Afford Anything

  • Start Here
    • About
    • Team Afford Anything
    • Media
    • Questions?
  • Blog
    • Binge
  • Podcast
    • Binge
    • Sponsors
    • Ask a Question
    • Guest Guidelines
  • Community
  • TV
  • Explore
    • Your First Rental Property
    • Travel
    • Start a Blog
    • Earn Extra Income

Category: Lifestyle

September 22, 2023By Paula Pant

#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.

Keep reading...

September 7, 2023By Paula Pant

#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.

Keep reading...

August 9, 2023By Paula Pant

#456: The Empathy Advantage in Business and Leadership, with Stanford Professor Jamil Zaki

Today, 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!

Keep reading...

July 27, 2023By Paula Pant

#453: The Importance of Having a Life Outside of Work, with Simone Stolzoff

Today, I sit down with Simone Stolzoff, the brilliant author of “The Good Enough Job.”

Simone has extensively studied the intricate role of work in our lives, asking the question: “How do we see work as just a piece of an awesome of our life?”

He also uncovers what we lose when work becomes more than just a job, challenges the prevailing narratives of work as a calling or dream, and shares strategies that can help us build more well rounded lives.

Together, we explore groundbreaking perspectives on reframing work as an integral part of life, rather than allowing it to consume our entire being. Prepare to be inspired and enlightened as we uncover the keys to unlocking a balanced and fulfilling relationship with work.

Keep reading...

July 6, 2023By Paula Pant

#449: Ask Paula: Should You Buy Real Estate in Today’s Economy?

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!

Keep reading...

June 21, 2023By Paula Pant

#447: The Human Side of Remote Work, with Nick Bloom

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!

Keep reading...

June 1, 2023By Paula Pant

#443: Building Your Dream Business, with Amy Porterfield

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.

Keep reading...

April 27, 2023By Paula Pant

#438: Life in Five Senses, with Gretchen Rubin

“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!

Keep reading...

March 30, 2023By Paula Pant

#434: Tips for Tipped Workers, with Barbara Sloan

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!

Keep reading...

March 1, 2023By Paula Pant

#430: Ask Paula: My Parents Are Drowning In Credit Card Debt. What Should I Do?

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.

Keep reading...

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 6
  • ›

Most Popular

Inflation, Illustrated
How Much is Enough?
What if We Quit Setting Goals? (Seriously?)
The Incredible Power of 10x Thinking
  • Binge
  • Questions?
  • Contact
Join 70,000+ subscribers who get free email updates.

© 2021 Afford Anything. Designed By Wilnau Design. Built by Zach Swinehart. Disclosure

© Copyright 2011 – 2023 Afford Anything. All Rights Reserved.

Website by Zach Swinehart.

  • Start Here
    • About
    • Team Afford Anything
    • Media
    • Questions?
  • Blog
    • Binge
  • Podcast
    • Binge
    • Sponsors
    • Ask a Question
    • Guest Guidelines
  • Community
  • TV
  • Explore
    • Your First Rental Property
    • Travel
    • Start a Blog
    • Earn Extra Income

Afford Anything

  • Start Here
    • About
    • Team Afford Anything
    • Media
    • Questions?
  • Blog
    • Binge
  • Podcast
    • Binge
    • Sponsors
    • Ask a Question
    • Guest Guidelines
  • Community
  • TV
  • Explore
    • Your First Rental Property
    • Travel
    • Start a Blog
    • Earn Extra Income