Afford Anything®

Will AI take your job? It’s the question on everyone’s mind—but it might be the wrong question to ask.

In this interview, I talk with Dr. Ben Zweig, Chief Economist at Revelio Labs, about why we need to completely rethink how we understand work in the age of AI.

Ben explains that jobs aren’t indivisible units that either exist or don’t exist, they’re bundles of tasks that are constantly evolving.

The real question isn’t whether AI will replace your job, but which tasks within your job will be automated, and what new opportunities that creates.

We explore the John Henry fallacy, why ATMs actually increased bank teller employment, how job titles often mask dramatic changes in what people actually do, and why firms adopt technology much more slowly than we think.

Ben also shares fascinating insights from labor market data about which jobs are most exposed to AI, why orchestration matters more than execution, and why historical patterns of technological disruption suggest reasons for cautious optimism rather than panic.

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Jobs are bundles of tasks, not atomic units—automation affects specific tasks within jobs rather than eliminating entire occupations, which means your job will transform rather than disappear.

ATMs didn’t reduce bank teller jobs because while they automated cash dispensing, they made branches cheaper to operate and freed tellers to do higher-value relationship work—a pattern that repeats across many technologies.

AI is currently better at executing specific tasks than orchestrating workflows, but agentic AI that can coordinate complex sequences of tasks represents a major shift that could change which jobs are most vulnerable.

The “exposure” framework—measuring which jobs have the most tasks that AI can perform—shows knowledge workers are highly exposed, but exposure doesn’t equal displacement because firms adopt technology slowly and workers adapt.

Keynes predicted we’d work 15-hour weeks by 2030 because he underestimated our appetite for consumption and new desires—we don’t run out of things to want, which creates endless demand for human labor in new domains.

Dr. Ben Zweig’s LinkedIn Page

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(0:00) Introduction & Block layoffs

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Three listeners, three very different financial dilemmas, but all connected by the same underlying question: What do I do when life doesn’t follow the plan?

In this Q&A, we tackle three high-stakes money decisions. A post-divorce real estate leap overseas. A retiree with a suddenly swollen portfolio. And an investor questioning whether smarter returns cost them legal protection.

These aren’t textbook scenarios with clear-cut answers. They’re real situations where the right financial move depends as much on psychology, relationships, and life circumstances as it does on the numbers. Let’s dive in.

Anonymous asks: My brother-in-law just went through a divorce and came back from a Mexico vacation convinced he should sell everything, move there, and buy a 3-unit Airbnb property for 11.5 million pesos (roughly $575,000 USD). He’s never owned or managed a rental before, and he’s partnering with a friend who’s also a rental newbie. What unique considerations apply to buying rental property in Mexico versus the U.S., and how can I be supportive while helping him avoid jumping in over his head?

Marianne asks: I’m 66, retired, and living off Social Security plus dividends and interest from my investments. My IRA has doubled in the last year and a half, and I don’t know how to handle this massive growth. Should I sell my ETFs and move to cash to live off interest, or should I reinvest into different ETFs? I haven’t touched the principal yet—just living off the income.

Brandon asks: In a recent episode, you mentioned that 401(k)s have stronger legal protection than IRAs in the event of a lawsuit. Does this mean I should never roll over old 401(k)s into IRAs? I’ve already rolled over two 401(k)s in the past—was that a mistake? I just left another job and I’m hesitant to roll that 401(k) into my IRA after hearing this.

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When someone you love is making an impulsive financial decision during an emotional time (divorce, job loss, major life transition), the best support often means asking questions that help them slow down and think through the decision, not blocking them or telling them what to do.

Buying rental property in a foreign country adds layers of complexity including property rights restrictions, financing challenges, currency risk, tax implications in both countries, language barriers, and remote management difficulties—all of which compound when you have no rental experience.

When your portfolio experiences unexpected growth in retirement, resist the urge to immediately lock in gains by moving everything to cash—you still need growth to outpace inflation over a potentially 30+ year retirement, and selling winners triggers unnecessary taxes.

The decision to stay invested or move to cash should be based on your overall asset allocation and whether your portfolio still matches your risk tolerance and timeline, not on whether the market has recently gone up or down.

401(k)s receive unlimited federal protection from creditors under ERISA, while traditional and Roth IRAs have only $1,512,350 in federal bankruptcy protection (as of 2024, adjusted for inflation every 3 years)—however, state laws vary widely on IRA creditor protection outside of bankruptcy.

Afford Anything Newsletter

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What if the most important skill for thriving in an AI-driven economy isn’t intelligence or emotional awareness—but your ability to handle change itself?

In this interview, I talk with Liz Tran, executive coach and author of “AQ”, about a revolutionary framework for understanding how we navigate uncertainty.

Liz introduces the concept of AQ (Agility Quotient) a form of intelligence that measures your capacity to handle change, disappointment, and uncertainty. As AI commoditizes traditional cognitive abilities, AQ is becoming the key differentiator in career success and personal fulfillment.

We explore Liz’s four archetypes for handling change, dive into the TRAC framework for building agility, and discuss why comfort with discomfort might be the most valuable skill you can develop.

Whether you’re navigating a career transition, building a business, or simply trying to stay sane in an increasingly chaotic world, this conversation offers practical strategies for thriving through change.

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Key Takeaways

AQ (Agility Quotient) is your capacity to handle change, disappointment, and uncertainty, and in an AI-driven world where cognitive abilities are becoming commoditized, AQ is now more important than IQ or EQ for predicting success.

AI has made high IQ “cheap and common” by scoring in the 99th percentile on tests like the LSAT and MCAT, meaning your ability to quickly learn, unlearn, and adapt (your AQ) is now your primary competitive advantage.

The TRAC framework for building AQ includes: Trying (comfort with discomfort through micro-challenges), Reframing (shifting perspective on setbacks), Anchors (people, places, and routines that ground you), and Connections (building diverse relationships).

Durable skills, like adaptability, communication, emotional regulation, and complex problem-solving, can’t be automated by AI and become more valuable over time, unlike technical skills that quickly become obsolete.

Unlike IQ which remains fixed throughout life, AQ is flexible and trainable, you can go from low AQ to high AQ through intentional practice, making it never too late to develop agility regardless of age.

Resources

AQ: A New Kind of Intelligence for a World That’s Always Changing

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What’s the real value of a college degree in 2026? Is it just about the paycheck, or is there something deeper we’re missing in the ROI calculation?

In this Q&A episode, Joe and I tackle one of the most consequential financial decisions families face: whether college is worth the investment. An immigrant mother asks how to help her 14-year-old son evaluate degree programs purely from a financial perspective, which launches a nuanced discussion about earnings potential, career flexibility, personal growth, and the cultural paradigm shift happening around higher education.

We also hear from a listener who just quit his full-time job to start Coast FIRE and wonders whether he should take dividends as cash or keep reinvesting them. And we close with a deep dive into financial advisor fee structures, specifically, why the assets under management (AUM) model often costs more than it’s worth, and what alternatives exist for people who want fiduciary advice without the percentage-based fees.

Blanca asks: I’m an immigrant mother of a 14-year-old boy. I understand that college isn’t always the best financial decision anymore. How can I help my child evaluate whether an undergraduate or graduate program is a good investment? What factors should we consider to determine if a degree will be profitable over time? As someone who didn’t study in the U.S., I’d appreciate guidance and resources.

Brandon asks: I quit my job and started Coast FIRE in my 40s. I’m planning to draw down my taxable brokerage account to supplement my part-time income for the next 20 years. I’ve always automatically reinvested dividends, which creates a taxable event each year. Should I now start taking dividends as cash for more flexibility, since I’m taxed either way? I could use them as income or manually reinvest into funds that help maintain my target allocation.

Anonymous asks: I’ve heard you recommend working with a fiduciary financial advisor, but I’ve also heard you say you don’t like the AUM (assets under management) model. Can you elaborate on this? Are there certain companies you know of that we can check out without you advertising for them?

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The financial value of college varies dramatically by field—engineering, nursing, and accounting degrees typically offer strong ROI, while many liberal arts and general business degrees may not pay for themselves, especially when student debt is involved.

College provides value beyond just salary potential, including personal growth, expanded worldview, network building, and credential signaling that opens doors—but families should be honest about whether these benefits justify the specific cost of the specific school.

Taking a gap year or attending college at a slightly older age (after working or traveling) often leads to better outcomes because students have more maturity, clarity about their goals, and appreciation for the educational opportunity.

When drawing down a taxable brokerage account, taking dividends as cash (rather than auto-reinvesting) gives you control over rebalancing and can help you avoid selling shares during market downturns—you’re taxed on dividends either way, so there’s no tax disadvantage.

The AUM (assets under management) fee model creates a conflict of interest where advisors are incentivized to grow your assets and keep them invested, even when that may not serve your best interests—flat-fee or hourly advisors align better with client goals because their compensation isn’t tied to how much you have invested.

Afford Anything News Letter

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(0:00) Introduction

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In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Majid Fotuhi to explore one of the biggest forces quietly reshaping our economy: healthcare, longevity, and the role of AI in medicine.

We talk about the tension between automation and humanity, the real risks of device addiction, and what it means to live in a world where virtual experiences are competing with physical reality. But beyond the philosophical questions, there’s a powerful investing angle here.

If healthcare, longevity, and human-centered services become more valuable in the decades ahead, what does that mean for markets, for financial planning, and for how we allocate capital today?

This episode is about more than medicine. It’s about where the world is going, and how we position ourselves for it.

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Healthcare may be the next major investing wave. As populations age and longevity increases, demand for healthcare innovation, elder care, and preventive medicine continues to grow. The “longevity economy” isn’t a niche, it’s becoming a structural force in global markets.

AI is powerful, but it shouldn’t replace human care. There’s a growing concern around dehumanization: device addiction, overreliance on digital tools, and what happens when people prefer virtual interaction over physical connection. In healthcare especially, human judgment and empathy remain irreplaceable.

Automation forces us to redefine human value. As machines take on more tasks, we’ll need to rethink which work is uniquely human. Coaching, teaching, caregiving, and relational roles may become more valuable, not less.

We are underestimating the cost of device addiction. Rising anxiety, isolation, and mental health challenges, particularly among younger generations, carry long-term societal and economic consequences that deserve more attention.

Longevity changes financial planning. Living longer isn’t just about saving more. It requires rethinking healthcare costs, quality of life, purpose, and how we structure portfolios to support both financial security and physical well-being.

Dr. Fotuhi’s Book – The Invincible Brain

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In this Q&A episode, Joe and I tackle three listener questions that touch on career transitions, portfolio evaluation, and giving your kids a head start on retirement savings.

We start with a burned-out teacher in New Zealand who’s paid off her mortgage and is ready to shift to part-time work, but she’s caught in a “what-if spiral” about timing and financial preparedness.

From there, we explore how to evaluate whether a portfolio manager is actually worth the fees, and whether you might be better off with simple index funds. We close with a thoughtful dad wondering how to navigate Roth IRA contribution rules for his teenage son who just got his first W-2 job, balancing tax credits against long-term compounding benefits.

Throughout the episode, we balance practical money math with the deeper question of what makes a life worth living, reminding us that financial decisions aren’t just about maximizing returns—they’re about designing a life that works for you.

Anonymous “Cheryl” asks: I’m a 38-year-old teacher in New Zealand, mortgage-free with a 65% savings rate, but I’m completely burned out. Should I work full-time for seven more years to fully FIRE with $900,000, or should I transition to relief teaching in two years even though I’ll need to withdraw $5,000-$10,000 annually from my investments to cover living expenses? How do I prepare for fluctuating income?

Anonymous “Ray” asks: I have money with a portfolio manager at a bank. He’s beating large-cap benchmarks but underperforming in mid-cap and trailing slightly in other categories. How long should I wait before fairly assessing his performance? He favors dividend funds, but I’m wondering if I’d be better off just investing in an S&P 500 ETF for 10-20 years.

Nathan asks: My 14-year-old son just got his first W-2 job earning about $1,000 this year. I want to contribute to a Roth IRA for him, but our family income exceeds the Roth contribution limits. Can I have him file a separate tax return so his individual income qualifies? We’d lose the $2,200 child tax credit if we don’t claim him—is there a better way to do this?

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Don’t sacrifice your mental and physical health for a FIRE timeline, if you’re burned out, no amount of future money will compensate for breaking your spirit today.

Coast FIRE (working part-time to cover expenses while investments grow) is a viable middle path between full-time work and complete financial independence, especially when you’ve already paid off major debts.

Most portfolio managers underperform simple index funds after fees over the long term—the vast majority still trail broad market indexes even after 10+ years, making low-cost index funds the better choice for most investors.

The Roth IRA income limits apply to the parents making the contribution, not the child earning the income, a teenager can contribute to their own Roth IRA regardless of their parents’ income as long as they have earned income.

The child tax credit ($2,200) is worth far more than a $1,000 Roth IRA contribution, losing the credit to enable a small Roth contribution makes no mathematical sense.

Afford Anything podcast episode #646 (Andy Hill)

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In this First Friday episode, we take a comprehensive look at the economic and market developments from January 2026. From market volatility and a surprising new Fed chair nominee to a groundbreaking “baby bonds” program and major housing policy changes, there’s a lot to unpack.

I start with what the stock market pullback means for investors, why the new Fed chair choice caught everyone off guard, and how new policies could reshape retirement savings and homeownership for millions of Americans.

We also explore falling job openings, rising tax refunds, why prediction markets are opening grocery stores, and what it all means for your financial decisions in the months ahead. This episode is packed with actionable insights and real-world context to help you make sense of a rapidly changing economic landscape.

The S&P 500 fell 2% in January 2026, marking its worst January performance since 2022, while Bitcoin dropped nearly 10% during the same period.

Kevin Warsh, the new Fed chair nominee, is known as an inflation hawk but also advocates for rate cuts, viewing AI as deflationary and wanting to clean up the Fed’s balance sheet.

A new “baby bonds” program will automatically open investment accounts with $1,000 for every child born in the U.S. between 2025-2028, potentially growing to $6,000 by age 18 without additional contributions.

The White House issued an executive order banning large institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes, though key definitions and implementation details are still being determined.

Job openings fell to 7.6 million in December 2025, the lowest level since 2021, signaling a cooling labor market.

Average tax refunds are up 6.4% year-over-year to $1,963, suggesting Americans may have over-withheld from their paychecks in 2025.

Polymarket, the prediction betting platform, is opening a physical grocery store in New York called “The Market,” where product placement reflects betting odds on various outcomes.

Afford Anything podcast with Zack Kass

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In this Q&A episode, Joe and I tackle three listener questions that touch on concentration risk, major retirement decisions, and entrepreneurship. We start with a new investor wondering whether the AI-dominated stock market requires rethinking traditional index fund strategies, or if diversification is already built in.

From there, we explore a complex 65-year-old’s situation involving Social Security timing, credit card debt, Roth conversions, and a potential six-figure home remodel, all while navigating job loss and the challenges of finding a tenant in California.

We close with questions about the future of employer-sponsored health insurance and how to thoughtfully test small business ideas before fully committing, especially when you want to involve your kids and teach them entrepreneurship. Throughout the episode, we balance short-term needs with long-term strategy, helping listeners make decisions that work for their unique circumstances.

Rachel asks: Should I adjust my index fund strategy to protect against AI concentration risk, or does broad index investing already address this concern? I’m new to investing and want to ensure I’m properly diversified without overreacting to AI market dominance.

Sarah asks: I’m 65, recently lost my job, and have been using credit cards to cover expenses. Should I claim Social Security now or wait? Does it make sense to convert my traditional IRA to a Roth while I’m in the 12% tax bracket? Should I pay off my credit cards or use another balance transfer? And should I spend $300,000 from savings on a full home remodel?

Anonymous asks: Do you think employer-sponsored health insurance will fade away like pensions, or will it remain standard? Also, what frameworks do you recommend for pressure-testing small business ideas before committing, especially when I want to involve my young kids and teach them entrepreneurship?

Index funds already provide diversification across sectors—AI concentration in the market doesn’t necessarily mean you need to change your strategy if you’re investing in broad market index funds.

When deciding whether to claim Social Security early, consider your break-even age, current tax situation, and whether you have other income sources to cover expenses.

Roth conversions during low-income years can be valuable, especially if you’re in the 12% tax bracket and expect to be in higher brackets later.

High expense ratios (like 1.95%) can significantly erode returns over time—evaluate whether actively managed funds are worth the cost compared to low-cost index alternatives.

Before making major spending decisions (like a $300,000 remodel), ensure you have sustainable income and emergency reserves in place.

Employer-sponsored health insurance is likely to remain prevalent, but understanding private insurance options provides important backup knowledge and flexibility.

When testing business ideas, use frameworks like The E-Myth (technician vs. manager vs. entrepreneur) and The Lean Startup (build-measure-learn) to validate concepts before full commitment.

So Good They Can’t Ignore You by Cal Newport

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In this episode, I continue my conversation with Cullen Roche to explore the 10 fundamental principles every investor needs to understand before building their portfolio. Moving beyond which portfolio to choose, Cullen breaks down how to actually invest properly, covering everything from understanding what you’re really doing when you buy stocks, to managing costs, to navigating the behavioral traps that derail most investors.

We dive deep into why you’re a saver (not an investor), how diversification is the only free lunch in finance, and why beating the market is nearly impossible even for professionals. Cullen shares hard-won wisdom about managing risk, controlling what you can control, and building realistic expectations that will help your portfolio survive the inevitable market turbulence ahead. This is essential listening for anyone who wants to invest with confidence and avoid the costly mistakes that plague most portfolios.

When you buy stocks on the secondary market, you’re not financing companies or investing in production—you’re simply reallocating your savings by buying someone else’s stock.

Over 20 years, more than 95% of active fund managers underperform a simple index fund, proving that beating the market is extraordinarily difficult even for Wall Street’s smartest investors.

The biggest fee you’ll ever pay isn’t your financial advisor—it’s inflation, which silently erodes your purchasing power and must be factored into every investment decision.

Real, real returns (after inflation, taxes, and fees) are what actually matter, not the headline 10-12% stock market returns you hear in the financial media.

When a stock or asset generates 60% returns in a single year, you create “price compression” that increases your sequence risk and behavioral risk going forward.

Understanding your needs versus wants and controlling your liabilities is often more important than asset management when building long-term wealth.

Long-duration bonds are terrible matching assets for long-term expenses because those expenses are unpredictable—you’re better off taking diversified stock market risk over 20+ year horizons.

disciplinefunds.com

Cullen’s Books:

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In this episode, I sit down with Cullen Roche, financial advisor and portfolio strategist, to discuss why there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to investing. Cullen breaks down the most famous investment portfolios in history, from the classic 60/40 to Warren Buffett’s 90/10 strategy, and explains how to customize these models to fit your unique financial situation. Whether you’re saving for retirement, planning a sabbatical, or just getting started with investing, this conversation provides practical, actionable strategies you can implement today.

I explore the psychology of bear markets, the truth about high-yield savings accounts, and why simplicity often beats complexity when it comes to portfolio management. Cullen shares insights from his book and decades of experience working with clients to help listeners understand that investing isn’t about finding the “perfect” strategy, it’s about finding the perfect strategy for you.

Everyone has different needs, expenses, and time horizons, so portfolio construction must be personalized to what works for you.

Walter Morgan’s Wellington Fund lost 40% during the Depression but vastly outperformed pure stock portfolios that lost 80%, proving the power of diversification.

High-yield savings accounts simply hold Treasury bills and keep part of the returns, so buying T-bills directly earns you the full yield.

Consolidate accounts with one custodian instead of spreading across multiple platforms to avoid portfolio management becoming a burdensome second job.

When markets drop 40%, investors panic wondering if it will drop to 80%, so building a portfolio you can stick with during downturns is crucial.

Your Perfect Portfolio, book by Cullen Roche 

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(0:00) – Introduction: Why There’s No Perfect Portfolio for Everyone

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