Afford Anything

Paula Pant | Cumulus Podcast Network

You can afford anything, but not everything. We make daily decisions about how to spend money, time, energy, focus and attention – and ultimately, our life. How do we make smarter decisions? How do we think from first principles? On the surface, Afford Anything seems like a podcast about money and investing. But under the hood, this is a show about how to think critically, recognize our behavioral blind spots, and make smarter choices. We’re into the psychology of money, and we love metacognition: thinking about how to think. In some episodes, we interview world-class experts: professors, researchers, scientists, authors. In other episodes, we answer your questions, talking through decision-making frameworks and mental models. Want to learn more? Download our free book, Escape, at http://affordanything.com/escape. Hosted by Paula Pant. read less

Our Editor's Take

Living life to the fullest involves financial independence and solid decision-making. That is why podcasts such as Afford Anything are so popular. The top-ranked podcast offers life lessons interwoven with financial literacy. It is much more than a business advice podcast. It teaches lessons many people need to forge a healthy and productive lifestyle.

The podcast covers the financial basics—the stock market, entrepreneurship, and personal finance. But it also offers practical tips for personal and behavioral changes. In addition, the show provides different approaches and perspectives on business. The award-winning podcast boasts millions of downloads since its debut in 2016. Its success is unsurprising, as it has important discussions and information.

Paula Pant created and hosts the Afford Anything podcast. Paula has decades of experience as a financial commentator. She has written for MSN Money, Forbes, and The Washington Post. The podcast is the audio version of her personal finance website of the same title. Cohost Joe Saul-Sehy sometimes joins Paula on the show. Joe is the host of another popular podcast, Stacking Benjamins.

Afford Anything provides simplified versions of complex business issues. Financial topics are well summarized and articulated in a digestible manner. It's engaging, informal and offers strategies and insight. For example, real estate is a business most people tend to avoid. On the show, Paula does a great job of making real estate less formidable. The show emphasizes finding a balance in all aspects of life.

Some episodes of Afford Anything have a question-and-answer segment. Paula and Joe's responses are thorough and knowledgeable. Guests on the show range from financial advisors to life coaches. These include investment expert J. David Stein and fellow podcaster Dr. Jordan Grumet. They discuss investment portfolios, frameworks, and other engaging topics. New episodes drop several times each week.

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How to Master the Psychology of Persuasion, with Michael McQueen

How to Master the Psychology of Persuasion, with Michael McQueen

#510: Maybe you’re trying to convince: – Your spouse | to embrace the FIRE movement. – Your teenage kids | to invest some of their summer job money in stocks. – Your neighbor | to sell you their house in a private, off-market deal. – Your boss | to give you more vacation time. – Your client | to pay you more. Today’s episode is about how to change minds, build trust, navigate conversations, and influence and persuade others. We chat with Michael McQueen, a social researcher, strategist, and the author of 10 books. He’s spoken alongside Bill Gates, Apple co-founder Steve Woznick and Dr. John C. Maxwell, and was named Australia’s Keynote Speaker of the Year. His latest book, Mindstuck, focuses on how to be more persuasive. Here are some of the ideas we cover: Stubbornness: We tend to be stubborn because of our inherent desire to protect our existing beliefs and identities. This is partly due to the fact that the human mind has a tendency to make quick judgments and resist challenges. Logical Fallacy: People often rely on confirmation bias and tribalism when evaluating information. We tend to favor information that aligns with our existing beliefs and groups we identify with. Complexity over Extremes: When presented with opposing viewpoints, exposure to extreme viewpoints can – counterintuitively – make people more entrenched in their own beliefs. Introducing complexity and nuance can foster a more open-minded approach. Here are some of his tips: Uncover the Hidden Fear Address the Loss Aversion Use "Right and Reflect" to Get People Talking Build Rapport and Choose the Right Moment Frame Your Message for Impact Move Beyond Persuasion and Focus on Progress McQueen elaborates on these tips in today’s podcast episode. Enjoy! For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode510 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episodes

How to Master the Psychology of Persuasion, with Michael McQueen

How to Master the Psychology of Persuasion, with Michael McQueen

#510: Maybe you’re trying to convince: – Your spouse | to embrace the FIRE movement. – Your teenage kids | to invest some of their summer job money in stocks. – Your neighbor | to sell you their house in a private, off-market deal. – Your boss | to give you more vacation time. – Your client | to pay you more. Today’s episode is about how to change minds, build trust, navigate conversations, and influence and persuade others. We chat with Michael McQueen, a social researcher, strategist, and the author of 10 books. He’s spoken alongside Bill Gates, Apple co-founder Steve Woznick and Dr. John C. Maxwell, and was named Australia’s Keynote Speaker of the Year. His latest book, Mindstuck, focuses on how to be more persuasive. Here are some of the ideas we cover: Stubbornness: We tend to be stubborn because of our inherent desire to protect our existing beliefs and identities. This is partly due to the fact that the human mind has a tendency to make quick judgments and resist challenges. Logical Fallacy: People often rely on confirmation bias and tribalism when evaluating information. We tend to favor information that aligns with our existing beliefs and groups we identify with. Complexity over Extremes: When presented with opposing viewpoints, exposure to extreme viewpoints can – counterintuitively – make people more entrenched in their own beliefs. Introducing complexity and nuance can foster a more open-minded approach. Here are some of his tips: Uncover the Hidden Fear Address the Loss Aversion Use "Right and Reflect" to Get People Talking Build Rapport and Choose the Right Moment Frame Your Message for Impact Move Beyond Persuasion and Focus on Progress McQueen elaborates on these tips in today’s podcast episode. Enjoy! For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode510 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I’m Retiring at Age 34 and a Half!

I’m Retiring at Age 34 and a Half!

#509: Rob wants to retire early, but a real estate investment led to $30,000 of credit card debt. Should he take on more debt to pay it off? An anonymous return caller took Paula’s advice and ran with it, doubling her income within a few years. Should she update her investment strategy now that she’s in a higher tax bracket? Humaira is tired of paying rent with nothing to show for. Can she leverage some benefits by using her credit card to pay the bills? Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I 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/episode509 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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

#508: Recently I chatted with Stanford researcher Dr. Mary Murphy, a renowned expert in the field of psychological and brain sciences. Dr. Murphy, who is a Professor at Indiana University and conducts research at Stanford University, shared insights into the concepts of fixed mindset and growth mindset. We deep dived into her extensive research on how these mindsets impact motivation, performance, and relationships at work and home. She conducted research alongside legendary psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck, who created the original studies around fixed vs. growth mindset. If you’ve ever read about fixed vs. growth mindset in the past, you’ve undoubtedly heard of Carol Dweck, who is legendary in the space. Dr. Dweck mentored Dr. Murphy at Stanford, the university from which Dr. Murphy received her Ph.D. Dr. Murphy's insights can help you cultivate a growth mindset to overcome challenges and achieve your goals. If you want to improve your performance — at work, at home, at the gym, as a world traveler, as an investor, or in any other domain — understanding the research behind mindset is critical. Enjoy! For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode508 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How One Ex-Inmate is Building a Better Future

How One Ex-Inmate is Building a Better Future

#507: Robert was recently released from prison and wants to start his life on the right foot. What’s Joe and Paula’s advice for him? Suzy is excited to deploy her first corporate bonus but scared to invest everything in a lump sum. Should she stick with what’s worked in the past and just dollar cost-average? Meghan doesn’t understand how stock pricing affects capital appreciation. Is it always better to buy when share prices are low? Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these three 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/episode507 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MadFientist: Life is Too Short to Wait for Someday

MadFientist: Life is Too Short to Wait for Someday

#506: "Today's guest, Brandon Ganch, also known as the MadFientist, reached Financial Independence (FI) and quit his job as a software developer at 34. But then he faced a vexing question: what should he do with the rest of his life? In this episode, Brandon shares his journey with FI, revealing the gap between the ideal life you envision on spreadsheets and the reality that unfolds. He talks about reaching FI sooner than planned, having more money than anticipated, and the adjustments he had to make to his lifestyle. It's a refreshingly honest look at FI that goes beyond the numbers. We also dive into the changing landscape of work and the impact of automation, artificial intelligence and machine learning. Brandon talks about what he would do differently if he were in his 20's, and shares valuable insights on tools you can use to stay relevant and future-proof your career. You'll enjoy this if: -- You're on the FI path and want to ensure your plans are flexible enough for life's surprises -- You're curious about the unexpected realities of achieving FI -- You're concerned about automation impacting your job security For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode506 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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

#505: Ryan Johnson isn't your average CEO. He's a visionary reimagining city life, one car-free community at a time. In this episode, we chat with Ryan, the co-founder of Culdesac, about building walkable neighborhoods designed for human connection, not just traffic. We'll dive into his experience with Opendoor, his passion for electric bikes (he owns over 60!), and his audacious plan to revolutionize urban living. Buckle up (or maybe don't) for a conversation about the future of cities, the power of community, and why you might not need a car ever again. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode505 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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

#504: Brian Kelly faced a harsh reality during the Great Recession – $65,000 in income and crushing credit card debt. He started a simple side hustle, a website called The Points Guy, as an attempt to earn a few hundred dollars a month. Fast forward to today: The Points Guy boasts 11 million monthly visitors and a thriving team of 140 employees. In this episode, Brian pulls back the curtain on his incredible journey, transforming a fledgling side hustle into a multimillion-dollar enterprise. He also shares his signature expertise – the art of redeeming airline miles and points – empowering you to travel smarter. For show notes, visit https://affordanything.com/episode504 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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

#503: Lindsay’s husband struggles with a mental disability. She’s worried about the impact on her family’s finances. How does she maintain harmony in her marriage and protect her kids’ future? An anonymous caller is stoked about her young nephew’s interest in saving for retirement. What’s Paula and Joe’s advice for a teenage saver? Another anonymous caller wants to get personal about Paula’s personal finances. Following up on a discussion from episode 494, Melanie has exciting news to share about automating ETF investments at Vanguard. 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/episode503 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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

#502: The Fed met earlier this week and elected to keep interest rates at a 23-year high, in an effort to wrestle inflation closer to its two percent target. Despite this, the April jobs report, which was released today, shows that jobs grew for the 40th consecutive month, and unemployment remains under 4 percent, an historic low, for the 27th straight month. The 12-month inflation rate is 3.5 percent, based on March CPI data. Stocks remain on a tear, but performance is lopsided, with 10 companies driving 85 percent of this years’ gains. We cover this and more in our First Friday economic update episode. Enjoy! For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode502 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mic Drop! ChooseFI's Brad Barrett Interviews Paula Pant

Mic Drop! ChooseFI's Brad Barrett Interviews Paula Pant

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We delve into the world of Financial Independence (FI) with a pioneer -- Vicki Robin, the co-author of Your Money or Your Life. In the 1970s, Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez, from vastly different backgrounds, came together over a shared vision: FI as a life philosophy, not just a savings strategy. Their book, "Your Money or Your Life," which sold more than one million copies, outlined a three-dimensional approach to FI: Financial Intelligence: Thinking clearly and objectively about money. Financial Integrity: Aligning your spending and earning with your values. Financial Independence: Breaking free from paycheck dependence and limiting beliefs about money. In this podcast episode, Vicki will discuss a new dimension she's added: Financial Interdependence: Recognizing the importance of giving and receiving within our communities and the world. Vicki and I discuss how to move beyond "just the money" during the quest for financial freedom. This episode originally aired in 2018. We're sharing this as part of GREATEST HITS WEEK, a 5-day series in which we're sharing 5 episodes, across 5 days, that we produced during the earliest years of the Afford Anything podcast. You may have missed it then; enjoy it now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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

Esquire Magazine editor-at-large and bestselling author A.J. Jacobs joins the show to discuss his experimental approach to life. Jacobs, whose TED Talks have been viewed more than 3 million times, shares best practices around motivation, habits, confidence, boosting happiness, and optimizing creativity. In this episode: -- Discover the benefits that come from frequently changing your habits -- Learn why "fake it 'til you become it" is A.J.'s secret weapon for habit development. -- Explore how extreme gratitude can transform your mindset. -- Hear a cautionary tale of healthy living gone wrong. -- Learn how to make any career or business connection by unearthing the way in which you're distant cousins (as everyone on earth is, at most, roughly 70th cousins) Plus, hear a hilarious story about Jacobs revealing his entire sexual history to actress Scarlett Johansson. This episode originally aired in 2017. We're sharing this as part of GREATEST HITS WEEK, a 5-day series in which we're sharing 5 episodes, across 5 days, that we produced during the earliest years of the Afford Anything podcast. You may have missed it then; enjoy it now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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

Stocks or skills? How should you invest? Should you pour money into unlocking your income potential? Or should you pour money into the market? Forget the motivational posters -- unlimited potential is real. But unlocking it takes investment. The question is: Do you invest in yourself or the market? Stocks, bonds, real estate offer clear returns. But what about investing in your skills, a side hustle, or education? Financial advisor Michael Kitces joins us to crack the code on maximizing your return on investment, both personal and financial. Learn how to make smarter choices about your future and unlock your true potential. We're sharing this as part of GREATEST HITS WEEK, a 5-day series in which we're sharing 5 episodes, across 5 days, that we produced during the earliest years of the Afford Anything podcast. You may have missed it then; enjoy it now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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

JL Collins, the author of "The Simple Path to Wealth," achieved financial independence in 1989 with a surprisingly simple strategy: saving half his income and investing in index funds. In this episode, JL breaks down his ultra-simple investing approach. He argues that keeping things uncomplicated leads to better results in the long run. "The less you mess with your investments," he says, "the more freedom you have to focus on what truly matters." This episode is for anyone who feels overwhelmed by complex investment strategies. Learn how to set your finances on autopilot and get on with living your life. We originally recorded and aired this episode in 2016. We're sharing this as part of GREATEST HITS WEEK, a 5-day series in which we're sharing 5 episodes, across 5 days, that we produced during the earliest years of the Afford Anything podcast. You may have missed it then; enjoy it now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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

Today’s guest is Jean Chatzky, financial editor for the TODAY Show, host of the HerMoney podcast and a frequent guest on TV shows like Oprah, Regis & Kelly, and The View. We discuss six money rules to guide your spending, including: #1: The more time you spend looking, the less happy you’ll be with what you find. #2: Your retirement trumps their tuition. #3: Losing money hurts more than it should. #4: Big numbers make smart people do stupid things. #5: Don’t lend money to friends & relatives, and don’t co-sign for loans. #6: If it's 50% off, it’s still 50% on. This leads us into discussing tactics to prevent wasteful spending, such as: -- The 10/10/10 Rule: How will you feel about this purchase in 10 minutes? 10 months? 10 years? -- The 24 Hour Rule: Delay the purchase by 24 hours. Do you still want it? -- Only Pay Full Price: Paradoxically, avoiding sales – and ONLY buying items at full price – might help you save more money in the long run. Finally, we chat about how to balance financial priorities when you and your spouse want different things. What if you want to retire early, but your spouse doesn’t? How do you handle this? Jean shares her ideas on these topics in this episode, which we originally recorded and aired in 2016. We're sharing this as part of GREATEST HITS WEEK, a 5-day series in which we're sharing 5 episodes, across 5 days, that we produced during the earliest years of the Afford Anything podcast. You may have missed it then; enjoy it now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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

#499: Eugene and his wife are retiring with a $10 million net worth and a guaranteed income that exceeds their annual budget. Do they still need things like life insurance and a financial advisor? The next question, at 30:24, comes from an anonymous caller. Her HOA costs have doubled since she bought her condo. She’s wondering if it’s still a good investment. Should she keep it or sell it? We answer Nandini’s question at 48:14. Nandini and her husband save tons every month toward no goal in particular. What should they do with all their extra cash? Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these three questions in today’s episode. Enjoy! P.S. Got a question? Leave it at https://affordanything.com/voicemail For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode499 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Harvard Business Professor Explains Investing in NFTs

Harvard Business Professor Explains Investing in NFTs

#498: Financial literacy includes understanding NFTs, DeFi, and cryptocurrency. But it's hard to separate education from hype. Harvard Business School's Scott Duke Kominers, a professor in Harvard's Entrepreneurial Management Unit, and a Faculty Affiliate of the Harvard Department of Economics and the Harvard Center of Mathematical Sciences and Applications, joins us alongside Web3 expert Steve Kacizinsky to explain the financial, technological and social significance of NFTs. NFTs, or Non-Fungible Tokens, are a rapidly growing digital asset. Comprehensive financial literacy requires understanding NFTs. While NFTs are emerging opportunity for investment diversification, they are also highly speculative and volatile. NFTs also represent how digital ownership is evolving, and have implications for the economic futures of a myriad of industries. These assets stand at the intersection of art, technology and commerce. This episode provides a deeper understanding of NFTs, taught by a Harvard Business School professor and a Web3 expert. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode498 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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

#497: Princeton Professor Daniel Kahneman never took an economics class. But he won the 2002 Nobel Prize in economics, thanks to his advancements in understanding the psychology of money. In today’s episode, we pay homage to the late Dr. Kahneman, who passed away on March 27 at age 90. We also discuss the jobs report, inflation data, the booming stock market, the next Bitcoin halving, Capital One’s acquisition of Discover, and the National Association of Realtors settlement. Enjoy! For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode497 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices