3141: Craft a Better Life Than Your Parents by Craig Stephens of Retire Before Dad on Intentional Living

Optimal Finance Daily - Financial Independence and Money Advice

Optimal Living Daily LLC

Investing, Business, Education, Self-improvement

4.4 • 1.3K Ratings

🗓️ 13 May 2025

⏱️ 13 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

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 3141: Craig Stephens reflects on the transformative power of parenthood, showing how it can awaken a deeper sense of purpose and drive to improve upon the life paths laid by previous generations. By redefining what a "better life" truly means, beyond wealth or early retirement, he encourages us to live with intention, model lasting values for our children, and pursue personal growth over generational comparison. Quotes to ponder: "To honor their sacrifices, we’re compelled to pursue the life our parents dreamed for us." "Living a meaningful life is about personal progress, happiness, and having a positive impact on your community and the people you meet." "Strive to be the person you want your child to become, teach by example and never stop improving upon the person you were yesterday." Episode references: Enlightenment Now: https://www.amazon.com/Enlightenment-Now-Science-Humanism-Progress/dp/0525427570 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	This message is brought to you by Apple Card. Apply for Apple Card today and start earning up to 3% daily cash back on everyday purchases. And that daily cash can even grow automatically when you open a high yield savings account through Apple Card. What are you waiting for? Visit Apple.co slash card calculator today to see how much daily cash you can earn.
0:24.6	Subject to credit approval. Savings available to Apple card owners, subject to eligibility.
0:30.4	Savings and Apple Card by Goldman Sachs Bank USA. Member FDIC, Terms and more at apple card.com
0:37.9	Adobe Express is the quick and easy create anything app.
0:44.5	It has taken my content to the next level, making it simple to create everything I need to promote my business.
0:50.5	From Instagram and TikTok posts to logos and flyers, all in just a few clicks.
0:56.5	Build your brand with Adobe Express.
0:59.0	Search for Adobe Express to find out more and get the app for free.
1:03.0	Adobe Express, the quick and easy create anything app.
1:09.6	This is Optimal Finance Daily.
1:12.4	Craft a better life than your parents by Craig Stevens of Retire Before Dad.com.
1:19.5	Having your first child is a truly life-altering event, far more so than marriage, a new job or a trip around the world. Parents make extraordinary sacrifices for
1:31.3	their children, but few realize the extent of those sacrifices until becoming a parent themselves.
1:37.3	When I think back to my life before kids, I still can't get over how lazy I was. I slept a lot and spent an unhealthy chunk of my
1:47.0	paycheck on beer and entertainment. I made only meager attempts to earn extra money at my day job
1:53.6	and outside of my career. Even after marrying Mrs. retire before dad, leisure and sleep consumed our
2:00.5	time. Our idea of a busy Saturday was
2:03.5	getting out of the condo before noon. The drastic change in how we spend our time is just one
2:09.7	adjustment we've made for parenthood. Mrs. Retire Before Dad gave up her career and income for our kids.
2:17.4	We've set aside $300 per kid towards their
2:20.6	college educations every month for the past eight years. Saturdays equals soccer. Extra cooking,
2:28.5	laundry, transportation, bathing, clothing, and teaching all fall on our shoulders, while the kids very gradually become
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Optimal Living Daily LLC, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Optimal Living Daily LLC and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.