Afford Anything

Category: Episodes

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#468: How MICE Impacts Your Money, with Bryan Kuderna

Money management is all about setting priorities.

Maybe you have the twin goals of sending your kids to college while also saving enough for retirement.

And maybe you’re struggling to figure out how to balance the two.

Today, Bryan Kuderna, a certified financial planner, shares a framework for helping us set priorities.

We talk about the importance of economic literacy, in addition to financial literacy. We discuss how retirement has changed throughout history. And we apply those broader lessons to how you think about retirement.

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#467: Ask Paula: Use One Debt to Pay Off Another?

Should Knoxville use a higher-interest Home Equity Loan (HELOC) to pay off a lower-interest 401k loan?

Joelle’s tenant is interested in a rent-to-own agreement. Is this a good idea from a landlord’s perspective?

A recent wildfire shifted Sharon’s house into a flood zone. Should she sell before FEMA redraws the map and it becomes official?

Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these three questions in today’s episode.

Enjoy!

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#464: The Science of Friendship (and How It Improves Your Net Worth), with Dr. Marisa Franco

More than ever, most people’s lives are packed to the brim with activity. We are trying to fit in demanding jobs and families, commuting and a neverending list of chores. Social lives often suffer.

It’s no wonder that in 2021, 12% of U.S. adults said they did not have any close friends, up from 3% in 1990.

This has enormous consequences on our health, productivity, and our ability to grow our net worth, make money, and enjoy life.

Dr. Mariso Franco, a renowned psychologist and best selling author, shares invaluable insights on the significance of fostering meaningful connections and discusses the detrimental impact of NOT having fulfilling connections in our lives.

Today’s episode also delves into the importance of connection in the workplace. We chat about how cultivating genuine relationships with colleagues can boost productivity, enhance job satisfaction, and contribute to a positive work environment.

Throughout the episode, Dr. Marisa Franco shares practical tips and actionable advice on how to nurture and sustain friendships in our fast-paced, digital age and improve our overall well- being.

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#463: Ask Paula: Student Loan Deferment HACK – How Christina Saved $60,000 in Interest

Christina recently slayed her debt and put herself on track for financial success. But now she’s bored. How can auto-investing be more exciting?

Speaking of debt, Christina shares a creative HACK to SAVE $60,000 in student loan interest payments. 

Mary is struggling to compare two job offers: one from a large corporation and another from a tiny business. How should she decide?

An anonymous caller wants to buy a different home, and convert his current home into a rental. How should he finance this move?

Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these four questions in today’s episode.

Enjoy!

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#462: Cracking the Code of the Rich, with Seth Stephens-Davidowitz

As a society, we’re fascinated by stories of the rich. We hear news, see social media posts, and read books about how others become wealthy, how to maintain that status, and what their lifestyles look like.

But what if the media we’re consuming is misleading us?

Dr. Seth Stephens-Davidowitz’s research shows that the stories about the rich that dominate the popular press are misleading.

Stephens-Davidowitz holds a PhD in economics from Harvard University. He’s a data scientist and a New York Times bestselling author.

In today’s episode, we discuss the misleading stories around the rich. We unearth the truth behind those stories, using data rather than narrative.

We explore the types of businesses that quietly make people millionaires. We describe the ages, occupations and locations of people that become rich, and the unexpected paths they take to achieve this. And we share actionable takeaways that will help you do the same.

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#461: Ask Paula: A Year Off Work, a Career Change, and a Divorce: How to Make It Work

Today we’re featuring a special episode recorded LIVE in front of an audience at Podcast Movement, an industry conference in Denver.

Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle two questions in today’s episode. Our first question comes from a soon-to-be-single-mother on the precipice of divorce. How should she navigate this financially?

Our second question comes from the spouse of a Purple Heart veteran of the war in Afghanistan. She and her husband would like to take a one-year sabbatical from work when they turn 40, which is in five years. They’d also like to pivot into lower-paying but more enjoyable careers. How should they map out their money for this transition?

Joe and I dedicate this episode, recorded live on stage, to answering these two questions. Enjoy!

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#460: The Mental Toughness and Confidence Blueprint, with Dr. Nate Zinsser

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.

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#459: Ask Paula | 10-Year-Old Asks: How Do I Save for My First Car?

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!

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#458: The Reality Behind High Home Prices, with BiggerPockets CEO Scott Trench

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.

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