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Category: Lifestyle

January 25, 2023By Paula Pant

#424: The Power of Knowing When To Walk Away, with Annie Duke

We’re taught to stay in the game.

Persist. Be gritty. Try, try again.

But sometimes, the best decision is to walk away. Move on.

How do you know when that’s right? When should you double-down … and when should you fold?

Today’s guest, Annie Duke, won more than $4 million as a professional poker champion. She wrote the bestselling book Thinking in Bets and co-founded a nonprofit that teaches kids decision-making skills.

Her most recent book, “Quit: The Power of Knowing When To Walk Away,” teaches the behavioral science, mental models and recognition of cognitive biases needed to successfully quit.

It highlights real-world examples of startup founders, athletes, mountaineers, and entertainers who either quit – or didn’t – and explains how to make a wise, grounded choice.

She joins us on today’s episode to describe the forces that hold us back from quitting – and how to recognize when quitting could lead to a better life.

Keep reading...

January 19, 2023By Paula Pant

#423: Ask Paula: Can I Make Money with My Passion?

We’ve heard the warnings about following your passion.

People ask if you can *actually* make money doing what you love. They frame the question “passion or profit?” as though these are in opposition.

The majority – who have never tried – decry, “what if you fail?”

Nobody asks the more important question: what if you succeed?

Are you still going to love your passion when you rely on it to pay the bills?

We grapple with that question in today’s episode, which is devoted to side hustles and starting a business. We use questions from two of our listeners as a jumping-off point to discuss the realities of going into business for yourself, doing what you love.

We share examples from our own lives as professional podcasters, as well as from the lives of friends who are full-time photographers, musicians, writers and other creative entrepreneurs.

Enjoy!

P.S. Got a question? Leave it here.

Keep reading...

January 5, 2023By Paula Pant

#421: How to Schedule Your Day for Peak Enjoyment, with Laura Vanderkam

Life is busy.

We spend too much time on chores, errands, commuting, emails and other draining tasks. We lack time for joy and hobbies.

Or do we?

Today’s guest, Laura Vanderkam talks to us about how to make the most of our time and carve out more space for gratifying experiences.

Laura Vanderkam is a time management and productivity expert. Her latest work, “Tranquility By Tuesday: 9 Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for What Matters” shares actionable steps to help you fill your schedule with more of what you love.

Enjoy!

Keep reading...

November 30, 2022By Paula Pant

#415: How I Give Away 41% of My Income, with Bob Lotich

The average American donates 2.1 percent of their income to charity, according to data from the Giving Institute. 

But an ordinary couple living in Nashville, Bob and Linda Lotich, refuse to be average.

When they were both 31, they decided to “give their age” – they pledged to donate 31 percent of their income to worthwhile causes.

They’ve increased their charitable giving every year since, to match their age. The couple is now 41 years old, and they give away 41 percent of their income.

When they began this project, the Lotich’s were earning a combined household income in the high five-figures. They were making just under $100,000 combined, living in St. Louis. They carried a mortgage on their home. They worried that their commitment to giving might impact their ability to pay the bills.

Over the last decade, their income has fluctuated – up some years, down in others. They moved to Nashville and had three children. These higher living costs have drastically impacted the family budget.

But their commitment to giving persists.

In today’s episode, Bob Lotich joins us to talk about why and how he committed to the “give your age” philosophy – and shares his advice for anyone who wants practical tips for increasing their capacity to donate to meaningful causes.

Enjoy!

Keep reading...

November 16, 2022By Paula Pant

#413: Why We’re Paying Attention to the Wrong Things, with Dr. Daniel Crosby

If an idea dominates the headlines, we notice it.

But maybe we shouldn’t.

Today’s guest, psychologist and behavioral finance expert Dr. Daniel Crosby, says there’s a difference between a prediction that gets repeated, and one that’s likely to unfold. 

What’s salient isn’t accurate, he says. And vice versa. 

He also talks about how money problems have morphed over time. He chats about how our evolutionary wiring is at odds with our goals. And he even discusses how we’re wired to be ‘lazy’ – and how to work with that tendency instead of fighting an uphill battle against it.

Dr. Crosby researches the intersection of mind and markets. His latest work, The Behavioral Investor, is an in-depth look at how sociology, psychology and neurology impact our investment choices. 

Keep reading...

November 2, 2022By Paula Pant

#410: The Routine Habits of Breakthrough Thinkers, with Jeremy Utley

You face plenty of problems.

But you have a scarcity of good solutions.

Stanford Professor Jeremy Utley can help.

He says that solving complex problems requires creativity. And creativity comes from deliberate practice.

It’s not an innate talent. It’s a skill. And it’s useful in any occupation, from accounting to zookeeping.

Jeremy speaks and writes on the history of invention, discovery, creativity, and innovation. He also leads Stanford d.school’s work with professionals.

Today he talks to us about how some of the greatest innovators produce new ideas. He tells us about their creative process.

He describes how researchers and authors improve their skills.

And he shares pointers to help you understand how to do the same.

Keep reading...

October 24, 2022By Paula Pant

#408: Build YOUR 15 Year Career, with Kiersten and Julien Saunders

When Kiersten and Julian Saunders began dating in 2012, they fell in love quickly, and their relationship felt strong – until they started talking about money.

They broke up as a result of their first money conversation.

Luckily, they got back together, figured out how to have tough conversations, and paid off $200,000 in debt over the next five years.

Then they started thinking about how to hack their careers. They came up with a plan for a 15-year career.

Today, they join us on the podcast to talk about the 15-year career framework and how to approach your career – and your finances – in 5 year stints.

Keep reading...

August 24, 2022By Paula Pant

#398: How To Travel For (Almost) Free, with Chris Hutchins

Chris Hutchins is an avid life hacker, a financial optimizer and the host of the top ranked podcast “All The Hacks”, where he shares his quest to upgrade his life without having to spend a fortune. These passions have led him to being featured in a documentary on financial Independence called “Playing with FIRE” and collecting millions of points and miles.

If you want to learn more about optimizing your spend so that you can travel with less of an impact to your bank account, you’ll want to hear what Chris has to say.

Keep reading...

July 13, 2022By Paula Pant

#391: Powerful Tactics to Take Control of Your Life and Career, with Dr. Reza Abraham

Dr. Reza Abraham, an international leadership consultant, walks us through a framework of staying in control of your career and your life. This framework utilizes a singular core, three cornerstones and twelve principles.  He explains how to apply and execute these principles to reinforce personal fulfillment, growth and progression.

0:00:47: Introducing Dr. Reza Abraham

0:02:48: […]

Keep reading...

June 15, 2022By Paula Pant

#386: The Psychology of Secrets, with Dr. Michael Slepian

We all have our secrets.

We keep some secrets from bosses, colleagues and clients, like the fact that we hope to retire early, change careers, or start a business.

We keep other secrets from friends and family, like our income, net worth, spending habits and investing mistakes.

Research from around the world shows that we […]

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Afford Anything

  • Start Here
    • About
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  • Blog
    • Binge
  • Podcast
    • Binge
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  • Community
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    • Your First Rental Property
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