# “Buying Things Is Usually Stupid” with Joel Stein

An episode of [50 Fires: Money and Meaning with Carl Richards](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1709551590), 29 Jan 2025, 1 h 11 min.

Audio: https://mgln.ai/e/94/claritaspod.com/measure/verifi.podscribe.com/rss/p/pfx.vpixl.com/j0JIg/traffic.megaphone.fm/ROOSTER1327562656.mp3?updated=1738636218

What happens when you spend $200,000 a year but only make $30,000? In this lively episode, Carl dives into the numbers with Joel Stein—one of America’s wittiest cultural commentators—to explore his unique experiences with money. From renting Lamborghinis to hosting billionaires at Burning Man, Joel’s journalism career has granted him access to experiences that money simply can’t buy. Carl and Joel tackle questions like: What’s the real cost of chasing “enough”? And why are people more secretive about their income than their sex lives? Through humor and sharp insights, Joel exposes the absurdities of our relationship with money and success (including a debate about why boats aren’t actually that cool). Tune in to hear why Joel’s “irresponsible” financial decisions might be surprisingly relatable. Read Joel’s excellent book In Defense Of Elitism and follow him @thejoelstein -------------------- Follow 50 Fires on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50firespod/ Please direct business inquires to: blindnilaudio@magnolia.com -------------------- Cover Art: Josh Passler - TheFinArtist.com Music Credits: Alexandra Woodward / Rabbit Reggae / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Cody Francis / Wherever You’re Going / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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