build financial resilience in 2020. Not only will you emerge from the events of this year stronger, you’ll also face future personal challenges and economic downturns with more confidence and knowledge. Our guest is Dr. Brad Klontz, a clinical psychologist and Certified Financial Planner. He’s the author of five books on the psychology of money, a founder of the Financial Psycholog

Jun 30, 2020 • 1:07:38

Ask Paula: I'm Taking a Mini-Retirement in a Pandemic. What Should I Do?

Ask Paula: I'm Taking a Mini-Retirement in a Pandemic. What Should I Do?

#262: Tyson is taking a year off of work and plans to devote some of his time to domestic travel, volunteer work, and bolstering his rental property portfolio. He originally planned to travel internationally, but won’t due to the pandemic. How does this plan sound? Jace is wondering whether she should take advantage of the low stock market prices or keep a larger emergency fund due to the pandemic. Which is the better option, given her goal of financial independence? Jace also wants to know: whe

Jun 23, 2020 • 54:13

PSA Thursday - Your Complete Guide to Donor Advised Funds

PSA Thursday - Your Complete Guide to Donor Advised Funds

For more information, go to https://affordanything.com/tag/psa-thursday Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 19, 2020 • 26:16

Why I Quit My Job in the Middle of a Recession -- Interview from Lessons from a Quitter

Why I Quit My Job in the Middle of a Recession -- Interview from Lessons from a Quitter

#261: I quit my job at the beginning of a recession and made it work. Two years ago, I did an interview with Lessons From a Quitter explaining how. Given that so many community members want to leave their jobs for something better in the future, whether it's freelancing, self-employment, or early retirement, I'm re-airing the interview. I hope my story sheds light on what's possible in the most inopportune times. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode261

Jun 15, 2020 • 56:59

PSA Thursday - How Does the CARES Act Impact Student Loans?

PSA Thursday - How Does the CARES Act Impact Student Loans?

Welcome back to PSA Thursday, a mostly-weekly segment in which we talk about how to handle money, work, and life in the middle of a pandemic. In this episode, we cover how to manage student loans in the midst of the pandemic with Travis Hornsby, a Chartered Financial Analyst and the founder and CEO of Student Loan Planner. He's an expert in the complex topic of student loans. Travis shares deep insights into the changes that have occurred, and how those changes might alter the way you think ab

Jun 11, 2020 • 28:08

Ask Paula: Should I Fire My Financial Advisor During a Pandemic?

Ask Paula: Should I Fire My Financial Advisor During a Pandemic?

#260: Katelyn wants to fire her financial advisor and move her investments from mutual funds into Vanguard index funds. Should she do this during the pandemic? Or should she wait? Marisa asks: can you invest in a Roth IRA if your income is inconsistent and might exceed the cap? Anonymous Moving-for-a-New-Job had a Simple IRA at her old job that she can no longer contribute to. She also can’t contribute to a 401k until she’s been at her new job for a year. Where should she put her money in the me

Jun 8, 2020 • 1:01:11

How to Lead with a Vision, with Michael Hyatt

How to Lead with a Vision, with Michael Hyatt

#259: Leadership comes in all forms. Whether you’re a small business owner, a manager or department head at work, or the head of a volunteer organization, having a crystal clear vision is critical to success. Without a clear vision, you’re likely to stumble along a path that leads to nowhere -- or worse, a dead end. Wouldn’t it be better to have an idea of where you’re going? Michael Hyatt, a prolific bestselling author on the topics of business and leadership, shares the pitfalls of not having

Jun 5, 2020 • 1:11:35

PSA Thursday -- Actions Speak Louder Than Words

PSA Thursday -- Actions Speak Louder Than Words

We have muted the podcast thusfar this week, in support of the #amplifymelanatedvoices movement and in support of the #theshowmustbepaused movement. We have assembled a list of resources that highlight books, websites, podcasts, nonprofit organizations and GoFundMe campaigns that I would like to direct your attention to in lieu of our normal programming. These resources can be found at https://affordanything.com/psathursday We are also matching $3,000 in donations to the Committee to Protect J

Jun 4, 2020 • 7:00

PSA Thursday - Your Guide to Giving: How to Donate, Volunteer and Practice Spontaneous Kindness

PSA Thursday - Your Guide to Giving: How to Donate, Volunteer and Practice Spontaneous Kindness

Let's start with the good news: the majority of U.S. households, 6 in 10, donate money to nonprofits and charities, and 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. volunteer their time and talent. The only way our society is going to get through the struggles and the stresses that we face is if we are good to each other. Compassion and common humanity are crucial. In this PSA episode we discuss strategies around giving, including how to donate money and volunteer time effectively, as well as how to embrace the

May 29, 2020 • 23:41

Ask Paula: Can I Quit My Job Before I'm Financially Independent?

Ask Paula: Can I Quit My Job Before I'm Financially Independent?

#258: “Burned Out in Boston” wants to reach financial independence. But she’s not sure she can stick it out in Boston much longer. She and her husband want to move to an area that doesn’t have many job prospects, and they want to make this leap soon, ideally before they reach FI. How do they know when it’s the right time to jump ship to their dream location? We tackle this topic, plus four other questions about stock market and real estate investing strategy, on today's Ask Paula episode. Enjoy!

May 26, 2020 • 56:24

How to Stop Screwing Up Our Finances, Even in a World That Leads Us Astray -- with Dr. Dan Ariely

How to Stop Screwing Up Our Finances, Even in a World That Leads Us Astray -- with Dr. Dan Ariely

#257: “The checking account is like the trash can of personal finance.” Today’s podcast guest, the famed behavioral economist Dr. Dan Ariely, is not a fan of checking accounts. Or supermarket end caps. Or anything that distracts us from our financial goals. In this episode, he explains why. Dan Ariely is one of the world’s most renowned behavioral economists. He’s the James B. Duke Professor of psychology and behavioral economics at Duke University. His TED Talks have been viewed more than 15 mi

May 18, 2020 • 1:01:07

PSA Thursday: How Can I End 2020 in a Stronger Position Than I Started It?

PSA Thursday: How Can I End 2020 in a Stronger Position Than I Started It?

How can you find business and investment opportunities in today’s tough pandemic bear market? What should you do to emerge from 2020 stronger than you started? We cover 7 specific, immediate actions that can set you up to succeed in this recession. Here's a peek: think about hiring a team, create an original piece of work, take online classes, and keep your plans intact (even if that means quitting an unfulfilling job).   For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.c

May 14, 2020 • 31:24

Ask Paula: Bonds Are Tanking. Should I Switch to Real Estate Instead?

Ask Paula: Bonds Are Tanking. Should I Switch to Real Estate Instead?

#256: Jon is wondering if now is a good time to move his RRSP into a tax-free savings account, given the market downturn. He knows you can’t time the market, but the opportunity is tempting. What should he do? Laurel’s question revolves around the CARE Act and early withdrawal from a 401k. She needs to rebalance her 401k and wants to buy a rental. Instead of selling stocks, should she sell bonds as a form of rebalancing and to withdraw for a rental property? After seeing so many businesses exper

May 11, 2020 • 1:19:50

PSA Thursday: How Is The Pandemic Affecting the Housing Market?

PSA Thursday: How Is The Pandemic Affecting the Housing Market?

Before the pandemic, the U.S. housing market was strong. Home prices were at historic highs. Borrowers were more qualified than ever, with two-thirds of mortgage originations going to borrowers with excellent credit. As of January 2020, delinquencies (borrowers more than 30 days late on a payment) reached a 20-year low. How has the pandemic affected the market? Are we due for another spate of foreclosures? What's going to happen to housing supply? What about demand? Are buyers still buying? Are

May 7, 2020 • 19:26

How Your Personality Affects Your Finances, with Dr. Sarah Stanley Fallaw

How Your Personality Affects Your Finances, with Dr. Sarah Stanley Fallaw

#255: When a crisis hits, do you stay calm and collected, or do you launch yourself down a rabbit hole of worry and worst-case scenarios?When the stock market spirals downward, do you shrug and stay the course, or do warning bells explode in your brain?When news of the pandemic hit, was your first instinct to form a calm and reasoned action plan, or rush to the store to buy months of supplies?Your personality influences your reactions to these scenarios.Today’s guest, Dr. Sarah Stanley

May 4, 2020 • 1:09:55

Ask Paula: Should I Invest During the Pandemic?

Ask Paula: Should I Invest During the Pandemic?

#254: Lydia earns income as both a 1099 contract worker and a part-time W2 employee. She filed for unemployment as a W2 worker, but can’t find information on how to file as a contractor. Is there a process contractors can follow to file for unemployment? Florina and her husband have $70,000 in cash to invest. Where should they put this money in light of the current market? Ali and his wife saved eight months of living expenses in their emergency fund in case they get laid off during the pandemic

May 1, 2020 • 1:19:46

PSA Thursday: How Bad Is the Stock Market Crash?

PSA Thursday: How Bad Is the Stock Market Crash?

Welcome back to PSA Thursday, a segment in which we talk about how to handle money, work, and life in the middle of a pandemic. Today, our focus is on money - specifically, the stock market. Why did it crash in March? What effect did that have on us as a society? Why has it rebounded in the middle of a shutdown, and what does that mean? Are valuations too high relative to earnings? How can we handle our investments and retirement savings at a time when the movements of the market seem irratio

Apr 30, 2020 • 28:12

The Thinker's Guide to Market Volatility, with Dr. Steve Wendel and Sam Lamas

The Thinker's Guide to Market Volatility, with Dr. Steve Wendel and Sam Lamas

#253: Dr. Steve Wendel is a behavioral economist and the head of behavioral science at Morningstar, an independent investment research firm. Samantha Lamas is also a behavioral researcher at Morningstar. They discuss the hidden biases in our decision making and how these hidden biases affect us - particularly during this pandemic and during times of high anxiety and stress. They also discuss techniques that will help us avoid deceiving ourselves. For more information, visit the show notes at htt

Apr 27, 2020 • 1:09:24

Ask Paula: Will the Stimulus Cause Massive Inflation?

Ask Paula: Will the Stimulus Cause Massive Inflation?

#252: The government issued a $2 trillion stimulus. How will that affect the economy? Could we endure massive inflation or hyperinflation? Bradley kicks off today’s Ask Paula episode with this timely question. What inflation rate will we see in 2020, and how can we prepare? How should we hedge against hyperinflation? Anonymous Retiree (whom we call Sequencing Sally) is 64 and retired last year. She lives off of monthly withdrawals from a Vanguard portfolio. Given the bear market, should she leav

Apr 20, 2020 • 1:17:59

PSA Thursday: 31 Tips to Stay Productive as you Work From Home

PSA Thursday: 31 Tips to Stay Productive as you Work From Home

Download the 31 Tips to Stay Productive as you Work From Home at https://affordanything.com/productive Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 16, 2020 • 59:52

From High School Dropout to Successful Entrepreneur, Author and World Traveler -- with Chris Guillebeau

From High School Dropout to Successful Entrepreneur, Author and World Traveler -- with Chris Guillebeau

#251: Do you love the idea of making money on your own -- without a boss? Can you imagine deciding how you spend each day? Are you bored and looking for a challenge? Do you love the thought of adventure? Today’s guest, Chris Guillebeau, knows all about hustling, living an unconventional life, working towards seemingly impossible goals, and combining his interests into an epic lifestyle business that brings him freedom and joy. Chris is the New York Times bestselling author of The Art of Non-Conf

Apr 13, 2020 • 1:07:09

PSA Thursday: How to Build an Emergency Fund During an Emergency

PSA Thursday: How to Build an Emergency Fund During an Emergency

A weekly segment in which we talk about how to handle money, work, and life in the middle of a pandemic. Here's how to build an emergency fund during an emergency, and how the bear market affects your investment strategy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 10, 2020 • 39:37

Ethical Investing 101, with Dr. Jon Hale, Head of Sustainability Research for Morningstar

Ethical Investing 101, with Dr. Jon Hale, Head of Sustainability Research for Morningstar

#250: Should we invest in sustainable funds? If we choose sustainable funds, will our investment returns suffer? Will our expense ratios be sky-high? What drawbacks might we face? How do we know that these funds are actually ethical? And what choices are out there for people who want to invest ethically or sustainably? We invited Dr. Jon Hale to our show today to answer these questions. Dr. Jon Hale is a chartered financial analyst and the global head of sustainability research for Morningst

Apr 8, 2020 • 1:10:08

How to Talk to Your Parents About Retirement and Beyond — with Cameron Huddleston

How to Talk to Your Parents About Retirement and Beyond — with Cameron Huddleston

#249: I’m recovering from Covid-19 at the moment, so I couldn't put together a new episode this week. But in honor of the First Friday of the month, I wanted to re-air this interview with Cameron Huddleston, which we originally aired in August 2019. In this interview, we discuss how to have those important but awkward conversations with your parents and grandparents about estate planning, wills, trusts, power of attorney, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adcho

Apr 3, 2020 • 1:14:50

PSA Thursday: I Tested Positive for Coronavirus. Here's What It Feels Like.

PSA Thursday: I Tested Positive for Coronavirus. Here's What It Feels Like.

Paula describes the experience of having Covid-19, the illness caused by coronavirus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 2, 2020 • 26:16

Covid-19 and the Bear Market

Covid-19 and the Bear Market

#248: We are living in a time of extreme uncertainty. Many of us are questioning how we can best use the funds we have to survive it. “Should I sell the funds I have invested in the market, or keep contributing?” “Should I continue with my plans to invest in real estate?” “Should I hoard all of my cash in case this gets worse?!” My friend and former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy joins me on today’s show to shed light on the answers and how to handle the stock market collapse.   Here are the ke

Mar 25, 2020 • 1:01:53

OMG Monday: Welp, I Have a Fever of 102.3 Degrees

OMG Monday: Welp, I Have a Fever of 102.3 Degrees

It's Quarantine Day 10, and thank goodness I've been staying in, because yesterday I learned that I have a 102.3 degree fever. I don't know if it's Covid-19 or if it's a fever with extraordinarily bad timing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 23, 2020 • 5:03

PSA Thursday: Social Distancing is Social Solidarity

PSA Thursday: Social Distancing is Social Solidarity

A new segment giving tips to help flatten the curve and manage your money during this global event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 19, 2020 • 20:50

Ask Paula: Is the Stock Market Going to Crash in 2020? How Should I Invest in a Bear Market?

Ask Paula: Is the Stock Market Going to Crash in 2020? How Should I Invest in a Bear Market?

#247: Caroline wants to buy her first home in Denver, CO. How can she calculate how much mortgage she can comfortably afford? Anne plans to retire later this year on rental income (woohoo!). She’s saved up a hefty emergency fund for her properties, and she wants to know 1) if she should invest a portion of this in index funds, and 2) whether she should rebalance her portfolio to account for this huge cash allocation. Anonymous Nurse has over $100,000 in debt, not including their mortgage. They w

Mar 16, 2020 • 1:35:34

Pain, Grief, and the Pursuit of Financial Independence, with Jillian Johnsrud

Pain, Grief, and the Pursuit of Financial Independence, with Jillian Johnsrud

#246: At 19 years old, after completing her first year of college, Jillian married her husband.  During their first year of marriage, they lived in a camper and earned a combined salary of $12,000. One year later, Jillian's husband graduated college and joined the military. They relocated to Washington D.C., where they earned a combined $60,000 per year. They saved half of their income and used that savings to chip away at $55,000 of debt. At 22 years old, Jillian and her husband adopted a son.

Mar 9, 2020 • 1:08:25

Ask Paula: I’m 24 and Won a $1 Million Settlement. How Should I Handle This Money?

Ask Paula: I’m 24 and Won a $1 Million Settlement. How Should I Handle This Money?

#245: Joe has a 24-year-old friend who won a $1 million settlement. How can she use this money to set herself up for financial independence? Jay is 52 years old and wants to retire at 59.5. He began investing in individual stocks to achieve this goal, and has had excellent returns so far. Is this a sound plan for early retirement? Or should he work until age 62 for Social Security? Steve is 54 years old. He plans to retire at 60, which is when he can collect 67 percent of his pension. A Vanguard

Mar 6, 2020 • 1:20:55

Why I Quit My Job with No Savings When My Wife Was Five Months Pregnant (and What Happened Next?!), with Grant Baldwin

Why I Quit My Job with No Savings When My Wife Was Five Months Pregnant (and What Happened Next?!), with Grant Baldwin

#244: Grant Baldwin felt burned out. He worked as a youth pastor, which felt like a 24/7 profession. He had to attend student events held late into the night, which left him exhausted. One night, he came home to find his wife crying. She told him that she felt like she had a roommate, rather than a husband, because he was gone so often. So Grant did something drastic: he quit his job, with negligible savings, when his wife was four to five months pregnant. For the following year, he waited table

Mar 2, 2020 • 1:16:56

Ask Paula: How Can I Retire in 10 Years with Rental Properties?

Ask Paula: How Can I Retire in 10 Years with Rental Properties?

#243: Adam is 23 years old and wants to achieve financial independence as quickly as possible. However, he’s nervous about investing in the stock market and real estate. How can he overcome his fears? Paris, age 35, has a similar question. She earns $150,000 per year, is debt-free, and doesn’t own a home. How can she reach financial independence in less than 10 years? Paul wants to househack his first home, but none of the properties he's seen meet the one percent rule. He doesn’t want to rent f

Feb 27, 2020 • 1:13:07

The Art of Trusting Your Most Dangerous Ideas, with Ash Ambirge, The Middle Finger Project

The Art of Trusting Your Most Dangerous Ideas, with Ash Ambirge, The Middle Finger Project

#242: Ash Ambirge grew up in a trailer park in Pennsylvania. She never met her father. Her disabled mother, who raised her on government assistance, passed away when she was 20. Her childhood goal? To join the middle class. She dreamed of becoming one of those people who eats lemon pepper chicken. What’s more middle-class than that?  She attended college on a full scholarship. When she graduated and accepted her first cushy office job, earning $30,000 per year, she blew her paychecks. She bought

Feb 17, 2020 • 1:12:40

Ask Paula: Should I Raid My Retirement Savings to Pay for School?

Ask Paula: Should I Raid My Retirement Savings to Pay for School?

#241: Anton wants to accelerate his flight training so he can get hired within two to three months, rather than two to three years. He has to raid his retirement savings to achieve this. Should he? Linda and her husband have their eyes on early retirement, but they aren’t sure what their post-retirement lifestyle will cost. How can they budget for unknown expenses that include travel? Joseph contributes 15 percent of his income to both a Roth 457b and Roth IRA. He wants to retire before age 59.5

Feb 10, 2020 • 1:25:53

10 Questions to Master Successful Investing, with David Stein

10 Questions to Master Successful Investing, with David Stein

#240: Are you investing, speculating, or gambling? What are the three drivers of asset performance? Are you aware of who’s getting a cut from your investments? Do you even know who’s on the other side of the trade? David Stein is the author of Money for the Rest of Us, a book that answers these questions. He’s the former Chief Investment Strategist & Chief Portfolio Strategist at Fund Evaluation Group, a $70 billion investment firm. If you’re thinking of adding a new investment to your portfolio

Feb 7, 2020 • 1:18:17

Ask Paula: Should I Put My Student Loans in Forbearance? Should I Buy a Vacation Rental? and More

Ask Paula: Should I Put My Student Loans in Forbearance? Should I Buy a Vacation Rental? and More

#239: Lo is in a good spot with her career, but she’s struggling with a ton of student loan debt, and consequently, credit card debt. What should she do to manage it? Anonymous wants to know how to set up a backdoor Roth IRA. Eric and his wife own a property in Savannah, GA that brings in more money as an Airbnb than a traditional rental. They want to invest in more properties and are wondering if this model is the best path to take. James wants to own a vacation rental in the Vermont mountains

Feb 3, 2020 • 1:20:50

How to Stop Making So Many Money Mistakes, with Jeff Kreisler

How to Stop Making So Many Money Mistakes, with Jeff Kreisler

#238: “If I had more willpower, I’d achieve my financial goals.” “I’m doomed to fail with money.” “I’m horrible for not keeping to a budget.”These are common thoughts, but they’re erroneous.You can’t willpower your way through money management, you’re not doomed to fail, and you’re not horrible for blowing your budget. You’re human, and humans make emotional decisions. Those emotional decisions don’t have to mean a financial death sentence, though.Jeff Kreisler, co-author of Dollars and

Jan 27, 2020 • 1:03:27

Ask Paula and Joe -- Should I BUY a Business, Instead of Starting One?

Ask Paula and Joe -- Should I BUY a Business, Instead of Starting One?

#237: Katie wants to know how to purchase a business that’s already cash-flow positive. What indicators can she look for?Rob will retire from the military with an inflation-adjusted pension. Does he need a bond allocation in his investment portfolio?Brian conquered a large sum of credit card debt, but still has student loan debt and a mortgage. Should he pay off his student loans, refinance them, or refinance his mortgage?Jeff is curious about the pros and cons of investment apps. When

Jan 20, 2020 • 1:20:51

How We Saved $1 Million and Retired at 31 and 32, with Kristy Shen and Bryce Leung

How We Saved $1 Million and Retired at 31 and 32, with Kristy Shen and Bryce Leung

#236: Kristy Shen and Bryce Leung achieved financial independence four years ago at age 31 and 32. They saved $1 million and live on $40,000 per year while traveling the world. Kristy and Bryce don’t worry about running out of money, they created new identities after quitting their jobs, and their community has quadrupled in size. Here’s how they achieved this lifestyle. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode236 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit po

Jan 13, 2020 • 1:10:54

Ask Paula: Sooo … I Quit My Job. What Type of Business Should I Start?

Ask Paula: Sooo … I Quit My Job. What Type of Business Should I Start?

#235: Anna has made the leap to self-employment … but what’s next? She lives in the Bay Area and she’s trying to choose between five business ideas; she needs to make enough money to stay in her high-cost area. Doug recently won $9,000 from an online poker side gig and is wondering how best to use the funds: pay off high-interest student loan debt, or keep it to increase his poker earning potential? Alex and his partner want to househack a single-family property with a mother-in-law suit. What s

Jan 6, 2020 • 1:09:03

26 Easy Moves to Improve Your Finances in 2020

26 Easy Moves to Improve Your Finances in 2020

#234: We review 26 quick, easy actions that improve your financial life, plus 10 new added bonus ideas that came directly from our community. We issue a challenge for you to tackle one action per week for the first 26 weeks (six months) of the year, so you’ll build stronger financial health by summertime. Download the free book that accompanies this episode at http://affordanything.com/2020kickoff and join us in the 2020 One Tweak a Week challenge! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcast

Jan 3, 2020 • 1:04:58

Ask Paula: How Can I Retire in 12 Years?

Ask Paula: How Can I Retire in 12 Years?

#233: Deepak is considering downsizing his family’s home, but wants to know if the savings are worth the transaction costs he’ll have to pay. Anonymous and her husband hold $900,000 worth of privately-owned company stock. How should they plan for handling this money? Shelby is 25 years old and works for a company that awarded her restricted stock units. What should she do with these? Additionally, she traded in a 2013 Prius for a 2018 Subaru, for which she now owes $19,000. Should she sell it fo

Dec 31, 2019 • 1:13:30

How to Avoid College Debt, with Anthony ONeal

How to Avoid College Debt, with Anthony ONeal

#232: Anthony ONeal is the bestselling author of Debt-Free Degree, a book that teaches parents how to help their children graduate from college without student loans.He’s part of the Dave Ramsey Solutions team, which teaches people how to pay off and avoid debt, and he's the co-author of Graduate Survival Guide, along with Rachel Cruze.Anthony joins us on this episode to share tips and hacks to help you save on tuition and find money for college.For more information, visit the show note

Dec 27, 2019 • 1:09:04

Ask Paula: How Can I Get My Spouse Interested in Frugality?

Ask Paula: How Can I Get My Spouse Interested in Frugality?

#231: Avie needs to decide between two options: paying off a rental property, or funding a retirement account. Which should she choose? Lisa wants to know: when should you fund an HSA account? Sofia’s parents have lived with her for the past few years, but Sofia’s job is relocating her out-of-state. How can she transition her home to a rental for her parents? Jim is a saver and his wife is a spender. How can he interest her in frugality? Candice wants to know my thoughts about online re

Dec 16, 2019 • 54:13

How to Develop Emotional Agility, with Dr. Susan David

How to Develop Emotional Agility, with Dr. Susan David

#230: Dr. Susan David, a psychologist on the faculty at Harvard Medical School, joins us to talk about emotional agility. Dr. David has researched emotional agility for around 20 years. A few years ago, she summarized her work on this concept for the Harvard Business Review. Her article became one of the most popular articles of the year, and the publishers heralded it as the Management Idea of the Year. Dr. David gave a TED talk on emotional agility, which went viral, gaining more than

Dec 9, 2019 • 1:21:54

Ask Paula: Help! My Mom or Dad Took Out a Credit Card in My Name. Am I On the Hook?

Ask Paula: Help! My Mom or Dad Took Out a Credit Card in My Name. Am I On the Hook?

#229: Normally, we’re a once-a-week podcast, with episodes airing every Monday. But on the first Friday of every month, we have a First Friday bonus episode! Helen discovered that her mother fraudulently opened credit card accounts in her name. Eek! How can she protect herself? What will happen to these accounts once her mother passes away? Amelia and her husband cannot fire their financial advisor. How can they minimize the damage and maximize the benefit they receive from him in the m

Dec 6, 2019 • 1:21:42

What I Learned from Losing $170 Million, with Noah Kagan

What I Learned from Losing $170 Million, with Noah Kagan

#228: In November 2005, when Noah Kagan was 24, he was hired as Employee #30 at Facebook. His stock options would have been worth $170 million if he’d cashed out in 2014, he says. But he didn’t see a dime. In June 2006, merely 9 months after he started working at Facebook, Noah got fired. Instead of making $170 million, he made zero. He fell into a deep depression for a year. Then he rescued himself by becoming a serial entrepreneur. He tried his hand at a lot of things -- including developin

Dec 2, 2019 • 1:05:29

Ask Paula: How Can I Get the Most from My Mini-Retirement?

Ask Paula: How Can I Get the Most from My Mini-Retirement?

#227: Lien is taking a year off of work to live the van life with her husband. She wants to know how she can make the most of this sabbatical to figure out how to turn her less-than-inspiring career into a lifestyle that she loves. Lien called in again to say that she wants to start a new business and a family when she returns from her gap year. Her former job offered excellent health benefits and maternity leave, but she doesn’t really want to go back. What should she do? Eddie wants t

Nov 25, 2019 • 1:23:51

How to Make Time for Things That Matter, with John Zeratsky

How to Make Time for Things That Matter, with John Zeratsky

#226: Feeling time-crunched? Today’s episode is for you. Today’s episode features productivity expert John Zeratsky, who shares specific, action-packed time management strategies, with a focus on email management. If the term inbox zero sounds laughable, these strategies are up your alley. John’s interest in productivity began one winter morning in 2008, when he realized that the past few months had been an eerie blur. He realized that time was slipping away. He knew he needed to figure out a

Nov 18, 2019 • 1:13:43

Ask Paula: How to Invest for the Next Five Years

Ask Paula: How to Invest for the Next Five Years

#225: Lauren is 26 and earns $48,000 per year after taxes. She saves $12,000 annually in retirement accounts, and an additional $18,000 per year for a downpayment on a home. She wants to buy a home in the next five years. Where should she keep her savings in the meantime? Sawyer has a five-year financial independence plan. She owns two high-end condos in a NYC suburb. She lives in one unit and rents the other, but she’s bothered by the fact that she’s forgoing collecting rent on her hom

Nov 11, 2019 • 1:25:26

The Science of Rapid Learning, with Scott Young, author of Ultralearning

The Science of Rapid Learning, with Scott Young, author of Ultralearning

#224: Scott Young, author of Wall Street Journal best-selling book Ultralearning, talks about the 9 principles of Ultralearning, which can help you learn new skills, reinvent yourself, stay relevant, and adapt to whatever life throws at you. If you think you know the best way to learn something, think again. This book will challenge your assumptions. Whether you want to develop hard skills to become more valuable at your job, soft skills for your journey to self-improvement, or you want

Nov 4, 2019 • 1:30:01

Ask Paula: Should I Choose This or That? How to Weigh the Tradeoffs

Ask Paula: Should I Choose This or That? How to Weigh the Tradeoffs

#223: Elizabeth is curious to know: what does a good net worth breakdown look like? Is it appropriate to have a lot of your net worth tied up in real estate? Marie wants to start her own business, but she’s living paycheck-to-paycheck. Is incurring debt her only option to make this dream a reality? Bria wants to take a second mini-retirement and has a good chunk of money saved up. She wants to come back to the workforce with a cash cushion. What should she do with her money while travel

Nov 1, 2019 • 1:25:21

Seven Ways to Escape the Rat Race - with Michael Robinson

Seven Ways to Escape the Rat Race - with Michael Robinson

#222: Michael Robinson and his wife, Ellen, achieved financial independence at age 33. They ‘retired’ (they still enjoy working) three years later at age 36 on two five-figure incomes. Today, Michael and Ellen are raising their two children to be bilingual by slow traveling throughout Latin America. Michael and Ellen blog about their FIRE adventures at uncommondream.com. They believe that “the Uncommon Dream is the dream pursued – the dream met with planning, action, and sacrifice. With

Oct 28, 2019 • 1:02:23

Ask Paula: How Much of My Company Stock Should I Buy?

Ask Paula: How Much of My Company Stock Should I Buy?

#221: Vanessa is curious about Fidelity and Vanguard. She asks: what are your thoughts on the no-fee Fidelity index funds? What are your opinions on Vanguard’s financial advisors? Andy wants to know: should my wife and I continue maxing out our traditional 401k and backdoor Roth IRA, or should we start contributing to the Roth 401k my employer offers? Kyle is wondering - how can he minimize his taxes when he earns $450,000/year? Rob is self-employed and has been maxing out a Roth IRA, b

Oct 21, 2019 • 1:16:26

Stillness is the Key, with Ryan Holiday

Stillness is the Key, with Ryan Holiday

#220: In a hectic world, stillness is the key to a calm, enjoyable life. That idea comes from Ryan Holiday, author of Stillness is The Key. Stillness is finding flow, staying present, and being impervious to the pressures of the outside world. It doesn’t mean removing yourself from society and sitting in a forest; to the contrary, many CEOs and world leaders have practiced remarkable stillness during times of crisis. Bestselling author Ryan Holiday discusses actionable tips on how to practice

Oct 14, 2019 • 1:04:59

Ask Paula: How Should I Invest $4,000 Per Month for Early Retirement?

Ask Paula: How Should I Invest $4,000 Per Month for Early Retirement?

#219: Stella is working toward FIRE and wants to know: how can she create passive income in her retirement years? Is a portfolio with stocks and bonds enough, or should she invest in real estate? Travis and his wife are also on the FIRE path, and are comparing their investment options. Travis is concerned about the inefficiency of reinvesting returns in real estate. How can you factor this into your decision when buying a property? Stephanie and her husband are also interested in FIRE (

Oct 7, 2019 • 1:04:03

Why We're Irrational with Money - with Kristen Berman

Why We're Irrational with Money - with Kristen Berman

#218: Kristen Berman is co-founder of Irrational Labs, a behavioral product design company, along with Dan Ariely. She has a fascinating job that involves looking into why people behave the way they do with their money, and discovering the easiest solution to help them create more positive financial behavior. In short, she’s a proponent of redesigning the current financial system to make saving automatic and easy, and that’s part of what we discuss in this episode. If creating better fi

Oct 4, 2019 • 1:01:24

Interview on the FI Show: Financial Independence Philosophy and Origin Story | Paula Pant from Afford Anything

Interview on the FI Show: Financial Independence Philosophy and Origin Story | Paula Pant from Afford Anything

#217: It’s September! If you’ve been listening to the show for the past few months, then you know that I’m on what I’ve dubbed my September Sabbatical, in which I’m taking a break from podcast production and traveling the globe. In light of that, we’re digging through the archives and airing some of my favorite interviews on the show, in between airing interviews I’ve done on other podcasts. Earlier this year, Cody and Justin from The FI Show interviewed me and asked some excellent ques

Sep 30, 2019 • 1:03:59

How Much Can I Spend in Retirement? - with Dr. Wade Pfau

How Much Can I Spend in Retirement? - with Dr. Wade Pfau

#216: It’s September! If you’ve been listening to the show for the past few months, then you know that I’m on what I’ve dubbed my September Sabbatical, in which I’m taking a break from podcast production and traveling the globe. In light of that, we’re digging through the archives and airing some of my favorite interviews on the show, in between airing interviews I’ve done on other podcasts.  Welcome to another episode from our archives! This one was recorded in March 2018, and Dr. Wade Pfau h

Sep 23, 2019 • 1:02:30

The Seven Stages of Financial Independence, with Joshua Sheats

The Seven Stages of Financial Independence, with Joshua Sheats

#215: We are really digging into the archives with today's episode. This originally aired back in 2016! Besides being another fun and fascinating interview, this is one of our most popular episodes. Which isn't surprising, given the topic we're exploring. :-) Financial independence means many things to many different people, which might be why we find it challenging to settle on a definition that everyone can agree on. Regardless of what your personal definition is, Joshua Sheats, a financial

Sep 16, 2019 • 1:31:44

ChooseFI Interview

ChooseFI Interview

#214: It’s September! If you’ve been listening to the show for the past few months, then you know that I’m on what I’ve dubbed my September Sabbatical, in which I’m taking a break from podcast production and traveling the globe. In light of that, we’re digging through the archives and airing some of my favorite interviews on the show, in between airing interviews I’ve done on other podcasts. I’m super excited to share an interview I did with Brad and Jonathan of ChooseFI back in December 2018.

Sep 9, 2019 • 1:21:50

Andrew Hallam (Part Two): The Nine Rules of Wealth You Should Have Learned in School

Andrew Hallam (Part Two): The Nine Rules of Wealth You Should Have Learned in School

#213: It’s September! If you’ve been listening to the show for the past few months, then you know that I’m on what I’ve dubbed my September Sabbatical, in which I’m taking a break from podcast production and traveling the globe. In light of that, we’re digging through the archives and airing some of my favorite interviews on the show, in between airing interviews I’ve done on other podcasts. If you missed the last episode, you might want to listen to it before diving into this one, as Andrew a

Sep 6, 2019 • 1:43:52

Andrew Hallam (Part One): How I Became a Millionaire on a Teacher's Salary

Andrew Hallam (Part One): How I Became a Millionaire on a Teacher's Salary

#212: It’s September!! If you’ve been listening to the show for the past few months, then you know that I’m on what I’ve dubbed my September Sabbatical, in which I’m taking a break from podcast production and traveling the globe. In light of that, we’re digging through the archives and airing some of my favorite interviews on the show, in between airing interviews I’ve done on other podcasts. First up is a two-part interview with Andrew Hallam, a teacher who became a millionaire in his

Sep 2, 2019 • 1:05:17

What’s Your Why? Financial Independence, Debt Freedom and More

What’s Your Why? Financial Independence, Debt Freedom and More

#211: Hey there! I’m writing this from Croatia, where I’m beginning five weeks of travel that I’m calling my September Sabbatical. From now through September 23rd, I’ll be exploring the globe and enjoying a one-month break. Today, I’m kicking things off with a community-based episode. Here’s the backstory behind today’s show: There’s an event called CampFI, which is a 3-4 day gathering for people who are interested in financial independence. CampFI holds around half a dozen events per year in

Aug 26, 2019 • 1:01:55

How to Be an Adult - with Mark Manson

How to Be an Adult - with Mark Manson

#210: We live in a fascinating era: huge sections of society are more prosperous, advanced and safe than at any other point in human history, yet depression and anxiety are at record highs. It’s a paradox of progress: the richer the nation, the more likely its citizens are to suffer from mental health issues and report feeling crushing isolation and unhappiness. What gives? At the individual level, pursuing financial independence and early retirement (FIRE) often fills people with enthusiasm,

Aug 19, 2019 • 1:05:12

Ask Paula: Are Index Funds Unsafe?

Ask Paula: Are Index Funds Unsafe?

#209: Anonymous wants to retire early and often. They’re going overseas, where they’ll make their annual salary within six months. Where should they put their extra income? Anonymous also wants to know: how can they find a financial advisor they can actually trust? Another anonymous listener wants to know - is it possible to spend more while minimizing taxes in early retirement? JuanCarlos asks: is $20,000 too little to invest with a financial advisor? Angela is wondering how to create a Rot

Aug 12, 2019 • 1:11:50

How to Talk to Your Parents About Retirement and Beyond -- with Cameron Huddleston

How to Talk to Your Parents About Retirement and Beyond -- with Cameron Huddleston

#208: Well, this could get awkward. Your parents and grandparents are aging. (Duh.) You want to have a few important financial conversations with them. It’s time to get the answers to questions like: “So … are you ready for retirement?” “You’ve been retired for 10 years … how’s that going? How are your finances looking?” “Do you have a will or legal trust? What’s your estate plan situation?” “Do you have an advance health care directive?” “To whom have you given your power of attorney?” “

Aug 9, 2019 • 1:10:39

Ask Paula: Should I Take a $30k Paycut for Better Work-Life Balance, or Stick it Out?

Ask Paula: Should I Take a $30k Paycut for Better Work-Life Balance, or Stick it Out?

#207: Matt and his fiance earn $7,500 per month combined. They save more than half of their income. He’d like to take a different job that will decrease his income by $2,000 per month, but improve his quality of life. Should he? Suja wants to take out a loan for business growth. What red flags should she watch for? Anonymous and her husband are thinking about buying half-million-dollar home, purchasing a second car, and having a baby. They’ve saved an emergency fund and a 20 percent dow

Aug 5, 2019 • 1:10:37

When Career Zigzagging is Smarter - with David Epstein

When Career Zigzagging is Smarter - with David Epstein

#206: We live in a society that values career specialization. You’re not a “doctor” -- you’re a pediatrician, an anesthesiologist, an oncologist. You’re not a “lawyer” -- you practice family law, or bankruptcy, or criminal law. You’re not an “engineer” -- you’re an electrical engineer who specializes in solar technologies, or a civil engineer who specializes in the application of artificial intelligence in highway traffic design. Specialization is beneficial and necessary, but specializing t

Jul 29, 2019 • 1:14:21

Ask Paula: Am I On-Track for Retirement?

Ask Paula: Am I On-Track for Retirement?

#205: Is it ever a good idea to use your 401(k) as an emergency fund? What's the best way to break up with your financial advisor so that you can move all of your funds to Vanguard? Should you put all of your Roth IRA money into index funds, or is there a better option for your money? A listener has a job offer working less hours for more money, but without a retirement plan. Is this a good move? When running a small business as a sole proprietor, are there tax advantages to incorporati

Jul 22, 2019 • 1:14:08

Upgrade Your Thinking, with Super Thinking authors Gabriel Weinberg and Lauren McCann

Upgrade Your Thinking, with Super Thinking authors Gabriel Weinberg and Lauren McCann

#204: You make decisions on a daily basis about your career, family, friendships, health and investments; these choices shape your life. But how much have you thought about how to think? There are common threads and collective wisdom across disciplines. These common threads create mental models, which are frameworks for understanding the world. Mental models allow us to apply insights from a variety of unrelated fields, using reasoning by analogy to make better choices about our lives.

Jul 15, 2019 • 1:07:19

Ask Paula: Early Retirement and The Four Percent Rule

Ask Paula: Early Retirement and The Four Percent Rule

#203: Many people in their 50’s or 60’s warn us about catastrophic or ‘black swan’ events. But what’s the likelihood that this will actually happen? How can you use the 4 percent withdrawal rule for early retirement planning, given that your portfolio will be split among accounts with different tax treatments? How do you adjust your retirement plan for future taxes? Should a couple in their 30’s switch from term life to whole life insurance? Should a couple in their 50’s with adult chil

Jul 8, 2019 • 1:11:46

Slow Travel is Cheap Travel - with Nomadic Matt

Slow Travel is Cheap Travel - with Nomadic Matt

#202: In 2006, Matt Kepnes worked at a hospital in Boston, and he felt miserable. He dreaded fighting traffic, spending his days under his offices’ fluorescent lighting, drinking stale coffee. He decided to take one year off -- a “gap year” -- thinking that after his sabbatical, he’d resume another 40 years of punching the clock. He worked 60-hour weeks in order to save money for his sabbatical year. He saved $30,000, then handed his boss a resignation letter. Matt traveled for 18 month

Jul 5, 2019 • 1:03:35

Ask Paula: Which House Should I Pay Off First?

Ask Paula: Which House Should I Pay Off First?

#201: Ross and his wife are both in the Navy. They bought a home while they were stationed in Hawaii. Then the Navy sent them to Virginia, where they currently live; they’ve purchased a home there, too. They kept the Hawaii home as a rental property, and they’d like to move back into it when they retire. Which home should they repay first? Mike is 33, debt-free except for his mortgage, and earns more than $200,000 per year. He saves half of his income. What should he do with his savings

Jul 1, 2019 • 1:09:31

What I’ve Learned from Interviewing 500 Millionaires -- with Jaime Masters of Eventual Millionaire

What I’ve Learned from Interviewing 500 Millionaires -- with Jaime Masters of Eventual Millionaire

#200: Nine years ago, I had no idea that personal finance blogs existed. Then, as I was flipping through an issue of Kiplinger magazine, I came across an article about a woman who paid off $70,000 in debt in 16 months. Her name was Jaime, she lived in Maine, and she earned 3x her husband’s income. He made $30,000 per year; she made $100,000. They wanted to have a baby, and she wanted to stay at home for the first year, but their debt load made this impossible. She aggressively went into

Jun 24, 2019 • 1:02:40

Ask Paula: The Three-Year Reunion with J. Money

Ask Paula: The Three-Year Reunion with J. Money

#199: Ashley is paying affordable rent for a home she enjoys, but she feels certain that the real estate market in her local market will stay strong. She’s thinking about buying a home with 3 to 5 percent down, but she doesn’t have much in savings. Should she wait for a year to save more? Or should she take advantage of a rising market and relatively low interest rates? Ian and his girlfriend live together in Washington D.C. and have a combined 40 percent savings rate. He’d like to buy

Jun 17, 2019 • 1:13:19

The Japanese Art of Being a Zen Millionaire, with Ken Honda

The Japanese Art of Being a Zen Millionaire, with Ken Honda

#198: Money flows. When you receive money, you’re in the path of this flow. Money flows from someone else to you, and eventually, it’ll flow from you to someone else, either in the form of a purchase or an investment. A healthy relationship with money is to feel gratitude when money flows towards you, and to release your money without attachment or resentment when it flows away from you. Today's guest, Ken Honda, is known as the “Zen Millionaire” of Japan. He’s sold more than seven million b

Jun 10, 2019 • 59:31

Ask Paula: Traditional IRA vs. Roth IRA -- What Should I Choose?

Ask Paula: Traditional IRA vs. Roth IRA -- What Should I Choose?

#197: Should Bret invest in a Traditional IRA or a Roth IRA? If Amanda gets married, how will her child support be affected? What about her student loan forgiveness? Joe is investing in bonds, which average a rate of return that’s equal to the interest rate on his mortgage. Should he switch to all-equities and redirect his bond investments into mortgage payoff, instead? Taunia has a car loan, a 401k loan, a home improvement loan, a primary mortgage, and a second mortgage. She also has an emer

Jun 7, 2019 • 1:05:52

Starting Over at 40 with Six Kids, with Wendy Mays

Starting Over at 40 with Six Kids, with Wendy Mays

#196: When Wendy Mays was in her early 20’s, she earned $12 an hour working as the office manager of a pest control company. She wanted higher income, so she enrolled in college at age 22. By the time she finished her undergraduate degree, she was 26, married, with a child. Her husband worked low-paying jobs to make ends meet. They struggled to pay the bills. Wendy decided to enroll in law school, so that she could bring in more money. She graduated around age 30, and became the primary

Jun 3, 2019 • 1:06:14

Ask Paula: I Make $168,000 Per Year and Spend $5,000 Per Year. What’s Next?

Ask Paula: I Make $168,000 Per Year and Spend $5,000 Per Year. What’s Next?

#195: Alex makes $168,000 per year, combined between her full-time job and her side hustle. Her company pays for breakfast, lunch and dinner during the work week, plus a cell phone subsidy, health, dental and vision insurance, a gym membership, and commuting costs. She also househacks, so her living expenses are only $400 per month. What should she do with her ample savings? Christine is 38 and earns $70,000 per year running her own business. She holds $70,000 in investment accounts, ha

May 27, 2019 • 1:19:49

The 7 Faces of Fear -- with Ruth Soukup

The 7 Faces of Fear -- with Ruth Soukup

#194: Fear shows up in our lives in countless ways. Sometimes, fear takes the form of procrastination. We're afraid of botching something, or we don't like the feeling of anxiety that a project gives us, so we avoid it, dodge it, and indefinitely put it off. Other times, fear takes the form of perfectionism through endless iterating and tweaking. We want to keep tinkering with a project, to get it "just right." We applaud ourselves for our attention to detail. Fear takes the form of making ex

May 20, 2019 • 1:18:59

Ask Paula: I Spent Ten Years in School, and Now I’m Behind on Retirement Savings

Ask Paula: I Spent Ten Years in School, and Now I’m Behind on Retirement Savings

#193: Lori is behind on retirement savings, as a result of being a full-time student for more than a decade. She makes good money and lives frugally, but she’s aware that she’s behind for her age. What should she do? Sierra wonders whether she should apply her savings towards paying off her mortgage or building investments. Jenessa plans to retire at age 35, and she’s wondering if the 4 percent withdrawal rule applies for such a long time horizon. Her friend swears that it’s designed to cover

May 13, 2019 • 1:05:58

The Latte Factor, with author David Bach

The Latte Factor, with author David Bach

#192: “Don’t buy lattes.” This classic snippet of personal finance advice isn’t specifically anti-Starbucks. “Lattes” are a metaphor for the tiny expenses that leak money from our pockets, often without us realizing how much we’re spending. Your “latte” could be a pile of subscriptions: HBONow, YouTube Red, Spotify Premium, Netflix, Hulu Plus, the CostCo membership that you haven’t used in two years, and -- for that matter -- the gym membership that you also haven’t used in two years. (

May 6, 2019 • 1:19:59

Ask Paula — Would You Live in an RV to Save Money?

Ask Paula — Would You Live in an RV to Save Money?

#191: Should Russell rent a cheap apartment, or should he take out a loan for an RV in order to save money on rent? Carl is working two jobs that each pay $12 per hour. He has $5,000 in student loans. What can he do to improve his situation? Caroline is about to finish paying off her student loans, and in the next few years she wants to buy a home. Where should she park her savings in the meantime? Philip is saving for financial independence, but he’s not sure what to do with his time o

May 3, 2019 • 1:05:21

The Next Millionaire Next Door, with Dr. Sarah Stanley Fallaw

The Next Millionaire Next Door, with Dr. Sarah Stanley Fallaw

#190: More than 20 years ago, affluence researchers Dr. Thomas Stanley and Dr. William Danko surveyed a vast number of millionaire households in the United States. What they discovered was groundbreaking at the time. The average U.S. millionaire, they found, lives a frugal lifestyle. They are disproportionately clustered in modest, middle-class neighborhoods. They drive used cars. They don’t spend money on jewelry, watches, boats or other high-ticket items. They’re self-made, meaning th

Apr 29, 2019 • 1:10:24

Ask Paula: How Does My Net Worth Compare to Others My Age?

Ask Paula: How Does My Net Worth Compare to Others My Age?

#189: Julie, age 27, calculated her expected net worth based on the formula taught in the classic personal finance book The Millionaire Next Door. She’s concerned. Her current net worth is significantly lower than the number that the formula revealed. Is she on-track? Anonymous wants to save for a downpayment on a home. Should she reduce her 401k contributions in order to amass these savings? Should she store some of that money in a Roth IRA? Samantha is more than halfway finished with

Apr 22, 2019 • 1:14:40

The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, with Daniel Pink

The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, with Daniel Pink

#188: In May 1915, a renowned 58-year-old sea captain, Captain William Thomas Turner, made a series of questionable decisions. He was the captain of the Lusitania, a ship with 1,959 passengers, sailing from Manhattan to London. The first World War was taking place around them, and Captain Turner knew he needed to move swiftly to evade German submarines. His ship approached England; land was in sight. They had almost made it. Yet for reasons that will always remain a mystery, around 1 pm

Apr 15, 2019 • 1:21:48

Ask Paula - The Real Estate Episode

Ask Paula - The Real Estate Episode

#187: Sarah needs $36,000 per year in rental income to reach FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early). She owns several rentals. When can she comfortably consider herself FIRE? AyV wants to rent out his primary residence. Should he renovate? Anonymous lives in a high-cost-of-living city, but she found a small city nearby with Class B and C+ multifamily properties. These properties need a little work. How can she estimate repair costs? Carly bought a property that underperformed the one per

Apr 8, 2019 • 1:14:55

How Mike and Lauren Retired at 30 with an Average Income of $56,000 / Year

How Mike and Lauren Retired at 30 with an Average Income of $56,000 / Year

#186: Mike and Lauren have run a cleaning company, started and sold a biodiesel company, repaired and resold motorcycles, opened a coffeeshop, owned a DVD rental box, sold e-cigarettes, bought a storage warehouse, launched a YouTube channel with nearly 150,000 subscribers, moved to Manhattan, moved back to Florida, backpacked across Europe and gave birth to two children in Costa Rica. Whew. I’m exhausted by just writing their list of entrepreneurial experiments. Their willingness to tak

Apr 5, 2019 • 1:11:34

Ask Paula: How Do I Talk to Friends who Ridicule the Idea of FIRE?

Ask Paula: How Do I Talk to Friends who Ridicule the Idea of FIRE?

#185: Hello from Austin, Texas! I’m living in an Airbnb here for the next 5 weeks. Listen to the end of today’s episode to find out why … and discover how these next 5 weeks, for me, exemplify the “why” of financial independence. In the meantime, though, the show must go on! Here are the questions that we’re answering in today’s episode. An anonymous listener named Seeking FIRE wants to know how she can talk about financial independence with people who ridicule the topic. What do you sa

Apr 1, 2019 • 1:19:38

The Alter Ego Effect, with Todd Herman

The Alter Ego Effect, with Todd Herman

#184: In 2003, Beyonce Knowles-Carter felt shy about performing sultry lyrics and dance routines on stage. She needed a tactic to overcome her nerves and stage fright. So she created an alter ego, Sasha Fierce, to bring out her more assertive side. Beyonce is one of many top performers -- along with other top artists, athletes, executives, speakers, investors, bankers, lawyers, negotiators, and more -- who use alter egos as a tactic to overcome their insecurities and become better versi

Mar 25, 2019 • 1:09:24

Ask Paula: Should I Sell My Rental Property to Pay Off My Student Loans?

Ask Paula: Should I Sell My Rental Property to Pay Off My Student Loans?

#183: Should a newlywed couple with two cash flowing rental properties sell one to pay off $92,000 of student loan debt? What percentage of your portfolio should you have in rental properties? What's the smartest way to approach rental property investing, particularly if you get anxiety thinking about tenant requests? How much should high interest rates impact your decision to buy a rental? I answer these four questions on today's episode, plus, I have a big announcement regarding the f

Mar 18, 2019 • 52:46

Thirteen Dumb Mistakes Smart People Make with Their Money - with CBS News analyst Jill Schlesinger

Thirteen Dumb Mistakes Smart People Make with Their Money - with CBS News analyst Jill Schlesinger

#182: Millions of smart, educated and successful people make dumb mistakes with their money ... and they don't realize it. I'm not talking about obvious dumb mistakes, like spending 85 percent of your income on a fleet of Ultra-Luxe-Fancymobiles for your 16-car garage. That's clearly a bad idea. Instead, I'm talking about hidden dumb mistakes that you may not realize until it's too late. Perhaps you don't have enough insurance, or you hold the wrong types of policies for your age and li

Mar 11, 2019 • 1:13:32

Ask Paula: How Should I Plan a Mini-Retirement?

Ask Paula: How Should I Plan a Mini-Retirement?

#181: Imagine that you’re going to take a 6-month to 9-month mini-retirement. How should you plan? What should you do? Sure, you’ll need to have enough savings to cover your expenses. You might want to find some part-time work. You may need to sell off a few investment. And of course, you’ll need to think about health insurance. But what else should you consider? And how will your first taste of voluntary unemployment impact your mental and emotional health? Former financial planner Joe

Mar 4, 2019 • 1:06:59

The Million-Dollar, One-Person Business, with Elaine Pofeldt

The Million-Dollar, One-Person Business, with Elaine Pofeldt

#180: Nearly two decades ago, Stacy Berman, a personal trainer, launched a fitness bootcamp in New York City. She called it Stacy’s Bootcamp. She invited her clients to join her for 5:30 am outdoor workout classes in Central Park. At first, only three or four people showed up. Then the group grew to 10 people. Then 20 people. Then demand grew beyond a capacity she could reasonably accommodate. She hired personal trainers as independent contractors who led additional classes. She limited

Mar 1, 2019 • 1:14:01

Ask Paula: We Want to Start Househacking in a Duplex. Should We?

Ask Paula: We Want to Start Househacking in a Duplex. Should We?

#179: Should a couple in New Orleans sell their single-family home and use the sale proceeds to househack into a duplex? What do you think about turnkey investments? What tax consequences will someone face if they transfer their property to their parents? How do you handle tough situations related to the way some home renovation contractors treat women? What’s the latest update on your real estate course? I answer these five questions on today’s podcast. For more information, visit the

Feb 25, 2019 • 57:36

How to Make Work Optional, with Tanja Hester

How to Make Work Optional, with Tanja Hester

#178: Tanja Hester retired at age 38. She had a negative net worth until her late 20's, thanks to a combination of student loans, buying expensive cocktails and clothes, living far beyond her means, and not paying attention to her money. If you were to have met the 27-year-old version of Tanja, you wouldn't guess that she'd be a likely candidate for retiring early. Yet a decade later, she's saved 40x of her annual cost of living. How? Tanja worked as a political consultant in Los Angele

Feb 18, 2019 • 1:08:07

Ask Paula: Should I Buy a House or Catch Up on Retirement Savings?

Ask Paula: Should I Buy a House or Catch Up on Retirement Savings?

#177: Imagine that your job is extremely well-paying, but you don’t enjoy it. You’d like to switch employers, even though this will probably require a paycut. But before you make the switch, you want to accomplish two goals: buy a home and catch up on retirement savings. Should you pursue both goals? Or should you defer the home purchase, given the potential future paycut? If you decide to pursue both goals, which one should come first? This is one of the five questions that former fina

Feb 11, 2019 • 1:04:44

Digital Minimalism - with Dr. Cal Newport

Digital Minimalism - with Dr. Cal Newport

#176: Cal Newport created a philosophy called digital minimalism, which is idea of reducing your digital life down to only the most important core essentials. Remove the apps from your phone, then slowly re-introduce only the ones that are the most useful and beneficial. Take control of your smartphone, rather than letting it control you.   Digital minimalism is a philosophy of technology use. This philosophy pulls from the concepts of minimalism, essentialism, the slow movement, and th

Feb 4, 2019 • 1:22:43

Three Percent is the New Four Percent - with Larry Swedroe, Retirement Planning Expert

Three Percent is the New Four Percent - with Larry Swedroe, Retirement Planning Expert

#175: Larry Swedroe is one of the most respected investment thinkers and writers of our time. He's published 8 books on investing, including one of the first books to explain the science of investing to a layperson audience. He recently wrote an ultra-comprehensive guide to retirement planning. He joins us on the show today to discuss the nuances of investing and retirement planning. We talk about the stock market (is it going to fall soon? Are we heading for a recession?), we talk abou

Feb 1, 2019 • 1:18:13

Ask Paula: I'm 48 and Retiring Next Year. Should I Buy More Rentals?

Ask Paula: I'm 48 and Retiring Next Year. Should I Buy More Rentals?

#174: Should a 48-year-old New Yorker who’s retiring next year buy more rental properties? Should a Michigan-based first-time homebuyer use an FHA loan to buy a duplex for $135,000 that rents for $1,800 per month? Should a 40-year-old music professor who owns a duplex transfer his property into an LLC? Should a New Jersey condo owner sell her unit as For Sale by Owner? And should a woman who’s anxious about owning her own rental properties dive into real estate crowdfunding deals instea

Jan 28, 2019 • 1:13:59

When a Child of Financial Chaos Stumbles into Adulthood - with Paulette Perhach

When a Child of Financial Chaos Stumbles into Adulthood - with Paulette Perhach

#173: Paulette Perhach is a journalist who has been published in The New York Times, Slate, ELLE, Marie Claire, and Cosmo. But we’re not going to talk about that today. We’re going to talk about the fact that she’s made every decision by putting her life first, and then forcing her career to follow. She’s hiked through jungles and watched eclipses and volunteered with the Peace Corps. She’s been on crazy adventures in far-flung places. She endured unimaginable pain and it’s because of t

Jan 21, 2019 • 1:26:48

Ask Paula: Should I Buy a Nice Car or Save My Money?

Ask Paula: Should I Buy a Nice Car or Save My Money?

#172: Should a 25-year-old homeowner with healthy savings and no debt (other than his mortgage) upgrade his car? Should he make this choice if his current car is fine, and upgrading puts him into new debt? Should a couple without access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan put their savings into a taxable account, or should they save for a downpayment on a rental property? The market is fluctuating like mad; if someone has a lump-sum of cash, should they invest it now or should they

Jan 14, 2019 • 1:12:23

The biggest study of everyday millionaires in 25 years - with Chris Hogan

The biggest study of everyday millionaires in 25 years - with Chris Hogan

#171: Chris Hogan surveyed 10,000 millionaires in the United States. Here's what he discovered: - 89 percent of millionaires have a net worth between $1 million to $5 million dollars - 62 percent graduated from public state schools - 9 percent didn't graduate from college - Close to 50 percent had a B average or less in school - 55 percent give to charities and churches on a regular, monthly basis - 73 percent never had a penny of credit card debt - 18 percent are self-employed - 62 per

Jan 7, 2019 • 1:31:49

Ask Paula - When Should I NOT Use the One Percent Rule for a Rental Property?

Ask Paula - When Should I NOT Use the One Percent Rule for a Rental Property?

#170: When should you NOT use the one percent rule for rental property investing? In today’s episode, I encourage two callers to violate the One Percent Rule for real estate that they already own. WHAAATTTT? Why would I say that? Especially given that I’ve gained a bit of a reputation as The World’s Most Staunch Advocate of the One Percent Rule? (Long title, I know, but someone’s gotta wear it.) And if you’re not going to use the One Percent Rule, how should you make decisions about you

Jan 4, 2019 • 58:20

One Tweak a Week in 2019 -- Easy Improvements to Your Financial Life in 2019

One Tweak a Week in 2019 -- Easy Improvements to Your Financial Life in 2019

#169: Happy New Years! To kickoff 2019, we've created a free book called One Tweak a Week, outlining 26 easy, actionable ways that you can improve your financial life. Today's podcast episode covers these 26 tweaks, so you can listen in audio format, in addition to reading the book. If you put these into action for the first six months of 2019, you'll be in a more stronger position in June than you started in January. Each tweak takes less than one hour (some are as quick as five minute

Dec 31, 2018 • 1:06:16

How to Optimize Your Time and Energy -- with Mike Vardy, The Productivityist

How to Optimize Your Time and Energy -- with Mike Vardy, The Productivityist

#168: You can do anything, but not everything ... and definitely not everything at the same time. How can you optimize your time and energy? How do you choose what's worthwhile and what's a waste of time? How can you eliminate small decisions so that your mind is free to focus on the few choices that make a massive 10x impact? How can you spend less time struggling with your Inbox, and more time on long-term projects that can boost your income? When inspiration strikes or new opportunit

Dec 24, 2018 • 1:03:59

Ask Paula: Should I Pay Off Student Loans While in School?

Ask Paula: Should I Pay Off Student Loans While in School?

#167: Angelisa is a college senior with $30,000 in student loans. She has a part-time job, from which she’s saved $2,500. Should she keep saving money, or should she get a headstart on paying down her student loans while she’s in school? Mackenzie is also a college senior with some student loans. She recently received a settlement from a car accident. Should she invest this money? If so, how? Franchesca is 35 and is carrying $212,000 in debt, mostly student loans. Could she reach financ

Dec 17, 2018 • 1:20:32

Everything I Learned About Money Came from My Grandmother - with Michelle Singletary of the Washington Post

Everything I Learned About Money Came from My Grandmother - with Michelle Singletary of the Washington Post

#166: Michelle Singletary learned everything she knows about money from her grandmother.Well, okay, I shouldn't say "everything" that she knows. After all, Michelle also has an MBA from Johns Hopkins University. She writes about personal finance for the Washington Post. Her nationally-syndicated personal finance column, The Color of Money, is published in more than 100 newspapers nationwide. She's written three financial books.  Michelle has been learning, thinking, writing, researching

Dec 10, 2018 • 1:08:54

Ask Paula - Should I Invest in Index Funds or Rental Properties?

Ask Paula - Should I Invest in Index Funds or Rental Properties?

#165: Should Kim, an entrepreneur, invest in index funds or rental properties? Should Nick, an MBA student, househack into a more-expensive home with stronger cash flow, or a cheaper home with more budgetary wiggle room? Should Kelly, who is getting married soon, sell her current home and use the proceeds to buy multiple rentals? Or should she use her current home as a rental property? Should Trayci and her sister invest in rental properties or bare land? I answer these four questions i

Dec 7, 2018 • 55:19

How and Why I Took a Mini-Retirement, with Bob Lotich

How and Why I Took a Mini-Retirement, with Bob Lotich

#164: As an entrepreneur, Bob Lotich loves growing and expanding. But after a particularly stressful year, he realized he had burned out. He woke up one Monday morning and, for the first time since he’d started self-employment, he realized he didn’t want to go to work. This was a new and uncomfortable feeling. He decided to take a mini-retirement. He had taken long breaks before. In the past, Bob had taken a full month off of work. This time, he wanted to a more ambitious break. He want

Dec 3, 2018 • 1:06:49

Ask Paula - The Future of Index Fund Investing

Ask Paula - The Future of Index Fund Investing

#163: Does my employer match count against my 401k contribution limits? Should I invest in a Traditional or Roth TSP? Should I invest more aggressively in stocks right now, or should I hold cash and bonds until the next downturn? Should I get a mortgage or keep renting until I can buy a home in cash? Do you think index investing will dramatically change in the coming decades? Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I answer these four questions in today’s episode. For more informatio

Nov 26, 2018 • 1:03:14

AI and The Future of Jobs - with author Darrell West

AI and The Future of Jobs - with author Darrell West

#162: How will artificial intelligence, AI, impact jobs? Former Harvard president and leading economist Larry Summers predicts that one-third of men will be out of work by 2050. Finance guru Suze Orman says not to be surprised if we see 25 percent unemployment by 2030. And major research institutions predict anywhere from 14 percent to 50 percent unemployment. But could this really be possible? Or is everyone panicking about what will essentially be a shift in the types of jobs that people hold

Nov 19, 2018 • 56:35

Ask Paula - How Can I Get My Friends Interested in FIRE?

Ask Paula - How Can I Get My Friends Interested in FIRE?

#161: Matt is interested in achieving financial independence, and he wants to encourage his friends to pursue the same goal. What podcast episodes provide a light, digestible introduction to the world of financial independence and retiring early? Daniel wonders why everyone pursuing financial independence seems to have a blog or podcast about this topic. Is the purpose of FIRE to sit around writing and talking about how you’re FIRE? If so, then what’s the point? Tom is an entrepreneur w

Nov 12, 2018 • 1:07:00

The Paradox of FI -- with Jonathan Mendonsa and Brad Barrett of Choose FI

The Paradox of FI -- with Jonathan Mendonsa and Brad Barrett of Choose FI

#160: When Jonathan Mendonsa was 18, he researched which college degrees lead to the highest income. Pharmacy was near the top of the list of high-paying degrees, so Jonathan decided to become a pharmacist. He wasn't motivated by passion or calling. His decision was purely tactical. He wanted to make money. He spent four years in college, followed by another four years of graduate school. By age 28, he held a Doctorate in Pharmacy and an astounding $168,000 in debt. This debt burden might hav

Nov 5, 2018 • 1:17:49

Ask Paula - I Have Three Kids and I'm Hoping for Financial Independence

Ask Paula - I Have Three Kids and I'm Hoping for Financial Independence

#159: Should a 36-year-old father of three invest primarily in Traditional or Roth retirement accounts? Should Rose, a grandmother of four, open a Vanguard account for each of her grandchildren? Should Nancy, who lives overseas and is the sole breadwinner in her family, invest in a Traditional or Roth TSP? Should Scott’s wife rollover her 403(b) from her former employer into an IRA? Should Patrick, age 35, cancel his life insurance plan? Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I answer these

Nov 2, 2018 • 58:59

What I Love About the FIRE Movement - with Clark Howard

What I Love About the FIRE Movement - with Clark Howard

#158: Clark Howard loves the FIRE movement. That's because he's one of us. Clark began investing in real estate at age 22, started a travel agency at age 25, and retired at age 31. He sold his travel agency, moved to the beach and relaxed for four years; then he started a second career as the host of The Clark Howard Show, a popular radio show that's syndicated nationwide. Today, he's a personal finance celebrity. His website receives more than 50 million views per year. He has more than 1.1 mil

Oct 29, 2018 • 1:09:38

Ask Paula - Can You Force a Rental Property to Cash Flow?

Ask Paula - Can You Force a Rental Property to Cash Flow?

#157: We're back with another Ask Paula - Real Estate Edition of the show! In this episode, we cover down payments, cash flow, investing in condo hotels, building a rental on the side of your own house, selling your properties, and whether it's better to buy actual properties or REITs. Erin asks: Would you ever put 30% down (or more) in order to make a rental property cash flow positive? Avy asks: In 4-5 years, I'd like to have a rental property for diversification and passive income. Is it b

Oct 22, 2018 • 57:36

How to Build Incredible Habits - with James Clear

How to Build Incredible Habits - with James Clear

#156: James Clear wanted to start flossing, but he never managed to follow through. Despite his best intentions, his dental floss sat unused in a bathroom drawer. Fortunately, James had learned a thing or two about human behavior and habit formation. As a self-improvement writer, he'd spent hours pouring over scientific data about behavior changes. He decided to apply a few of these concepts to his own quest. First, he placed the floss on the bathroom counter, rather than tucking it inside a d

Oct 15, 2018 • 1:28:27

Ask Paula - How Can I Send My 4 Children to College?

Ask Paula - How Can I Send My 4 Children to College?

#155: How can a schoolteacher dad and stay-at-home mom send their four kids to college? Where should a 23-year-old keep the savings that she’s accumulating to buy a home by the time she’s 27 or 28? What should we know about retirement planning if we have a pension? And should I rollover my 401k from my old employer? Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these four questions in this week’s episode. Here are the details. Miguel asks: When I hear friends and coworkers talking about

Oct 8, 2018 • 1:08:48

Suze Orman Says $2 Million is Nothing; You Need $10 Million to Retire Early. Internet Explodes

Suze Orman Says $2 Million is Nothing; You Need $10 Million to Retire Early. Internet Explodes

#154: Want to retire early? You'll need at least $5 million, more likely $10 million, says famous financial personality Suze Orman. I should know. She said that to me, directly, on my podcast. I asked Suze for her opinion about a frugal, flexible person who wants to retire early with a $2 million portfolio. She warned that retiring would be a massive mistake. "Two million dollars is nothing," Suze said. "It's nothing. It's pennies in today's world, to tell you the truth." Wait, what? "L

Oct 5, 2018 • 1:01:10

Why I Hate the FIRE Movement, says Suze Orman

Why I Hate the FIRE Movement, says Suze Orman

#153: A few weeks ago, Suze Orman's team reached out to me and asked if I'd be interested in chatting with Suze on my podcast. "Um, duh," I replied. Sure Orman is one of the most famous voices in the world of personal finance. From 2002 to 2015, she hosted The Suze Orman Show on CNBC. She's the author of 10 mega-bestselling books, she wrote a financial column for O, The Oprah Magazine, and she's made multiple appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show. I turned to Twitter and Facebook and as

Oct 1, 2018 • 1:19:05

How to Make Better Decisions -- with Dr. Brian Portnoy

How to Make Better Decisions -- with Dr. Brian Portnoy

#152: Dr. Brian Portnoy is an expert in making decisions. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, he's a Chartered Financial Analyst, and he's the Director of Investment Education at Virtus Investment Partners. Dr. Portnoy joins me on the podcast to discuss how to make smarter decisions -- not only about investments, but also generally in life. How do we sharpen our decision-making skills? How do we improve our critical thinking processes? Here are some of the takeaways from our conv

Sep 24, 2018 • 1:12:32

Ask Paula: "I Feel Like I Don't Deserve My Success. What Should I Do?"

Ask Paula: "I Feel Like I Don't Deserve My Success. What Should I Do?"

#151: We’re back with another “Ask Paula” episode of the show! As usual, my friend and former financial advisor, Joe Saul-Sehy joins me in answering your questions! Let’s dive right in. Hailey: I just graduated from college with a major in Computer Science and minor in graphic design. The whole time - it was rough. I come from a family that didn’t have a lot to give me going into this journey of getting a college degree. So I did it basically on my own - they gave me things here and the

Sep 17, 2018 • 1:00:59

How I Reached Financial Independence through Real Estate - with Chad Carson

How I Reached Financial Independence through Real Estate - with Chad Carson

#150: Chad Carson's friends called him a "nerdjock." When former college football linebacker Chad Carson graduated from Clemson University, he decided to start a business. But he didn't have any money. He was a 235-pound athlete who attended college on a football scholarship. He graduated debt-free with $1,000 in savings from various odd jobs. He wanted to become an entrepreneur, and he knew he was starting from zero. As Chad viewed it, starting from zero meant he had nothing to lose. He sta

Sep 10, 2018 • 1:10:59

Tell Me About Something That Scared You - from Camp FI

Tell Me About Something That Scared You - from Camp FI

#149: Welcome to the September 2018 First Friday bonus episode! We recorded this episode at Camp FI, which stands for Camp Financial Independence. It's a gathering of people who are pursuing financial independence; we spend a few days eating, drinking, and having late-night poolside conversations about money. There are several Camp FI's throughout the year; I recorded this bonus episode at the Camp FI at Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California in early August.    I invited sev

Sep 7, 2018 • 1:10:49

Ask Paula - Should I Sell My House and Invest the Equity?

Ask Paula - Should I Sell My House and Invest the Equity?

#148: Welcome to a special episode of Ask Paula! Today I’m answering questions about real estate investing, and I’ve brought a special guest on the show to join me. His name is Lucas Hall, and he’s a landlord with 5 properties in three locations (D.C., Virginia and Colorado). He’s also the founder of Landlordology and head of investor relations with Cozy. We met about five or six years ago through blogging about rental properties, and I invited him on the show today to answer questions alongsi

Sep 3, 2018 • 1:03:11

How to Believe Your Time is Abundant -- with Laura Vanderkam

How to Believe Your Time is Abundant -- with Laura Vanderkam

#147: Which of the following two attitudes describes you? "I'm crunched for time." -- or -- "I have all the time in the world." I'm guessing your answer is the first, rather than the second. But what if you could feel like your time is expansive and abundant, without drastic changes to your schedule? Most of us want to feel "off the clock," enjoying an existence in which we can linger, without feeling pressure from the demands and stresses on our schedules. According to Laura Vanderkam, even

Aug 27, 2018 • 1:04:13

Ask Paula - Where Should I Keep My Money if I Want to Retire Early?

Ask Paula - Where Should I Keep My Money if I Want to Retire Early?

#146: My friend and former financial advisor, Joe Saul-Sehy, joins me to answer a multitude of questions on retirement savings and investing, so let's dive in. Elyse has two questions: 
#1: Through her job, Elyse has a 401(a) hybrid. Right now, she contributes 0.5% as her employer will contribute 2.5% only when she contributes 4%. Should she contribute the full 4%, or keep her contribution as low as possible, save it, and invest it on her own (which is what she's been doing)? #2: Elyse

Aug 20, 2018 • 1:04:14

How I Paid Off $500,000 in Credit Card Debt, then Launched a Company with $35 Million in Annual Revenue -- with Rand Fishkin, Founder of Moz

How I Paid Off $500,000 in Credit Card Debt, then Launched a Company with $35 Million in Annual Revenue -- with Rand Fishkin, Founder of Moz

#145: When Rand Fishkin was 25 years old, he carried $500,000 in credit card debt. Less than a decade later, Rand was the Founder and CEO of a company that grossed $35 million in annual revenue. In this podcast episode, Rand shares the story of hitting his financial rock-bottom and making the ultimate comeback. _______ The saga began in 2001, when then-22-year-old Rand dropped out of his senior year of college to grow a business with his mom. His mom Gillian owned a small marketing comp

Aug 13, 2018 • 1:07:49

Ask Paula - What Do You Think of Real Estate Crowdfunding?

Ask Paula - What Do You Think of Real Estate Crowdfunding?

#144: Today I’m answering your real estate questions! First up, Rich asks: What are your thoughts on real estate crowdfunding versus investing in a traditional REIT and non-retirement account? He doesn’t want to give up the time it takes to manage a rental property. He wants to spend more time with family and friends, and his eventual goal is to generate enough passive income to transition into becoming a social worker. Rob asks: As a real estate investor who also invests in index funds

Aug 6, 2018 • 44:34

Life After Financial Independence - with millionaire investor Emma Pattee

Life After Financial Independence - with millionaire investor Emma Pattee

#143: Emma Pattee became a millionaire at age 26. But she hates it when I describe her like that. Here are other ways that Emma would prefer to be known: She's thoughtful. She's hilarious. She's kind. Emma is the child of hippies. She grew up in a tent in Oregon, at least for a portion of her childhood. She has a BFA in writing from Emerson College. She bought her first house at age 21. At the time, Emma was juggling a demanding full-time job with her ambitions of becoming a writer. This bala

Aug 3, 2018 • 52:25

How Can We Downsize from Two Incomes to One?

How Can We Downsize from Two Incomes to One?

#142: How can a family of four shift from earning two incomes to one, while still pursuing financial independence? How would a 55-year-old couple with $2 million saved know if they're ready to retire? Can parents use leftover money in their 529 plan to help their daughter with her college loans? If you start a job with an employer who doesn't offer high-deductible, HSA-compatible health insurance plans, could you use a plan from your old boss? And where should a father keep his daughter's Ba

Jul 30, 2018 • 57:16

The Gap Between Knowing and Doing - with Dr. Stephen Wendel from Morningstar

The Gap Between Knowing and Doing - with Dr. Stephen Wendel from Morningstar

#141: "I'll get around to rolling over my 401k ... next week." "Eventually I'll switch to a cheaper insurance plan." "I really should move my portfolio into lower-fee funds." "Yeah, yeah, I know I should create an estate plan. I'll do it later." ____ We know how to improve our financial lives. We know what steps we ought to take. I'm betting that everyone reading this can name at least one action, big or small, that you could take to improve your net worth. But we don't follow through.

Jul 23, 2018 • 1:13:14

Ask Paula - Should I Buy a Rental Property with an HOA?

Ask Paula - Should I Buy a Rental Property with an HOA?

#140: Should you buy a rental property that mandates HOA payments? How do you adjust for cap rate over the years, as the property's rent increases with inflation? Should you buy an $88,500 house that rents for $1,250 a month? And can you dive into detail about how you work with contractors and property managers? I answer these four questions in today's Ask Paula episode, themed around real estate investing. Daria asks: My husband and I live in Charlotte, North Carolina. I've been looking at lo

Jul 16, 2018 • 54:59

How I Save Half of My Income as a Firefighter, While Living in an Expensive City -- with Kim E.

How I Save Half of My Income as a Firefighter, While Living in an Expensive City -- with Kim E.

#139: Five years ago, at age 29, Kim E. started her first professional, salaried full-time job, working as a firefighter for the City of Austin, Texas. She received a starting salary of $42,000. Today, five years later, she has saved: - one year's salary ($40,000) in an emergency fund - one year's salary ($42,000) in a workplace retirement fund - more than half a year's salary ($27,500) in a Roth IRA She also paid off her student loans ($10,000), paid off her car loan (roughly around $1

Jul 9, 2018 • 1:15:15

How to Create an Authentic Life

How to Create an Authentic Life

#138: There’s a famous quote that’s attributed to Henry Ford. The quote says, “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.”⠀ ⠀ There’s no proof that Henry Ford actually said this. But whether or not that quote is historically accurate, the point remains. If Elon Musk had asked people what they wanted, they would have said a car with better gas mileage.⠀ ⠀ But Elon never bothered asking. Because he knows you cannot change history from the middle of the bell curve.

Jul 7, 2018 • 50:40

Ask Paula: What the F**k are Annuities?

Ask Paula: What the F**k are Annuities?

#137: Today's episode is an annuity sandwich: we answer one question about family and relationships, three questions about annuities, and one question about time management. My friend and former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy joins me to answer questions in what, I hope, is the most entertaining episode about annuities you'll hear. Here are the five questions that we'll tackle today. Anonymous asks: I didn't grow up with much money, and my father recently went into bankruptcy. I've worked ha

Jul 2, 2018 • 1:13:33

How I Bought 20 Houses, Debt-Free, While Serving Overseas in the Military - with Rich Carey

How I Bought 20 Houses, Debt-Free, While Serving Overseas in the Military - with Rich Carey

#136: Rich Carey is a military millionaire. He's spent his career in the U.S. Air Force; he's currently stationed in Seoul, South Korea. He was stationed in Germany before this. He'll retire after this. Most of his fellow servicemembers, upon taking a military retirement, start a second career. But Rich doesn't need to. He's financially independent, thanks to his 20 rental properties. He bought most of these properties while stationed overseas. He's renovated them from afar. And he's bo

Jun 25, 2018 • 1:16:00

Ask Paula - How Can I Get a Downpayment for a Rental Property?

Ask Paula - How Can I Get a Downpayment for a Rental Property?

#135: Time to talk about houses! I answer your questions about rental property investing in this week's episode. Our first question comes from James, age 25. He lives in Florida, where he bought a $130,000, 3-bedroom, 2-bath condominium in the Class B range as his primary residence. He'd like to buy a second home and rent out his current home. He has $4,000 in cash and is eligible to take out $5,000 as a home equity line of credit. He makes $41,000 per year, after taxes. He'd like to bu

Jun 18, 2018 • 54:14

How Radical Curiosity Leads to Innovation in Life and Work - with Shane Snow, founder of Contently

How Radical Curiosity Leads to Innovation in Life and Work - with Shane Snow, founder of Contently

#134: We often peek inside the world of business to look for lessons about how to simplify, optimize and innovate. But what can we learn when we examine world-class people who are hacking the system in any field -- including sports, politics and music? What can we learn when we're radically curious about everything? And how can we apply this knowledge to helping us lead more deliberate, curated lives? Today, we tap Shane Snow's brain for answers. Shane Snow is a co-founder of Contently,

Jun 11, 2018 • 1:14:50

Ask Paula and Joe -- How to Give More to Charity While Also Building Financial Independence

Ask Paula and Joe -- How to Give More to Charity While Also Building Financial Independence

#133: Andy from Michigan loved the episode with charity:water founder Scott Harrison. After the episode, he and his 6-year-old daughter started watching videos about charity:water, and now they're both inspired to give. Andy's question is on the topic of giving. His is to reach financial independence within 5 to 10 years. He and his wife are debt-free, including mortgage-free, and their retirement accounts are well-fueled. Now they're working on building passive income. In the meantime,

Jun 4, 2018 • 57:20

Ask Paula - I'm Six Years Away From Financial Independence, But I Want to Quit Now

Ask Paula - I'm Six Years Away From Financial Independence, But I Want to Quit Now

#132: BONUS EPISODE!! On the first Friday of the month for the remainder of the year, I'm rolling out an additional bonus episode. As you know, this podcast airs weekly on Mondays. I'm thinking about maybe -- MAYBE -- expanding the podcast to twice-a-week. Maybe. But before I make such a big commitment, I figured I'd test the waters by producing *one* extra episode per month. I'll release this on the first Friday of every month for the rest of 2018. Today's episode is the June 2018 Firs

Jun 1, 2018 • 36:30

How We Slashed Our Costs 70 Percent and Gained Happiness -- with Scott Rieckens

How We Slashed Our Costs 70 Percent and Gained Happiness -- with Scott Rieckens

#131: Scott Rieckens and his wife Taylor enjoyed a classic Southern California lifestyle. They lived near a gorgeous beach in sunny San Diego. They frequently dined at sushi restaurants. They drove a BMW. But after the birth of their daughter, everything changed. Taylor, an intelligent, career-driven, independent woman, suddenly didn't want to spend any time away from her new baby girl. And Scott had no idea what to do. Their luxury lifestyle depended on dual incomes. At first, he tried to c

May 28, 2018 • 1:10:39

Ask Paula - Should I Sell Stocks to Buy a Rental Property

Ask Paula - Should I Sell Stocks to Buy a Rental Property

#130: Anna and Dave want to get married … eventually. But they want to buy a rental property together first. How should they approach this from a paperwork/legal structure standpoint? Note: They’re thinking about having one partner purchase the home, with the other partner acting as a lender (with proper paperwork in place). Would this be a wise approach? Fred lives in Saskatchewan, Canada and owns two duplexes. He’s thinking of buying rental properties in the U.S., and he has 4 questions: W

May 21, 2018 • 58:44

How I Paid Off Thousands in Credit Card Debt - with Laura Adams, from Money Girl Podcast

How I Paid Off Thousands in Credit Card Debt - with Laura Adams, from Money Girl Podcast

#129: Laura Adams grew up in an upper-middle-class family in South Carolina, and her parents supported her through college. She attended her top-choice school, met her husband while they were still students, and enjoyed a charmed life. When she graduated, she continued to live at a lifestyle to which she felt accustomed. She rented a beautiful apartment. She took vacations. When she felt lonely, she comforted herself with shopping sprees. Unfortunately, her spending habits weren't align

May 14, 2018 • 57:00

Should I Choose a Roth vs. Traditional IRA and 401k for Early Retirement?

Should I Choose a Roth vs. Traditional IRA and 401k for Early Retirement?

#128: Antonia, 27, wants to retire in 15 years. She's trying to figure out whether to contribute to pre-tax or after-tax retirement accounts. Most financial advice for 20-somethings that she's encountered says to contribute to after-tax (Roth) retirement accounts. These articles assume that a 27-year-old will continue earning money for the next 30+ years, presumably escalating into higher tax brackets along the way. By paying taxes upfront, these articles say, you'll enjoy 30+ years of compoun

May 7, 2018 • 1:11:11

Four Unhealthy Attitudes Towards Money -- with Dr. Brad Klontz, Financial Therapist

Four Unhealthy Attitudes Towards Money -- with Dr. Brad Klontz, Financial Therapist

#127: Most people know what they “should” do — save for the future. Spend less than they earn. Why do so few people follow through? The answer may have less to do with tactics, and more to do with a person’s deep-seated beliefs, fears and anxieties around money. Your income, debt, and spending habits aren't merely a function of your actions. They're a reflection of your deep-seated inner psychology around money. Dr. Brad Klontz, a clinical psychologist and financial planner, joins me on toda

Apr 30, 2018 • 1:06:20

Ask Paula - Should I Buy a Beachfront Rental Property?

Ask Paula - Should I Buy a Beachfront Rental Property?

#126: It's time to answer real estate investing questions! Tom asks: "We're thinking about buying a duplex on a beach in a popular vacation destination in Florida. If the property stays 85 percent occupied as a short-term (VRBO) rental at current rates, the income from one unit of the duplex could cover the costs of a 30-year mortgage. "But if a recession hits, Florida real estate might tank. The rental rates or occupancy could drop. And we'd be stuck paying the mortgage out-of-pocket,

Apr 23, 2018 • 1:04:03

How to Gain a Competitive Edge, with Morgan Housel

How to Gain a Competitive Edge, with Morgan Housel

#125: Morgan Housel has spent thousands of hours reading about investing. As a former columnist for the Wall Street Journal and The Motley Fool, he's spent more than a decade reading, interviewing, thinking and writing about how to manage money. And he's come to a simple conclusion: less is more. Doing nothing is often the best course of action. Patience, humility and long-term thinking give individual investors a massive competitive edge over major institutions. The classic strategy of

Apr 16, 2018 • 1:02:00

Ask Paula and Joe - Should I Sell My Brand-New Car (and Lose $6,000 in 4 Months)?

Ask Paula and Joe - Should I Sell My Brand-New Car (and Lose $6,000 in 4 Months)?

#124: Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I answer five questions about investing, retirement, insurance, travel and selling an expensive car. Eliana is 25 and makes $63,000 per year, plus a little extra from freelance work. She holds $95,000 in cash, $67,000 in retirement investments, and no debt. She doesn't necessarily hold early retirement as a goal, but she'd like the option to access her funds before she's 59-and-a-half. She asks two questions: First, she's been spreading h

Apr 9, 2018 • 1:02:13

Your Money or Your Life -- with Vicki Robin, bestselling author

Your Money or Your Life -- with Vicki Robin, bestselling author

#123: In the 1970's, a woman named Vicki Robin teamed up with a man named Joe Dominguez. They came from different backgrounds: she was an Ivy League graduate with a comfortable upbringing; he was raised in Spanish Harlem on "welfare cheese." But they shared one common thread: a commitment to financial independence, not just as a money management strategy, but as a philosophy on life. Vicki and Joe became partners in both work and life. They united over a definition of "FI" that expanded beyon

Apr 2, 2018 • 1:03:20

Ask Paula - I'd Like to Airbnb a Yurt. Should I?

Ask Paula - I'd Like to Airbnb a Yurt. Should I?

#122: Tony lives in Chicago, where the returns on rental properties are so-so. He's thinking about investing in Indianapolis, where he consistently finds rental properties with cap rates that are greater than 8 percent. Should he invest locally, so that he can get a primary residence mortgage and keep a closer eye on the space? Or should he invest out-of-state, where the returns are stronger? Dan lives in California. He's curious: where should he look for rental properties? And when sho

Mar 26, 2018 • 48:10

How I Retired at Age 32 - with Liz Thames from Frugalwoods

How I Retired at Age 32 - with Liz Thames from Frugalwoods

#121: After Liz Thames graduated from college, she couldn't find a job. "Nowhere would hire me," Thames says. "I had what I thought was this nice resume, and I sent out over 50 applications. Nowhere called me back." She took a temporary job at a document-scanning agency, then joined Americorps to serve as a full-time volunteer in a low-income neighborhood in Brooklyn. She lived on a stipend of $10,000 annually, plus food stamps and a transit pass. She saved $2,000 from her $10,000 stipend, wh

Mar 19, 2018 • 1:01:21

Ask Paula - I'm Retiring at 53. How Will Early Retirement Impact My Social Security?

Ask Paula - I'm Retiring at 53. How Will Early Retirement Impact My Social Security?

#120: Roger Whitney, age 51, calls himself The Retirement Answer Man. As a financial planner, investment analyst and podcast host, he focuses on helping Baby Boomers craft a traditional (past-age-60) retirement. Today, he joins me to answer two questions that come in from our community. Our first question is from Emily, who says: “I’m trying to help my mom decide if she should retire.” “My dad was a CPA and then a CFO, making great money, until 16 years ago when he was diagnosed with ea

Mar 12, 2018 • 45:59

How Much Can I Spend in Retirement? - with Dr. Wade Pfau

How Much Can I Spend in Retirement? - with Dr. Wade Pfau

#119: Once upon a time, in southern California in 1994, there lived a man named William Bengen. He read many claims, widespread at the time, that said that since the markets return at least 7-9 percent compounding rates on average, retirees could withdraw and spend 7 percent of their portfolio. William had a hunch that this was misguided. He decided to prove it. He looked at 30-year timespans in U.S. history, starting from 1926. The first timespan ranged from 1926 to 1955. The second timespan

Mar 5, 2018 • 59:52

Ask Paula - How Do I Buy a Foreclosure? - and Other Real Estate Questions

Ask Paula - How Do I Buy a Foreclosure? - and Other Real Estate Questions

#118: Questions -- I get questions! Today, I’m tackling four queries about real estate investing that come from the audience. Here are the details: Sam says: I work full-time and I’m not handy, so I definitely need a property manager. I’ve found an amazing property management company, but they only serve a small, specific neighborhood. Should I buy a property in this neighborhood so that I can use this fantastic property management company? Terri asks: I’ve heard that if you’re above a

Feb 26, 2018 • 44:00

How to Avoid Killing Your Spouse (and Should You Get Married in the First Place?) - with Farnoosh Torabi

How to Avoid Killing Your Spouse (and Should You Get Married in the First Place?) - with Farnoosh Torabi

#117: My friend and financial expert Farnoosh Torabi joins me to answer a relationship & money question from a listener named Janice.⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Janice is engaged, and she calls to ask: Should she get married?⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ She earns double what her fiancé makes. She has no debt except her mortgage. Her retirement accounts are well-funded. He makes half of her salary. He’s carrying $20,000 in credit card and student loan debt. He has two children from a previous marriage and pays 25 percent of his

Feb 19, 2018 • 53:44

Ask Paula -- Help! I'm Underwater on My Car!

Ask Paula -- Help! I'm Underwater on My Car!

#116: Stacy and her boyfriend would like to downsize to one vehicle. But they're collectively $14,500 underwater on their car loans. 
 Stacy owes $11,000 on her car, but its trade-in value is $7,200. She's paying a 12.74% interest rate and her payoff date is 2021.  
 Her boyfriend is in worse shape. He owes $18,500 on his vehicle, but its trade-in value is $7,800. He's paying a 21.5% interest rate and his payoff date is 2022. 
 Theoretically, they could sell Stacy's car to a private par

Feb 12, 2018 • 1:20:00

How Dave Ramsey Taught His Kids About Money -- with Rachel Cruze

How Dave Ramsey Taught His Kids About Money -- with Rachel Cruze

#115: Rachel Cruze was born the year her father, Dave Ramsey, filed for bankruptcy. During her childhood, she watched her parents transition from struggling and rebuilding from their bankruptcy, to becoming debt-free multimillionaires. Her dad went on to become the host of The Dave Ramsey Show, a money management radio show and podcast that reaches more than 12 million people per week. It’s central message is to budget carefully and avoid debt. Despite their success, the Ramseys committ

Feb 5, 2018 • 56:56

Ask Paula -- How Should I Invest $100K in Real Estate?

Ask Paula -- How Should I Invest $100K in Real Estate?

#114: This week, I answer four questions about real estate investing from the audience. Joelle asks: I own a home outright on the West Coast. I’m thinking about taking out $100,000 from my home equity, and using this money to buy a rental property. I found a community out east where I can buy a property outright in cash for $100,000 in a good neighborhood. Should I pay cash for one house (via the home equity loan)? Or should I split this $100,000 into multiple down payments on many home

Jan 29, 2018 • 58:58

How I Run a Six-Figure Business and Host an Airbnb while Traveling the World -- with Natalie Sisson

How I Run a Six-Figure Business and Host an Airbnb while Traveling the World -- with Natalie Sisson

#113: Natalie Sisson was tired of the corporate world. She wanted freedom, adventure and fulfillment. In 2008, she quit her job and co-founded a tech company -- but soon she discovered that running a company felt a lot like having a day job. Two years later, she quit her own company in order to truly strike out on her own. Since 2010, Natalie has run an online business from her laptop while traveling the globe. She's visited 70 countries, living out of a suitcase while running a lucrati

Jan 22, 2018 • 55:44

Ask Paula - How to Convince a Spouse to Invest in Low-fee Index Funds?

Ask Paula - How to Convince a Spouse to Invest in Low-fee Index Funds?

#112: How can I convince my spouse to invest in low-fee index funds? How should my fiancé and I combine our finances? If I'd like to invest in rental properties, should I also buy stocks? Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy joins me to tackle these audience questions and more. Thomas asks: My wife is suspicious of Vanguard. She questions how they could stay in business while charging low fees -- isn't there a catch? She's also reluctant about investing the majority of our money in a

Jan 15, 2018 • 49:00

How We Retired at Age 38 and 41 -- with Tanja Hester & Mark Bunge

How We Retired at Age 38 and 41 -- with Tanja Hester & Mark Bunge

#111: Tanja Hester and Mark Bunge used to have demanding but fulfilling careers as political and social cause consultants. While they loved the mission behind their work, they grew tired of the exhausting hours and grueling travel. Their home felt like a weekend crash pad. They had no time or energy to pursue outside passions like skiing, biking and volunteering. Six years ago, they read a book that changed the course of their lives. The book, How to Retire Early, set the couple on the path o

Jan 8, 2018 • 55:29

Ask Paula -- Get Ready for the Next Recession

Ask Paula -- Get Ready for the Next Recession

#110: Happy New Years! We're kicking off this year on a bright and cheerful note -- with a conversation about the impending recession! Yay! The U.S. stock market is at a peak, continuing its 9-year bull run. The markets have been rising since March 2009 without any major corrections or pullbacks. We are living in one of the longest periods of economic expansion in our nation's market history. That's worrisome. Speculators with short memories are popping champagne corks thinking the good

Jan 1, 2018 • 50:44

How to Create a Complaint-Free World -- with Will Bowen

How to Create a Complaint-Free World -- with Will Bowen

#109: Happy holidays! I thought it would be nice to wrap up this year with a lighthearted holiday episode about the importance of keeping a positive attitude. Will Bowen, my guest on the final episode of 2017 (wow!), started a campaign to motivate people to complain less. He noticed that many people in his community said they wanted more stuff -- more possessions -- but they complained about what they already had. So he wondered if perhaps people could find happiness not by purchasing m

Dec 25, 2017 • 38:30

Ask Paula - I Don't Know How to Invest

Ask Paula - I Don't Know How to Invest

#108: Former financial advisor Joe Saul-Sehy joins me to answer audience questions about investing strategies, early retirement, and tax planning. Whitnee calls in with this: I'm 31, and my husband and I save half of our combined income. We've maxed out our H.S.A. accounts and we're getting an employer match in our 401k. We have $80,000 stashed as cash in a checking or low-yield savings account. We're paying nearly $2,000 per month for insurance policies, most of which is a whole life insuran

Dec 18, 2017 • 48:00

How Scott Harrison Brought Clean Water to 7.3 Million People

How Scott Harrison Brought Clean Water to 7.3 Million People

#107: Scott Harrison spent 10 years as a New York City nightclub promoter, partying until sunrise every morning and ingesting almost every substance imaginable. But when he was 28, he realized his life lacked meaning. "My tombstone might say, 'here's the guy who got thousands of people drunk,'" Harrison said. Feeling lost, he decided to volunteer for a medical charity in Liberia. Harrison spent the next year-and-a-half in West Africa, where he encountered people with diseases he'd never

Dec 11, 2017 • 1:09:19

Ask Paula - How to Estimate Repair Costs, File Taxes on Rental Income, and More

Ask Paula - How to Estimate Repair Costs, File Taxes on Rental Income, and More

#106: How do you search for rental properties out-of-state? Should I offer a lease-option contract to my friends? How can I estimate repair and maintenance costs? And can you deep-dive into bookkeeping and taxes for rental real estate? I tackle these four questions in this episode of Ask Paula - real estate edition.   Saul from Salt Lake City asks: I'm converting the first floor of my home into a two-bedroom, one-bath apartment. My "hacked duplex" will soon be ready for my first tenant.

Dec 4, 2017 • 1:06:55

Life as an Experiment -- with A.J. Jacobs

Life as an Experiment -- with A.J. Jacobs

#105: A.J. Jacobs is the Editor-at-Large of Esquire Magazine and the New York Times bestselling author of multiple books. His three TED Talks have collectively garnered more than three million views. He describes himself as "a father of three, husband of one, and cousin to millions." And he's probably your cousin. Twice removed. AJ joins me on this episode to chat about motivation, habits, and living life as an experiment. Here are some of the stories we cover: - Why AJ divulged his entire s

Nov 27, 2017 • 55:40

Ask Paula - How Can I Learn about Money from the People Around Me?

Ask Paula - How Can I Learn about Money from the People Around Me?

#104: This week, I answer 4 questions about quitting a depressing job, learning how to ask probing questions, saving for a downpayment, and more. Edward asks: How can I learn from other people around me? I'm 28, and my wife and I have some money that we'd like to invest. We know people who've had both successes and losses in the investing world, but when I ask them questions, they tend to become a little more private and shy away. How can I encourage them to open up, so that we can lear

Nov 20, 2017 • 36:35

Random Smattering of Lessons on Money, Work and Life — plus A Call for Radical Authenticity

Random Smattering of Lessons on Money, Work and Life — plus A Call for Radical Authenticity

#103: On today’s show, I'm sharing this random smattering of lessons on money and life.⠀ ⠀ 1) Simplify everything.⠀ 2) Risk = Probability x Magnitude.⠀ 3) Curate.⠀ 4) Never delay gratification.⠀ 5) Know your net worth, relative to your lifetime earnings.⠀ 6) Don't half-ass anything. (Whole-ass a few things.)⠀ 7) When you're not at work, don't be at work.⠀ 8) Yes, and.⠀ 9) Money can't make you happy, but a lack of money can make you unhappy.⠀ 10) Every conversation about money is reall

Nov 13, 2017 • 54:00

Ask Paula - Should I Sell My Rental Property and Invest the Proceeds in the Market?

Ask Paula - Should I Sell My Rental Property and Invest the Proceeds in the Market?

#102: This week, I'm back to answering questions posed by listeners of the podcast. An anonymous listener asks: Should we continue to rent out our home, or should we sell it? We bought a home in California but have since moved to New York and have been renting there. After all expenses on the rental are accounted for, we receive $150/mo in profit. We estimate that even with repairs factored in, we'll still be in the positive. However, my husband thinks it's better to sell the property and inv

Nov 6, 2017 • 53:55

The Code of Trust, with Robin Dreeke

The Code of Trust, with Robin Dreeke

#101: Robin Dreeke is former head of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Behavioral Analysis Program. His primary role, at the time, was to thwart foreign spies and  recruit American spies. That's not an easy task. To accomplish this, Dreeke needed to gain people's trust -- even when they had no reason to trust him. He spent years developing and testing systems on how to develop trust with others in high-stakes situations. Today, he joins us on this podcast to describe The Code of Trust, a set of

Oct 30, 2017 • 51:55

Life After Financial Freedom, with Brandon - the Mad FIentist

Life After Financial Freedom, with Brandon - the Mad FIentist

#100: Over a year-and-a-half and two million plus downloads later, the Afford Anything podcast has hit another awesome milestone: the 100th episode! To celebrate, I recorded this one live from Ecuador with my good friend Brandon, otherwise known as the Mad FIentist. If you've been a listener since the early days, you may remember Brandon from episode #7. He was the first guest to appear on the podcast, and I'm thrilled to have him back on for round two! In this episode, we focus on life after

Oct 23, 2017 • 54:30

How I Grew BiggerPockets From 0 to 870,000 Members - with Joshua Dorkin

How I Grew BiggerPockets From 0 to 870,000 Members - with Joshua Dorkin

#99: Thirteen years ago, Joshua Dorkin's friends teased him about starting a website that seemed to have no future. "I would get calls from my buddies who would literally call me on my cell phone [and say] 'Hey Josh, we just walked past a penny on the ground. We were thinking about picking it up and mailing it to you." At the time, Dorkin had just launched BiggerPockets, a then-nascent website about real estate investing. "I was working a full-time job making no money as a teacher," Do

Oct 16, 2017 • 1:00:00

Ask Paula - The Side Hustle Episode

Ask Paula - The Side Hustle Episode

#98: How much money should you invest in a side hustle or side business? How do you know if your side hustle idea is viable? What if you want to start 5 or 6 side businesses? Should you lump these together under a common business umbrella? Or should you separate them out? These are the questions about side hustles -- asked by listeners Adalia and Brionna -- that I answer in today's episode. My friend Joe Saul-Sehy from the Stacking Benjamins podcast joins me to chime in with his views on bu

Oct 9, 2017 • 43:00

There Are More Heroes Than Villains

There Are More Heroes Than Villains

There are more heroes than villains in this world. We have seen a tremendous outpouring of love and support today. Please support the cause that's calling you, whether it's supporting the victims of the Las Vegas shootings, or disaster relief in Puerto Rico, or ongoing humanitarian crises that don't make headlines. Please support the victims of the Las Vegas massacre at https://www.gofundme.com/dr2ks2-las-vegas-victims-fund Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 3, 2017 • 7:38

How to Be Awesome at Your Job, with Pete Mockaitis

How to Be Awesome at Your Job, with Pete Mockaitis

#97: How can you be awesome at your job? That's the question that today's guest, Pete Mockaitis, and I tackle on the latest Afford Anything podcast episode. Pete hosts one of iTunes' top 10 career podcasts, called -- appropriately -- How to Be Awesome at Your Job. In typical nerd fashion, I launch our interview by asking him: "What is the metric by which 'awesome' is determined?" Here are a few other questions that I hurl his way: How to Get a Raise: Imagine that you enjoy your job; you don

Oct 2, 2017 • 1:00:44

Ask Paula - Should I Be an Out-of-State Airbnb Host?

Ask Paula - Should I Be an Out-of-State Airbnb Host?

#96: Today I tackle 4 real estate questions that come from the listeners. Chris, age 25, says: Over the next 30 years, I'd like to acquire 15 rental properties. Then, at age 55, my wife and I can retire and travel. To begin, I'd like to buy a duplex, live in one unit and rent the other on Airbnb. Once I gain some equity and save enough for another downpayment, I'd like to purchase another duplex, move in, and repeat this process. However, I'm reluctant to get started for one reason. There's

Sep 25, 2017 • 42:14

Money for the Rest of Us, with JD Stein

Money for the Rest of Us, with JD Stein

#95: J. David Stein used to manage billions of dollars. He retired at age 46. Now that he's retired, he faces a different challenge: How should he invest his own money? What investing philosophy should he follow in his own life? And what can we learn from that? Stein, who now hosts a podcast called Money for the Rest of Us, joins me on today's show to talk about his big-picture investing ideas. For a list of my takeaways, go to http://affordanything.com/episode95 Learn more about your ad

Sep 18, 2017 • 54:39

Ask Paula - The Early Retirement Episode

Ask Paula - The Early Retirement Episode

#94: Early retirement? Yes please. This week, I answer questions from the audience community around early retirement planning, health savings and debt pay-off. I'm interested in early retirement. How can I avoid early withdrawal penalties? How does early retirement impact the 4 Percent Rule? Should I use an HRA or an HSA? How do I open a Roth IRA? If you’re into early retirement, don’t miss today’s episode. For complete resources and show notes, go to http://affordanything.com/episode94

Sep 11, 2017 • 43:21

The Secret Lives of Introverts - with Jenn Granneman

The Secret Lives of Introverts - with Jenn Granneman

#93: Do you enjoy spending time alone? Does your inner monologue chatter constantly? When you were a student, did you sometimes stay quiet even when you knew the correct answer? Do you avoid confrontation? Does small talk bore you? Have people told you that you're "too intense" or that you "get deep quickly?" Do you live inside your head? Do people see you as a good listener? Do you rarely interrupt others? Are you better at writing thoughts than speaking them? Are you good at focusing for

Sep 4, 2017 • 48:47

Ask Paula - How Do I Hire an All-Star Rental Property Team?

Ask Paula - How Do I Hire an All-Star Rental Property Team?

#92: If you're interested in real estate investing, and if you've wondered how to assemble an all-star team, today's episode is for you. I'm hosting another edition of Ask Paula, in which I tackle three audience-submitted questions about building a team as a real estate investor. Salome from Cincinnati asks: Who are the people I'll need on my real estate team? How much will I spend in paying them? And how can I find them? Doug from Louisiana asks: I've saved $20,000 as the downpayment on a re

Aug 28, 2017 • 36:40

How to Spend Less, Earn More and Grow the Gap

How to Spend Less, Earn More and Grow the Gap

#91: Grow the gap between your income and your expenses: How to tackle the 4 biggest expenses in the average American household budget. Also, I share non-obvious tips on how to trim back on these costs. Enjoy! Paula For more details on this presentation, go to http://affordanything.com/episode91 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 21, 2017 • 46:46

Ask Paula -- I'm Tired of Paying Rent. Should I Buy a House?

Ask Paula -- I'm Tired of Paying Rent. Should I Buy a House?

#90: Curious about real estate investing? I'm rocking the microphone solo on today's episode, tackling the rental property questions that you -- the listeners -- have asked. Rachel from the Ozarks asks: I'm inspired to start investing in real estate. I live in the Ozarks region, and the cap rates around here are fantastic. However, the online reviews for local property management companies are consistently terrible. What should I do if I can't find a good property manager? Daan from Malaysia

Aug 14, 2017 • 43:59

Imagine You Only Have 10 Years to Live ...

Imagine You Only Have 10 Years to Live ...

#89: Imagine you’re financially secure. You have enough money to support yourself, your family and pursue your dreams. You’ll need to continue working, but it’s fulfilling work with a reasonable schedule. What would you do with both your time and money? Next, imagine you’re financially independent. You DON’T need to work anymore. Your investments create enough money to support yourself and your family. What would you do? Okay, let's shake things up. Imagine you visit your doctor, who tells you

Aug 7, 2017 • 42:40

Ask Paula - When is Lifestyle Inflation a Smart Business Decision?

Ask Paula - When is Lifestyle Inflation a Smart Business Decision?

#88: Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I answer 4 questions from the Afford Anything community. We chat about how to control lifestyle inflation, how to break up with a financial planner, how to invest your first $10,000, and whether or not sector-specific or theme-specific funds are a good idea. #1: Laura is transitioning to a new job, and she's discovered that her new responsibilities require some lifestyle inflation. She needs work-appropriate clothing, for example; she can't wear

Jul 31, 2017 • 41:59

Myths about Money - Are Your Ideas Holding You Back?

Myths about Money - Are Your Ideas Holding You Back?

#87: A week and a half ago, I flew to Portland for the World Domination Summit -- a conference with an admittedly eyebrow-raising title. The conference is hosted by Chris Guillebeau, the New York Times best-selling author of multiple books, including The Art of Non-Conformity. He was also a previous guest on this podcast. I've wanted to check out WDS for years, so I was thrilled when Chris asked me to give a presentation there. Then he mentioned that my presentation should be three hours long

Jul 24, 2017 • 49:40

Ask Paula - Should I Keep My Properties in an LLC

Ask Paula - Should I Keep My Properties in an LLC

#86: The real estate questions keep coming in, so today I’m answering questions from three Afford Anything listeners: Heather is ready to buy her first rental property. She wants to acquire about one house per year, following a buy-and-hold strategy. Salome and her husband are renting out an unused room in our house on Airbnb. We're interested in venturing into buying rental properties later. Then Caren talks about coming across several real estate investing clubs, or memberships, in which th

Jul 17, 2017 • 29:49

How to Make Money without a Job -- with Nick Loper from Side Hustle Nation

How to Make Money without a Job -- with Nick Loper from Side Hustle Nation

#85: Like many people, Nick Loper used to work a full-time job that didn't excite him. Unlike most people, Loper decided to escape his uninspiring work life. First, he launched a shoe-comparison website that began collecting side income. Over time, this side project grew increasingly profitable, until -- finally -- he thought he could run this website full-time. Loper quit his job. That's when all hell broke loose. Within days, Loper's website lost 80 percent of its search traffic and adver

Jul 10, 2017 • 59:59

Ask Paula: No, Really, I'm Asking for a Friend! -- How to Crush $500,000 in Debt

Ask Paula: No, Really, I'm Asking for a Friend! -- How to Crush $500,000 in Debt

#84: This week, I tackle your questions with my good friend, recovering financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy. Here's what we answer: 1. I'm asking for a friend -- no, really, I'm asking for a friend! My friends are married and buried. They're a married couple, buried in $500,000 of debt. Some is federal student loans, some is private student loans, and some is credit card debt. They're paying the minimum on their student loans, with the hope that these loans will be forgiven after 25 years. They'r

Jul 3, 2017 • 53:10

This is The Toughest Episode I've Created So Far

This is The Toughest Episode I've Created So Far

#83: Hey. It’s time we talked. I’ve made many tough decisions in my business. I’ve said “no” to thousands of pitches, turned away countless advertising requests, and made difficult choices about content and tone. And sometimes I don’t know whether or not I’ve made the right choice. Today’s podcast episode is a painfully personal one. I open up my mind, explaining exactly how I make decisions about how to lead this online community. I’m frank about the doubts I hold and the choices I’ve quest

Jun 26, 2017 • 38:24

Ask Paula - How Do You Pick a Rental Property?

Ask Paula - How Do You Pick a Rental Property?

#82: Welcome to another Ask Paula episode! This week, I answer three real estate questions: #1: What criteria do you use when you’re shopping for an investment property? What qualities make you say, “heck yeah I’m buying this!!” — and what qualities make you say, “No way!” #2: I enjoy renting my personal home, but I still dream of investing in rental properties. Does it make sense to buy a rental property, even while I’m still a renter myself? #3: I’m a 45-year-old actress, and my income pro

Jun 19, 2017 • 39:00

Get Me Out of This Crappy Job! - with Jenny Blake, author of Pivot

Get Me Out of This Crappy Job! - with Jenny Blake, author of Pivot

#81: Jenny Blake used to have an enviable job. As a Career Development manager at Google, she enjoyed the perks of a Silicon Valley life, plus the satisfaction of helping people everyday. She co-founded Google's Career Guru Program, and helped countless Google employees find their right career "fit." But, ironically, Blake sensed that her own career wasn't on the right track. So she took a brave plunge that few would dare: Blake quit Google, packed her bags, and moved from California to New Y

Jun 12, 2017 • 48:45

Joe Says Life Insurance Won’t Make the Headline. But it Did.

Joe Says Life Insurance Won’t Make the Headline. But it Did.

#80: Chris, age 30, makes $200,000 per year and saves 50 percent of his income. What accounts should he use in order to maximize his tax benefits? Dee, age 39, is getting tired of apartment living. She found a great neighborhood in which she'd like to own a home, and she's saving for a 20 percent downpayment. But she's nervous about the high cost of home maintenance. How can she deal with this? Chelsea just moved into a new house with her husband. He purchased the house outright, in cash, and

Jun 5, 2017 • 47:57

How I Bootstrapped a $4 Million Company, with Laura Roeder

How I Bootstrapped a $4 Million Company, with Laura Roeder

#79: When Laura Roeder was 22, she quit her job to become a full-time freelancer. She earned $30,000 in her first year as a freelancer; $60,000 in her second year. Ten years later -- (Laura is now 32) -- her company earns $4 million in annual revenue. (Can I repeat that? Did I bury the lede? *Laura went from making $30,000 per year to owning 100% of a company that earns $4 million per year.* And she did this within a decade. Oh, and she also had a baby.) (Like, whoa.) Laura is the founder a

May 29, 2017 • 58:59

Ask Paula (and Will) - How Technology is Changing the Future of Real Estate Investing

Ask Paula (and Will) - How Technology is Changing the Future of Real Estate Investing

#78: Imagine that you're looking for a rental property. It's a warm Saturday afternoon, and you decide to cruise through a few open houses in the area. Your autonomously-driving electric vehicle pulls into the driveway. Your wifi-enabled contact lenses automatically register the property's details: square footage, year of construction, sales history, tax assessment, price-to-rent ratio, average neighborhood occupancy rates, and multiple cap rate estimates. As you walk through the property, your

May 22, 2017 • 51:33

What I've Learned from 9 Years of Nonstop Travel, with Geraldine DeRuiter, The Everywhereist

What I've Learned from 9 Years of Nonstop Travel, with Geraldine DeRuiter, The Everywhereist

#77: “Have you ever tried to stop-peeing midstream? It’s like trying to put spray cheese back in the can. The damage has been done, and the only thing left to do is try to enjoy yourself.” That’s a quote from a deleted chapter in a book written by (in my opinion) one of the funniest bloggers on the internet, Geraldine DeRuiter. Geraldine is an ‘accidental’ travel writer. Nine years ago, she found herself laid-off from a copywriting job and decided, “screw it, I’m gonna travel.” She’s since vis

May 15, 2017 • 53:59

Ask Paula - How to Handle an Inheritance, Should I Invest in Properties or Start a Business, and More.

Ask Paula - How to Handle an Inheritance, Should I Invest in Properties or Start a Business, and More.

#76: This week, my buddy Joe Saul-Sehy joins me to answer another round of listener-submitted questions. A listener from California asks: My husband and I will be inheriting money, which we plan to invest in index funds. We believe that our inheritance will eventually make us financially independent. However, I feel guilt about the fact that this money is unearned. Do you have any thoughts on this? Eric wants to know: Should he stick with a high-deductible health insurance plan if he's startin

May 8, 2017 • 1:00:04

Jen Sincero says she used to be a "grouchy broke person"

Jen Sincero says she used to be a "grouchy broke person"

#75: In her early 40's, Jen lived in a converted garage, buried in credit card debt and scrounging for spare change. She was the type of person who'd join her friends at a restaurant for dinner , order nothing except tap water, and fill up on the complimentary bread basket. She used duct-tape to repair her shoes. Her "splurges" consisted of buying new windshield wipers.   Despite her struggles, Jen believed that pursuing wealth was icky. She'd internalized negative social attitudes towards mone

May 1, 2017 • 56:15

Ask Paula - How to Repay $50k in Student Loans on a $31k Income, What's the Deal with Bonds, and Do I Really Need Insurance

Ask Paula - How to Repay $50k in Student Loans on a $31k Income, What's the Deal with Bonds, and Do I Really Need Insurance

#74: Former financial planner and friend of the show, Joe Saul-Sehy from Stacking Benjamins, joins me to answer the following listener questions: Kicking off today's episode, Nicky asks: I'm young and healthy. My car is old and not-worth-much. And my personal property isn't exactly fancy-pants. Do I *really* need health, auto and property insurance? Or can I drop these insurances and save the money? _______ Next, Shelbi says: I'm 26, recently earned a graduate school diploma, and I'm takin

Apr 24, 2017 • 1:06:30

What Chess Taught Me About Making Smarter Life Moves -- with Steve Gossett

What Chess Taught Me About Making Smarter Life Moves -- with Steve Gossett

#73: Last January, I went to a party at a trailer park that featured a huge bonfire, a few llamas, and a member of Public Enemy. (I realize that sounds like the setup to a joke. Welcome to my life.) While I was there, I met a former competitive chess player named Steve Gossett. Steve is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker who creates Princess Rap Battle videos for a YouTube channel with more than 1 million subscribers. But that's not why I invited Steve onto the show. I asked him to join me on the

Apr 17, 2017 • 1:07:55

Ask Paula -- Should I Loan Money to Friends? Stay Sane While Repaying Debt? ... and More

Ask Paula -- Should I Loan Money to Friends? Stay Sane While Repaying Debt? ... and More

#72: Spaghetti is a major part of my life. I eat it, of course, as many people do. I also spill it all over my pants, despite the fact that I’m 33 and should’ve learned the rules of gravity by now. But most importantly, I use spaghetti as a metaphor for my business. If I’m not sure if something will work or not, but I want to experiment with an idea, I tell myself that I’m just “throwing spaghetti at the wall.” Maybe it’ll stick; maybe it won’t. Either way, I have permission to try, permission

Apr 10, 2017 • 48:59

Can I Retire Yet? - with Roger Whitney, the Retirement Answerman

Can I Retire Yet? - with Roger Whitney, the Retirement Answerman

#71: Roger Whitney is known as the "retirement answer man." "All I think about, all day long, is how to make that [retirement] transition successfully," he says. But he holds a dirty little secret. "I don't believe in retirement. And the most successful clients that I work with ... technically they're retired, but they're still working." Huh? What does that mean? In today's episode, Whitney and I discuss the nuances of 21st-century modern retirement -- and how this ain't nothin' like the t

Apr 3, 2017 • 1:01:00

Erin Lowry on Raising Children Who Are Enabled, Not Entitled

Erin Lowry on Raising Children Who Are Enabled, Not Entitled

#70: Erin Lowry, author of Broke Millennial, talks about the early childhood scripts that we learn about money. Why is this topic important? Well, if you're a parent, you want to set a good financial example for your child to follow. Giving them the right tools and information about money at an early age, as Erin's parents did, can easily set them on the right path in life. And as 'grown-ups,' many of us have negative scripts around money that we want to unearth and unlearn. Regardless of you

Mar 27, 2017 • 1:01:30

Ask Paula - The Real Estate Edition

Ask Paula - The Real Estate Edition

#69: So many Afford Anything listeners have great questions about real estate investing. That's why this episode of Ask Paula is dedicated to answering them. Our first question comes from Ade, who has $25,000 to invest in real estate and lives in the Bay Area. Understandably, he's thinking of investing out-of-state, and wants to know if Atlanta is still a good city to invest in. Where can the best deals be found? Krystina lives and has four rentals in Vermont, but she's sick of the cold. She's

Mar 20, 2017 • 1:05:40

Ask Paula - How to Invest Your Tax Refund, Save for College, and Avoid Massive Pitfalls

Ask Paula - How to Invest Your Tax Refund, Save for College, and Avoid Massive Pitfalls

#68: My buddy Joe Saul-Sehy, host of the Stacking Benjamins podcast, joins me this week for another episode of "Ask Paula (and Joe!)" -- in which we workshop through questions that came from you, the Afford Anything community. This week, Joe and I answer questions such as: - I'm getting a $2,500 tax refund. Should I use this to invest, repay debt, or upgrade my home? - I'm debt-free (except a reasonable mortgage) and maxing out my retirement accounts. What else should I be doing? - I've starte

Mar 13, 2017 • 1:06:00

Ask Paula -- How to Care for Aging Parents, Buy a Car, and Organize a Business

Ask Paula -- How to Care for Aging Parents, Buy a Car, and Organize a Business

#67: It's the first Monday of the month, which means it's time to answer questions from the Afford Anything community. Our first question comes from a caller in a tough spot: Her mother-in-law is 66 years old. She's divorced, holds no retirement savings, and will only receive a tiny Social Security check. Her health is worsening, and she'll need to step away from work shortly. The caller wants to help her mother-in-law ... but how? Our second question comes from Erin, a listener who's moving t

Mar 6, 2017 • 45:35

Take Radical Responsibility for Your Life -- a Breakfast Chat with 26-Year-Old Millionaire Emma Pattee

Take Radical Responsibility for Your Life -- a Breakfast Chat with 26-Year-Old Millionaire Emma Pattee

#66: You know that rare moment when you meet someone with whom you connect *instantly*? I felt that way when I met Emma Pattee, the 26-year-old millionaire and mini-real-estate-mogul who joins me on today's episode. Emma and I share similar stories: we're both young female artists and entrepreneurs who figured out that wealth is a tool for creating the freedom that allows us to live on our own terms. We both hustled harder than words can describe, living and breathing our commitment to breaki

Feb 27, 2017 • 46:14

How to Improve Your Relationship with Money

How to Improve Your Relationship with Money

#65: I've always taken an approach to life that puts my freedom first.  My one and only 9-5 lasted only 3 years. Since then I've been self employed and built financial independence through rental real estate. And while most see this podcast as being about money, it's really about a philosophy around life that is disguised as a finance blog and podcast. Today I get real about this whole money thing. I hope you follow along the mental journey with me. For more information, visit the show notes

Feb 20, 2017 • 42:00

Michael Kitces -- Your Mind is More Powerful Than Money

Michael Kitces -- Your Mind is More Powerful Than Money

#64: Your potential is unlimited. I realize that's the type of cliche that you normally find embossed in cursive script on the side of coffee mugs. It's trite and impersonal and overused. But it's also true. Your potential to earn and grow is limitless. But it's not free. You need to invest time and money into developing your potential. Your time and money are limited, though, and you could also choose to invest in market-based assets, like stocks, bonds or real estate. How do you make that

Feb 13, 2017 • 1:17:17

Ask Paula - Travel vs. Passive Income, Proximity in Real Estate Investing and Selling Off Properties

Ask Paula - Travel vs. Passive Income, Proximity in Real Estate Investing and Selling Off Properties

#63: It's the first Monday of the month, and you know what that means - another Ask Paula episode. Our first question comes from Richard, who wants to know if he should focus on creating a travel fund or building passive income through real estate. What did I do, and how did I manage to come back from my world travels and start building a real estate portfolio only a few years later? The next question comes from Andrew. He's contemplating purchasing two houses on the cul-de-sac he li

Feb 6, 2017 • 37:45

Ask Paula - Q&A Featuring Special Guest Joe Saul-Sehy from Stacking Benjamins

Ask Paula - Q&A Featuring Special Guest Joe Saul-Sehy from Stacking Benjamins

#62: Joe Saul-Sehy, a former financial advisor and host of the Stacking Benjamins podcast, joins me to answer your questions in this bonus episode of Ask Paula. Joe and I are goofballs; we tell PG-13 dirty jokes; we disagree on several answers, and we have a grand 'ol time. Hopefully you'll learn something, and you'll probably end up laughing along the way. For a full list of questions and more about today’s episode, visit http://affordanything.com/episode62 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad ch

Jan 30, 2017 • 1:18:08

John Lee Dumas - From Small-Town Kid to Multimillionaire Entrepreneur

John Lee Dumas - From Small-Town Kid to Multimillionaire Entrepreneur

#61: Even though John wasn't never an entrepreneur at heart -- even though he didn't (yet) self-identify as an entrepreneur -- he decided to throw himself, full-force, into the one and only business idea he'd ever had. Listen to John's story, in his own words, as he describes his journey from a small-town college kid to a successful 7-figure business owner. For resources mentioned in this episode, go to http://affordanything.com/episode61 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.

Jan 23, 2017 • 48:46

Andrew Hallam (Part Two): The Nine Rules of Wealth You Should Have Learned in School

Andrew Hallam (Part Two): The Nine Rules of Wealth You Should Have Learned in School

#60: Andrew Hallam grew a million-dollar investment portfolio on a schoolteacher's salary by his mid-30's. In his bestselling book, Millionaire Teacher, he describes these nine lessons in detail. He shares these nine rules on this podcast, and his ideas are so substantive that -- for the first time -- I decided to release his interview as a two-part series. In last week's episode, Andrew shared the first three rules of building wealth. This week, Andrew dives into the final six rules that

Jan 16, 2017 • 1:40:11

Andrew Hallam: How I Became a Millionaire on a Teacher's Salary

Andrew Hallam: How I Became a Millionaire on a Teacher's Salary

#59: By his mid-30's, Andrew Hallam became a millionaire on a teacher's salary. He began by investing $100 a month upon advice given by a mechanic. Then he began saving nearly half his $28,000 teacher’s salary. Andrew rode a bicycle 35 miles to work, found ways to avoid paying rent, and regularly ate pasta and potatoes as well as clams he picked himself for added protein. In today's interview, Andrew shares that story. Find more comprehensive details at http://affordanything.com/episode59 Lea

Jan 9, 2017 • 1:02:19

Ask Paula -- Death, Taxes, Crushing Debt and Moving in with Mom

Ask Paula -- Death, Taxes, Crushing Debt and Moving in with Mom

#58: Ashley is a single mom saving diligently for her 2-year-old son. What alternatives are there to 529s and brokerage accounts? Julie and her husband invest quarterly. Should she try buying European equities when they are much cheaper due to Brexit? Nicholas and his wife make too much money for a Roth IRA. Should hey do a backdoor Roth? Melissa has money to save, invest, or pay down rentals. What’s her best option?   Find more in the show notes at http://affordanything.com/episode58 Learn

Jan 2, 2017 • 47:32

Philip Taylor - Top 5 Financial Lessons PT Learned in the Past Decade

Philip Taylor - Top 5 Financial Lessons PT Learned in the Past Decade

#57: Philip Taylor, aka PT, is one of the most well-connected guys in the personal finance world. He’s spent the past half-dozen years building tight relationships with some of the most influential authors and speakers in this space. Today he shares his top five money lessons learned over the past decade. PT shared several tactical tips, including:     •    Buy term life insurance, rather than whole life.     •    Focus on low-cost investing, such as passively-managed index funds.     •    Aut

Dec 26, 2016 • 52:00

Billy Murphy - Expected Value, or What Professional Poker Taught Me About Running a 7-Figure Business

Billy Murphy - Expected Value, or What Professional Poker Taught Me About Running a 7-Figure Business

#56: Former professional Poker player Billy Murphy has an intriguing story. He achieved financial independence at age 29, and he did this by applying a concept known as "expected value" to his online businesses. In this episode, I chat with Billy about how expected value is more than just a formula; it’s a framework for how to evaluate your options; how to assess risk, reward, probability, and variance. Let's back up a little. What is expected value? It’s the sum of all possible values for a

Dec 19, 2016 • 55:22

From Money Moron to Millionaire, with Scott Alan Turner

From Money Moron to Millionaire, with Scott Alan Turner

#55: Scott Alan Turner used to be a money moron. (In his words.) He traded a Jeep for a Porsche in his 20s, purchased a 3,000 sq. ft. house with two mortgages, and bought luxury furniture on credit. The Porsche cost him $800 per month. The house cost $200,000. The furniture? Who knows.
 Scott didn't have a budget and never tracked his spending. He only knew that he could afford the monthly payments on these luxuries ... until one day he realized his mortgage was due in a few weeks. And his ba

Dec 12, 2016 • 52:59

Ask Paula - Automating Savings, Starting a Blog, Emergency Funds, Investing in Real Estate Confidently, and More

Ask Paula - Automating Savings, Starting a Blog, Emergency Funds, Investing in Real Estate Confidently, and More

#54: It's the first Monday of the month, which means I'm fielding questions from the audience. We start with a question from Nicole. She's a new listener, and she's stuck in a confusing situation. You see, Nicole is self-employed. She'd like to save a percentage of her income -- but she doesn't get regular paychecks. How can she automate her savings, when she doesn't know how much she'll make each month? She asks a second question, as well. Nicole has $15,000 in savings and wants to buy her

Dec 5, 2016 • 38:07

Live Q&A with Paula on Real Estate and Travel

Live Q&A with Paula on Real Estate and Travel

#53: This episode is a little different. Instead of interviewing a guest, this podcast episode is a recording of a recent talk I gave in Equador. The audience wanted to know more about the context surrounding the decisions I've made regarding business, investing, and money. In other words, why I've only spent three years of my life in a 9-5 job, and why I've dedicated so much of my time to travel. There is a lot of real estate talk as I take Q&A from the audience, but the idea behind releasi

Nov 28, 2016 • 1:00:35

How to Combat Lifestyle Inflation, with Julia Kelly

How to Combat Lifestyle Inflation, with Julia Kelly

#52: Imagine transitioning from making $8.50 per hour and sharing a crammed apartment with 5 people, to becoming a six-figure business owner doing what you love.   That's the journey that Julia Kelly, caricature artist and founder of JK Expressions, took.   Sounds great, right?   Well, as they say, more money = more problems.   When Julia earned $25,000 - $30,000 per year, she had fantastic money management skills. She had no debt and plenty of savings.   But when her business started making six

Nov 21, 2016 • 36:16

Six Types of Financial Frenemies, with Mary Beth Storjohann

Six Types of Financial Frenemies, with Mary Beth Storjohann

#51: Today's guest is Mary Beth Storjohann, CFP®, Founder of Workable Wealth, and author of the book Work Your Wealth. As I was reading through her book, one thing stuck out to me: the financial frenemies we all have, and how to deal with them in a constructive way.
 What's a financial frenemy? They're the people in your life that are sabotaging your efforts to improve your net worth. Sometimes they're friends, sometimes they're family, and other times, they might just be people that have n

Nov 14, 2016 • 47:00

Ask Paula - Retirement Savings in Your 50's, Starting a Side Hustle, Buying Health Insurance, Home Warranties, and More

Ask Paula - Retirement Savings in Your 50's, Starting a Side Hustle, Buying Health Insurance, Home Warranties, and More

#50: Mark, a 55-year-old listener, has no savings. He's been listening to personal finance podcasts. He recently read Tony Robbins' Money: Master the Game. He called this podcast to tell us that he's feeling overwhelmed by the scope of what's ahead of him. Mark doesn't know how to apply this information -- and he's afraid of needing to work in fast food when he's 80 years old. What can he do? We tackle his question first on today's Ask Paula episode. Next, we take a call from Adalia. Adalia,

Nov 7, 2016 • 46:09

Behind-the-Scenes Mastermind Call - with J.D. Roth

Behind-the-Scenes Mastermind Call - with J.D. Roth

#49: If you're a longtime listener, you might remember J.D. Roth, founder of Get Rich Slowly and owner of Money Boss, from Episode 20. In this previous interview, J.D. shared how he went from being in debt to financially independent. Today, he's back for a special edition of the podcast. J.D. and I didn't actually record an interview for this episode. Instead, we hit "record" on one of our private mini-mastermind conversations, where we talk candidly about our businesses. By listening to thi

Oct 31, 2016 • 1:05:06

How to Overcome Procrastination and Perfectionism, with Stephen Guise

How to Overcome Procrastination and Perfectionism, with Stephen Guise

#48: Imagine that your goal is to build a flat stomach and stronger biceps. But deep down, subconsciously, you’re afraid you might fail. So you procrastinate. “I’ll work out tomorrow,” you tell yourself. “Or next week. Or next year.” As a result, you don’t make progress. But let’s flip the script. Instead of focusing on the result — your appearance — you focus on the smallest possible action. You create a new goal: Everyday, you’ll do a single push-up. You’ve designed a goal that cannot fail.

Oct 24, 2016 • 22:18

How to Stop Being Your Own Worst Enemy, with Clark Howard

How to Stop Being Your Own Worst Enemy, with Clark Howard

#47: New York Times bestseller, radio and television personality, Clark Howard is known as a personal finance expert, that title doesn't tell the whole story. He started reading stock tables when he was in fifth grade. He began investing in real estate at the age of 22. He created his own travel agency business at the age of 25. And he became financially independent and retired at age 31. However, after four years of living on the beach, he was ready to get back to work. He wanted to

Oct 17, 2016 • 51:10

The Unbelievable Power of Building a Community - Live at FinCon

The Unbelievable Power of Building a Community - Live at FinCon

#46: This episode is a little unusual because I interviewed fellow podcast listeners live at FinCon (a conference for financial bloggers). Why? To get to know you and understand you better. I want to know what makes you tick, and where your interest in money comes from. Ultimately, why you're here, listening to this podcast, when most people couldn't care less about these topics. Why are you different? To discover that answer, here are some of the questions I asked our panelists: • Why did

Oct 10, 2016 • 27:00

Ask Paula - Should I Invest $5,500 in One Huge Chunk? - and More Investing Questions

Ask Paula - Should I Invest $5,500 in One Huge Chunk? - and More Investing Questions

#45: Podcast listener Eva is interested in opening a Vanguard account. She noticed that people need $50,000 to access their personal advisor services. It’ll take her several years before she can access this. What should she do in the meantime? Amy, another podcast listener, wants to invest $5,500 into her Roth IRA in 2017. Should she invest the full amount on January 1, or should she spread this throughout the year? ...and more can be found at https://affordanything.com/45-ask-paula-inv

Oct 3, 2016 • 34:45

"Why I Quit My Dream Job" – with entrepreneur Leslie Samuel

"Why I Quit My Dream Job" – with entrepreneur Leslie Samuel

#44: When Leslie Samuel immigrated to the U.S. at age 17, he hoped for the American Dream: an education, a secure job, and a traditional career path. But during his college years, Leslie realized he had an entrepreneurial streak. He made a few attempts at working for himself. He failed. He lost money that he'd set aside for his wedding. He tried investing in the stock market. He lost more money, savings that he'd set aside to pay his tuition. But he didn't quit. Leslie graduated, married, a

Sep 28, 2016 • 52:22

Jean Chatzky Shares Money Rules for Modern Life

Jean Chatzky Shares Money Rules for Modern Life

#43: Jean Chatzky, financial editor for the TODAY Show, host of the HerMoney podcast and a frequent guest on TV shows like Oprah, Regis & Kelly, and The View is the bestselling author of many books, including Money Rules, which we discuss in today's episode. Here are a few of the Money Rules we cover: #1: The more time you spend looking, the less happy you’ll be with what you find. #2: Your retirement trumps their tuition. #3: Losing money hurts more than it should. #4: Big numbers

Sep 19, 2016 • 33:00

The Incredible Value of Deep Work, Instead of Distraction – with Cal Newport

The Incredible Value of Deep Work, Instead of Distraction – with Cal Newport

#42: Your most valuable asset isn’t your house, car or retirement portfolio. It’s your attention. Most knowledge workers spend their day frantically hopping between meetings, emails, phone calls and social media. But that’s not the best way to stand out in the modern economy. Emails are necessary, says author and professor Cal Newport. They’ll keep you from getting fired. But they won’t get you promoted. In fact, his Deep Work Hypothesis states that the ability to do deep work is becoming mo

Sep 12, 2016 • 1:07:07

Ask Paula: Investing, Rebalancing and Renovating

Ask Paula: Investing, Rebalancing and Renovating

#41: Mollie, a listener, is making smart money moves. She's getting the maximum match on 403b contributions. She's saving for a downpayment on a home. Her husband opened a Roth IRA. What's next? After listening to the Jim Collins episode, Mollie wants to open a Vanguard account. How can she balance this with the rest of her saving and investing goals? Is she spreading herself too thin? Meanwhile, podcast listener Elizabeth is trying a little-known tactic to rebalance her portfolio. Traditio

Sep 5, 2016 • 31:33

The Power of Habit Formation, with Gretchen Rubin

The Power of Habit Formation, with Gretchen Rubin

#40: Most of us want to develop better habits. We want to exercise more, eat healthier, get more sleep, watch TV less, pay off debt, or save money. The problem? We make excuses. We tell ourselves we'll splurge "just this one time." We convince ourselves that we're too busy to start a side business. We reward ourselves with a hall pass from our intended new habit. Today's guest, Gretchen Rubin, talks about how we can create habits that stick. Gretchen Rubin is the New York Times bestsell

Aug 29, 2016 • 1:11:01

The Seven Stages of Financial Independence, with Joshua Sheats

The Seven Stages of Financial Independence, with Joshua Sheats

#39: It's tempting to think of "financial independence" as a finish line. You've either crossed the finish line, or you're still running the race. But financial independence is more nuanced, says today's guest, Joshua Sheats. We experience seven stages of financial independence, Joshua says, and we should break down our Major Goal -- financial independence -- into a series of smaller steps. Joshua, a financial planner and host of the hit podcast Radical Personal Finance, describes these

Aug 22, 2016 • 1:25:15

Why You're Not As Busy As You Think, with Laura Vanderkam

Why You're Not As Busy As You Think, with Laura Vanderkam

#38: There are 168 hours in a week.   If you work 40 hours per week and sleep 8 hours per night, you’ve accounted for 96 hours. You have an additional 72 waking hours per week.   What are you doing with this time?   That’s the question today’s guest, Laura Vanderkam, tried to answer by analyzing more than 1,000 time logs kept by full-time professional workers. Our collective narrative says that Americans are overworked, sleep-deprived and don’t have enough time for family or personal lives. That

Aug 15, 2016 • 38:30

Chris Guillebeau -- How to Live a Remarkable Life in a Conventional World

Chris Guillebeau -- How to Live a Remarkable Life in a Conventional World

#37: Chris writes about life, work and travel. He has visited every country in the world and written a number of New York Times best selling books. He joins us to talk about challenging ourselves, experimentation,and deliberately changing our direction. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/chris-guillebeau/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 8, 2016 • 35:00

Ask Paula -- Should I Buy a Turnkey Rental Property? -- and More Real Estate Investing Question

Ask Paula -- Should I Buy a Turnkey Rental Property? -- and More Real Estate Investing Question

#36: It's the first Monday of the month, and you know what that means ... Time for another Ask Paula episode! On today's show, I answer a handful of phone calls from listeners who posed questions about real estate investing. One caller from Atlanta said that he's thinking about buying a rental property from a turnkey investing company. (These are companies that buy, renovate and rent out properties, and then sell those properties to investors.) On the surface, this sounds appealing: a

Aug 1, 2016 • 25:45

How to Start Freelancing on the Side, with Carrie Smith from Careful Cents

How to Start Freelancing on the Side, with Carrie Smith from Careful Cents

#35: Carrie Smith enjoyed her full-time accounting job, but she wanted to make extra money on the side. Who doesn't, right? She landed a second job in a tax office, working 9-to-5 for one employer and 5-to-9 for the other. She earned decent money, but her schedule had no flexibility ... and she felt unhappy.  This needs to change, she realized. I need to make good money while also enjoying my lifestyle. Even though she had zero experience as a writer, she wondered if she could leverage h

Jul 25, 2016 • 36:15

How I Built a Six-Figure Online Store -- with Steve Chou from My Wife Quit Her Job

How I Built a Six-Figure Online Store -- with Steve Chou from My Wife Quit Her Job

#34: Steve Chou's wife used to work grueling hours at a job she dreaded and despised. When she became pregnant with their first child, she decided to quit.  The problem? She earned six figures, and their family needed that income.  She opened an online store, buying handkerchiefs wholesale from China and retailing these online at a significant markup. She and Steve worked together to build a retail website and find customers. They bought Google Ads; they wrote blog posts; they created seller

Jul 18, 2016 • 42:45

How I Became a Millionaire on a Military Salary - with Doug Nordman

How I Became a Millionaire on a Military Salary - with Doug Nordman

#33: After serving in the Navy for 20 years, Doug Nordman, then-age 41, retired from his military career. Most of his peers started second careers in the civilian world.    But Doug didn't. He had an ace up his sleeve: he had spent his military career saving 40 percent of his income. By the time he turned 41, he held an investment portfolio worth $1 million. Those investments, coupled with a Naval pension for $30,000 per year, propelled him into financial independence.   He's remained retired si

Jul 11, 2016 • 37:37

Ask Paula: The Market Might Drop. Should I Sell?

Ask Paula: The Market Might Drop. Should I Sell?

#32: Should you sell your stocks, given that we might be heading for a possible downturn? Also, what are the downsides of index funds? Should you invest in out-of-state rental properties, and if so, how can you figure out where to look? These are just a few of the many questions Paula answers in this week's Q&A episode. Enjoy. For more information, visit http://podcast.affordanything.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 4, 2016 • 41:15

The Simple Path to Wealth, with Jim Collins

The Simple Path to Wealth, with Jim Collins

#31: Jim Collins, also known as popular blogger JL Collins, has been financially independent since 1989. He achieved this in the simplest way possible: he saved half of his income and invested in index funds. Jim says the simplest possible approach is the best, if your goal is to build financial freedom. "The great irony of investing is the simpler of an approach you use, the more powerful of results you get." In this episode, he shares his ultra-simple approach to investing. He says that when

Jun 27, 2016 • 34:44

Okay, I’m Financially Independent. Now What? -- with Jim Wang

Okay, I’m Financially Independent. Now What? -- with Jim Wang

#30: When Jim Wang was 29-and-a-half, life changed forever. Jim started an online company (a blog) in his mid-20's. His website grew to several hundred thousand readers and started earning five-figure monthly sums. It sounds too good to be true. I know. But it's Jim's life. He experienced the heady, surreal boom; that crazy era when a business grows beyond wildest expectation. He experienced the fear and worry that the good days might not last. And he experienced the reality of trading his w

Jun 20, 2016 • 1:26:00

Ask Paula: Pay Debt vs Buy a Home? Invest in Index Funds vs Creative Alternative?

Ask Paula: Pay Debt vs Buy a Home? Invest in Index Funds vs Creative Alternative?

#29: Paula answers questions you sent in about multi-level marketing, paying off credit card debt vs buying a house, and socially responsible investing. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode-29-socially-responsible-investing/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 13, 2016 • 38:30

How I Woke Up, Removed the Blindfold, and Noticed My Money for the First Time -- with Evelyn Connors

How I Woke Up, Removed the Blindfold, and Noticed My Money for the First Time -- with Evelyn Connors

#28: Most people only pay attention if there's a problem - that includes money. Guest, Evelyn Connors gets honest and raw about her previous understanding of how money works and her uber-excitement of taking control of her FI (financial independence). For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode-28-debt-is-normal-myth-evelyn-connors/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 6, 2016 • 43:15

Pete the Planner, Comedian-Turned-Money-Columnist, on Millionaires and Mock Retirements

Pete the Planner, Comedian-Turned-Money-Columnist, on Millionaires and Mock Retirements

#27: Pete the Planner talks about why millionaire-dom is important and why it's important to try a "mock retirement". For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode27 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 30, 2016 • 39:30

The Last Show With Jay

The Last Show With Jay

#26: Sometimes you need to let go of the good for the great. Jay Money has started a lot of projects, only to let them go because they didn't match his goals. The show must go on - and it will with Paula at the wheel. Jay will be back from time to time (and in every episode, as you will notice in future episodes). For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode-26-last-episode-with-jay/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 23, 2016 • 1:13:44

The Stacking Benjamins Roundtable Plays a Game of 'Would You Rather'

The Stacking Benjamins Roundtable Plays a Game of 'Would You Rather'

#25: Would you rather...have $15k in quarters or $15k in dollar bills? Today we have fun with Joe Saul-Sehy, Len Penzo and Greg McFarlane (HELLO Greg) from the Stacking Benjamins Roundtable. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode-25-would-you-rather-game-stacking-benjamins/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 16, 2016 • 40:45

Ask Us Anything #4 - Betterment, Wealthfront, Robo-Investing -- What's the Deal?

Ask Us Anything #4 - Betterment, Wealthfront, Robo-Investing -- What's the Deal?

#24: You ask. We answer. Let's grab a beer. This is the first Ask Us Anything in which we hear YOUR voices -- which makes this episode extra-awesome.  In this week's episode, Paula and J. Money tackle listener-submitted questions, such as: Investing: What's the deal with these robo-advisors? Should I plunk my money into their accounts? Betterment, Wealthfront ... what's the deal with these companies? Who can keep track? Index funds vs. rental properties -- what's better for scoring tax br

May 9, 2016 • 1:02:44

Farnoosh Torabi, Host of CNBC's Follow the Leader, Spills the Secrets of Successful CEOs

Farnoosh Torabi, Host of CNBC's Follow the Leader, Spills the Secrets of Successful CEOs

#23: Farnoosh Torabi is host of CNBC's Follow the Leader. She shares stories about spending 48 hours with the most influential business leaders in the nation. For a list of notes and resources, visit https://affordanything.com/episode-23-farnoosh-torabi-host-cnbc-follow-leader/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 2, 2016 • 49:15

How Jeremy and Winnie Retired in Their 30's

How Jeremy and Winnie Retired in Their 30's

#22: Jeremy and Winnie are the bloggers behind Go Curry Cracker. They took a vacation to the Philippines and decided this was where they wanted to live - and retire there early (like REALLY early). For more information visit https://affordanything.com/episode-22-jeremy-winnie-retired-forbes-go-curry-cracker/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 25, 2016 • 57:45

Making Money as a Voice Over Actor with Carrie Olsen

Making Money as a Voice Over Actor with Carrie Olsen

#21: Carrie Olsen started podcasting with her husband, then dipped her toe into the voice-over industry and is KILLING IT! For more information, https://affordanything.com/episode-21-making-money-voice-over-actor-with-carrie-olsen/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 18, 2016 • 52:00

From Debt to Financial Independence, with Get Rich Slowly Founder JD Roth

From Debt to Financial Independence, with Get Rich Slowly Founder JD Roth

#20: The Money Boss, JD Roth, went from $35k in credit card debt to selling a personal finance blog for an undisclosed amount of money. Today he shares how financial independence affected him - and how having enough money to be financially independent forces us to face our problems. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode-20-debt-financial-independence-get-rich-slowly-jd-roth/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 11, 2016 • 58:15

Football and Hip-Hop's Financial Advisor Rob Wilson Talks About Managing Celebrity Money

Football and Hip-Hop's Financial Advisor Rob Wilson Talks About Managing Celebrity Money

#19: Financial Advisor to the stars, Rob Wilson, gives us the inside scoop on what kind of help celebrities and sports heroes need. What he tells us may surprise you! For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode19 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 4, 2016 • 54:00

Ask Us Anything #3 - Real Estate Investing Edition

Ask Us Anything #3 - Real Estate Investing Edition

#18: Listener questions are back by popular demand! Paula answers your questions about real estate investing niches, strategies, and things to stay away from. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode18 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 29, 2016 • 56:59

Making Money as an Uber and Lyft Driver, with The RideShare Guy Harry Campbell

Making Money as an Uber and Lyft Driver, with The RideShare Guy Harry Campbell

#17: Harry began driving for Uber 2 years. Now he's making 6-figures sharing tips for how to maximize time and profit with Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and PostMates. For Harry's rideshare money-making tips, visit https://affordanything.com/episode17 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 21, 2016 • 1:04:30

How Aaron Epstein Went from Side Hustler to Selling a Multi-Million Dollar Company

How Aaron Epstein Went from Side Hustler to Selling a Multi-Million Dollar Company

#16: Aaron Epstein shares his story of shoveling snow as a kid to launching a profitable website during college to selling a multi-million dollar company. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode16 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 14, 2016 • 1:10:00

Ask Us Anything #2 - Dollar Cost Averaging, Pay off Debt or Invest

Ask Us Anything #2 - Dollar Cost Averaging, Pay off Debt or Invest

#15: Q&A #2 with Paula, the analytical one, and J. Money, the heart of your M.O.N.E.Y. Team  Follow along with the answers: https://affordanything.com/episode15 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 7, 2016 • 56:30

So You Want to Be a Blogger?

So You Want to Be a Blogger?

#14: Can you make money as a blogger? How? We share the good and bad reasons for choosing to go into blogging. Send us your questions or comments https://affordanything.com/episode14 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 29, 2016 • 1:00:15

How to Destroy Your Stupid Debt, with Steve Stewart (and the controversy around Dave Ramsey!)

How to Destroy Your Stupid Debt, with Steve Stewart (and the controversy around Dave Ramsey!)

#13: Steve and his wife got on the Dave Ramsey plan and they paid off their house! Plus, you'll want to check out Steve's little coaching trick of Rent vs Buy vs Invest. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode13 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 22, 2016 • 1:08:00

Ask Us Anything #1 - Student Loan Help, Tax Hacks, Time Management Tips and REITs

Ask Us Anything #1 - Student Loan Help, Tax Hacks, Time Management Tips and REITs

#12: It's time to pick the brains of Paula and J. Money with our first ever "ASK US ANYTHING" episode.  Follow along with the answers: http://affordanything.com/episode12 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 15, 2016 • 1:08:00

Making $100k from eBay and Airbnb with Jay & Ryanne

Making $100k from eBay and Airbnb with Jay & Ryanne

#11: Jay and Ryanne have created a beautiful life for themselves scavenging for resale items in rural areas and renting houses in the Shenandoah National Park area of VA. Read more at https://affordanything.com/episode11   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 12, 2016 • 54:30

From Millionaire to Broke, Plus the Habits of the Rich, with Tom Corley

From Millionaire to Broke, Plus the Habits of the Rich, with Tom Corley

#10: OMG! It's Tom Corley, the RICH HABITS guy! Jay is having a heart attack. Tom Corley studied self-made millionaires and poor people to come up with some interesting results. He wrote about it in a story called "Rich Habits". Tom shares his story of being well off as a child before his dad lost everything. Then he worked hard to bring himself up to not-broke status and on to becoming an accountant. After studying some of his clients he expanded to 233 self-made millionaires and 150 poor pe

Feb 10, 2016 • 57:29

Tools We Use to Kick Ass and Grow Wealth

Tools We Use to Kick Ass and Grow Wealth

#9: Checking, savings, investment accounts, car insurance, credit cards, even umbrella insurance - it's all covered in this episode. These are the financial tools Jay Money and Paula Pant use. For a complete list of resources, visit https://affordanything.com/episode9 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 8, 2016 • 1:10:30

How Jay Became a Half-a-Millionaire -- and Why He Wants You to Track Your Net Worth

How Jay Became a Half-a-Millionaire -- and Why He Wants You to Track Your Net Worth

#8: J. Money is a HALF-MILLY! He loves to share his journey to growing net worth on his blog, as well as the net worth of 180 other financial bloggers. See the short list and find links to resources by visiting the blog at https://affordanything.com/episode8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 5, 2016 • 50:40

The Mad Fientist Reveals the Science of Financial Independence

The Mad Fientist Reveals the Science of Financial Independence

#7: One of the M.O.N.E.Y. Show's favorite personal finance bloggers joins Paula and J. Money to talk about retiring early and hacking your HSA. For full show notes with links to resources, visit https://affordanything.com/episode7 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 3, 2016 • 59:30

How to Transition from Hustler to Entrepreneur

How to Transition from Hustler to Entrepreneur

#6: J. Money says a hustle is "a way to make money on the side, but more of a passion project or something that is fun. You do it for more than just money.” Paula says it’s a “microbusiness". No matter how you slice it, a hustle is a way to make extra money doing activities outside of a normal J.O.B. Paula and J. Money share their stories of working on hustles to become the entrepreneurs they are today. Visit http://TheMoneyShow.co/06 for more information about hustles Learn more about your

Jan 28, 2016 • 59:00

How Kids Affect Your Hustle (and it's Okay!)

How Kids Affect Your Hustle (and it's Okay!)

#5: Paula wants to know how J. Money’s life has changed as a hustler since having kids. For a while, J worked less and made less money. "It was a conscious decision to not make as much money for a while. I was more than happy making less because I was working on stuff I cared about. I also had a fear of being a work-a-holic and picking my hustle over my kids. Having kids forced me to have a work/life balance." Leave comments, contact us, or find links to more of our stuff at http://themoney

Jan 28, 2016 • 1:00:15

Ultimate Beginner Guide to Real Estate Investing

Ultimate Beginner Guide to Real Estate Investing

#4: Paula shares a confession. Then she redeems herself by sharing her gross monthly income. (Yeah. Listen from the beginning). Full show notes at http://TheMoneyShow.co/04 There are a variety of ways to invest in real estate: Flipping houses Buy-and-hold Tax liens Wholesale Income-producing rental properties (commercial and residential) Paula loves residential rental properties. Ask yourself: Do you want capital appreciation or cash flow from rental income? Paula puts a few guidelin

Jan 28, 2016 • 1:00:30

Habits We Rock to Kick Ass and Grow Wealth

Habits We Rock to Kick Ass and Grow Wealth

#3: Paula and J. Money share the financial habits they use to grow wealth. Full show notes can be found at http://themoneyshow.co/03 Listen as they share their favorites (and a couple neat tricks): Track Net Worth Maximize retirement savings accounts Pay bills at least 1 month in advance Set up bills on auto-pay Leave a buffer in your checking account Round up debt payments Double the principle payments of your mortgage Enjoying the show? Please leave a comment or write a short review

Jan 28, 2016 • 1:07:15

Don’t Feel Guilty - Buy a Coke Zero and Pay Someone to Mow Your Lawn

Don’t Feel Guilty - Buy a Coke Zero and Pay Someone to Mow Your Lawn

#2: Once again, Paula and J. Money see things differently. J. Money preaches budgeting, Paula practices the “anti-budget”. J. Money examines every expense to find savings. A couple years ago he switched phone providers and saves $100 a month, $20 a month on insurance and $60 on cable. Paula recommends saving at least 20 percent of your income first, then go wild with the rest; “Don’t feel guilty about spending money on Coke Zero or turtle food” Who is right? To leave a comment or contac

Jan 28, 2016 • 54:00

The Story of M.O.N.E.Y. -- Having Heart and Hustle

The Story of M.O.N.E.Y. -- Having Heart and Hustle

#1: Becoming successful in finances takes more than M.O.N.E.Y. - it takes heart and hustle. Meet Paula Pant and J. Money. Both worked day jobs before becoming successful bloggers. They share their stories about buying a house before the market tanked, starting their side-hustles, and achieving "mini-retirement", at least for Paula. We value your input. Please visit https://affordanything.com/episode-1-story-of-money-podcast to leave a comment. If you like what you hear, please subscribe

Jan 28, 2016 • 42:30

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