What’s the real value of a college degree in 2026? Is it just about the paycheck, or is there something deeper we’re missing in the ROI calculation?
In this Q&A episode, Joe and I tackle one of the most consequential financial decisions […]
Category: Personal Finance 101
#688: Q&A: I’m Burned Out But Not Quite Ready to Retire
In this Q&A episode, Joe and I tackle three listener questions that touch on career transitions, portfolio evaluation, and giving your kids a head start on retirement savings.
We start with a burned-out teacher in New Zealand who’s paid off her mortgage and is ready to shift to part-time work, but she’s caught in […]
#682: 52 Tiny Improvements in 2026 [GREATEST HITS]
Grab the FREE handbook: affordanything.com/financialgoals
Today’s episode is a special rerun that’s perfectly timed for anyone looking to build stronger financial habits this year.
Originally aired on January 3rd, 2025, this episode introduces a game-changing approach to personal finance: instead of relying solely on big moves like […]
#670: Are Credit Card Rewards Really Worth It in 2026?
As we close out 2025, premium credit cards got pricier, and a lot more “coupon-y,” and plenty of us are wondering if the points game is still worth the effort.
In this episode, we sit down with Chris Hutchins, host of All the Hacks, to talk about what’s actually changed in credit card rewards, […]
#668: Why Taking a Year Off Might Be Your Smartest Money Move, with David Bach
We’re joined in-studio by David Bach, bestselling author of The Automatic Millionaire and The Latte Factor. He’s updated his most popular book (over two million copies sold) and this is his last big launch as he heads into retirement.
Together, we wrestle with a problem our listeners know well: what happens when you’ve built the […]
#666: First Friday: The Strange Economics of Feeling Poor While Spending More
Welcome to the last First Friday episode of the year. Today, we’ll dive into an unprecedented moment in the U.S. economy: a missing jobs report, a divided Federal Reserve, a sluggish labor market, and a holiday shopping season shaped by AI, bargain hunters, and low consumer confidence.
In this episode, we […]
It’s Giving Tuesday. You And Your Spouse Have $500. Now What?
It’s Giving Tuesday.
You probably woke up thinking it would be simple: write a check, feel good, move on.
Instead you’ve found yourself in a full-blown negotiation with your spouse.
Together, you’ve set aside $500 for charity.
You want to give to your university.
Your spouse wants to fund malaria prevention.
Both charities offer a […]
#664: The Psychology of Sales, Discounts and Deals [GREATEST HITS]
Today’s episode is a special rerun from the Afford Anything “greatest hits” vault, one that’s especially timely as we move through peak shopping season.
Originally aired in January 2020, this conversation with behavioral economist Jeff Kreisler digs into the hidden psychology behind sales, discounts, so-called “free shipping,” and all the subtle […]
#624: JL Collins Part 1: The Simple Path vs. The “Optimal” Path
JL Collins doesn’t know what the efficient frontier is. The author of “The Simple Path to Wealth” — the guy synonymous with VTSAX and chill — admits this right off the bat when we challenge him with advanced investing concepts.
Collins joins us for Part 1 of a two-part series where we skip the basics and dive straight into the complex stuff. We grill him on whether his simple approach actually beats more sophisticated strategies, and his answer might surprise you.
He concedes that Paul Merriman’s four-fund portfolio probably outperforms his one-fund approach mathematically. But Collins argues that execution trumps optimization every time. Most people can’t stick with complex strategies for 20 years, especially when those strategies require selling winners to buy losers – something that goes against human nature.
Collins prioritizes what works in real life over what looks good on paper. He calls index funds “self-cleansing” because they automatically rotate out failing companies and sectors while rotating in the new winners. You don’t need to predict which companies will dominate next – you’ll own whatever rises to the top.
The episode covers his thoughts on VTSAX versus VTI, international diversification, and why he’d rather put Tabasco than Cholula on his eggs — his quirky way of explaining personal preferences in nearly identical investment options.
#623: Q&A: “Help! My Mom’s Financial Crisis Is Becoming Mine!”
An anonymous caller feels trapped in a no-win situation with her financially reckless mother. She has the means to bail her out, but it doesn’t feel right. What should she do?
Shannon is excited about investing in several companies overseas. But she can only access them using American Depository Receipts. What are they, and how do they work?
Jennifer calls back with an update on putting a vacation on a credit card and playing the rewards game.
Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these questions in today’s episode.
Enjoy!
