Afford Anything
Episodes
PSA Thursday: Wall Street Bets, GameStop, and the Rise of Meme Stocks
28 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Ask Paula: Should I Househack or Pay Off My Student Loans?
25 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
#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 re...
Investing is the Art of Probabilistic Thinking
20 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
#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...
What Your Childhood Taught You About Money, with Rachel Cruze
12 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
#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 deg...
Ask Paula: If I Were to Interview Suze Orman Again Today, How Would It Go?
04 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
#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 e...
The One Question That Makes Everything Easier, with Geoff Woods
01 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
#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 ...
PSA Thursday: Kickoff 2021 with a 31-Day Challenge
31 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sign up to take the 31-Day Challenge for an Awesome 2021 at https://affordanything.com/31daychallenge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastc...
Ask Paula: I’m an Investor Who likes Volatility; What Should I Buy?
29 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 volatil...
PSA Thursday - Year-End Tax Moves to Finish 2020
24 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 foc...
How to Command Respect at Work, with Tracy Tutor
22 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 ...
Ask Paula: Is Upgrading Our Lifestyle Worth Mortgaging a More Expensive House?
15 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 ...
PSA Thursday: What’s Happening with Student Loans?
11 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
An update on the latest news in student loan forgiveness and forbearance, plus smart strategies for student loan repayment in 2021. Learn more about y...
Business Principles that Improve Your Life, with Josh Kaufman
08 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#289: Josh Kaufman, bestselling author of The Personal MBA, discusses the five parts to every business and how this information applies to everyone - ...
Ask Paula: How Should You Invest a $1 Million Lump Sum?
04 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 sur...
PSA Thursday: To Buy or Not to Buy?
03 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Many people in the personal finance / FIRE community have a complicated relationship with the concept of consumer spending. They may see family, frie...
Put Yourself on the Hook, with Seth Godin
30 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#287: Seth Godin is the author of 19 bestselling books on mastery, creativity, business and marketing. His books have been translated into 35 language...
PSA Thursday: How to Slash Your Food Budget, with Rosemary Fotheringham
26 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 bi...
Ask Paula: How Long Will It Take Me to Become a Millionaire?
25 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 ...
Ask Paula: How Can I Pay for Grad School?
20 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 ...
PSA Thursday: Broadcasting Live from FinConX
13 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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,...
The Psychology of Money, with Morgan Housel
09 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 Psy...
PSA Thursday: Teaching Technology to the Elderly
05 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 wh...
Ask Paula: Could the Stock Market Be Too Much of a Gamble?
02 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#283: Andrea’s parents have a seemingly salesly financial advisor. He tried to get them to purchase a second life insurance policy, among other pote...
PSA Thursday - The Affordable Care Act, with Tanja Hester
31 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Smart Way to Start a Side Hustle, with Alan Donegan
30 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 accessib...
PSA Thursday - What’s in Store for the Rest of 2020?
15 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 exis...
The Art of Decision-Making, with Annie Duke
14 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#281: Annie Duke, best-selling author of Thinking In Bets and former world champion poker professional, discusses the decision making strategies and t...
Ask Paula - Could This NYC Couple Contribute Only $10,000 Per Year Towards Retirement?
06 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 mig...
How to Avoid Financial and Life Disasters, with Dr. Gleb Tsipursky
02 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#279: You might know several decision-making principles, but do you have a step-by-step strategy that pieces those principles together? Dr. Gleb Tsipu...
The Loopholes That Destroy Our Ability to Form Habits, with Gretchen Rubin
29 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 of...
Timeless Financial Lessons from My Grandma, with Michelle Singletary
21 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 syn...
Cut the Fluff and Become a Digital Minimalist, with Dr. Cal Newport
15 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 sad...
Avoid These 13 Hidden Money Mistakes That Most People Make, with Jill Schlesinger
08 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 mist...
Finding Hope and Happiness in a Confusing World, with Mark Manson
04 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 ...
The Emotional Complexity of Money, with Dr. Dan Ariely
31 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#273: Dr. Dan Ariely, famed behavioral economist and best-selling author of Predictably Irrational, returns to discuss how to handle the emotional and...
PSA Thursday - How to Avoid Parental Burnout, with Andy Hill
27 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 b...
Ask Paula: I’m Three Years from Retirement. How Should I Invest?
24 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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...
PSA Thursday - Here's a simple framework for deciding how to earn extra income
20 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Millions of people are in financial limbo now that the $600 supplemental federal unemployment benefit has expired. The new $300 supplemental benefit i...
Retirement Planning in 2020, with Dr. Wade Pfau
19 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 imp...
Ask Paula: Buy a Home, Buy Investments, or Pay Off Debt? How Do I Decide?
13 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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...
How to Ask Better Questions, with Charles Duhigg
07 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 ...
PSA Thursday - Get Ready for a School Year Like No Other with Mandy Bert and Rob Phelan
06 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Ask Paula: Should I Invest or Pay Off My Mortgage Early?
04 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 mi...
How to Talk To Your Tenants About Financial Difficulties
31 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 middl...
This Year’s Financial Reckoning, with Farnoosh Torabi
28 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 Torab...
Ask Paula: Your Real Estate Questions, Answered
22 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 ...
PSA Thursday: The Impact of Evictions, with Princeton University Eviction Lab expert Alieza Durana
17 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 we...
Personality Isn’t Permanent, with Dr. Benjamin Hardy
14 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 interes...
PSA Thursday: How to Stay Safe During the Reopenings
09 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 wee...
Ask Paula: How Do I Pick the Right Mix of Investments for My Retirement Portfolio?
06 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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? ...
PSA Thursday: The History of the PPP -- and 4 Extra Relief Options for Entrepreneurs
02 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Here's the sordid history of the Payroll Protection Program, plus four additional options for getting pandemic relief as an entrepreneur. In this epi...
How to Build Financial Resilience in 2020, with Dr. Brad Klontz, financial psychologist
30 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 i...
Ask Paula: I'm Taking a Mini-Retirement in a Pandemic. What Should I Do?
23 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 p...
PSA Thursday - Your Complete Guide to Donor Advised Funds
19 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
For more information, go to https://affordanything.com/tag/psa-thursday Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Why I Quit My Job in the Middle of a Recession -- Interview from Lessons from a Quitter
15 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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. Gi...
PSA Thursday - How Does the CARES Act Impact Student Loans?
11 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Ask Paula: Should I Fire My Financial Advisor During a Pandemic?
08 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 ...
How to Lead with a Vision, with Michael Hyatt
05 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 organiz...
PSA Thursday -- Actions Speak Louder Than Words
04 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We have muted the podcast thusfar this week, in support of the #amplifymelanatedvoices movement and in support of the #theshowmustbepaused movement. ...
PSA Thursday - Your Guide to Giving: How to Donate, Volunteer and Practice Spontaneous Kindness
29 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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. volu...
Ask Paula: Can I Quit My Job Before I'm Financially Independent?
26 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 h...
How to Stop Screwing Up Our Finances, Even in a World That Leads Us Astray -- with Dr. Dan Ariely
18 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#257: “The checking account is like the trash can of personal finance.” Today’s podcast guest, the famed behavioral economist Dr. Dan Ariely, is...
PSA Thursday: How Can I End 2020 in a Stronger Position Than I Started It?
14 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Ask Paula: Bonds Are Tanking. Should I Switch to Real Estate Instead?
11 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 th...
PSA Thursday: How Is The Pandemic Affecting the Housing Market?
07 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
How Your Personality Affects Your Finances, with Dr. Sarah Stanley Fallaw
04 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 sto...
Ask Paula: Should I Invest During the Pandemic?
01 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 infor...
PSA Thursday: How Bad Is the Stock Market Crash?
30 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 o...
The Thinker's Guide to Market Volatility, with Dr. Steve Wendel and Sam Lamas
27 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#253: Dr. Steve Wendel is a behavioral economist and the head of behavioral science at Morningstar, an independent investment research firm. Samantha ...
Ask Paula: Will the Stimulus Cause Massive Inflation?
20 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#252: The government issued a $2 trillion stimulus. How will that affect the economy? Could we endure massive inflation or hyperinflation? Bradley kic...
PSA Thursday: 31 Tips to Stay Productive as you Work From Home
16 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Download the 31 Tips to Stay Productive as you Work From Home at https://affordanything.com/productive Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcast...
From High School Dropout to Successful Entrepreneur, Author and World Traveler -- with Chris Guillebeau
13 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 f...
PSA Thursday: How to Build an Emergency Fund During an Emergency
10 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Ethical Investing 101, with Dr. Jon Hale, Head of Sustainability Research for Morningstar
08 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#250: Should we invest in sustainable funds? If we choose sustainable funds, will our investment returns suffer? Will our expense ratios be sky-high?...
How to Talk to Your Parents About Retirement and Beyond — with Cameron Huddleston
03 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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,...
PSA Thursday: I Tested Positive for Coronavirus. Here's What It Feels Like.
02 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Paula describes the experience of having Covid-19, the illness caused by coronavirus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adcho...
Covid-19 and the Bear Market
25 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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...
OMG Monday: Welp, I Have a Fever of 102.3 Degrees
23 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 C...
PSA Thursday: Social Distancing is Social Solidarity
19 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 podcastcho...
Ask Paula: Is the Stock Market Going to Crash in 2020? How Should I Invest in a Bear Market?
16 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 lat...
Pain, Grief, and the Pursuit of Financial Independence, with Jillian Johnsrud
09 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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...
Ask Paula: I’m 24 and Won a $1 Million Settlement. How Should I Handle This Money?
06 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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...
Why I Quit My Job with No Savings When My Wife Was Five Months Pregnant (and What Happened Next?!), with Grant Baldwin
02 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 th...
Ask Paula: How Can I Retire in 10 Years with Rental Properties?
27 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 ma...
The Art of Trusting Your Most Dangerous Ideas, with Ash Ambirge, The Middle Finger Project
17 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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, p...
Ask Paula: Should I Raid My Retirement Savings to Pay for School?
10 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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...
10 Questions to Master Successful Investing, with David Stein
07 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 i...
Ask Paula: Should I Put My Student Loans in Forbearance? Should I Buy a Vacation Rental? and More
03 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 sh...
How to Stop Making So Many Money Mistakes, with Jeff Kreisler
27 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 b...
Ask Paula and Joe -- Should I BUY a Business, Instead of Starting One?
20 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 m...
How We Saved $1 Million and Retired at 31 and 32, with Kristy Shen and Bryce Leung
13 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 ...
Ask Paula: Sooo … I Quit My Job. What Type of Business Should I Start?
06 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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 id...
26 Easy Moves to Improve Your Finances in 2020
03 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#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...
Ask Paula: How Can I Retire in 12 Years?
31 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
#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. Anon...
How to Avoid College Debt, with Anthony ONeal
27 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
#232: Anthony ONeal is the bestselling author of Debt-Free Degree, a book that teaches parents how to help their children graduate from college withou...
Ask Paula: How Can I Get My Spouse Interested in Frugality?
16 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
#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...
How to Develop Emotional Agility, with Dr. Susan David
09 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
#230: Dr. Susan David, a psychologist on the faculty at Harvard Medical School, joins us to talk about emotional agility. Dr. David has researched em...
Ask Paula: Help! My Mom or Dad Took Out a Credit Card in My Name. Am I On the Hook?
06 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
#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...
What I Learned from Losing $170 Million, with Noah Kagan
02 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
#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’...
Ask Paula: How Can I Get the Most from My Mini-Retirement?
25 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
#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 figur...