#602: Ever looked back at an old Facebook post and cringed? According to Olga Khazan, staff writer at The Atlantic, that discomfort is evidence of something powerful: your personality has changed, even if you didn't notice it happening.
In our latest episode, Khazan, who recently wrote a book on the science of personality change, breaks down how our personalities aren't fixed traits but flexible characteristics we can intentionally shift to achieve our goals.
The conversation centers on the "Big Five" personality traits — Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness and Neuroticism (OCEAN) — and how they impact financial success and career advancement.
If you work a regular 9-to-5, personality development can boost your career trajectory. Khazan highlights that conscientiousness — being organized, timely and detail-oriented — directly correlates with workplace success.
She suggests decluttering both your physical space and your commitments to increase productivity.
For introverts navigating office politics, she recommends "cosplaying as an extrovert" by signing up for regular group activities that are hard to back out of. Over time, social interactions become less draining, creating more opportunities for advancement.
And when engaging with colleagues, focus on asking meaningful questions about their experiences rather than collecting basic facts — this builds genuine connections that can lead to promotions and new opportunities.
If you’re intimidated by new financial ventures like entrepreneurship or real estate investing, Khazan suggests learning from others who've succeeded in similar situations. Research shows you're more likely to implement strategies when you learn them from peers rather than experts.
When discussing successful entrepreneurs, Khazan reveals they typically share three key traits: high extraversion (energy for interacting with others), low agreeableness (ability to make tough decisions), and low neuroticism (emotional stability for risk-taking).
Think Steve Jobs — not always the nicest person, but his combination of vision, decisiveness and comfort with risk built one of the world's most valuable companies.
The most important takeaway? Never tell yourself you can't do something because "that's just not who you are." Instead, take small daily steps toward your goal, and you'll gradually develop the personality traits needed for success.
Timestamps:
Note: Timestamps will vary on individual listening devices based on dynamic advertising run times. The provided timestamps are approximate and may be several minutes off due to changing ad lengths.
(0:00) "The Surprising Science of Six-Figure Thinking"
(1:16) What is personality - behaviors that help meet goals
(2:24) Personalities change over time
(3:34) Personality impacts success
(4:12) OCEAN - the Big Five traits explained
(5:48) Origins of personality research
(8:20) Changing personality intentionally
(9:52) Low vs high openness traits
(12:05) Increasing openness gradually
(15:36) Boosting conscientiousness strategies
(23:09) Time management techniques
(30:31) Extraversion benefits careers
(33:19) Introvert's guide to social skills
(37:25) Healthy boundaries, not people-pleasing
(46:06) Meaningful conversations build connections
(51:16) Reducing anxiety with mindfulness
(56:52) CEO traits - extroverted, disagreeable, emotionally stable
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
--------
1:06:00
Q&A: The Stock Market Sucks. Is Private Equity Any Better?
#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 be concerned?
The retirement portion of Cindy’s financial three-legged stool is set, and she’s now focused on her taxable brokerage. What investment strategy will allow her to be work optional in 10 years?
Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these questions in today’s episode.
Enjoy!
P.S. Got a Question? Leave it at https://affordanything.com/voicemail
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
--------
56:53
Mini-Retirements Are the New Early Retirement – with Mom of Six, Jillian Johnsrud
#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, Jillian is a mom of six who has taken more than a dozen mini-retirements with her kids, who currently range in age from 8 to 17.
During her first mini-retirement, she and her best friend piled into her green Honda Civic and drove from DC to Seattle, leaving her 13-year-old son Micah at home with her husband.
A couple years later, Jillian took Micah, then 15, to Glacier National Park in Montana for another mini-retirement. They saw mountain goats, kayaked together, and swam in ice-cold waters.
This trip created irreplaceable memories. Sadly, Micah died six years later.
His death changed how Jillian sees time. She now understands that meaningful moments don't wait for perfect timing - they either happen now or vanish forever.
Waiting for "someday" might mean missing chances forever.
This drives her philosophy about mini retirements — life contains fleeting seasons that we either embrace now or miss entirely.
"To be able to share those memories with him there is priceless," Jillian tells us.
This understanding shapes her approach with her other children too. From a 10-week road trip to 10 national parks in a pop-up camper to a recent six-month journey across the eastern United States with her five younger children (now ages 8-17), Jillian prioritizes experiences that fit each season of family life.
Planning your own mini retirement? Jillian recommends focusing on four key areas: managing your time (pick just 2-3 priorities), addressing career logistics (craft a compelling story for your employer), saving money (about 6.5 percent of your income for a month off every other year), and preparing for emotional revelations.
Jillian emphasizes the importance of separating your mini retirement fund from long-term retirement savings. This separate fund, which she calls the "in-between bucket," allows you to spend freely on experiences now rather than postponing all enjoyment until traditional retirement age.
As Jillian puts it: "You can't postpone every good thing in your life."
Timestamps:
Note: Timestamps will vary on individual listening devices based on dynamic advertising run times. The provided timestamps are approximate and may be several minutes off due to changing ad lengths.
(0:00) Introduction to mini-retirements
(0:59) Definition of mini-retirement: stepping away from work for 30+ days to focus on something meaningful
(3:03) Jillian shares her first mini-retirement story after experiencing personal loss
(8:28) Taking time off to enjoy important life moments before they pass
(12:12) Jillian's trip to Glacier National Park with her son Micah before he passed away
(20:33) Four components of planning a mini-retirement: time, career, finances, unexpected challenges
(34:14) Time management: choosing 2-3 clear goals rather than trying to do everything
(42:39) Career strategies: how to present your mini-retirement to employers
(1:01:29) Financial planning: saving 6.5% of income for monthly breaks every other year
(1:14:34) Handling unexpected challenges that arise during your time off
(1:20:01) How mini-retirements reveal personal issues you've avoided through work
(1:33:32) Jillian's recent family adventures with five children
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
--------
1:43:09
Q&A: Retirement Math That Actually Works; Cashing In on the World Cup; and Why Your Parents' Housing Advice Is Wrong
#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?
Peyton’s parents are pressuring her to buy a house, but she’s worried this will cripple her early retirement goals. Is she right to be concerned?
Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these questions in today’s episode.
Enjoy!
P.S. Got a question? Leave it here (https://affordanything.com/voicemail)
For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode599
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
--------
1:18:07
Tax Strategies You Might Be Missing, with Natalie Kolodij
#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. "There's so much. So I really like to have people focus on a handful of things to be mindful of."
For W-2 employees who often have fewer tax advantages, Natalie highlights several overlooked deductions. If you live in a state without income tax (like Florida or Washington), you can deduct sales tax instead — especially on major purchases. Don't forget about personal property taxes on vehicles, boats or RVs either.
Medical expenses can be deductible, but only amounts exceeding 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income. Natalie suggests consolidating elective procedures into a single tax year to maximize this benefit.
Charitable deductions offer surprising opportunities too. Miles driven while volunteering, expenses from fostering animals, and even home renovation materials donated to organizations like Habitat for Humanity can all qualify. Natalie also explains how "bunching" donations in alternate years can significantly increase tax savings compared to giving the same amount annually.
The interview tackles major misconceptions about selling your primary residence. While many believe living in a home for two years makes all gains tax-free, Natalie clarifies that any "non-qualified use" periods (like when it was a rental property) can still be taxable.
For small business owners and real estate investors, Natalie recommends tracking all business-related expenses — even seemingly minor ones like industry-related books or educational materials. She emphasizes the importance of proper record-keeping and having separate accounts for business expenses.
As we navigate tax law changes following the recent election, Natalie's advice rings true: maintain flexibility in your tax planning and consider working with professionals who specialize in your specific situation.
Timestamps:
Note: Timestamps will vary on individual listening devices based on dynamic advertising run times. The provided timestamps are approximate and may be several minutes off due to changing ad lengths.
(0:00) Intro to tax day discussion
(2:46) Common tax savings for W-2 employees
(4:12) Standard vs itemized deductions explained
(5:46) Often forgotten property tax deductions
(6:58) Sales tax deductions for no-income-tax states
(9:06) Medical expense deduction thresholds
(12:53) Charitable giving strategies and overlooked deductions
(17:51) Bunching donations in alternate years
(22:20) Home sale tax exclusion misconceptions
(30:44) Tax withholding changes and common mistakes
(44:35) Bonus payment tax myths debunked
(52:52) Finding the right tax professional
(1:02:02) Small business and real estate investor tips
(1:09:38) Best practices for tax record keeping
(1:15:14) Preparing for potential tax code changes
For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode598
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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.
USA