Best Paulapant Podcasts (2025)

1
Q&A: The Stock Market Sucks. Is Private Equity Any Better? 56:53

3d ago56:53

56:53

#601: Nick and his wife have $100,000 to invest, but they’re worried about the volatility of the current stock market. Should they look into alternative investments such as private equity? Even though Roth IRAs come with tax-free withdrawals in retirement, Josh is worried about his tax bracket going up and neutralizing the benefits. Is he right to …

1
Mini-Retirements Are the New Early Retirement – with Mom of Six, Jillian Johnsrud 1:43:09

7d ago1:43:09

1:43:09

#600: Jillian Johnsrud was falling apart. After suffering a miscarriage, she couldn't pull herself together to return to her job as a youth pastor in DC. She decided to take a month off. That unexpected break became Jillian's first "mini-retirement" — a deliberate step away from work for at least 30 days to focus on something meaningful. Today, Jil…

1
Q&A: Retirement Math That Actually Works; Cashing In on the World Cup; and Why Your Parents' Housing Advice Is Wrong 1:18:07

11d ago1:18:07

1:18:07

#599: Becky and her husband are about to semi-retire. But the four percent retirement withdrawal rule doesn’t make sense for them. Are there other financial frameworks they should explore? Kris is excited about a potential boost in local real estate values when the World Cup comes to town. Will this have any significant impacts on his property? Pey…

1
Tax Strategies You Might Be Missing, with Natalie Kolodij 1:31:42

11d ago1:31:42

1:31:42

#598: Tax day is approaching, and if you're like most people, you might be overlooking deductions that could save you money. In our latest podcast episode, tax strategist Natalie Kolodij joins us to reveal common tax misconceptions and share strategies that could potentially lower your tax bill. "The tax code is 70,000 pages," Natalie explains. "Th…

1
Are We Heading for a Recession?, with Bob Elliott, former Head of Ray Dalio’s Investment Team at World's Largest Hedge Fund 1:27:59

17d ago1:27:59

1:27:59

#597: A recession is coming, and it might be worse than most people expect. That's the sobering assessment from Bob Elliott, former Head of Ray Dalio's Investment Team at Bridgewater Associates, when he joins us on the podcast. Bob explains that several economic factors are converging to create challenging conditions. The combination of current tra…

1
First Friday: Tariffs Grab Headlines, But These Financial Changes Nobody Is Talking About Will Impact You Too 59:18

21d ago59:18

59:18

#596: Yesterday, the White House rolled out the biggest tariffs in a century, sending markets into their worst decline since the pandemic. While headlines focus on supply chains and inflation, there are important economic stories you're not hearing about. During the first half of this month's First Friday episode, we dig into what nobody's talking …

1
Q&A: The Scary Shift from Saving to — Gulp! — Actually Spending Your Money 1:05:06

24d ago1:05:06

1:05:06

#595: Eva is finally closing in on her financial independence goals, but she’s grappling with how to make a smooth transition from accumulation to decumulation. What should she consider? John has noticed a game-changing omission from recent discussions about traditional versus Roth IRAs. Is this as big of a deal as he thinks it is? An anonymous cal…

1
How to Travel on $75 Per Day, with Nomadic Matt Kepnes 1:15:25

26d ago1:15:25

1:15:25

#594: Ever wonder if you could afford to travel for months at a time? According to Nomadic Matt, who's visited more than 100 countries over the last 19 years, you can see the world on just $75 a day. That's about $27,375 per year, less than many people's current cost of living. Matt Kepnes, better known as Nomadic Matt, joins us to challenge common…

1
Q&A: You Made a Money Mistake. Now What? 1:01:27

29d ago1:01:27

1:01:27

#593: An anonymous caller is brooding over a mistake he made in 2023 when he decided to contribute to his Roth instead of a pre-tax account. How does he get over this? June is annoyed that she triggered short-term capital gains and wash sales when she sold assets in her taxable brokerage last year. How does she avoid these issues in the future? Zer…

1
Why Your Brain Rewards You for Avoiding Your Boss, with Dr. Joel Salinas 1:28:41

1M ago1:28:41

1:28:41

#592: Ever wonder what's happening in your brain right before you knock on your boss's door to ask for a raise? Dr. Joel Salinas, neurologist and brain health expert, joins us to explain the neurology of negotiation. When you avoid difficult conversations, your brain actually rewards you with a small dopamine hit. That temporary relief feels good, …

1
The Hidden Tax of Avoiding Tough Conversations, with Harvard Law Senior Fellow Bob Bordone 1:49:23

1M ago1:49:23

1:49:23

#591: Imagine you're about to ask your boss for a raise. Your stomach tightens. You've rehearsed what to say, but doubt creeps in. Should you be more assertive? More understanding of company constraints? Bob Bordone, who has taught negotiation for 25 years including 21 years at Harvard Law School, joins us to explain why you don't have to choose be…

1
Small Cap Showdown! Paul Merriman vs. Dr. Karsten Jeske Battle … with Millions Hanging in the Balance 1:55:42

1M ago1:55:42

1:55:42

#590: In the left corner, we have Paul Merriman, the seasoned finance veteran weighing in at 183 pounds. In the right corner, Dr. Karsten Jeske, the scrappy newcomer at 208 pounds. The bell rings, and the small cap value debate begins. This episode features a financial boxing match between two investment heavyweights with dramatically different per…

1
Q&A: How Much Risk Should My Mom Take in Retirement? 56:13

1M ago56:13

56:13

#589: Kimmy is worried that her mom’s retirement portfolio is invested too conservatively. Is she right to advise her to take on more risk? Peyton has heard the financial advice about staying away from Whole Life Insurance as an investment, but what about as a savings account for children? Is there good a use case for this? Jeff and his wife are in…

1
First Friday: The Economic Maze We're Navigating Together 36:22

2M ago36:22

36:22

#588: Jobs are growing, interest rates are holding, and your student loan options just hit pause. Welcome to this month's economic rollercoaster. The economy is sending mixed messages this month. We added 151,000 new jobs in February, slightly better than January's 143,000. But unemployment ticked up to 4.1 percent. Health care is booming (52,000 n…

1
Q&A: Should You Cash Out Your ETFs? The Hidden Consequences of That Decision … 1:07:24

2M ago1:07:24

1:07:24

#587: Debi is stressed about saving a down payment to buy a house in her high-cost-of-living area. Should she cash out her brokerage account to speed up the process? Lucas and his wife are high earners, but they’re tired and ready for a change. What strategies can they use to maximize their investments and confidently step away from their jobs? Gra…

1
Money Doubles Every 10 Years (and Most People Never Notice!), with Scott Yamamura 1:15:44

2M ago1:15:44

1:15:44

#586: If you are a complete beginner at finances, or if you know someone who is, this episode is for you. The biggest hurdle for beginners? Money seems complex and intimidating. But Scott Yamamura, author of Financial Epiphany, explains personal finance doesn't have to be complicated. He breaks compound interest into three easy-to-grasp frameworks:…

1
Q&A: The Hidden Tax Drain in Your Investment Strategy 55:51

2M ago55:51

55:51

#585: Michael rebalances his portfolio every year. But he’s worried that triggering capital gains taxes on his brokerage account will cancel out the benefits of reallocation. Is there a better approach? Sam has an opportunity to switch jobs, but she’s confused about how an Employee Stock Ownership Plan stacks against her current employer’s 401(k). …

1
Sahil Bloom: Which of the Five Wealth Types Are You Neglecting? 1:22:47

2M ago1:22:47

1:22:47

#584: Think about how you spend an average day. Would the 10-year-old version of yourself be impressed? What about the 90-year-old version? These two powerful questions frame our conversation with Sahil Bloom, founder and managing partner of an early-stage venture fund with investments in over 60 startups and author of The Curiosity Chronicle, a ne…

1
Q&A: Everyone Is Arguing About Roth IRAs And We Have Thoughts 1:07:50

2M ago1:07:50

1:07:50

#583: Contrary to recent discussions, Jesse has concluded that a traditional IRA is the smarter way to go for most people once marginal tax rates are factored in. Is he missing something? An anonymous caller is four years away from early retirement but she’s unsure if her portfolio allocations are in the right place. How and when should she start c…

1
The Marriage Contract You Never Saw (But Can't Escape), with Harvard Law Alum Aaron Thomas 1:33:52

2M ago1:33:52

1:33:52

#582: They had it all. Six thriving children. A 40-year marriage. A household income of $200,000. Then in her 60s, she discovered a shocking truth: he had gambled away their entire retirement savings in penny stocks. She had no access to their financial accounts during the marriage. After divorcing, she was left with nearly nothing. Today, she reli…

1
When Disaster Hits Home – Literally 57:41

2M ago57:41

57:41

#581: Today's question is different. There's something special about it — and you'll understand why in a moment. An 84-year-old listener left us a voicemail about his struggle to break free from mortgage debt. He and his 83-year-old wife need to move from their two-story townhouse because they can’t climb the stairs any longer. They found a single-…

1
Treasury Tantrums, Arctic Routes, and McKinley's Ghost 1:01:33

2M ago1:01:33

1:01:33

#580: "If you want to understand what's happening in the economy, look at bonds," begins today's episode, where we explore how the bond market acts as a crystal ball for economic trends. The bond market has been sending some clear signals lately. Interest rates remain elevated, with 10-year Treasury yields about 1 percent higher than their Septembe…

1
Q&A: Two Weeks Until My Tenants Move In And I Have Nowhere to Go 1:04:02

3M ago1:04:02

1:04:02

#579: Todd is in a real estate bind. He found out six days before closing on a new home that it wasn’t legally sellable. And renters are moving into his current home in two weeks. What should he do? Anonymous is excited about expanding her real estate portfolio. Should she sell her $2.5 million rental property in the Bay Area to do this, or can she…

1
The Hidden Cost of Playing It Safe With Money, with Dr. Margie Warrell 1:16:01

3M ago1:16:01

1:16:01

#578: Fear blocks smart money moves. Ask Harvard Business Review advisor Dr. Margie Warrell, who guides Fortune 500 companies through strategic risk-taking. Her client roster includes NASA, Morgan Stanley, and Google. Her understanding of courage started at home. Her 13-year-old daughter landed an Australian TV role. She flew to LA for acting class…

1
Q&A: The Efficient Frontier Was Perfect Until HR Got Involved 1:03:15

3M ago1:03:15

1:03:15

#577: Kelsey is excited about investing along the efficient frontier, but it feels impossible with the lack of fund options in her employer-sponsored 401k. What’s the best way to deal with this problem? Molly discovered that her rollover from a 401k to a traditional IRA hadn’t been invested in mutual funds and was still in a money market fund. Manu…

1
The World's Richest People Are Weird by Design, with William Green 1:25:26

3M ago1:25:26

1:25:26

#576: The world's greatest investors have a secret: they're weird. When one young fund manager met Bill Miller for the first time, he refused to shake hands. Instead, he locked eyes and declared: "I'm going to beat you, man." William Green joins us to share what he's learned from decades of conversations with investing legends — from the hyper-comp…

1
Q&A: The Roth Decision at Every Income Level (And Why It Matters Now!) 1:19:12

3M ago1:19:12

1:19:12

#575: Apar’s income has more than doubled after he started his own business. His advisor recommends Roth contributions but he’s skeptical due to his high income. Who’s right? Keith is frustrated by the conflicting advice he’s heard about Roth conversions. Is it better to do it while he’s young and earning a lower income, or should he wait until clo…

1
The Hidden Psychology of Financial Pressure, with Dr. Sunita Sah 1:31:22

3M ago1:31:22

1:31:22

#574: What would you do if someone in authority told you to do something that felt wrong? Most of us like to think we'd speak up, push back, stand our ground. But research tells a very different story. In fact, when Yale researchers conducted a famous experiment in the 1960s, they found that 65% of people would administer what they believed to be d…

1
Q&A: Wait, Are We All Wrong About Zero APR Strategies? 57:46

3M ago57:46

57:46

#573: An anonymous caller has always put her large purchases on zero percent APR credit cards, but something’s been nagging at her. Is she walking on thin ice with this strategy? Von is confused why he keeps hearing that Roth accounts are better than traditional if they both lead to the same mathematical result. What’s he missing? Molly and her hus…

1
Your Last Thoughts Won't Be About Money, with Dr. Jordan Grumet 1:21:32

4M ago1:21:32

1:21:32

#572: At age 7, Dr. Jordan Grumet lost his father. This early loss shaped his career path — he became a physician, following in his dad's footsteps. But by 2010, feeling burned out from internal medicine, he took an unexpected turn: he became a hospice doctor. In this episode, Dr. Grumet joins us to discuss what he's learned from thousands of conve…

1
Q&A: When Your Crypto Bet Pays Off TOO Well 1:15:35

4M ago1:15:35

1:15:35

#571: An anonymous caller’s crypto investments have recently skyrocketed to 17 percent of her investment portfolio. Given the volatility of this asset, should she rebalance it or go all in? Jocelyn wants to buy a house in three years but she’s reluctant to keep her sizable down payment in cash. What if she splits the difference and invests half the…

1
The Compound Effect of 52 Tiny Financial Changes 1:11:24

4M ago1:11:24

1:11:24

Grab your free copy of the 52-week guide to micro-improvements at https://affordanything.com/financialgoals _______ In 2012, the British cycling team pulled off what seemed impossible. After 76 years of losses, they won the Tour de France, took second place, and grabbed 8 Olympic gold medals. Their secret? Tiny improvements that added up to massive…

1
Financial Lessons We Learned - and What’s Ahead for 2025 1:05:00

4M ago1:05:00

1:05:00

#569: Let’s take a look back on the biggest financial and economic stories of 2024 - and a look ahead to 2025! The Fed GDP The Bull Market The Deficit Inflation Bitcoin Basel III Endgame and Scientific Breakthroughs References and Resources: Michael Kitces interview https://AffordAnything.com/episode525 One Tweak a Week: https://AffordAnything.com/…

1
Dr. Cal Newport: A No-Pressure Plan for Next Year's Resolutions [GREATEST HITS WEEK] 1:25:23

4M ago1:25:23

1:25:23

Marie Curie won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 and the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911. She’s famous for her work in radioactivity. Lin-Manual Miranda is a songwriter, producer and director who won the Pulitzer Prize in Drama in 2016, as well as several Tony awards. What do they have in common? They lived a century apart. They innovated in dis…

1
Your Rich BFF, Vivian Tu: Wall Street's Dirty Little Secrets [GREATEST HITS WEEK] 1:03:56

4M ago1:03:56

1:03:56

Do you ever wonder what happens behind closed doors on Wall Street? Vivian Tu, also known as Your Rich BFF, is here to spill the tea. Vivian grew up in a modest immigrant family. After college, she found herself working insane hours on Wall Street after college. While working on Wall Street, Vivian saw some weird things. Once, a coworker stumbled h…

1
Noah Kagan: 48 Hours to Entrepreneurship — Your Million Dollar Weekend [GREATEST HITS WEEK] 1:25:40

4M ago1:25:40

1:25:40

If you’ve ever thought: “I’d love a business BUT …“I don’t have TIME.” “I don’t have MONEY.” “I don’t have IDEAS.” “I have TOO MANY ideas and I don’t know where to start.” “I’m not technical.” “I’m not creative or artistic.” “I’m not good at sales.” You’re not alone. Countless people don’t start businesses or side hustles for these reasons. And the…

1
Charles Duhigg: How to Have Smarter Conversations [GREATEST HITS WEEK] 1:24:30

4M ago1:24:30

1:24:30

Great communication will get you a raise. It’ll get you promoted. You’ll land the corner office. You’ll make friends and be the life of the party. You’ll land business deals and form lucrative partnerships. Supercommunication is a superpower. But how do we build it? Sometimes, you might walk away from a conversation with the joy of having made a co…

1
Morgan Housel: How to Trend-Proof Your Portfolio and Think Beyond Fads [GREATEST HITS WEEK] 1:06:38

4M ago1:06:38

1:06:38

Ever made a flippant, seemingly minor decision that radically changed the course of your life?Morgan Housel has experienced this. At age 17, he made a quick decision that ended up saving his life. Sadly, two of his friends were less fortunate. He shares that story in today’s podcast episode, and sheds light on the lessons he’s learned from it. Hous…

1
Q&A: Why Smart Investors Are Questioning VTSAX and Chill 1:23:18

4M ago1:23:18

1:23:18

#568: Jason is confused by the recent discussions about the efficient frontier and Paul Merriman’s four-sector strategy. It seems a lot like another form of stock-picking. What’s the difference? Michelle straddles the Roth income threshold and is frustrated that she never knows if she’ll qualify for a Roth contribution until tax season. Is her curr…

1
Lessons from High-Stakes Decisions, with Polina Marinova Pompliano 1:04:45

4M ago1:04:45

1:04:45

#567: What happens when an astronaut goes blind during a spacewalk? For Chris Hadfield, this wasn't a hypothetical scenario. While working outside the International Space Station, cleaning solution from his helmet visor spread into both eyes, leaving him completely blind in the vacuum of space. His response? Stay calm and methodically evaluate opti…

1
Q&A: Breaking Up with Total Market Funds After 10 Years 1:22:33

4M ago1:22:33

1:22:33

#566: Jackie is sold on Paul Merriman’s “Four Funds” approach, but she’s overwhelmed by the logistics of diversifying her single fund portfolio.. What are the best practices to redistribute her investments, handle taxes, and manage rebalancing? Heidi’s mother recently passed and she’s struggling to decide between distribution options, their tax imp…

1
Codie Sanchez: From Wall Street to Washing Machines 1:47:01

4M ago1:47:01

1:47:01

#565: When Codie Sanchez worked in finance, she wasn't planning to buy a laundromat. But facing 60-70 hour workweeks and realizing she didn't want her boss's job, she started looking for an exit strategy. Instead of buying a fancy car during her "midlife crisis," she purchased that first laundromat - a decision that would lead her to acquire multip…

1
The Real Story Behind These New Tariffs 54:37

5M ago54:37

54:37

#564: Our economy just gave us two big surprises that shape how we'll do business and invest in 2025. Our job market is going through major changes. Sure, we added 227,000 jobs - way more than anyone expected. Healthcare and hospitality are booming. But here's what you need to watch: our unemployment rate just climbed to 4.2%. When you look at how …

1
What the Crypto Shift Means for Your Money, with Tatiana Koffman 1:13:43

5M ago1:13:43

1:13:43

#563: Bitcoin is hitting new all-time highs. Is this just another bull cycle, or are we witnessing a fundamental shift in how the world thinks about money? That's the question at the heart of our conversation with Tatiana Koffman, General Partner at Moonwalker Capital and author of "The Myth of Money." Koffman joins us to explain why Bitcoin might …

1
The Secret Psychology of Successful Negotiators, with Matt Schultz 1:17:56

5M ago1:17:56

1:17:56

#562: More than 90 percent of people who ask to get their credit card annual fee reduced are successful. Yet most people never ask. Why? They assume the answer will be no. Matt Schultz, the author of “Ask Questions, Save Money, Make More,” joins us to explain the psychology and tactics behind successful negotiation. The key insight: companies want …

1
Q&A: Why Your Retirement Math Isn’t Adding Up 1:07:37

5M ago1:07:37

1:07:37

#561: Joanne is confident that her short and long-term financial plans are set, but she’s not certain about the medium-term. What’s the proper way to allocate money for different time horizons? Jessie is intrigued by Paul Merriman’s simple portfolio recommendations but wonders about his lean away from growth stocks. Are value funds generally better…

1
The Father of the 4% Rule Finally Sets the Record Straight 58:19

5M ago58:19

58:19

#560: Bill Bengen, the former rocket scientist who discovered the "4 percent rule" of retirement planning, joins us at the Bogleheads conference in Minnesota. Bengen clarifies that calling it a "rule" is misleading since it doesn't fit everyone's situation. The 4 percent figure came from studying the worst-case scenario since 1926, when someone who…

1
Q&A: Should We Ditch Rental Properties Entirely? 1:15:39

5M ago1:15:39

1:15:39

#559: An anonymous caller, whom we name “Samantha,” and her husband are financially strained and feeling torn. Shortly after purchasing two rental properties, their income dropped dramatically. Should they sell? Tina is a full-time environmentalist. She’s worried that her index funds don’t align with her values on sustainability. Is there a world w…

1
Why Your Retirement Math Might Be All Wrong — If You Follow the 4% Rule 1:08:59

5M ago1:08:59

1:08:59

#558: What happens when you spend three decades talking to retirement experts? You learn that most of what people think they know about retirement planning is oversimplified or wrong. Christine Benz, director of personal finance and retirement planning at Morningstar, joins us on the Afford Anything podcast to share what she's discovered after 31 y…

1
Help! The Money is Good … But My Dream Life is Different 52:25

5M ago52:25

52:25

#557: Imagine saving nearly your entire paycheck while your rental properties cover your bills. That's exactly where real estate investor Andrew finds himself — and yet he's at a crossroads. At FinCon, a personal finance conference, former financial advisor Joe Saul-Sehy and I sit down with Andrew and another attendee who bring their money dilemmas…

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