537 episodes

You can afford anything, but not everything. We make daily decisions about how to spend money, time, energy, focus and attention – and ultimately, our life.
How do we make smarter decisions? How do we think from first principles?
On the surface, Afford Anything seems like a podcast about money and investing.
But under the hood, this is a show about how to think critically, recognize our behavioral blind spots, and make smarter choices. We’re into the psychology of money, and we love metacognition: thinking about how to think.
In some episodes, we interview world-class experts: professors, researchers, scientists, authors. In other episodes, we answer your questions, talking through decision-making frameworks and mental models.
Want to learn more? Download our free book, Escape, at http://affordanything.com/escape. Hosted by Paula Pant.

Afford Anything Cumulus Podcast Network

    • Business
    • 4.7 • 3.3K Ratings

You can afford anything, but not everything. We make daily decisions about how to spend money, time, energy, focus and attention – and ultimately, our life.
How do we make smarter decisions? How do we think from first principles?
On the surface, Afford Anything seems like a podcast about money and investing.
But under the hood, this is a show about how to think critically, recognize our behavioral blind spots, and make smarter choices. We’re into the psychology of money, and we love metacognition: thinking about how to think.
In some episodes, we interview world-class experts: professors, researchers, scientists, authors. In other episodes, we answer your questions, talking through decision-making frameworks and mental models.
Want to learn more? Download our free book, Escape, at http://affordanything.com/escape. Hosted by Paula Pant.

    LIVE EVENT Q&A: Episode 500, Part 2, with ChooseFI’s Brad Barrett

    LIVE EVENT Q&A: Episode 500, Part 2, with ChooseFI’s Brad Barrett

    Enjoy Part 2 of our two-part Episode 500 special, recorded live at a comedy club in Brooklyn. Host Paula Pant and special guest Brad Barrett from ChooseFI answer questions from the audience, live on stage.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 59 min
    LIVE FROM BROOKLYN: Episode 500 with ChooseFI’s Brad Barrett

    LIVE FROM BROOKLYN: Episode 500 with ChooseFI’s Brad Barrett

    Enjoy Part 1 of our two-part Episode 500 special, recorded live at a comedy club in Brooklyn.
    Brad Barrett, host of the ChooseFI podcast, joins us on stage to talk about what financial independence ideas and practices have changed … and what ideas and practices have remained consistent, universal and time-tested throughout the years.
    For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode500
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 53 min
    Vicki Robin: Financial Independence After 70 [GREATEST HITS WEEK]

    Vicki Robin: Financial Independence After 70 [GREATEST HITS WEEK]

    We delve into the world of Financial Independence (FI) with a pioneer -- Vicki Robin, the co-author of Your Money or Your Life.

    In the 1970s, Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez, from vastly different backgrounds, came together over a shared vision: FI as a life philosophy, not just a savings strategy. Their book, "Your Money or Your Life," which sold more than one million copies, outlined a three-dimensional approach to FI:

    Financial Intelligence: Thinking clearly and objectively about money.
    Financial Integrity: Aligning your spending and earning with your values.
    Financial Independence: Breaking free from paycheck dependence and limiting beliefs about money.

    In this podcast episode, Vicki will discuss a new dimension she's added:

    Financial Interdependence: Recognizing the importance of giving and receiving within our communities and the world.

    Vicki and I discuss how to move beyond "just the money" during the quest for financial freedom.

    This episode originally aired in 2018.

    We're sharing this as part of GREATEST HITS WEEK, a 5-day series in which we're sharing 5 episodes, across 5 days, that we produced during the earliest years of the Afford Anything podcast. You may have missed it then; enjoy it now.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 44 min
    A.J. Jacobs: Habits, Health, and Human Connection [GREATEST HITS WEEK]

    A.J. Jacobs: Habits, Health, and Human Connection [GREATEST HITS WEEK]

    Esquire Magazine editor-at-large and bestselling author A.J. Jacobs joins the show to discuss his experimental approach to life.
    Jacobs, whose TED Talks have been viewed more than 3 million times, shares best practices around motivation, habits, confidence, boosting happiness, and optimizing creativity.
    In this episode:
    -- Discover the benefits that come from frequently changing your habits
    -- Learn why "fake it 'til you become it" is A.J.'s secret weapon for habit development.
    -- Explore how extreme gratitude can transform your mindset.
    -- Hear a cautionary tale of healthy living gone wrong.
    -- Learn how to make any career or business connection by unearthing the way in which you're distant cousins (as everyone on earth is, at most, roughly 70th cousins)
    Plus, hear a hilarious story about Jacobs revealing his entire sexual history to actress Scarlett Johansson.
    This episode originally aired in 2017.
    We're sharing this as part of GREATEST HITS WEEK, a 5-day series in which we're sharing 5 episodes, across 5 days, that we produced during the earliest years of the Afford Anything podcast. You may have missed it then; enjoy it now.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 34 min
    Michael Kitces: Investing in Stocks vs. Skills [GREATEST HITS WEEK]

    Michael Kitces: Investing in Stocks vs. Skills [GREATEST HITS WEEK]

    Stocks or skills? How should you invest? Should you pour money into unlocking your income potential? Or should you pour money into the market?

    Forget the motivational posters -- unlimited potential is real. But unlocking it takes investment. The question is: Do you invest in yourself or the market? Stocks, bonds, real estate offer clear returns. But what about investing in your skills, a side hustle, or education? 

    Financial advisor Michael Kitces joins us to crack the code on maximizing your return on investment, both personal and financial. Learn how to make smarter choices about your future and unlock your true potential.

    We're sharing this as part of GREATEST HITS WEEK, a 5-day series in which we're sharing 5 episodes, across 5 days, that we produced during the earliest years of the Afford Anything podcast. You may have missed it then; enjoy it now.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 1 hr 6 min
    JL Collins: How to Beat Wall Street with a Boring Portfolio [GREATEST HITS WEEK]

    JL Collins: How to Beat Wall Street with a Boring Portfolio [GREATEST HITS WEEK]

    JL Collins, the author of "The Simple Path to Wealth," achieved financial independence in 1989 with a surprisingly simple strategy: saving half his income and investing in index funds.

    In this episode, JL breaks down his ultra-simple investing approach. He argues that keeping things uncomplicated leads to better results in the long run. "The less you mess with your investments," he says, "the more freedom you have to focus on what truly matters."

    This episode is for anyone who feels overwhelmed by complex investment strategies. Learn how to set your finances on autopilot and get on with living your life.

    We originally recorded and aired this episode in 2016.

    We're sharing this as part of GREATEST HITS WEEK, a 5-day series in which we're sharing 5 episodes, across 5 days, that we produced during the earliest years of the Afford Anything podcast. You may have missed it then; enjoy it now.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 29 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
3.3K Ratings

3.3K Ratings

MatthewPE ,

Mostly good

Liked the show better in the past. Interview episodes are too long. I’ve sensed a change since Paula went to graduate school that hasn’t been great. Paula’s attack on Len Penzo on the Stacking Benjamin’s show was so far out of touch. On the positive side, I like the shows where Paula and Joe team up to answer questions. They are a good team. Paula is great but it seems her ego has gotten a bit inflated.

Garcesful ,

Life frameworks and philosophical questions

I’ve been listening to Afford Anything for a few years and the lessons and knowledge shared by Paula and her guest speakers sparks curiosity and gives me confidence to live a life that is on my terms. My husband and I just put an offer on our first home and we used the frameworks provided on this podcast to get us through the tough questions. What do we really want and what trade offs are we willing to make. I just listen to rerun episode with Vicki Robin and so many fears of the unknown were turned into curiosity about the future and life I want to build and contribute to. Thank you Paula! Looking forward to episode 500!

CRW1966 ,

Great show!

I love the show, but I love the bonus shows even more.

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