Optimal Finance Daily - Financial Independence & Money Advice

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Optimal Finance Daily, hosted by Diania Merriam, the innovative mind behind the personal finance conference EconoMe, takes you on an enlightening journey through the world of personal finance. Each episode brings to life the most compelling and practical advice from leading financial bloggers and experts. Diania’s engaging narration and insightful commentary transform complex financial concepts into relatable, actionable insights. Whether it’s budgeting, investing, debt management, or money mindfulness, she covers it all, making financial wisdom accessible to everyone.Gain not just knowledge, but also the motivation to apply it in your daily life. It's not just a source of personal finance tips; it’s a daily companion that guides you towards financial independence and savvy money management, all delivered with Diania's trademark enthusiasm and expertise. By focusing on early retirement, financial independence, and saving money, each episode provides you with the tools needed to achieve your financial goals.This podcast is designed for those passionate about personal finance, early retirement, financial independence, and saving money. It’s your go-to source for practical advice on managing your finances, saving money, and working towards early retirement. Each episode offers actionable steps to foster financial independence and secure your financial future.Listen now, and become an OLD friend--your optimal life awaits...

Recent Episodes
  • 2943: Reflections On Turning 30: From Job Seeker To Corporate Deserter In 10 Years by A Purple Life
    Nov 21, 2024 – 13:42
  • 2942: Retire Early with Parkinson's Law by Joel of 5AMJoel on How to Achieve Early Retirement
    Nov 20, 2024 – 09:51
  • 2941: 7 Ways to Save on Heating Costs This Winter by Hilary with Money Mini Blog on Energy-Saving Habits
    Nov 19, 2024 – 10:33
  • 2940: Get Rich With: Profitable Leisure Time by Mr. Money Mustache on Financial Freedom & F.I.R.E
    Nov 18, 2024 – 11:54
  • 2939: 8 Important Tips To Improve Your Finances (In Only 30 Days!) by Christina Browing of Our Rich Journey
    Nov 17, 2024 – 11:43
  • 2938: Looking At Our Daycare Costs And Why We Send Our Son To Daycare by Kevin of Financial Panther
    Nov 17, 2024 – 11:56
  • 2937: What it Means to “Live Below Your Means” by Jackie Beck on Budgeting & Financial Freedom
    Nov 16, 2024 – 09:46
  • 2936: What Does It Take To Be A Successful Investor by Vicki Cook & Amy Blacklock of Women Who Money
    Nov 15, 2024 – 12:01
  • 2935: How to Get Rich with Minimalism by Karen Trefzger of Maximum Gratitude Minimal Stuff on Personal Finance
    Nov 14, 2024 – 13:41
  • 2934: Selling My Time Too Cheap: How Full-Time Year-Round Work Blinds Us To The Joys of Life by Paul Millerd
    Nov 13, 2024 – 12:35
  • 2933: Investing by Steve Pavlina on Creating Positive Social Impacts
    Nov 12, 2024 – 11:42
  • 2932: [Part 2] You Don’t Have to Make $100,000 a Year to Retire Early by Mrs. 1500 of 1500 Days on Saving Money
    Nov 11, 2024 – 13:23
  • 2931: [Part 1] You Don’t Have to Make $100,000 a Year to Retire Early by Mrs. 1500 of 1500 Days on Frugality
    Nov 10, 2024 – 13:46
  • 2930: Heart Health and Your Retirement Well Being by Kathleen Coxwell on Cost of Healthcare Expenses
    Nov 10, 2024 – 11:33
  • 2929: Spending Less Versus Earning More by ESI of ESI Money on Building Wealth & Investment Advice
    Nov 9, 2024 – 12:40
  • 2928: Buy This, Not That by Dr. Jim Dahle of White Coat Investor on Personal Financial Decisions for A Rich Life
    Nov 8, 2024 – 12:37
  • 2927: Greater Riches Than Wealth by Joshua Becker of Becoming Minimalist on Financial Life Advice
    Nov 7, 2024 – 11:29
  • 2926: Put Your Money Fears in Perspective by David Champion with Can I Retire Yet on Retirement Advice
    Nov 6, 2024 – 13:02
  • 2925: Stop Asking for Permission AND What No “Financial Advisor” Will Ever Tell You by Derick Van Ness
    Nov 5, 2024 – 13:08
  • 2924: Slam Dunk Financial Planning by Jesse Cramer of Best Interest Blog on Investment Portfolio Advice
    Nov 4, 2024 – 13:40
  • 2923: Conventional Money Advice Won't Create The Life You Want by Nacho Average Fro on Budgeting
    Nov 3, 2024 – 12:35
  • 2922: Would You Take A Bet That Would Change Your Life? Probably Not. Here’s Why by Nir Eyal
    Nov 3, 2024 – 11:32
  • 2921: How to Leave Your Financial Advisor in 5 Simple Steps by Andy Hill of Marriage, Kids and Money
    Nov 2, 2024 – 12:44
  • 2920: 3 Steps to Help You Get Financially Unstuck by Jaime of Keep Thrifty on Personal Finance Habits
    Nov 1, 2024 – 09:52
  • 2919: How Retirement Is Like College (And Why I Love Both) by A Purple Life on Financial Independence & Travel
    Oct 31, 2024 – 12:16
  • 2918: You Should Talk About Money by Robyn Goldfarb of A Dime Saved on Money & Relationships
    Oct 30, 2024 – 09:52
  • 2917: Why I Budget (And Why You Don't Have To) by Kalen Bruce of Money Mini Blog on Budgeting & Personal Finances
    Oct 29, 2024 – 11:46
  • 2916: Don’t Sweat Petty Stuff, and Don’t Pet Sweaty Stuff by Dave of Accidental Fire on Financial Independence
    Oct 28, 2024 – 10:51
  • 2915: Stop Letting Pride Keep You Broke by Andrea Joy of Saving Joyfully on Financial Well-Being
    Oct 27, 2024 – 12:32
  • 2914: Do Your Preferences for a Romantic Partner Influence Your Actual Choice of Romantic Partner by Dr. Lorne Campbell with Luvz
    Oct 27, 2024 – 11:51
  • 2913: This Money Belief Is What Keeps Many People In Debt by Kelley Long of Financial Finesse
    Oct 26, 2024 – 11:13
  • 2912: 8 Tips on How to Move to Your Next House on a Budget by Lisa Harrison of Mad Money Monster
    Oct 25, 2024 – 11:58
  • 2911: [Part 2] Starting to Save for Retirement at 40 by William Cowie with Get Rich Slowly on Passive Investing
    Oct 24, 2024 – 11:05
  • 2910: [Part 1] Starting to Save for Retirement at 40 by William Cowie with Get Rich Slowly on Investing Math
    Oct 23, 2024 – 10:43
  • 2909: It's Time For You To Get A Life - Insurance by J. Money of Budgets Are Sexy on Financial Security
    Oct 22, 2024 – 12:07
  • 2908: 7 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Retired by Mike Ballew of Egg Stack on A Fulfilling Retirement
    Oct 21, 2024 – 13:50
  • 2907: 6 Credit Myths That Can Cost You Money by Kumiko of The Budget Mom on Financial Well-Being
    Oct 20, 2024 – 12:40
  • 2906: Why Volunteering is One of the Most Powerful Things You Can Do for Your Health by Naomi Imatome-Yun with Blue Zones
    Oct 20, 2024 – 10:59
  • 2905: Turn off Autopilot & Set Financial Goals by Chelsea of Smart Money Mamas on Personal Finances
    Oct 19, 2024 – 11:15
  • 2904: Stuck No More by Wanderer of Millennial Revolution on Financial Independence & Digital Nomads
    Oct 18, 2024 – 12:20
  • 2903: Recognizing the Strategic Manipulation of Financial Abuse by Justin Haley Phillips with Tiny Buddha
    Oct 17, 2024 – 14:45
  • 2902: 9 Ways To Save Money For Travel (Or Any Big Purchase) by Sarah Von Bargen of Yes and Yes
    Oct 16, 2024 – 11:53
  • 2901: What It Feels Like To Be Rich by James Altucher on Scarcity & Isolation
    Oct 15, 2024 – 11:50
  • 2900: Do You Have Spousal Buy In AND Who Holds the Key to Your Golden Handcuffs by Doc G of Earn and Invest
    Oct 14, 2024 – 16:11
  • 2899: Know Thy Investing Self by Nick Maggiulli of Of Dollars and Data on Long-Term Investment Success
    Oct 13, 2024 – 11:08
  • 2898: Discipline Ripples by Steve Pavlina on New Habit Building & Self-Control
    Oct 13, 2024 – 11:36
  • 2897: Some Lifestyle Creep is Inevitable. It May Even Be Desirable by U-Ming Lee on Intentional Spending
    Oct 12, 2024 – 14:23
  • 2896: [Part 2] 9 Ways to Free Yourself from the Trap of Consumerism by Karen Trefzger of Maximum Gratitude Minimal Stuff
    Oct 11, 2024 – 12:42
  • 2895: [Part 1] 9 Ways to Free Yourself from the Trap of Consumerism by Karen Trefzger of Maximum Gratitude Minimal Stuff
    Oct 10, 2024 – 11:47
  • 2894: How Do I Budget if My Partner is a Spender? by Amanda Amezcua with Women Who Money
    Oct 9, 2024 – 13:26
Recent Reviews
  • George Hyland
    Love the content, hate the advertising
    As much as I love this podcast, I will stop listening until the current rotation of ads stop. I do not want to be told to “take a whiff of those pits and toes” first thing every morning. C’mon.
  • Jhawk737
    Be more honest about episode repeats!
    This show has a fair amount of good original content. However, I have noticed a lot more in the last year either (a) the podcast replays previously aired episodes (without mentioning this in the intro) or (b), airing very outdated podcasts some mentioning the Great Recession of 2008 going on, some still mentioning “while now in the middle of the pandemic” or stats and figures like “last year, in 2014”… To not waste a listeners time, it would be nice if like other podcasts, they would mention if it was not a new episode or if first the time being played and it’s older, say “here is a new episode we haven’t featured from 2016”, etc. Otherwise I feel like I’m being played lol. Thanks!
  • Saasuma
    Roth conversion
    Another great informative and very important article!!! Keep up the great work!
  • citizen2023
    More recent?
    A number of the readings have been quite old, and therefore seem less relevant and a bit stale. Would it be possible to focus on more recent financial insights? Thank you!
  • BadDNA94
    Content is great, introduced ads not so much
    I like the OFD podcast. I’m one of those recently introduced to the show and am listening from the earliest available episodes, working my way chronologically to the present. And I fully respect that they went from ‘ad-free free’ to ‘free with ads’ to monetize and pay for their efforts. Nothing wrong with honest capitalism. But I do resent when the old episodes (I’m only to the beginning of 2017 now nearly six years behind but catching up) are re-engineered. Podcasters may have agreements with sponsors or just decide to ‘update’ old episodes with the ad content, but it kills my library and listening. Now I have two versions of each episode (the smaller ad-free clean one I’ve already downloaded) and an unloaded version with the ads that will only play if I’m on wifi (immediately after the downloaded one). In my curated library, I’d have to delete the show, redownload the newly-updated archive, and continue listening. Until the show runners decide to change out who their sponsorship is and re-re-engineer the archived shows and I’m stuck with the same issue again. Podcasters - it’s bad enough that Apple will only keep your library archive going back a few hundred episodes - but now any refresh of my library will cause duplication or failed indexes where show episodes once downloaded are no longer available. Yes, the fruit company is partly to blame, but can you find a way to NOT mess with prior episodes? Please?
  • JID the Kid
    Content very good. Issue is host.
    I enjoy all the podcasts in this series. Diana has a nice voice and is enthusiastic. My frustration is that she isn’t yet very knowledgeable about the concepts and she doesn’t seem to recognize that there is much she doesn’t know yet. Her commentary seems so self congratulatory sometimes- and while I’m happy that she is on a path she is excited about- a bit less of the humble brag would go a long way.
  • SleepSavy
    Simple & Motivating
    I really like this podcast! I officially started paying off debt January of 2020 but started to fall in love with it summer of 2019. I was a huge DR fan (if you know, you know) but the show because too political and I wasn’t a fan of the direction the show was going into (cohosts). It was the catalyst to my journey and my biggest source of motivation. I’ve listened to a few other podcasts but they didn’t really do it for me. I found this one because I started listening to optimal living daily. I listen to this while I work from but I’ll also be listening when I do my side hustle(s). Not only do I have this podcast but I have new content to read. If you’re reading this, good luck achieving your financial goals.
  • Tmetzzz
    Listened to almost all of them
    Great finance info have listened to every episode 1-300 and when diana took over it got better to listen to as I went back and listened to the old format wow Diana and the lack of ads is really refreshing thank you for listening to previous reviews nice job
  • Interested bystander
    Please fix audios. It is still a mess
    Audio needs improvement. Might need a pop filter for the mic. Maybe a different mic. Try several low-end and high-end microphones, at least try 6 or 7. Even look at headsets such as Sennheiser chat. Have someone else listen to each test. Don’t skimp on the mic. Post-production audio processing might help. Try Sansone high end.
  • tyler in boston
    Great information and inspiring!
    I have listened to Jill on money for almost a year now and had gained so much valuable information. Every week I get nuggets of wisdom that I have implemented. Thanks so much Jill and Mark!
  • Thee.don
    Needs Previous Host back
    This podcast was great back when Dan Weinberg was hosting. I’ve put up with the new host because of my respect for the Optimal Podcast series, but I’m out on OFD now. Diana has a horrible radio voice that is hard on the ears and she has no real finance experience except getting into debt. I don’t know who is picking the articles but it seems as though they have missed the whole point of OFD.
  • morethantheDaks
    Bloated
    Much preferred the show with the prior host. Miriam labels herself as an enthusiast, but gives an analysis for 2-3 minutes every show based on her own life, assuming the advice role of an expert. Sounds like beating debt is her only real experience. Using the show to advertise her personal financial conference seems like the major goal. All this adds 2-3minutes of fluff to what used to be a short and sweet reading of expert blogs.
  • NannersYeah
    Diana’s great! Content being read, not so much
    Diana’s an engaging and thoughtful host. She really knows her stuff. Unfortunately, the blogs she reads from often focus on penny pinching and other boring or eyeroll inducing topics for people who aren’t on a shoestring budget. Diana’s insights are almost always the most valuable part of the podcast. It’d be nice to hear more articles on topics other than “why you should start saving today”.
  • yuneeda
    The host is great.
    Diana is so engaging and believable.
  • V62*
    Ads and reading blog posts
    Do you ever find yourself reading a crappy blog post that is a paid native advertisement for a product, and think “I wish someone would read this ad blog to me and also add more ads before and after the blog ad” then this podcast is for you!
  • Crowbar Man
    Mediocre
    Ok, I appreciate the fact that a lot of people will benefit from these helpful hints. Here are the reasons why I’m having a hard time loving this podcast: -At first glance it seems that the host is rounding up the best finance info on the internet; but in the end it just sounds like a random reflection of the same endless ocean of blockers that we all wade through on the internet. I’d like advice from true experts; not just an audio version of a google search which I can do myself. -If I were the host, I would be more selective in what blogs I choose. Some of the blogs are incredibly basic (how to organize, how to budget), or just outdated (the advantages of autopay vs writing checks). Some of the blogs are too self-indulgent to be of any interest to me (how to budget for a puppy or a special needs adoption). Some of the blogs are just plain bad advice (dollar cost averaging is a lie perpetuated by charlatans — this blogger seems like a day trader who’s advice is biased to sell you his financial services, or trying to get attention with click bait; there’s plenty of research to support dollar cost averaging, and it’s a sound strategy for the vast majority of investors with a long time horizon). -8 minute episodes seem more fitting for people with ADD. I appreciate the quick pace for people on the go; but getting through a large number of episodes results in too much clicking.
  • Atlanta homebuyer
    Great information!
    Straight to the point with valuable information.
  • Chidam
    Nonsense
    The voice modulation is so annoying. Sounds very artificial. Just say it in natural voice. I unsubscribed already.
  • 4whydoesn'tthiswork
    Mixed
    Likeable host, great info, vocal fry/crackling voice grates on my ears. If she refined her voice, I would love the podcast so much!
  • just a bench
    Ads
    I enjoy the host and show itself, but the balance of ads to content it’s really bad.
  • tsbuffett
    What happened?
    I just listened to the latest Q and A podcast. It was totally an advertisement for different sponsors. Ugh. I haven’t listened in a while. This is sad. What happened to this podcast?
  • dhehdhjshgdhejwhehx
    Very good podcast
    Short, concise, and straight to the point.
  • BK 353
    Get back to Finance!
    I have always loved the show. Ever since Diania took over the show has drifted to a frugalist and minimalist show with not much on overall finance like the title of the podcast describes. Hoping the show gets back to finance. Not all of us are minimalist. I can’t even listen to the show at this point which is sad because I liked my daily article. But I don’t do extreme frugalism or minimalism. I don’t think most of us do.
  • Rachelrichards92
    Love Diania!
    I love the new host Diania! She is sharing great content, and is an amazing host and narrator. Can’t wait to listen to more episodes!
  • BfBWLTD
    Loving this show and new host
    Outstanding voice and tremendous commentary. Always a soothing feeling putting on daily!
  • cristacolvin
    Even Better
    This podcast is one of my “old” reliables. I appreciate how Diania shares how the blog post of the day relates to her life.
  • Maureen, AN OK BOOMER
    Disappointed
    What the heck you’re talking about the price of a cup of coffee this is not the site are used to listen to was gone for two weeks I’m so disappointed hope this is a temporary condition 😑
  • xcrushhh
    Have always been into this podcast and love the news host!
    I really like to listen to Optimal Finance Daily to learn more personal finance and FIRE tips since I don’t have time to subscribe to a huge variety of blogs. Also I loved Diania’s intro story and she’s doing wonderful narrating the podcasts. Thank you for doing this show!
  • trouble&1
    Daily listener
    Good show and occasionally has great very usable information
  • AAAtime
    Fellow dream chasers
    Hi guys, I just wrote my first biz book. Only on amazon- B2B Sales Degree Any support from fellow entrepreneurs is greatly appreciated! Hope you like the read ! Great book for sales managers and team
  • WhalesMangina
    Too many ads
    This was a great podcast idea however when the show is under 8 minutes long most days and starts with 1.5 min of ads and ends with another minute of ads it’s not worth the time. If they get their ads back below 25% of the podcast I may resubscribe. You’re not fooling anyone when you start with “real quick we recommend...” followed by 90 seconds of ads before “let’s get right to this post” and then fly through the post followed by another minute of ads at the end. It’s even worse when they do two articles in one podcast. The 1.5 min at the beginning and minute of ads at the end get an additional 30-60 seconds of ads in the middle turning the episode into nearly 50% ads. I get it that you need to make money but I’m not subscribing to an ad podcast with occasional information when there are so many other podcasts out there.
  • ACtennessee
    Did you just suggest skipping the dentist?
    I listen to this podcast occasionally when I have about 8 minutes to fill. I find it very basic, as it is just a reading of short blog posts. But the podcast today literally suggested skipping dental insurance to pay off student loan debt. “If you decide to get your teeth cleaned...” What? Maybe you don’t need dental insurance, but basically telling people to just brush their teeth instead of going to the dentist is dangerous. Enjoy your future root canal that will cost you thousands when it could have been prevented. Also, how many diseases and defects are detected at the dentist? Stop being glib just to say you’re “out of debt.” This is nonsense.
  • Curefansc
    Love this podcast!
    This is such a great way to “read” the best of the blogs that are out there without having to search for them myself. So glad I found this podcast!!
  • I know loys of stuff now !
    Daily habit
    This pod is part of every morning for me. It’s like an accountability coach faithfully nudging me to behave financially. I need it. I listen to several other personal finance pods but it all started with optimal living daily when I was desperately looking for help with money. Thank you
  • Kay Cotton
    Love y'all
    This podcast, the concept, the people and personality behind it, I love it!
  • janeemat
    To the Point Financial Advice
    Great delivery! You are very precise and offer much needed topics. I turn on your podcasts on Saturdays to get through my household chores. Listening to you get my wheels to churning😊😍
  • Merc916.
    Good Stuff
    I am new to personal finance, so i have been scouring the web to find great sources of reliable information to help me grow my knowledge. this is one of those great sources. Dan does a wonderful job of finding good content to read, and i love that im able to refer to the original site and look around if i want to.
  • Livindebtfree
    Episode 902 terrible advice
    I normally like most of the episodes, just had to take exception to this one. Ask your parents to cosign for a credit card? If you can’t qualify for a card on your own there’s a reason for that—you are a poor credit risk and should not try to get in debt!
  • minxnyc
    His voice needs to have more inflection.
    The information is great but the delivery is very dry. It’s easy to get distracted and not listen while it’s playing.
  • F.I. by 35
    Ad space.
    I appreciate the content. It seems like the average podcast time is around 8-9 minutes and the first and last minutes are designated to ad space. Very annoying considering that’s about 20-25% of the episode. You’re already making money simply reading other people’s content/research do you really have to “double dip” on the ad space?
  • BAM4471
    Great PF podcast!
    I love OFD since I don't always have time to read all the wonderful blog posts they narrate here. The selection of topics and authors is both broad and interesting. It's my favorite way to start my work day!
  • smm9060
    Best OLD narrator
    I love the topic- sometimes it becomes repetitive but overall that is to be expected. I’m a big fan of OLD and I think this is the best sounding narrator. Good variety of advice. I recommend!
  • MsSullyLC
    Quick and informative
    I discovered this podcast a few months ago after starting to educate myself about managing personal finance. I pick and choose the topics that interest me or I am working on in the moment. There are many opinions on the blogs he reads, so you get a balanced perspective, but over time you will pick up on trends and common advice to consider. It helps me fill a gap in my education!!
  • Seshuan Soup
    He says buying a new car makes more sense
    This guy is not bright at all. I just wasted 10 mins of my life giving him a chance. He says there are “more” reasons to buy a new car than a used car but instead of using a calculator he actually said “new car smell.” i guesd he liked the smell of leather because im sure his wallet is all leather with no cash inside.
  • Khalypsomoon1
    Repetitive
    This podcast is decent and I am subscribed but I generally delete an episode if I feel that I already know the info or have heard one very similar to it. There seems to be a lot of repeat of subjects and authors.... also there are so many ads and it is very frustrating.
  • Ian Ryan
    Great Content!
    Extremely informative information about key concepts within the finance industry! Excited to keep listening and learn more.
  • Brendan @ Entrepreneurs&Coffee
    My faves!
    Love the recent Cait and Chris G episodes. I'm much better at making money than managing my finances so this podcast is perfect for me.
  • crozsa
    Great!
    I started listening to OLD a month or so ago, I drive a TON for work. I really enjoy short snippets by Justin and I am always into financial pro tips so I decided to give that one a try. I love it so far! I started from the beginning (2016) and only 20 episodes in, a lot from rameet and mr money mustache so far. But overall I do like it and excited to keep listening. Love the concept of short excerpts because let’s face it, this generation (I’m 22) has 0 attention span so anything over 10 minutes becomes a chore. Both the voice in this podcast and the financial one are perfect, it’s a weird pet peeve of mine but I am hypersensitive to the way people speak which makes me picky about what podcasts I listen to. Here that is not that case, both are easy to listen to, in fact fairly calming. Overall AWESOME job, I will be looking into the Health one soon as well!
  • Hopeful contestant.
    SHORTEN THE INTRO AND END
    It makes it hard to listen to the archives when I hear 4 minutes of intro and end!
  • Tammy | Local Sm Biz Coach
    Love Having Daily Learning
    I've been listening on and off for quite sometime. I know it is a great go to podcast for some quick financial information to keep my brain learning!
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