
3411: Are Home Warranties Worth It? by Mike Ballew of EggStack on Evaluating Home Coverage
1/04/2026 | 9 mins.
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3411: Mike Ballew explains why home warranties are often a poor financial decision, describing them as overpriced plans for predictable expenses rather than true insurance. He makes a compelling case for self-insurance, urging homeowners to save strategically instead of relying on warranty companies that rarely deliver full value. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://eggstack.com/blog/2020-03-08-Are-Home-Warranties-Worth-It/ Quotes to ponder: "Home warranties are forced savings for people who don’t have the self-discipline to save." "Insurance performs well when the risk is low and the potential damages are high." "You don’t need to insure against things that are totally predictable." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3410: In a Workout Slump!? Here are Some Great Tips to Get Motivated Again! by Chalene Johnson on Boosting Motivation
1/04/2026 | 8 mins.
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3410: Struggling to get back into a fitness routine? Chalene shares simple, realistic tips to break through workout slumps, like using alarms, pump-up playlists, and the “five-minute” rule, to rebuild momentum and motivation. These powerful strategies don’t just apply to exercise, but can kickstart productivity and focus in all areas of your life. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.chalenejohnson.com/in-a-workout-slump-here-are-some-great-tips-to-get-motivated-again/ Quotes to ponder: "By promising yourself only five minutes you get through the toughest part and may have an even more successful workout than usual." "A workout can be a great way to boost motivation in other areas of your life." "After a couple of songs I’m feeling more motivated and excited about the workout and the blahs I had before are gone." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3409: How We Began to Slash Our Budget by Amanda Brownlow of Hello Brownlow on Managing Family Expenses
1/03/2026 | 10 mins.
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3409: Amanda Brownlow shares the practical and personal journey she and her husband took to slash nearly $1,000 from their monthly spending, despite starting off with no budgeting experience. By swapping luxury for value, like ditching cable, using cash envelopes, and mastering couponing, they transformed their finances with sustainable habits anyone can replicate. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://hellobrownlow.com/2016/03/20/how-we-began-to-slash-our-budget/ Quotes to ponder: "Cash is tangible and it’s harder for me to let go of than running my magic swipey card through the register." "The process is hard at first, but when you get the hang of looking at your entire paycheck down to the very last cent, you get to see exactly where all your money goes." "I started to shop less and less for things that I didn’t really need like that new eye shadow pallet or a new pair of shoes that I won’t even wear." Episode references: The Total Money Makeover: https://www.amazon.com/Total-Money-Makeover-Classic-Financial/dp/0785289089 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3408: Trading Games by Nick Maggiulli of Of Dollars and Data on Smart Trading Strategy
1/02/2026 | 10 mins.
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3408: Nick Maggiulli unpacks the rise and downfall of Atlas Trading, a group of financial influencers charged with running a $100 million pump-and-dump scheme. Through this cautionary tale, and a parallel story of extreme legal risk-taking, he exposes the dangerous allure of quick profits, while reminding us that the real pros in finance aren’t making headlines; they’re quietly doing honest work. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://ofdollarsanddata.com/trading-games/ Quotes to ponder: “Do not use followers as exit liquidity. Do not flex, or entice others to do your trades. Do not lie.” “The more risk you take, the more likely you are to see an extreme outcome (to the upside or the downside).” “In the game of trading, the only winning move is not to play.” Episode references: Jason Zweig – The Intelligent Investor column: https://www.wsj.com/news/author/jason-zweig SEC lawsuit press release: https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2022-219 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3407: 6 Ways to Fix Your Finances and Resuscitate Your DOA Money Situation by Mikey Rox on Financial Recovery Steps
1/01/2026 | 8 mins.
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3407: Mikey Rox lays out six practical, no-nonsense strategies to help you take back control of your finances, from ditching impulsive spending to identifying hidden subscription drains. With expert insights from voices like Jeff Kreisler and Logan Abbott, this guide empowers you to be more mindful with your money and avoid common financial traps that keep people stuck. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://lenpenzo.com/blog/id50507-6-ways-to-resuscitate-your-doa-finances-today-2.html Quotes to ponder: "When you buy something that used to be $100 but is 35% off, you’re not ‘saving’ $35, you’re spending $65. Instead, compare the price you’re paying to zero, that is, the price of not buying it at all." "Pull up your online banking information and write down every single recurring subscription that you’ve paid during the past 90 days." "These methods are unavoidable, but keep in mind that paying in cash will always save you money. Try to be mindful and treat all of your payments as if they were cash." Episode references: Wirefly: https://www.wirefly.com Dollars and Sense: https://www.amazon.com/Dollars-Sense-Smart-People-Money/dp/006265120X Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices



Optimal Finance Daily - Financial Independence and Money Advice