Just listed to Paula on Stacking Benjamin’s and heard her rant with Len Penzo. Was not impressed with her conversation skills and attitude during the exchange. Have been a listener to Paula’s podcast for years and decided to call it quits after hearing this.

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.

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!

I used to love this podcast but am finding that Paula is becoming entrenched in her worldview and transparently impatient with those who disagree. I feel this affects the quality and objectivity of her advice

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

Fun and practical love the entertainment while learning. Grateful for the podcast

Thank you for making this podcast! It is the first one I have found that I can understand. I really appreciate that you are willing to break down even the most seemingly simple things for people like me who were not raised with any kind of financial intelligence. I can listen to your show without feeling bad about myself for not already knowing these things.

Afford Anything is an exceptional podcast that effortlessly combines, knowledge, authenticity, and trustworthiness to deliver an unparalleled listening experience. Hosted by a diligent and well-prepared host, this show stands out as an invaluable resource for those seeking insightful discussions and commentary on various topics. When it addresses finances, it is at its best.

I can’t thank you enough for producing such great content. I found this podcast searching for money and investing content but this is SO MUCH MORE!! There have been some interviews that I originally thought would have been of no value to me initially but Paula quickly captured my attention when she asked such great questions. If anyone reading this review wants a good sampling of the interview content then you should check out episode 426 as Paula highlights golden nuggets from the previous year! Great episode with valuable content!! Keep up the good work Afford Anything team!

Caught a few episodes and just thought it didn’t have great actionable advice. Some of the guests seemed super unrealistic too, like the dude who spends $20k/month on expenses.

Paula, I love your input and commentary. Please consider doing more solo episodes of the “Ask Paula” segments. You have so much considerate and thoughtful advice to offer listeners. If I wanted to listen to Joe, I would subscribe to his show. His comments add very little value, and he frequently makes comments that make me cringe. I end up trying to skip through much of the episode. I know you are friends, but please consider doing at least some “Ask Paula” segments solo or with a different guest.

So I enjoy Paula for entertainment value but beware to callers seeking advice as it’s pretty basic. On Feb 21, 2024 episode a caller asked about a large lump sum and mortgage options - Paula and co host treated it so simply - refinance or brokerage - never in there did they guide the caller who was interested in more cash flow the recast option where you can apply a lump sum, keep your interest rate and term AND lower your monthly payment. Paola claims to own real estate - how did she just think of refinance and not recasting? Its basic knowledge.

This is an amazing podcast on personal finance, financial independence, and life optimization with an optional side of real estate investing. As a speaker and as an interviewer, Paula is incredibly eloquent, mature, and intelligent. She has a wide variety of guests with a lot of different perspectives, both self-made bloggers as well as professionals, and her interviews are truly first-rate and worth listening to. I also have to credit her for sparking interest in real estate for me, something I was never previously interested in. I have taken away a lot of knowledge on real estate, as well as some insight into behavioral psychology in finance as well as productivity and mindfulness. The only thing that would make the podcast a little bit better in my opinion is if it catered a bit more to people with young children, single parents or anyone else who does not have as much personal freedom to simply travel or spend time investigating real eatate markets at a whim. That said, her tagline that you can afford anything but not everything, and that every choice you make has an opportunity cost is a universal truth, and her podcast truly helps you find real ways to align your life to your values. Edit 4/2020: Paula’s COVID-19 infection and her podcasts around that period gave me a whole other appreciation for it because I am a physician currently dealing with the outbreak. She made wonderful podcasts on how to be a fiercely compassionate and socially responsible citizen with all the economic suffering; then she gave the best PSA I’ve ever seen from a medical layperson on the need to social distance not just to protect oneself but to protect the most vulnerable people in our society. Then she tacked on brilliant content on how to be an intelligent investor during the huge market downturn, especially valuable to younger investors who don’t remember 2008. Intelligence, compassion and responsibility all while being financially savvy - this is now my favorite podcast.

So glad someone recommended this show to me. I’m loving every episode from learning about the world of finance to business building strategies, really well done. Thanks Paula!

I really like the ask Paula episodes that have Paula and Joe on them.

Paula’s podcasts are excellent. But I was very motivated to leave this five star review after listening to her recent episode (Episode #476) with Mike Massimino and how Mike dealt with setbacks on his path to becoming an astronaut and afterwards his lessons on leadership in the NASA program. FANTASTIC! I listened to other podcasts that featured Mike Massimino; but Paula’s interview was the most in depth (more than one hour) and allowed Mike to more fully share how his experiences impacted his life. I look forward to reading Mike’s book. Paula is a gifted interviewer. THANK YOU PAULA PANT AND AFFORD ANYTHING.

Love how this podcast gives sound advice instead of making the audience feel like they have to risk it all financially. FIVE STARS.

This is definitely in my Mt. Rushmore of financial podcasts. Paula is very logical and sometimes I think she could be A.I. Haha. But never a dull episode.

I have been listening for a little over a year, but I mostly listen to older episodes because I am a newer listener considering how long this podcast has been going. I was shocked when I heard an ad for Everyplate on a newer episode. I have tried every affordable meal kit service there is and theirs is by far the worst. The food goes bad within days of arrival and they do not have a cancelation option. If any listeners are reading this PLEASE DO NOT SIGN UP FOR EVERYPLATE. They do not offer a cancelation option at all, they simple pause your plan for 4 weeks and then charge you again on the 5th week even when you have called 5 times asking to please cancel, and to top it off they do not offer refunds on bad food or mistaken shipments on their part. It’s not affordable to have meals going bad faster than you can eat them and without a cancellation option they scammed us out of over $200 worth of meals they sent us without our consent over the course of 2023. Everyplate is CHEAP as in low quality food product, AI generated recipes that make no sense, and terrible customer service. I don’t know why anyone would use them let alone advertise their service unless they are simply blind to these issues and if they are blind to these issues why should I trust your financial advise? 🤔

I absolutely love Paula. Well researched topics and she asks on point questions. A delight to listen to.

The best podcast I’ve ever heard. If it wasn’t for the information on this podcast, I’d still be in the dark about money. This podcast has taught me everything I know about how to make better choices, have better friends, think more clearly about my life, and manage my time and investments. I highly recommend this podcast.

Afford Anything is an absolute gem! Each episode is packed with insightful content and actionable advice. I truly learn something valuable every time I tune in. I can't recommend this show highly enough!

“You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with” is a frequently quoted Jim Rohn saying and I think that includes people from the media. Paula is an excellent digital mentor to tune into because she prodiminantly focuses on the “How” to make things happen which helps get unstuck from the “IF” mentality. I started in Episode one and have been binging ever since. I didn't even notice that the episodes were an hour long - they just flew by! Paula is a wealth of knowledge but also a great interviewer. Being a newbie to FI scene, I love that I've learned something new from almost every episode. My favorites so far are Episode 59 & 60 - chucky, weedy & info laiden- loved them! Overall an excellent podcast that I've already been recommending to everyone I can whenever I can. Love it!

Investing made so much sense when you explained it to a 10-Year-Old. Thank you Paula and Joe. 🙌

Mai bay is a little more expensive but it works well with a lot more of it and the place for the other guys is a qua

Afford Anything is a very professionally-done podcast with a wealth of information. Paula Pant is a great host, and she is an excellent speaker with a very nice radio voice! She also is a clear thinker and uses some unique ways of problem solving and decision making.

They want you to “win.” Practical advice for normal people. I’ve learned a lot and feel inspired to keep improving my monetary habits.

Hi Paula, I just wanted to take this time to say thank you for creating this podcast. It’s what I’ve been listening to while staying up with my newborn son (not getting much sleep as of late). Previously, I would read a lot of investment and personal finance books in my free time. Listening to this podcast has replaced that hobby/interest for now and also fulfilled my desire to learn more and grow. What really led me to write this review was one of your older episodes—I was extremely touched by your interview with Paulette Perhach. Anyway, thank you for all of your hard work and effort in putting these episodes together! I enjoy (and learn a lot from) both the interviews and the question answering sessions with Joe.

I think Joe’s answers are incomplete at best and wrong at worst. He likes to use buzz words like modern portfolio theory and Sharpe ratio. How is this actionable advice? Why not promote a three fund portfolio instead with risk appropriate allocation. He also likes to repeat that that fees aren’t a big concern for most. While this is true, it is also incomplete. Fees are a concern when they are above 400 basis points. Fees also are an indicator of actively managed funds. I could go on and on and on. His answers create more questions than they do clarity. Paula instead provides a framework for answering questions. I generally agree with her advice. Joe seems like most of the other people in financial media where he is trying to sell you something. Perhaps it’s his often touted book.

I started listing to this podcast for actual relevant financial advice. What is up with your most recent (yawn) episode . Wasting time talking about what to ‘name’ an anonymous caller, tangential discussions that led to nowhere, I stopped and turned this podcast off after you started launching into some disagreement with your co-host about your intention about the kettlebells. Sorry Paula, but this is NOT interesting and i am looking for a solid financial podcast.

Hi, Paula and Joel, I was featured on a recent episode of Ask Paula. I am FI but hesitate to retire, and you took a good 20 minutes of airtime, walking through both the logistical and psychological impact of early retirement in my case, looking at it through several different angles. Thank you so much for all of the wisdom and insight you bring to the show! Looking forward to a good game of underwater chess with you and Joel!

Paula was spot on about the controlling father. And this is her podcast. She’s right. Decisions aren’t just mathematical. They are emotional as well.

Paula, I say this with zero exaggeration. Since I started listening to your show in 2016, you are the one person who has made the greatest impact on my financial health. I recommend your show to anybody and everybody. I wish you all the best. You have changed so many lives for the better.

Listening to Paula, Co-Host, and Guests has been immensely helpful in navigating life’s challenges. From determining ‘kill criteria’ for when to quit to addressing financial concerns associated with layoffs, I feel more confident as I approach future milestones in career and in life Thank you!!

One of the few podcasts I’ll play for an entire road trip. Paula is a treasure and she is freely giving with her knowledge and advice. You’ll learn a lot while getting some great laughs and lessons for your own life. Shout out to Joe for the great dad jokes.

Afford Anything approach to finance highlights the importance of a balance lifestyle. The podcast is more than a finance podcast and a welcome departure from the old financial model of suffering on our way to F.I.R.E.

Very entertaining and educational podcast! Afford Anything is AMAZING!

Paula (along with Joe on the Q&A episodes) provides entertainment while giving accurate and useful financial and life info. Highly recommend! This is NOT a boring money show!

He is an interesting character. What a coup for the fire community.

I’ve been following Paula’s work since she had a blog in 2012, detailing her rental house acquisitions. Since she’s had a podcast, I listen religiously every week. Her methodology for thinking through complex money and life decisions varies from the micro to the macro. Paula’s framework for thinking and asking questions of her guests is unique and always thought provoking.

I’ve been listening for years. Paula is a really savvy interviewer who does her homework in advance of interviews and conducts them well. As she frequently (now constantly) reminds us, she is a journalist first. The listener should believe her when she says this. Her primary career background to date is not as a financial or economic expert. She does interview such experts and does this well. When she herself gives advice, it can be suspect. For example, she recently asserted that crypto has similar attributes to currency as an investment/asset class. This is highly controversial and not at all established fact (Warren Buffet has called crypto ‘rat poison squared’). Jamie Dimon has made similar comments. At least acknowledging that such assertions are controversial would help the audience. A new listener seeking a sound financial foundation (e.g., Simple Path to Wealth) would be well served to listen to earlier episodes in which indexing and saving were more prevalent topics and most helpful to a broad audience.

Your podcast is informative, leads me to think in new ways and I appreciate your review of key points at the end of the show. I find myself saving your episodes because the offer so much value that it cannot be taken in with just one listen! Thank you!

I have been listening to afford anything for about a year now since i discovered the financial independence movement. Paula (and also Joe) are two of my favorite people in this space. Paula is so articulate and her commentary is so insightful. I have learned so much from this podcast and recommned it to anybody interested in learning more about personal finance.

I have been a 4 year listener, and it has completely transformed my life by readjusting my priorities and giving me the confidence to make active financial decisions. This particular episode touched me. It gave me greater insight into what it takes to create such great content and gave me the inspiration to keep growing. Thank you for letting us into your life.

I have been listening to this podcast over the past year and have really learned quite a bit. Thank you for always engaging the listener and presenting the subject matter in a entertaining and informative way.I also really enjoy the variety of quality guests you have on the show.Thanks again for all you do for the investment community. You are appreciated.

Paula has made financial learning fun, interesting and tangible. I enjoy the thoughtful rhetoric between her and the guests/ callers. I really enjoy listening to her thought process and her ability to go from wide angle lens to a zoomed in, detailed answer. I have learned so much over the past two years and gained confidence in entering the rental space (3 rental properties and counting). I look forward to her podcast each week.

Paula is such a talented interviewer. She dives deep into finance, life, and what really matters while also breaking down and explaining complicated concepts in a way that shows true mastery of her content.

Heard you on the White Coat Investor and loved your thought process. You have verbalized that it’s not just money that has value — it is our time, energy, focus and concentration. There are a lot of podcasts in the finance/personal finance space and so much of it is a repackaging of things we have already heard that is is disingenuous or ick and fake. Your podcast is rigorous, thoughtful well researched. You have an amazing ability to really listen and then distill the key points for your listeners. Loved the podcasts about Inflation 101, the one with Jen Sinchero and especially the one about Happiness at work: your explanation about imposter syndrome and how it affects high achieving people was just amazing. I have it saved and forward it to friends colleagues and other physicians and students that I educate and mentor. Also appreciate the honesty about your own experience when getting into the Columbia School fellowship. Please continue to talk about your fellowship. Want to hear about your findings from your dissertation on cryptocurrency. My time is valuable and your podcast and the WCI are the only ones I really listen to as a lifelong learner of this stuff! Keep on keeping on!

I love Afford Anything! It’s taught me so much over the years and the hosts are a power duo whose strengths (Paula as a real estate investor, Joe as a former financial advisor) really complement each other’s to help pretty much anyone. Plus they make it fun and super accessible. Thank you both so much for all you do for the FIRE community, you’re changing more people’s lives (for the better!) than you know :-)

I love this show, such unique angles and perspectives on the mindset about life and money. On Paula Solo interview episodes, the journalism background works well without being stiff or manufactured. When Joe comes on to help, well, its a functional zoo (its a compliment, I promise). Keep it up. So much value and look forward to each weeks release!