Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3412: Christina Browning offers a realistic yet hopeful roadmap for those in their 40s, 50s, or 60s who haven’t started saving for retirement. By focusing on smart budgeting, strategic investing, income awareness, and practical lifestyle changes, she shows how late starters can still build financial security and achieve retirement peace of mind. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.ourrichjourney.com/post/older-and-dont-have-a-retirement-plan-do-this Quotes to ponder: "You can’t borrow or get a loan for your retirement, but your children can for their education." "When you’re dealing with retirement accounts when you’re older, age is actually an advantage for you." "Remain hopeful about your situation because financial independence is possible even when you’re starting late!" Episode references: Social Security Administration: https://www.ssa.gov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3411: Mike Ballew explains why home warranties are often a poor financial decision, describing them as overpriced plans for predictable expenses rather than true insurance. He makes a compelling case for self-insurance, urging homeowners to save strategically instead of relying on warranty companies that rarely deliver full value. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://eggstack.com/blog/2020-03-08-Are-Home-Warranties-Worth-It/ Quotes to ponder: "Home warranties are forced savings for people who don’t have the self-discipline to save." "Insurance performs well when the risk is low and the potential damages are high." "You don’t need to insure against things that are totally predictable." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3410: Struggling to get back into a fitness routine? Chalene shares simple, realistic tips to break through workout slumps, like using alarms, pump-up playlists, and the “five-minute” rule, to rebuild momentum and motivation. These powerful strategies don’t just apply to exercise, but can kickstart productivity and focus in all areas of your life. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.chalenejohnson.com/in-a-workout-slump-here-are-some-great-tips-to-get-motivated-again/ Quotes to ponder: "By promising yourself only five minutes you get through the toughest part and may have an even more successful workout than usual." "A workout can be a great way to boost motivation in other areas of your life." "After a couple of songs I’m feeling more motivated and excited about the workout and the blahs I had before are gone." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3401: Charlie Brown explores how questioning mainstream financial advice, rather than blindly following norms, is the key to making empowered, informed money decisions. By urging us to challenge our sources, biases, and societal expectations, Brown invites listeners to consider alternative paths that may better align with their personal goals and values. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://themakingofamillionaire.com/if-you-want-to-make-good-money-decisions-there-is-a-simple-if-unconventional-way-to-make-them-5144fd208bc4 Quotes to ponder: "Everything good in my financial life happened when I started to question what I was told was normal." "You can only know better and do better if you’re prepared to do the questioning." "Questioning life decisions is fun. Once you start to do it, you realize how many more options are available to you." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3400: Jen Hayes challenges the bootstraps-only narrative in personal finance by exploring the quiet power of luck in shaping financial outcomes. Through personal stories and relatable examples, she shows how chance events, both good and bad, can shape our financial paths, while also emphasizing the importance of personal responsibility and resilience in responding to life’s unpredictability. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.jenhayes.me//how-much-of-personal-finance-is-luck/ Quotes to ponder: "Getting stuck in a victim mentality will not help you get out of your financial mess." "A sizable portion of your net worth is based on luck." "You may have to do some difficult things to turn your situation around, like getting a second job, asking for a raise, finding a better job, starting a 'side hustle', and/or drastically downsizing your current lifestyle." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3399: Jesse Cramer breaks down the essentials of estate planning with clarity and a touch of humor, demystifying a topic many avoid until it’s too late. Learn how to protect your loved ones, reduce tax burdens, and ensure your assets are handled exactly the way you want, no matter your age or life stage. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://bestinterest.blog/estate-planning-101/ Quotes to ponder: “Estate planning is almost always done with an attorney. CFP financial planners are frequently involved, too.” “Why set up a trust? It might be to ensure your wishes are followed post-death. Or to reduce tax burden.” “Keep the documents safe! Store a copy of your estate plan in a safe place.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3398: Jake Wengroff lays out a clear, actionable approach to mastering your money by shifting how you think about it, no spreadsheets, no stock-picking stress, just smart systems and mindset shifts. Drawing from Ramit Sethi’s five-step method, this guide helps you automate your finances, uncover hidden income, invest early, eliminate debt, and boost earnings without sacrificing the joy of spending. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/financial-literacy/ Quotes to ponder: "You won’t miss the money because all (or most) of your money will go where it’s supposed to go, automatically." "Understanding how credit card debt, credit history, credit reports, and credit scores work, and their relationship to your overall financial health, is an important part of your financial literacy." "You can use the skills and experience you already have to make more money and put it into your accounts." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3397: Kumiko of The Budget Mom shares practical and empowering advice for handling debt in collections, emphasizing research, knowing your legal rights, and negotiating smart settlements. Her tips help demystify the debt payoff process while offering strategies that could protect your credit and bring peace of mind. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.thebudgetmom.com/3-tips-for-paying-off-debts-in-collections/ Quotes to ponder: "Not paying a collection account because you can’t afford it right now doesn’t mean you plan to ignore the debt forever." "A lump-sum settlement could cost less. Collection agencies buy debts for pennies on the dollar." "Taking care of old debts can give you peace of mind." Episode references: Annual Credit Report: https://www.annualcreditreport.com Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) - Debt Collection Scams: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/debt-collection Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) – FTC: https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/statutes/fair-debt-collection-practices-act Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) – FTC: https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/statutes/fair-credit-reporting-act Credit Karma: https://www.creditkarma.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3396: Barney illustrates how building wealth can be simple, even lazy, if you master the power of compounding. By focusing on high savings rates, starting early, and investing consistently in low-cost index funds, you can create a compounding machine that does most of the heavy lifting for you, no crystal ball or complex strategies required. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://theescapeartist.me/2019/11/09/how-to-build-a-compounding-machine/ Quotes to ponder: "At a 50% savings rate, you will go from broke to financially independent in about 18/19 years." "A 10% a year return from a stockmarket tracker fund achieved by a person with average intelligence beats a 2% return from a complex multi-asset approach achieved by someone who went to Harvard." "When it comes to predicting future returns, there are 2 types of people: 1) those that don’t know and 2) those that don’t know they don’t know." Episode references: S&P 500 historical returns: https://www.slickcharts.com/sp500/returns The Rule of 72: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/ruleof72.asp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3395: Barney breaks down the fundamentals of building wealth through a “compounding machine,” a simple yet powerful system that transforms consistent savings and smart investing into long-term financial freedom. With clear examples like Kate’s million-pound pension, he shows how starting early, keeping costs low, and staying consistent can do the heavy lifting for you. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://theescapeartist.me/2019/11/09/how-to-build-a-compounding-machine/ Quotes to ponder: "Pay yourself first and invest on auto-pilot." "At a 50% savings rate, you will go from broke to financially independent in about 18/19 years." "No one has a crystal ball and no one knows what future returns will be." Episode references: S&P 500 historical returns: https://www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/indices/equity/sp-500/#overview The Rule of 72: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/ruleof72.asp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3394: Rosalyn Palmer shines a compassionate light on the hidden epidemic of modern loneliness, revealing its devastating physical and emotional toll across all ages and backgrounds. By exploring the role of social media, home design, and meaningful human connection, she offers practical insights to help us reimagine how we live and support one another in an increasingly disconnected world. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://rosalynpalmer.com/tackling-loneliness/ Quotes to ponder: "Loneliness, living alone and poor social connections are as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day." "We are basically tribal people who want to connect and belong, yet this needs to be balanced by the need for each individual to have the ability to some privacy." "Being Ms. Popularity on social media doesn’t protect you from loneliness." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3393: Sierra Black shares practical and proven strategies for slashing winter heating bills without sacrificing comfort. From upgrading insulation and heating systems to simple DIY hacks like layering rugs, sealing drafts, and using space heaters wisely, her approach balances budget-consciousness with eco-friendly living. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.getrichslowly.org/how-to-lower-your-heating-bills/ Quotes to ponder: "If you haven't done it already, spending a few hours going around your windows and doors with some draft-sealing putty or caulk will make a huge difference to how comfortable your home is in the winter." "Rather than keep the whole house toasty, I've lowered the temp on the main thermostat and set up a space heater in my office." "Adding layers to your house will make it feel warmer even if the thermostat stays at a modest temperature." Episode references: U.S. Department of Energy – Weatherization Assistance Program: https://www.energy.gov/scep/wap/weatherization-assistance-program Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices