Afford Anything | Make Smart Money Choices

#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 and NCAA teams, and has been a consultant for the FBI Academy, U.S. Army Recruiting Command, and the NYC Fire Department. He holds a PhD in sports psychology from the University of Virginia. In today’s episode, we discuss how to develop the type of mental toughness and confidence that can help you grow your investments, start a business, take risks in your career, make offers on houses, and overall master your financial life. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode460 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 from making retirement contributions to focus on debt payoff? Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these four questions in today’s episode. Enjoy! P.S. Got a question? Leave it at https://affordanything.com/voicemail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 confusing real estate market. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode458 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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. Enjoy! P.S. Got a question? Leave it at https://affordanything.com/podcast-questions For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode457 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 digital age dynamics. How does AI impact the way in which we relate to others? If you want to learn the science of emotional intelligence, and how to apply this to your career and business interactions, you’ll learn a lot from today’s episode. Enjoy! For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode456 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 thriving Airbnb market? I tackle these three questions in today’s episode. Enjoy! P.S. Got a question? Leave it at https://affordanything.com/voicemail For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode455 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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. Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these four questions in today’s episode. Enjoy! Enjoy! P.S. Got a question? Leave it at https://affordanything.com/voicemail For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode454 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 idea that work has to be our calling or our dream, and how to build a more well-rounded life. If you’ve ever “over-identified” with your job, then you’ll find today’s conversation thought-provoking. Enjoy! For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode453 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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-shaped recovery” – how different segments of the population are experiencing different economic realities. He touches upon economic, political, and social trends, and the hidden dynamics that shape market behavior and reveal the profound impact of consumer confidence. Our conversation will leave you with a deeper understanding of how behavioral patterns shape the financial landscape – including your investments. Enjoy! For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode452 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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. Should she sell off some stocks to lower her monthly payments? Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these four questions in today’s episode. Enjoy! P.S. Got a question? Leave it at https://affordanything.com/voicemail For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode451 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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, German, Spanish, French, English and Russian. She’s covered stories ranging from diamond mining in Siberia to sleep deprivation. She’s close friends with Evan Gershkovich, the 31-year-old Wall Street Journal reporter who’s currently in a Russian prison. Today is his 100th day behind bars. Andrea and I were both Knight-Bagehot Fellows and bonded during our year of immersing ourselves into deeply understanding how to tell better stories about business and economics. She joins me in this special episode to talk about the stories she’s covered, the sabbatical experience, and why it’s critical to understand how a bond works (!!). Enjoy! For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode450 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 information: she believes that borrowing from Dad is her only path to home ownership. Does this change Paula and Joe’s advice to her? (And is it even true?) And Molly, a concerned mom, shares some thoughts about this situation. 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 more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 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 information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode448 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 this topic. Nick sheds light on the advantages and challenges of remote work, drawing from extensive data and analysis. He shares surprising numbers and statistics. We discuss productivity, collaboration, employee well-being and organizational dynamics. We also discuss the impact of remote work on cities and housing. Enjoy! For more information, visit https://affordanything.com/episode447 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 questions in today’s episode. Enjoy! P.S. Got a question? Leave it here. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode446 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 during this transformational journey, emphasizing the importance of resilience and avoiding the comparison trap. Whether you're contemplating leaving your job to start your own venture or simply seeking inspiration from a seasoned entrepreneur, this episode with Steve Chou is a must-listen. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode445 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 bill – whether it’s a medical bill, a family member who needs ongoing financial help, or a student loan repayment that’s about to restart. For a list of Sources and Resources mentioned in the show, go to https://affordanything.com/episode444 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 you can apply her proven techniques to achieve your own entrepreneurial dreams. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, this episode is packed with actionable advice that you won't want to miss. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode443 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 do I invest? How do I diversify outside of the stock market? How many individual stocks should I hold? I’m looking forward to returning to the amazing Afford Anything community full-time as of June 1st, and eagerly anticipating sharing everything I’ve learned with YOU!!!! The team has big plans for the next year, so enjoy this episode and stay tuned for future announcements. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 about the future and build the confidence to enjoy life now? 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. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode440 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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. Inflation is still double the target rate. And public confidence in bedrock financial institutions, as measured by a regional banking index fund, is in the toilet. I talk about these issues for the first 18-ish minutes of the podcast, and then we switch to a replay of an interview that we held with acclaimed financial advisor Michael Kitces, which originally aired as Episode 64. Enjoy! The interview with Michael Kitces originally aired on February 13, 2017 https://affordanything.com/64-michael-kitces-mind-powerful-money/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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-baked ideas, like “go to the park” or “host a potluck.” Not only are these insufferable, they also miss the point. Behavioral change doesn’t come from a laundry list. It comes from cognitive reframing. To facilitate this reframe, we’ve invited Yale-educated former attorney and world-renowned happiness expert Gretchen Rubin to return to our show. Gretchen was a guest on Episode 40, when she cited research about effective habit formation. She returns with a methodical, structured look at how to derive more joy from daily experiences through heightened sensory awareness. She draws from science, philosophy, medicine, literature and psychology to tell a layered story about how to find simple pleasures in everyday things. Her latest book, Life in Five Senses, came out on April 18 and immediately hit the New York Times bestseller list. Enjoy! Timestamps as of April 2023: 10:44: Why you should visit the same place everyday 11:55: How going to the same place can change over time 16:40: Advantages of being in tune with our senses 24:07: How to deepen your sense of smell 31:00: How culture impacts senses 37:19: How does your age impact your sensory experience? For show notes, go to https://affordanything.com/episode438 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 us to chat about her research on perfectionism. She shares a framework on five types of perfectionism. She describes the pros and cons of each type, and how to work through some of the negative tendencies to build a more emotionally healthy life. Enjoy! For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode437 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 question? Leave it here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 insisting on managing her investments. Is she looking in the wrong places? 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. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode435 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 workers earn a volatile and unpredictable income, they also often don’t have job-provided health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. They need to provide themselves with these benefits. What should they do? That’s where Barbara Sloan comes in. She’s a financial coach and author of “Tipped: the life changing guide to financial freedom for waitresses, bartenders, strippers, and all other service industry professionals.” Her book and advice applies to anyone who works outside of the traditional confines and systems. If you (or someone you know) works for tips, you’ll love Barbara. And if you’re curious about exploring work outside of the normal 9-to-5, and wonder how to set yourself up for financial success when your income is hit-or-miss, this episode is for you. Enjoy! Estimated Timing of Discussion Points as of March 2023: 01:59: The tipped workers we may forget 03:54: Financial challenges for tipped workers 05:57: The importance of thinking like an entrepreneur 23:02: Tips for the self employed 25:19: Budgeting with volatile income 27:13: Tracking income vs. tracking expenses 32:15: The distinction of budgeting based on income vs expenses 36:13: Budgeting as a trigger for disordered behavior For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode434 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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. She’s over-extended. Should she cut her losses? 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 information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode433 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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, not your assets, is the centerpiece of your retirement. He shares real-life examples of the biggest risks to your income — the risks that might halt you from enjoying your retirement years. He shares tips on how to make sure your income is smooth and secure, even when you’re not punching the clock anymore. Enjoy! For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode432 Estimated timing of discussion points as of March 2023: 01:36: The disconnect between living on income vs. assets in retirement 02:15: “There’s no such thing as safe” 04:41: The three-bucket approach to retirement 08:17: Sources to learn the history of the stock market 10:33: This historical best hedge against a declining stock market 16:25: The ideal asset mix for short-, medium- and long-term investments 17:01: The need to distinguish between money you’ll need vs money you’ll need to generate income 20:16: When to be a saver vs. an investor 23:49: How to approach the medium-term bucket 36:03: Lowering sequence of returns risk with the three-bucket method 37:02: Inflation risk and the impact on retirement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 difference between flirting in real life vs. online, and he talks about what he looks for in a dating profile. Our conversation also covers: What’s the point of dating someone inside the FIRE community, anyway? Do you really want to talk about money all day? (Hint: nope) Is he a serial monogamist? What should you do if one person is more interested in frugality, while the other is into investing? Personality, values, communication, chemistry … how can you find that ideal fit? How long does it take to figure out if you’re compatible? How quickly has he introduced his teenage son to his former (then-current) girlfriends? What advice does he share with his son about dating? Mr. Money Mustache is the pseudonym of Pete Adeney, one of the most prominent figures in the FIRE movement. He co-stars with Paula, Tiffany Aliche and Ross Mac in the 2022 Netflix documentary Get Smart with Money. Enjoy! For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode431 The Fire Dating app can be found at https://firedating.me Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 four questions in today’s episode. Enjoy! P.S. Got a question? Leave it here. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode430 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 megaproject planning and management, decision-making, and social science methodology. He’s written or edited 10 books, including recently co-authoring “How Big Things Get Done.” He shares examples ranging from the Sydney Opera House to Pixar movies to the California High Speed Rail, illustrating why some projects flourished while others flopped. He joins us on today’s episode and talks to us about why some projects succeed while others turn into colossal disasters. He offers tips for how we can apply lessons from megaprojects to our own lives. Enjoy! Timing of discussion points as of February 2023: 02:19: Why are some projects on time and under budget and others aren’t? 03:24: The difference between successful and unsuccessful projects 07:38: Which questions do you ask when you’re choosing someone to work with on the project? 11:44: How cognitive biases and power dynamics and influence project outcomes 24:22: Why people forsake common sense when it comes to big projects 29:34: How to plan and iterate, knowing that things will change 39:26: The biggest risk to projects For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode429 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 questions in today’s episode. Enjoy! P.S. Got a question? Leave it here. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode428 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 wholesaling (real estate) to flipping antique grandfather clocks (personal goods). On the e-commerce side, your side hustle might mean starting your own manufacturing, white-labeling and shipping services, in which you distribute toothpaste or trash can lids or desiccant packs. How do we make sense of such an umbrella concept? In this interview with Nick Loper, we learn how to wrap our minds around the huge world of hustles. We talk about how to understand the options available, choose a path, and start with minimal capital. This interview originally aired as Episode 85. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 right for you. International best selling author, Julie Winkle Giulioni, reviews eight dimensions of career development and how to navigate them. Chris Hutchins, entrepreneur and life hacker extraordinaire, spills his best secrets on optimizing spend to travel more cheaply. Kiersten and Julien Sanders join us to discuss money topics for couples, and their framework for being financially independent in 15 years. Stanford professor Jeremy Utley breaks down the art of creativity and producing new ideas - and shares actionable tips on how we can be more creative and have better ideas. Dr. Daniel Crosby discusses how we are not wired to be good investors, and how to overcome our evolutionary wiring. Enjoy this compilation of our favorite episodes to air in the second half of 2022. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode426 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 retirement. Should she execute a Roth conversion? 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. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode425 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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,” teaches the behavioral science, mental models and recognition of cognitive biases needed to successfully quit. It highlights real-world examples of startup founders, athletes, mountaineers, and entertainers who either quit – or didn’t – and explains how to make a wise, grounded choice. She joins us on today’s episode to describe the forces that hold us back from quitting – and how to recognize when quitting could lead to a better life. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode424 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 hustles and starting a business. We use questions from two of our listeners as a jumping-off point to discuss the realities of going into business for yourself, doing what you love. We share examples from our own lives as professional podcasters, as well as from the lives of friends who are full-time photographers, musicians, writers and other creative entrepreneurs. Enjoy! P.S. Got a question? Leave it here For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode423 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 straight to buying their forever home? 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 For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode422 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 schedule with more of what you love. Enjoy! Timing of discussion points as of January 2023: 06:06: Where the time management focus should land 13:44: What is tranquility? 15:22: How to structure your hours 16:33: Set your bedtime: the foundational rule for time management 24:18: The power of planning on Fridays 29:05: Move your body by 3 pm 35:02: Create “backup slots” 37:10: The impact of various time management guidelines 38:43: The Big Adventures Rule 44:06: Taking a night for yourself 47:51: Batch the little things 50:16: The effortful before the effortless For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode421 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 columnist Spencer Jakab observed the perfect storm of conditions that gave rise to meme stonks and other oddities of our era. Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy argued for “strategic under-diversification” and explained the Sharpe Ratio. Data scientist Nick Maggiulli explains the save-invest continuum. And financial planner Bill Bengen, the creator of the 4 percent retirement withdrawal rule, talks about what most people misunderstand about the safe withdrawal rate. These are just some of the highlights from the Afford Anything podcast in this 2022 year-in-review episode. Enjoy! For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode420 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 leave his son with more money if one mutual fund pays dividends more frequently? Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these four questions in today’s episode. Enjoy! P.S. Got a question? Leave it at https://affordanything.com/voicemail For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode419 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 podcast, discusses this in today’s episode. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode418 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 she do? Shelby has an amazing opportunity to relocate to Tokyo for work, but she’ll have to take a pay cut. How should she think about her investment options? 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 For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode417 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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

#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. When they began this project, the Lotich’s were earning a combined household income in the high five-figures. They were making just under $100,000 combined, living in St. Louis. They carried a mortgage on their home. They worried that their commitment to giving might impact their ability to pay the bills. Over the last decade, their income has fluctuated – up some years, down in others. They moved to Nashville and had three children. These higher living costs have drastically impacted the family budget. But their commitment to giving persists. In today’s episode, Bob Lotich joins us to talk about why and how he committed to the “give your age” philosophy – and shares his advice for anyone who wants practical tips for increasing their capacity to donate to meaningful causes. Enjoy! Timing of discussion points as of November 2022: 04:46: Adjusting mental and budget space to allow for more charitable donations 13:12: The decision give to individuals vs. charitable organizations 14:57: Does giving to an individual impact the relationship? 16:56: Recommendations for platforms with giving opportunities 25:01: Managing the giving budget after starting a family 25:56: Guilt and shame around generosity 27:41: Giving from a place of gratitude and a place of pain 28:47: The concept of giving dreams 30:19: Building for a continuous impact vs. a large impact 31:48: Getting the children involved 37:48: How to increase your charitable giving For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode415 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 ready or is she nuts? 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. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode414 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 ‘lazy’ – and how to work with that tendency instead of fighting an uphill battle against it. Dr. Crosby researches the intersection of mind and markets. His latest work, The Behavioral Investor, is an in-depth look at how sociology, psychology and neurology impact our investment choices. Timing of discussion points as of December 2022: 03:10: The overlap between psychology and investing + new ideas 04:41: Counterintuitive behavioral finance discoveries 07:27: Money as a “hygiene factor” 08:39: The “new class” of money problems for the more affluent 13:44: Factors that impact our financial decisions 15:22: The influence of evolutionary wiring 17:02: Cognitive and physical wiring leading to laziness and group think 27:45: The benefit of community for investors 28:52: The four types of behavioral risk: ego, conservatism, attention, and emotion 36:21: The three E’s of behavior change: education, environment, encouragement 42:30: Confusing things that are loud with things that are likely 45:21: The risk of managing emotion For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode413 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 that she and her husband can finally take a mini-retirement. They’d like to rebalance their portfolio. They want it to reflect the fact that they won’t be working for a while. They’d also like to calculate how much money they need to travel with their children. How should they handle this? Our second anonymous caller is worried that their portfolio is out-of-whack. Their money is in a target date retirement fund. They’d like to move some of it to a three-fund portfolio. But this is a scary time to sell. Stocks are low. What should they do? 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 more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#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 important 11:49: Where to meet other real estate investors 13:19: Expanding your network, character due diligence and making friends 13:59: Thinking through others cognitive biases 15:56: Potential implications of neighborhoods with “good cash flow” 20:57: An example of objective feedback 29:40: Dumpsters, sewers, permits and problems: Other specifics to discuss For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode411 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices