Have you ever dreamed about beating the stock market? Money in your pocket and a lifestyle beyond compare? Sure you have! Here's a surprise...there are people out there who HAVE beaten the stock market, and the man who's written a series of books detailing HOW they did it joins us today! Jack Schwager is the mind behind the Stock Market Wizards series, and today he joins us again to detail a couple more wizards. We walk through lessons we can glean from them about how to invest our own portfolios, using case studies from the best and the brightest traders as a guide. Jack's last appearance was a huge it for us, so if you missed that one, you definitely do NOT want to miss today's show. In our headline segment, we dive into the new "hot" budgeting trend: LOUD budgeting. Surprisingly, loud budgeting has nothing to do with screaming while using your budget app...it's a trend around financial wellness. We talk about loud budgeting, how to join the trend, and maybe help you feel less alone if you're actually hoping to be more responsible with your cash. Of course, we also have a TikTok minute that's inspirational (you're closer to Elon Musk's net worth than you may think!). Doug also shares his wizardly trivia, and more! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/lessons-from-stock-market-wizards-jack-schwager-1473 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What do the happiest retirees share in common? What are some of the steps you can take to get ready for retirement before you actually reach your number? On today's special roundtable discussion, we welcome Wes Moss from the Retire Sooner podcast. He joins Crystal Hammond from our sister real estate investing show, Stacking Deeds, and Len Penzo from the award-winning blog LenPenzo.com. Stick around for Doug's DIY-themed trivia! Don't worry, no effort is required on your part. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/friday-roundtable-countdown-to-retirement-1472 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever wonder HOW to afford a house? Already own a home but hoping to save money through better financial habits and hacks? Today we delve into the intricacies of buying a house while maintaining financial stability and building wealth. Joining us is Kimberly Hamilton, a financial educator and FinTech pro, who not only bought one house, but who also now has turned that house into a rental home and is buying a second home now for her family to enjoy. She'll not only help you develop better money skills, but also share tips on what NOT to do. ON today's Better Call Saul....Sehy & OG, we take a question from Stacker Chris who wants to continue making contributions to a Roth Individual Retirement Account (IRA) but is uncertain if he can. How does he make a Roth IRA work? OG answers Chris' question in what we all admit is the worst way possible, while still accurately helping Chris and our Stacker community know how to use a Roth IRA better. But before all of that we cover a headline from the Wall Street Journal about the state of the economy. It seems that defaults on loans are going up, yet Wall Street believes there's more room for Americans to borrow cash. But does this mean we should worry about the market? Worry about our own financial stability? Or should we worry at all? FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/stack-benjamins-on-a-dime-1471 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Shannon McLay is on a mission to clean up the dirty end of the financial planning pool. The Financial Gym founder has seen it all - advisors offering whole life policies to young savers with no children, and people just beginning saving thrown into annuities over a 401k at work. Today we talk about what to look out for in the financial world, how some of the popular buzzwords like "fiduciary" won't help you much anymore, and what to ask a potential advisor so that you know you're headed in the right direction. Before that we share a big headline about the Chinese stock market. Things haven't been going well in China, while the US market is roaring. Is it time to maybe look overseas with some of your money? How do you think holistically about buying low? We also share a TikTok minute sharing a new way to look at student loans. But of course, that's not all. Doug throws out a great trivia question and we take an interesting call from a Stacker in need. FIVE great topics on today's episode! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/financial-fitness-with-shannon-mclay-1470 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've all heard that you have to take on risk in order to reap the rewards of investing. Are there any ways you can achieve the rewards without taking on additional risk (in life as well as investing)? We tackle this conundrum on today's roundtable episode with Paula Pant of the Afford Anything podcast, Doc G of the Earn & Invest podcast, and our very own OG. In the second half of the show, sponsored by DepositAccounts.com, we talk to Angelo Poli, founder and CEO of MetPro, who comes back to talk about health and wellness as we enter 2024. How do you stick to your New Year's resolution throughout the year and stick to your health and wellness goals year-round? From exercise and strength training to caloric intake and protein needs to the efficiency of vitamin supplements to the effectiveness of HIIT workouts to extreme dieting and fasting, Angelo answers our Stackers questions. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/finding-your-optimal-risk-reward-in-life-1469 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian Klaas has an interesting backstory...to say the least. He owes his existence to a woman who murdered her family. Because she did it--and took her own life, he was born. This complete fluke is the catalyst behind Brian asserting that your decisions matter more than you could possibly think. While planning is important, Brian emphasizes that it's even more important how you respond to all of the flukes in your life. We'll talk about the weird falling of dominos and how we're all more interconnected than we'd like to believe (and more) with Brian. Before that we take on a difficult headline; a HUGE number of advisors say they're going to retire in the next ten years. What do you do if your advisor says they're going to retire before you do? How do you change advisors...and how do you even broach the topic of retirement with your advisor? We talk all things retirement and THEIR retirement on today's show. Plus, we're continuing the first round of our Great Math Joke Off. Four more Stackers see their jokes go head-to-head for a chance to win a couple of books AND possibly more if they continue winning. We also share trivia from Doug and take a call from a Stacker who'd Better Call Saul....Sehy and OG. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/everything-you-do-matters-brian-klaas-1468 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What’s important to you? Owning a car? Family time? Retirement? No matter what your goals are, they’re always intertwined more with the goals of those around us than we may think. For Gigi Gonzalez, culture was everything when it came to working toward her goals. When she began shoveling money toward her own non-family goals, it created rifts in her family. Did she think she was too good for them? Was she losing her cultural identity? While that’s not at all true, what is true is that balancing reaching her goals and working with her family was an important middle ground that Gigi needed to find as a first generation American AND that she passes on to others. She also helps us with our budget, car buying strategy, and more. In our headline segment, check writing is in the crosshairs of one popular New York Times columnist. We’ll talk about why YOU probably want to eliminate checks once-and-for-all from your financial life. In our TikTok minute, we talk about maybe the BEST diet AND wallet saving food on the market. We also help a Stacker who had to Better Call Saul (Sehy & OG). Of course, you can wash it all down with some awesome trivia from Doug. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/cultura-and-cash-gigi-gonzalez-1467 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever wonder how where you live and work could affect your ability to reach your financial goals? More specifically, is living in a big city making you poor? Here to discuss this topic on today's special roundtable episode, we're happy to welcome Maggie Tucker from the Inside Out Money podcast. She joins Len Penzo and OG to tackle this important topic and extract key lessons that Stackers can apply to their own lives. In our second half of the show, sponsored by DepositAccounts.com, we dive into what are ways that Stackers can save money despite living in a big city? Be sure to listen to the show, as you won't want to miss these tips! Be sure to stick around for the continuation of our year-long trivia game. Doug has a doozy of a question with a literacy charity-related theme. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/is-city-living-making-you-poor-maggie-tucker-1466/ Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Amy Minkley is a woman on a mission. Sometimes, she admits, the mission is WAY over her head. She's an overachiever by nature, coming by her work ethic out of a need for independence when her dad left the family when she was young. From that beginning (which she says she's grateful for), Amy has gone on to big things, including creating the FI Freedom Retreat in Bali. Amy joins us for a wide-ranging episode on being okay with imperfection, finding like-minded people, and on intentional living and more. If you're feeling stuck, this is the perfect episode for you. If you're an overachiever and perfectionist, this is also the episode for you. Amy isn't the only awesome guest on today's show, though! Comedian and show writer Lisa Curry joins Joe, OG and Doug to dive into the rest of the show. In our headline segment we tackle long term care (and again the need for community when it comes to caring for our elders). Lisa offers a solution we may or may not dismiss while also being slightly fearful about it. In our new Better Call Saul (Sehy) segment, we take a question from a Stacker wondering about the Coverdell ESA. We dive into how to best plan for education, which usually doesn't include using a Coverdell. In this episode we discuss: Camp FI FI Freedom Retreat Long Term Care insurance Inflation Elder care in general Coverdell ESA accounts 529 plans ...and more! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/building-your-fi-community-in-bali-amy-minkley-1465 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The founder of one of the nation's most loved budgeting tools says he dislikes the term "budget." Why? Because most of us see a budget as restrictive and limiting. The good news? Jesse Mecham from budgeting program YNAB to dive into how to make your money go further and align with your goals. We'll share thoughts about giving every dollar a job before you earn it, "aging" your money like a fine wine, the struggle every app builder has with interfacing with banks, and much more. If you either have a budget, a "kinda" budget, or are looking for a budget that works, this show is for you! But before that, in our headline, long time bond manager Bill Gross says that bonds may be overheated in this current market. What does that mean? What does it mean for your long term money? We take some time to talk through the not-so-simple idea of tying your funds to the timeline you've built to spend that dollar. If you need a long term investment strategy, you'll especially want to listen in to our headline. In today's TikTok minute, consumer finance guru Clark Howard discusses pricing schemes at both Costco and Sam's Club. Is that deal your scoring really a deal? Is it as budget friendly as they make it seem? Some deals are great and others aren't, and both of these retailers hide their strategy in plain site. Think that's all? Oh, of course we have more! This week we debut a NEW call in segment for the show. No more life line...today we'll share how we are going to handle YOUR call when you need some help with your money? Have a question? Head to stackingbenjamins.com/voicemail and you may hear yourself on the show! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/master-your-2024-budget-jesse-mecham-1464 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What are some rules to live by to make your 2024 the best year ever? Our very own OG, Paula Pant from Afford Anything, Len Penzo from LenPenzo.com, and Jonathan Clements' article served as the inspiration for today's topic. New year, new you, amirite? We dive into mantras whose adoption could benefit you for the long term, not just until you lose your New Year's resolution motivation. We touch on our top three best pieces of advice. During the second half of the show, sponsored by DepositAccounts.com, our panel runs down their next favorite picks from the list. Be sure to stick around as our year-long trivia contest kicks off! Doug has a racy trivia question that will leave your head spinning. Which one of our three regular contributors will pull out in the lead with a W? FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/24-life-tips-for-2024-1463 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Maybe the holiday season got away from you. Maybe it's been a bigger, longer issue that you've been trying to solve. Maybe you have manageable debt, but you'd love to see it gone. Even less likely, maybe you have no debt, but wonder how to counsel those around you to help them pay off their loans. No matter, today we go to the overlords--AKA the computer--to ask AI how to solve debt issues. Chat GPT sprang on the scene just over a year ago and already has a checkered relationship with the truth. Can Chat GPT answer our debt questions? We ask it LOTS of different questions and receive some great answers and others that are...suboptimal. No matter, we spend this issue diving into how WE think you should look at your debt and solve your own debt issues. In our headline segment, one popular money management firm is in the news because rumors are swirling they're for sale! What happens if YOUR money is at a firm that is sold? We ask OG for the insider look into money management and what happens if your advisor or the place your money is parked changes, even though you didn't make a move. Is your money still safe? Is there something you can do to protect it? We dive in. And of course, we also feature some empire building trivia from Doug and much, much more. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/chatgpt-and-your-finances-1462 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Last week we were all about focus and goal setting. Today? We'll teach you how to tenaciously grip those goals when times get tough. Jenn Drummond knows what it takes to work through adversity. She was the first woman to scale each of the Seven Second Summits, the second tallest mountain on each of the seven continents. These mountains are considered more technical as a group than the Seven Summits (tallest on each continent), and also are harder because there are far fewer resources to help you scale them. We'll walk through Jenn's adventures in Antarctica, Asia, North America, and more, as she negotiates adversity around every corner. From dreaming to planning, climbing and celebrating, we cover it all. If you want big goals in 2024, Jenn will speak directly to you. In our headline segment, some disturbing news on employment: it was harder to find a job in 2023 and 2024 doesn't look like it's going to be easier. We'll help you build a to-do list of tasks to make sure aren't on the outside looking in when it comes to your next job opportunity. Our TikTok minute features MORE 2024 predictions...this time from Professor Scott Galloway and another from Dan Yang. Both are great predictions (Galloways is slightly better), and we'll talk about home ownership extensively today. Of course, Doug will still help you become king of the virtual watercooler with today's trivia challenge AND we'll answer an interesting question from Christian who calls all the way from Germany! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/climbing-your-next-mountain-jenn-drummond-1461 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever wish a cheap plastic toy from Walmart could tell you the future? We sure do! And we try every year. It’s our annual Magic 8 Ball episode today with Paula Pant, Len Penzo and OG. Each year, we ask the Magic 8 Ball (yes, really, the one you can buy at Walmart) riveting questions for the upcoming year then reflect back on those questions at the end of the year. Today, we run through the answers to our questions from last year and ask new questions for 2024. How will the Magic 8 Ball perform this year? We’ll find out! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/yearly-8-ball-predictions-1460 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Many of us struggle with goals. Maybe it's the words we use around them, like "legacy" and "purpose" that freak us out. For whatever reason we look into the future... ...and we freeze. Jon Acuff was one of those people. After struggling through college with "purpose" and spending lots of time wondering "what am I supposed to do next?" he found a solution. The solution worked. Today he dives into how to create goals in a manner that's not only easier, but also more fun and rewarding. Yes, you read that correctly - the process itself is rewarding and fun. We'll share exactly how it works on today's episode as he mentors us toward successful Stacking. Before that we share a headline that's also instructive. A popular money manager (Jeffrey Gundlach) took out his crystal ball and look at 2024. We'll share his predictions (our own will come on Friday's episode) and then we'll of course offer you our guidance about whether you should follow them. But that's not all. Doug shares some incredible trivia AND we answer a benefits-related question from a Stacker. ...all that and more! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/start-2024-right-with-goals-jon-acuff-1459 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

So many distractions. You can't even read this title without thinking about your social media accounts, can you? That's okay. Neither can we. So, to help ourselves AND our Stacker community, we invited Eric Qualman to join us. He embarked on the Focus Project where he just tried focusing on ONE THING for two hours a day. How'd it work out? We'll share all, including his tips on New Year resolutions and how to block time for the important things on today's show. Plus (and before we discuss focus), we'll dive even more into the topic as we talk about Klarna and Affirm, plus companies who've done the same thing over the last thirty years. Should our Stacker not go with the BNPL company? We'll discuss winning strategies. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/increase-your-focus-in-2024-erik-qualman-1458 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We wrap up our Best of 2023 week-long extravaganza by revisiting our first roundtable episode of the year, where Len Penzo's Magic 8-ball made some bold predictions...take a listen for yourself. Every year we ask a magic 8 ball that Len Penzo purchased at Walmart to predict the future. In the early years the ball was spot-on. Lately…not so much. But we do learn a lot about not falling into “current thinking” traps and about not worrying so much about what’s top-of-mind in the moment. The truth tends to have a longer shelf life. Please disregard any mentions of current events. This episode originally aired on January 6, 2023. You can see the original show notes here. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/best-of-2023-magic-8-ball-1457 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join us today for a very special installment of our Best of 2023 Week!!! Crypto? Huge profits? Taking advantage of people? Has that ever happened before? It turns out that it has, in the wild, wild west, which roped in celebrities like Wild Bill Hickok and many others. Today, we’ll tell their stories and rope the lessons around to today with master storyteller and host of the Legends of the Wild West podcast, Chris Wimmer. Please disregard any mention of current events, as this episode was originally broadcast on June 12, 2023. See the original show notes here. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/best-of-2023-chris-wimmer-1456 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's special "Best of 2023" episode, we revisit a conversation Joe had with Dr. Julia DiGangi. How much of your own emotions and energy go into your financial decisions? Dr. Julia DiGangi joins Joe to chat about how to master your emotions and maximize your energy. She teaches us how to recognize stress triggers so you can control your emotions and energy before they get out of hand. What proactive steps can we take to master our emotions? This episode was originally released on September 27, 2023, so please disregard any mention of current events. You can see the original show notes here. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/best-of-2023-dr-julia-digangi-1455 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's best of 2023 episode, we revisit an exclusive interview that Joe had with superstar runner Kara Goucher who shared her experience of abuse while on the elite Nike running team. This episode originally aired on March 15, 2023, so please ignore any mention of current events. For the original show notes, visit Kara Goucher on Abuse, Money, and the Elite Nike Running Team FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/best-of-2023-kara-goucher-1454 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In our inaugural Best of 2023 episode, we revisit a Top 5 episode all about moves to make to win at the money game. Joe and OG dive into their top five moves to become a champion at all things money. We’ll talk about everything from motivation to tactics during our feature segment. This episode originally aired on February 8, 2023. Disregard any mention of current events. The original show notes can be found at Top 5 Plays To Win The Money Championship Game FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/best-of-2023-top-5-1453 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's special roundtable episode, our panel members share what money lessons we should have learned in 2023. Joining us on the year-ending roundtable are Paula Pant from Afford Anything, OG, and .....NEIGHBOR DOUG. What are some of the most important things that happened in 2023? From Taylor Swift to Charlie Munger to inflation and rising interest rates, we cover the year's hottest topics in today's episode and dissect them into lessons you can apply to your life in the coming year(s). We'll touch on lessons in appreciation and gratitude, lessons in building systems, lessons in the importance of team building, lessons about the convergence of career and financial success, the life and lessons of Charlie Munger, the concept of "enough," how retirement (or FIRE) isn't just about accumulating a huge stack of Benjamins and then stopping work altogether, how recent inflation has impacted how we handle our money and where we go from here, the wisdom of waiting to buy a new home, AI, the fallacy of short-term thinking, and more. Since our year-long trivia competition's winner was locked in by Len Penzo last week, Joe unveils a new twist on the trivia game: deciding who goes last in our first trivia episode next year by playing a little game called "Benjamin in Your Box" (insert 12-year-old snicker here). Will Paula or OG win the advantage of going last? FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/year-end-recap-roundtable-1452 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

LOTS of incredible events happened this year. What should we have learned from a big bank collapse? From Bitcoin resurging? From the stock market moving up (along with interest rates)? We asked about all of these and more to Today Show Money Editor and host of the Her Money podcast, Jean Chatzky. Jean shares great tips on your budget, investments, money in bank accounts, and more. But that's not all. In our headline segment we share some of the recent moves in interest rates. Now with rates beginning to fall again, are there moves we should have made? We also throw out the lifeline to a Stacker who needs help AND Doug shares his best trivia ever. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/year-end-recap-with-jean-chatzky-1451 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One snowy Christmas Eve in Texarkana, Neighbor Doug settled into bed in his snazzy Superman Footie PJs (Amazon affiliate link), still buzzing on Joe's Mom's eggnog... Today's special holiday episode recounts a completely original tale of Doug and the money lessons learned when he's visited by three ghosts—past, present, and future. Make peace with your past, clean up your past mistakes, and learn from them Especially when it comes to past credit mistakes, what's done is done. Whatever method works best for you (debt snowball or debt avalanche), do that one. Come to terms with your bad money habits and realize that you can't outearn them. It's on you to fix the bad money habits of your past. Focus on what's current and fix what needs fixing today. Live in the present Don't get caught in the trap of lamenting your past nor only planning for the future. Our only truly limited resource is time. Balance living for today with planning for the future. Remain in the present - especially when spending time with your loved ones - while keeping a vision in mind for your longer-term future plans. Be intentional about your plans and actions today and timeline what you want to achieve in what time you have remaining. Plan for the future Communicate on a regular basis with your "team" (loved ones) about your financial goals, progress, and situation. We recommend scheduling a weekly Family Budget Meeting. Automate as many of your financial decisions as possible today so you never have to think about them again in the future. Commit to paying off that mortgage early, ramp up those retirement savings contributions, stack those Benjamins for your kids' college savings. Decide where you want to be financially in the future; face reality of where you are currently (we like our sponsor, Monarch Money, to track where you are); and take the necessary step to make that future a near certainty. Takeaways Remember that time is the one commodity that's finite for all of us. Value your time and experiences while staying responsible to your present and future self. Remember and learn from the sins of your past to build on your strengths; focus on living in the present and building your financial foundation; and head into the future with more confidence that Joe's Mom's Neighbor Doug during the annual Sun's Out; Guns Out El Camino Competition at the Sizzler. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/doug-and-the-three-ghosts-1450 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is retirement, as we know it, dead? Should the idea of retirement itself be retired, and should we all aspire to be like Betty White? Will all those decades of toiling away for The Man (and dutifully contributing to your personal retirement savings accounts, as well as you and your employer throwing in 6.2% each of your salary to the payroll tax, a.k.a. Social Security) pay off in the end when you reach the end of your working career? Is it worth postponing "happiness" during your working years in the hopes of living a life of leisure when you're older? Joining us for this special conversation, from The Personal Finance Podcast, we welcome Andrew Giancarlo; Betty White wannabe, Afford Anything's Paula Pant; and our resident Betty White fanboy, OG. The concept of reaching an arbitrary age and stopping work cold turkey may be an illusion for many aspiring retirees, as many recent retirees find their lives lacking purpose, meaning, and (in some cases) sufficient Benjamins. The FIRE movement isn't necessarily about ceasing all productive activities, but rather achieving financial independence so that you are in control of how, where, and with whom you spend your time. We also dive deeper into how you can make up for any potential retirement savings shortfall and examine the pros and cons of Barista FIRE that can be used to supplement income needs after retiring. We'll also discuss how altering your lifestyle can affect the amount you'll need to save for retirement. In the second half of our discussion, sponsored by DepositAccounts.com, we jump into the solutions to solve the big retirement savings gap problem. What actions can you take to improve your retirement savings and quality of life, even if you're approaching retirement age? What actions can you take today that your future retired self will thank you? Finally, be sure to stick around for the next thrilling installment of our year-long trivia competition. Will Andrew help Len seal the deal for this year's W, will OG stay alive, or will Paula throw a monkey wrench in the plans? FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/retirement-planning-mistakes-and-solutions-andrew-giancola-1449 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you want to be a great investor? We're going to dive into a few ways...including how rich people view investing and money in a much different light than non-wealthy people. To kick things off, during today's headline we'll share a list of mistakes that new investors make all of the time. We've made these mistakes ourselves and lived to tell about them. Now we're going to help YOU avoid those mistakes as well, so you can build wealth more quickly. We'll discuss overtrading your positions, gambling like the stock market is a casino and more. That's all a big lead-in to a woman who's helped MILLIONS of people on TikTok become better investors and think much more like a wealthy person. Your Rich BFF Vivian Tu joins us for a great discussion on the importance of mentors, focusing on the fundamentals, and more, if you're hoping to join the wealthy class. Vivian has been both poor and wealthy and is going to help us mentor you to invest better as well. More than anything, she's going to help you focus on your mindset to not just invest better but to make better money decisions across the board. Of course, we'll also take a call from a Stacker who wants to be a better investor, AND we'll even help you hone your trivia-solving skills with Doug's trivia question. ...and to top it all off, we JUST might share a holiday special TikTok minute. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/rich-af-bff-vivian-tu-1448 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How many times have you seen someone try to make their big money move and it fizzles out? Often it's because they started at the wrong place or didn't pay attention to the fundamentals. We're going to help you build your BEST launching pad today with financial whiz and host of the Journey to Launch podcast, Jamila Souffrant. Before Jamila though, our headline from CBS News warns about new and even more intricate scams this holiday season. We chat with AARP's Kathy Stokes about the warning signs something might be a scam AND the fact that LOTS of these con artists aren't targeting our older generation...but instead going after young people online. We'll share details on today's show. Of course, we'll throw out the life line to a lucky caller AND we'll shine a light on the most adorable TikTok minute we've ever had on this podcast. Of course, you can't say "adorable" without thinking of Doug's trivia, which we'll also have on today's show. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/your-journey-to-financial-freedom-jamila-souffrant-1447 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What's the best safe withdrawal rate for your retirement plan? What the heck is a safe withdrawal rate? On today's special roundtable discussion, we dive into the deep end of this important topic: understanding what you're investing in, what different financial terms mean, and if they're important for you. We're thrilled to welcome our special guest, Bernadette Joy, to our roundtable panel. She's the force behind Crush Your Money Goals, a money media company to serve up fun and practical educational content. Our own OG joins her at the card table, along with Len Penzo, creator of the award-winning blog LenPenzo.com. In our second part of our discussion, sponsored by DepositAccounts.com, we dive into each of our roundtable contributor's favorite pieces of basic and advanced get-out-of-debt advice. Stay tuned for the next chapter in our year-long trivia contest. Doug brings the trivia suspense with an 'Ol Blue Eyes-infused trivia question. Will Bernadette keep Paula in the running for the year-end trophy, or will OG or Len put it out of reach? Listen and find out! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/fri-roundtable-basic-vs-advanced-advice-1446 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What is the best "next move" for your career or your passion? Keep moving. Dr. Mike Massimino knows how to achieve unlikely goals. He not only applied to be an astronaut three times before being accepted as a candidate, the third time he applied he was medically disqualified. Yet, he still found a way to work about two different space missions, was the first person to tweet from space, and act on several episodes of the Big Bang Theory. We ask him about all of this and more, and he drops some terrific leadership advice. No matter who you are, this interview can help you achieve more. Before that, in our headline segment, a player has been dismissed from a professional sports team. What does that have to do with you? We dive into the actions of the Chicago Blackhawks against player Corey Perry, and how that just might change your outlook as you make your way through December. Of course, we still share Doug's trivia and OG answers a question about employee stock ownership plans. All that and more on today's show! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/valuing-fresh-perspectives-mike-massimino-1445 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Whether you're leading your family, a department or work, or heck, "managing from the middle," every one of us has leadership potential inside of us that's untapped. And it's this time of year, when we're thinking so much about what we value and need in our lives that the topic of leadership is so important. That's why we asked Chuck Wachendorfer to be our Stacker mentor today. He met Joe and OG while leading a team at American Express and now helps major organizations, small business owners, and government entities develop better leaders. We talk to him today about the biggest issue in leadership: what do you do first when trying to lead? You may be surprised by his answer. In our headline segment we mark the passing of one of the greatest investors of our time. Charlie Munger passed away last week and we pause for a moment to talk about many of the common sense ideas Munger advocated and share some of his (maybe surprisingly) very funny takes on things like crypto currency. Of course, we'll delight you with the TikTok minute, shining a light on a creator who may or may not be sharing some brilliant insight about money management. We'll also throw out the lifeline to a lucky Stacker who needs our help. This time we help Allie determine annuity options for her work. When you retire, how should you think about your income stream? You'll want to listen to OG's answer. Of course we also feature Doug's trivia, the back porch, and more! Enjoy! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/leadership-masterclass-chuck-wachendorfer-1444 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What are the most common ways people shoot themselves in the foot (financially-speaking)? Here to tackle that very question is our expert panel of contributors: from Afford Anything, we're joined by Paula Pant; from the aptly named award-winning blog LenPenzo.com, Len Penzo joins us; and from across Joe's card table, the man, the myth, the legend OG makes an appearance. Will Len lock secure victory for the year-long trivia game, or will Paula or OG stay in the game? In the second part of the show, sponsored by DepositAccounts.com, our panel rounds out their top 10 financial mistakes. As we enter the last month of the year, Doug brings some Christmas tree-themed trivia. Can Len score an extra point, bringing him one step closer to victory? Will OG defend his title and take the W? Will Paula continue her unlikely come-back rally? Tune in to find out! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/top-10-financial-mistakes-1443 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How many times have you found yourself headed into the company holiday party thinking, "I hope I don't end up stuck in a conversation in the corner with someone"? Then, five minutes later, you're stuck in a boring conversation in the corner with someone? Or, you're trying to make a statement around the boss during a group conversation and you just can't figure out what to say? Or (and maybe worst of all), you're in a meeting and in front of all of the influential people someone asks, "So what do you think?" Impromptu speaking isn't just important around the holidays, but this time of year we're all more likely to be in a conversation with people who challenge our ability to communicate effectively. Today we bring you a great mentor on the topic, Matt Abrahams, who's not only an expert communicator, but he's so good that he teaches the topic at Stanford University and hosts a podcast on the topic. That's not all the communicating we'll do, though. We'll also discuss a recent Wall Street Journal piece which shares how much money people think they need to make before they'll finally be happy. That will lead us into a deeper conversation about what it really takes to be happy...and it turns out the answer might not be what you expect. That's not all! Of course, we'll also have some trivia from Doug, share the life line question, and more. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/think-and-talk-fast-with-matt-abrahams-1442 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Everyone says they know a great "money hack" but Tiffany Aliche (The Budgetnista, Brown Ambition podcast), knows LOTS of them and shares one that Joe calls "his favorite" core idea. While we aren't really fans of the term "money hack," in this case it most certainly applies. She also talks about accountability (probably also a money hack), her favorite insurance strategy, and then we take a LONG walk down a tangent that begins with estate planning. You'll hear about love, pain, the true role of money, what to do when you lose a loved one, and more. Before that, OG and Joe share a TikTok minute featuring a guy who's implemented his share of money hacks: Gordon Ramsay. We also throw out the Life Line to a lucky listener, and much, much more. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/get-your-budget-right-tiffany-aliche-1441 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to Joe's favorite episode of the year—our annual Black Friday board game episode! Joining us on this Black Friday, we are thrilled to welcome the BoardGameGeek herself, Candace Harris! She'll give us the lowdown on what's hot when it comes to finance and business-related board games! Plus, Neighbor Doug has a classic board game trivia question that's sure to Boggle your mind! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/black-friday-board-games-candace-harris-1440 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Some of the most expensive items in your life after your home and transportation are technology related. That's why each year, before Black Friday, we dive into our favorite technology items with CNET's expert Bridget Carey. This year Bridget shares what to watch out for in tech (there's always some sneaky "gotcha" waiting around many "great deals." We talk about household items, security, dive DEEP this year into the world of televisions, dip into the toy department, and more. But that's not all. Before that we get you up to speed on headlines about Dave Ramsey's eight percent solution to taking money from your retirement portfolio AND a headline about obscure investments. What could happen if you find a quirky but great-sounding investment opportunity? While we share a horror story, we also offer solutions and strategies to help you not get burned if you do decide to take the plunge. Of course, we'll also answer a question from a lucky Stacker AND we'll share Doug's incredible trivia question. FULL SHOW NOTES: Add show notes url here. Be sure to please include https://www at the beginning of the show notes url that makes it clickable on YouTube Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With prices up (inflation) and wages stagnant, this is a GREAT year to look to save big on holiday gifts (and also to save big on those things you needed to buy anyway for around the house!). Regina Conway from Slickdeals makes her annual stop in Joe's mom's basement to dive into ALL of the top deals the fans at Slickdeals have found. We cover clothing, toys, kitchen gadgets, housewares, garage items, personal care, and more! With tons of great deals (and some quirky ones, too), you're sure to save big on your holiday season with Regina's help. And that's not all. In our headline segment we share the recent news that Mint, the popular money tracking app is shutting down. If you're trying to save big money into savings AND want to find the best app to track your cash, which way should you turn for support? We share MANY of our favorite solutions and why we like them so you can focus on the options that fit you best. Of course, that's not all. We share a TikTok minute, throw out the lifeline to a lucky Stacker, and of course share some of Doug's amazing trivia. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/black-friday-save-big-with-regina-conway-1438 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you looking to become rich? How do you define rich? What are your preconceived ideas about how to best get there? On today's special roundtable discussion, we're tackling that question and debating what the "best" ways are to hit that rich goal. On today's show, we're thrilled to have Crystal Hammond from our sister show that's all about real estate investing, Stacking Deeds. Crystal joins Len Penzo from Len Penzo dot Com and OG, CFP and co-host extraordinaire of this here Stacking Benjamins podcast. In the second half of our show, sponsored by DepositsAccounts.com, we round out the remainder of the top five ways to get rich. Stay tuned for Doug's Benjamin-laden trivia question. Will Crystal keep Paula in the game as we head down the stretch into the end of the year? Can OG orchestrate a comeback? Will Len extend his lead? Stay tuned to find out! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/fri-roundtable-top-5-ways-to-get-rich-1437 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Everyone wants something for nothing. Today's guest says the term "passive income" is a lie, and he's the guy hosting the biggest podcast in the "passive" income space...BiggerPockets! David Greene joins us again, this time to share his journey from being a guy with ZERO contacts and ZERO money to a guy wealthy beyond belief, with a giant team, and a career that most would love to have. We share his incredible journey that began working part time at a (of all places) Baskin Robbins ice cream shop. You'll learn what to focus on if you want wealth, how to build skills, and what NOT to do if you hope to advance up the career ladder. Plus, it's fire safety month! We're joined by Adam Barowy from UL's Fire Safety Research Institute. This year we're highlighting the dangers of lithium batteries, especially some of the big ones found in e-bikes and large powered toys. He'll dive into how to tell when there's the potential for a fire, how to identify potentially unsafe batteries, and how to practice good fire safety. Of course, we still leave time to throw out the life line to a lucky Stacker (even one from Ohio!), and dive into some of Doug's incredible trivia. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/the-truth-about-passive-income-david-greene-1436/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It seems like an uncertain time, doesn't it? High inflation, high interest rates, job uncertainty for some...and just under one year from now, a huge presidential election. These are the types of years when people sit out of the financial markets. They wait for "calmer waters" and "better times" to invest, moving their money to cash. But is that the right move? What should you do with your money as we ramp up toward another presidential election cycle? Today we've assembled an All-Star panel to address that very question. From T. Rowe Price, CFA and Capital Markets Strategist in the Multi-Asset Division, Tim Murray joins us. And from Fidelity Investments, Certified Financial Planner and Vice President, Financial Consultant Ryan Viktorin also chimes in, as does our behavioral expert, Certified Financial Planner and Co-Founder of the Financial Psychology Institute, as well as Associate Professor of Practice at Creighton University, Dr. Brad Klontz. We're excited they're all here and ready to help you guide your financial boat into safe waters. Do you know someone who's really worried about this election? This is definitely the episode for them! Share this with them so that you can help them stay calm and avoid potentially horrible moves with their money. FULL SHOW NOTES are at StackingBenjamins.com/investing-in-an-election-year-special-1435. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Here's a question: who walked into work recently and said, "I hope I suck at my job today?" I'm hoping the answer is NONE of our Stacker community. And yet, many of us underperform every day. Why? There are so many ways that we can make ourselves smarter, faster, better at our jobs. We shouldn't leave whether we're excellent at our jobs to our boss, and yet, there ARE some things that we and our boss can both do to transform our workplace and make our company better. Today we're joined by the guy who the world's wisest bosses turn to when they're wondering how to get their workforce to work better -- Andrew McAfee. Andrew has picked the lock on why some companies stink when it comes to empowering their team to rock at their goals and others wallow in mediocrity. He tells us the meaningful stories of how some leaders have transformed their workplace on today's show. But of course, that's not all. In our headline segment, there's good news for people saving for college. The rules have gotten easier? Unfortunately, we don't mean "easier to understand," but just "you can now save more money that helps you also not screw yourself over for financial aid." We'll discuss the secrets you need to know on today's show. You think transforming the workplace is all you need? Now you can also save money on your college costs? Double-whammy! And yet, we still bring you more. We also throw out the Haven Life Line to a guy wanting to "learn something" from the show (he must not know that Andrew McAfee is bringing it this episode!)...and asks us about putting money into a "donor advised fund." What is that exactly, how does it work, and will it transform your workplace? The answers are: "It's complicated, so you should listen," "It helps you avoid LOTS of taxes," and "No." There's still SO MUCH MORE! Come join the fun. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/find-bigger-opportunities-andrew-mcafee-1431 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our top article today discusses the current financial markets. If you thought stocks were going to move south, why wouldn’t you do anything about it? We ask our panel today that question and two more. Today’s show features an all-star guest roundtable line up. PT from the new Masters of Money podcast, Len Penzo from LenPenzo.com, and Paula Pant from the Afford Anything podcast debate and discuss our three topics ripped from the popular press on today’s show! This show originally aired in 2016, so please ignore any mention of current events. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/timing-the-market-rewind-1433 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's special Stacking Benjamins Rewind episode, we jump into the way back machine to listen to an episode from our friend Doc G's Earn & Invest Podcast. If you think personal finance is personal, you're mistaken! We hear it all the time: "personal finance is personal". In today's episode, JL Collins and Scott Trench join Doc G and they question this popular saying. While tactics and personal needs may vary, there are better and worse ways to invest and build wealth. Join us as we dive into the weeds. This episode of Earn & Invest Podcast originally aired on June 19, 2023, so please ignore any mention of current events. For the original episode's show notes, you can see them at If You Think Personal Finance is Personal-You're Mistaken! — Earn & Invest (earnandinvest.com). FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/is-personal-finance-personal-earn-invest-rewind-1432 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today's special rewind episode, we feature an episode from our sister show, The Stacking Deeds Show. Are you a novice investor interested in real estate? Do you want to learn how to navigate the world of real estate investing and make a positive impact in your neighborhood? In this episode of The Stacking Deeds Show, we dive into the importance of neighborhoods and how investing in real estate can help improve and strengthen communities. Join us as we discuss the challenges and opportunities of investing in fragile states, the power of building relationships in neighborhoods, and the importance of taking a horizontal approach to real estate investing. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting out, this episode will provide valuable insights and strategies for making a difference in your community through real estate. This show originally aired on October 17, 2023, so ignore any mention of current events. To see the original show notes, visit Saving Distressed Neighborhoods Through Responsible Real Estate Investing: with Dr. Seth Kaplan (stackingdeeds.net). FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/rewind-stacking-deeds-distressed-neighborhoods-1431 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At what age do you think will be the best days of your life? How do changing priorities impact how you view happiness? What role does stress play in detracting from the best days? What role do finances and financial independence play in happiness? Today's special roundtable discussion is all about the evolution of life satisfaction and the best days of your life — and how your happiness changes as your age progresses. What about the impact that having children has on your happiness? Joining us for this important roundtable discussion, we're proud to welcome the co-host of the How to Money podcast, Joel Larsgaard. He joins Afford Anything's Paula Pant and our very own OG as they offer their opinions and experiences on how the best days of our life and satisfaction change as we age. In the second half of the discussion, sponsored by DepositAccounts.com, our panelists share their thoughts on whether we should focus on achieving financial independence faster in order to the best days of our life quicker? We also discuss how taking an optimistic outlook may benefit you in the long run. Be sure to stay for this week's edition of our year-long trivia contest. Doug breaks out the way back machine and has some 90s pop music-themed trivia. Does that spell certain doom for Paula? Will she or OG break their current tie and join Len in first place? Or will Joel make Len proud and increase his lead? FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/friday-roundtable-best-days-of-your-life-1430 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What keeps YOU up at night? We asked an All-Star panel that you can only put together at a big conference like FinCon...and today we do just that. We're recording LIVE from the moomoo podcast booth at FinCon 2023 with Rob Berger (Rob Berger YouTube channel), Nick Loper (Side Hustle Nation), and Paula Pant (Afford Anything), to ask them what THEIR audiences are worried about right now. Man, did we get an earful. From rising interest rates to uncertain retirement conditions, to the world of work changing around us because of AI and more, we work through MANY of the big issues people are facing in 2023 and often come up with solutions to help relieve those fears. It's a special episode of Stacking Benjamins, without our usual segments (only the trivia remains...and Doug brings us a GREAT one today). Enjoy! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/live-from-fincon-new-orleans-1429 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Financial independence. It's often presented by writers as the place dreams are made of. You've reached this magical place called "enough" and now life is all unicorns and rainbows. But what happens when you realize that the march toward shoveling everything toward an uncertain future is creating a horrible existence TODAY? That's what happened to Jess, one half of the Plutus Award winning coaching team The FIoneers. Jess and Corey came by Joe's mom's basement to tell the tale of their "a-ha" moment that led them to reject shoveling tons of cash from a hated job toward an early retirement...and maybe an early grave. Before that we celebrate our Halloween-kickoff episode with a visit from financial columnist and the host of the Money Life podcast, Chuck Jaffe. Chuck orchestrates an awesome, interesting, and always-changing economics game every Halloween with the trick-or-treat'ers who come by his home. What's the game this year? He'll share what he's planning, and hopefully inspire you to find clever ways to teach kids some money or economic lessons. Of course we also throw out the Haven Life line (this time all the way to India!), and Doug regales us with his mind-bending trivia. It's a Halloween party in the basement! Hope you can join us. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/FIRE-horror-story-1428 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Les Brown, no stranger to hard work and the resulting success it brings, famously said, “Do what is easy, and your life will be hard. Do what is hard, and your life will become easy.” Does the secret to creating an easy life lie in doing hard work first? How much of what seems easy from the outside looking in is actually the result of hours of hard work that was put in beforehand? Joining Joe for a special roundtable discussion that centers around how to do the hard things in order to create an easier life going forward are three people who are no strangers to doing the hard work: Roger Whitney, the Retirement Answer Man; Carl Jensen, creator of the 1500 Days to Freedom blog; and Paula Pant, host and creator of the award-winning Afford Anything podcast and blog. They dive into the complex relationship between hard work and an easy life and offer some gems for Stackers to take away. In the second half of our show, sponsored by DepositAccounts.com, we discuss some hard work life skills and money skills that you can tackle today that will help you out financially in the future. Be sure to stick around for our resident hard work expert Doug's astrological-themed trivia! Will either of our two guest contributors pull out the W and Len or OG benefit from their hard work, or will our regular contributor Paula continue her late season charge for our spectacular dollar store trophy? FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/friday-roundtable-hard-work-easy-life-1427 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Want to know how to stack AND enjoy more Benjamins? Us too! That's why we like taking life advice from the right people. In our minds, Ron Shaich, founder and former CEO of Panera Bread joins us to talk about living a life of service. Ron's had a full life, making money quickly but still working. How come? It turns out, Ron's best life advice revolves around how to live with meaning, rather than chasing money. We talk about his early days with the company, reinventing Panera before it was broken, and coming back out of "retirement" four times to pursue the next phase of running the business he loves. Speaking of life advice...one crypto trader could use some. Mom always said "measure twice and cut once" when doing anything. This trader lost OVER one hundred thousand dollars on a trade recently. We'll share how and what life advice this may mean for you! (There's plenty). Of course, we still throw out the Haven Life Line to a lucky listener and also dive into some of Doug's juicy trivia. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/know-what-matters-with-ron-shaich-1426 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Has the cost of...everything...got you down? Us, too. That's why today we bring you our Top 5 Ways to Cut Expenses Fast! If you're looking for some easy wins, we're bringin' them, along with a couple ways that may not be the fastest ways to cut expenses, but are completely worth the time and effort it'll take. Has the return to the office had a bigger impact on your Benjamins stack than you remember? In our headlines segment, we see how many American workers are coping with the surprising cost of returning to the office. Check out our TikTok Minute that may have you questioning the wisdom of having kids. And stick around for Doug's crime boss-related trivia that will have you double-checking your tax returns to make sure the IRS stays off your back. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/top-5-expense-cuts-1425 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you letting your dreams of financial freedom slip through your fingers, always putting them off until tomorrow? Join us for today's special roundtable discussion, where we explore the art of not postponing gratification while still pursuing your financial freedom. Our featured guest is none other than the "Ordinary Sherpa" herself, Heidi Dusek, who joins Doc G and Len Penzo in this insightful conversation. Discover the delicate balance between securing your future financial freedom and living in the present. Learn how to achieve financial independence without sacrificing the joys of today. Plus we delve into the potential impact of achieving financial freedom at a young age, including the challenges of leaving your old community and forming a new financial freedom community. In the second half of our episode, DepositAccounts.com, we examine the unforeseen changes that early retirement can bring into your life. And last but not least, our year-long trivia competition is reaching its climax! Who will come closer to being crowned the ultimate champion? Stay tuned for Doug's opera-themed trivia challenge! For comprehensive show notes, including additional resources and references, please visit: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/accelerate-financial-freedom-roundtable-heidi-dusek-1424. For even deeper insights, curated links, and in-depth discussions on the topics covered, be sure to explore our newsletter, "The 201," available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Where have you seen inflation the most? Maybe in travel. Between flights, the rental car, lodging, and admission fees, it feels like it takes FIVE bags of Benjamins to leave your back door for a long weekend! On today's show, we're thrilled to welcome travel savings expert Lee Huffman. He shares tips, tricks, and best practices to get the most out of your travel savings, wherever you may go. Be sure to tune in and get the most travel savings on any upcoming travel plans you have. In today's conversation, Joe and Lee dive into travel savings when traveling domestically vs. travel savings for international travel. They chat about the travel savings to be had through rewards programs, how to accumulate the most points for your travel savings, and which programs offer the best value. They also touch on how Airbnb and VRBO stack up against the big hotel chains. They also dig into the best flight rewards programs for your travel savings. And they discuss the value of TSA Precheck and Global Entry. In today's headline, we see how the recent Social Security cost of living adjustment (COLA) may fall short of its stated intention—to keep up with rising inflation. We throw out the Haven Lifeline to Patrick who has a question about 529 plans for his future children. Plus, Doug dazzles us with his 90s fashionista awareness trivia. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/travel-savings-and-tips-with-lee-huffman-1423 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever think that you aren't sure where you're headed with your money? Today we talk to TWO guests who began experimenting and found themselves much more prepared for the future than they'd thought. First, Annie decided it was time to experiment with "van life" during the pandemic. Her goal? To see if living and working from anywhere was actually viable. She'll share her stories, including what worked, what didn't and what she thinks about trying again long term. Plus, Tonia shares her story of how she realized she could actually quit her job! That was a welcome shock and now she shares what it's going to take for her to jump off the employment treadmill and into a new life. Think that's awesome? We're also joined by special guest co-host Becky Heptig, who along with her husband Stephen retired at 60 after only beginning the journey toward financial independence ten years earlier! She's the co-host of the hot new podcast "Catching Up To Fi," and she helps steer this ship today! Welcome to a very special edition of Stacking Benjamins! On today's show, LIVE from Bali, Indonesia, Joe shares interviews and stories with a live audience at Amy Minkley's FI Freedom Retreat, where he was a keynote speaker. Not only does Becky Heptig from the Catching up to FI Podcast co-host, but she also shares her and her husband's success story about how they achieved financial independence in a relatively short time, starting from zero at the age of 50. Joe's interview with attendee Annie is an eye-opening look at just how different financial independence can look for different people, with Annie's path fully embracing the location independence through #VanLife. Could camping, vagabonding, and generally roughing it be right for your financial independence? Annie shares the pros and cons of adopting this lifestyle. Joe also sat down to talk with Tonia, who's story about how she unknowingly stumbled her way to financial independence hopefully will help you realize that maybe you're closer than you think to success! Learn from Tonia how to make the right moves to secure your financial independence by starting early. Stick around when Doug calls in some Bali-related trivia. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/live-from-bali-financial-independence-retreat-1422 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Tune in on Wednesday when we're going to help you see the world for less money (and to better splurge so that you create awesome memories) with the man behind the We Travel There podcast, Lee Huffman. Written by: Kevin Bailey Miss our last show? Listen here: The Money Tipping Point: When Do Saving, Spending and Earning Habits Go Too Far? (SB 1421). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How much is too much of a good thing? How do we achieve the optimal balance between the two extremes of cheapskate and YOLO? Joining us for this extreme discussion we welcome the founder of the EconoME Conference and Doug's ex-girlfriend, Diania Merriman; Doc G from our sister show, the Earn & Invest Podcast, and writer extraordinaire, Paulette Perhach. They'll discuss what makes for extreme saving and extreme spending. In the second half of this extreme roundtable discussion, we talk about how to find the right balance between the two extremes, based on your priorities and goals in life. Finally, stick around for Doug's extreme sports-themed trivia! With all three of our regular contributors MIA, who will walk away with the W as we enter the second week of the fourth quarter? FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/friday-roundtable-extremes-diania-merriam-1421/ Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With so much emphasis placed on saving and investing throughout your working career to insure a secure and wealthy retirement, sometimes enjoying your life today can take a backseat. On today's show, we're joined by author Frank Legan to talk about adding humanity and the need to live your life in the moment into your financial planning. It's all about reaching a balance between planning/saving/investing for the future with treasuring and living your life today. In short, we're talking about choosing your investment choices - not necessarily which ETFs or funds, but the investment choices of what are your priorities in life. We all know that we're responsible for our financial future, but at what point do we stop viewing "investment choices" as simply picking the right stock/ETF/fund/saving account and start placing a greater focus on choosing how much time we truly spend with those we care about and not always in the pursuit if more Benjamins? Make the right investment choices that align with your values, goals, and priorities! In our headlines segment, we look into a all-too-common recurring theme: Americans and their penchant for spending. Talk about making investment choices in the wrong way! We throw out the Haven LifeLine to Jodi in Michigan who wants our take on annuities and how they can complement Social Security later in your retirement years. Could a deferred annuity be among the right investment choices for your finances? And Doug brings it home by throwing out some investment returns-related trivia. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/financial-planning-for-your-life-frank-legan-1420 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of stuff you have accumulated? Ever looked at the mountains of stuff and wondered how many Benjamins you could flip that into? Joining us today are a husband-and-wife team, professional flippers Melissa and Rob Stephenson. We'll learn about how they started flipping, how to actually make money flipping, and how you could make flipping your side hustle. If you have ever wanted to learn how to make money on eBay, Amazon, or Facebook Marketplace, you don't want to miss today's interview all about flipping! In our headline, we see how CDs have become a respectable option for parking some of your cash for safety. Stacker Jeff calls into the Haven Lifeline with a question about how to make up for lost time investing. Plus, Doug brings some flipping-themed trivia in honor of Melissa and Rob coming on the show. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/flea-market-flippers-melissa-and-rob-1420 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you define a wealthy life, and what how do you identify "wealthy?" On today's special roundtable, our panelists share their reactions to a piece that tackles how we define wealth—and not all wealth is tied to how many Benjamins you make. We're joined by our friends Miranda Marquit, Paula Pant, and Len Penzo. Is wealth to you taking a fancy, luxurious vacation every year? Or do you define wealth as having the freedom to step into your own backyard sanctuary and fire up the grill? Is wealth to you the peace of mind to walk away from your 9-to-5? In the second half of the show, we'll dive into the importance of having a good work-life balance. Finally, our year-long trivia competition is entering the home stretch. Stay tuned for Doug's fancy transportation-themed question and find out who pulls out the W. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/friday-roundtable-wealthy-traits-1419 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fear is such an innate and naturally occurring emotion that we may write off irrational fear, or even living in a constant state of fear as normal. What impact do your acquired or ingrained fears have on your life, success, and finances? How do we acknowledge, come to terms with, and ultimately overcome our fears to reach our full human potential? Joining us to tackle this important topic is our friend and host of the So Money podcast, Farnoosh Torabi. In our headline, we explore a study that shows the impact of spending "spikes" and the resulting loans/debts incurred on retirement readiness. And in honor of October's arrival, Doug brings some fear-related trivia. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/overcoming-fears-with-farnoosh-torabi-1417 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How much should personal passion factor into our choice of job/career/professional pursuit? Is it acceptable to be content with going after a sweet stack of Benjamins, even if the way you earn them doesn't align with your passion? Why do we have to choose between success and passion? Joining us today to tackle the money or passion debate is thought leader, Fortune 500 member, entrepreneur, and passion advocate Liz Elting. She'll help us learn how we can influence our career paths so that it aligns more with our passions. In our headline, we see evidence of a cooling off rental market (finally). We dive into the repercussions for renters, landlords, and the economy as a whole. In our Haven Lifeline segment, we take a call from Christine in Seattle about opening investment accounts for minors - and what special considerations, if any, there are if a non-parental, non-guardian relative wants to help the minor open it. Finally, Doug chips in with some space-related trivia. It's guaranteed to be out of this world! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/passion-business-liz-elting-1417 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How is your thinking plan looking? Is it all clear skies and amber waves of grain? Or is it a pollution-riddled smog alert experienced during rush hour in LA - if it were next to an erupting Mt. Saint Helens? Joining our roundtable is Elaine King, a Peruvian-born CFP® who practices financial planning in Miami. She joins our regular contributors - Paula Pant who is currently located in Manhattan, New York, and Len Penzo who is still somewhere in a bunker below the Los Angeles pollution. They'll debate what ways we can use to combat the pollution that obstructs the view of our financial future. We'll talk about how we have to be aware of both internal and external sources of financial pollution and how we can combat all pollutant threats - how our mindset impacts our view of finances as well as how external factors do. In addition to cutting/controlling expenses, we dive into how earning more money - and the mindset shift that needs to happen within you - is an important factor in cleaning up what pollution is mucking up your financial outlook. What time pollution sources are impacting your life that, if better handled, could clear up a lot of the smog that blocks your financial future? In the second half of our discussion, we'll talk about how integrating the right risk-management strategy is one big, often undervalued, way to clean up the pollution that obscures your financial view. We'll talk about what insurances are essential, and what probably aren't worth it. Also, what investments and investment strategies could be adding to the pollution that contaminates your financial view? What about our tax planning strategies? What screams pollution louder than taxes? Stick around for Doug's trivia relationship-based trivia when we discuss one big way to pollute the air in your happy union. Will Elaine do OG solid and pull out the W? Will Paula continue her miracle run? Will Len bore us amaze us put his happy marriage with the honeybee in danger with his dominance of dating app knowledge? Be sure to tune in to find out! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/friday-roundtable-financial-pollution-with-elaine-king-1415 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How much of your own emotions and energy go into your financial decisions? Dr. Julia DiGangi joins Joe to chat about how to master your emotions and maximize your energy. She teaches us how to recognize stress triggers so you can control your emotions and energy before they get out of hand. What proactive steps can we take to master our emotions? She will help each of us self-analyze our relationship with money - the emotional energy and emotional relationship. What would our money say about you and how you treat it? What kind of energy and emotions are you treating it with? In our headline, we look at an encouraging trend in minority populations in the US with regard to how many people are working with financial professionals. We'll throw out the Haven Lifeline to Mark who has a question about target-date funds. Plus, Doug may or may not try to pull a fast one on us with his American history-themed trivia. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/Emotions-and-energy-investing-dr-julia-digangi-1414 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you ready to maximize your confidence and unleash your inner bad bitch (even if you're a guy)? Today's interview with certified and self-proclaimed bad bitch Lisa Carmen Wang, and it's one you do not want to miss if you're looking to achieve more self-confidence to accomplish your dreams in relationships, career, and life. She dives into her story of self-discovery and how she built unbreakable habits that allowed her to tune out her critics and focus on being her best self. Lisa's book, The Bad Bitch Business Bible: 10 Commandments to Break Free of Good Girl Brainwashing and Take Charge of Your Body, Boundaries, and Bank Account, is the guide you need to become the unbreakable bad bitch in your life, career, and finances. You'll learn some of Lisa's invaluable life lessons that you can directly apply to your own life today to attain more confidence in yourself. From how you invest in yourself, your skills, your business, and your self-growth to how you exude your own confidence in all your interactions with others, Lisa's book will help you take stock of your daily mental routines and help you make improvements to your thoughts - which will result in improvements in your life. In our headline, we talk about a piece from the Wall Street Journal about how to maintain harmony with your significant other by planning the perfect money date. Plus you won't want to miss out on Doug's Olympic-themed trivia! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/bad-money-b-with-lisa-carmen-wang-1413 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Taylor Swift made even more headlines when she decided to sidestep traditional Hollywood studios and distribute her new movie, filmed as part of her Eras Tour, directly to movie theaters and millions of her adoring fans. What does Taylor know that the rest of us should about the value added by so-called middlemen? Joining us for this special roundtable discussion, we welcome back author and advisor Eric Brotman who joins Paula Pant and Len Penzo. In the second half of show, sponsored by DepositAccounts.com, we dive into in what cases hiring an advisor makes sense and what traits to look for when searching for an advisor. Be sure to stick around for the thrilling continuation of our year-long trivia competition. Doug has some 90s-sitcom-themed trivia on deck. Does this spell disaster for Paula? Or will she shock us all and extend her lead as we head into the final week of September? FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/friday-roundtable-taylor-swift-1412 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You have one money-making engine that's greater than all of the rest: you. Many of us duct tape our health, popping pills for symptoms and covering up the root causes of our energy depletion. Burnout shows itself in a myriad of ways, and today Dr. Neha Sangwan dives into the clues that you just might be burning the candle at both ends. We talk about stages of burnout, identifying how we got to burnout, and what we can do to quell the problem once and for all. We talk about the stages of burnout, the horrible ways we neglect ourselves, and how to write a prescription for a better bill of health that will help us not only avoid future burnout, but thrive. In our headline segment, a recent Wall Street Journal piece purports to list where you should put your money now that interest rates are higher. Does it matter that rates are higher? Have your goals changed? We just might have an issue with this premise today...something that you rarely hear from us, I know. Plus, we throw out the Haven Life line to a lucky Stacker in need of help AND Doug provides another dose of his incredible trivia. You can never get burnout from that! Enjoy! You'll find show notes at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Imagine that you JUST figured out what the financial independence movement is all about. You've been saving, but doing nothing exotic. You earlier had thought that putting money in the stock market was "gambling," like many people do. Today, though, you figure out that you've not only done a great job of making your dreams come true, but you've achieved financial independence, and you're still in your 40's. How happy would you be? Today we're live from Camp FI (camp financial independence), where a group of like-minded people are hanging out for a weekend talking about values, money, and pushing themselves to live a congruent lifestyle. Not only will we tell Jaylyn's story of surprisingly reaching his next phase of life, but so much more. Past guest Dan Sheeks joins Joe and special guest host Roger Whitney (Retirement Answer Man podcast), to share details of his group dedicated to helping young entrepreneurs and savers find each other. Not only does Dan explain what's special about these young achievers (usually between ages 18 and 25), but we get to meet two of them! Mia and Adrian both share their stories of struggle and success, with lessons that apply to all of us, whether you're working for "the man" or trying to reach financial independence by starting a business of your own. We'll also throw things back to Doug at the halfway mark for our trivia segment. While THAT segment isn't about financial independence per se, it IS a look into an area of finance you may not have thought about previously. Financial independence, entrepreneurship, live radio, and trivia? I know! Pinch us! Enjoy! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/stories-from-camp-fi-1411 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What could be better than clearing clutter and saving money at the same time? And just in time for the upcoming holiday season! Maybe you'll end up with more cash in your pocket to get through the traditionally rough holiday season with more money in your pocket. On today's special roundtable discussion, we dive into an article about what you can avoid buying and reduce clutter. We're joined by Columbia Magazine recipient and Afford Anything's creator, Paula Pant; Bunker Quarterly recipient and creator of the award-winning blog lenpenzo.com, Len Penzo; and Mr. "I only read the articles" and co-host of this here podcast, OG. Of course, to clear clutter, they each recycle copies of their favorite papers! In the second half of the show, you'll hear the dramatic finale of our clutter-clearing debate. Tempers are guaranteed to flare, feelings will be disregarded, and a certain podcast host's decency will be brought into question. It's just another game show episode of the Stacking Benjamins show! Finally, stick around for our intense year-long financial nerd trivia! No clutter clearing is required here. With Paula and Len tied for first place for the past few weeks, will one of them finally break the tie and claim sole possession of first place? Will O "Do you believe in miracles?" G continue his improbable comeback and force the field into a 3-way tie? Tune in and find out! Join us for fun to clear the clutter in your brain! Before you know it, you'll be selling that old NordicTrack and jumping on the "let's save money" train! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/save-money-and-declutter-roundtable-1408 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trading time for money. Most of us do it. In fact, before financial revolutionary Vicki Robbin (find her on past episodes), the practice was even more prevalent. Chad Carson is a real estate investor who believes that if you're building a pile of assets, often less can be more (especially if it's slightly hands-on like real estate). Using his own journey and real-life examples of other people, Chad talks us through the "trading time for money" connundrum, and hopefully helps us that Go Big or Go Home may not be the only approach to living your life. We even talk trading time for money in our headline today. Amazon and other companies are calling people back to the office. Many are fighting this, wishing to spend their career at home. If that's you, what do you do? Do we work better in the workplace or from home? We debate this (heatedly) on today's episode. How about someone who wasn't trading time for money? We'll cover that in Doug's trivia segment. Before players were paid, they had to find their own way...and we bring you a question about the Heisman Trophy in honor of football season kicking off. And, to keep the "trading time for money" trend going...today's anonymous caller traded time for money which included a pension! She wonders if she should take a lump sum or the money monthly...and of course, we have thoughts to help her. I think we have a theme! Trading time for money may not be the best path toward your goals, and today we hope you begin thinking how to exit that approach to life. Thanks for hanging out with us! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/coach-carson-1408 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you ready to get intimate? Really intimate? Bare it all and totally expose yourself with your partner? We're jumping into financial bed with Erin Skye Kelly to learn about the relationship-saving power of scheduling regular "naked money meetings." Rather than sliding the uncomfortable conversations under the rug, Erin shows us how to confront the topic and overcome you and your partner's money blocks and win together. Take Erin's Naked Money Quiz for free to get real with yourself and face your money blocks. In our headlines segment, we hear about the next best thing since sliced bread...or not...in the form of a spot Bitcoin ETF, possibly coming soon to a broker near you. Bitcoin is an incredible world-changing technology, but does a Bitcoin-based ETF deserve a place in your financial portfolio? We dig in. Doug brings the heat with his old-school gaming-themed trivia question. And Stacker Zachary ("Stackery"?) has a question for us about the worst advertisements ever. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/getting-financially-intimate-with-erin-skye-kelly-1407 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's evergreen Friday roundtable rewind episode from August 21, 2020, we dive into doing financial fitness exercises to build better money habits with the Financially Savvy Latina herself, Natalie Torres-Haddad. Also joining us is Richard Simmons, showing us all the Financial Fitness exercises, opps no it is the creator of the award-winning blog lenpenzo.com, Len Penzo; and our co-host-with-the-most and CFP, OG. You'll want to tune in to reinforce the importance of integrating good money habits (aka the financial fitness exercises) in your life. Plus, our friend, the Evil HR Lady Suzanne Lucas joins us to talk about how to use your vacation days guilt-free. The show originally aired in 2020 so ignore any mention of current events. Check out the original show notes here. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins/friday-roundtable-financial-fitness-rewind Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions about all things financial fitness are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever wonder how real estate investors reach the summit of success? Our friend and regular Friday roundtable contributor, Paula Pant, joined Joe and Crystal Hammond on the most recent episode of our sister show, Stacking Deeds, Building a Strong Real Estate Foundation: Tips for Novice Investors with Paula Pant. Paula opens up to Joe to share her journey from the early days of starting in real estate investing to where she is today. All Stackers can learn valuable lessons about smart real estate investing by tuning into this special rewind episode. Paula's real estate investing course for beginners, Your First Rental Property, is now open for enrollment for a limited time! Take the first step in your real estate investing journey by signing up for Paula's course through our exclusive link, stackingbenjamins.com/paula to get access to Joe's special "Sherlock Holmes sheet," which can help you find extra money in your budget. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/rewind-paula-pant-real-estate-journey-1405 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join us for a special Rewind Week edition as we check in with Crystal Hammond and our sister show geared toward real estate investing, Stacking Deeds! She sits down with the best carpenter in the remodeling business, Mark Ellison, to dive into not just real estate topics, but key takeaways about the importance of relationship-building that you, our Stackers, can apply to your own lives. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/stacking-deeds-020-rewind-1404 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are your household finances running like a well-oiled machine? Does each member of the household know his or her role(s) in reaching your own financial planning strategies? Who's your family's CFO? Who's got the COO role? Joining our roundtable to discuss financial planning strategies, we welcome Lacey Langford from the Military Money Show, PLUTUS award-winner Len Penzo from lenpenzo.com, and our own guy who knows how to run efficient systems, OG. In the second half of the show, our panelists share some of their favorite tools and strategies for maintaining harmony with their partners. What financial planning strategies do they talk about during their family meetings? I mean... they're experts, aren't they? What do THEY do that we can emulate? And finally, you won't want to miss the latest addition to our ongoing year-long quest for trivia supremacy. Sure it may not be financial planning strategies that you'll hear, but WILL be a race to the golden end-of-year trophy. Will Lacey's return be history in the making by helping Team Paula take sole ownership of first place? Will seniority reign supreme in the form of Len reclaiming the lead? Will OG continue his improbable ascension from the depths of the cellar? Three will enter; only one will emerge victorious! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/family-money-roles-1403 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever wonder what personal finance topics worry everyone else? You're not alone. We all wonder if our view of the world (and personal finance, by extension), are the same that other people hold. That's why today we're live from the floor of the 2023 Podcast Movement Conference with two other great podcasters: Shannah Game from Everyone's Talkin' Money and Paula Pant from Afford Anything. Both Shannah and Paula, along with our own OG share their take on how our audience worries have changed this year. We tackle every personal finance topic from inflation to employment to interest rates...and more. But that's not all of the personal finance fun. We kick it back to Doug, who's holding down the fort in mom's basement for us, with a trivia question that you just might get right... Truly the takeaway from this year's version of what's become an annual episode for us? It's that while personal finance is truly personal, it turns out that the one constant is that the world always is changing, and if something seems like a "sure thing," it's sure to become unsure at some point. In one discussion, the conversation moves to inflation, which three years ago wasn't even on the radar as a hot topic. Today, inflation is driving many of the worries that we have, from interest rates to real estate prices. It's true that the world of personal finance only has a few topics to master, and yet, staying on top of them so that you make better decisions is always more challenging (and yes, sometimes even fun!) than you may think. FULL SHOW NOTES: Add show notes url here. Be sure to please include https://www at the beginning of the show notes url that makes it clickable on YouTube Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is the secret to achieving your financial independence in taking a never-ending sabbatical? We're thrilled to have sisters Sammie and Michelle Varghese to discuss what they've learned about financial independence and how taking time off work can lead to greater things in your life. In addition to financial independence, what other life and/or career goals do you have? How did discovering the FIRE ("Financial Independence, Retire Early") change Sammie and Michelle's trajectory, what can you do to reach financial independence earlier, and what are the benefits to doing so? And how can you get on the fast track to financial independence from only your 9-to-5 job? In our headline segment, we'll help you get closer to the financial independence you seek by sharing some best practices on how to ask for a deferred compensation arrangement - and demonstrate how it's in your employer's best interest to work with you. And in our Haven LifeLine segment, OG's self-restraint skills are put to the test when he answers a Stacker's request for backup to help his friend's mother respond correctly to a financial advisor's questionable recommendation. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/never-ending-sabbatical-Sammie-and-Michelle-Varghese-1401 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Does a hard life automatically mean you're destined to struggle with finances? On today's show, we're all about mindset and how adopting the right mindset can set you on the path to financial success—and how having the wrong money mindset can hinder your financial progress. We're honored to invite Tiffany Grant down to the basement to share her real-life experiences and struggles, and how having the right mindset helped her overcome the early disadvantages. Doc G from The Earn & Invest Podcast joins us to share his formative-years experiences with a hard life, and how his mother's scarcity mindset affected him. And our resident gold bug, Len Penzo joins us to explain why he insists on preparing for economic doomsday by hoarding gold and cash. We discuss the role habits play in mindset formation, as well as the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people and influences. In the second half of the discussion, we dive into how you can make the necessary changes in yourself to improve your life situation. Spoiler alert: gratitude plays a big role in your quality-of-life. And finally, Doug brings the heat with some trivia about a well-known budget-friendly food. With two of our regular contributors MIA, will Len use that to his advantage and inch ahead of Paula Pant? Will our guest of honor flex her budget-friendly food knowledge and give her soul-sister Paula the lead for the first time, I think, ever? Will Doc G throw OG a lifeline and the impetus to start a 4th quarter rally to emerge from the cellar? Three enter, only one will emerge victorious (unless there's another tie). Tune in and find out what everyone many a few nerds will be talking about until next Friday. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/fri-roundtable-mindset-tiffany-grant-1400 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How much is enough? Enough money, enough status, enough possessions, enough leisure? We are happy to welcome Manisha Thakor to the basement to discuss some of the revelations she learned after experiencing what she calls the "cult of never enough." How do we disconnect our personal lives from our work lives? Is a cool $5 million enough to retire on in America? In our headline, we take a peek into the retirement lifestyle of the top 0.1% of households. And in Doug's trivia, he might leave you scratching your head with his question about a symbol that can't be pronounced. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/getting-zen-with-your-money-Manisha-Thakor-1399 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What lessons have you learned from the silver screen? Today we dive into LOTS of great lessons about finance from our favorite films. Joe and OG both prep their top 5 and do not share them with each other until they hit record. Will your favorites make the cut? You're about to find out! Plus, in our headline segment, if you work from home we may have some good news; most companies plan to continue their current work-from-home policies, according to a recent study. What does this mean for your "work-life balance" and about scoring the next raise? We'll share tips to help your career. Of course, we'll share a TikToker with a great idea AND Doug's incredible trivia, and more! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/top-5-movie-money-lessons-1398 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Where do YOU turn for true financial advice? Your family and friends? A CFP professional? Your bridge club crew? TikTok??? On today's special Friday roundtable episode we're thrilled to have an all-CFP lineup to each give their two cents on where to look for true financial advice. We're happy to welcome back our friend CFP Michael Kitces after a long hiatus; we also welcome back the queen of Sensible Money CFP Dana Anspach; and finally, our in-house CFP OG joins the gang. In the second part of the discussion, our panel shares their take on the positives and negatives of joining a good financial Facebook group; the pros and cons of signing up for financial webinars and masterclasses; and how psychology plays into the right financial plan for you - even when the pure math doesn't make sense. Plus, we dive into the value of surrounding yourself with the right team by creating your personal financial "board of directors." Be sure to stick around at halftime for Doug's trivia all about the business of basketball. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/friday-cfp-roundtable-personal-advice-1397 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As we buckle up and prep for fall we think "curriculum." What lessons do we need in our life? What lessons do our children need from us? Whether you're headed back to work or back to school, we're diving into helping those around you do better with money. John Lanza, host of the Art of the Allowance podcast joins us to talk families and money...and even if you don't have a family OR money, there are LOTS of lessons in this discussion. In our headline segment we remember that HOW we pay can sometimes be as important as WHAT we are buying. Fraud is through the roof, so we discuss the different ways you can settle up with a merchant, so you have smooth transactions. Of course, we answer a (very creative) Haven Life line call for help AND Doug also spoon feeds us some trivia. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/allowances-and-raising-money-smart-kids-john-lanza-1396 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you've been wondering HOW to get where you want to go. If you've been wondering WHY you aren't getting the results you want. If you wonder WHERE you should look for better ideas, Peter Atwater has you covered on today's show. We recorded this podcast two weeks ago and we have already referenced it in SO MANY other situations…Peter Atwater joins us to talk confidence when investing, when managing, when leading…and generally when living. At first, we didn't understand why this was the breakthrough idea, but the longer we sat with it, the more we referenced his idea. But that's not all. In our headline segment, 401k balances are rising, but 401 hardship loans are through the roof. What's going on? We'll share ideas (and solutions if you're borrowing from your 401k). Plus, we also have our TikTok minute, throw out the Haven Life line to a lucky listener, and more. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/creating-stories-to-find-confidence-peter-atwater-1395 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Believe it or not, where you hold your investments can have a big effect on how much money you actually keep - even if you don't touch them! On today's special Friday roundtable, we're talking tax efficiency, and what account types are best suited to maximize your after-tax returns, as well as the tax implications of different types of investments. And how to position your investments to maximize their after-tax returns? We are overjoyed and honored to have Christine Benz, the Director of Personal Finance at Morningstar (yes, that Morningstar) join us. Also joining us is a lady who knows a thing or two about getting the most bang for her investment buck: from Afford Anything, we welcome Paula Pant. And finally, none other than the man who has been helping his clients dodge taxes in his years as a practicing CFP, our very own OG brings his wisdom. In the second part of the conversation, our roundtable tackles execution - when it makes sense to change your investments, and how to strategically reposition your investments for best tax efficiency - and where to take distributions from first, when selling your investments. Stay tuned for Doug's Airbnb-themed trivia. Will Paula shock the SB World and pull into a tie for first place with Len? Will Christine flex her knowledge base and assist Len in keeping ahold of first place? Will OG take the first step to ascend from the cellar? Tune in to find out! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/fri-roundtable-christine-benz-1394 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! (..and by the way, we HAD TO create a title with a colon in it). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our annual look at inflation is back...by looking at the price of a sandwich! Award winning blogger Len Penzo joins us to reveal his look at ten different sandwiches and how their prices have changed since a year ago.  What's REALLY happened to the price of eggs? (hint: it's not what you think) Is a baloney sandwich still the least expensive? What sandwich ingredient went up the most? How does a sandwich compare to McDonalds or buying from work? We'll dive into ALL of the details on today's show. But of course, that's not all. In our headline segment, US debt was downgraded last week. What does that mean for your money? We'll explain. Plus, we'll answer a question from a Stacker about what to do if you have money you need now but it's in a volatile spot? Should she move it now? Wait because it's going up? Which is best? All of that, Doug's amazing trivia, and more on today's podcast! Enjoy! Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thinking about a better future? Maybe look at what happened to you during your childhood and learn lessons that can help you grow. That's what today's guest, Charles McCarrick did. He took important lessons from some hilarious, educational, and sometimes disturbing moments from his childhood growing up the next-to-youngest of five brothers (and one sister!). Charles shares stories that made him the scientist, entrepreneur, and thinker that he is today, and that can also help you either build your own business or grow inside of the business where you work. We have a guest co-host today! Stephen Baughier from CampFI joins us for our headline, TikTok minute, Haven Life line, and more. He'll share stories from the popular FIRE movement camps, and help us build good lessons from today's show. He also shares what's happening at the upcoming Texas Camp FI, where Joe will be a speaker! In our headline segment, one popular crowdfunding real estate platform has had some trouble. We'll share the details AND what it has to do with your money. Of course, we'll also save time for Doug's trivia! FULL SHOW NOTES: https:www.stackingbenjamins.com/creating-entrepreneurs-and-camp-fi-1392 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today's roundtable, we dream the same dream that millions of lottery ticket buyers dream week in and week out: what would you do if you pick the right six numbers in the correct sequence? Beyond the lottery, how do you effectively manage any lump sum of Benjamins that may appear in your account? Our elite 3 roundtable panelists dive into the deep end when it comes to taxes, inheritance, and expected/unexpected windfalls. Joining us today is a lady who knows a little something about managing money efficiently. Paula Pant; the man who probably has the winner's phone number on speed dial, Len Penzo; and the CFP extraordinaire who may or may not have worked with lottery winners in the past (but he won't tell us), OG! Then we hear a heartwarming story of another winner who fulfilled his promise that he had jokingly made with his stepdaughter by letting her know that; unfortunately, she would have to start paying her phone bill - as a result of her reaping the $200,000 prize. The disappointing part of this story is that she plans to spend it all on a combination of home improvements and splurge on a big family vacation, with no mention of anything being saved or invested. Have you made a plan of what you would do if/when you come into a big sum of Benjamins? Let us know in our Facebook group, The Basement! In the second part of the show, sponsored by DepositAccounts.com, we put our money nerd hats on and talk about how we'd invest a huge sum of money. Plus, stick around for Doug who tries to lift our spirits by bringing some bubbly trivia. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/lottery Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Advisors aren't all created equal. Besides charging different fees and performing vastly different services, some just aren't very good at their job. So today we give you our top five clues that your advisor might not be right for you. By the end of the episode, you'll have a much better idea whether the team you've hired or are looking to hire is up to the task of helping you make better decisions. Before that, we dive into a headline about investors who are too bullish. How do good advisors help you rein it in? We'll share some of the best practices one piece has to share and add in our own. Plus, we'll throw out the Have Life line to a lucky caller AND we'll also dish out some of Doug's delectable trivia. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/top-5-financial-advisor-red-flags-1390 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

No more pushbacks. No more reprieve. If you have student loans, interest begins again in September and payments resume in October. That means you need a plan TODAY. That's why we invited debt expert Leslie Tayne to the basement to help you create a plan to change your budget, crush your student loans, and get on with your life. We'll chat about other legislation working through Congress, how to think about repayment options, and what to do if you can't repay your debt. In our TikTok minute we present an experience that many in relationships can relate to...it seems like possibly a great use of money! You'll hear exactly what magic this TikTok'er is suggesting just before we dive into our headline about index funds. It seems that a couple of your favorite indexes are in the process of rebalancing. What does that mean to you and your investments? We'll share. But that's not all. We'll share more diversification tips with today's Haven Life line caller, who wants to know how exactly the efficient frontier works. We'll dive into that AND into Doug's delicious trivia question...and maybe even more (of course)! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/debt-resolutions-with-leslie-tayne-1389 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How does using your retirement plan as a path to a cool million sound to you? Are the existing tools that are currently available to most of us enough to get us there, or do changes need to be made to update the rules around what investments are accessible to the masses? Joining us to tackle this important issue, we welcome Stephanie McCullough from the Take Back Retirement podcast. Also, we're happy to welcome back our friends who are ready to talk retirement at the drop of a hat, Paula Pant and Len Penzo. We also dive deeper into actionable best practices for Stackers who are just starting out by addressing the question of how to be aggressive without overdoing it on the risk. Plus, stick around for Doug's constructive trivia question! Will Len extend his stranglehold on the lead? Will Paula demonstrate that she deserves to remain squarely not-in-last-place? Will Stephanie do OG a solid and lift him out of the sole cellar-dweller spot? For full show notes go to https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/all-about-401ks-roundtable-1388 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What a rare look we bring you today "behind the curtain." Credit unions are owned by members and serve (in most cases) a community of people. In theory, they should be your go-to resource for financial matters. So why are they often your second resource (if you think of them at all) behind banks? Banks, owned by shareholders and not at all beholden to customers (Bank of America said out loud during an earnings call last year that they don't pay more on savings because customers aren't demanding it!). There's good news on the way, though...Joe was emcee of the relEVENT Conference at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas a few weeks ago, and while there, he found out SO MANY innovative ideas from leaders in the credit union space. Not only are they already leading the way in individual communities...they're also working hard to get even better. Today we'll share short interviews with a number of experts at the conference about the future of credit unions, what leaders are thinking about, and what's available now that you may have not known. It's a mega-episode at over 75 minutes...but certainly a rare look at the other side of the table at what "they're thinking" while they're trying to help you with a car loan, mortgage, savings account, or other services. Thanks to Jeff Klein and Choice Creative Solutions for asking Joe to emcee. Need maybe the world's greatest emcee for your event? Head to joesaulsehy.com. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/credit-union-relevent-conference-live-1387 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You may not know Jeff Smulyan's name, but you know what he's done. The creator of New York's famous The Fan radio station and the former owner of the Seattle Mariners baseball franchise joins us today to talk about lessons learned during his tumultuous career. Experience teaches you to learn from your mistakes and Jeff isn't afraid to share his (along with, of course, the huge wins he's had that shape an incredibly successful career). We'll talk about managing talent like Don Imus and trying to manage people double your age when you're leading in your twenties. It's a wide-ranging, thought provoking interview. In a rare treat, you'll also get TWO headlines today. First, an antiquated payment system is finally (maybe) being taken out to the trash. What is it? We'll share news from the Federal Reserve today...along with a second headline about your estate plan. The government has quietly changed the game around sheltering money in your estate. How does it work? We'll share that as well, plus steps you should take right now to make sure your estate is handled as you wish. Of course, we still will throw out the Haven Life line to a lucky Stacker, dive into a TikTok minute, and let you ponder Doug's trivia question about a huge hit song that was released (and that earned lots of Benjamins) on today's date back in 1984. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/entrepreneurship-rollercoaster-lessons-jeff-smulyan-1386 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What are some of the most valuable lessons in money that you've acquired over your lifetime? Money education is a lifelong process. Today, our weekly roundtable reviews one popular author's list of money lessons, and we'll add a few of our own. We also welcome co-host of the Talking Real Money podcast and the owner of one of the smoothest voices in the industry, Don McDonald. Joining us from NYC, recent Columbia graduate and host of our sister show, Afford Anything, Paula Pant. And the roundtable panelist who has the most life experience of our regular panelists - by a long shot - we welcome back creator of the award-winning blog LenPenzo.com, Len Penzo. In the second half of the show, our panelists add their own life money lessons. Doug dazzles us with a piece of head scratching NYC-related trivia. Will Paula be able to make the most of her homefield advantage to pull out the win? Does Don have an ace up his sleeve with some inside knowledge? Will Len extend his lead and bring home the dub? FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/money-lessons-roundtable-1385 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we hear from our amazing community...and you will never be more motivated than after hearing their stories. First, we were excited to begin with TJ because so many of us live in an area a coach of ours calls "the gap." That's the state of mind where you're always thinking about how much more you have to do, how far behind you are, and how nothing in life is the way you want it to be. Yet, for most of us, it's actually far better to think about our successes. TJ celebrates earning money, among other cool things. Today he shares how he realized he'd earned a million dollars...and then how he threw himself a party to mark that big moment. Plus, he chats about some of the other cool milestones he tracks. Then we turn to Annette, who takes full advantage of a community resource that we'll bet 99% of you have available, and that every study shows is underutilized. It can save you THOUSANDS of dollars and also help clean up the clutter at home. What is it? You'll have to listen to find out! And finally (but definitely not least!) we talk to Skyler who climbed a mountain many never reach: he's created 100 episodes of his podcast, Money Talk with Skyler Fleming. He tells us why he started a podcast (and the lessons YOU should take from this), plus discusses some of the incredible conversations he's had and lessons learned from the first 100. We know how hard it is to make ONE episode, so to make 100 is an incredible accomplishment. Today we have a special co-host, Kate Younkin, who leads our social team along with mom's friend Gertrude, and who helped us pick these special stories from a list of hundreds of cool things you're all doing. She shares why these are so worth sharing and what we can glean from all three of these Stackers. Of course, we still saved time for Doug's trivia...and so much more! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/community-episode-1384 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ready to kick your credit game into high gear, even if you come from a less-than-ideal credit background? We go straight to Christina Roman, who lives and breathes credit as part of her job as Consumer Education and Advocacy Manager at credit bureau Experian. She shares a ton of wisdom about the importance of maintaining a stellar credit report - and what steps to take to improve your credit score. Listen up, especially Millennial and Gen Z Stackers! In today's headline, we dive into the topic of "periodic retirement." Why wait on pins and needles until you're completely done with your career, only to experience disappointment with retirement reality? Plus, what's guaranteeing that we'll be able to even live long enough to enjoy the fruits of our labor in retirement years? Doc G from Earn & Invest joins Joe, and Doug and brings his unique perspective as a hospice doctor to this very personal topic. Plus, we throw out the Haven Lifeline to Jay, who has a question about replacing bonds in his IRA with CDs. Add to that Doug's frosty-themed trivia! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/Millennials-Gen-Z-Credit-Clinic-with-Christina-Roman-1383 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you ready to supercharge your productivity and unlock your full potential? Today, we're diving deep into the world of productivity and sharing some of the best practices to help you find your stride. Get ready for a spirited roundtable debate featuring our esteemed roundtable contributors: Doc G from Earn & Invest, Paula Pant from Afford Anything, and our very own OG. In the first part of our discussion, we'll review a compilation of 50 top productivity hacks. Prepare for a rigorous debate as we weigh in on the effectiveness of these hacks. From time management techniques to prioritization strategies, we'll explore it all. But that's not all! In the second part of the discussion, our roundtable contributors will reveal their personal go-to productivity hacks. Learn from the experts themselves as they share their secrets for staying focused and getting things done. And be sure to keep up with our ongoing weekly trivia duel! This week, Doug brings a French twist to the party. Which panelist will emerge victorious, and will they all keep their heads? Jouir! (Enjoy!) FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/productivity-hacks-friday-roundtable-1382 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is it really human nature to believe what we're told at first pass, but then start to doubt after the conversation ends? Should we be more doubtful from the get-go? Today we welcome to the basement two men who want to share how to avoid getting sucked into false promises, hoodwinked by snake oil salesmen, and bamboozled by smooth-talking neighbors who have a sweet El Camino: Doctors Daniel Simons and Christopher Chabris. In today's headline, we question the legitimacy of the advice given by a more off-the-beaten-path new source. This gives us a chance to put our critical hats on and have a larger discussion about vetting your news sources, how to spot red flags that raise eyebrows, and a few telltale signs that the piece was, at least in part, probably written by ChatGPT. We throw out the Haven Lifeline to Lucas who wants our take on how to correctly calculate the tax basis on shares of stock that were purchased at a discount through an employee stock purchase plan ("ESPP"). And Doug has some explosive trivia! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/deception-code-Daniel-Simons-and-Christopher-Chabris-1381 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trish Hunt had no idea that one phone call in her late twenties would change her life. This call, for most of us, might stop us in our tracks forever, unable to function or move past events she had no control over. Yet, in that moment, she decided that she had to move. She had to take control. She had to become, in her words, "Unstoppable." Today we'll share her story and her advice for those times in life when you're simply "in the weeds" (up to your armpits in tasks going nowhere) or you're truly dealing with some huge life events that are difficult to restart from. It's a great reminder during our first show of these eight weeks that life moves, whether we do or not...so it's time to start paddling. In our headline segment, we'll help you paddle around some rocks the podcasting world has thrown your way. One company is shutting its doors. We'll not only help you continue to listen to your favorite shows without it (including, hopefully, this one!)...but we'll talk about what happens when you find out your employer might be closing their doors. What do you do to move forward? OG, Joe, and even Doug will have some timely advice. Of course, we'll also throw out the Haven Life line to help a lucky Stacker with life's money problems and Doug will step in with his amazing trivia. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/from-stuck-to-unstoppable-trish-hunt-1380 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fun with taxes! Riveting, isn't it? On this 2017 roundtable powwow, Paula, Len, and Greg McFarlane flexed their obscure tax knowledge. The show originally aired in 2017 so ignore any mention of current events. Check out the original show notes here. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/len-paula-greg-taxes-roundtable-rewind-1379 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Don’t miss our podcast rewind episode where we interview the head of behavioral science at Morningstar, Dr. Steve Wendel, on the topic of some potentially big problems in retirement - and he dishes out eight possible ways to improve your retirement readiness. The show originally aired in 2018 so ignore any mention of current events. Check out the original show notes here. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/dr-steve-wendel-from-morningstar-rewind-1378 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tired of paying retail for everything? David Pogue (of NOVA and CBS Sunday Morning fame) joins us to talk money-saving hacks. How much can you save just by buying at the right time, using the modern version of coupons, and shopping at the right stores? We'll talk about Best Buy, Amazon, Retail Me Not, and more on today's show. That's not all. Rob Berger from Dough Roller joins us to discuss the new Betterment offerings. Is this a company on the attack or one that's been forced to be defensive? We also throw out the Haven Life line to Matt, who asks about the right time to rebalance and take a letter from Rick, who has comments about RFID and also debt cleansing. Of course, Doug still brings home the trivia and much more. The show originally aired in 2017 so ignore any mention of current events. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/money-hacks-david-pogue-rewind-1377 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is real estate the best investment for first-time investors? Today's roundtable discussion is a special one - our panel shares their thoughts, experiences, and opinions about real estate as a viable investment for beginners. We are thrilled to welcome the co-host of our sister show, the Stacking Deeds podcast, Crystal Hammond. Of course, we couldn't have a real estate roundtable and not invite the real estate maven herself, Paula Pant. And, just to bring a little of the opposing viewpoint, we bring on Len Penzo, from Len Penzo dot com. We also dive into the Top 4 Ways to Invest in Real Estate, (and Paula puts Len in his place after he runs his mouth). If you're thinking about dipping your toe into real estate investing, you won't want to miss this! Be sure to stick around for the continued year-long, nerd soap opera that is our trivia contest - all about the infamous Tunguska Event. Will Len extend his trivia dominance another week? Will Crystal do OG a solid and close the gap with Len? Will Paula shock us all and bolt out of the tie for last place? Tune in... the results will shock you! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/real-estate-roundtable-1376 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you improve your credit, your real estate savvy, your knowledge of taxes, your ability to budget and save, and more? You listen to shows like SB, watch YouTube, read books, and surround yourself with great people! A new series from Million Stories gives you ALL of those topics AND combines them in a humorous, fun, introductory way, and today we go behind the scenes to see how they made it! We speak to host Andini Mankosinski who is NOT a money expert herself, so the series features her learning alongside off of the viewers. We'll share clips, talk about trying to make the often-dry topic of money exciting and fun, and more. In our headline segment, we share some new data from Vanguard Investments on 401k plans. How many people are using them? We'll dive into that AND help you get started using yours.  Of course, we'll also share Doug's trivia, answer a call from help to the Haven Life line, and more. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Many think that the people who write about money on the internet were either born with a special "saving and investing" gene, or they had to grind their way to the top. The good news? Our guest today, The Humble Dollar's Jonathan Clements (and former Wall Street Journal Personal Finance columnist) shares tales from some of the top writers on his site and how they stumbled their way to victory. We talk about paying down debt, investing wisely, rent vs. buy, and much, much more. In our headline segment, a new study shows what product mix changes financial advisors intend to use with clients in the next twelve months. Can their tweaks help you with your own money? We'll share. Plus, in our TikTok minute, two creators have found a way to get rich quick: rob a bank...but creatively! You'll hear it here. Of course, we'll also share Doug's mind-bending trivia and much, much more! Enjoy! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/jonathan-clements-1374 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you have assets in a previous employer's retirement plan? Would it be easier to consolidate all your retirement assets into one place? Today we're all about rollovers: what they are, how they work, and why you should care. We welcome Dana Anspach, CFP, the force behind Sensible Money, a financial planning service focused on clients who are nearing/in retirement, to help make sense of what rollovers are and if it makes sense to do one. Joining Dana is, Paula Pant, who has more knowledge about rollovers than pop culture, as well as our in-house CFP, OG. Dana also shares some of her experiences about rollover horror stories - and what steps you can take to avoid mistakes - and the potential tax consequences that may ensue. Paula chimes in with her experiences and thoughts on the rollover process, and OG imparts his wisdom on what scenarios may make for a more difficult rollover process. Doug brings the heat with some fast-paced this-day-in-history travel-themed trivia. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/friday-roundtable-401k-rollovers-1373-2 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rosalia Gitau is a force of nature. Don't take our word for it...Monday's guest Michael Gilmore, creator of the prestigious Money Awareness and Inclusion awards, said that to US when we interviewed him. That's when we knew we needed to talk to Rosalia. We're super glad we did and you'll be happy you sat in to listen, because in this interview performed LIVE on the Fireside app, we dive into: Her upbringing in poverty as an immigrant and an orphan How she found early success, including a mentor Her path to success (not nearly close to finished!) How she used her grandfather's success secret to create her own success How she dove into what women DO and what women WANT to create a financial space for them with Bixie You'll learn all of this and SO much more on today's show. No trivia today. No headline. No Haven Life line....just us and Rosalia on this VERY special interview episode. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/Bixie-app-women-investors-risalia-gitau-1372 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Does picking the right investments, avoiding debt, or saving for goals stress you out? To most of us -- even the best savers -- stress is a reality, and just part of the "game" of money. Michael Gilmore, the Seven Dollar Millionaire, says that it doesn't have to be that way. Today he's on the show to teach us how Zen philosophy can help us relax, unwind, and still reach our financial goals (and maybe while living a better life). In our headline segment, there's LOTS of money sitting in cash right now, according to new data out. We'll share why sitting in cash might be a huge mistake, and also why trying to time "the right investment" is equally as dangerous. Plus, in our TikTok minute, we'll share a video shared by a listener about ONE financial measuring stick you might not have considered. Would it make sense to pay more attention? We'll share. Of course, Doug shares trivia and there's much, much more. Hope you're able to join us on today's show RUN OF SHOW: Introductions Headline: Trillions sitting in cash TikTok Minute: A new financial index? FEATURED GUEST: Michael Gilmore, the $7 Millionaire Haven Life Line Community Calendar Credits FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/find-your-money-zen-with-michael-gilmore-1371. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Happy Father's Day weekend, and thanks for joining us! In honor of Father's Day, our all-dad roundtable tackles the topic of what are some important life lessons that they learned from their dads about money, work, and life. We're happy to have Brad Barrett from the ChooseFI podcast join the other two dads who frequently our Friday roundtables - Len Penzo of the award-winning blog, lenpenzo.com, and our very own OG. These three dads will share their fatherly wisdom with us. Plus, we top it all off with some dad-approved trivia about a shoe brand that's popular with many dads. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/friday-roundtable-fathers-day-1370 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mindset. The one thing you can change instantly is to find more opportunities, attract more dollars, and win new income streams. OG and Joe both share their top 5 best mindset quotes and dive into why they believe this outlook is key to winning with your money. Our goal? You'll hear a few old favorites and several that you've never heard before, to set you up for more success tomorrow. Plus, in our headline segment, we speak with Karl Brauer from iseecars.com about two recent studies they completed. Their researchers looked into which cars were the best value for the money (a combination of long-lasting and discount priced), and cars which are most likely to last for more than 250,000 miles. We also ask him about the new car vs. old car debate. Which is better to try and buy now? Karl has opinions and the latest news. Of course, that's not all. We have some trivia from Doug about price fixing (by the government!) and much, much more. Just another great day in mom's basement! Come join the fun! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/Joe-OG-Top-5-Mindset-1369 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Crypto? Quick stock trades? A timeshare in a swamp? Huge profits? Taking advantage of people? Has that ever happened before? It turns out, that it has, in the wild, wild west, which roped in celebrities like Wild Bill Hickok and many others. Today, we'll tell their stories and rope the lessons around to today with master storyteller and host of the Legends of the Wild West podcast, Chris Wimmer. In today's headline, many of the day traders are bemoaning the "June swoon," thinking that there's some magic that's holding up their results. We'll share the data around the June swoon in the past. Plus, we'll also share our TikTok minute, with some BRILLIANCE from a TikTok creator. Of course, we'll also share some goodness from a Stacker who's called in to our Haven Lifeline. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/wild-west-chris-wimmer-1368 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you really get what you pay for? Are some things just worth it to pay more for? We're beyond excited to welcome the one and only Paula Pant back to the roundtable. She's joined by Len Penzo of the award-winning blog lenpenzo.com and our very own high roller, OG, to carry on the year-long competition by guessing which items are on a top 20 list of things that aren't worth the money. (Number 14 will shock you!). Doug also brings some eye-opening trivia about one of America's biggest vices. Be prepared to be blown away when you hear what it is! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/friday-roundtable-1367 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Imagine growing up in a neighborhood where everyone is on government assistance, and still pulling yourself up onto your feet enough to attend one of the most prestigious colleges in the USA...only to find yourself deep in credit card debt and struggling. That's a small sliver of Yanely Espinal's story (you may know her as Miss Be Helpful on YouTube). She joins us today to help you figure out how to pay down debt, fix your credit, but most of all, to just get started. In our headline segment, Wells Fargo (that bad-boy bank out west) is in the news again, and NOT for a good reason. We'll share why AND what you should consider doing with your money if you're with one of the big banks. We'll talk credit unions, online banks, and the world of FinTech to help you make a swap to more friendly shores. Of course, we'll also throw out the Haven Lifeline to a Stacker in need AND challenge you with Doug's Miss Helpful trivia. Remember the Miss Helpful books? They made TONS of Benjamins for the author AND helped people to be a little kinder to each other. Show Rundown: Open/Introductions Headline - Wells Fargo Executive Paying a HUGE Fine Doug's Trivia Featured Guest - Miss Be Helpful, Yanely Espinal Haven Lifeline - Help a Stacker with their money Community Calendar/What We Learned Today FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/personal-finance-education-yanely-espinal-1336 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Itamar Mirani had to control his emotions while working as a spy for the Israeli government. The way he worked through emotions, mental blocks, and more, though was not at all what you'd expect. Today he shares his process for working through deep blocks so that we can make better financial moves, bold career advancements, and take part in more of life's great moments. It appears many small investors may be about to lose money on real estate, and thousands already have. Alan Corey from our sister show Stacking Deeds joins us to walk through a recent Wall Street Journal story about investments in the sector suffering from recent interest rate hikes. Are there more to come? How do you find out if you may be affected? We'll share. Of course, we have an "amazing" TikTok minute sent to us by a Stacker, as well as an answer to another Stacker who called our Haven Lifeline. We're glad to help. Show Flow: Open Headline - Thousands of small real estate investors suffer from a housing bust TikTok Minute Itamar Marani on mindset and busting down mental blocks Haven Life line Community Calendar What we should have learned today FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/itamar-marani-mindset-1365 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mom always said, "You can do more with less," but is that really true? Another popular line is, "problems are always more fun to show up to in a limo!" Today we'll clear up the clutter from your life, talk about how to determine what is "enough," and see what chasing too many "things" can do to your spirit. It's true: less truly often IS more and we're going to help you cut away. It's a sad day on the show because contributor Paulette Perhach is ending her nine-month run of filling in for Paula Pant, but we make the most of Paulette's expertise, along with that of the woman behind Simplify and Enjoy, Elle Martinez. Elle's a pro at teaching people how to do more with less and she helps our team help you today...along with the amazing Len Penzo from award-winning blog Len Penzo dot com. Of course, at the halfway mark of today's show, we'll continue our year-long trivia challenge between our contributors. Can Paulette leave tied for first with Len? Can Len pull ahead? Can Elle help OG get back into the race? You'll find out today. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/elle-martinez-1364 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ric Edelman has opinions, and they're both well-researched and timely. We pick his brain on annuities, crypto, central bank digital currency, and the future of money. Ric's book, The Truth About Money, was a revolutionary and even-handed look at money way back in 1996. We're sure you'll find his take on modern money as riveting still today. Plus, in our headline segment, what's going on with your credit? A new study from Tranunion shows that credit scores are a-changing. How? We'll share. Of course, we'll save time for Doug's trivia and more! FULL SHOW NOTES: www.stackingbenjamins.com/ric-edelman-1363 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You've heard the term "get rich slowly"? Today we're inspiring you to jump in the race! Martinus Evans was told, that as a 300 pound-plus man, that he was too heavy to run marathons. His doctor laughed in his face. Today he's been on the cover of Runners' World, sponsored by Adidas, and leads one of the country's largest running groups, the Slow AF Running Club. If you aren't inspired to jump over your fear, lace up your budgeting shoes, and get moving toward your goals today, I don't know how much more we can do to help! He's that inspiring. Plus, in our headline segment a recent blog post from a popular blogger rubbed us the wrong way. We'll dive into why you should maybe think differently than THIS blogger AND differently than most other people. Of course, we have an AMAZING TikTok minute that'll show you how the world truly (probably) was built, throw the Haven Life line out to Jon who goes on and on about Doug's mom…and more! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/martinus-evans-1362/ Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get ready to unleash your inner life designer and make every day a vacation! Join the inspirational Heidi Dusek from the Ordinary Sherpa podcast as she takes you on a journey to craft the life of your dreams. Plus, we've got the retirement guru himself, Len Penzo from LenPenzo.com, engineering his way to an epic retirement from his secret bunker. And let's not forget about OG, the mastermind behind designing other people's retirements. But wait, there's more! We'll spice up the show with Doug's mind-blowing Trivia, where he'll dazzle you with fascinating facts about the iconic Model T cars. And for all our USA Stackers out there, buckle up and get ready to have a happy and safe Memorial Day Weekend like never before! FULL SHOW NOTES: www.stackingbenjamins.com/friday-1361-design-your-life-with-heidi-dusek Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mignon Francois was down to her last five dollars. Her power had been turned off and she flipped on a generator only at night so her kids would have some "normal" in their life. But things weren't normal then, and would be even less normal as she flipped that last five dollars into a cupcake empire. She'll share the story today that'll make you realize that you CAN do that thing that's been frightening you. First, though, in our headline segment Social Security is in the news. It turns out that some Americans don't receive any of America's largest social program benefits. What does this have to do with your planning, even if you DO qualify? We'll share. Of course, Doug's ready with some cupcake empire trivia AND we'll also throw the Haven Life line all the way "across the pond" to the UK, where James has a question that our Stackers around the world probably have all asked themselves before. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/Made-from-scratch-with-Mignon-Francois Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Summer is here! Robert Niles kicks off our summer season by sharing deals and thrills around the nation's theme parks. We ask Mr. Theme Park Insider himself about how we can save money when we take the family but also (and maybe more importantly) how we actually make the day more fun so that it's worth the money we pay. Robert delivers on both fronts, with both wallet-saving and excitement-upping tips. We talk about some of the best theme parks in the USA plus the "big boys" of Disney and Universal. Plus, in our headline, one bank CEO thinks that we should impose some rules around "short selling." What is short selling anyway? How can people pick on "short" so much? We'll explore all of that. Of course, Doug will share some of his mouth-watering trivia AND we'll answer a fantastic question from the state of Wisconsin...proving that even though we thought Doug ruined it for us, this midwestern state still finds a way to love us. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/summer-theme-park-episode-robert-niles-1359 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can you actually sit back and make money without lifting a finger? Is winning the lottery truly a passive endeavor? Our Roundtable is diving into the world of 'passive' income strategies that have left them scratching their heads. Joining us today is the dynamic duo of Nurse Naseema from the Nurses on Fire podcast and the financial powerhouse behind Financially Intentional. Plus, we have the one and only Doc. G from our sister show Earn and Invest. And let's not forget our very own OG, ready to unleash his unique brand of actively passive aggressiveness. Will Naseema claim the trivia throne and surprise us all by having her baby during the recording? Will OG stay in the basement for the trivia score, meaning will he stay in last place in the mind-boggling trivia contest? FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/fri-roundtable-1358 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Erin Lowry broke on the scene six years ago with her bestselling and groundbreaking book Broke Millennial. Today she's back on she podcast to dive into lessons she WISHES we'd learned from her original book and tips from her new workbook. We'll chat about credit, emergency funds, managing debt, reward points, and more! In our headline segment, who knew that you couldn't buy things with zero cash today, promise to pay installments, and NOT DO IT? #shocker. Pay later apps like Klarna and Affirm are in the news. We'll explain why on today's show. Of course we'll also throw out the Haven Lifeline to a lucky Stacker (today it's Will...go Tigers, Will!), Doug will share a helping of trivia, and much more.  FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/erin-lowry-1357 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Steve Chou has made lots of money. He didn't do it by "following his passion." He sold hankerchiefs with his wife, who wanted to quit her job. Together they created businesses that rolled in cash. But Steve will be the first to tell you that the method he used was flawed. Today he'll dive into his mastakes and share kes to help you start your own business and make "a couple million" a year (Steve's number) without ruining your life, your relationships, or resorting to the "hustle culture" that chews up and spits out so many would-be entrepreneurs every year. In our headline segment, we'll dive into the automation craze. Chat-GPT is doing homework, writing ad copy, creating books...what can't automation do? The government is casting it's gaze on automation and has issues some strong warnings. We'll share those AND what you should think about when you're considering automation (or recommendations that come from automation) in the future. Of course, we'll also wind up the TikTok minute, Doug's trivia, and much more! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/steve-chou-1356 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Stackers, it's second nature to want to be the best at everything; but when is it enough to just be good and not great? Are there instances where "good" may actually be preferable to "great?" Joining Paulette and Len for our roundtable to tackle this tricky topic, we welcome the host of the Money Confidential podcast, creator of the award-winning "Too Ambitious" newsletter, writer, entrepreneur, and all-around awesome human being Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez. Plus, Doug Joe's mom's cousin, Diana, will surprise you with a bit of telephone patent-related trivia. Will Stefanie do OG a solid and make the year-long competition a 3-way tie? Will Paulette pull ahead again and put Team Paulette/Paula (#teamPP) in the lead? Will Len arise from his bunker under Los Angeles to win the day? Be sure to tune in and find out! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/fri-roundable-1355 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What happens when your marriage is struggling? Today we'll share some of the horrible stories and (more importantly) how to solve them OR how to make sure that you're able to function during a divorce. Forensic accountant Tracy Coenen and attorney Sarah Jacobs join us with their expert advice to hopefully avert a divorce or to help you navigate the heady waters of a marriage gone wrong. In our headline segment we dive into the world of high yield savings! Apple has introduced an account that pays among the best in class and also is connected to their credit card AND Apple pay! What could go wrong? We'll share how convenience might not always work in your favor. That's not all. Of course, we'll throw out the Haven Lifeline to a lucky listener and Doug will share some of his delicious Knight Rider themed trivia! Oh yeah! FULL SHOW NOTES: stackingbenjamins.com/tracy-coenen-sarah-jacobs-1354/ Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What makes a great leader? What can you do to become one? We welcome the former CEO of United Airlines, Oscar Munoz, down in the basement to tackle these questions and learn from his business lessons over the span of his decades-long career in corporate leadership. He shares stories from his amazing turnaround, including his own story of a major health crisis early during his administration at the popular transportation company. During our headlines segment we'll dive into a story you've all probably been following: mortgage fees have changed and there's been LOTS of rhetoric about it…but what's the truth? We'll share a story you (sadly) probably aren't hearing enough. Are we returning to the dangerous mortgage business practices that resulted in the Great Recession of 2007-08 ? Or is it all overblown? Plus we'll throw out the Haven Lifeline to Luke in California who has a question about what types of investments he and his wife might consider if they're looking to retire early in about 10-12 years.  FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/oscar-munoz-1353 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Don't be caught blindsided by uncomfortable money questions! Tune into this roundtable conversation where Paula, Len, and O.G. try to come up with the right ways to respond when faced with awkward money moments. The show originally aired in 2020 so ignore any mention of current events. Check out the original show notes here. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/fri-roundtable-rewind-1352 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Before you fly off on your summer vacation, don’t miss our podcast rewind episode where we interview Betty Thesky of Betty in the Sky with a Suitcase, where she shares some of the craziest stories you've ever heard from the perspective of a flight attendant. She came down to the basement to share some of her anecdotes that will leave you #ROFL. The show originally aired in 2016 so ignore any mention of current events. Check out the original show notes here. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/betty-thesky-rewind-1351 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Don’t miss our podcast rewind episode where we interview Bola Sokunbi on the topic of why it's essential to be involved and in control of your financial decisions. Especially if you have the tendency to outsource your financial management, you want to tune into this important rewind episode! The show originally aired in 2019 so ignore any mention of current events. Check out the original show notes here. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/bola-sokunbi-rewind-1350 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When money is tight, you gotta do what you gotta do. But who should you add to your financial accounts? What could possibly go wrong if you share money with your buddy? Today we are happy to have the creator of the blog Mark's Money Mind, CFP Mark Trautman, on to share his experiences in financial account sharing. Paulette Perhach joins us to share her financial sharing memories. And Len Penzo jumps in to give his perspectives on Affleck and Damon's level of trust. What are some smart rules to follow when sharing financial accounts with your spouse or other family member? What are some potential pitfalls, and how can you avoid them? Under what conditions is financial secrecy acceptable? Doug shares some trivia about how common financial sharing is among married couples. Will Mark make OG proud and put him squarely back into a first-place tie with Len; will Paulette bring the noise to the boys; or will Len extend his trivia dominance by another point? Tune in to find out! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/Fri-roundtable-1349 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You've gotten the big call…it's time to go pro with your money? But what skills got you there? Today, to celebrate the NFL draft tomorrow, when dozens of talented young people will have their lives changed with huge paychecks, we welcome a guy who works with professional athletes on their cash, private banker Rob Welch. Plus, in our headlines segment, a disturbing statistic about financial advisor satisfaction just emerged. What do people dislike about their advisors? We'll jump into ALL of the details on today's show. Of course, we'll also share a call from a Stacker from Wisconsin to the Haven Life line (no, not THAT Stacker), and Doug will tackle career longevity on today's trivia question. Just another amazing day at the Stacking Benjamins Show! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/rob-welsh-1348/ Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How can you do a better job planning for your retirement (and not just financially)? Are you anxious about transitioning into the next phase of your life? We're happy to welcome retirement planning expert Veronica McCain to share some actionable advice to put you in a better position to retire well. Plus, in today's headline, do you feel like your expenses always come in over budget? Have your credit card balances increased over the last year? You're not alone, says Veronica Dagher of the Wall Street Journal. We'll jump in and try to leave Stackers with best practices to keep your expenses in check. You'll be amazed by the career advice from our TikTok Minute, and we help Jim with a question about how to divvy up his 401(k) contributions. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/Veronica-McCain-1347 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For millions of young prodigies, it's graduation season. But before they spread their wings and leave the nest, how will they afford it? Our roundtable tackles this timely topic on how recent college graduates can best get a head start on adulting. We're happy to welcome our special guest to said roundtable Wes Moss of the Retire Sooner Podcast. He joins our fabulous writer Paulette Perhach and our in-house CFP OG. They give their two cents on today's headline article. In part two of our discussion, each of our contributors gives his/her own expert two pieces of advice to new college graduates to set themselves on the right track in life (Doug adds his top tip, too). Plus, Doug has some jaw-dropping trivia about the cost of private college. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/fri-roundtable-1346 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you tired of following the same old financial advice that doesn't seem to work for YOU? Do you want to create a financial plan that's tailored to YOUR unique circumstances and helps you achieve your goals? We're joined by Lawrence Sprung, a Certified Financial Planner and founder of Mitlin Financial, to discuss his approach to financial planning. Discover how to create a personalized financial plan that not only sets you up for success but also brings you joy along the way. Plus in our headline, we learn about how Michael Burry (of "The Big Short" fame) admits (via a March 30 tweet) to getting it wrong when he told investors to sell in a January 31 tweet. If the best in the business aren't able to predict the stock market's future, what hope do we Average Joe investors have to time the market correctly? Plus we take a call from Brian who has a question about what potential consequences could result from him having let his life insurance policy lapse. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/Lawrence-Sprung-1345 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are thrilled to welcome award-winning journalist, senior editor at The Wall Street Journal, expert on the Federal Reserve, and author of the bestselling book about Janet Yellen Jon Hilsenrath to the basement. In addition to an economics masterclass, he shares with us insights into the current Treasury Secretary and former Federal Reserve Chair - and what makes her tick. Also, we dive into an infuriating headline about 70,000 people who can't access their retirement savings while legal proceedings are ongoing. We throw out the Haven Lifeline to Burton who wants to know where to allocate additional savings. And Doug tops things off with his Fed-related trivia. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/Jon-Hilsenrath-1344 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you have anything put away for retirement? If so, you're doing better than 50% of women and 47% of men ages 55-66, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Yikes! For today's roundtable, we welcome guest contributor Investopedia Top 100 Advisor in 2019, 2020, and 2021; Certified Financial Planner (CFP); and Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP) Benjamin Brandt. We welcome Paulette Perhach back from her travels, and Len Penzo joins us from his bunker under flooded Los Angeles. They give their 2 cents on today's alarming headline - which is $0.02 more than almost half of Americans approaching retirement age have set aside, apparently! Double yikes! In our second part of the retirement savings discussion, we discuss a piece by JL Collins that pushes back against the idea that your home doubles as a retirement nest egg. In his trivia today, Doug comes through with timely data about expected retirement age - which, as we discuss, doesn't always pan out the way people plan. Flexibility is the name of the game, Stackers! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/Fri-roundtable-1343. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

No event could have wrecked our finances as bad, or for as long, as building a debt saddle had done. Between interest payments, added stress, and missed opportunities, digging yourself out of debt can be a painful life experience - but well worth it in the end. Today's conversation with debt payoff expert Dorethia Kelly is a must-listen! Plus we throw out the Haven Lifeline to Lee who has a question about how to replenish your retirement cash position if it's used early in retirement. Add to that some of Doug's space cadet-themed trivia, and you've got yourself a podcast fit for print. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/dorethia-kelly Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've heard a lot about work-life balance. On one end, the non-stress believers say that you should seek balance actively. On the other, "hustle" culture says you can sleep when you're dead. There's no such thing as balance. Do more. Faster. Better. Today's guest says that maybe you can have "more" in your life WITHOUT seeking balance. What if we sought harmony instead? Tina Wells has had to apply this lesson to her own life, having created her first company at age 16 and suffering her first burnout by age 27. She'll share how she found both success and a life on today's show. In our headline segment, actor Jeremy Renner is under our spotlight. He recently was featured in many pieces after sharing an instagram story detailing his march to recovery after an early-January snow plow accident. What does Renner's disability have to do with your money? We'll share...and it's a LOT! Plus, of course, we'll answer a Stacker's call to the Haven Life line and Doug will be sure to top everything off with his world-famous trivia (well, maybe only Texarkana-famous...but who's counting?). FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/1341-tina-wells Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who should you trust? Talking heads on television often have a LOT to say about your money. Yet, one popular television show called out a "guru" live, questioning the validity of their advice. So today we ask our roundtable panel about that particular exchange: where should your filter kick in with online advice. Whether you're listening to the radio, watching videos, or heck...even listening to us, when should you apply some caution? What are the questions you should be asking yourself about online advice. We're excited that Lacey Langford (Military Money Show & the Military Money Conference) joins the crew to tackle this topic today. She definitely brings opinions! Of course, that's not all. We'll also continue our year-long trivia contest. Will Lacey be able to help team "Paulette" get back in the race? FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/friday-roundtable-1340. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ready to hit "send' on your taxes? Before you do, Bob Wheeler from the Money You Should Ask podcast, and a working CPA, joins us to dive into what YOU can do to maybe lower your tax liability. We'll cover frequent mistakes, what to do if you can't pay, and how to negotiate with the IRS.  In today's headline, we dive into a 44-year-old's advice on how to build up enough "F.U." money to retire early, and the potential rewards and dangers of early retirement. And, on the Haven Lifeline, we answer a question from our Facebook group "The Basement" about how safe your IRA is if the custodial institution goes under. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/bob-wheeler-1339 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Allison Baggerly was in trouble. She owed a TON of money to everyone and had just found out she was now pregnant. How does she solve the problem?On today's show she shares how a budget saved her financial future and took her family from a horrible place to one where she's in control. The best news? You can learn from her experience, as we share budget secrets on today's show with the woman behind Inspired Budget! In headlines we ask the question, "Will getting more information make you a better investor?" A recent WSJ piece dives in and we'll share thoughts. In our TikTok Minute, we'll see how well a former CEO of a certain company aged. Doug will dazzle us with his intimate knowledge of women's intimate garments. Not creepy at all. And we'll throw out the Haven Lifeline to Tom who has a question about what happens when an account owner dies without explicitly naming anyone as the account beneficiary. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/allison-baggerly-1338. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Every time we go to the grocery store, it seems like the prices of whatever is on our list keep rising. In today's roundtable discussion, we look at a recent piece that promises to help us save drastically on our grocery budget. Today, we welcome a special guest, Ms. Yo Quiero Dinero Jannese Torres, who joins Len and OG. At the halfway mark of today's show, we'll see if Jannese can help dig team Paulette/Paula out of last place in our yearlong trivia game when the three try to answer a health-related trivia question. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/friday-roundtable-1337 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trust. The foundation of modern society is built on it. Today we are fortunate to welcome Dr. Henry Cloud to the Basement to talk about who is actually worthy of our trust and who is not. We'll talk about how we're rightfully reticent to extend trust when our gut says we shouldn't and how we get burned when we let people in who shouldn't be. We also discuss how to help people earn our trust so we have better relationships. Our friend Doc G from the Earn & Invest Podcast helps us out with the interview. You don't want to miss this episode! In our headline today, would you let your kid jump on his/her phone and go all or none on a sweet straddle on Apple Stock? We learn about a popular broker who's in some regulatory hot water because of some clients who can't (legally) buy alcohol. How do you monitor your devices? We'll share strategies. Plus, we throw out the Haven Lifeline to Stacker Sammy who asked a question about HSAs. Throw in some of Doug's historical trivia, and we've got ourselves a podcast, boys and girls! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/henry-cloud-1336 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you down with OPP? Award-winning former investigative journalist for the LA Times Maya Lau joins us to discuss exactly what would happen if we asked people how much money they earned. She's the host of a new podcast about OPP called "Other People's Pockets." She asks the uncomfortable questions about people's money, how they make it, and what they do with it. She shares her experiences with us about pulling back the curtain on the taboo topic of money so that you can feel confident diving into these conversations yourself. Plus, for today's headline we have a special guest interview with the Chief Gold Strategist for State Street Global Advisors, George Milling-Stanley. We talk about what the Federal Reserve's sustained interest rate hike campaign could mean for the price of gold. What utility does gold have in the real world? Does holding gold (and/or other precious metals) make sense for your portfolio? O.G. also shares his thoughts. Plus we throw out the Haven Lifeline to an semi-anonymous caller with an identity crisis about when it's appropriate to take over someone else's investment decisions. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/maya-lau-1335. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How would you react if you suddenly had all your access to money cut off from your bank? Welcome to a special Friday episode of Stacking Benjamins! In today's show, Joe talks to Tiller founder and CEO, Peter Polson. As CEO of a tech start-up, Peter had a front-row seat to experience firsthand the Silicon Valley Bank drama as it unfolded. He recounts the events of that fateful day a couple of weeks ago - and how it impacted Tiller's business operations. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/Peter-Polson-1334/ Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's never too late to change. If you're unhappy with where you've been and where you seem to be headed, it's time to hit the reset button. Today, to help you lift off, we welcome former editor-in-chief of USA Today and the WSJ Weekend Journal (among others), AND the author of the new hit book Next! The Power of Reinvention in Life and Work, Joanne Lipman. Plus, we'll dive into today's headline about Cher and her lavish spending on her new boy toy...it's gotten so bad that her friends are raising the alarm! Do they have a reason to be concerned, or should they mind their own business and let her spend $360 million as she sees fit? Beyond just Cher, we'll explore how involved should we be in our elder loved ones' finances and financial protection. And later, we'll throw out the Haven LifeLine to our friend "Conner" and help him and his wife understand more about what an ESOP is and how it can benefit employees of the companies that offer them FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/Joanne-Lipman-1333. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Help us narrow a field of 16 different strategies to reach a cool MILLION dollars to one winner. They're seeded and ready to go (follow along on our show notes or a social media post, if you'd like!). We're joined by Mindy Jensen (BiggerPockets Money) and Tom Brickman (Twitter @FrugalGay11), for a broad, sweeping comparison of many of the different paths to real estate victory that we plan to discuss over the next several months. Plus, we'll take a break at the midway point for a helping of Doug's trivia! Enjoy! Stacking Deeds is moving to a new channel, so search for "Stacking Deeds" and subscribe wherever you're listening to Stacking Benjamins to continue to listen in the future! For show notes and more visit StackingDeeds.net. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What could you achieve if you planned better? CFP Taylor Schulte shares two stories told by financial planners about clients who achieved extraordinary results by creating and working on their financial plans. We dive into how you can dream bigger and do more with just a few better tactics. Plus, in our headlines segment, it turns out that a million dollars isn't enough to be comfortable in retirement (according to one source). We'll help you tweak your plan. In our TikTok minute, we ask, "What could happen to your trust if it isn't all done correctly?" Apparently, you need to do ONE big thing to make sure your trust works the way you want. We also throw out the Haven Life line to a Stacker who wants to become a financial planner. How do you break into the biz? ...all of that, AND of course, we'll share Doug's trivia.   Find show notes at stackingbenjamins.com/taylor-schulte-1332 Find deeper dives tomorrow on ALL of these topics in our newsletter, the 201: stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Happy Saint Patrick's Day, Stackers! Have you ever found yourself wondering what are the expenses most primed to cut back on in order to stack some big-time Benjamins? Today's roundtable ponders that very topic: what are the 10 biggest expenses in life, and how to reduce them? We got the gang back together this week! Welcome back to long-time contributor and bunker-dweller, Len Penzo of award-winning lenpenzo.com; we say "¡Bienvendia de nuevo, amiguita!" to Paulette Perhach who's just back from her week-long trip to México; and finally....you know him, you love him, he tolerates us (sometimes)....it's O.G.! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/friday-roundtable-1331 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Olympian and distance running star Kara Goucher joins us to share explosive details involving Alberto Salazar, the disgraced coach of the Elite Nike Running Team. She also shares her history of money and transitioning from running for fun to running for money…and then the triumphant battle back to running for joy. It's a story about greed, power, disturbing abuse, and more (doping, NCAA violations…), and yet it is still an uplifting, empowering story. In today's headlines, we dig into a piece from the Wall Street Journal that goes over signs that the long-running hot job market may finally be showing signs of cooling off. We'll also review a piece from Indeed.com about best practices to find a job (in case you'd forgotten). What does the cooling job market mean for you and your stack of Benjamins? Doug has some sports apparel-related trivia. And today's Haven Lifeline call discusses the pros and cons of rolling over pre-tax and Roth 401(k) balances from a previous employer to traditional and Roth IRAs while still early in your career. Be sure to listen to today's show! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/kara-goucher-1330 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we dive into the short-term rental game. Think it's difficult? So did our guest Lauren Keene Aumond, until she began practicing a few techniques she'll share today. Plus, in our headline segment, we'll talk about noise and real estate rentals. Do you need to pay attention to noise levels more? We'll also share how to budget for a property that may require a lot of work and how to find properties at a discount. All of that, plus we'll discuss a TikToker's advice on increasing your income by 50% AND Doug's trivia! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who's excited about Tax Day this year? Anyone? Bueller? Even though this year's tax-filing deadline is pushed back to April 18, don't let it sneak up on you! Today we welcome TheCollegeInvestor.com's Robert Farrington to discuss tax-preparation software. Which one is the right choice for you? Robert shares some of the pros and cons of many of the popular tax-prep programs available and helps YOU pick a favorite. And what's the state of the mortgage market? With The Federal Reserve on its inflation-destroying/interest-rate-hiking crusade, what does that mean for housing demand and the value of your home? We'll jump into the details in today's headline ripped from the from page of CNBC. Prepare yourself to be dazzled by Doug's incredible trivia skills and his uncanny ability to tie Women's History Month to his other love - chicken. Our TikTok Minute may leave you reconsidering your life path. And finally we'll throw out the Haven Lifeline to Angela, who has a question specifically for our friend Len Penzo about tax write-offs on his bunker. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/robert-farrington-1329. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Silicon Valley Bank's collapse is the second-largest FDIC takeover since the Great Depression. What does that mean for you, your money, and your long term plan? OG, Doug, and Joe gathered around the card table for a rare weekend discussion. They review what happened, what to expect, and how it may affect your future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Discussing finances can be intimidating, especially for beginners. However, initiating regular money conversations early on can be a great way to introduce the topic and potentially set yourself up for financial success. In today's roundtable, we welcome Dan Sheeks, author of the new hit book, First to a Million: A Beginner's Guide to Achieving Early Financial Independence, Katie Brewer, a certified financial planner and professional money teacher, and OG, our in-house money expert and father of three. They will discuss the importance of having money conversations and provide tips on how to set yourself up for a life of financial abundance. But wait! There's more! Doug will try to stump our panel with some this-day-in-history-based trivia. It's a tie ballgame in our year-long competition; who will pull ahead? FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/dan-sheeks-1328 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we invite three inspiring Stackers down to the basement to share their stories- Amy Minkley, an ex-pat who is hosting a Financial Independence Retreat in Bali - where Joe is invited to speak; Glenn Hebert, who built and sold his horse radio network (talk about niching down!); and the new Communications Director for Stacking Benjamins, Kate Younkin. Plus, in today's headlines segment, we'll learn about the guaranteed secrets to building wealth! What are they? We'll dig in with details that just might be too good to be true. Finally, Doug will share some horse-themed trivia. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/community-stackers-1327 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join our brand new sister show Stacking Deeds, as hosts Alan Corey and Crystal Hammond dive into the world of real estate. We'll cover headlines about the often-reported "cool down" in the real estate market. Should you worry? We'll handle a listener question about interest rates. Should you wait for them to come down? But most of all, Crystal and Alan will share their inaugural Top 5 lists: their Top 5 Places to Start With Real Estate Investing. Enjoy! Subscribe to the new show wherever you're listening to today's episode! Just type "Stacking Deeds" into your search function so you catch all of the latest shows the day they arrive (every Tuesday). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Think earning a lot of money is the key to success? Today's guest will tell you that you can always make more money, but you can't create a new reputation and you can't reforge broken relationships. Shaun Hayes was not only a successful banker, he was also well regarded in his community and by his colleagues. Then the 2007 real estate crash came down and Shaun, heavy into real estate investments, saw his world crumble around him. He'll share not only his story but also the keys you can learn from both his trip to prison and his otherwise successful career until that point, on today's show. In our headlines segment, we're joined by our sister-show co-host Alan Corey! Stacking Deeds launches tomorrow, so we had to include a real estate themed headline to get you in the mood. We'll be featuring episode one in the Stacking Benjamins feed...but make sure and subscribe to the Deeds channel so you catch all the goodness we'll share about real estate investing. Of course, that's not all. We'll share our TikTok minute, throw out the Haven Lifeline, and more. It's just another lesson-filled episode of the Stacking Benjamins show. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/shaun-hayes-1326 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Did you ever feel stuck? Here's a question: How did you stop thinking about doing something important in your life/career/money and actually got started with the hard tasks? We're going back to when our roundtable regulars shared how they motivated themselves to press "go" more quickly each time, and how they kept pressing "go" more often. We talked about fighting fear, making decisions, shifting mindsets, and working plans on the show. This show originally aired in 2020 so ignore any mention of current events. Check out the original show notes here. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/shifting-your-mindset-w-blue-print-income--rewind-1325 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Did you have financial security, but lacked financial wholeness? Tiffany "The Budgetnista" Aliche shares that she felt more complete BEFORE achieving financial independence. We discussed the importance of establishing a solid financial foundation and gaining knowledge in this area. Tiffany has helped women globally in paying off millions of dollars in debt, co-hosts the Brown Ambition podcast, and has authored multiple financial education books, including a pre-education book for children. Drawing from her decade of teaching experience, Tiffany has developed simple and engaging financial education lessons. We are bringing you back to our interview with The Budgetnista, we covered a range of topics, including why financial wholeness should be the goal instead of financial freedom, tips on presenting financial education to children, and her practical budgeting system. This show originally aired in 2021 so ignore any mention of current events. Check out the original show notes here. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/tiffany-aliche-rewind-1324 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Don't miss our podcast rewind episode where we interview Chris Field on the topic of changing the world with just 14 minutes of your time. Chris shares insights on why "charity begins at home" is flawed and simple ways to make a difference. Tune in to discover how you can maximize your return on investment and start contributing to positive change today. This show originally aired in 2021 so ignore any mention of current events. Check out the original show notes here. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/chris-field-rewind-1323 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There are so many savings strategies out there, but which are right for YOU? If you're young, how does your savings plan differ from the plans of older people? And, when you hear advice about saving, which are meant for you? We'll dive into that today with our panel featuring the host of the Everyone's Talkin' Money podcast, CFP Shannah Game. She's joined by financial juggler and super-writer Paulette Perhach and award-winning blogger Len Penzo in a far-ranging discussion about age, saving, and optimizing your game plan. But that's not all! Of course, our panel will compete in our weekly Stacking Benjamins trivia contest. The race is tight...who will come out on top? FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/shannah-game-1322 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Raymond Baker has spent a lifetime hunting down invisible money. Today he takes us down the rabbit hole…from offshore accounts, to creative accounting to overwhelmed banking systems, he details where hidden money lies in plain view. It's a fascinating ride you won't want to miss. Plus, in our headlines segment, one man makes over $30,000 a month from his boat! How does he do it? We'll perform a case study and the results will be surprising. We'll also throw out the Haven Life line to a lucky listener and Doug will spoil you with a spoonful of his sheep-themed trivia. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/raymond-baker-1321 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Imagine owning a company and working from anywhere, doing whatever you like, and changing the world around you. How great would life be? If you've ever dreamed of quitting your job and becoming an entrepreneur, we have a great guest for you today. Amy Porterfield left not just any job...she left the Tony Robbins organization to pursue her own entrepreneurship dreams. After a meeting where she was taking notes, listening to entrepreneurs talk about how they were changing the world, she realized that she wanted the same for herself and took the plunge. You can too, and we'll share how on today's episode. Before Amy, we share an important headline segment. A Kansas City small business owner sued his advisors after losing half a million dollars on an investment and won a judgment. What was the investment? We'll share details and our thoughts about advisor-client relationships. We also play a TikTok minute focusing on some contract law we probably need to implement AND later in the show, we'll throw out the Haven Life line to a listener with a big money question. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/amy-porterfield-1320 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One question we've been asked a TON is this: "What are the steps (in order!) that I should follow to optimize the path toward my goals? While we've presented our own ideas about order of operations today, we've never asked our contributors for their input...and today we change that! Len Penzo, Paulette Perhach, and OG debate a recent list from popular blogger Financial Tortoise, who listed twelve steps to financial independence. Do we agree? Disagree? We not only share the list and where each of our contributors might make changes, but we also dive into the steps to share how to best use the step to improve with money. Of course, we also continue our year-long trivia challenge between our panelists. Will OG pull away from the pack? Can Len Penzo take back the trophy? Will Paulette surge? All things will become clear on this week's roundtable discussion! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/roundtable-1319 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scarlett Cochran has lived the struggle and overcome it. Today she shares not only how to shrug off all of the self-doubt and short-term setbacks...she also shares her framing of money discussions in general. Life is about more than "the Benjamins" and she'll show you today how to break through with your financial game. In our headlines segment, we high-five (virtually, of course), Gen Z, who one survey says is killin' it with their savings game. We'll share the highlights and dive into what you can learn if you are just beginning or are struggling to invest. Of course, that's not all. We also throw out the Haven Life line to a lucky listener and share Doug's mouth-watering trivia. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/scarlett-cochran-1318 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you LOVE stacking some Benjamins, you need great relationships...with your boss, your co-workers, your clients and customers, your network. But how do you create these bonds and strengthen them? Today we ask not one but TWO experts to share tips. Damona Hoffman is the host of the Dates and Mates podcast and also the dating expert on the Drew Barrymore Show. She'll share everything from non-verbal cues to how to start a conversation, all things that will hopefully help not just your relationships but also your wallet. In our headlines segment, we chat with matchmaking coach Rachel Greenwald. Rachel wrote a piece for the Harvard Business Review detailing how dating advice can apply to being interviewed. We'll chat about first impressions with her and discuss how, surprisingly, your first impression might not even be when you meet for the first time. Of course we'll also throw out the Haven Life Line to a lucky listener and share some Valentine's Day trivia. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/damona-hoffman-1317 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How's your personal branding? Have you thought about how you market yourself? Today we dive into why building a personal brand is essential and how to get started with a panel featuring a guy who's helped many brands find their stride, Jason Harris. He's the CEO of advertising firm Mekanism, and he's worked with brands from Ben and Jerry's to Peloton and Nordstrom. He's joined by a woman who's worked hard on her brand as the best financial writer in the business, Paulette Perhach, and our very own co-host OG, who's had to build his financial planning image from the ground up. Joe's Mom's cousin Diania is filling in for Doug today and will share some intriguing trivia. Will Paulette finally make her mark and score a point? Tune in to find out! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/jason-harris-1316 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Did you think we could let this weekend's Super Bowl pass without linking money to the big game? Of course not! Today, Joe and OG dive into their top five moves to become a champion at all things money. We'll talk about everything from motivation to tactics during our feature segment. But that's not all. Earlier in the show, we'll share a headline about your auto premiums...bad news, Stackers. Prices are going up! Luckily, we've brought in Aric Sorenson from Insurance Brokers of Minnesota to help YOU find better coverage (and maybe for less money!). Of course, we also throw out the lifeline to a lucky listener and scoop from the neverending well of Doug's trivia. Enjoy! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/joe-and-og-1315 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Greenwood District of Tulsa was a vibrant community in the early 1900s. In fact, it may have been the wealthiest predominantly black neighborhood in all of America. However, in 1921 the area, more commonly referred to as "Black Wall Street" was erased completed after a horrible massacre. We'll dive into the story with Kevin Matthews who not only wrote a book on the topic; he grew up in the same area and attended school on the same street. He'll share not only the horrifying history but also help us look toward the future and how we can all do a better job of working together to all stack more Benjamins. Lisa Marie Presley is BACK in our headlines segment. Her mother Priscilla is disputing her late daughter's trust. We walk through how a trust works, what may be going on, and how you may be able to avoid some estate planning mistakes. Of course, that's not all. We'll also share some Route 66 trivia, since we're talking to Kevin about Tulsa, and throw out the Haven Life line to a lucky listener. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/kevin-matthews-1314 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's house-selling season, and if you're prepping to move, we have a roundtable show of experts for you! Our team will chat through a recent Philadelphia Inquirer piece about what you should and shouldn't do before selling your house. We'll walk through THEIR recommendations and why we believe they're grat (or awful) and then give our best advice for what to DO and what LEAVE on the table. Joining us for this episode is frequent contributor and top financial writer Paulette Perhach, host of the NEW upcoming Stacking Deeds real estate podcast Alan Corey (who's also currently recording with Grant Cardone an upcoming television series), and co-host of the Bigger Pockets Money podcast, Mindy Jensen (who's also a real estate agent and house flipper). FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/roundtable-1313 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What do you do when life seems like it's a struggle? Jason Vitug has been there. Chasing his career at full speed, suddenly everything broke down. His health, family health, his financial situation...everything. Jason learned how to regroup and grow, and today we dive into his story so that you can also fight through adversity to take on whatever challenge awaits. Jason always has an inspirational story to share and today's show is no exception! In our headlines segment, advisors are struggling to keep some clients from bailing into cash. Yields are rising and the stock market has been uncertain...so why not move? We'll share our thoughts on that and also thoughts on the disconnect in general between people and advisors. Where are advisors (and clients) getting it wrong? Of course, that's not all. We'll throw out the lifeline to a lucky caller and Doug will share his amazing trivia. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/jason-vitug-1312 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Want to impress your friends at your next neighborhood cookout? Not only tell them that you saved money on your insurance, but also humblebrag that you listened to today's show and actually understand WHY you made better decisions. MIT professor Amy Finkelstein joins us with stories about insurances gone wrong, sharing details so you better understand how the system works. We'll talk about, among other things, why health insurers want to know if you go to the gym (not the reason you think), what American Airlines has to do with insurance nightmares, and why your company only offers "open enrollment" once per year. In our headlines segment, have you thought about leaving the USA to pursue your next opportunity? We'll share a new list of the top places to live for young professionals. In our TikTok minute, we'll profile some people who may need to pay more attention while on the job. And of course we'll save time to throw out the Haven Life line to Mike who lost a bunch of money in crypto and also share some of Doug's mouth-watering trivia. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/amy-finkelstein-1311 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

They say that money makes you money...so when investing should you spend your time seeking "alpha" (bigger returns than normal) or should you spend more time at your job? Today our contributors dive into this excellent topic presented in a recent Of Dollars and Data blog post from past guest and show friend Nick Magiulli. Of course, we'll explore not only Nick's thoughts from the piece (link in our show notes), but we'll also share our own perspectives...and of course our team has many ideas for you to consider. Our contributors on this episode include writer extraordinaire Paulette Perhach, the host of the Earn & Invest Podcast Doc G, and the effervescent writer behind the award-winning LenPenzo.com website, Len Penzo. Not only will they contrast work vs. investing...they'll also continue to compete in our year-long contributor trivia battle! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/roundtable-1310 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I know what you're thinking, your brain is the smartest part of your body. But to quote comedian Emo Philips, look who's telling you that. Your brain makes great short-term decisions but often at the cost of better long-term thoughts. Better eating? No thanks, the brain knows that ice cream tastes better. Workouts? The brain knows that those hurt. Saving for the future? Ms. Brain says I need money for right now. Luckily help is on the way in today's episode. Dr. Daniel Willingham joins us to help you trick your brain into better habits. We'll talk about getting more out of meetings so you can earn more. Take better notes so you remember more. Focus on the task at hand so you can stack more Benjamins. Of course, that's not all. During our headline segment, ANOTHER celebrity says that they're going to disinherit their kids. Who would do this and why? Do we agree? We'll share. Also, we'll throw out the Haven Life line to a lucky caller who wants to help HIS mom (our mom 100% approves of this caller!) AND Doug will share his Chinese New Year-related trivia. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/daniel-willingham-1309 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've all that that pivot in life, changing directions in our career. Joe sold his business at 40. OG has moved firms. Doug has worked at many firms (but none in a basement until now!) before securing his current--and favorite--role. So what should you consider before taking the leap? We're joined by Jill Schlesinger, host of the popular Jill on Money podcast and CBS News personality. She's helped many people successful change directions in their life and shares some sage advice with us on today's show. Lisa Marie Presley has passed away, and in our headlines segment we detail some of the reported financial struggles of The King's daughter. Are there lessons for us? We think so. We also share a TikTok minute you won't soon forget, throw out the Haven Life line to a lucky listener AND Doug shares his amazing trivia question. Just another great day in mom's basement! FULL SHOW NOTE: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/jill-schlesinger-1308 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you have traditions that you value? Today we discuss traditions of all types and whether they are worth the money. Also, we advise on how to keep the tradition without breaking your bank account. We welcome our regular contributors Paulette Perhach from The Writer Paulette, the one and only Len Penzo from Len Penzo dot Com, and the ever-smiling OG from this very podcast. Whether it's finding creative alternatives to expensive gifts or rethinking the way you celebrate, we'll provide tips and strategies for keeping your money traditions alive without going into debt. At the midway point, Doug will give us some amazing trivia, and we will find out who starts our year-long trivia contest with a bang. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/roundtable-1307 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What do YOU look forward to when it comes to building and implementing your financial plan? If you're the average person online, you may think that a financial plan is all about building portfolios and managing investments. When you hear our top 5 favorite parts of a plan, you'll realize just how broad planning truly is and how many great opportunities you have in front of you. We'll share under-used strategies and tactics that you can implement immediately to have a big impact on your financial future. Of course, that's not all. In our headlines segment, we dive into the Chinese stock market. Chinese stocks have been on a tear and we'll share what's going on in this market and how to use these gains to your advantage while building your portfolio. Of course, we'll also throw out the Haven Life line to a lucky Stacker and Doug will share his trivia. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/top-5-things-we-love-about-financial-planning-1306 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tired of thinking, "Other people have money...how come I can't get any?" Candy Valentino has been there. She was born into poverty, but luckily also into a can-do family. She joins us today to tackle how YOU can go from nothing to money by applying your best attributes. She'll discuss the importance of education, of paying attention to your surroundings, of investing in others, and more. You're going to learn a TON about life on today's show. In our headlines segment, many employers are actually HIRING right now (not what you're reading in the news). How do YOU get yourself ready for your next big opportunity? We'll share. Of course, we'll also throw out the life line to a lucky listener and we'll share some of Doug's amazing trivia. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/candy-valentino-1305 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we take our first dive of 2023 into the real estate pool with an episode on the basics: how CAN you purchase properties? We grabbed a piece from RealEstateInvesting.com, asked our friend Crystal Hammond from SewSoFab.com (and a real estate investor herself), and gathered our regular contributors OG and Len Penzo (LenPenzo.com) for a discussion about owning properties. At the midway point, we turn to health and wellness expert Angelo Poli from MetPro to help us kick off the new year on a high. He answers questions from Stackers in our Basement Facebook group on LOTS of different topics. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/crystal-hammond-1304 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Often we're asked, "Should I chase a career I love or follow the Benjamins?" It turns out, according to two researchers, you may not need to choose. At the very least, our guest, Dr. Myra Strober, professor Emeritus from Stanford University, will share a guide to making a choice that's much closer to optimal than many people perceive when they worry about love vs. money. Earlier in the show, we'll speak with James Martielli from Vanguard Investments about planning your portfolio during inflationary times. He'll peer into Vanguard's crystal ball to look into what they expect for 2023 and then share tips to optimize your portfolio. Of course, we'll also throw out the Haven Life line to a lucky listener and also share Doug's astronomical trivia. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/myra-strober-1303 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Want to be rich? Harvard's Dr. Robert Waldinger says more money won't necessarily make you happier. Fame? Yeah, that doesn't do it, either. Today we dive into the TRUE keys to happiness with the man who heads up the world's longest research study on the topic. He'll share the data and what you can do to transform your life into a much sunnier place. There was also BIG new legislation late last year. With wide-ranging changes impacting retirement withdrawal rules, retirement saving amounts, accounts and eligibility, college fund rollovers, and more. We'll walk through a laundry list of new opportunities and share some ideas on how to use them best. Of course, we'll also throw out the Haven Life line to a Stacker with a question AND share some of Doug's amazing trivia. FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/robert-waldinger-1302 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Every year we ask a magic 8 ball that Len Penzo purchased at Walmart to predict the future. In the early years the ball was spot-on. Lately...not so much. But we do learn a lot about not falling into "current thinking" traps and about not worrying so much about what's top-of-mind in the moment. The truth tends to have a longer shelf life. So, we'll spend the first half of the show with Len, OG, and a mystery guest diving into last year's predictions and reliving some of 2022. Then we'll spend the second half prognosticating 2023. It's a lot of fun and we hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed recording it. FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/magic-8-ball-1301 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It feels like yesterday we were fastening the string between two tin cans in mom's basement to make a podcast...but now we've actually reached 1300 episodes. We've spent lots of time talking about the guests and special events that have shaped our little basement-based money literacy project, but we haven't talked about some of the big headlines we've covered. So today, we've picked three out of the 1300 to focus on that represent much of what we've covered over the last nearly twelve years. But that's not all. In our headlines segment, Adam Carroll joins us to talk about shredding your debt in 2023. While other Americans are busy opening up new credit cards, we'll challenge you to swim upstream and instead join the Stackers who are focusing on slashing not just their payments but also the amount they owe to other people. You'll love the feeling of freedom being debt-free gives you. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/episode-1300 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If there's anything we've become great at, it's committing too much of our time, money, and lives to things we don't care about. Today we'll help you start the new year on the right foot by learning to commit to ONLY those important things and take control of your time. Dr. Don Davis joins us to tackle this vital topic that'll help us frame the rest of this year in the right light. But that's not all. We kick off today's show with a headline to help you ramp up your retirement savings. Then we'll share an ugly TikTok minute about a recent crypto implosion. And, of course, we'll also throw out the Haven Life line to answer a Stacker call for help. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/don-davis-1299 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Magic 8 Ball is back. Ahead of our show next week where our regulars will ask the Magic 8 Ball their questions for the coming year, we're going back to the predictions made last year. We take a look at the questions asked of the Magic 8 Ball and find out how many it got right. Take a look at the original show notes and full Magic 8 Ball predictions for the year here. Find the full show notes at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/magic-8-ball-1298. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does it take to be a great leader? David Gergen served four US Presidents (from both parties) and believes that our youth have the potential to be great leaders in society. To round out our week of most inspirational guests, we bring back our conversation with David. He talks about leadership, service, and how you can help motivate and inspire others around you. Take a look at the original show notes here. Find the full show notes at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/david-gergen-1297. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Inspiration can come from almost anywhere and creativity plays a huge role. Don't think you are creative enough to come up with great ideas? Think again. Daniel Lamarre is the former CEO and now Executive Vice-Chairman of the Board of the legendary company Cirque du Soleil. He joined us to talk about why creativity is crucial to professional and personal success and shares his own journey with Cirque du Soleil to improve in every area of his own career. Check out the original show notes here. Find the full show notes at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/daniel-lamarre-1296. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Step into the New Year with a new perspective on influence. Getting what you want and deserve doesn't have to be a negative thing. Zoe Chance is an expert in influence and is an Assistant Professor at Yale. She joined us to share her secrets to positive influence and happiness. She talks about the power of ‘no’, charisma, and my favorite, the Kindly Brontosaurus technique. Take a look at the original show notes here. Find the full show notes at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/zoe-chance-1295. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Finding great mentors and role models isn't always easy. Once you find one, hold on tight. Professor Scott Galloway joined us to share his thoughts on education, role models, patriotism, and so much more. His new book takes a fascinating look at the U.S. and explains how we got where we are today, achievements we’ve made, failures and our socioeconomic systems, and all explained in charts. Check out the original show notes here. Find the full show notes at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/scott-galloway-1294. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Year-end is a time to reflect on the past year and set new goals for the year ahead. What lessons did you learn in 2022? Our roundtable joins us today to share their biggest takeaways. Paulette Perhach (Powerhouse Writers), Len Penzo (len penzo dot com) and OG join us to talk about 2022. They share their thoughts on crypto, the stock market, and how to position yourself to be successful financially. And then, we crown the annual trivia contest winner with the best trophy anyone has ever seen! Find the full show notes at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/roundtable-1293. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2022 is coming to an end. What were your biggest takeaways and lessons for the year, financial or otherwise? A volatile stock market, rising interest rates, and uncertainty left a lot of people feeling uneasy about their investments but there's a silver lining. Katie Gatti from Money With Katie joins us to share her top five takeaways from 2022. She says that if you got through 2022 and have a clear outlook on your financial plan for the upcoming year, you are in a better position than you might think. She talks about lessons from crypto, the bond market comeback, why diversification still matters, and more. We're also talking about Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) today. Shawna Hausman from FSAStore joined us to help you spend those FSA dollars before the year-end deadline. She shares some of the less-known items and products that qualify and shares a calculator to help you determine how much to contribute to your FSA next year. Then we'll hear Nick's question about cutting expenses and Doug will share his trivia. Find the full show notes at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/katie-gatti-1292. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The holiday season is meant to be spent with activities and people you love, not in the kitchen creating some elegant concoction (unless that's your #1 passion, then go for it!). Even worse, your waistline won't love you ordering DoorDash every night and eating warmed up fast-casual restaurant food. Where's the sweet spot? Karen Nochimowski is the tour-de-force behind Momma Chef, and she today will share recipe ideas from her new 6-Minute Dinners cookbook. It turns out, you don't have to be Gordon Ramsay to make a delicious meal AND it doesn't have to take long to prep, either. In our headlines segment, we dive into recent comments made by Morningstar CEO Kunil Kapoor about direct index investing, and how it can turn index investing "fun." Is that a good thing? We'll share some thoughts. Plus of course, no show would be complete without Doug's trivia and a call into the Lifeline from Paddy, who's worried about FinTech company Blooom closing the doors to customers. Where does he turn for asset allocation suggestions? Hey, Stackers - are you good at communicating about money and have 25 hours a week available? We're hiring! Check it out here. Find full show notes at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/karen-nochimowski-1291. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who are the people that have motivated and inspired you most in your life? The friends and family we surround ourselves with impact all areas of our lives, including financially. Do your closest friends have similar spending habits to you? Today, our roundtable guests talk about the influence our friends have on us. Alissa Maizes (Amplify My Wealth), Len Penzo (len penzo dot com) and OG share their thoughts. They talk about people who have motivated and influenced their money habits, how their habits compare to their friends, and toxic traits in others that they avoid. But that's not all for today! We also have Suzanne Lucas here, The Evil HR Lady, to talk about the recent Twitter layoffs and what you can do if you find yourself in a similar situation. Find the full show notes at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/roundtable-1290. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When sudden change happens in your life, how do you handle it? Imagine being told you couldn't perform your job anymore. How would you pivot? Our guest today had a huge and sudden change in his life when, while his wife was in labor with their child, he found out he had injuries that would prevent him from playing football ever again. Eric Wood played in the NFL for nine seasons before his sudden departure. He joins us today to talk about that moment, the immediate changes he had to make, how he set himself up for success after the NFL, and the importance of having mentors and coaches at all stages of life. Think you have nothing in common with an NFL star? Think again! These messages will apply to much of your life. Are you counting on the 4% rule to get you through retirement? You may need to revisit your financial plan. For years there has been suspicion that the 4% rule doesn't work anymore and we dive into exactly why in our headline segment. Joe and OG talk about reviewing your plan consistently and making small changes along the way so you don't run into huge setbacks. Then we'll answer Justin's question about saving for future college expenses and Doug will share his trivia. Find the full show notes at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/eric-wood-1289. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When most people think about real estate rentals, they think short-term or long-term investing options. Did you know there's a huge market for mid-term rentals? Mid-term rentals are perfect for traveling nurses, business executives at a temporary location, or someone looking to try out a new location before making a big move. Our guest today, Zeona McIntyre, stumbled into mid-term rentals and has now built her real estate portfolio around the strategy. She talks about going from juggling low-profit rentals just to get started, and shares ideas on how you can start your real estate investing journey too. Were you one of the Taylor Swift fans who tried to get tickets to her latest concert? Ticketmaster was a disaster, with many people waiting hours to snag their tickets. Those who couldn't get tickets found them on the secondary market for tens of thousands of dollars. Randy Nichols is a music manager who currently manages the band Underoath. He joined us to talk behind the scenes on how ticket sales work and why Ticketmaster's crashed so badly this time. Then we'll answer "Brian's" (we have our doubts. It sounds suspiciously similar to someone else we know) question from Wisconsin about probate and Doug will share this trivia. Find the full show notes at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/zeona-mcintyre-1288. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you ever feel FOMO seeing the investments that the super wealthy have access to? Private investments, hedge funds, and other alternative investments get a lot of hype but they also come with a ton of risk. Some of these investments do make sense for the everyday investor but there's no need to get stuck in a cycle of FOMO. Our roundtable today talks about the difference in investing based on the. size of your portfolio. Roger Whitney (The Retirement Answer Man), Len Penzo (len penzo dot com) and Paulette Perhach (Powerhouse Writers) join our roundtable today. They talk about the FOMO they've all felt with being unable to access certain investments and how to get past that FOMO to create investment goals and a portfolio that works for you. Angelo Poli from MetPro also joins us to talk about health and wellness this holiday season. He talks about, controlling the urge to snack, and shares how to go into the new year with a fresh look at your health. Find the full show notes at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/roundtable-1287. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

'Tis the season for parties, gatherings, AND....awkward discussions with people you need for networking opportunities. Public speaking creates massive anxiety for many people, and even more so during the holiday season with endless parties and get-togethers. But guess what? Being an introvert, shy or anxious isn't a defining characteristic. Public speaking is a skill that you can build and actually excel at. Our guest today, John Bowe, saw this first-hand with a family member. His step-cousin went from an introvert whom no one understood to unbelievably finding a spouse. The big turning point was learning how to connect with people. John shares how we can all connect with others better and become better speakers. In our headline segment, we are talking about diversification. Many people get it wrong when it comes to diversification. We share why and how you can smooth out the bumpy ride in the stock market with diversification. We'll also answer Ricky's question about his mom's IRA allocation and Doug will share his trivia. Find the full show notes at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/john-bowe-1286. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We dive deep today into the creation of a new podcast series from FastCompany about women and work FastCompany scoured the nation to find mother/daughter pairs to tell their own stories of the world of work. How they created the series is a testament to the power of working toward excellence, but the topic itself is also beyond compelling. 43% of women leave the workforce after having children, which is disturbingly often not always their preferred choice. Today we talk with Kate Davis, FastCompany Deputy Editor about the American Dream and women and what we all can do to improve our ability to earn more and to help others earn. While it's true that you can't change history, women often face challenges today in the workplace that should have been resolved years ago, so we discuss what we can do now. We'll also share clips from several of those women, and Kate offers additional research and solutions based on her work. Is Congress bringing some changes to retirement plans? It looks likely, though currently the government is sitting on the Secure 2.0 bill with a deadline just a few weeks away. We'll talk about the changes proposed in the bill and how to get your retirement savings on track whether or not this legislation passes. We'll also answer Timmy's question about brokered CDs and Doug will share his trivia. Find the full show notes at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/kate-davis-1285. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What is your tipping etiquette? Tipping at restaurants is more straightforward than tipping at a coffee shop or when you order takeout. Even more complicated is tipping for services like hair salons or your trash service provider. How do you determine how much to tip and when? Our roundtable today shares their thoughts. Barbara Sloan (Tipped Finance), Len Penzo (len penzo dot com), and OG join us to talk about their tipping habits. They also talk about tipping in unusual situations and what to do when someone swings the iPad around for you to add a tip. And, of course, Doug will continue his tipping-themed trivia for our annual competition. Find the full show notes at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/roundtable-1284. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you ever look around your house and wonder how you accumulated so much stuff? It's the holiday season and you're about to bring in even more. There's stuff everywhere and we keep buying more. "Spring cleaning" is a great idea, but today's guest believes that decluttering your life begins with deciding what you actually bring INTO your home to begin with. Tracy McCubbin is our favorite organizational expert who's learned the hard way. Her father is a hoarder, and she's seen firsthand the mess it can create in people's lives. Tracy joins us today to talk about decluttering your house and your life and shares some of the most common clutter magnets. Crypto is back in the news and back in our headline segment. This time, we focus on crypto arbitrage. What is that and should you try it? Joe and OG will explain. Then we'll answer an anonymous (aka Janet) caller's question about simplifying the number of funds in her 401k account. And of course, Doug will share his trivia. Find the full show notes at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/tracy-mccubbin-1283. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today YOU are in the driver's seat with questions about annuities, opening accounts, the stock market, savings account options, unclaimed property, and more...but before that, we dive into a headline on real estate that could make you think twice before investing in it. We'll share details and what questions you should ask regarding these "deals." Plus we share a TikTok minute sure to make you think about your utility bills differently, AND Doug also asks a trivia question you just might get right. You can find the full show notes at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/listener-questions-1282. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tired of not knowing how to get into money topics with friends OR sick of boring holiday parties where someone picked out a lame game from Walmart? We'll solve BOTH problems today with our friends from the Australia-based YouTube channel Thinker Themer, Amy and Maggie! They're board game reviewers who walk us through two lists, one detailing great games introducing people to money or economic themes, and the other with party games that will be sure to entertain your friends and family over this holiday season. They're sure to bring some games you've never heard of that can provide hours of entertainment for a lot less money than a night at a bar or trip to the local cinema. You'll find show notes for this episode at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/amy-and-maggie-thinker-themer-1281. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever paid for some sweet new tech gadget and it didn't work as advertised? Sometimes a "deal" isn't really a great deal...which is why we love saving you some money on these big-ticket items. Tech gadgets are always towards the top of wish lists and we'll wade into the best and worst deals this week. Our guest today knows more than most of us about the latest tech. Bridget Carey from CNET joins us for our annual walk through all of the hottest tech deals AND also shares what to shy away from. Not all Black Friday deals are created equal and she shines a light on what you should pay attention to this year. But all of these deals could mess up your long-range planning if you aren't careful. That's why, in our headline segment, we're joined by financial therapist Dr. Erika Rasure from Beyond Finance. She joins us to detail how to make the most of this season, and how to recognize patterns of unhealthy spending. She also shares tips to keep your budget in check this holiday season. We'll also answer Austin's question about taking a fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgage. Which is better in this environment? And to top off our pre-Thanksgiving festivities, Doug will share yet another incredible trivia question. You'll find show notes for this episode at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/bridget-carey-1280. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ready to save big money this holiday season? Before you hop on the internet or stand in line this week for the hottest deal, we've got some HUGE money-saving tips for you. Regina Conway from SlickDeals is back this year to share 2022's hottest Black Friday deals. Avoid shopping at the wrong store when the better deal is somewhere else. As she does every year on this special episode, Regina shares timely and specific advice for shopping with a plan this season. Make your list, do research, and find ways to stack coupons. Regina shares top deals in beauty, toys, home improvement, kitchen appliances, and more. She also shares how to find additional deals through the SlickDeals community. We're continuing the money-saving tips and tricks with our headline. Joe and OG dive into a piece about how to find the best deals this week AND the best strategies to save more money. They also talk about how to stay on budget and hide money from yourself. Then we'll answer Matt's question about what to think about before retirement and Doug will share his trivia. You'll find show notes for this episode at stackingbenjamins.com/regina-conway-1279. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mentors can be monumental to success. The right one can help propel your career and personal life by guiding you to your goals. We have three great contributors to our roundtable today who discuss the value of a mentor. Sharita Humphrey, Len Penzo, and Paulette Perhach join us to share lessons they've learned from their mentors and how to find the right one for you. They also talk about the importance of being coachable and that eagerness to continually learn. But we can't leave the show without Doug and his trivia. He'll share another piece of trivia as our contributors continue the chase to win our annual competition. You'll find show notes for this episode at stackingbenjamins.com/roundtable-1278. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Want to make more money? Communicate better. Period. So, what distinguishes money-making effective communicators from your buddy's last rotten email? One major difference is word choice. Carmine Gallo joins us today to make you a top-notch communicator. He studied Jeff Bezos' communication style at Amazon and shares the leader's transformation over the years. Years ago, Jeff was writing memos at a college level, but now he writes at an 8th grade level. And guess what? His writing and overall communication is lightyears better today at the 8th grade level than it was when he wrote at a college level. Carmine dives into why that works and shares tips for all of us to be better communicators. Are you house hunting? Did you about fall over when you saw that interest rates are hovering right around 7% currently? In our headline segment today we talk about why. Even if you aren't house hunting, you'll want to hear this. We dive into the Fed, how mortgage rates are set, and what you should be doing with your money during this time of high inflation and high interest rates. We'll also answer James' question about buying vs. building a new home. And of course, Doug will share his trivia. You'll find show notes for this episode at stackingbenjamins.com/carmine-gallo-1277. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stop wasting all of your free time on buying yourself another job. Sure, all the cool kids are talking about "side hustles" these days. If you're reading this and DON'T have a side hustle, there's a nearly one-hundred percent chance that you've thought about starting one yourself. Before all of that pain, you'll want to hear from today's guest who says that not all side hustles are created equal. Brian Page has built an empire built on an entirely different premise. Will it take work? Yes. Is it more sustainable than a second job? Absolutely, and that's why we wanted to chat with Brian. He not only shares ideas, he'll tell you how he did it. We've heard a lot about investment funds in hot water over high fees but now some are getting in trouble for fees being too....low? In our headline piece, we'll discuss the hot topic of fees from this completely different angle.We'll dive in and guide you in the right direction to picking your own investments. Then we'll answer Rachel's question about investing in today's market, and as always, Doug will share his trivia. You'll find show notes for this episode at stackingbenjamins.com/brian-page-1276. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you missing out on benefits that might be available to you? Billions of dollars in government benefits go unused each year. On this Veteran's Day, we're bringing you back to a Veteran's Day episode we aired a few years ago with Ellie Kay. There's tons of benefits and programs available to our veterans and she shares about a few of them. This show originally aired in 2019 so ignore any mention of current events. Check out the original show notes here. You'll find show notes for this episode at stackingbenjamins.com/ellie-kay-rewind-1275. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Does small talk at holiday parties make your skin crawl with anxiety? Company parties are even worse. It's SO uncomfortable trying to come up with what to say to people you barely know. That's why we are bringing back our interview with Nick Shelton today. He understands the introvert struggle of mingling at holiday parties. He shares tips and tricks to help get you through AND enjoy the party. This show originally aired in 2021 so ignore any mention of current events. Check out the original show notes here. You'll find show notes for this episode at stackingbenjamins.com/nick-shelton-rewind-1274. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you started thinking about the holidays and all the parties that come with it? We sure have! That's why we are starting our rewind week strong with the best party planning tips and tricks. David Tutera is a party planning expert and shared his best tips to throw the best party without blowing your budget. This show originally aired in 2019 so ignore any mention of current events. Check out the original show notes here. You'll find show notes for this episode at stackingbenjamins.com/david-tutera-rewind-1273. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How does today's down market compare to the past? Can we learn from the pain others endured during historical downturns? While it always makes sense to avoid mistakes in the past, our roundtable team also today throws the caution flag: beware reading too much into current events that don't necessarily correlate wth the past. CFP Eric Brotman from the Don't Retire, Graduate! podcast joins Doc G from Earn & Invest and Paulette Perhach to talk all things markets and recessions. They talk about the current financial markets, how it feels different than past recessions, lessons learned, and what YOU should be doing and thinking about with your own portfolio. This chat is inspired by a piece recently posted at the amazing blogger Donna Freedman's website, Surviving and Thriving...which gave the team lots of facets of this discussion to chew on. Of course, we can't leave out Mom's Neighbor Doug! He will share his trivia to continue our year-long trivia competition, which only tightens as we near the finish line. Will things heat up even more? You'll find show notes for this episode at stackingbenjamins.com/roundtable-1272. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When opportunity knocks, will you answer? Having a dream is one thing but making it a reality is another, especially when money is involved. Sometimes that opportunity comes in the form of coaching, and we're joined by one today! Patrice Washington is one of three financial coaches on a new PBS series, Opportunity Knock$, that helps struggling families find resources and reach their financial dreams. Patrice joins us today to share the story of one woman she helped coach throughout the show. PBS also put together an entire resource guide to help find local help near you. In our headline segment, we share news about the increases to retirement plan contribution limits for 2023. What does it mean for your budget and how can you save more? We'll give some ideas. We also share clips from an interview we did with Sean Mullaney about retirement savings and plan options for those of you that are self-employed. He shares tips and advice for getting the most out of your savings. We'll also answer Malcolm's question about collective investment trusts within his employer sponsored retirement plan and Doug will share his trivia. You'll find show notes for this episode at stackingbenjamins.com/patrice-washington-1271. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What spooky money stories keep you awake at night? There are the ghosts of bad banking, the goblins of budget nightmares, the witches haunting your net worth statement...and even some scary stories about retirement. Jaspreet Singh joins us today to share some of his personal financial lessons. He's now a successful entrepreneur money coach, running the Minority Mindset YouTube channel and market briefs newsletter, but his success didn't happen overnight. His family expected him to become a doctor, but he had his own plans. He talks about real estate mistakes, business mistakes, and why more money doesn't always solve problems. Then we're continuing the Halloween fun with Chuck Jaffe's epic Halloween game. The host of the popular Money Life podcast is back this year to share how he's teaching kids AND celebrating with the neighborhood, and hopefully gives you some ideas too. We'll also answer Lisa's question about whether to keep her qualified annuity or roll it over to an IRA. And Doug will share his horror trivia. You'll find show notes for this episode at www.stackingbenjamins.com/jaspreet-singh-1270. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What's that item that makes you beg, "TAKE MY WALLET ALREADY!" We all have them. Maybe it's books, travel, ice cream, or board games. Whatever. Today we face off against our personal money-sucking demons and the question, "How do we plug these leaks," and "Do we need to plug them?" Joining us for this fun look into how we spend money is the co-host of the amazing Frugal Friends podcast, Jen Smith. She joins OG and Len Penzo (LenPenzo.com) to a lively discussion about our weaknesses, our wallets, and setting up systems to better spend money. Of course, that's not all. Our year-long trivia contest between our contributors is heating up! We'll listen to them battle it out. You'll find show notes for this episode at www.stackingbenjamins.com/roundtable-1269. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When it's time to invest, how do you choose between all of the choices out there? We dive into a topic that YOU chose (if you're a member of our Facebook group), and we also augment it with a fantastic headlines discussion with Rachel Aguirre from iShares about exchange-traded funds. What are "ETFs" as they're called, and how are they different than other investment types, like mutual funds? We dive deep into investing nerdery on today's show. But of course, that's not all. We'll talk margin accounts on the Haven Life line. Can you get rich quicker using money you borrow from your broker? We'll have opinions. The biggest news? During the vote on today's topic, you also thought we needed to chat about "Doug, the Untold Story." We bring you portions of the documentary on the topic as well as Doug's World Famous Trivia segment, just to keep things lively. You'll find show notes for this episode at www.stackingbenjamins.com/listener-questions-1268. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Doug Nordman isn't your typical dad. While other fathers were out working, Doug was busy surfing, because he'd focused on financial independence from an early age. Today, he and his adult daughter Carol Pittner join us to discuss how Doug and his wife created a financial modeling system for their daughter and how that daughter (Carol) is now creating her own system at home. We talk about the value of making mistakes, the similarities between good parenting and poker, strategies for creating teachable moments, and more. In our headline segment, social security is in the news. The US government just released the cost-of-living adjustment number for 2022, so we take this opportunity to discuss many ways to maximize your social security payout amount. Plus, in our TikTok minute we feature a song about a hot topic for travelers AND midway through the show, Doug shares his amazing trivia question. You'll find show notes for this episode at www.stackingbenjamins.com/doug-nordman-and-carol-pittner-1267. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you know if you are on the right path? There's a million and one decisions you can make that could take you in a different direction. It's the same with your finances. If your finances aren't on the path you hoped for right now, it's never too late to make a change. Paulette Perhahch, Len Penzo and OG join our roundtable this week to discuss a piece about ways to know if you are on the right path. They share their own experiences and talk about checking in with yourself, having fun, surrounding yourself with the right people, and more. And of course, Doug will continue our year-long trivia contest with our contributors. You'll find show notes for this episode at www.stackingbenjamins.com/roundtable-1266. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How can combining your entrepreneurial spirit and a love for your community launch a business to overwhelming success? Gina Schaefer moved to the Logan Circle neighborhood of Washington DC when it still had boarded-up homes and no public services. After being laid off from several tech startups, she decided she needed a change. What better change to make than to step up and improve your own community? She opened a hardware store down the street next to an addiction recovery group that became a safe haven for people. Her business has succeeded and she now owns multiple stores in the area. She joins us today to tell the amazing story of how she got that first location and what she's learned from her many employees over the years. October is National Fire Prevention Month. Our friend Steve Kerber from the Fire Safety Research Institute joined us again this year to share the latest fire stats and ways to protect your family and your home in our headline segment. Then we answer Jason's question about saving for a college education in a 529. He isn't sold on the idea and we offer our thoughts. And Doug will share his trivia. You'll find show notes for this episode at www.stackingbenjamins.com/Gina-Schaefer-1265. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Uncertainty" is the new black. Between the stock market, inflation, and a recession, uncertainty leads the media to bigger ratings, but to the average person it leads to fear. The best way to reduce that fear? Knowledge. Phil and Danielle Town join us today to talk all about uncertainty and how to take back control of your finances. They believe that knowledge and education, especially in an area you enjoy, can reduce anxiety and fear around your money. They share their investing approach and offer tips to help you with yours. Before that, we share a shocking headline piece claiming that many young people shouldn't save for retirement. Say what? We dive into it and share our thoughts. We also answer Tom's question about wash sales. He wants to know what triggers one and how to know if two positions are substantially similar. And then Doug will share his trivia. You'll find show notes for this episode at www.stackingbenjamins.com/phil-and-danielle-town-1264. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you consider yourself generous? There are tons of ways to be generous. It can with with, time, money, or skills. Today our roundtable is discussing generosity in your life and finances. Paulette Perhach, Doc G, and OG join us to share their thoughts. Donating money to charity isn't the only way to show generosity. You can also donate your time or skills. Our contributors talk about ways they've donated and helped others and how it relates to their finances and happiness in life. You'll find show notes for this episode at www.stackingbenjamins.com/roundtable-1263. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever think about quitting your job and just hitting the road? Krista Edwards (Ready to Roth podcast) did exactly that, taking off for several months during prime earning years to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. She shares some of the story and the intense planning she did before and during the trip, and hopefully inspires you to take that leap toward doing what you want, when you want, on your terms. But before that, loans, credit, and co-signing are all featured in today's headline story. Have you ever cosigned a loan for a family member? We talk about the good, bad, and ugly (but mostly the bad and ugly) when it comes to helping someone with a loan. What should you watch out for and is it ever a good idea? We'll share! We also answer Nina's question about reading a fund prospectus and Doug shares his trivia. You'll find show notes for this episode at www.stackingbenjamins.com/krista-edwards-1262. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do I make my best financial moves before year end? We'll help you begin the final quarter of the year on a high note, with great advice from two titans: Barbara Corcoran and Ed Slott. Ed will kick things off by helping us all rethink tax planning, then Barbara Corcoran will help you launch or reboot your business. Even if you aren't worried about tax planning yet OR thinking about starting a business, listening to these two experts who've nailed the art of succeeding in what you do will be a great use of time so that you're ready for these moves in the future. But that's not all...then we'll answer Debi's question about saving for a down payment on a home and whether she should save to her traditional or Roth 401k. And of course, Doug will share his trivia. You'll find show notes for this episode at www.stackingbenjamins.com/barbara-corcoran-1261. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Let's make finance easy and fun! What if your BIGGEST tasks only took 20 minutes? You'd do all of them, right? Well, the BIGGEST tasks may take longer, but the good news is this: if you have 20 minutes, you can accomplish a LOT! Today, you're in for a treat because we're talking about 20-minute tasks that will help boost your finances. Kyle Hedman and Dan Leeson (2 Bulls in a China Shop podcast), Paulette Perhach (Powerhouse Writers), and Len Penzo (len penzo dot com) join our roundtable to share their thoughts. They talk about setting up emergency funds, reviewing retirement contributions, listing out your debt, and more. And Doug will continue our year-long trivia challenge for our contributors. You'll find show notes for this episode at www.stackingbenjamins.com/roundtable-1260. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Change is so, so, hard. But...why? We know that there is one constant: change. So how do we flip how we deal with it? As anything, we change our mindset. Today, Entrepreneur magazine Editor-in-Chief Jason Feifer is here to share some of the best lessons from early in his new book Build For Tomorrow on the topic of change. It's a robust conversation you won't want to miss. But that's not all. OG and Joe mix it up about saving money on insurance during our headline segment. Should we follow the advice of the awesome Veronica Dagher and look for discounts, or after the recent hurricane, should we hunt for MORE? We'll weigh the options. Of course, that isn't all. We'll throw out the Haven Life Line to Anonymous (they sound very scary!), plus deliver Doug's life-altering trivia question. You'll find show notes for this episode at www.stackingbenjamins.com/jason-feifer-1259. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What would you do if Netflix asked you to be featured in one of their documentaries? Our good friend Paula Pant from Afford Anything was just featured in one! So we stuck out a couple of microphones and asked her to share. So on today's show, she shares with us some of the best advice she gave on the new Netflix special. Hurricane Ian caused horrific damage across parts of Florida last week. Before the next natural disaster, we're talking about what to do if the next disaster hits close to your area. How do you prepare? What should you focus on? Plus, we'll dive into "better" insurance. Everyone looks at price, but it's during times like that that we wonder, "Am I truly covered? We'll share some ideas. We also answer TD's question about health insurance for entrepreneurs and business owners and Doug will share his trivia. You'll find show notes for this episode at www.stackingbenjamins.com/paula-pant-1258. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What are your biggest dreams? Sometimes dreams feel far, far away, but thinking big is an important piece of life and your finances. Today we dive into a piece that explains three buckets when it comes to your financial plan: growth, security and dreams. How can you use the growth and security buckets to help reach your dreams? Our roundtable is here to share their thoughts. Jen Hemphill from Her Dinero Matters joins regulars Paulette Perhach and Len Penzo, who all share their thoughts. They talk about their own career paths, how they've built their plans around their dreams, and how you can do the same. You'll find show notes for this episode at www.stackingbenjamins.com/roundtable-jen-hemphill-1257. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The overwhelming thought around higher education used to be that if you wanted a good paying job, a college degree was necessary. That thought process may be changing. Professor Scott Galloway joins us today to share not only his thoughts on education but how our country came to be and the ideologies we share. His new book takes a fascinating look at the U.S. and explains how we got where we are today, the achievements we've made, our failures, and our socioeconomic systems, all explained in charts. He shares some of his findings with us. Then we'll tackle interest rates in our headline segment. The Fed announced it raised interest rates by .75% again this month with no sign of slowing down. What does it mean for your wallet and the economy as a whole? We'll explain. We also answer John's question about investing in CDs vs. US Treasury bonds, and Doug will share his trivia. You'll find show notes for this episode at www.stackingbenjamins.com/scott-galloway-1256. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's show, TikTok maven and behavioral money guru Dr. Bradley Klontz joins us to dive into your money habits. How bad do you suck with money? Probably not as bad as other people, based on some recent studies. But who cares about them? Let's try and do better! Today we'll dive into habits you can form to be better with your cash. Plus, during our headlines segment, OG tackles the current optimism around bonds. If bonds are poised to go up, and OG believes it, why wouldn't he recommend investing in the gold rush? We'll explain. Of course, we'll also share Doug's amazing trivia and much, much more. You'll find show notes for this episode at www.stackingbenjamins.com/brad-klontz-1255. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How many times have you said the words, “You should sell these?” to someone after experiencing their creativity? We all have. Let’s admit it. We’re built to think about selling things that we’re good at. From our handiwork to our speaking skills, whenever you’re good at something, the highest compliment seems to be, “You’re good enough to sell this! Start a business!” But should we? Today we talk to THREE business owners about this very topic. Our special guest, Caleb Guilliams, runs the successful Better Wealth YouTube channel and podcast. OG runs a successful financial advisory firm, and our newest roundtable regular, Paulette Perhach, operates a successful writing/coaching operation. Does it make sense to mix your passion with your business? What are the surprises you encounter if you even try? We’ll cover all of that PLUS continue our yearlong trivia contest between our contributors on today’s show. You’ll find show notes for this episode at www.stackingbenjamins.com/caleb-guilliams-roundtable-1254. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if your time management system was actually holding you back? Richie Norton learned the hard way that most time management systems help you complete more tasks but do nothing to help you improve your life. He created the anti-time management system out of necessity. After losing a child and a brother-in-law, he needed to focus on living more rather than just "doing" more. Today he'll teach us key ideas to help you live a fuller, richer life. But that's not all! In our headline segment we dive into a new product on Wall Street...the single stock exchange-traded fund. Do you need to add this to your portfolio? How does it work and who is it for? We'll answer all of those questions...along with a question from a man from Australia (or not), who wonders about what to do with 529 funds AFTER his children have finished college. Can he just take the money out and spend it? Of course, we'll also share Doug's amazing trivia, and so much more. You'll find show notes for this episode at www.stackingbenjamins.com/richie-norton-1253. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Does your professional, personal, or financial life sometimes feel out of control? Us too, which is why we wanted to chat with Bola Sokunbi, creator of Clever Girl Finance and author of a new book, Choosing To Prosper. To improve her financial and personal life, she endured a 3-hour commute, planned two weddings, and navigated the tough decision about when to have children. It's an exciting and empowering discussion about taking control of your finances and career. Even if you've done a good job saving for retirement, we have headlines you'll want to hear. A recent Wall Street Journal piece explains why your planning job should be about far more than the money. We talk about mindset and values around your retirement goals. We'll also answer Marisa's question about what to do with her old 401k account, and of course, Doug will share his trivia. You'll find show notes for this episode at www.stackingbenjamins.com/bola-sokunbi-1252. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What's your biggest money concern right now? Rising prices are putting strain on people's wallets. Others have transitioned away from the corporate world and are trying to navigate a new way to earn an income. Whatever stage you are in, there are other people in the same boat. To help, we're diving in to some of the top concerns among people today and sharing our advice. We're live from Podcast Movement in Dallas, Texas with a rockstar roundtable. Mindy Jensen (BiggerPockets Money), Lacey Langford (Military Money Show) and Allison Hare (Culture Changers) join us to share the biggest concerns among their listeners. They talk about the housing market, finding fulfillment in your life and career, the importance of mentorship, and more. You'll find show notes for this episode at www.stackingbenjamins.com/podcast-movement-1251. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why do so many people focus on managing time, and yet so few achieve a rich life? What exactly does a rich life mean to you, and are you building a bridge toward it? Ramit Sethi's book, I Will Teach You To Be Rich, is a huge success and he now joins us to share lessons from a new journal he's releasing to accompany his bestselling work. He'll walk us through how to actually envision that rich life and how to take steps to achieve it. He also dives into the psychology behind building a life you love, why numbers and math aren't everything, and how to create your money vision. In our headline segment, we take a deep dive into Best Buy's recent earnings call. Not necessarily because of the numbers they reported, but for how they are controlling the controllable. We'll explain. We also answer Paul's question about moving overseas once he retires and Doug shares his trivia. You'll find show notes for this episode at www.stackingbenjamins.com/ramit-sethi-1250. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Everyone is on their own path toward their financial goals. Your job, income, lifestyle, and values all play a role in that. Where are you on your journey? In a job you dislike or looking for ways to make big moves with your finances? Sam Dogen is the force behind Financial Samurai. He's been in the finance industry for decades, starting his career at Goldman Sachs. He quickly realized it wasn't the job he envisioned and he set out on a path to financial independence. He's here today to share his top money lessons and tips from his career. He talks about how to evaluate your net worth, how to think in probabilities instead of absolutes, why winning isn't the same as not losing, the importance of continuing to show up, and more. In our headline segment, we dive into the truth behind "buying the dip". What does it mean and does it work in the long run? We'll explain why it's popular but doesn't always work like people hope. We'll also throw out the Haven Life line to Jess who has a question about her health insurance plan. And of course, Doug will share his trivia. You'll find show notes for this episode at StackingBenjamins.com/sam-dogen-1249. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Life can come at you fast. Sometimes quick decisions are necessary but when it comes to your finances, is faster better? Impulse purchases, trading on short-term news, and making decisions without thinking about tomorrow can hurt in the long run. Our roundtable today talks about decision-making when it comes to your finances. They talk about when it's ok to move fast and when to slow down. Amy Blacklock (Women Who Money), Len Penzo (len penzo dot com), and OG join our roundtable. This episode originally aired in 2019 so be sure to ignore any mention of current events. Check out the original show notes for this episode. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do rules of thumb and finance "rules" leave you confused? Even better, some contradict others. We've got a great throwback for you today to help you avoid bad advice around rules of thumb. Joe and OG share their top 5 dumbest rules of thumb and why you shouldn't follow them exactly. They share what you should focus on instead to get ahead on your finances. This episode originally aired in 2015 so ignore any current events or giveaways. Check out the original show notes here. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

(See our note on sound quality below...this is below par but an EXCELLENT episode). Happy Labor Day, Stackers! We're kicking off fall with fantasy football, pumpkin spice lattes, and some good ol' retirement planning. There's no time like today to get your financial plan in order. Emily Guy Birken not only co-wrote Stacked with Joe, she's also written several other books AND came on our show a few years ago to bust retirement myths. We start our rewind week with a look back at this episode with her. She shares why some common retirement tips might not work as well as they sound. This episode originally aired in 2015 so be sure to ignore any mention of current events. Check out the original show notes here. Enjoy! Note from Joe: In 2015 we decided to make BIG changes in the podcast and experimented with EVERYTHING. We had JUST changed the format, the sound settings...literally everything, and we lost a third of our listeners. Within two months we'd rebounded to garner accolades across the internet. From Kiplinger to Art of Manliness, everyone loved what we were doing. This episode was lost in translation. The material is great....so today we bring it back using as much modern tech as possible to make the audio quality better. You can hear the raw beginnings of what we were aiming for with Stacking Benjamins, AND there's good advice inside of this episode). So...I hope you enjoy this walk down memory lane. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trying to cut back on spending? Now that vacation season is coming to a close and it's back to school for many people, lots of us are thinking of ways to tighten the belt. Today, our roundtable discusses proven ways to save money. Everything from drinking coffee at home to automating your savings to cancelling subscriptions are discussed. Headed into a holiday weekend we decided to make it Game Show Time! so you know it's going to be a ton of fun. To put more Benjamins in your wallet we're joined by savings expert, newspaper columnist and Certified Financial Planner Sarah Catherine Gutierrez (Ladysplaining Money and Aptus Financial). She'll take on our own contributors Len Penzo (len penzo dot com), and co-host OG to see which money saving pro can turn you on to MORE exciting ways to save a buck (or more!). Who do you think will guess the most answers that show up in the piece we reference? The challenge doesn't stop there. Doug will share his trivia. Can OG pull even farther ahead of the group? Enjoy! You'll find show notes at StackingBenjamins.com. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are on our newsletter, The 201, available at StackingBenjamins.com/201. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What's cooking this holiday weekend? Labor Day picnics are just around the corner and tons of people like you are planning festive weekend fun. Not sure what food to prep? Not great with the grill? We've got you covered. Chef Marie Saba joins us with not only LOTS of puns from her hilarious new book, but she also shares some delicious and easy recipes to make your Labor Day picnic or get-together a success. We also chat about her career, because one of Instagram's most famous chefs didn't start out in the kitchen. She'll inspire you with how she pivoted careers to focus on what she loves. We're continuing the food theme in our headline segment. One 27 year old spends $1,000 a week eating at restaurants. Wow! We'll share the rest of the piece on how they allocate the rest of their food budget. We'll also throw out the Haven Life line to an anonymous caller who wants to know how to find the right financial advisor for them. Doug will also share his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When life gets you down, it's easy to fall into a death spiral of negativity. The harder choice? Figuring out how adversity makes you stronger and picking yourself back up for another round. Twila True was born into the Lakota tribe, in the poorest county in the United States. From a young age, she knew she wanted to find her own way and not rely on another person for financial stability. Today she'll share how she pulled herself out of the cycle of poverty, and into ownership of multiple successful businesses. Both Entrepreneur and Success magazine have honored her with top honors in 2022, and now she'll walk through the steps she took. Target date funds are back in the news. In our headline segment, we're talking about another lawsuit over excessive fees in investment accounts. We tell you what happened, what you can do to protect your accounts from excessive fees, and why we don't love target date funds. We'll also throw out the Haven Life line to Nick who has a question about wash sales. And Doug will share his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Every year the personal finance community comes together for the Plutus Awards, an annual ceremony that shines a light on some of the best and brightest brands in our space. If you're looking for new podcasts to listen to, new blogs to read, videos to watch, or social media to follow, you're going to love today's show. We start off this special episode with a simulcast of the actual award reveal, which happened on YouTube a couple of weeks ago. Miranda Marquit represents the Plutus Awards and joins Joe to share this year's list. (Because of the live nature of the show, there is some wobbly audio in this segment of the presentation). Then, in our second segment of the show, Joe is joined by a cast of financial commentator to walk through nine of the categories and comment on the various brands. Athena Lent (Money Smart Latina & Slate PF columnist), joins freelance writer/podcaster Eric Rosenberg, and podcaster Chris Browning (Popcorn Finance and This is Awkward). Who's probably going to win each? Who do our panelists want to win? How are these creators different? What are the trends in personal finance media today? We'll dive into all of that in our longest (by far!) episode of the year. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does your dream retirement look like? One popular blogger had high expectations for retirement, and now, four years in, reviews some WOW unexpected changes in his life. If you've ever fantasized about how you'll spend your retirement days, today's show is for you. What if it doesn't go as planned? Our regulars (OG, Paula Pant and Len Penzo) are back for Paula's last episode for the next 10 months while she's off at Columbia University for an amazing business journalism fellowship. They talk about retirement expectations vs. reality, planning for retirement, and what to think about now, even if that's long before retirement. And of course, Doug will share his amazing trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ON a recent Money Rehab podcast episode, financial commentator Nicole Lapin brought up some pretty explosive reactions to words said by talk show host Dave Ramsey. On today's show, we ask the basic question, "Do commentators attacking each other hinder their efforts to spread financial literacy?" But, we also zero in on exactly what language Ramsey used that Lapin objects to. We invited her on the show to explain, and we're delighted that she took us up on the offer! Today she dives into her sometimes very personal reasons why she objects to what Ramsey says. We question her about how we treat each other as humans, the usefulness of commentators checking each other, the role of religion in financial discussions, and more. But, that's not all. Bed, Bath and Beyond is in the news, and it's partly because of Gamestop! What's the connection? We'll share and also help you with some tips about individual stock trading. We also answer a Haven Life Line question from Jeremiah, who's wondering about buying a home vs renting. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today, Joe and OG are answering YOUR questions, and man do we have some good ones. They explain deflation in more detail, dive into dollar cost averaging, talk about shifting your investment allocation, and talk about the importance of keeping your accounts safe online. In our headline segment, we talk to Ken Tumin from MagnifyMoney about their recent saving index survey. Are Americans saving more or less now than they did a year ago? What age group is saving the most? Ken will share the results. We'll also throw out the Haven Life line to Dan who has a question about his employee stock purchase plan (ESPP). And of course, Doug will share his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are the grocery store and gas pump killing your Stacked vibe? While tightening the budget belt is one way to control your finances, you can't shrink your way to greatness. Today we'll present another option: increasing your income! Today we'll share lots of ideas on how to make money...so many that in fact, we hope you'll finish this show realizing that a future side hustle idea is closer than you think. Cody Berman is an expert side hustler and also the host of the popular FI Show podcast. Today he joins entrepreneur Paula Pant (Afford Anything), and our very own OG, with thoughts on some of the popular ways people try to bring in some extra cash. They'll share how to get started, what to avoid, and common mistakes and misconceptions, so you're off and running in the right direction and without any messy situations. And you know we can't forget about our trivia competition. Today? Doug's sharing some delicious, jello themed trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Where do your best money habits come from? As a kid, did you have chores and earn an allowance? Were you told all debt is bad? Or maybe your family never talked about money growing up? Our guest today grew up with family mantra that she can still recite perfectly today, a "repenting bench," and a chore list that required bidding and negotiation. Paige Cornetet learned awesome lessons from her father as a kid about money AND life. He taught Paige and her three siblings in a way that was fun and engaging. Paige shares some of those lessons today and ways to help teach your own family, friends, or yourself about money. In our headline segment, we're breaking down the Inflation Reduction Act. How can it help you save money on energy costs? We'll share! We also answer Rachel's question about when and why to sell her investments. And of course, Doug will share his amazing trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you have a dream that hasn't yet been achieved? Are you fascinated with the sinking of the Titanic? If so on either account, you aren't alone. The Titanic's demise is one of the most famous shipwreck stories that has been told over and over again by survivors, and dreaming? Well, that's natural. We all want better. So how do these two ideas mesh? While some dreamt of riches bringing the ship back to the surface, it took decades to find the wreck. Not one or two, but many people had grand ideas of how to locate and preserve the ship. The stories of the Titanic and MANY other shipwrecks are documented in today's guest's new book. Daniel Stone has been fascinated by shipwrecks since he was a kid. He's here today to share shocking facts about shipwrecks and how several people have made it their life's work to find and preserve the Titanic. In our headline segment, we're talking about active vs passive investing. Is one better than the other and why the recent push toward active management? Joe and OG talk about what steps you should take with your own portfolio. We also answer Sheri's question about taking social security benefits. And we can't leave Doug out so he'll share his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Game of Thrones tells us that "Winter is coming." While we're not sure about that, we DO know that fall is just around the corner, vacation time is over, and it's time to get serious again about work. So how do you hit reboot and get in gear to hit September running? If the end of summer is making you anxious, we've got you covered today because our roundtable is sharing tips and tricks to staying productive and getting back to tackling your tasks. We are joined by Paula Pant (Afford Anything), Len Penzo (len penzo dot com) and OG. They share everything from how to organize your email inbox, what order to respond to emails in, and how to organize your day in a way that makes you more productive. To make this day even more productive, Doug will share his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you looked through your closet lately? Have you closely examined the people around you? Today's guest's father married the two once, when he told her, "Your friends are like the clothes in your closet." Jen Principe is a stylist for the stars, whose passion for fashion started at a young age. While now her life seems perfect, Jen's childhood was a horrible mix of abuse, alcohol, getting kicked out of school, and more. Still, it was fashion that saved her life and to use her words, her "soul." She's here today to share her story and the personal and professional lessons we can use to brush up our wardrobe. During our headline segment, we share some sad news about Robinhood, and their announcement that they're laying off a large part of their staff. While the CEO said it's his fault (which doesn't help the employees who were let go), there's still much to sort out. The guys talk about what to do if YOU are ever laid off and how to cope. We also answer Joe's question about downsizing from two trucks to one and Doug shares his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tired of the constant talk about inflation? Don't tune out yet because we are back with the MOST interesting and fun look at the cost of rising prices....Len Penzo's annual sandwich survey. He's on the 14th year of his iconic survey and he's here today to share this year's results. Will the BLT remain the most expensive sandwich of all that he follows? Will bologna stay at the bottom? Len shares the average cost of a sandwich based on his findings, how it compares to the cost of a school lunch, and ranks 10 sandwiches from least to most expensive. During our headline segment, we take a look at a leaked memo from Bank of America that says they hope Americans will be in a worse financial position in the next year. You read that right. One of the biggest banks in the country is hoping people are worse off with their money. Why? Bigger profit. Joe and OG dive in and share how to be better with your banking. We'll also answer Michelle's question about inflation and deflation and Doug will share his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How organized is your financial life? Is it a jumble in your head? How much complexity is a good thing...diversification, accounts at different institutions... and how much complexity is truly just disorganization? To help attack the complexity problem and create a simpler, more fluid financial life, today we welcome CFP Dawn Dahlby to chat with financial writer Paulette Perhach and Len Penzo. They'll address ways to reduce the dashboards you use, crystalize your thinking, and streamline your financial life. From consolidating accounts to streamlining your investments and debunking rules of thumb, they share their tips to help you better manage your money. And of course, Doug shares his trivia as we continue our year-long trivia challenge. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you truly living? Following your passions, doing what you love and finding purpose in life? The balance between living for today and saving for the future can be hard. How do you fulfill both sides of the equation? Jordan Grumet, aka Doc G, is a hospice doctor who takes care of patients at the end of their life. He's witnessed both sides of the spectrum: people who died with immense love and purpose surrounding them but very little money, and people who died with more money than they could ever need but lacked true connection and purpose in their life. Jordan is here today to help inspire you to live for today without sacrificing your needs in the future. He shares stories from his time as a physician and the lessons his patients taught him. During our headline segment, we're looking at risk vs. reward when it comes to your investments. One study shows that most people don't understand the trade off between risk and reward and we dive into why. We also share how you can find bigger opportunities to save more without risk by sharing a video clip from Sarah Catherine Gutierrez about student loan forgiveness. We'll also answer Steve's question about 401k withdrawals in retirement and Doug will share his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever feel stuck? Are you sometimes suspicious that maybe what's in standing in between you and goals goals is...you? Today's guest knows that our brain does a great job of tricking us into thinking we can't accomplish something. Colin O'Brady not only summited Mt. Everest twice, he's also the first person to trek across Antartica solo, unassisted. He shares how limiting beliefs restrict us from chasing our dreams, how to get out of your own way, and why a 12-hour walk might be exactly what you need to truly recharge (and why it's not as daunting as it sounds). In our headline segment, we're sharing some frustrating news about an app we once loved. You can find a subscription for just about anything these days and Stockpile is now moving to a subscription based fee model too. We'll also answer Robert's question about allocating his 401k contributions between pre-tax and Roth and Doug will share his Mt. Everest wedding trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is your wallet feeling the HUGE pressure of rising prices? Groceries, autos, travel...nearly everything costs more today than it did a year ago. If you're feeling the budget crunch, we've got you covered with hacks and tips to keep costs down. Our roundtable today is discussing a piece on hacks to fight inflation and they talk about everything from the value (or not?) of Costco memberships, buying used, tracking expenses, DIY and more. Katie Brewer (Your Richest Life Planning), Len Penzo (len penzo dot com) and Doc G (Earn & Invest) make up our roundtable today. And of course we saved time for Diania's trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We all have a money story, and today we're sharing some of YOUR most inspiring ones. What makes personal finance really awesome is when we can come together and share stories to inspire and motivate others. Today we talk to three stackers who have done incredible things with their money and learned lots of lessons along the way. Katie was deep in debt for years before paying it off and entering herself into a savings competition at her local credit union. She won the 8-month long challenge by saving 78% of her income in that time! Josh and Alyssa moved from California to Texas without ever having set foot in the city beforehand. They worked to track and cut down on expenses in the year leading up to the move and they share how they did it. Last, Joe's son Nick set himself up so he won't be stuck in mom's basement by owning 11 rental properties at the age of 27! He talks about his strategy, how he got started, and why he dove headfirst into real estate investing. We also left time to throw out the Haven Life line to Brian and answer his question about the 4% rule with a pension. And of course, Doug shares his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Being part of a cult isn't something you'd normally want to flaunt, but today's guest leads a "cult" in the FIRE community that you'd love to be in, because you value saving money, finding your "why" in life, and seeking financial independence. Even if you aren't part of the FIRE community, you'll recognize today's guest. Pete Adeney, aka Mr. Money Mustache, sat down with Joe to talk about family money values growing up, multiple income streams, real estate and the current stock market. Pete shares how the blog started and shares some of his recent posts as well. In our headline segment, we dive into online security. How secure are your passwords, especially for financial accounts? 'Password' is still one of the most common passwords and we share some of the other top passwords according to one list. The guys share tips to keeping your accounts secure and share one scary story of a 401k hacker. Then we answer Lynn's question about opening a 529 for herself and Doug will share his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you planned for late summer or early fall travel at the beginning of the year (or heck, even the beginning of summer), your budget now looks ugly. Although gas prices have retreated, they're still significantly higher than only a few months ago. Airline fares are sky high, and hotel pricing plus rental car fees have also seen inflation. Today we're coming to the rescue of those travel plans, ditching our normal roundtable format to bring you some hacks and tips to save you money and keep more of the fun when you vacation. Chris Hutchins from the All The Hacks podcast joins us to share travel tips that could save you tons of time and money. Then George Igoe from the popular Million Stories series George Goes Everywhere shares fun ways to spend less but get the same enjoyment out of your travel experiences. He travels around the country visiting various cities for a weekend on a measly $100 budget. He shares how he does it and how you can too. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the 1940's mutual funds helped the average investor achieve what rich people had known for a long time: that diversification can save your net worth from ruined. In the 1990s exchange traded funds began to trade in serious volumes, with the pace only accelerating. Where do we go from here? Rich Compson, the Head of Managed Accounts at Fidelity Investments joins us to share a solution he and others have been working on. It's a revolutionary way to think about your investment portfolio, offering insane personalization and the ability to be more proactive with tax planning and management. Is it the next thing? We don't know, but we DO know that Rich joins us and shares all the details. In our headline segment, we start by talking about popular "finfluencers" on social media and how their messages help bring everyone to the discussion of personal finance. But how much should you rely on the advice of these online "experts"? We share a few examples of how things can go very wrong and what to look out for when taking financial advice. We also answer Annaliese's question about beneficiaries on her 401k and Doug shares his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When you're "winning" at work it's easy to double down and think, "I'm going to work even harder and the results will multiply." This is the first move in a long, painful set of lessons for most people who learn the hard way that working harder doesn't always equal working smarter. Jodi Katz sees this mistake often in the rough-and wild world of beauty. The popular podcaster and beauty media company CEO spent her early years working for several large brands before setting off on her own entrepreneurial path. She's here today to share how she finally found success, and some of the missteps and strategic moves she made along the way that led her to important lessons. In our headline segment, we look at two big publications, each citing a different major bank with a polar-opposite opinion on the economy than the other. What do you do when even the biggest names can't figure out whether we're headed for more pain in this market? The guys share it all AND give you tips on how you should think about your own financial plan during these times. We'll also answer Marco's question about permanent life insurance and Doug will share his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How many times have you told yourself that you really, really needed to buy something and acted on emotion? If you bought, did it wreck your credit, your savings, or your budget? Did you feel huge regret after the purchase? Spending is emotional and emotion drives a lot of our spending - and investing - decisions. Our roundtable today talks about emotional spending and how it relates to your overall financial plan. Paula Pant from Afford Anything, Len Penzo from len penzo dot com and our very own OG discuss a piece about emotional spending decisions. They share their emotional spending decisions and help you with tips on how to keep emotions out of big decisions. That'll do it for this Friday roundtable but don't worry, we left time for Doug's trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever wondered what an "authentic" real estate fix-up story sounds like, instead of the magical rehab stories that make things look way-too-easy on television? Good news, Carl and Mindy Jensen have done everything from house hacking, fix-and-flip, and buy-and-hold real estate investments. They are here today to share their real estate investing successes and horror stories, Carl's final 1500 day countdown to retirement, and some practical tips if you are thinking about diving in yourself. In our headline segment, we look at a business case study that clearly shows the problem around rising interest rates. Between the pandemic, rising rates, and a threat of recession, corporations are feeling the hurt. We dive into one industry's debt, show you what this means for YOUR money, and share our tips to help you navigate the current economy. We'll also answer David's question about retiring with unused sick days and vacation time, and of course, we even left time for Doug's trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever wondered how your life might be different if you'd decided to take that gap year instead of attending college? Or maybe you decided at the last minute to change the course of your life by talking to a stranger? Laura Schroff backtracked into an unlikely meeting with an 11-year-old boy who was panhandling on the streets of New York City in the late 1980s. After initially walking by the starving child, something made her reverse course a few blocks later. That day turned into a lifelong friendship, creating lessons for both Laura and the boy (Maurice) over the years. She's here today to share tthe powerful tale, as her book that describes the story--An Invisible Thread--celebrates its 10th anniversary. AND as usual, we have more surprises...including a special guest co-host! BiggerPockets CEO and co-host of the BP Money Podcast Scott Trench joins in the fun. He helps us with our headline segment, which brings the conversation back to crypto but it's probably not what you think. Some stars and athletes have asked to be paid in crypto. How's that turning out for them? Joe and Scott dive into why it might not be the best idea. We'll also discuss Tyrell's question about non-compete agreements in our Haven Life line. And we can't forget Doug. He'll share his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How's your summer going with the family? Had a money discussion yet? We know that it's hard. Talking about money can be awkward and difficult when trying to explain concepts to kids. We're helping out today by sharing tips and strategies for talking to kids about money. Our roundtable consists of Doc G, Pam Andrews, and our very own OG. They share their tips for talking about money with family and kids. This episode originally aired in 2021 so be sure to ignore any mention of current events. Check out the original show notes here. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You think your credit score is a jumbled mess now? Luckily, the three major credit bureaus just stopped counting most medical debt into your score. But it used to be that credit was based on so much more (and less), because the credit "bureaus" were run by people who could be paid off or who could raise or lower your credit just because they liked you. Or they didn't. Dr. Josh Lauer joins us today to continue our dive into American financial history, helping us understand the early days of credit in our country. We'll chat about how it worked, the interesting nuances of your "score," and more. Plus, on this rewind episode from 2017, Mandi Woodruff from the Brown Ambition podcast joined us as our special guest co-host! She'll help us with a couple of headlines, answer a question on the Haven Life Line, and much more. This episode originally aired in 2017 so be sure to ignore any mention of current events. Check out the original show notes here. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We know how the war began. You may know many of the battles. Of course, you know how it ended because you're celebrating the end today if you live in the USA. But how was the war paid for? Today we dive into answering that question with historian Thomas Schachtman. He'll share stories about our founding fathers, their fortunes, and what was at stake if the revolution had gone differently, from both a personal and financial perspective. That's not all! Of course, we'll share a headline ripped from the news when this show first aired, answer a listener question, and dive into Doug's trivia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is this the worst possible time to retire (or to make ANY big financial move)? Inflation is SLIGHTLY up. The stock market is SLIGHTLY down. This could feel less like retirement and more like falling into a deep, dark chasm. Yet, our panel today is here to provide a flashlight and some safety equipment for your goals. Kyle Landis-Marinello joins us (author of Personal Finance and Investing), along with Paula Pant (AffordAnything podcast), and our own OG. We'll dive into the problems associated with making big moves right now and one-by-one work through all of the problem points. By the end of the show, we hope you'll have a much clearer path toward still achieving what you want, when you want, with your money. But that's not all! Doug also will orchestrate another chapter in our year-long trivia challenge, as OG fights to pass Len for first place and Paula hopes to regain the fight for the world's worst trophy. It's all that and much more! Come join us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Instead of focusing on what you're going to do today, how about deciding "what am I NOT going to do?" That's one of many pieces of productivity advice that Oliver Burkeman brings to the basement table today. He's studied productivity over his long career and has now written a new hit book on the topic. Oliver shares lessons from Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management For Mortals on today's show. In our headlines segment we address a recent Wall Street Journal piece that calls the bottom of the recent stock market downturn. When will the ugliness end? We'll also ask OG's opinion. Plus, it's Gary Busey's birthday, so Doug will help us with some non-sequitur trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's a popular refrain: evaluate your life to reduce time pressure and the resulting stress. But what if this approach wasn't as useful as you'd initially thought? We went from driving to a store to purchase closing to "one-click" ordering on Amazon to save time, but what did we lose in the process? Are we making poorer decisions because we're moving at the speed of light, all propelled by brands working hard to get you to buy more. When you save time, do you actually feel less stressed (hell, do any of us feel less stressed than we did ten years ago?) What if adding friction was the answer, rather than decreasing it. Soon Yu joins us today to talk about why friction may not be all bad, and why it can actually help keep more Benjamins in your wallet. He shares stories about a 20-minute coffee process, baking cakes, and how we can manipulate our dopamine levels to reduce unnecessary spending. But wait, there's more! In our headline segment, we talk about Social Security benefits and the misinformation to watch out for. You expect to get correct information when you call the Social Security Administration but some agents are handing out incorrect information by mistake. We'll tell you what to look out for and how to check your Social Security benefits before you retire. We also answer Jake's question about receiving a gift from his mom and Doug shares his TV trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How much do you love your current job? Some studies show that more than half of people are unhappy with their job in some way. Finding your calling and a career you don't regret can be tough but our roundtable today will help you think about the right questions to ask yourself and tips to not regretting your career. We welcome Doc G from Earn & Invest, Len Penzo from len penzo dot com and Paula Pant from Afford Anything to share their career mistakes, regrets, and tips to finding your calling. And of course we have another round of our trivia challenge today with Doug's super serious trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You've probably heard of having skin in the game, but what about having soul in the game? Having soul, in whatever game you choose, brings purpose and meaning to life. Our guest today learned about putting his soul into his work and finding true purpose from his parents. Vitaliy Katsenelson grew up in a small Russian town and saw the struggles and sacrifices his parents made to give him and his siblings a great life. Vitaliy shares the lessons he learned and why money is secondary to finding purpose in life. That's not all for today though. In our headline segment, we're brining up Gamestop stock again, but not for the reason you might think. The SEC is holding the magnifying glass to a little term called payment for order flow which became its own scandal during the Gamestop stock craze. We share what it means and why it matters. We also answer David's question about helping his mom find new work after an injury and Doug will share his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Buffie Purselle is a tour-de-force. She started her own business at 19. She's been featured on not ONE but TWO reality television shows. She's helped hundreds of budding entrepreneurs begin businesses. So to celebrate Juneteenth we're helping empower YOU with the woman who believes that you have to "crawl before you ball." She'll share stories from her own upbringing and early jobs that you can learn from to fast-track your own success. She also shares the dark moment when she realized things were headed in the wrong direction, and she needed to change her ways if she wanted to be successful. That's not even CLOSE to all of our topics, though. In our headline segment, we discuss some of the scandal behind meme stock trading: selling order flow. Wheels have been in motion since the meme stock craze began (remember Gamestop and AMC Theater stock?). Right now the SEC is trying to make some changes, and we'll share what it's all about. We'll also throw out the Haven Life line to Melissa who wants to find a fee-free HSA account. Why pay fees when there are great accounts out there with zero maintenance fees? We share how to find those free accounts. And we'll leave time for Doug's trivia AND our fairly gross TikTok Minute. Just another Federal holiday in Joe's mom's basement. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Did you know that when at a fine dining restaurant, you should never lift your menu from the table? ...or that you should sip your drink from the exact same spot on the glass each time? On top of that, definitely do NOT announce to the table that you're headed to the bathroom. What does any of this have to do with money? Besides the fact that if you're interviewing or networking at a restaurant and you could stand to gain a few Benjamins from the experience, there are also some money rules that many people don't know or follow. What are they? Our regulars today dive into their favorites: Paula Pant from the Afford Anything podcast, Len Penzo from Len Penzo dot com, and our co-host here OG. They all share solid advice and awkward stories, everything from sharing salaries to making assumptions about other people's money. As usual, right in the middle of it all, Doug will share his trivia to continue our year-long competition among our regular contributors. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You start that amazing new job and the boss hands you a giant stack of paperwork. Does that sound familiar? One of those forms is most likely a crucial piece of your financial picture: your 401k enrollment. How much should you contribute? How do you choose investments? Today, Joe and OG share the top mistakes they see people make with their 401k, so you can learn from others' mistakes and avoid your own future headache. You're welcome! From not contributing enough to choosing the wrong investments, they share it all. In our headline segment, we're diving into one group who seemingly predicts the market better than most analysts. How do they do it and who the heck are they? Oh, we'll explain! And it's probably not a group you'd expect. Then, of course, we let Doug share his auto-themed trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Remember the phrase 30-and-out? That was what people said when they'd sign up to work for the same company for their entire working lives. Since the days of single-job employment, working thirty years has become a standard idea. But why? Kiersten and Julien Saunders are the brains behind the new book Cashing Out, where they throw 30 years to the curb. Instead, they advocate focusing on 15 years. We'll dive into that, saving more effectively for your goals, the FIRE movement, and more, in a wide-ranging conversation with this dynamic duo (they also are the team behind the popular rich & REGULAR blog, podcast, and more. In our headlines segment, credit company Transunion is out with a new study asking the question, "How are you holding up during this era of massive inflation?" Charlie Wise from the company joins us to talk credit and some worrisome trends that you should hear so that you can avoid overstepping your credit lines. Of course, we'll also share an UGLY TikTok minute about life insurance, ask you a tough postal service trivia question from Doug, and more. ...just another Monday at the Stacking Benjamins show! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can you be idle and still get ahead in the game of life? In some cases, this is absolutely the best answer. Our contributors to today's roundtable discussion dive into their answers to the question, "Can doing nothing benefit you in life and with your money?" Our special guest today from Sensible Money is Certified Financial Planner Dana Anspach. Joining Dana are our regular contributors, Len Penzo (LenPenzo.com) and our co-host OG. That's not all! We will round everything out with neighbor Doug's famous trivia! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It only takes a moment watching the news to learn what David Gergen already knows: our current leaders have failed us. In some ways, it isn't their fault; growing up during the Vietnam conflict, many of our leaders grew up in a deeply partisan country and have led from that divisive position. However, Gergen, who served not one but FOUR US presidents...from both parties (Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and Clinton), believes that our youth CAN be great leaders. How? We'll chat with him today about leadership, service, and how you could be the person who helps many around you stack more Benjamins. In our headline segment, both Jamie Dimon at JP Morgan Chase and Elon Musk are clanging the warning bell that bad times are ahead. Should you be worried? OG has opinions...and it probably isn't what you think. We'll also throw out the Haven Life line and tackle some of Doug's amazing trivia. Just another average day (you know...with a dude who's overseen and advised the making of The West Wing...) of the Stacking Benjamins Show. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Know those horrible situations where everyone's fighting at work -- or worse, at home? Talk about a horrible investment: being invested in a rotten environment can overshadow even the best portfolio returns. Good news, though. It turns out, there are two types of conflict: the kind that allows us to grow and produces a positive outcome and the kind that's downright toxic. To help us find a way toward healthy conflict, Gabe Karp joins us. He talks about why it can be hard to see the other side of an argument, how to turn bad conflict into good, and how to move toward a healthier working environment by even maybe fighting more (but in a healthy way). But before that, we speak to Lamine Zarrad from Stellar about credit and the current economy. What happens when interest rates continue to rise and you need a new loan that you can't afford? Lamine created a company called StellarFI, which was built to help people build their credit through paying bills on time. We'll talk about credit issues, the economic slowdown, and how you can protect yourself. And of course, we'll share our TicTok minute AND Doug will share his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's time to get vulnerable and break down the barriers. As we always say, 'personal finance is personal' which makes money talk hard (and embarrassing) at times. Our roundtable is getting vulnerable about their money and career and sharing ways to talk about money with others. Jeff Underwood, Paula Pant, and Len Penzo join our roundtable to discuss a blog piece about being vulnerable with your money. They talk about clever ways to save money when out with friends, times they were vulnerable about their own money situation, and how you can navigate the tricky waters of talking about money with others. And of course, we saved time for Doug's amazing trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What was your last interaction like with a flight attendant? The friendly skies weren't always as friendly to flight attendants as they are today. Actually, the term 'flight attendant' wasn't coined until stewardesses won a long battle against the airlines. To tell the fascinating story that has affected change on so many workplaces, Nell McShane Wulfhart joins us today. She talks about the strict requirements stewardesses faced in the 1960s and the "Charm Farm" training program they went through. As the name suggests, it was more about appearance than anything else. As the years went on, stewardesses joined together to fight back against the sexist job requirements and standards. There's more from the friendly basement crew in our headline segment. We're talking about the problematic news headlines that invoke fear in investors. The market is down this year but that most likely doesn't mean you've lost all your money. We share our thoughts on the market and how the news portrays it. For our Haven Life line, we share our opinions on a Reddit post about manipulating family members with money. And Doug will round out the show with his flight attendant trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Maybe you’ve had a nagging feeling that things just aren’t right. Your partner is either acting strange, or money is gone from accounts and you aren’t sure why. It’s time to get a better handle on your cash flow. So how can you make sure your money is protected during the worst of times and how can you also ensure your partner isn’t hiding money from you? Today we welcome Tracy Coenen, a forensic accountant, to talk about what to do if you're faced with financial infidelity. She’s created a 10 step guide to controlling your finances and protecting yourself during a divorce and we’ll dive in to a few of the steps. She shares what to look for on social media accounts, how to handle and organize documents, and what to look for on bank statements. But we don’t stop there! In our headline segment we dive into mortgage rates. Where are rates today compared to recent years? How can you make sure you get the best rate possible? We'll tell you. We also talk about some big mortgage industry news as a whole. We also Magnify Linda's Money question. She wonders about 529 withdrawals. And of course, we’ll leave room for Doug's trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the top reasons couples argue is because of money. We always say that personal finance is personal and it's true that every person and couple have different views on money but coming together as a couple to share those goals is key. But even before most couples combine their finances, they have a wedding to stress about. Our roundtable today talks about couples and money and they dive into wedding registry gifts. Elle Martinez from Simplify and Enjoy, Len Penzo, and OG make up our roundtable team today and they share their thoughts on cash vs. gifts on registries and how couples can come together to crush their financial goals. Diania is also here today and she shares some amazing trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A million and one money decisions in a day...how the hell do you make the right one???? Between social media and the internet, f--- me, there are countless tips and "advice" from strangers on how to manage your money, but absolutely ZERO are really tailored to you. In the basement, we know that information can be powerful if used correctly, and that's exactly why we invited Jean Chatzky and Kathryn Tuggle here today. In their new book (it's geared toward women, but everyone can benefit from it), they talk about the power of information and making informed decisions for our present and future selves. They talk to us about pillars of success, and how you can finally feel more empowered out in the open about your money decisions. During our headline segment, we'll answer the burning question: "why does my advisor never text me?" It's not because they don't like you. FINRA, one of the two major regulatory agencies, doesn't allow it. We talk about why and the opposite effect it tends to have from the rationale behind it. We also answer Katie's question on the Haven Life line about where to save additional money each month. And Doug will share his amazing trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gearing up for summer travel? Not only is summer fun about saving money; it's also about ensuring that the dollars you spend are worth it. What theme parks are actually worth your money? Today we help you kick off your summer because Robert Niles from Theme Park Insider joins us for his 8th annual survey of what's new/what's hot/what's undervalued in vacation travel. He shares the newest rides and attractions at various park across the country and offers tips to get the best bang for your buck. During our headline segment, we dive in to a piece that says investing in the stock market "won't make you rich," and then (of course) offers some alternative "best" places to invest instead. There's legitimate alternative investments out there, and many that are highly recommended, but this list might fall slightly short. We'll have opinions. We also share what you should look out for before investing. We then answer an anonymous caller's question on the Haven Life line about retirement survivor annuities, and of course, Doug also shares his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you in the career you love? If not, what's stopping you from making a change to that job you've been dreaming of? Changing careers (especially if that means becoming an entrepreneur) isn't always as easy as it sounds, which is why our rockstar roundtable panel today is ready to help you find your way. Entrepreneurial coach Sylvia Moe Inks, Paula Pant, and Len Penzo discuss pivoting your career. They share their own stories of career changes and starting their own businesses. Of course, Doug will also share some flight-themed trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Failure is an option," Carter Malloy says during today's interview, and it's true. Evolution in business is critical, and technology, the right team, and pure persistence can pull a success from near-certain failure. From early websites to failed business plans, business owners have many challenges to navigate. Carter Malloy faced tons of these challenges and more while advocating for an investment approach he strongly believed in: buying farmland. Today we bring you a special episode sponsored by Dell as part of their PodFerence, a podcast-based conference to celebrate Small Business Month. Malloy, who is the founder and CEO of AcreTrader, joins us to share lessons learned during his early steps into entrepreneurship. He talks about early lessons his father and mentors taught him, how technology has helped evolve his business, surrounding yourself with people who don't think like you, and the overall grit and determination it takes to be a business owner. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sell, sell, sell! Buy, buy, buy! No, panic trading is not the answer when the market dips, but the news certainly can makes it sound like the end of the world. So what should you do during a down market? It turns out there's money-saving magic in avoiding selling everything to cash. Today, Joe and OG share their top 5 things to do during a market downturn. They talk about rebalancing, turning off the TV, rewinding history, and more. After this show, your investment policy statement, will be cleaner and more efficient than ever! During our headline segment, the guys dive into some quirky trends to follow in the stock market. South Park and Build-a-Bear (of all things) are making headlines in a recent Reddit thread. We'll also throw out the Haven Life line to Amanda who shares the strategies they used to pay off debt. And Doug will panic while he shares his panic trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever wondered how others are navigating their financial journey? Sharing tips, tricks, and mistakes with others can be super helpful, and having a community of like-minded people around you on any journey makes it less scary. As Joe travels across the country on his book tour for Stacked, he’s hearing from fellow Stackers about their money story. Thanks to Million Stories for partnering with us on this Instagram video series called A Million More Stories. We’re highlighting four of the interviews today, and they talk about money lessons as kids, money mistakes, and where they are now. We’ll also throw out the Haven Life line to Mike, who wants to know what courses and resources are available to help family members learn about financial management. And, of course, Doug will enlighten us with his real estate trivia. Enjoy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you have sticker shock at the grocery store or gas pump? Inflation is high and there's no doubt it's impacting spending ability. The good news is there are ways to help combat inflation and even help you earn more. Our roundtable today includes Andy Hill, Paula Pant, and OG, and they're tackling the inflation issue to give you tips and tricks to save money and earn more. They talk about raises at work, side hustles, and small ways to make a difference with your finances. And Doug will share his McDonald's trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Technology is ever-changing and keeping up with the latest tech can help build and improve your business. We have a special episode sponsored by Dell today for their PodFerence, a podcast-based conference to celebrate Small Business Month. To talk about how technology and digital automation intersects with her business, Paulette Perhach joins us. She shares about her writing career and the various tech platforms she uses in her everyday business life. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The most fulfilling relationships are the ones where each person can be their true selves. Many times though, selfish goals are put above selfless ones. Vincent Pugliese admits he used to put his own goals above all else, but when he never reached the true happiness he was seeking, he changed his mindset. He's here today to share why character is important for building a true connection and why character and charisma are not interchangeable. During our headline segment, we dive into financial planning as a career. A recent piece shows that financial advisors are staying in the role well past the typical retirement age. We share why that is and give you all the details on what it takes to become a financial advisor. And, of course, Doug will share his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you searching for that next step in your financial independence journey? With so many books and resources available, it's hard to narrow down exactly what you should be doing -- and when -- to meet your goals. Today's guests created an app to help with that exact problem. Grant Sabatier and Logan Leckie created Topia, an app geared toward helping you reach financial independence. With clear steps and action items, you can crush your goals. They explain how it works and why it's so revolutionary. During our headline segment, we dive into tech stocks, specifically Netflix. Tech stocks have dominated the market for the past few years. What's next for them? We give our thoughts and point to stock buybacks and stock splits in today's market. We'll also answer Ray's question about the top fundamental things to know in personal finance. And Doug will share his Billy Joel themed trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've all made mistakes but learning from them is the important lesson. Investing mistakes can cost you actual cash and we want to help you minimize that as much as possible. Our roundtable today looks back to an interview we did a few years ago where we talked about common investing mistakes and how you can avoid them. This episode aired in 2019 so ignore any mention of current events or giveaways. Take a look at our original show notes from the episode here. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Want to brush up on your negotiation skills before that next job performance review or vacation? No matter the setting, great negotiation can make or break a deal, literally. Today we're listening back to our interview with Mori Taheripour where she shares how to be a master negotiator. If you haven't checked out Stacked yet, Joe and Emily highlight her interview there as well. This episode aired in 2020 so be sure to ignore any mention of current events or giveaways. Take a look at our original show notes from the episode here. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you looking forward to summer travel this year? We sure are! Heck, we're pretending we're on vacation now while we get this rewind week started! To kick it off, we've got two-time Emmy award-winning host of Travelscope, Joseph Rosendo, to share everything you need to know before making those summer plans. This episode aired in 2021, so be sure to ignore any mention of current events or giveaways. Take a look at our original show notes from the episode here. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What are your favorite life lessons you've learned? Today, our roundtable discusses a piece from Joseph Wells' blog about 30 lessons he learned by age 30. He couldn't keep it to 30 so it's actually closer to 40 lessons he shares. Ashley Patrick from BudgetsMadeEasy, Paula Pant from Afford Anything and our very own OG share their favorite lessons from the list and add a few of their own. And don't you worry, we left time for Doug to share his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you love someone’s chocolate cake, you’d ask them for their recipe without question. It’s not stealing, it’s taking something and making it your own. If you ask the author of Steal Like An Artist (which is celebrating its 10th anniversary!), he’d say we don’t take inspiration from others enough. Austin Kleon wrote the book 10 years ago that still rings true today about creativity. He says that taking inspiration from others and “stealing” ideas to create something yourself that is different is a true show of love and respect. He’s here today to talk about how to be more creative in your life and how to find inspiration. During our headline segment, we’re talking about crypto and the stock market. Are they becoming more aligned? We’ll dive in and share the specifics on the returns for each. Then we’ll Magnify Matt’s money and talk about grocery store and gas rewards programs. Do you share a grocery reward number with others? Matt does and he asked our Facebook group, the Basement, for their thoughts. We’ll share some of those answers. And don’t worry, we didn’t forget about Doug. He’ll share his amazing trivia in the middle of the show. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why are so many relationships (especially marriages) broken easily? Nate and Kaley Klemp know from personal experience how hard it can be to stay on the same page when fairness becomes the center of an argument. Instead of a 50/50 split, they believe you should focus on 80/80. What does that mean? We'll share today! If the heart of your money gathering is truly about fostering better relationships, you're going to love our discussion on how to give more to experience more happiness. During our headline segment, we take a look at I bonds. Recent interest rate gains make this investment look like a slam-dunk investment, but is it? We'll share. We'll also talk about the relationship between risk and return when it comes to various investment types, AND answer Alex's question about positions within mutual funds. Of course, Doug will save time to enlighten us with his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've all made mistakes with our money. Whether it's not budgeting for a large expense or something larger like pulling money from a retirement account early, mistakes happen. Our roundtable discussion today centers around financial no-no's and how to reframe your thinking around some of these. Naseema McElroy, Paula Pant, and Len Penzo join our roundtable today to talk about their financial no-no's. They discuss everything from the illusion of frugality to budgeting tips today to help you avoid common mistakes. And of course, Doug will share his trivia with the group for our year-long trivia challenge. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you need life insurance? Not everyone does and before you start deciding what type of policy you need, there's a whole list of questions you should ask yourself. Joe and OG are taking center stage today and sharing their top five considerations before buying life insurance. Starting the conversation around risk management and planning, not the product, will lead you to the best solution for you and they tell you how. During our headline segment, we're talking about advisor fees. With multiple fee models out there, is one better than another? The guys share their thoughts on why each model works and why there might not be a right or wrong way to do it. We'll also answer Jen's question about paying off her mortgage early. Doug will also share his super exciting insurance trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are your investment aligned with your values? Did you know that you can screen for (or against) certain industries or sectors within funds? The terms ESG (environmental, social, governance), SRI (socially responsible investing), and impact investing encompass this thought process. Larry Swedroe joins us to explain this type of investing, its growing popularity, and how you can invest in a way that aligns with your values too. He also dives into why the performance for this type of fund differs from other indexes. During our headline segment, we take a look at the impact of increasing gas prices. Your wallet might feel a little slim after filling up at the pump and delivery drivers are feeling the heat too. We talk about what this might mean going forward and how you can save money at the pump. We'll also throw out the Haven Life line to Amanda who has a question about Roth IRA contributions. We'll also leave time for Doug's most amazing trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What's your calling in life? The answer to that question comes instantly for some, and for others, there's nothing but cricket sounds. Today our roundtable guests are talking about finding your calling and why it's ok if you haven't found yours. We have our regulars, Paula, Len, and OG, on our roundtable today so you know they'll fill you in with good advice and tips. And, of course, we left time for Doug's most amazing trivia question ever. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why did Ben Franklin change his will two months before he died? Instead of leaving money to his family, he made a big bet on two cities that meant a lot to him, Boston and Philadelphia. Michael Meyer wrote a fascinating book about Ben Franklin's life -- and death -- and he joins us today to share part of the story. Ben Franklin had specific wishes for his gifts and Michael explains how the two cities handled it differently. In our headline segment, we're talking about mortgage rates. What do rising rates mean for your budget and how worried should you be? We'll give you all the details. We're also answering Steven's question about moving to a higher cost of living to save more. And we'll leave room for Doug's amazing trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What's the key to success with investing? This game is actually far easier than many think it is. Nick Maggiulli is known as the Dollars and Data guy on Twitter, but today he talks about how more data actually nearly sank him as a new investor. It turns out that over-optimization might hurt you in the long run. He shares the top 3 reasons why you should invest and even gives ideas on how to increase your income so you can save more. During our headline segment, we're talking about the important f word...fiduciary. What is it and why is it important? And why is Robinhood in hot water because of it? We'll explain it all. We'll also help answer Chris' question about sharing bank accounts with your spouse. And Doug will share his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How often do you think to yourself there just aren't enough hours in the day? Between busy work schedules, duties at home and a social life, life can be pretty freaking busy. There's no surprise then, that relaxation is important to regroup and recharge. Today's roundtable will help you with new ideas to relax and offer their thoughts on why it's so important to your life and finances. Our roundtable guests are Andy Hill from Marriage Kids and Money, Len Penzo from lenpenzo.com, and our very own OG. Even better, the piece they discuss today is from Len Penzo's blog. We didn't tell him it was his own piece and you'll get a kick out of his reaction when he figured it out. To round out the show, Doug will share his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How happy are you, truly, with your job and life? Many people go through the motions in a job they don't like, never taking the leap to do something they actually enjoy. The average life expectancy is 79 years. How many of those years are you willing to waste doing something you don't love? Jason Tartick is well known for being on The Bachelorette but his story is much deeper than what we saw on TV. He was secretly having panic attacks at work and was stressed beyond belief. Instead of digging deep to find the reason why, he initially tried to mask and ignore the emotions. He's here today to share his story and how he ultimately restarted his life and career to do what he loves. During our headline segment, Rita Assaf from Fidelity Investments is here to share the results of Fidelity's State of Retirement Planning survey. She shares the biggest concerns on investor's minds and the impacts the pandemic has had on our financial confidence. We'll also answer Kevin's question about an excess Roth IRA contribution. And, of course, Doug will share his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How much do you really know about investing in stocks? You may have heard that it's hard to beat the market, but could you do it? How does the stock market actually work, and how do you do the right homework to find a good stock to buy? You're in luck because today Brian Feroldi joins us to talk about his own stock buying process, breaking it down into easy steps. He also shares why the stock market rises over time and why it's harder for a fund manager to beat the market than an individual investor. During our headline segment, we'll talk about covering your bases with insurance. Recent news articles involving celebrities show that you never know what tomorrow will bring. Having the right risk management strategy and maybe the correct insurance policies in place can make all the difference. We'll also answer Jordan's question about spending down his portfolio in retirement. And Doug will share his amazing trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What's a money topic you're embarrassed to talk about? Don't want to share with people the insane amount of money you spend at the penny arcade just to miss the big prize by one ticket, or better yet, the amount of debt you got into only because someone told you it will increase your credit score? Our roundtable today talks about embarrassing money topics and how to make them less uncomfortable. It's strange, our regulars didn't show up as themselves today. It must be Doug with his April Fool's pranks again. We've got Gwen Merz, Paul Ollinger, and Bob Wheeler standing in and they share some great advice. We'll also leave time for Doug's riveting trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How often do you feel bored? So many of us are busy with work, family, and life that we forget to slow down. We don't leave ourselves time to do nothing and to experience the magic that is being bored. Celeste Headlee was on a personal journey to find happiness when she started researching the history of work in America. What she found was a treadmill that we're spinning faster and faster. She found that most of us don't have time to do nothing, yet we need that time for reflection and rest. Celeste shares her findings and why doing nothing can be so important to achieving the goals you truly want in life. During our headline segment, we take a look at investment fees. Eye roll, I know, but fees play an important role in our overall investment portfolios and can vary greatly. We talk about the fees you should and should't care about. We also answer Colton's question about selling and buying a house. He wants to know how much to put down on the new house given recent interest rate rises. And don't worry, we will leave time for Doug's amazing trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Think of the best manager you've ever had. Now think of the worst. What's different about the two? It might be their management style, or it could be their general personality. But is it something more? Do leadership and trust come to mind? Great leaders are more than just managers. They know how to inspire and motivate people and can adapt to change as the environment shifts. But even without a manager, you can be a leader in your own life. Stephen M. R. Covey believes that leadership is a choice, and it's processes that are managed, not people. People are inspired and taught to be trusted. True leadership is about creating better decisions and relationships to further our lives and goals. Today he joins us in the basement to share how we can all be better leaders in our personal and professional lives. During our headline segment, we'll dive into the right time to switch up your financial plan. We'll focus first on a piece from Investment News which tackles tax planning for new retirees, but will widen the discussion quickly to all areas of your life and when it's time to reboot your plan. We'll also throw out the Haven Life line to Sasha who has a question about buying a business. And to round out all of the madness, Doug will also share his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What are your favorite money moves that pay huge returns with little time and effort from you? It could be getting your company 401k match or saving early and investing to get the benefits of compound interest. Today our roundtable discusses their favorite asymmetrical money moves. Four-time olympian Lauryn Williams joins Len Penzo, and OG on our roundtable and share it all. From paying off a mortgage to reviewing insurance and investing, they give some great tips. Doug will, of course, share his trivia too. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do women and men think about finances differently? Absolutely. Women, sadly, are more likely to lack confidence in their financial approach, to delegate the "leading" of families to men, and to take a backseat role. As the Chief Knowledge and Learning Officer at Pitcairn, Amy Hart Clyne studied 40 women to better understand their money habits, philosophy, and behavior. She shares some surprising findings and some powerful lessons for both women and men when it comes to handling wealth-building, family, and creating a legacy. Pitcairn, a multifamily office serving ultra-high-net-worth clients. During our headline segment, we'll focus on the forest fire happening in tech stocks. They've had a great run-up the last few years, but is this downturn a sign that it's all coming to an end? We discuss two pieces that ask some difficult questions about the sector and about being a long-term investor. We also discuss disability insurance during our Haven Lifeline. Many people don't realize how important it can be, so we'll point out when and why you might consider this coverage option. And of course, we'll leave time for Doug to share his credit card-related trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Think of a money mistake you made early in your adult life. It might have been getting into trouble with credit cards or not saving into -- or even knowing about! -- your company's 401k plan, or maybe you didn't know how to budget. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself to avoid those sticky situations? Our guest today is passionate about helping the next generation become better with their money. From learning about taxes and investing to setting a budget, Bobbi Rebell has been through it all with her kids. She shares the money lessons she taught her kids to avoid making the same mistakes she once made. She shares how you can help others, too. Even if you don't have kids, these tips can apply to anyone. During our headline segment, we dive into Roth IRAs. The stock market decline to start this year has had many people wondering if they should take advantage of a Roth conversion. We discuss the tactics of this strategy and give you things to think about if you are considering it. We'll also answer Mattie's question about sinking funds, and to top it all off, Doug will share his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In every household there are a few items that you purchase once and then never purchase again. For some of us, our goal is to find as many of these as possible so that we can invest our money in other ways. It turns out that investing in quality, guaranteed equipment that's more expensive up-front can actually pay huge dividends later. We'll ask our roundtable team of OG, Len Penzo (LenPenzo.com), and Paula Pant (Afford Anything) what their "forever" items are. Hopefully we'll be able to help you figure out which household expenses are better to splurge once on, and which are better to spend as little money as possible on. We'll also share mistakes we've made along the way with "forever" or cheap spending. And of course, we will save time for Doug's amazing trivia challenge. The battle continues! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever looked at your futon in your kitchen and thought, "Hey, I think I will rent that out to a stranger?" Believe it or not, our guest today, Avery Carl, has some friends who did exactly that. It gave her the idea to invest in short-term rentals as a stepping stone to building a more extensive real estate portfolio. Joe and Avery discuss having an income to support lending criteria, the pros and cons of property management, and how she strategically invested in mature vacation rental markets to scale her portfolio. Worried about scams? Today in our headline segment, Joe and OG discuss a piece about a former car salesman who allegedly got caught in an elaborate scam buying back leased cars. Also, they discuss a Netflix documentary about the Tinder Swindler and how he thinks his scam was a "successful business." We throw out the Haven Life line to Amanda and congratulate her on paying off her debt. And, of course, we will enlighten your day with Doug's famous trivia.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How would your life be different if you spent more time designing and less time winging it? Would you be where you are now, or would you be working on more fulfilling projects? Today on our show we talk with Kevin Bethune, the author of the new book Reimagining Design: Unlocking Strategic Innovation. He has reimagined and redesigned his career a few times over, going from working in nuclear power, to heading back to business school, to working at Nike on shoes, and then on to many other projects. We'll draw strong correlations between his work in corporate design and your work building a better life. Joe and OG discuss a piece from a very popular investment house about the value of human advice vs. robots. I think you'll be surprised when you hear not only what firm commissioned this study, but also our discussion about the future of financial advice...much more of a fusion of humans and robots than one or the other. And also, with most of us losing an hour of shuteye this weekend, Doug gives us some good tips in his trivia about taking a nap. We'll also (of course), save time to throw out the Haven Life Line on whether or not you should be available to your boss 24/7 even on vacations? Should you? Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You've probably been told to live in the present at some point in your life but does that do more harm than good when it comes to your finances? Splurging on that purchase today might feel good in the moment but is it going to make 'future you' happy too? Thinking about ourselves in the future is hard. Our roundtable today discusses this topic. Jason Hallonquist, Paula Pant and Len Penzo join our roundtable to talk about how thinking about your future self is beneficial for your finances. And don't worry, we left time for Doug's trivia! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you checked in with your health lately? Stacking those Benjamins is awesome but it means nothing if your health holds you back from doing the things you enjoy in life. Our guest today shares an incredible story of the scary moment she realized she was constantly running at full speed ahead. Dr. Amy Shah joins us to share that story and her journey to better overall health. She explains how hormones, sleep and overall gut health contribute to every aspect of our lives. During our headline segment, we talk to Dr. Brooke Struck from The Decision Lab about consumer spending habits, specifically millennials. Are millennials' spending habits different from other generations and what struggles do they face that other generations might not have? Dr. Brooke Struck shares his research findings. We also answer a question from our basement Facebook group about HSA's and Doug shares his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You'd never fall for it, right? Scams can look so obvious from the outside. "How could they have let that happen?" we ask. Reading about Bernie Madoff or some of these other big "scammers" from history, it's easy to think of how gullible the victims must have been. Being in the midst of it, though, leads to the true, deeper, and disturbing story. Radhia Gleis knows how scams work because she was in a cult for over 20 years. Today she shares the story of how she sunk deep into a con and then also explains the pain and immense disappointment she experienced when she realized it was all a lie. It's a fascinating story about searching for meaning and how scammers maintain their power. We'll help by giving you tips to avoid being scammed as well. During our headline segment, we dive into another troubling situation: the current situation in Ukraine. While there are far more important aspects of this conflict than your money, the only one we're qualified to comment on is the effect on your portfolio, so we'll do that today. Market volatility has ticked up again and we talk about while it signals some horrible events happening in the world, why this might not be as bad as it sounds for your investments. We'll also answer Lacey's question about saving for nieces and nephews (what should she use to save some money for them?) and also, Doug will share his amazing trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How can you tell if someone is rich or poor? It's not as simple as looking at what someone buys or where they live. Being rich is about more than the size of your wallet. To round out our rewind week, today our roundtable discusses this topic. They share their thoughts on what it means to be rich and what that really means. This episode originally aired in 2019 so ignore and mention of giveaways or current events. See our original show notes here. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever been overwhelmed by all the choices that come with employee benefits? From health insurance to retirement savings, child care and an HSA vs FSA, there's can be no shortage of benefits to choose from. Amanda Lannert joined us to share the details on some popular employee benefits. This episode aired in 2020 so be sure to ignore any mention of current giveaways or events. See our original show notes here. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you looking to spring clean your finances? Get organized and on the right track to crush your goals this year. We've got Gary Burnison here to help you clean up your resume and land your dream job. It's the start of our rewind week, and this episode originally aired in 2018, so ignore any mention of current giveaways or events. See our original show notes here. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you have a family money philosophy? A money philosophy can simply be an idea of what you do and don't value. Or it can be as complex as a charitable giving strategy or a very specific spending plan. There's no right or wrong answer when it comes to a money philosophy. Today our roundtable is sharing their money philosophy and they talk about mapping goals, spending based on values, how they taught their kids about money, and more. Listen in to hear Chelsea Brennan, Len Penzo, and Doc G share their thoughts. Doug will also share his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you ever feel like you just don't have much influence over others? Not in a negative way, but in a way where you wish people would truly hear you. Sometimes we just need to take a step back and re-evaluate what we are trying to accomplish. Zoe Chance is an expert in influence, the author of the new hit book Influence Is Your Superpower, and also teaches the most popular class on the topic at Yale. She joins us today to share her secrets to positive influence and happiness. She talks about the power of 'no', charisma, and my favorite, the Kindly Brontosaurus technique. During our headline segment, we dive into longevity in financial planning. As people start living longer, what adjustments need to be made to financial plans? We talk about retirement planning and allocations as it relates to living longer lives. We also help answer Jenna's question about saving or spending HSA dollars and Doug shares his influential trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Looking for a few quick money wins? Personal finance, and developing a complete financial plan can be overwhelming, but you don't have to start by climbing that mountain. Today Joe and OG are sharing their top five easy money tips. They talk about automating your financial life, writing down your debts, reviewing subscriptions and our favorite, HSA accounts. They're giving you easy tips to get started that can help change your mindset and get you on track to reach bigger goals. During our headline segment, we look at USA Today's Super Bowl ad winner. Anna Kendrick and a dream house took the top spot this year, with a segment all about this ultra-hot real estate market. Will the easy wins continue? We'll also answer Matthew's question about opening a brokerage account and Doug will share his sticky bun-themed trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you seen -- or used -- those popular buy now, pay later apps? They seem to be on almost every website as an easy way to split your purchase into several payments, all interest-free. As tempting as it may be, the downsides might hurt your wallet in the long run. While paying in installments with no interest might work out for the best for some purchases, it can also lead to a habit of overspending. Today our roundtable discusses a piece about these popular apps. Our roundtable consists of Tom Cock from Talking Real Money, Paula Pant from Afford Anything, and Doc G from Earn & Invest. They share their thoughts on buy now, pay later, and offer advice to skip these all together. Diania Merriam is filling in for Doug and she's sharing her spectacular trivia today. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How important is spending less on what you don't need? Today our guest will share why you may want to rethink your laisse-faire attitude about minimalism. We'll tackle a big a-ha for savers with a tax strategy you haven't heard, plus, it's Joe's birthday, and he's looking to be inspired. So today, we're excited to hear from YOU and some of the great things you all are working on. We have three great guests for you today: the Stackers who host the Fat and Broke podcast are celebrating a huge milestone, Maggie, a travel blogger will share some tips for national parks jaunts, and TJ, a leadership blogger, will share a homeowners story for the ages. Let's just say that we won't be asking him where to place our bonfire. It's all Sean Mullaney, the FI Tax Guy, sharing tax planning tips for this year, inspirational stories and we'll round out the show by including Doug's famous trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're chucking the expensive flowers and chocolates that go right to your hips this Valentine's Day. Instead, let's share the love by bringing on the Benjamins! Are you looking to up your finance game? Maybe you have debt you'd like to pay off, an expensive soon-to-be ex-spouse, or you're looking to just be more intentional with your money. On the love side of the equation, Anjie and RJ from the hit new Rich by Intention podcast join us to share their incredible story of debt payoff, teamwork, and negotiation. They paid off over $100k of debt in just one year on salaries of less than $100k each. They negotiated raises of over 15% each, and they lowered their rent payment. How? They'll share all their strategies and how you can get your finances in order too. During our headline segment, Kelly Frawley and Emily Pollock protect your downside, by joining us to talk about lessons we can all learn from some recent celebrity divorces. What's more romantic than that for Valentine's Day? They'll share problems with prenups and how to know if you might need one or how to make sure it works. But that's not all. We'll also answer a Haven Life line question about 401k investments, and Doug will share his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever wish there were small changes you could make that would have big impacts on your money situation? We've heard the big ideas such as start a side job or max out your retirement accounts, but what if that's just not in the cards? Today our roundtable is lining up a bunch of ideas that aren't huge, but that collectively can help you get the ball rolling with your financial picture. They discuss a piece from The Penny Saver about small ways to make an impact on your finances. It's our gameshow episode, so we're putting our contributors to the test, asking them to guess which tips are mentioned in this piece. Because they share lots of not-listed ideas as well, you can be sure you'll find out some great and not so great savings strategies. Our roundtable is made up of our regulars today: Paula Pant, Len Penzo and OG. The winner of our gameshow will earn an extra point in our year-ling trivia challenge. Speaking of, Doug will share his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What financial mistakes could you have avoided? Most of us learned personal finance the hard way, by stumbling through life without training and learning from our mistakes. Unfortunately, most schools don't have a personal finance class that teaches students about budgeting, saving, or what the word "taxes" actually means. Peter Lazaroff is chief investment officer at Plancorp and a CFP® who shares our passion for personal financial literacy. He's here today (don't tell OG, he might get jealous) to share his first experiences with money AND how you can make money topics more simple for yourself and those around you. He also shares some of the golden personal finance basics we should all familiarize ourselves with, and dishes out resources to help us all further our own financial education. During our headline segment, we dive into ETFs. A seasoned firm is entering the game (better late than never!) of ETFs years after their competitors. We talk about active vs passive funds and the future of the ETF industry. We're also answering Dave's question about reward credit cards. Are they really as good as they sound? And of course, Doug will share his amazing trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How did the founding fathers of the United States make a living after the Revolutionary War? Believe it or not, they had to make some choices similar to ones you may have had to make when struggling with money. Washington took a job just because it paid well. Franklin juggled many "side gigs" to bring in money. Sound familiar? Today is our 10 year podcasting anniversary, so we are throwing it back to Ben Franklin himself (well, not really him, but someone who can tell his story!) and learning from his career. He, along with George Washington, worked hard to find new ways to make money after the Revolutionary War. Willard Sterne Randall is a writer-turned-historian who'll share the stories of Washington and Franklin. We ask him to dive into the success and failures of each and share lessons we can all take away. During our headline segment, we dive into the stock market. What should you do when there's a drop in the stock market? While the initial reaction might be to panic, we'll share sound advice for keeping your cool. We look to Reddit today for an ugly letter to share during our Haven Life line portion of the show. One young investor made several HUGE mistakes trading options and SPACs and he turned to the internet for advice. We share our advice on how to avoid the same mistakes he made. And of course, Doug will share his Stacking Benjamins-themed trivia for our 10 year anniversary. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you prefer in-person interactions or using apps for things like banking and personal finance? We're giving you both sides of the coin today. Banking has evolved and apps give us almost the same capabilities as walking into the bank, so do we still need physical bank branches? Our roundtable today shares their thoughts on banking and what banks can do to excel in this world of technology. Harlan Landes from the Plutus Foundation, Paula Pant and Len Penzo make up our contributors today. They talk about online apps, customer service and more in the banking world. Don't you worry, we also saved some time for Doug's trivia contest! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will more money make you happier? If you've never heard the phrase 'more money, more problems,' today's episode is for you. Money CAN buy you independence, but only if you know how to use it. Nicole Lapin is a New York Times best-selling author and joins us to talk about being intentional with our money. Having loads of cash is great but it goes bye-bye quickly without concrete goals and values. She shares how to set yourself up for success to meet your financial goals. During our headline segment, we're talking about robots taking over the world! Or, in this case, a gigantic brokerage firm swallowing a robot (I'd love to see that TikTok). We're talking robo advisors today. They've gained massive popularity in the last decade and now one, Wealthfront, is being acquired by UBS. We discuss what this might mean for robo advisors moving f. We'll also answer Jay's question about the rule of 55 with 401k distributions and Doug will share his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Did you participate in the Gamestop trading craze last year? If you didn't -- and had FOMO while small traders banded together and took down "the man" -- we're going to help you feel better today by diving into what really went down. From short selling to Reddit and Robinhood, our guest today shares it all. Spencer Jakab's interest in Gamestop was piqued when his son was talking about Reddit threads. It led him to dive in and write a book explaining the behind-the-scenes story. He's sharing his findings today and I'd bet there's some details that will surprise you. During our headline, we're looking at auto loans. Banks posted record auto loan originations in 2021. We dive into why and the psychology behind car buying. We're also answering Sarah's question about finding the best bank accounts and Doug shares his trivia. Enjoy! Full show notes are available at http://stackingbenjamins.com A deeper dive into all these topics went out this morning to our newsletter subscribers. You can join too, for free! http://stackingbenjamins.com/201 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever buy something just because of the advertising? I think everyone has at one time or another. Marketing affects our purchases. It's almost like advertisers know what we need before we know! Today we're looking at the marketing tactics behind a staple food...eggs. How does egg marketing relate to our finances? Our roundtable wasn't sure at first either but they have some great advice! Brittany Greene, Len Penzo, and OG sit down to talk about how marketing impacts our financial decisions. With tons of financial advice floating around the internet, people have come up with catchy phrases that sound smart but really mean nothing. Our roundtable shares their experience and how to tell the good egg from the bad. Diania Merriam is filling in for Doug today while he's off at the IHOP buffet so she will share some trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Has any well-meaning rich person told you to "follow your passion" when it comes to achieving your goals? Also, how comfortable are you with getting out of your comfort zone? Do you actually need to leave your comfort zone to succeed? Today's guest believes both of these ideas aren't true, and she has a Tedx talk that was watched by over 7 million people and a new hit book to prove it. Terri Trespicio joins us today to share how to reframe the idea of your comfort zone and talks about why the idea of having just one passion in life is overrated. During our headline segment, we're tackling the great resignation. An average of 3.9 million people quit their jobs each month in 2021. Why? And where are they going? Laura Troyani from PlanBeyond joined us to share her research. We're also throwing out the Haven Life line to Chris who wants to know where to keep cash that he needs for a home purchase. Doug will also share his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How's the clutter around your house? Too many Amazon boxes laying around to count? Good news, we are sharing ways to help both the environment, your ability to focus, and your wallet today. Tara McKenna joins us to share her journey to living a largely zero-waste lifestyle. It wasn't always easy, but she found some surprising results, and you could too with just a few simple changes to your lifestyle. She shares tips to be more aware of the trash you create and ways to reduce the unnecessary "stuff" you have laying around. Consuming less leads to less spending, and she shares easy ways you can get started on the journey toward your own zero-waste lifestyle. During our headline segment, we're diving into the reasons behind Peloton's recent stock price drop. Is the Peloton era coming to an end? We'll share our take and recent news Peloton announced about their products. We'll also answer VJ's question about the 4% rule. How do taxes impact this? And of course, we'll leave time for Doug to share some nearly misguided trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you striving to form better habits? Start with small, daily changes that can turn into larger habits. Today we discuss a piece from the Becoming Minimalist blog that lists seven daily habits to change your life. Our roundtable includes Paula Pant, Doc G, and OG to share their thoughts and daily habits they have. Doug will also share his amazing trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you struggle with good money habits? Even people who know money mess up all the time. We all have those days or weeks where we overdo lunch at a restaurant or forget about our long-term goals. Jessi Fearon is someone who has a background and degree in financial topics and was messing up her financial life in a big way. She joins us today to share her story, how she climbed out of a debt and bad-budget hole. She'll also share how different money personalities deal with money, which is the first step in building a better future. She also shares tips to help you build a solid foundation and create a budget that aligns your values and personality. For our headline segment, we're diving into student loan debt. One company is in hot water for steering borrowers to costly repayment plans instead of cheaper options, but there's good news. They're forgiving some borrowers' debt! Is yours included? We'll share what you need to know. We also throw out the Haven Life line to Brian who has a question about taxes in an HSA account. Not sure how an HSA account works or why you'd want one? We'll dive into why this is one of the BEST ways to save for many on today's show. Of course, we'll also save time for Doug to also share his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is your personal or professional life not where it should be? While you may think that "creativity" isn't essential to success in life, today's guest will vehemently disagree. He's the former CEO and now Executive Vice-Chairman of the Board of the legendary company Cirque du Soleil. Today he will share why creativity is crucial to professional and personal success and shares his own journey with Cirque du Soleil to improve in every area of his own career. During our headline, we'll pull the cover off of a new crypto scam. This time, celebrities allegedly endorsed a crypto coin, only to dump their own holdings after prices skyrocketed. Of course, this left investors with--reportedly--next to nothing. What can we learn from this? Joe and OG share their thoughts, which might not be what you expect. We also help answer Micah's question about how to further his personal finance education. Doug will also share his trivia. Enjoy! You'll find full show notes at http://stackingbenjamins.com You'll find our deeper dive into ALL of the topics we discuss today in our 201 newsletter (always free) http://stackingbenjamins.com/201 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you get overwhelmed by conflicting investment advice? It can be hard to determine fact from fiction with so many opinions. Today our roundtable debunks common investing myths to help you get your investment strategy on track. Brian Feroldi, Paulette Perhach and Len Penzo make up our roundtable today and they are sharing their thoughts on common investing myths and tips to be better with your money. Doug will also share some of his amazing trivia! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you been caught in a scam? It happens more than you may think! When we think of the biggest financial scandals, Bernie Madoff comes to mind but there was an even bigger scandal that happened to an entire country. In the United States, we suffered in 2008 during the financial crisis but another country saw its stock market tank even more than ours. Which one? Iceland. Jared Bibler worked for one of the major Icelandic banks and quit just days before the collapse. He then worked with Icelandic regulators to uncover the reasons behind the collapse and it's a scenario that even he didn't see coming. He shares it all today and tells his view of what happened. During our headline we're talking about retirement savings. Oregon implemented an automatic savings plan for people without access to a company retirement plan. Is it working? Is it the best plan out there? Joe and OG share their differing views! Then we answer Deb's question about high yield savings accounts and Doug shares his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you have too many priorities and not enough time in the day to tackle them all? Struggling to get motivated for 2022? Help is on the way today from Dr. Joseph Cardillo, who'll help you build better muscles in your brain. He's an expert on motivation and attention and shares the reasons behind some of the successful habits we all practice now every day. Have you ever been driving and suddenly realized you zoned out for a few minutes? It's pretty common, and actually uses the same mechanisms we use for all of these successful auto-pilot moments throughout our day. He'll share how to reset your mind and use habits to your advantage to be more productive. In our headline segment, we'll talk all things inflation. Is this latest price balloon transitory or here to stay? We'll share our thoughts and how you can combat it with your investment portfolio. We'll also answer Tusk's question about his fixed income allocation and Doug will share his trivia. Enjoy! You'll find complete show notes and links at http://stackingbenjamins.com and in our newsletter The 201: http://stackingbenjamins.com/201 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever wish a cheap plastic toy from Walmart could tell you the future? We sure do! And we try every year. It's our annual Magic 8 Ball episode today with Paula Pant, Len Penzo and OG. Each year, we ask the Magic 8 Ball (yes, really, the one you can buy at Walmart) riveting questions for the upcoming year then reflect back on those questions at the end of the year. Today, we run through the answers to our questions from last year and ask new questions for 2022. How will the Magic 8 Ball perform this year? We'll find out! In the middle, Angelo Poli from MetPro also joins us to share the best tips to get -- and stay -- in shape in 2022! Many of us have tried a new diet or exercise program but rarely stick with it long-term. Angelo explains why and offers tips to help overcome that struggle. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Struggling with debt? Today we dive into how to create the perfect winning conditions so that you not only pay off your debt, but you STAY out of debt for good. Debt solutions expert Erin Skye Kelly (author of the book Get The Hell Out of Debt) joins us to help you make debt a thing of the past. She has not only great tips but also the keys to controlling your mindset so that you create a plan and stick with it. We'll also look back at 2021 investment performance during our headlines segment to see how best to tweak your portfolio for success in 2022. What were your best and worst-performing assets? Why? We'll follow the results of a recent Wall Street Journal column to teach you how to create an investment policy statement for the new year. Then, we'll throw out the Haven Life line to Stacker Ramon, who wonders about infinite banking. Is it as great as proponents say that it is? And of course, we'll save time for Doug's trivia. Enjoy! You'll find all of the links, including Joe's updated book tour schedule (now beginning in March), at http://stackingbenjamins.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you've already failed at working out, eating healthy, drinking less coffee, and not using the word "groovy" in 2022, this episode is for you. Let's get 2022 off on the right track with the perfect guest, Ramit Sethi from I Will Teach You To Be Rich. He's helped thousands of people take control of their finances and set themselves up for success. To start the new year, he'll share his top tips to start the year on the right foot. How much do you need to retire? Much of that depends on where you live, and today we'll dive into the huge disparity between cities that'll require stacks ON your stacks of Benjamins and those that can help you retire on less. Is moving worthwhile? In our headlines segment, we'll look at a piece that dives into how much you need to retire depending on where you live in the United States. Can you guess the most and least expensive metros? Who needs a financial planner? We'll answer Matt's question about finding a financial advisor during our Haven Life Line call and later, you can count on the fact that Doug's kicking off a new year by sharing some trivia. We're back and ready to help you roll into a new year! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The FIRE movement is still burning, and by the looks of it, will continue. It's a popular and growing mindset but is there a downside? We've heard countless success stories from people who've achieved financial independence but there are many others who do not have the same outcome. Our roundtable today talks about the potential consequences of the FIRE movement and gives us questions to think about. How will you spend your time in retirement? Is it even worth it? Rocky Lalvani from the Richer Soul podcast, Len Penzo, and OG join our roundtable to share their opinions. Check out our original show notes here. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is it time to put the FIRE movement out or should we let it burn? Don't take our word for it, we've got a stellar roundtable today to share their thoughts. Is there too much emphasis on the retire early part of FIRE? What should we really be concerned about? Don McDonald from the Talking Real Money podcast, Paula Pant from the Afford Anything podcast, and our very own OG join our roundtable to discuss and give their opinion. Check out our original show notes here. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What's something you've tried and haven't liked? Pineapple on pizza? Gross! Or maybe something a little more complicated like a budgeting or investing strategy? Today David Bach joins our FIRE week by talking about his own experience. Just because some people don't understand FIRE doesn't mean it's bad and David shares his opinions. Check out our original show notes here. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you're interested in the FIRE movement, how do you get started? And what goals do you need to set? Fritz Gilbert from The Retirement Manifesto is here to share his story and help you get started on your own. He's here to answer any and all questions about the FIRE movement. This episode originally aired in 2018. Check out our original show notes here. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's hard to believe the year is almost over, Stackers. To end the whirlwind of 2021, we're giving you a jam-packed week of FIRE episodes, starting with the Mad Fientist. Ever thought about joining the FIRE movement? He may just push you over that edge to try it. This episode originally aired in 2017 so ignore any mention of current events. Check out our original show notes here. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Wednesday, Clark Howard shared his lessons from 2021. What did we learn from another trying year? Today our roundtable shares their lessons learned. They talk about crypto, inflation, meme stocks, and more. Paula Pant, Len Penzo and OG make up our roundtable today. It's also the last live episode of the year, which means we finally find out who wins our year-long trivia challenge! It's a fun one today! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ready for a bright and shiny 2022? To get there, we'll dive into the last twelve months with special guest Clark Howard. What were the big money lessons? What should we have learned from them? As always, Clark doesn't look at events the same way you might, so it's a refreshing look at where we're headed. Plus, you'll get some valuable tips to manage your money better. During our headline segment, we'll talk about an investor you may not have heard of, named Wilmot Kidd. His track record is as impressive as Warren Buffett. How did he do it? We'll share what made him successful. Of course we'll still share Doug's trivia and throw out the Haven Life line to a lucky listener. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Remember PEMDAS from math class? Yeah, neither do we, it's the order of operations for solving math problems. It has something to do with parentheses and subtraction. Today, we are solving a different math problem: your financial plan. Joe and OG share the order of operations for your own financial plan. Not sure where to start? We've got you covered. In the middle of your plan and stuck on where to go next? Great! We have the next steps for you. In our headline, we talk about ETFs and their exploding popularity. How do they differ from mutual funds and which is a better option? We dive in. Then we help answer Julia's question about co-signing a loan for a family member. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you had unlimited time, what's the biggest goal you'd like to achieve? With enough time, we can accomplish a lot, and maybe almost anything. If time and resources are scarce though, prioritizing goals is even more important. Our roundtable today discusses the long-game when it comes to life, business and our money. Does playing the long game when it comes to our money pay off? Doc G, Paula Pant, and OG fill our roundtable and share their thoughts. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Last week we talked about one of the certainties in life: taxes. Today, we tackle what to do before the other certainty. David E. Edey went through his own family troubles when settling his parent's estate, spending seven years and over $50,000 on attorney fees. Why? His siblings fought over the inheritance. The phrase "inheritance curse" is too real for some families who've spent countless time and money fighting. Now David is sharing lessons he's learned to help us all put our estate in order now to avoid headache for others later. During our headline segment, we'll talk about another purchase feeling the sting of inflation: the Christmas tree. That's right, inflation isn't hitting just food and gas. Just how much are prices rising? And how can we adjust our budget for inflation? Joe and OG will dive in. We'll also answer Daniel's question about company stock and Doug will share his mind-bending trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Hi there, I'm just calling to let you know that the extended warranty on your car...blah, blah, blah..." There are thousands of very real and sophisticated scams that rope people in every day. Nev Schulman is all too familiar with catfishing, experiencing it firsthand when he thought he was talking to a woman online but realized she wasn't who she said she was when they met in person. Now, he's partnered with Zelle to help others avoid financial scams. Today he shares red flags and helpful tips when dealing with financial transactions online. In our headline, we're talking about gold and silver under the mattress and how it turned into big trouble for one couple to the tune of a $300k IRS penalty. It turns out, storing gold and silver in your house is a no-no in this situation and we break down why, exactly what happened, and how you can avoid making similar costly mistakes. We'll also help Rina, who has a question about fees within mutual funds. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever been asked by a coworker or friend how much you make or how much money you have? It can be an awkward conversation if you aren't expecting it! Or have you had someone openly tell you about their net worth or income? Our background with money, and even our career, can shape how we talk about money with others. Should we be sharing our salary information with coworkers and sharing our net worth with our friends and family? While it might seem awkward, there might also be a lot of good that can come from those conversations. Our roundtable panel today is talking about this topic of stealth wealth. Hassan Thomas from FYI FLI, Paula Pant and OG share their thoughts on talking about wealth and income. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our good friend Ben Franklin said the only things certain in life are death and taxes. Since we are coming up on year-end, we'll tackle one of those certainties (you're on your own with the other). To help us, tax expert Ed Slott is back! He'll help you get your finances in order before year-end to avoid any tax surprises in April. Should you convert your IRA to a Roth? What's the contribution deadline for retirement accounts? What changes might be coming in future legislation? Ed's commenting on it all with us today. We'll also talk about regulation in cryptocurrency during our headline segment. One of the main benefits of cryptocurrency has been the idea that it is unregulated, but the U.S. government is trying to change that. Although the SEC can't agree, will they consider crypto a security and therefore have regulation over it? We'll share the latest details! We'll also tackle 529 and college saving plans during our Haven Lifeline. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Getting started on your personal financial journey is the hardest part. Where do you start and how do you get that first Benjamin stacked? And then how do you make sure to keep those Benjamins safe and make them work for you? Lucky for us, Emily Guy Birken and our very own Joe Saul-Sehy wrote a book that dives into personal finance and offers real, practical tips and strategies to help you be successful. Humor and easy-to-follow action items make it a great way to jump into your own journey. They are here today and were interviewed by Doc G from the Earn & Invest podcast to share behind the scenes stories of how the book was written and some of the points they dive into in the book. During our headline we'll talk about those old sales tactics of playing rounds of golf and going out for extravagant dinners to get clients and why some millennials aren't buying it. Financial advisors have more responsibility than just investing your money but some young people are choosing to manage their own investments and explain why. Plus, Doug will share some trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's a special Saturday episode! Community plays a big role in our lives and the community you surround yourself with can make all the difference on the path you are on. We are lucky to be part of a pretty badass community here and are lucky to have such great people to lean on. We are live today from the2021 EconoMe conference in Cincinnati with special guests Piggy and Kitty from Bitches Get Riches. They share thoughts on some stats about what we do (and don't) share with others about our finances and how we can all help each other reach that next level of greatness. We'll also discuss a current headline about Zillow dumping homes. Zillow is selling houses across the country after realizing flipping homes isn't as easy as they make it look on HGTV (not their story, but that's our take). Is Zillow selling in your state? And what does this mean for the real estate market as a whole? We'll share our thoughts! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s peak shopping season and many of us are also getting ready to attend or host holiday parties, which means money may be quickly shuffling out of your wallet. Since money doesn’t grow on trees, today we’ll share our best money-saving tips for this holiday season. Maybe pass out your homemade lasagna to family and friends or just say no to gifts altogether this year? While those are good, we may share even better tips today! Our long-time friend Bobbi Rebell joins Len Penzo and OG to share how they are getting through the holidays with the least amount of stress and wasted money. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The holidays can be overwhelming for lots of reasons (family, too many parties, not enough time) and that stress can run even deeper for introverts. Have you ever RSVP'd to something then immediately regretted it, preferring to stay cozy under a blanket on the couch? Yep, we've been there. Luckily, there's lots of introverts in the world and Nick Shelton is an expert in helping people out of their comfort zone to make the most of any situation. He's here today to give tips and pointers to surviving any party. Not an introvert? These tips will help you, too! We're talking fees during our headline, and specifically retirement plan fees. There's a new-ish investment vehicle out there called collective investment trusts (CIT) and they are gaining popularity fast. We'll give our take and add in some additional thoughts. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Not sure how to best use your 401k plan to stack some B's? Today the man many call the "father of the 401k," Ted Benna, joins us to share not just how he created the first 401k plan, but he'll also share some great tips for ensuring you are getting the maximum benefit from every contribution. During our headline, we talk about the wild ride that is NFTs. Who has the right to create and sell an NFT? Apparently not Quentin Tarantino. Listen to find out why he is being sued. Then we'll answer Nathan's question about his commercial mortgages. He wants to pay off one of them but which one should he pay first? Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What's your favorite game to play with family and friends? If you don't have a favorite, or if you're looking for a new game, we have good news for you. It's our annual board game episode and we talk to two great guests, Jamey Stegmaier and Shane Newell. Jamey gives us his list of favorites and Shane introduces us to his game Franklin's Fortune and we have links to all of them below so you can find a new game to play! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Monday we gave you a list of top Black Friday deals and today we are continuing the deals with all things tech! Bridget Carey from CNET joins us again this year to share the hottest tech items and deals you can find. Everything from TVs to Fisher-Price phones (yes, like the one a lot of us had as kids). During our headline, we talk about Theranos and its founder Elizabeth Holmes. She is currently on trial for fraud and we break down what we can all learn from her company's downfall. Then we'll throw out the Haven Life line to Doug who wants to know where to invest his funds. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What's on your holiday wish list this year? Are you planning on running out on Black Friday to snag some deals? Lucky for you, we are making your holiday shopping a little easier. Regina Conway is back to share insights and deals for this Black Friday. She shares all the hottest deals and biggest discounts she is seeing to help narrow down your list. Do you have an FSA account? Here's your reminder to spend those funds before the December 31st deadline (but that could be changing for some). Shawna Hausman from FSAstore.com helps us during our headline segment by breaking down the changes coming to FSA accounts and give tips to help spend those funds wisely. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever received money advice that made you scratch your head in confusion? I was once told that I should buy a new car every few years because it would save on maintenance costs....I think the person giving me that advice forgot how much it costs to buy a car. Good news for you, our roundtable today discusses top money myths and how you can avoid making these same mistakes. Our regular contributors, Paula Pant, Len Penzo, and OG give their take on these top myths and share some of their own as well. And you don't want to miss Doug's trivia! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How much thought do you put into where your food comes from and how the employees at your favorite restaurant are treated? If you're like most of us, probably not much. Corey Mintz is a former cook turned food writer and he is pulling back the curtain on some of the most pressing issues facing your waistline, your wallet, and the health and wallets of restaurant employees. How can we be more informed and spend our money more wisely by choosing restaurants that align with our values? Corey is here to help point us in the right direction! Good news for some savers! During our headline, we'll give you the deets on retirement plan contribution limits for 2022. The IRS updated some, but not all, contribution limits and we'll break it down. We'll also answer Tabitha's question about selling items on Ebay. Will she be taxed on the gains from the sale? We'll share! And Doug will enlighten us with his trivia question. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Change. It's something most of us struggle with, but when it comes to money and building your plan, change will always be necessary. James Conklin is an author and consultant in organizational change and joins us today to share some of the most effective ways to navigate change that we've ever heard. How can we better adapt to change personally and professionally? And how can people and organizations affect change in a productive way? He shares it all with us today. But before that, during our headline segment, we talk about federal student loans with Amanda Hahnel from Fidelity Investments. Federal student loan payments will resume in 2022 and she shares some tips on how to be prepared. We'll also throw out the Haven Life line to Stan who has a question about real estate and Doug will share his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we're packing the show full of holiday survival tips! From shopping to family gatherings, our roundtable shares their favorite tips and tricks for not just surviving, but surviving without completely emptying your wallet. This episode originally aired in 2019 so check out the original show notes here. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zillow is in the headlines recently, because they're real estate purchase program hasn't worked as expected and they're dumping properties purchased only months ago. Many of these properties are selling for less than the purchase price. Is this a sign of another real estate crash or just a bad business move on Zillow's part? The next few weeks will be telling, but if you are thinking of buying more real estate, we have a great show for you today. David Greene from BiggerPockets is here to help you grow your real estate empire. This episode originally aired in 2019 and you can see our original show notes here. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Man, that time change is always hard. It's getting dark earlier and starting to feel more and more like winter. There's nothing the time change blues can't fix like an episode on managing time and how to make our days feel longer and more efficient. Ashley Whillans joins us to help us work through that never-ending feeling of not having enough time during our day. Where is your time really going? She will help work through that! Today's episode kicks off another rewind week and you can see our original show notes from 2020, here. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? Maybe it's to take more chances or say adios to the boss that treats you horrible or maybe it's just to live life to the fullest and not worry about what others think. Today our roundtable discusses a blog piece from Ryan Holiday about mistakes he's made and advice he would give himself. Caleb Gulliams (Better Wealth), Paula Pant (Afford Anything), and Doc G (Earn & Invest) join our roundtable and talk about advice they'd give their younger self and the mistakes they've made. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our brains are complex and in charge of our emotions, memories and behaviors but just how connected are our brains and decisions about money? Maybe more than you realize. Dr. Paul Zak joins us to talk about our brains and money. Studies have shown that different parts of our brain light up on MRI scans when faced with different money decisions and purchases and this research can be used to predict how people will spend their money or feel about money. Using that knowledge and gamification, we can build better money habits. Video games and even games on our phones can help build better habits by encouraging saving and investing. During our headline, we talk about company retirement plans and savings rates in the U.S. Many companies don't offer 401k plans for employees, but should they? Joe and OG will give you their take but the real problem facing many Americans is that savings rates aren't nearly where they need to be. We'll break down those numbers too. Then we'll throw out the Haven Life line to William who is getting ready to sell a rental property and has questions about the capital gains tax due. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Board games date back almost 5,000 years to the Egyptians but our games today look very different. Modern board games and video games have exploded in popularity and one of the most popular games in history is Dungeons & Dragons. Its history is long and full of success and turmoil as the founders faced legal and personal struggles. Jon Peterson is an expert in gaming and joins us today to share the story of D&D and how it became the game that nearly 50 million fans around the world know and love. During our headline, we are back with more cryptocurrency news as the first bitcoin ETF was approved recently. What do you need to know and how does it differ from buying bitcoin directly? We have all the details! Then we'll hear from Matt who wants our advice on his investing strategy. When is the best time to buy and what should he do? We'll let you know our thoughts! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Most of us have made mistakes with money in our lives. What's your money horror story? Ever gotten caught up in a Venmo scam or been asked to pay the IRS in gift cards for taxes due? Sounds fishy but it happens to the best of us. Our roundtable today shares their scary money stories before the Halloween weekend. Our regular contributors, Paula Pant, Len Penzo, and OG share times they or someone they know has been caught in a sticky situation with money. Halfway through, Doug will share some of his toothbrush (?) related trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You might retire, but how do you retire happy? How do you imagine spending your time in retirement and does pre-planning make you happier? The host of the nation's longest-running financial radio call-in show, Wes Moss joins us to share his research on what makes for the happiest retirees. He'll share many secrets including those about hobbies, kids, and what workout even is best, on today's show During our headline, we welcome back Chuck Jaffe for his annual Halloween trick-or-treat money lessons. He's known in his neighborhood for a crazy personal finance game where he offers kids candy or a chance at some money when they trick-or-treat at his house. What will he do this year?! He'll share and give you tips on organizing your own game. Then we'll Magnify Steve's money and answer his question about retirement contributions and debt payoff. Should he save or eliminate the bills? And Doug will also share some beer-related trivia since today is, of all things, National beer day. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you find success? Today, we'll help..."shine a light" on the path to a better work life (we're so, so clever!). Chesapeake Bay Candle has seen tremendous success and today founder Mei Xu joins us to share her secrets. Whether you're looking to climb the corporate ladder or create your own company, there's something for everyone in today's interview. During our headline, we welcome back Steve Kerber to share fire safety tips with us since October is fire safety awareness month. Fire spreads fast and seconds make all the difference when the flames are blazing. Then we'll magnify Dave's money who wants to know when you have enough for retirement. We deep dive into the idea of "enough," and you won't want to miss it. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mummies, pineapples, and board games (Joe's favorite!). What do these all have in common? They've all been seen as status symbols at some point in time. Today's status symbols might be fancy strollers, nice cars, or how many followers you have on Instagram. We see these everywhere and it's hard to ignore and not spend money on the same things. Our roundtable today discusses a piece about strange status symbols throughout time and how status symbols in general influence our spending. Paul Ollinger (Crazy Money podcast), Paula Pant (Afford Anything), and Len Penzo (Len Penzo dot Com) join our roundtable to talk about status symbols they've noticed and the impacts on our finances and life. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We went campin' (well, Joe and Doc G did) and dug up some inspiring and amazing money stories from fellow campers. We are live today from Camp FI (financial independence) and Joe and special guest co-host Doc G (Earn and Invest) hear from four people about their journey to financial independence. One couple didn't start saving for retirement until age 50 and retired at age 60, one woman has been living abroad for 20 years after initially thinking she'd be there for 1 or 2, and two women share their massive debt payoff stories. These are sure to inspire and motivate you in your own journey and it was a blast talking to each of them. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you thought the days of crazy lawless activity left when the wild west was won, think again. The spirit of the Wild West continues in cryptocurrency. From the early investors, new coins and even some legal trouble, there's still lots to be uncovered in the world of crypto. Ethan Lou joined Doc G to talk about his experience with cryptocurrency and the major unknowns to still be uncovered with crypto. Is there still opportunity to buy into crypto and make loads of money like the early adopters? Ethan shares his take! During our headline we talk about the month of October in the stock market. It's no secret that October has seen some ugly stock market returns (1929, 1987, 2008 to name a few) but is it really as bad as we think? Robert Gilliland joins us to share his take on the market and give us some stats on the market as a whole. We'll also throw out the Haven Life line to Jennifer who wants to know how to fund her grandchild's education. And Doug will share some Bitcoin trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When did you start really thinking about, and maybe even stressing over, retirement? In your 50s, or 40s, or maybe even your 20s? Our discussion piece today, written by our friend Eric Brotman, talks about the increasing number of people in their early working career that are stressed about retirement. From stressing over saving enough money and comparing yourself to others (thanks, social media!) our contributors give their take and some tips they've learned over the years. Krista Edwards (Ready to Roth), Paula Pant (Afford Anything) and Len Penzo (len penzo dot com) join our roundtable and share the ways they've reduced their stress about retirement. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There's a chance you've heard the words "passive investing", "index funds" or "ETF (exchange-traded fund)" but the history behind these is much longer (and more interesting!) than you probably imagined. Passive investing is extremely popular with investors today but that wasn't always the case. Robin Wigglesworth joins us today to talk about the history of index funds and ETFs and the key players that paved the way. During our headline, we talk about long-term care and the exponentially rising cost of care. Nursing homes are expensive and many people would prefer to have care in their own homes. We talk through some of the options and costs associated with those. We'll also throw out the Haven Life line to Jason who wants to know what to do with a business cash account that has accumulated a large balance. Doug will also share some Vanguard-related trivia since we are talking about passive investing today. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you wanted to start a business but something is holding you back? Not enough time, resources or money? And maybe some fear as well. Today we talk to Shark Tank shark and real estate and business mogul, Barbara Corcoran about starting a successful business. She shares tips she's learned over her career and shares what you should (and shouldn't) focus too much of your time on. Those traditional business plans might not be all they are cracked up to be and she shares a different approach that has proved to be more successful. During our headline segment, Google tried (and failed) to start a banking program. They aren't the only company that has tried reinventing the banking industry over the last several years, and they won't be the last either. Then we'll throw out the Haven Life line to an anonymous caller that wants advice on how to fund fertility treatment. And Doug will share his trivia! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Investing can feel like a rattlesnake hunt if you don't know what you are doing. Scary, surprising, and sometimes painful if you aren't careful. Our roundtable today discusses a piece comparing the world of investing and our emotions to a rattlesnake hunt (a real thing in the small town of Sinnemahoning, PA). Bob Wheeler (Money You Should Ask), Paula Pant (Afford Anything) and OG talk about how emotions play into our investing decisions and ways we can try to separate the emotion from the math. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Human emotion makes us, well, human. While it's much more fun to feel happy, excited, or optimistic, there's no denying that we also feel sad, confused and frustrated at times. Helen Russell joins us today to talk about why feeling those negative emotions is important and how it can actually make us happier in the long run. She talks about validating the sadness and finding ways to cope and move forward to a happier life. During our headline, our friend Dave from Tennessee is in the news, but not for good reason. A former advertiser on Dave Ramsey's show is in hot water for deceptive business practices and we dive in. Then we talk about the in's and out's of required minimum distributions during our Haven Life line call. And Doug will include some of his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Want to find more happiness? Think bigger than your own goals. We've said this a TON lately on the podcast, so today we look at how to make it happen. Sadly, as Lisa Greer has experienced, charitable giving can be much more difficult than we'd hoped. Lisa joins us to share her less-than-ideal donating experience and what questions you should ask to make the biggest impact with your money. During our headline we talk about how COVID and work from home has changed productivity and work hours. Some employees have found ways to significantly increase their income working from home, but there's a catch (as always). And Doug will deliver some of his amazing charitable-giving related trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does retirement mean to you? Is it traveling, sitting on the beach or playing golf? Or maybe taking on a volunteer project? Or something completely different? Our roundtable today talks about what retirement means to them and what we can all watch out for when planning for retirement. We are joined by Wendy Mays from House of FI, Len Penzo and OG as they give us their take and tips to think about before retirement. Doug will also share some of his amazing CD trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Between the stock market, soaring housing prices, and the strive for financial independence, what's been top-of-mind for you lately? Maybe you are getting ready to retire and thinking about how you will spend your days or planning your jet-setting adventure around the world. Or maybe you are intensely focused on saving as much as possible in the market. Today, we are live from FinCon in Austin, Texas, with OG, Paula Pant (Afford Anything), Diania Merriam (EconoMe Conference) and very special guest Julien Saunders from Rich & Regular, to see what their audiences are most concerned about right now. We talk about everything from the stock market to risk management to marriage and family. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever look at yourself in the mirror? Of course you have! How many times have you had to tell that person looking back at you to get out of the way? If you're like us, A TON. Mel Robbins discovered that one simple gesture in the morning can make all the difference in our decisions. She'll share details of her own ugly journey to success after financial hardship and how five seconds and high fives changed her outlook. High fives aren't just for big accomplishments or a way to communicate with friends. You can (and should) give yourself a high five every day for all the successes in your life, no matter how insignificant they may seem. Mel dives into the science behind how these small habits changed her life and how they can change yours too. We are back teaching you about annuities during our headline and one annuity company is pleading to independent financial advisors to give their products another shot. Annuities aren't always painted in the best light and we'll hear what this company is doing to change that. During our Magnify Money voicemail, Roy wants to pick Joe and OG's brains about their asset allocation. And of course we'll include some of Doug's trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever felt burnt out by trying too hard to save money or squeeze your budget too thin? That's what's known as "frugal fatigue". Sometimes we try so hard to cut expenses and save every penny that we end up spending more time and energy than we should. Paula, Len, and Chelsea Brennan join our roundtable today to talk about ways to avoid frugal fatigue. They talk about setting budget goals based on what matters most to you, creating "fun" budget items, and earning more when needed. Doug also shares some of his space-themed trivia. Listen to find out if Chelsea Brennan gets "Chelsea Brennan'd"! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How does a trip to Ireland with a private car rental service and a beer-making class sound? Today we have all three of those for you, but presented as three awesome and financially sound separate stories. Today we feature three Stackers who all join us today to share their very personal money stories. First, we'll share Sara's story. She took a solo trip to Ireland that changed her outlook on her life and career (ultimately earning her much more money). The moves she made when she got home propelled her career far beyond what she'd imagined. Then we'll pivot to Christopher who rents out his car on Turo and shares his experience so far. Last, Ryan Mac shares his homebrew experience and how he got into making beer. He even sent Joe and OG some samples to try! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will you bank in the future the way you did in the past? What role will emerging financial systems like crypto and FinTech have in the future? Senior Brookings Fellow Eswar Prasad joins us today to talk about the future of money. He will share his opinions along with a look back at how we've gotten to the point we are at today. During our headline, it looks like some managers may be cheating on their target date fund management scheme. We'll dive in to asset allocation and target portfolios today. The popular 60/40 portfolio used by many investors has some investors questioning if the returns are enough to reach their goals. We talk about ways some fund managers are trying to boost those returns. And we'll throw out the Haven Life line to Justin who is working towards his CFP® certification and wants Joe and OG's advice when job searching. Doug will also share some of his trivia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How would you rate the different aspects of your life: fun & relaxation, personal & spiritual growth, business, money, health, family & friends, love & romance, and personal development? Then how much time and money do you invest in each category? Do the parts of your life that you value most match up with the parts you spend the most time and money on? Today our roundtable looks at a blog piece about spending money on what matters most to you. To help guide the conversation, we use a wheel that is used by many personal and business coaches to help categorize and visualize your life. We have a free download of that wheel below for you to follow along. Kyle Landis-Marinello, Paula Pant and Len Penzo join our roundtable today to discuss what they value most and how they spend their money on those aspects of their life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Studies show that our biggest enemy is often the one between our own ears. It can be hard to get out of your own head at times. Joyce Marter joins us today to talk about limiting beliefs and how we can practice an abundance mindset to be more successful. She is a psychotherapist, entrepreneur, author and speaker and sold her own business (that she'd started for $500) for many times more than what she expected--and multiple millions of dollars--once she got advice from others and got out of her own way. During our headline, we talk to Kamaron McNair about a piece she wrote for Magnify Money about investing behaviors and emotions. How many people have traded while drunk? She will let us know! She also talks about other money worries and how emotions have a play in trading and investing. We'll also throw out the Haven Life line to Mark who wants to know what you would do if you were given $100k in Bitcoin. Joe and OG will fill us in on their thoughts. And Doug will enlighten us all with his trivia! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why is it that nice guys always seem to finish last? There's something that doesn't seem fair about the jerks in the world winning in business and life. Does a middle ground exist, and is that the secret spot for success? David Bodanis argues there is a middle ground and using effective listening, respect and trust techniques and practices is the secret recipe to success. He joins us today to tell some incredible stories of how these principles have played out in people's lives in the past, so you can make better decisions in the future. Football is back--the American kind, anyway--and we dive into how one NFL team is partnering with a financial literacy firm to help educate Americans on money habits and skills to help grow their wealth. That leads to a discussion about the new Acorns SPAC, gamification in your financial plan, and meme stock performance. We'll also throw out the Haven Life line to Leah who wants to know why she's so torn about buying a house now. And to tie it all together, Doug will share some of his trivia. Find our show notes at StackingBenjamins.com Looking for a guide to our show? Here's the link: StackingBenjamins.com/Stacker Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We have a great roundtable discussion for you and an interview with Kathryn Minshew, CEO of Themuse.com today. The roundtable starts off our episode by discussing the pros and cons of early retirement. Are there more cons than pros? According to our piece, there might be but our contributors weigh in with their opinions too. Then we talk to Kathryn Minshew about personal branding and how you can make sure your brand stands out from the rest. See our full original show notes here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The amazing real estate pro from Million Dollar Listing New York, Ryan Serhant, joined us to walk us through highlights and lessons from his journey to success in real estate. He never expected to be a salesman, let alone a realtor, and it took him years to figure out his competitive advantage. He shares how we can all be better in business, sales and relationships with a few tips. Connection, initiative, and relationships with others are key to many aspects in business and he explains how each have contributed to his success. See our original show notes from the episode here. We've got another great rewind episode for you today, this time from 2018. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How are you with cash? Credit? Putting money in investments? All of that begins with your mindset, and Jen Sincero joins us today to help you get your head in the right place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do libra's really have a better chance of becoming billionaires than other zodiac signs? You'd think not, but according to one blog post, Libra's are only 9% of the population but make up 20% of billionaire. If you aren't lucky enough to be a Libra billionaire, what does your own zodiac sign mean for your money habits? Today we are joined by Jen Smith, Len Penzo and OG for a wide-ranging roundtable discussion where they don't hold back on their opinions of astrological signs (and that's putting it mildly)! They also talk about the personality traits of their own signs and how those might help, and hurt, their money and investing habits. To round out the show, Doug will share some Ronald Reagan trivia. Can OG keep his trivia lead? You'll find out today! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How well do you understand life insurance? If you don't know as much as you should, an unscrupulous agent who meets with you might convince you to purchase a product that could cost you hundreds or even thousands of wasted dollars. Today we'll dive into the basics of life insurance, including, how insurances are priced, how term and permanent policies are different (and the same), and why most people shouldn't look at insurance as an investment. Even if you know some general "rules of thumb" about insurance, there's a good possibility that you should be able to round out your product knowledge in a deeper way. Speaking of unscrupulous, during our headlines segment we dive into a new alleged scam. How do you spot a financial "professional" who's really asking you to invest in a product that doesn't exist (or one that's not suitable)? We'll talk about clues to sniff out bad actors and also discuss the particulars of the investments that were used so that you know more about the upsides and downsides of the "weapons" this particular scammer used. It's a fun Wednesday deep dive for us! Hope you enjoy it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Want to move ahead faster in your career? Feeling uncreative and like you aren't moving? Stop waiting for others to design a curriculum for you and create your own. Today we'll talk to two men who've done exactly that for themselves and today will share their stories, tips, and tricks to becoming a leader faster through reading. Our guests today, Jeff Brown and Jesse Wisnewski, talk about the importance of reading for our personal and professional lives. They share how they've created their own reading curriculum and share tips for all of us. During our headline, we talk about Bitcoin and a country that is adopting it as an official currency. We discuss the challenges, advantages and cryptocurrency in general. We also throw out the Haven Life line to Steven who is new to financial planning and wants advice for career development. And Doug will share some book related trivia. See more on the show notes page: Stacking Benjamins dot com Check out our FREE guide to our shows: Stacking Benjamins Guide (The Stacker) Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's that time! The 2021 Plutus Awards (co-hosted by Joe Saul-Sehy and Natalie Torres-Haddad) will take place during FinCon in Austin, Texas on September 23rd. Today we announce the finalists with our friend Miranda Marquit (Planting Money Seeds). Then we turn things over to an all-star panel who'll share thoughts about all of our finalists in seven of the categories, plus share who they hope will win and who they think the Plutus Awards panel will choose. Thanks to Amy Blacklock (Women Who Money), Nadia Vanderhall (Brands + Bands), and Chris Hutchins (All The Hacks) for helping us make a great show! You'll find links to everyone on our show notes page at Stacking Benjamins dot com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How's your portfolio performing? Are your funds not performing as you'd hoped? Today we'll help you figure out how recent economic conditions, investing trends, and different asset classes affect your success! A few weeks ago, we held an awesome live Stack event on YouTube with Dr. Apollo Lupescu from Dimensional Funds where he dove into inflation, current market trends, and the overall economy. He also answered some listener's questions live! Today, you'll hear that discussion in it's entirety. After Dr. Lupescu, we finished out the event with OG answering additional financial questions from viewers. It was a great event so we are replaying it for you today for those who missed it. If you weren't notified of the Stack event ahead of time and would like to be included for our fall event, sign up for our free guide to the show here. In addition to exciting news and updates for upcoming events like the Stack, you'll also get the Monday and Wednesday show guides that are packed with lots of information on the topics we discuss in the shows and Joe's money lessons. Find our show notes at StackingBenjamins.com Find our free GUIDE to our Monday and Wednesday shows (plus news on when our next STACK event will occur): StackingBenjamins.com/STACKER Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's back-to-school season and with as much joy as that brings for parents (free babysitting, anyone? Just kidding. Okay, not really.), we are also bringing you back to school with your finances. Certified Financial Planner Eric Brotman joins us to break down your financial journey using the schoolyard analogy of freshman, sophomore, junior and senior year. What do you need to think about and what can you tactically do at each step of your financial journey to ensure success? Each year builds upon the previous and he helps us break it down. During our headline, we'll talk about communication strategies between advisors and clients. FINRA may allow text messaging in the future; what does that mean for you? And how else can advisors effectively communicate with clients? We'll give you all the details. We'll also throw out the Haven Life line and talk about how to talk to family members about money concerns. And Doug will enlighten us with his soft drink trivia. Is it pop or soda? Hmm, maybe I don't want to start that debate too! (but we all know the right answer is soda). Enjoy! Find show notes at StackingBenjamins.com Subcribe to our FREE guide to the podcast at StackingBenjamins.com/stacker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We hear a ton about "intergenerational wealth" lately, and a cornerstone of building a dynasty of Benjamin-stackers is knowing how to pass on your assets. But even if you don't have any assets yet, not having a good plan can still wreck your plans. On today's show, we'll dive into Estate Planning 101 with author Amy Blacklock, and begin with the bazillion dollar question, "Why do I need an estate plan if I have nothing?" You'll be surprised. We'll also answer basic questions, like, "Who would you want to handle your estate and who do you want to give your sweet super soaker collection to?" We'll tackle wills, trusts, estate planning for young people, and more. During our headline, we take a look at asset allocation and rebalancing. Rebalancing is important at any stage of your investing life, but why does it matter more during retirement? We'll find out and offer our thoughts on how and when to rebalance. We'll also throw out the Haven Life line to Joanne who asked a question in our Facebook group about an annuity she was pitched. We have (sometimes strong) opinions on annuities but we break this down and explain the red flags we see. Don't worry, we won't forget about Doug's trivia! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There are two types of people who travel: those who meticulously plan every detail and spend hours strategizing so they can save every last penny, and on the other hand, there are those who buy whatever last-minute plane ticket they can find and stumbles into the first hotel they see. Which one are you? Our regular roundtable guests are all back together today to compete head-to-head to guess which top travel hacks a recent Kiplinger post references. Len, Paula, and OG not only go head-to-head to see who can guess which travel hacks are listed...they also share some great money-savers that didn't make the Kiplinger list. The show wouldn't be complete without some of Doug's trivia and he tries to throw off our roundtable with his radio-themed question today. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You don't have to be wealthy to build wealth. That's the theme that kicks off today with our amazing panel, live from Podcast Movement in Nashville! Joe meets up with Mindy Jensen from BiggerPockets Money, Ben Brandt from Retirement Starts Today and Jennifer Grimson from Micro Empires to talk about what's impacting their audience most right now and the financial topics that seem to be top-of-mind. What money topics are most concerning in your life right now? We talk about the crazy real estate market and prices, FOMO, taxes, imposter syndrome, and more. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How well do you share feedback, ask for what you want, or set expectations? Do you find that people aren't where you expect, doing what you'd hoped, or disappointing your expectations? If you need help with any of these, today's show is for you. Anyone can be a manager, but being a great communicator takes skill, time, and practice. From micromanaging to the sandwich feedback method, there's lots of improvement that can be made if you're managing anything, which will improve your team/family/partner's morale and success. Management expert, consultant, and Wharton professor Rachel Pacheco joins us today to talk about the management skills she's learned--and now teaches--to others. Frequent communication, effective feedback, and setting clear expectations are just a few of the points she discusses with us that you'll also find in her new book, Bringing Up the Boss. For our headline, we talk about all of the recent news on the #FreeBritney front, and just how hard it is to regain control from a conservatorship. We'll start with Britney Spears' troubles with her developing situation, how she's trying to set herself free, and the estate planning lessons we can all learn from it. We'll also throw out the Haven Life line to Frank who is getting a raise at work and wants to know what type of account he should save the additional funds to. And Doug's trivia is about one of the best shows on television, The Office. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why do we, as humans, feel like we never have enough? Enough money, enough time, enough resources. How can we overcome the limiting belief that we just need a little more for life to be perfect and instead live with internal and external security? Today we're LIVE on the Fireside app diving into this topic in maybe the most fun way you've ever heard. Don't take that the wrong way: we'll still cover the deep stuff, but in between a lot of laughs and interesting asides from the whole team. Financial planner Dawn Dahlby joins Len and OG on our roundtable today and they discuss a piece about human behavior in personal finance and having "enough". It's Friday the 13th and Doug lets us know his thoughts about popular superstitions on this day before giving us his magician-related trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does rich mean to you? Lamborghinis and mansions? Well for Shannon Hayes, it meant something completely different, and she hit the reset button on the common view of "wealth" and achieved something that many may think is a greater form of richness. Shannon joins us today to tell the story of how she and her husband pivoted away from their careers and went back to the farm in search of the life they dreamed of. She talks about redefining what rich means to her and how we can all tune in to our goals and dreams a bit more. During our headline, the CFP Board is cracking down and proposing stricter punishment for CFP® professionals that do not report ethics violations. We discuss the importance of this and what it means to hire a CFP® professional versus another advisor. We also help Scott during our Haven Life line call and give him advice to keep moving toward his financial goals. And of course, Doug will enlighten us all with his gardening trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Think inflation is boring? Think again, because today we're asking the simple question (and a far more fun question than "what's up with inflation..."), "How much does a sandwich cost?" We wouldn't be asking that question if Len Penzo wasn't back for his annual sandwich survey! That's right, Len joins us today to walk through the findings of his annual survey of the cost of the 10 most popular brown bag sandwiches. Bologna is usually the cheapest and BLT is usually the most expensive. With the rising cost of some ingredients this year, do you think the results will be the same? Len describes his survey method and results with us and also shares the story of why he started the sandwich survey 13 years ago. During our headline, we take a look at Sylvester Stallone's rise to fame and he recounts his days as a struggling, broke actor. How did he beat the odds and become successful? In this news piece, he talks about his struggles early in life and how he overcame them. We'll also throw out the Haven Life line to Anna who has a question about IRA contributions, and specifically a backdoor Roth IRA. And Doug will share some of his Vatican trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What do you enjoy spending more money on? Maybe you like to stay at top-rated resorts when you travel? Or, you enjoy the experience of a nice dinner out? And what things do you spend less on because your experience isn't an better when you spend more? Generic vs. name brands at the grocery store? Or taking public transportation when you travel? Today our roundtable discusses a blog post about spending more on what you value and being frugal in other areas of spending and your life. Cody Berman from The FI Show and Gwen Merz from Fiery Millennials join our roundtable with Len Penzo to talk about mindset and what they value as it relates to financial independence. And you don't want to miss the guesses our roundtable has for Doug's Houdini-related trivia today! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How much does the truth matter when telling your money story? What about if you were telling the story of a new nation? Turns out, this happens more than most of us realize and today we talk about a famous story from the American Revolution that may be different than you remember. Jeff Lantos joins us to talk about why the true story of Paul Revere's ride might not be what we remember. We dive into how and why the story was altered and how it relates to the modern-day. The themes of embellishment, advocating for yourself and community are discussed as it relates to Paul Revere and modern-day. We are including two headlines today because one just isn't enough for the stories we found! First, we look at a study done by the University of Chicago that charts your attractiveness to the opposite sex based on your height. AND, they tell you how much more you need to earn if you are shorter to be as attractive as someone taller. Yep, you heard that right! For our second headline, crypto is in the news again...and not for good reason. Tether is being investigated for bank fraud and we share all our opinions on that and crypto in general! We'll also throw out the Haven Life line and Joe gives a behind-the-scenes look at how we choose our guests for the show. And we can't forget about Doug and his cookie-related trivia! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Imagine fleeing your hometown with nothing but the hope and will to survive. Or risking your life to gather information needed to incriminate some of the worst players in history. We are declaring this week "history week" here at Stacking Benjamins and we're delivering quite the suite of guests for you! Today, Retired U.S. Army Major General Mari Eder joins us to share stories of some brave women of World War II and the impact they had on their communities. What does this have to do with money? Today's stories have a much larger scope than money, but bravery, persistence, focus, willpower, and more, in the face of long odds, will all be discussed on today's episode. During our headline, we talk about tapping your home equity for cash. Nothing has ever gone wrong with the housing market before, right? Sure, leverage can be used to your advantage but not at the detriment to the rest of your financial plan. Joe and OG give us their opinions and you know they are going to be candid! Speaking of leverage, our TikTok video is a hilarious example of this. We'll also throw out the Haven Life line and answer a caller's question about retirement contributions. And since it's history week here, Doug will include some history related trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How rigid are your money habits? What will happen when your "optimized" financial situation comes crashing down because you didn't think about what could possibly go wrong in the future? Beyond that, does the stuff we own, own us or set us free? How can we strive to be more financially flexible and what strategies can we use to get there? Those are some great questions and today we'll answer them all, because today our roundtable discusses a piece about financial flexibility, both philosophically and practically. Andy Hill from Marriage Kids and Money joins Paula and OG to share their favorite tips and hacks to help you become more financially flexible. We'll also hear some of Doug's book related trivia, and it's all from our live recording from the Fireside app! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What would be your first step in the right direction when life isn't going your way? How would you move forward and make the most important change ever? Brandy Mabra journeyed from bankruptcy to successful CEO coach and today shares her journey. She knew she needed to take every opportunity available (and even moved to another state!) to make a better life for her and her son. After a few crucial and well-thought pivots in her career, she started her coaching and consulting business and shares tips we can all use when faced with hurdles, however big or small. During our headline segment, did you know that Olympic athletes earned money when they won medals? Neither did we, and at one point IRS taxed that income. It's hard to believe that you can rep the USA brand and Uncle Sam could still find you! After that eye-popper, we'll finish the show with a Haven Life line call from Julie who has questions about saving for her kids' future. And Doug will throw in some Madonna themed trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A financial setback could hit any of us at any time. How will you rebound? What steps should you take first and what financial changes should you make? Managing money in a crisis if FAR different than following the normal rules, and today's guest, Michele Cagan, knows first-hand what it's like to experience a major financial setback. Today she'll share her journey and advice for you if you've suffered a health crisis, divorce, death in the family, disability, or any other of life's crises. During our headline segment, we dive into a piece about life expectancy in the U.S. and how it could impact your financial plan. Assuming a life expectancy that is too short or too long can both lead to problems with your plan. We also listen to a TikTok video about real estate investing and the power it could have on your financial freedom (but don't worry, we'll give you our brutally honest opinion on that and share some of our own stories). We also help answer Scottie's question about rolling over an old 401k during our Haven Life line call. Scotties a proud Iowan! ...and we'll be sure to include Doug's trivia! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you know if your trading strategies are helping or hurting your overall portfolio goals? Maybe you're chasing the market or trading based on what your friends and family are trading? Lucky for you, our roundtable today talks about six trading habits that might be keeping you poor and they offer lots of sound advice on how to avoid these mistakes. Whether you're a long time investor or a trader, we'll cover the gamut of tips for you on this episode. Rosetta Bryson from Simple Trader Pro joins our roundtable with Len and OG today to discuss these trading habits. And we'll also have Doug share some of his sports related trivia, on this live show performed on the Fireside app. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

F is for Fun. And we have a ton of fun today talking to Rob Phelan about his new children's book M is for Money. He was inspired by reading with his own son and realizing there weren't any books on the market that teach basic personal finance to kids. Even if you don't have kids yourself, this book might be a great gift for a kid in your family. We also dive into financial literacy in general and why so few programs are successful. If you have any interest in improving the money habits of the people around you, we've got you covered. During our headline segment, IRA and tax expert Ed Slott joins us to talk about a five billion dollar Roth IRA! That's right, Peter Thiel's Roth IRA balance is over a cool five b's at this point. Ed helps explain how it happened and what changes Congress might make to prevent this in the future. For many who dream about crypto riches, can you replicate Thiel's feat (or score a measly 2-3 million) in YOUR Roth IRA? We'll ask Ed about that as well. We'll also throw out the Haven Life line to Justin who wrote in to our basement Facebook group to ask about how much to gift his niece for graduation (we have some great ideas and alternatives to monetary gifts!). And of course we'll leave time for Doug's amazing trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

14 minutes. Today we talk to Chris Field about changing the world using only 1% of your time (14 minutes a day). Chris will share why "charity begins at home" is a misguided approach to life...not for the world around you, but for your own return on investment. The work he's done has made an impact on the world and he shares how you can make a difference too (and it's much easier than you may think!) We also share some bad news during our headline segment. The new inflation numbers are in and they're ugly with a capital "ugh." What does this mean though, really, for you? It turns out...a lot. We'll walk through inflation with regard to your job, your savings, your spending, and more. We'll also share why experts say that inflation isn't as ugly as the numbers may suggest. Speaking of ugly...we'll also share a TikTok video that's gone viral recently about a job interview...or at least the "promise" of one. Somebody named Chuck might be cleaning out his desk now that this video's out. And, there's no better way to round out the show than by talking about franchise businesses during our Haven Life line call. Doug's trivia? Well that's just the cherry on top, isn't it? Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you buy second-hand clothes instead of new? How about waiting to buy that special something until there's an awesome deal? Dumpster dive? Argue with clerks for a discount? There's a ton of frugal living tips out there but when does frugal cross the line and you're just being cheap? Today our roundtable team discusses the five times one blogger says that being frugal goes too far. Plus, we're performing this episode LIVE on the new Fireside app, so you'll hear from several members of our live audience, too (we've also linked their information below)! Joining us for this special episode we welcome half of the Frugal Friends podcast duo, Jen Smith. Plus, OG and Paula Pant (Afford Anything) pitch in to make this a wide-ranging, fun conversation with more than several takeaways. We discuss the value of our time as it relates to purchases, the tendency to overconsume when we see a deal, and we'll all share some great stories about our own frugal living. Of course, what would a Friday episode be like without our trivia challenge? Diania Merriam (EconoMe Conference) takes over the "Doug" duties today and dishes a great question for our contestants. Enjoy! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do homemade ice cream and financial education go together? You're about to find out, because today we interview two of our fellow Stackers, Lisa and Tom, and one of them shares how they began making homemade ice cream for family and friends and teaching them finance basis! The other recently retired and gives us tips and advice that helped them make the exciting decision to retire. During our headline segment, we talk about Wells Fargo and their recent decision to close all existing personal lines of credit. They've been in the news a lot over the years (mostly negative!) and we offer our thoughts. We'll also hear from Will Rhind, CEO of GraniteShares, who shares all the details about what's going on in the current precious metals market. We'll finish it out with our Haven Life line call from Nick and answer his questions about 529 contributions. And of course we'll include some of Doug's trivia! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rachel Richards achieved financial independence at the young age of 27. How did she do it? The now 29 year old joins us today to talk about lessons, strategies, and more on today's show. Plus, we'll share a headline about the current job climate. It seems that everyone is quitting their job! What should you think about before telling your boss adios? We'll share a few tips on today's show....plus throw out the Haven Life line to a lucky listener and share some of Doug's amazing trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With summer in full swing, do you need ideas for things to do with your kids? Before they start their first lemonade stand, listen to today’s episode about teaching kids about money. Even if you don’t have kids, we have Kate Ryan from TIAA join us to share money tips and stories that you’ll enjoy. To finish out our rewind week, this episode aired in 2018, so be sure to ignore any mention of current events. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you ready to win with your money? You've trained hard and now it's showtime. You're in luck because, just in time for the Olympics, we dig into all the money tips from Olympic sprinter, bobsledder, financial planner and host of the Worth Listening podcast, Lauryn Williams, on today's episode. This episode aired in 2018 so be sure to ignore any mention of current events. Tax laws and changes are hard enough to keep up with and we originally had a headline segment talking about 2017 tax filing that has been omitted in this rewind episode. Take a look at our original show notes, here. We'll round out our rewind week on Friday. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While the first person to tell you that nothing good happens while you're using drugs will be today's guest Michael Brody-Waite, he WILL insist that the skills he learned in recovery are the same skills we all need for success with life and money. He should know. As a man who's walked the journey from drug addict to CEO and success coach, Michael funnels his darkest experiences into powerful lessons he'll share with you. Today, Michael will teach you how to rebalance your priorities, reclaim your energy, and thrive in both work and life. A new bond has arrived! The Treasury announced a 20-year note to help offset the massive spending lately in Washington. We'll discuss how that works and may impact your wallet in our headlines segment. Also, we'll cover the results of a recent Morningstar study that shows why it is more important than you might thank to have a thorough financial plan and an (emotional) support network in place. It turns out that it's easy to stay the financial course when everything is going right. The problem is when panic starts to set in, not pressing that big, red "sell everything" button. Today we'll throw out the Haven Life line to a caller a not-quite-usual question about loan repayment. Due to COVID-19 reasons, Vanessa was laid off from work. However, she was building up her savings beforehand. Vanessa also receives unemployment and severance pay. She wonders, "Should I use savings to pay off student loans? Or, would it be better to keep making minimum payments and keep her cash buffer?" Of course, Joe and OG have an opinion. One last thing: Happy Twilight Zone Day! Doug has a special treat in store for you in celebration. Enjoy! (This is a rewind episode from the summer of 2020, so there will be references to events and days that aren't current. Please keep this in mind as you listen.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever wish that saving money and spending less were easier? Today we've got your back because Chris Hutchins, Mr. Hack himself and host of the All The Hacks podcast, joins us to discuss a delicious list pulled from the popular Inspired Budget blog that lists a whopping 30 money hacks you should try in 2021. What hacks do you love that are missing from this list? On today's show recorded live on the new Fireside app, we're joined not only by Chris Hutchins but also Paula Pant (Afford Anything podcast) and Len Penzo (Len Penzo dot com) as they dive into their favorites (and also skewer one or two that they aren't as fond of). At the end of the discussion we'll ditch the list and this crack team will even add a few of their own. Before we're done we'll also magnify Tom's money, who asks what we think about popular trading app Robinhood. You know us...this is going to be good! And of course we can't forget about Doug's trivia! He has a heart-wrenching question today. Literally. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alan Corey had a small goal: he just wanted to pay his internet bill automatically, and in the process stumbled upon a strategy that would lead him to wealth in real estate at an early age. Today he joins us to share his journey to financial independence, from moving to NYC and realizing he couldn't control his income in the corporate world, to purchasing real estate with a goal of purchasing one property a year for five years. Fast forward and he's now buying five properties in a month! His unique thought process of using rental income to offset fixed costs in his life helped propel his real estate success. You'll also never guess who he sold his first property to in NYC! For our headline, we'll look at a piece from Morningstar that talks about cryptocurrency in retirement plans. Would you want the option to invest in crypto in your 401k? We'll share the results of the survey and you might be surprised by the results. We'll also throw out the Haven Life line to Bill who has questions about rebalancing his portfolio. And of course we'll also throw in some of Doug's trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you aware of all the benefits your company offers? Beyond a retirement plan, do they offer other perks? You might be surprised to learn about some hidden benefits your company offers and The Evil HR Lady, Suzanne Lucas, joins us today to give us some examples. We also talk about company culture, training, employee satisfaction, and how these all play a role in our work lives. Would you take a lower-paying job if it meant you had more fun at work? We'll let you know what percentage of people say they would. We'll also look at a piece from Investment News on municipal bonds and the recent inflow of funds to these bonds. Ever heard of the latte factor? Our TikTok minute shows us just how many lattes we need to give up to own our dream home! What's your guess? Of course, we'll also throw out the Haven Life line to Jess who wants advice about buying real estate with family members. And we can't forget Doug's trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Investing, especially when you're just beginning, can be frustrating! There's new lingo and technology platforms to learn, let alone knowing what you should invest in. Today our roundtable discusses a recent blog post that lists the 10 things the author hates about investing. From FOMO to YOLO, we talk about how each of the 10 items impacts us and what you can do to become a more savvy and less worried investor yourself. Money coach Sharita Humphrey joins Len, Paula and Diania Merriam for a wide-ranging, fun discussion. It's also National Catfish Day, so we'll enjoy a little catfish related trivia. To make it even more exciting, we paired a few of our listeners on our live broadcast with our contributors to help guess. You'll never believe how it all turns out. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does it take to reach your goals? Here in the middle of NHL and NBA playoff season, we're going to talk about reaching your big goals. Today's guest, Stu Grimson, had to take a roundabout way to his big goals, and today he'll talk about life as an "enforcer" during his 14-year professional hockey career. While he didn't score a lot of goals, he certainly scored a great career, and we'll dive into the sometimes winding road to success, the importance of good coaching, and not relying on managers or trainers to get you ready for your life's "big game." Have you thought about your estate plan? Or finished your "what if" planning? Our headline looks at the tragic accident last week of Alex Harvill who died while attempting a record-breaking motorcycle jump. It's the grim reminder that we all need to plan for tomorrow, today. Of course, we'll also throw out the Haven Life line to a member of our basement Facebook group who wants to know the do's and don'ts of being a landlord. What would we advise him to beware of? Believe it or not, we'll share our opinion! And that's not all. We'll also share some of Doug's trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NFT...Etherium...Dougcoin? Wait...Dougcoin? Is Doug messing with us again and making up his own cryptocurrency? The whole gang gets involved today as we dive into the virtual world of NFT's, Crypto, and all things Modern Finance with Kevin Rose. With the value of your house skyrocketing, what happens if you want to access some of that cash? We'll give you the lowdown on everything you need to know about home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) and cash-out refinances. And we can't forget about our TikTok minute and the "perfect" explanation of NFT's. Well, we thought it was perfect. Kevin disagreed (and is probably a more reliable source). Of course, we'll also throw out the Haven Life line to a lucky caller wants to stir the index funds and passive investing pot. Could indexing be worse than Marxism? And that's not all. Of course, we'll also share some of Doug's trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We talk all the time about what investors should know and worry about...but what should we forget? Today we're joined by Talking Real Money's Don McDonald and CFP Katie Brewer from Your Richest Life Planning to get their take on a recent blog post detailing one writer's opinions. Do we agree? We'll outline all 10 of the author's ideas and share one opinion (or maybe two...or five) on each. Plus, we'll Magnify Jacob's Money during our call-in segment. He's worried about planning for multiple goals. With only so much money to go around, what should he focus on first? And of course, we'll also share Doug's National Panic Day trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why do we always seem to have something else we're chasing? Another possession, more stuff, the next token for our treasure trove...where does it end? Today we'll dive into the "why" behind your desires with Luke Burgis, who's deeply studied the philosophy of wanting, and will help you short-circuit some of the self-destructive behaviors in our life that make us believe the more equals better. During our headlines segment, have you heard the phrase “sell in May and go away?” Sounds a bit like market timing, doesn’t it? We’ll hear what the market did last month and help you understand the impacts of this strategy. Plus, we'll dial up Matt Komos on Joe's dad's shortwave radio. He's the Vice President of Research and Consulting at TransUnion, and has some good news about consumer credit trends over the last year. Unemployment spiked in April of 2020 as the COVID pandemic began and Matt dives into how consumer credit cards, mortgages, and auto loans have all been impacted. Of course, we'll also throw out the Haven Life line to a lucky caller who's wondering about life insurance for her children. We might have a strong opinion or two on that topic. Of course, we'll also share some of Doug's trivia goodness. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do the best achieve superior results? Do they work 10,000 hours? Do they spend years sharpening the saw? While it takes work and grit, the type of work achievers focus on may surprise you. We'll dive into the science of greatness with Dr. Ron Friedman, author of the new bestseller Decoding Greatness. It's a wide-ranging discussion that will change the way you think about your career, your goals, and how you spend your time. During our headlines segment, we'll share a sad statistic about COVID and government benefits. It turns out that LOTS of people who are eligible for help aren't applying for it. We'll share some ideas that will hopefully help you find money if you need it. Of course, it's Monday, so that means we'll also share a TikTok video from a brilliant creator who shares some amazing (maybe too amazing) math about AMC stock. Of course, we'll also throw out the Haven Life line to a lucky caller who's worried about fees in his portfolio, AND we'll share some of Doug's monkey business called "trivia."  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What are you doing with your cash that's a complete "no-no"? Today we'll dive into some things that you should NEVER do with your money. We'll talk about banks, life insurance, debt products and also maybe advice that you find from online blogs. To help us, today we welcome the host of the Nurses on FIRE podcast, Naseema McElroy. She'll be joined by award winning blogger Len Penzo (LenPenzo.com), and our very own OG (other guy). July is a huge month for private scholarships. We'll detail ALL of the things that students need to do right now to make college easier. We'll share tips for existing college students, high school students, and even younger kids. Our doors are opening again (I know we already have many people on our wait list for this session....) for a short time, so check out StackingBenjamins.com/Scholarships. On our MagnifyMoney segment, Matt's spouse works for someone else and he's convinced she'd be better off self employed. What does she need to know to make the move? How can he help her see beyond the riskiness of not having a consistent paycheck from another employer? Naseema, OG and Len will all dive into this question. Of course, we'll also celebrate National Corn Day with Doug's amazing trivia challenge. Which of our panelists will be closest to the answer? You'll have to listen to find out. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feeling bad about your debt? Well, we've brought the perfect motivation: a story about a woman who paid off over $55k of debt in just 3.5 years. Kassandra Dasent, singer/songwriter and former money coach, joins us to tell her compelling personal story. Raised by a single, immigrant mom, Kassandra learned the word hustle at a young age. However, she fell into her own debt troubles like so many people do because she thought she deserved nice items around her. When her credit was capped by credit card companies, Kassandra sprang into action. She'll share the tactics of how she did it on today's podcast. Plus, during our headlines segment, we'll share some horrible news about bad brokers. It turns out that once they're kicked out of the world of brokerages, many move over to the insurance industry to continue scamming clients. Speaking of scamming, crypto thieves ran off with over $32M recently. How do you protect yourself? We'll share strategies. We'll also throw out the Haven Life line to Austin, who wonders why Joe sold his rental property. We'll discuss real estate strategies AND the fact that there are many ways to achieve wealth during our answer. And of course, Doug also gets his share of air time. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How are you winning with managing your money? Are you saving automatically? Investing appropriately? Keeping an emergency fund? How do we rank the key habits that will make you a success? Today Joe and OG dive into a Top 5 episode, where each has prepared what THEY think are the key traits, and then they offer them up head to head. You end up with ten habits, and also maybe some disagreement from the guys. Plus, how would you like to earn money off the back of your favorite celebrity? Turns out, that reality is closer than you think. Comedian Bret Raybould joins us to share the world's (possibly-almost) newest cryptocurrency: BretCoin. Need some extra incentive to invest? During the other half of our headlines we share all of the fantastic reasons to invest in AMC after their newest announced perk: free popcorn. I know, I know! I'm excited as you are. That's not all. We'll also throw out the Haven Life line to a lucky listener, answering their question. Of course, Doug will share a riveting trivia question as well. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When it comes to money, there are some things you need to just start doing. Other tasks you should contemplate and make sure you get them correct before rolling into action. Knowing which-is-which could be the difference between success and failure. Today our roundtable group of award-winning financial commentators discusses a few tasks they think fit into either category. Our guest contributor is the guy behind Richest Life planning in metro Atlanta (and one of our favorite people), Beau Henderson. Beau is joined by regular contributor Paula Pant from the Afford Anything podcast and our very own OG. It's a dynamic, fun discussion. After we finish our discussion, Joe sits down with a just-in-time interview with Angelo Poli, the man behind MetPro, our favorite health and wellness brand. Summer is rolling into full force, Americans are eating out more than ever, and restaurants are more than ready to push out food that tastes great but might not be in your best interest. Angelo shares some great tips on how to maintain your peak mental and physical shape while still enjoying the summer. In fact, with a few of Angelo's tips, we actually think you'll love summer even more. Do precious metals have a place in your portfolio? Our contributors tackle a question from one of our listeners who wonders if the commodity has a place alongside his 401k and brokerage accounts. Of course, they all have opinions. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What important steps do you need to roll smoothly into retirement? Joining us to share her newly updated strategies about healthcare, social security, taxes, budgeting, and more, we welcome the author of The 5 Years Before You Retire, Emily Guy Birken. Uh-oh! Another company is in hot water for employing some shady business practices... at least according to one state Attorney General. The catch? The Timeshare-Exit company had, until recently, been a sponsor of the Dave Ramsey show. While that's relevant, we don't think you should invest in any company that doesn't fit in your financial plan... whether it's sanctioned by Dave, the guys in Mom's Basement, or anyone else. More on that in the show. How have our priorities and attitude towards money changed? Rob Williams, Vice president of Financial Planning at Schwab, joins us to share some data from the company's newest survey. How do you turn your side business into a business? We tackle that question for Mac, who's interested in making some Benjamins from his brewing hobby. He asks: what does he need to know? Of course, Doug also gets his share of air time with a great trivia question. Can you guess it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you create big wins? Of course, you track all of the little wins and build a solid foundation. That's why we're excited to talk today to NASCAR star Corey LaJoie about themes from his new Stacking Pennies podcast. While he drives a car alone, he's a small part of a team of people who all have to do the little things right to achieve big success on the track. Plus, "Stacking Pennies"? You know why we had to talk to Corey. We don't want to alarm you, but in case you've been living in a bubble, inflation has been horrible on many items, like lumber, new and used cars, computer chips, and even chicken. While the small story is that this may not be the best time to buy a car or refinish your home, the bigger story is that inflation is the silent killer of "safe money" sitting in bank accounts. We'll talk through why you want to think differently about risk today. Plus, of course, we'll share another eye-roll TikTok moment, answer a listener's question on the Haven Life line, and dive into some of Doug's Memorial Day trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Summer 2021 is right around the corner and with it comes a wave of weddings and social gatherings that have been postponed since last year. With invitations rolling in, how do you keep savings stacked without coming off as a post-COVID scrooge? Joining us to help navigate the lines between big-roller, sensible, and miser is Elle Martinez, the well-suited creator behind the Couple Money blog and podcast; Len Penzo from the LenPenzo.com blog, and our very own OG. After we're done dishing out wedding success tips, we do you one better: how would you like to win money for just knowing about money? Okay, truth be told you (the reader!) may not be eligible. BUT, United One Bank President Teri Williams joins us to share how the children in your family or neighborhood could win $1,000 for flexing their money brains. Plus, do you have cryptocurrency FOMO after multiple headlines about people striking it rich? Stacker John calls in and tells us his son has seen some pretty rapid gains (and drops) since buying cryptocurrency. John's son decided to buy a few other cryptos to diversify, and while that makes sense on paper, John feels like pouring money into the digital currency is closer to gambling than investing. Of course, we always save some time for Doug's trivia game-show. It's unbelieva-bull.... Enjoy!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Want to succeed? You need to stay focused. Studies show the amount of alcohol and food we consume skyrockets during the holidays, and Memorial Day is no exception. While few people contest the negative impacts of a few beers or scarfing down the third burger, the science is a bit more muddied (or at least most people think it is) when it comes to other beverages like wine, coffee, and juice. Where's the truth lie, and which drinks are going to keep us healthy, happy, and productive? Dr. Alexis Willett joins us for our Memorial Day episode to share the truth behind the drinks we know, love, and rely on, but we won't be the ones during the interviewing. Stepping into Joe's seat for this special show is Mike Carruthers, host of the Something You Should Know podcast. Could patience save you a stack of Benjamins on your home? During our headlines, we share why homebuyer sentiment is at a 10-year low AND why the sky won't stop falling. Here's a freebie for those of you still in the market: appreciate the silver lining that your 50k offer over asking and waived inspection was rejected by the seller. Plus, Bitcoin is falling heavily. (Or it is right now anyway...could be skyrocketing by the time you read this. Who knows?) In our second piece, we discuss the issues behind a prospective currency crashing, going through the roof, flat-lining, and crashing again both as a currency AND an investment. What retirement options are available for business owners? During the Haven Life Line, we share the options available to the self-employed. Our caller is discouraged by the $6,000 Roth IRA contribution limit and is looking for options with higher caps. While this isn't necessarily an "either/or" issue, we give the round of choices to caller Erin. Of course, we always make some time for Doug's trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Returning right on time to kick off theme park season, we welcome Robert Niles from Theme Park Insider. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, last year's season was cut short. Here's the good news: between new attractions, hot deals, and of course the world generally opening back up, there's a lot about Summer 2021 to look forward to. We've heard rumors that people have been smarter with their money than expected lately, and now we have some data to back that up. Ken Tumin joins us today to share the results of MagnifyMoney's annual April Savings Index. One thing to note, while people are saving, the top priority right now is funding vacation and travel. We don't want to rain on anyone's parade, BUT mom's curious to see how these numbers hold up after summer. More on the results and data during our time with Ken. Plus, Fidelity has announced a new (almost free) investing platform for teens. While parents need to have their own account at the company, teen accounts have no fees or commissions. Throw in some financial education with the low-risk early market exposure and we might call this one a win-win for everyone involved. Having some familiarity with the market and some understanding of what all the jargon means definitely will be a big help in many a young saver's journey. We finish today's show with a question from VJ, who's wondering if he should become a 1099 worker for his side-gig. He's currently a W2 worker and thinking about making the switch, but knows there are some tax implications to consider. While VJ isn't wrong to think about taxes, there's A LOT more that happens behind the scenes when you're running the show. OG shares some big points not only for VJ to consider, but anyone thinking about starting their own business. Of course, Doug also gets his share of air time and you can bet its going to be theme park trivia! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While reading a recent blog post on fad diets, we were shocked to realize that there's a metric ton of horrible fad financial advice out there. Today we're joined by an award-winning cast of financial contributors who share some of their least favorite fads. Regular contributors Len Penzo (LenPenzo.com) and Paula Pant (Afford Anything podcast) are joined today by the host of Smart Money Mamas, the one-and-only Chelsea Brennan! (Yes, longer-time listeners, there really is a live person named "Chelsea Brennan.") Plus, today we're unveiling our OWN new FinTech. It's frustrating to see the gulf in retirement planning capabilities between some of the robust software on the advisory side and the too-dumbed-down software on the consumer side. We've been hoping to help you bridge the gap since we began the podcast, and recently we FINALLY found a partner who'll help us launch our new planning software. Steve Chen is the creator of the Stacking Benjamins Retirement Design Lab, and he'll walk you through how it works today. Even if you're already comfortable with your current tools, we're going to talk about how to use whatever software you're using to ensure that you have the best plan possible. Of course, we'll also feature our weekly trivia challenge between our three contributors. It's an exciting week while Paula and Len see if either of them can Chelsea Brennan Chelsea Brennan! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brown Brothers Harriman is a bank that's sat front row for much of America's history, and yet most of us haven't heard of them. Two presidents, the creation of our first railroads, and an influence on the adoption of paper currency only scratches the surface of the private bank's intertwined history with the birth and growth of the United States. It didn't happen accidentally. A family with strict investing and social values, the Brown Brothers family knew when to invest, when it was time to give back, and how to walk away when an opportunity carried too much risk. Sharing some of these key early stories, today we're joined by Zachary Karabell, author of the newly released Inside Money, to share both how Brown Brothers Harriman fits into our history, and also how their guiding hand helped shape some key moments for us. Are your safe, everyday financial products tasting a little stale to you? Why not spice them up by throwing some Bitcoin into your annuity? That's hip and exciting, isn't it?! What? That seems like a bad idea to you? Well, maybe us too. During our headlines, we'll ponder over reports that insurance companies are exploring how to best add cryptocurrency to annuities. We really try to work this one out and try to make heads or tails of the why. In the process, we'll talk about the history of insurance, and how sadly, the industry's innovation is more reaction than inspiration. Plus, more and more people are excited to become travelers again. We've talked about how some places like Hawaii have already seen car rental shortages, but how about getting to the destination in the first place? We'll discuss our personal methods of planning and saving for a vacation, including how Joe gamifies paying for each night of his trips to Bavaria (oh boy). We finish our show with a Haven Life question from Jason, who may or may not want to have his house paid off before he retires in the next 10 years. He asks: should he stop contributing to his Roth and contribute to a taxable brokerage account instead so he can do a lump sum payoff? Turns out, there's a way Jason continues contributing to his Roth AND still pays off his home. We'll explain how during the show. Of course, we always make some time for Doug's trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you're wondering how the inside world of high-end real estate works, our guest today will share stories and lessons from the top. Kirsten Jordan is the newest cast member of popular Bravo reality series Million Dollar Listing: New York. She's a real estate broker who's overseen over $500M in sales, so if anyone knows how to sell real estate, it's her. Today she'll talk about the price of mentorship, staging homes, leaving people feeling good vs trying to scoop up every dollar, and realizing that not all financial purchases can be whittled to numbers on a spreadsheet. Are you receiving misleading, inaccurate data from your financial advisors? Riskalyze CEO Aaron Klein says his company, which provides data advisors use for their clients, is superior to another company's inaccurate information. Is Klein speaking the truth, or is there something more at play here? Thankfully, OG has extensive experience with both systems and breaks down what really matters here - and it's not type of graphs you're using. Of course, because it's Monday, we have to share a new TikTok video of the week. The fun this go-round? How about some guy who made all the wrong decision - maxing our credit cards, investing all of his spare cash and savings, and consolidating all of his previously diverse stocks into a single position - and still somehow struck gold... Sounds like a lucky dream? Only if Mr. Diamond-Hands chose to cash out. We also share some news that proves we were wrong and couldn't be happier about it. Like many people, we wrongly assumed the stimulus money would go to electronics, games, and new smart TVs. While that did happen, a LOT more money than we expected flowed into stocks. While not our favorite choice, cash also made its way into cryptocurrencies (as today's TikTok shows). It's good news, but we play Devil's Advocate a bit too: could some minor market events scare of a new generation of investors out the market? Has investing become to gamified with the rise of easy-to-invest apps? We discuss that and more during our second headline. Our Haven Life Line finishes today's show: Elle's advisor wants her father to rollover his 401k to an IRA. Hypothetically, this would let Elle use a Stretch IRA when she receives her inheritance. Only problem? The Secure Act of 2019 killed the Stretch IRA. Plus, Elle's father has company stock in his 401k and messing with that comes with big tax savings considerations. (You'll hear one of our hosts tell you this is turn around and find another advisor level of a mess-up). More on that during the show. Of course, we always make some time for Doug's trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever wonder what your neighbors are really doing with their cash? Our round table takes a deep dive into a new study exposing the secret financial lives of your friends, family, and neighbors - and it's not all good news. Joining us to cover the new numbers are this week's contributors: Len Penzo from the LenPenzo.com blog, Paula Pant from the Afford Anything podcast, and Doc G from the Earn & Invest podcast. Halfway through the show, we'll stop our fly-on-the-wall discussion to find out what's happened to Clarity Money. The fintech app was purchased and retired by Goldman Sachs, which rolled some of Clarity's features over into their new Marcus Insights app. Melissa Manne from Goldman Sachs joins us to share both what fans of the old app (like us) have to look forward to, AND some features designed from ground up to help you save money. Our contributors finish the round table with a question from Bill - who wants to know more about the barbell investing strategy. Our guest break down barbell investing, give the pros and cons, and - of course - give their take on what Bill should do from here. Of course, Doug still has slice of airtime for his game-show trivia...which won't disappoint our trivia fans. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ready to be motivated by your peers? Today we share success stories about living your dream, paying off your mortgage, and teaching finance to the neighborhood, and all from our listeners. Stacker Leah explains how she took charge of her finances after graduating from college and moving to New York City with her car and no job. Larry tells us the simple, down-to-earth technique he used to pay off his mortgage quicker, and we hear from Mimi on how she got the neighbor kids to start investing. Plus, we tackle a piece sent to us by Stacker David: why shouldn't investors sell their stocks for a few months each May if historical data suggest guaranteed gains? Still haven't filed your taxes? Not sure how much you owe and worried about overpaying? Are you confused about the large tax bill waiting for you every year? Helping us answer those questions and more, we welcome CPA Carter Coefield for some last-minute tax advice. OR... depending on your perspective, take this as early tax advice and have everything you need perfect for next year. (We can dream right)? Why do so many investors still not trust advisors? While every advisor isn't perfect, we think at least some of the blame lies closer to home. During our headlines we explain the importance of through interviewing, asking the right questions, and the power of simply saying "no" when things aren't lining up. Plus, do Warren Buffett's quotes about life and business hold up to the same standard as his investing? We take a look at a few of Buffett's most passed-on adages to see if they're up to snuff. Of course, there's always time for a bit of Doug's trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever leave your bank thinking, "someone just made some money and it wasn't me?" Maybe a trip to your local credit union will be the cure. Credit unions are member-owned and offer low fees, high rates on savings and low rates for loans. Today we'll dive into the world of credit unions with some help during a special Wednesday "Fintech" segment from Navy Federal Credit Union's retired Marine Colonel Clay Stackhouse. We'll discuss how credit unions work, the basic benefits, and the perks that people often overlook. Of course, that's not all. We'll still throw out the Haven Life line to help a lucky listener AND Doug will share his union-oriented trivia...although he might be on the wrong track today (what's new). Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're celebrating the world of work today! On this special episode, we answer the question, "How does THIS basement-based podcast team work? Sure we own a mic and a shiny new Dell computer, but our work neither starts nor stops there. A whole host of systems, technology, and (of course) creative discussions power the making of our show. Today we're excited to show you a special behind-the-scenes making of the Stacking Benjamins show featuring the very people who make it happen. Brought to you by the Dell Podference, each member of our team shares their unique perspective of what a day in the basement looks like, plus the digital tools we utilize to bring this show to your ears. Before that though, we'll dive into a piece about the future of work: should employees expect to return to the office soon, or can we get comfortable working from home? I know what my vote is on, but each choice does come with its own list of pros and cons. We explore the possibilities, and long-term considerations, during our headlines. We finish today's show with some questions about setting up a small business. Tyson and Josh both have questions about consultants, files, staying organized, and more. We'll share our experience working with small business owners and from running our own shop. ...and of course, Doug will share some Dell-flavored trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While we can safely assume that most of us are ready to travel, we're not excited about breaking the bank AND quarantine. Yet, after meals, a decent hotel, and the tourist attractions, many of us feel we have to destroy our budget or we'll be sacrificing some fun. What if there was another way? Today we'll interview George Igoe from the hit new Million Stories YouTube series George Goes Everywhere. He'll share how he experiences some amazing fun in many of America's biggest cities on less than a single Benjamin (that's $100 to the uninitiated). We'll talk about where to look for deals, what to avoid, and we'll even get behind the camera to discuss the making of his show. Plus, during our first headlines segment back, we'll cover ALL of the stuff we missed during our break. Boy, was there a ton. A couple known as "Bill and Melinda" decided to divorce, Dogecoin went through the roof (and then dropped again), and both AOL and Yahoo! are being jettisoned from Verizon. We'll discuss all of these, our latest TikTok minute video (yet another crypto scam!) and top it all off with the story of a grandmother suing her brokers. They also happen to be her grandsons. Ouch. Of course there's more! We'll still save time to throw out the Haven Life line and Doug will share some of his amazing trivia. We're glad to be back and have another great eight weeks planned. Enjoy our kickoff episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How far would you go to save a few bucks, or even pennies? Mom always said all things in moderation, but it seems like these super-savers didn't get the memo. Remember, you can always put your energy into increasing your revenue streams, but playing the extreme frugality game quickly steps into the realm of diminishing returns. This round-table originally aired in 2018, but espcially after our last year, the push for extreme frugality could return to the forefront. You can read our (mostly) original show notes below: Being financially prudent is one thing, but when does saving money cross the line into being extremely, and possibly even grossly, frugal? Helping us answer these questions are today's special guests: from the Fiery Millennials blog, we welcome Gwen Mertz; and from this here podcast, we welcome our very own OG and Taylor. (2021 note: On this show's original run Gwen was still co-hosting the Fire Drill podcast, and Taylor didn't join the Basement until about 18 months later. Pretty cool.) Halfway through the show we'll take a little break to talk to Jason Brown from Tally. Making the decision to get on the road to financial freedom is a good one, and paying off credit cards and debt can be a major road block. We'll sit down with Jason doing our FinTech segment and see just how his company is setting out to help people climb out of debt. And of course, we'll still have take some time to throw out the Haven Life Line to Joe, who wants to retire in the next few years. There's just one problem: Joe has no goals for retirement life. Can we throw some resources his way so he can figure out what he wants to do? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever wish you had a second chance with your money? Billy B. hoped he'd get one. After being convicted and sent to prison after the death of his friend, Billy went through some serious soul searching, and the end result of that is on display on today's show. Not taking any opportunity for granted, working hard to find solid financial (and life) footing, and the value of surrounding yourself with good friends and mentors are just three of many themes we'll talk about in this fantastic discussion with Billy (who now also blogs at WealthWellDone.com). We originally aired this show in 2018, but the lessons Billy learned are truly timeless. Read the rest of the original show notes below: In our headlines segment, a new software program means that some of your advisors may be expendable….or maybe not. We’ll discuss the hot topic of humans versus AI on today’s show. Plus, Warren Buffet just wrote his annual letter to investors. What are some of the takeaways? One publication listed their favorites and we’ll review and discuss them. As always, Mr. Buffet doesn’t fail to use the English language as a weapon while talking about investing, value, and evaluating risk. We’ll of course have more from the world of financial planning, throw out the Haven Life line to lucky listener Luke, who wonders about investing to beat inflation without taking too much risk. For a five year goal, what investment works best? Are stocks too risky? Should he use junk bonds? We’ll shine a light on that topic (and maybe one we can’t talk about here), as well. We also answer a letter from Jon, who asks about asset allocation. What is a great way to manage your money and diversify correctly? You’ll have to listen to find out! Of course, we’ll still score with some of Doug’s delightful trivia, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Got debt? We have a solution. Or rather, our guest, Jenni Zepol, does. Every eight weeks we look back through our collection and play some of our favorite interviews, and this one is no exception. No gimmicks or get rich-quick schemes - Jenni shared her strategy and goals on how she paid down her debt in less than a year and they just may work for you too. Here's our original show notes: We LOVE success stories, and today we're talking to one woman with a great one. She set out to pay off over $18,000 of debt in a single year. But what happened? She actually did it in just over half that time: seven months. Sounds good? We thought so too, so we called up Jenni Zepol to see just how she did it. The great news? Many of you may be able to follow her tactics and do it also. Plus, in our headlines segment one whistleblower claims she was fired for raising red flags about her employer's alternative investment sales. While we're not going to set out to prove or disprove her claims, we will draw a point on why it's important to make sure your advisor is always acting as a fiduciary while helping you handle your finances. And in our second headline, one Florida teacher quit his job to become a 6-figure earning personal shopper. Any lessons we can learn there? Absolutely. We'll also have time to answer a listener letter, and don't you worry, we'll also dish out a dose of Doug's trivia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"You'll spend more time searching than watching" would be an honest slogan for which company? If you said… well, let's not spoil every element of the show before it starts. During today's special game show we ask our contributors to guess which companies our "honest" slogans belong to. It's a lot of fun, and one contributor has a bit of a hard time marking their place on their board. Our contributors joining our round table this week are Stacy Johnson from the Money with Stacy Johnson podcast, Len Penzo from the LenPenzo.com blog, and Paula Pant from the Afford Anything podcast. After we wrap up our gameshow Joe sits down with the founder of Element, a new company designed to help personal finance creators answer questions from their audience. During their discussion Orban Oz shares how he discovered a startling statistic during his time building up a digital bank: personal finance creators are being asked questions all the time. That's where Element comes in. The platform sets out to make creators more accessible to their audience, and better response times. Today we dive into how it all works. We finish today's show with a question from Michael, who's wondering if he's too conservative in his portfolio. Michael is 58 and his portfolio is 60% stocks and 40% bonds. He also has a pension with 100% survivorship benefits for his spouse. Michael also tell us he doesn't include the pension in portfolio allocation as fixed income. He asks us two questions: is he being too conservative not including his pension in his calculations, and two, how much (if any), of their 1.4 million 401k should they convert into a Roth in retirement? Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's a bold statement, and one financial coach Rachel Rodgers wholeheartedly believes. After adapting her coaching business last year to the difficult circumstances we were all facing, Rachel not only survived but thrived. She saw her company turn its first million-dollar month not long after. Today Rachel shares how you can get to millionaire status: a change in your mindset, enforced boundaries, and purposeful changes in your community can lead to huge financial improvements in your life. In our headlines, and to no one's surprise, half the country is waiting for a vacation. While airlines can handle the traffic, car rental companies can't. After selling off fleets to stay afloat, there flat out aren't enough cars to go around anymore. In Hawaii, tourists have taken to using U-Hauls to get around. Are YOU planning a vacation soon? We share what you need to be doing (like yesterday) to make sure you're protected during our first headline. Looking for headlines on saving money? We have that too. Ever hear about tax-loss harvesting? If you've ever made bad stock-buying decisions at two in the morning despite all of our warnings, tax loss harvesting is your new best friend. This isn't the whole bit, but basically, it lets you use the losses on your stocks to lower the bottom line on the taxes of the stocks that actually performed well. Win-win, right? Or as most of a win as you can get in the situation. Joe and OG don't stop there, after giving the breakdown on tax-loss harvesting the guys also share tips on reallocating, understanding the differences between ETFs and Mutual Funds, and more. We finish today's show with a question from an anonymous listener who's wondering how to invest all of his extra cash. Anon has regular W2 income and about $20,000 in self-employment income that they're not sure what to do with. Ideas? The guys give a breadth of things to consider including opening up a SEP IRA, talking to a CPA, different considerations for if our caller is running a side business with frequent income, contribution and tax implications, and more. Plus, we'll finish our answer with some tax-savings advice that's especially helpful for freelancers. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Susan, Linda, Nina, and Cokie--four women we know by first name--were collectively much of the "voice" of NPR, bringing the fledgling network into millions of homes during an era when woman weren't even expected to report news, let alone host shows control what topics were discussed. Today we hear a few of their stories from master researcher and storyteller Lisa Napoli, journalist and the author of Ray & Joan among others. She'll share how you too can achieve your goals and create your dream job - even if it doesn't yet exist. While these stories are downright interesting on their own, they also serve as great examples of achieving your goals, not limiting yourself, and learning how to thrive in environments where you're not expected to win. During our headlines we tackle an issue most of the world's procrastinators have faced since working from home: keeping the ball rolling on your work. Studies show that the last year has been difficult for most, and we still have many lessons to learn about maximizing productivity and staying active when we're sometimes only feet from our bed (or the XBox/kids/fire pit/whatever). We've had experience figuring out how to keep productivity and workflow up, and we don't mind passing that advice on to you, along with some help from a great piece from the Wall Street Journal. In our second piece, should you trust all of the new, up-and-coming "buy now, pay later" services? While you should always use some judgment while considering any purchases, there's a bigger question to answer here: WHY use these services? If you're already financially responsible enough to use credit, there are plenty of great credit card rewards programs to utilize instead. If you're not responsible... well we're back at square one, aren't we? We'll discuss the "why?" with these services and detail how they work. We finish today's show with a question on HSA investing from Stephen who asks: should he pay for medical expenses out of pocket to allow his HSA contributions to grow interest? Similar to our "buy now, pay later" thoughts, it's not that our answer is necessarily no for Stephen, there are so many things that can go wrong here we have to take a moment to air some concerns. Of course, there's always time for Doug and his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Where do you turn when being poor has you exhausted? When you feel like you just can't think about ways to make money any longer? On a bigger scale, what's the secret to breaking out of poverty and the cycle of always being in debt? While we won't promise to solve the world's longest-running crisis in one podcast, our contributors all share their experiences and thoughts about working to overcome poverty. They share how they endured their own individual situations, and how they (and you) can plan and work towards getting out of a dark hole yourself. There aren't any quick fixes, but we do offer solid financial strategies that'll move you past the paycheck to paycheck lifestyle. How about some "free" Bitcoin? During our Friday Fintech segment we'll talk to Quontic Bank founder-CEO Steve Schnall. The digital bank, which offers a Bitcoin "cash-back" rewards card, also handles non-traditional mortgages to help under-served people who need it most. You'll especially want to listen to this one if you're in the hospitality business or any other industry with hard to document income. We end the show with a question from Nick. He tells us he's got an offer for a 2% cash back card. Nick is excited about using the card, but worried about his credit utilization rate. He's heard that 30% credit utilization is as high as he can go before his credit is negatively affected. Nick also asks if his credit is hit right away, or only when his statement is sent out. Our contributors share a full round of their thoughts before calling it quits for the weekend. Of course, Doug has some airtime for his trivia game-show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What separates you from everyone else? What gives you a competitive edge? According to William Green, who's interviewed hundreds of the richest investors on the planet, most of us don't have a competitive investing edge. But there's good news: that's okay, as long as you know who or what you're emulating. Today he'll pull on interviews from his new book, Richer, Wiser Happier, How the World's Greatest Investors Win in Markets and Life, to share how we can overcome our disadvantages and turn them into strengths. He'll also share some of the often-overlooked personal sides of a few investing magnates that we don't often get to see. You'll hear human stories about Jack Bogle and Warren Buffett, among others. Keeping (in)famous people in mind, we'll also cover Bernie Madoff - and scams - during our headlines. The mastermind behind the largest Ponzi scheme to date, Madoff often served as a stark reminder of the things that can happen when investors turn over their cash to unethical advisors. We'll also share the latest developments of the advisor who ran away with millions of his clients' dollars, and a few scam experiences of our own. Plus, if you're still waiting to file your 2017 taxes (I'm being serious), you only have limited time before Uncle Sam claims your cash for himself. I understand procrastination as much as the next wait-until-the-night-before person, but this is something you'll want to do sooner rather than later. During our Haven Life line segment, we help out James, who has dreams of becoming a financial planner. His bigger issue? He already has student loan debt from another degree. James asks: can he become an advisor with no relevant degree or experience? Joe and OG give James all the information he needs to get started on his path.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you take care of your money? Is it dollar by dollar? Or do you swipe plastic (like we used to), hoping that the math in your head has worked out? Today we'll help you take control with a discussion about creating a budget meeting, changing your money mindset, and gaining the confidence you need to drive your goals. It's a powerful show and we're excited for you to hear it. Featured Guest: Catherine Alford Catherine Alford shares tips to help you take control of your life by utilizing the skills you already use every day. Cat's new book, Mom's Got Money: a millennial mom's guide to managing money like a boss has strategies, tactics, and ideas anyone can use. From money meetings to making small changes in your decisions leading to big habit and money improvements, there's plenty of options right within reach. Do You Really Own Your Virtual Investments? We'll also dive into the world of NFTs. Let's assume you're fully funding your other retirement vehicles and you're interested in putting some fun money into a fun NFT spot like NBA Top Shot. (Which is a new blockchain virtual sports card marketplace... thing). You actually made a nice profit and want to cash out... and here comes the headache. You realize it'll take months for your gains to become liquid, but you need cash yesterday. What now? It doesn't matter if you're investing in a Traditional or Roth IRA, annuities, virtual card trading marketplaces, or anything else - always make sure you understand what you're throwing your hard-earned Benjamins in. We explain more during our headlines. Vacationing Next Year? Buy Now! In our own little version of market timing, all signs point to "recoup lost revenue" when it comes to the airlines industry. If you're sure you'll travel next year, it might be good sense to buy that ticket now. We discuss travel, airlines, and more during our second piece. The Haven Life Line: Terrible 401k Options? Here's What To Do Kyle calls in and tells us he has terrible 401k options. His workplace plan offers one index fund and a host of high expense ratio plans. While he invests some cash for the company match, most of his contributions go towards his IRA. Kyle asks: what should he do in this situation? How can he get his workplace to offer better plans? As always, we'll save some airtime for Doug's trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You've saved and invested diligently for years and you're now sitting on a fat stack of Benjamins. When's the right time to say f*** it and start spending cash like there's no tomorrow? Today our contributors share their big spender to saver money stories and give their thoughts on retiring WAY early... on less than a million dollars. It's not always about the bottom dollar, but also lost potential income (and raises) if you need to return to work years down the road, lost marketability as your skills age, and outdated professional networks as your co-workers move on to other opportunities. Joining us on the roundtable this week is Diania Merriam, founder of the FIRE-Movement inspired EconoME Conference, Len Penzo from the LenPenzo.com blog, and OG from our own podcast. Friday Fintech: Health and Wellness Expert Angelo Poli from MetPro.co After our contributors finish swapping money stories, Joe sits down with health and wellness expert Angelo Poli from MetPro.co. With summer right around the corner, we polled our Stacker community for all the health and exercise questions they've been dying to get answered. From questions on aging metabolisms to intermittent fasting, and of course, time-efficient (and free) workouts even the busiest Stackers can do at home... Angelo covers it all and then some. Listener Voicemail: HSA Horror Stories? Our anonymous caller, who we refer to as Sal, calls in with some HSA questions. For years he was told he only needed the Explanation of Benefits form (think something like a medical statement) before finding out he actually needed his receipts as well. While this was an easy fix, Sal asks: what other blind spots could he have? What HSA horror stories should he know about - and avoid? As always, Doug has some post-Fintech airtime to deliver his game-show trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you make money driving for ride sharing companies? Credit card hacking? Churning bank accounts? How do you help your family plan? What's it like to meet with financial advisors? Today members of our community, Alan, Claudia, and Jon are kind enough to share their wisdom and experiences in all of these areas! Plus, we'll also share an important headline about doing your homework before investing, another on helping your community, and more. Of course, we'll also throw out the Haven Life line to a caller with a great question about estate planning. That comes after Doug's trivia and a few of your emails. Enjoy!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How much of this stuff goes over your head? What are the absolute first things you need to know about when you're rolling out on your own? Today high school personal finance teacher and author Jake Cousineau joins us to dive into the very first items you should include on your list of lessons to learn about money as you begin your journey. From the double-edged sword of interest to simple banking and ideas on budgeting and saving, we'll share some of Jake's favorite tips so that you can leave today's show more prepared than you were before you listened. Annuities Changing Standards: Our Headlines States are rolling out some new rules around annuity sales, which largely are meant to mimic the SEC's Reg BI (best interest). While industry spokespeople say it's a step in the right directions, consumer advocates say it isn't enough. Today we'll share how annuities work, where the problems are in the industry, and how these new state-by-state rules may change the game (or not). We'll also share our TikTok creator video minute, and today we'll share a refreshing story. An online "guru" actually apologizes for leading his followers into a scam. While we love the sentiment, who would have known (hear the sarcasm coming?) that a StarWars universe-themed crypto coin called Mando might be fake. We'll also share the latest worldwide real estate news. Inflated prices aren't just happening in your back yard. Around the world we're seeing some eye-popping numbers. What's the takeaway? We'll talk real estate today! Of course, we'll also throw out the Haven Life line AND save time for Doug's trivia. It's another great day in the basement! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you coasting or actually planning your next move? Living in the land of "I should" or "I might" versus "I'm where I want to be right now?" Whether it's balancing your happiness with your career choices, changing industries, family planning, or deciding how long you want to work until retirement - lifestyle choices encompasses all of our financial decisions. Today we ask our contributors: what's the design for your lifestyle? What drives your motivations, career choices, retirement plans, and financial decisions? It's a great discussion with plenty of overlap with financial independence, and one you can use for a diagnostic in your own life once you hear how it's done. Welcome to a live-making of the Stacking Benjamins show! Recorded during Podbean's Finance Podcast Week, we had the opportunity to showcase a behind-the-scenes making of the podcast in front of a live audience, and it was lots of fun that you'll hear today. Our round table has a big discussion on lifestyle design this week using their cell phones. For this one, excuse our worse-than-usual audio. We promise the engaging conversation will be worth it. Our Listener Mail: What (Non-Financial) Podcasts Do We Like? We finish our live show with a letter from Lou: he's heard us talk plenty about our favorite TV shows and movies, but what about our favorite non-money related podcast? Our contributors deliver: from podcasts like Whatever Happened to Pizza at McDonald'‪s‬ and Betty in the Sky with a Suitcase‪!‬, to This Week in Virolog‪y‬ and more, you'll hear plenty of our favorite podcasts we love to binge when we're not thinking about money. (Except for one contributor who always is thinking about money - but we'll leave that one a surprise). Of course, we couldn't possibly do a live show without giving up some airtime for Doug's trivia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Don't think you can overthink your money decisions? Study's show that sadly, you're wrong. Not only will overthinking cause you to create overly complex plans, but you'll give up early on strategies, fail to move when you need decisive action, and exhaust yourself with going over the options "just one more time." Overthinking rarely involves positive thoughts, and you can't win when you're not confident. Today we'll help you solve that issue. Long time listeners will remember the last time we had Jon Acuff on the show back in 2017, (find that here: Give Yourself The Gift of “Finished”). In Jon's new book Soundtracks, he explores how our thought process and the stories we tell ourselves impacts our everyday lives, AND how you change your own soundtrack to solve your problems with overthinking. Give Enough Cash and Even The Spenders Pay Up... Eventually Remember the news the weeks after the first stimulus checks hit? Everyone waiting for the first piece of evidence to release their blog posts and podcast episodes about how everyone ran out and bought fancy 4k's and PS5s? (We totally didn't do that...not us!) Well, a new study shows that given ample cash to clear out the Amazon wish list, many people HAVE ended up paying off their bills. During our headlines Joe and OG discuss paying down debt, the double penalty of being stuck in a debt cycle, and how you can walk away from the I Can't mindset. How The Pandemic Changed Our Retirement Worries The pandemic challenged a lot of the conventional thinking behind emergency funds, healthcare, and and retirement living. A newly released Fidelity report queried investor retirement worries, and while there were some surprises, other figures proved that not all financial thinking needs to be redrawn from the ground up. Doc G from the Earn & Invest podcast joins us today to discuss what the report means for the broader retirement conversation AND what the numbers mean to you. The Haven Life Line: What's the deal with Fundrise? Sean is interested in investing with Fundrise, and wants to know our thoughts. While the company has seemed to change up their marketing since they first came on our radar we still have some reservations, and OG and I actually differ on a few thoughts here. Never familiar with REITs? We'll explain your options on the show, but you can get started here: Traded vs. Non-Traded REITs: Which Is Best for You? Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This seems like an easy decision, doesn't it? Skimp on the party and invest money in your dream residence. Yet, don't we always say to invest in experiences because they appreciate in your mind (becoming more epic as the years pass), instead of things that clutter our lives? Co-hosts of the new Netflix reality show Marriage or Mortgage, wedding planner Sarah Miller and real estate pro Nichole Holmes, join us for a fun discussion on a dilemma many newlyweds face: how much cash do you spend on making your dream wedding a reality, and at what cost to your future home? We know, this is a financial podcast, and financial nerds are definitely biased on this one, but Sarah raises some pretty good points, and you just might surprise yourself when you're nodding along. We're not saying you should go for broke on a huge wedding (though if you do, please invite us), but Sarah's reasoning isn't exactly in contrast with our own money philosophy. Making "Fun Money" on trading apps? Watch out for the tax bill. In our headlines segment, we'll relive the horror story one Robinhood trader experienced when he found he had an $800,000 tax bill. Worse news? He could have avoided it fairly easily if he knew one rule that we'll share on today's show. Tiktok of the Week: Amazon beats Walmart because of... adult toys? In our TikTok minute you'll find that it isn't just young, aggressive traders (or at least TikTok talkers) who are making bizarre statements about financial success. So are television anchors. Want early retirement? Try buying a school bus! How great is this? One man in his twenties decided to cut out 40 years of saving and instead retire right now. We'll share his story and what it means for you. BUT that's not all. Of course, we'll throw out the Haven Life line to a lucky listener AND we'll dovetail in some of Doug's amazing trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brush off the passport, pack the bags, and plop down in your favorite lazy spot because we're going global on today's show! In this special Living Abroad episode, we invite world travelers living in various countries to share how they did it, what they should've learned earlier, and what life experiences they've gained since settling into their new lives. Joining our round table is a French native and former Guatemala-living Pauline Paquin from the Reach Financial Independence blog, Jim White from the Route to Retire blog (who moved to Panama with his wife and daughter at 43), and Travis Luther, author of Fun Side of the Wall, a book explaining why baby boomers are flocking to Mexico for retirement. Friday Fintech: Jassby - An App for Families After our trio wraps up all things travel Joe sits down with Benny Nachman, founder of the family money-sharing app Jassby. The app provides an easy-to-use system that lets parents assign responsibilities to children, pay allowances, and even setup a virtual debit card. Listener Voicemail: Gifting Stocks? During our MagnifyMoney segment, we take on a question about gifting stocks to students from high school teacher Jake. Additionally, he asks, is there a good way to buy fractional shares as a gift? A few of the stocks his students are interested in are a few hundred dollars a piece... not exactly feasible to buy for a whole class. As always, Doug has some post-Fintech airtime to deliver his game-show trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You may have financial security, but do you have financial wholeness? What's the difference? Tiffany "The Budgetnista" Aliche says that she felt more whole BEFORE she had financial independence than she did after. We'll talk about building a solid financial footing and understanding on today's show. Tiffany has led women worldwide in paying off millions of dollars in debt, co-hosts the Brown Ambition podcast, and now has multiple financial education books published, including a pre-education book for children. With a decade of teaching experience behind her - that's before she moved into financial education - Tiffany has used her experience to develop easy-to-follow, engaging financial education lessons. Today we sit down with The Budgetnista for a wide-ranging interview including why you should strive for financial wholeness instead of financial freedom, how to present financial education so even children can grasp it, and her straightforward budgeting system. A Case Study in Being Prepared Model and Actress Brooke Shields had a horrific fall a few months ago that required her to undergo multiple surgeries. It's an accident she's still recovering from, and one she'll need to dedicate time and resources too. Here's the thing: Brook Shields (in all likelihood) can field the costs and loss of earnings in stride. What would happen in your life after enduring the same experience Shields went through? Beyond the physical and emotional trauma, what type of shock test will your finances go through? What vehicle gets the most mile for your buck? Pushing mortgages and health costs to the side for a moment, vehicle purchases are among the most expensive reoccurring expenses you'll have in life. Operating inside of a budget, there isn't anything wrong with picking based on your aesthetic preferences. However, at the very least, you should make informed decisions when any large amount of cash in on the table. We know cars depreciate in value the moment you drive off the lot, but which vehicles actually get you the most mileage for your cash over the long run? Joining us today with all the right answers, we welcome Karl Brauer from ISeeCars.com. Getting Young Investors Started? Sarah calls in asking the best way of setting up investment accounts for her two younger brothers, who are 16 and 20 years old. She knows her older brother could possibly setup a Roth IRA, but not sure what the best move is for her youngest brother. Sarah also asks about college financial aid implications. Thoughts? Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pros in every field will tell you that confidence is a huge part of earning more money. But what happens when life delivers blow after blow? We've been there ourselves, and so has our guest, Harma Hartouni, who moved to America with his family and was flat broke. Much of his story stems from a childhood relationship with a dad that was less than perfect (to put it mildly). While this is not a direct rags-to-riches story, things started to turn around for Harma, and he now runs one of the top real estate firms in Southern California, along with having a passion for sharing his life experiences for others to learn from. Today Harma shares his compelling story of perseverance, confidence, and learning lessons from horrible experiences instead of falling back on them as a crutch, like so many do. Blackrock Cuts ETF Fees Cut to Near Zero Lower fees... hooray! Right? The race to zero fees continues with BlackRock's latest move to drop ETF fees, which is the lastest blow in their fight for assets with Vanguard. While we aren't complaining about more money in your pocket, the slashed fees leave us with a lingering question: what exactly should investors want when it comes to their strategy? Beyond the latest flashy headline of the week, what's your framework for making investing decisions? Top Mistakes People Make When Planning for Retirement Have you made your portfolio more conservative to soothe your market volatility fears? Larry Swedroe recently shared some big retirement planning mistakes which could cost you millions of dollars in missed opportunity. The Your Complete Guide to a Successful and Secure Retirement author (and previous Stacking Benjamins guest) brings some good points to the table, and Joe and OG share some math scary enough to make you think twice before slowing things down. Not All Products Are Meant for You We're mixing things up with today's Haven Life Line. Margaret saw a video online that's filled with mostly good advice, but sneaks in a "secure compound interest account" comment at the end of the clip. What's the deal? Joe and OG share exactly what this account actually is, and give some frank advice for people who may be considering investing. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have a difficult time separating good financial advice from the bad? Today our contributors tackle everything from budgeting and credit utilization myths, to discussions on trade schools and the rent vs mortgage debate. Joining us on today's round table is Lauryn Williams from the Worth Listening podcast, Paula Pant from the Afford Anything Podcast, and Len Penzo from the LenPenzo.com blog. Friday Fintech: FarmTogether After the constant reminders to diversify, you eventually decided to invest a portion of your portfolio into something like bonds, right? Ever consider farmland? Joining us from the FarmTogether investment platform, we welcome founder Artem Milinchuk to learn more about farmland investing. Joe and Artem discuss how farmland's low correlation with the stock market provides better diversification, how advances in the farming industry align with ESG values, and how farmland can provide bond-like stable returns while still providing equity-level value. Listener Voicemail: What Happens To Your Stocks When A Company Goes Private? A company you own stocks of goes private, what happens now? Caller Liz recently found out that Michael's will become a private company after a sell. Liz asks: do they sell her shares at a specific time? Does she have a choice? Fortunately, Liz tells us this is her sandbox money - she doesn't need it, but she's still curious about the process. As always, Doug has some post-fintech airtime to deliver his game-show trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We thought women have been doctors for a long, long time. That's clearly not been the case, and also it's a path that's hard-won. If you were fans of the women in Hidden Figures, watch out, because today we're introducing you to three more trailblazers. In honor of Women's History month we invited Olivia Campbell, the author of the new book Women in White Coats, to share with us some fascinating (and sometimes horrifying) stories of the challenges these incredible women faced during their fight with the status quo. These women had limited funds, little to no support system, no government assistance, and they persevered in spite of it all. Financial Advisor Alex Reffet In our headlines segment, we'll go back again for another look to a year ago. How should a good financial advisor have encouraged you at the time when the sky was falling, and the market was experiencing its worst days in history? We'll talk to Alex Reffet from East Paces Group in Atlanta to get his perspective. Tax Day Pushed Back...BUT With One Exception Also, we'll share the news that you can procrastinate on all of your taxes...except one, for an extra month. We'll share some bad news for people with a state income tax AND also for people who own businesses. Of course, we'll also throw out the Haven Life Line to a lucky listener AND share Doug's amazing trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How many mistakes did YOU make buying your last home? Before you make another, Scott Trench and Mindy Jensen from Bigger Pockets Money join us to drop the knowledge you should know before making your next home purchase. They'll discuss the cost tradeoff you need to consider between renting and buying, the exit strategies you have to weigh before making any purchase, and detail how to set yourself up for a rock-solid home buying experience. Plus, you'll see how Mindy pocketed a $300k profit off her home renovations, tax-free. Cryptocurrency illegal? We'll start our headlines discussing India's possible banning of cryptocurrency. While nothing is yet set in stone, it's a good example of why it's important to keep your retirement funds diversified, no matter how lucrative one type of investment may appear. The only thing that's for certain is that if there's a way to make money off of it, you can bet Uncle Sam (or any government) is going to find a way to share in the pie. 2021 - The Year of the CFO We'll start with a piece about a possible market crash (spoiler: yes, eventually), and quickly pivot to a discussion on how careful you need to be this year about growth statistics from companies. With the year that was 2020, it's no wonder companies are loud and proud about their expected growth in 2021. Don't get us wrong, we're excited about positive news, but as an investor, you can't only rely on fancy numbers. What to do with all this money? We'll finish the show with a call from Seth, who recently bought a home. After his monthly expenses and investing Seth has about $2,000 leftover each month in savings. With Seth's emergency fund already fully funded, he asks: should he allocate the extra cash to paying off his mortgage, or use the money to fund additional investments? We'll give Seth some advice that'll work for every raise he gets, expected or not. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Whether you are a parent, have parents, or find yourself at the Thanksgiving table sandwiched between generations, honest money conversations are crucial to your financial journey. Single investors with no kids need to know the late-life plans of their parents before they're surprised with care costs. Kids themselves need financial education and the best way to do that is by showing them firsthand. Parents, especially those supporting two generations, have all the more reason to make sure everyone is on the same page. Joining us today to share the strategies and conversations inside of their own families, we welcome Pam Andrews from The Scholarship Shark; Doc G from the Earn & Invest podcast, and OG from our own Stacking Benjamins. Friday Fintech: Ethical Investing with Seeds Investor Remember 15 years ago (or even five) when investing in ESG's was considered principally an ethical move? While you could invest according to your morals people would tell you about the market returns you'd miss out on. That's not quite the case anymore, and now it's easier than ever to stick to your ethical considerations AND make money doing it. Joining us today from Seeds Investor to discuss the future of ethical investing and Seeds part in it all is COO & Head of Product Kristen O’Grady. Our Listener Voicemail Dan graduated from college last year and has been staying with his parents rent-free. He's since become a salaried worker, with a big raise and benefits to match. Dan tells us that he had been putting 15% of each paycheck into a savings and emergency fund. He has a few manageable bills right now and has been investing the rest. Dan asks: what are out thoughts on transferring the 15% savings rate to his investments instead? After all, he could maximize his investments while having low bills. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's show includes two fantastic guests: first Allison Baggerly, who not only paid off $100k on two teacher salaries but who also has become a ninja at budgets. She'll share tips from her Inspired Budget courses and website that you can use to begin setting up your own budget today. But that's not all! We also spoke with the host of Struggle Meals, Frankie Celenza, about how he's able to make great-tasting food for less money AND with less waste. He'll share tips about spices, salt, organizing your refrigerator, and more. NOTE: On the live replay we experienced a few issues. We'll share one right at the top of the show (Doug's power went out immediately as we began--that stuff ONLY happens when you're live). We also realized while editing that you are hearing also Joe's channel, which includes links to backstage discussions. We've cleaned it up a ton and unfortunately, that meant cutting some discussions. Check out the YouTube video to see the entire show. As always, you'll find show notes and links to Struggle Meals and Inspired Budget at our show notes page at Stacking Benjamins dot com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You calculate returns on your investments, but what's your ROI when you're actually being nice to people? It turns out, reams of data show that kindness pays, and today, America's Breakthrough Coach, Brian Biro joins us to talk about how to become a Chief Kindness Officer. While Brian's all about holding the door open for someone, the philosophy of kindness actually goes much deeper than that. Sometimes being kind means telling a worker, "Go figure this out on your own, then come back to me with your thoughts." It's a wide-ranging interview that we know you're going to enjoy. Bad Idea of the Year: Investing Because A Celebrity Said So The Securities and Exchange Commission has a new warning you'll want to know about. If you didn't know this already - you shouldn't invest in any company only because you heard something on the internet and the news. That includes Stacking Benjamins, Facebook, CNBC, Fox Business, and anyone else you want to throw on this list. That's not to say no one ever has good endorsements, but due diligence is always an action you should take before making big decisions with your money. We'll talk about celebrity endorsements and a new warning from the SEC during our headlines segment... Have A Plan For That $1,400 Stimulus Check Coming In And speaking of doing your due diligence, Suze Orman had a thing or two to say with how people might be spending this next stimulus check. Naturally, we had a thing or two to say about her thing - or rather Don McDonald has something to say. Making a flash appearance in the basement, the Talking Real Money host has some real takes on how you should use your stimulus check to score the biggest impact possible. What's the deal with SPACs? Good on Julien for today's Haven Life question! He's been hearing about special-purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) in the news and wants some clarification. Is this a new shady method for companies to avoid the paperwork that comes with an IPO? Are SPACs worth investing in? Joe and OG take Julien's question and go step-by-step on the differences between IPOs and SPACs. Of course, we'll always leave some time for Doug's trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spend less than you earn, invest, Stack Benjamins, and retire to a beach for the rest of your life, (or insert personal retirement fantasy here). It sounds simple... right? As a set of guidelines, sure it's simple. BUT in reality, it's not so easy, and as studies have shown time and time again, doing your dream retirement activity (like golf) every day gets old very quickly. While money is obviously the most important component to any retirement, the "to-do" list doesn't stop there. Helping us fill in the blanks, and joining us for our round table today, we welcome CFP Dana Anspach from Sensible Money, Len Penzo from the LenPenzo.com blog, and our very own OG. EverPlans: Introducing a company helping you plan for the worst. After our contributors get their fill on retirement advice, Joe sits down with the founders of Everplans, a company designed to help you store key information in one place in case of the worst happening. During our Friday Fintech interview, company founders Abby Schneiderman and Adam Seifer explain why it's so important for your loved ones to have easy access to your important documents, and how quickly things can go wrong when your family can't access your information. They take a topic most of us would rather put off and share stories that are fun, insightful, and actionable. We're glad to shine some light on the importance of making sure your family is taken care of in case of the worst happening. Should you hold onto bonds for a change to make money on the market? As always, we finish today's show with a MagnifyMoney question. Scott tells us he's holding long-term Treasury bonds in his portfolio with the hope the bonds will jump in price when the stock market crashes. He would then use the profit to buy stocks while they're low. Scott asks: do long-term treasuries still spike in a near-zero interest rate environment, or does that only happen when rates are cut? Of course, Doug gets airtime halfway through the episode for his game show, and he's in the holiday spirit today. You'll see what holiday season he means later... enjoy!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You've felt it. You're going over the side...and it's all crashing down. You'd better believe that Heather Chauvin has also felt it. She's both a leadership coach and host of the Mom Is In Control podcast, and today she joins us in the basement to share her personal story of leaving a job she hated, all while maxing out her credit cards to get her side business off the ground - and by the way....also while she was battling cancer. While sitting down with Joe, Heather also shares how she stayed motivated and shifted her life priorities from taking care of others first, to taking care of herself first - and then others. Putting her own "mask" on first (talking airline warnings here) changed her life, and it'll do great things for you too. Financial Lessons From Sky-Rocketing Lumber Prices.In our first piece, we share lessons learned from rising lumber prices across the country. Much like how we love to wait until the day before a cold front to make necessary preparations, lumber runs on a "just in time" system. When an extra factor is thrown in the mix, it can throw the whole system in disarray until enough time has passed to course correct. A financial plan made with margin for error runs close to the same fashion. The big issue? Late lumber impacts your backyard plans, a wrong financial plan messes with your retirement. Joe and OG give their takeaways during our headlines. Mortgage Rates Are Creeping UpMortgage rates are going back up, better run out and capitalize on it while you can!... or maybe not. Giving us some clarity in what is surely resulting in plenty of scary headlines, Joe sits down with Kevin Parker of Navy Federal. Kevin shares what you need to know BEFORE making any big money decisions, plus dishes out some sound financial knowledge that's helpful for anyone approaching loans and credit. Best Personal Financial Success Story?Waiting for us on the Haven Life Line is a question from Evan, who's looking for some feel-good news after 2020. He asks: what are our best personal and professional success stories? We're happy to share! Of course, we'll always leave some time for Doug's trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There's a time-bomb waiting in your IRA. Tax and IRA expert Ed Slott joins us today to share what the death of the Stretch IRA means for your retirement, and how the SECURE Act has made some big changes to the way your money is treated long after you're gone. Whether you have a partner, children, family, or any other dependents depending on your support, the last thing you need is complicated tax rules funneling money out of your portfolio. If you're the type of person who runs at the sound of a tax discussion, you may want to stick around for this one. Ed Slott breaks down what is often a monotonous subject into funny, easy-to-understand material. GME Resurgence, Cathie Wood, Stocks, and more. What in the world is going on with GameStop? No, that's not a misplaced sentence. Did you think the move three weeks ago was the end? Check the chart and be prepared for a surprise. Joining us today to talk GameStop's second resurgence, we welcome Spencer Israel from Benzinga. We'll also discuss Cathie Wood, the CEO of the largest actively-managed ETF in 2020 (among other distinctions), the bouncing markets, stock picks, and more. Uber (and any other service-economy app company) is NOT Your Friend. We normally make light of a financial TikTok on our Monday shows, and while we aren't changing that today, we're also shining some special light on one emotional video you've probably seen making its way across the web. Featuring a tearful Uber driver sharing his ordeal delivering almost an hour-long order only to ultimately make virtually no money on his delivery, the driver pleads with customers to understand what drivers go through and to tip appropriately. We agree with the driver on a big point: regardless of how you may feel about the current system, it is the system. If you're utilizing service labor, you need to tip appropriately or choose other manners of getting your product/need met. BUT, we use the video to shine an important light here. Uber's first priority is to the company shareholders, not to you as a customer or contractor. Great guests like Juliet Schor have already explained the how's and why's behind the large costs associated with the everyday worker in the sharing economy, but one's things for sure: when something isn't working for YOU, it's time to pivot. When is it the right time to make the leap to full-time business owner? We'll finish today's show with a Haven Life voicemail from caller Evan, who has some questions on jumping ship from the W2 life to full-time business owner. Up to this point, Evan and his family have reinvested all the money back into the business to keep it growing, and he asks: what should he know before taking the leap? Joe and OG give their two cents, and share a few resources along the way. Of course, we'll always leave some time for Doug's trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

No matter if it's 2017 or 2021, $1 million dollars is still a nice stack of Benjamins. That's why to finish our rewind week, we're bringing a round table episode featuring our contributors sharing their top strategies to save your own million. Regular contributors Paula Pant and Len Penzo were joined by Hip Hop's Financial Advisor Rob Wilson on this episode. You can read the original show description below: How do you save a million dollars (we said in our coolest Austin Powers voice….). We’ll discuss a recent online piece that goes over that on our Friday round table! Special guest, and Hip Hop’s Financial Advisor Rob Wilson joins Paula Pant and Len Penzo in a no-holds-barred conversation on saving more money. Of course, we don’t stop there. We also tackle a recent Time story about millennials. Apparently, ONE trick is helping them save more money. We’ll share not only what it is but also additional tricks to save more money. Finally, we review a Moneyologist column question about taking care of a brother’s money. If he can’t do it himself, how much should sister step in? In our Friday FinTech segment, we talk to the CEO of GO, a cool app that’ll help you more quickly (and by more quickly, we mean WAY more quickly) your car insurance. It’s as easy as taking a photo…. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For many families college is right around the corner, and so is that first Business Office payment. Fortunately for you, we have some great advice on hand from a financial aid wizard. While specific policies may change, the strategies and mindset behind lowering the bottom line and getting more aid in your pocket tend to stick around. That's why we're replaying our interview with financial aid wizard and UC San Diego instructor, Jodi Okun. Here's our original description: College planning expert Jodi Okun stops by the basement to help college-bound students save a TON of money. She has advice for students, parents, and for people thinking about possibly going back to college. How will you pay for it? She has many great suggestions. In our headlines....beware when an expert shares their opinion, and it just happens to correlate with EXACTLY the items they sell. Plus, ever wonder why nobody makes money in the stock market? We'll share the real reason. Then we take a hotline call from Amy about moving to Canada and a letter from Megan with an awesome article attached. All that and a guy named Snoop! in the basement today.... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With stimulus checks hopefully on the way, it's a good time to get your debt payment strategy in place. That's why we're replaying this episode from 2019 with Laura Adams, more commonly known as Money Girl from the popular podcast by the same name. Here's the original description: Are you having trouble climbing out of debt? Or maybe you're tired of daily calls from debt collectors? Whether you have serious debt or just need to refresh your plan, today we're kickstarting your 2019 journey to financial independence with the host of the Money Girl podcast, Laura Adams. Plus, speaking of 2019, what does the next year have in store for the world of credit? We're talking to Senior Vice President of Research and Consulting at Transunion, Matthew Komos, during our headlines segment. And later on, we'll throw out the Haven Life Line to Alex, who wants to know if he should pull some cash out of his account and reinvest when the market drops. He's also finishing his residency to become a physician, and his tax liability is virtually zero. What should he do with his accounts right now? And don't worry... we'll still take some time for Doug's trivia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Whether you've been investing for a week, for years, or anything in between, it's always a good idea to keep the fundamentals in mind. BUT....on the other hand, we love to have fun, and it's Friday after all! That's why today we're treating you to a Stacking Benjamins game-show version of "Guess the 10 Habits to Become a Better Investor!" We pulled a piece from M1 Finance listing their top 10 habits, and on this episode, we'll quiz our contributors on which strategies made the list. Not only do you get great investing tips from each of our three contributors, you'll find yourself laughing so much you won't realize you've learned a thing... until it's too late. Playing the game-show with us, we welcome Don McDonald from TalkingRealMoney.com, Paula Pant from Afford Anything, and Len Penzo from the LenPenzo.com blog. Think it's too late to make a career change? After we crown our game-show champion, we'll talk big career moves with the Evil HR Lady, Suzanne Lucas. Are you anxious about making an industry change? Think you've sunk too much time to make a move for your happiness? We'll talk sunk costs (both monetary and emotional), following your happiness, and the realities of leaving behind a career you've spent a considerable amount of time in - and the truth is probably brighter than you think. What should you do with you investments when you have large upcoming purchases? We'll finish our show today with a MagnifyMoney question from caller Debi, who tells us that she's looking to buy a home or condo in the next few years. She would like to acquire a few more properties after that and start to rent them out for passive income. Plus, she has a $10,000 savings bond that will mature in August 2021, along with another $10k each in savings and Robinhood. Our contributors give Debi some much-earned congratulations and advice on how to best position her money in the mean time. As always, we'll save some time for Doug's trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

John Warrillow has built and sold many businesses, and has created a business value builder system used by thousands of businesses worldwide. With many, many years of experience under his belt, John knows a thing or two on how to bring value to a business. Today, he brings that wealth of knowledge with him to help make better financial sense for your family. Tune in for an insightful discussion featuring case studies, interesting stories, and maybe a new way of looking at your family's financial picture. Hot take incoming: every time you make a bad financial decision and lose big (let's say shorting GameStop to the tune of $200,000), maybe you should blame someone else and sue them to recoup your losses! Sound crazy to you? Tell that to Christian Iovin, the man suing leading Reddit investor "DeepF$%kingValue" over his part in the short squeeze. During our headlines, Joe and OG give a thorough deconstruction detailing how the "get-rich-quick" mindset can lead a person down some strange paths - including thinking that a social media figure is responsible for your investing choices. While we aren't without sympathy, we break down how Iovin willingly made his choice on what he thought was a great deal at the time, and offer up some sound advice to not get yourself caught between a rock and hard place - short squeeze or otherwise). We'll keep today's theme going with our second set of headlines. Bill Gates is now officially "meh" on Bitcoin (it's an improvement!), and financial advisors are ready to back the truck up to crypto. Now hold on a second if you think you know where this is going. We're not here to preach #teamcrypto or denounce the movement either way. What we are saying, like in our interview with John Warrillow, is that you need systems. We've said the same thing about Tesla and Apple, and the rules don't change for Bitcoin. The biggest danger to your portfolio isn't a Redditor or Capitol Hill, it's you. The best thing you can do for your bottom line is taking yourself OUT of the equation. Enough of that, moving on. Finishing out today's show is a Haven Life line question from Zac. He asks... (checking notes...)... is putting $20 a week into a somewhat random stock that has shown positive growth a good idea? Truth be told, we could have went a lot of different ways with this one. I'm proud to say the guys put some thought into this one, and not only give Zac an answer, but dive into some explanations on different stock analysis theories. Of course, Doug always gets some airtime for his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What's the next step after you finally "make it"? While it's easy to scoff at the problems of people who are financially set, it's not uncommon to lose a sense of purpose once you jump out of the rat race. Bigger questions start to come up: what's your real purpose in life? What type of legacy are you leaving behind? How will your personal relationships be impacted by your new-found financial status? What type of impact do you want to make on the world? Shining a new light on these ideas that often don't receive enough attention is Jennifer Risher, author of We Need To Talk: A Memoir About Wealth. We'll talk to her today! Taxes, taxes, taxes. It's that time of year again. Joining us to talk all things taxes during our headlines segment, we welcome tax software expert extraordinaire, Hannah Rounds from The College Investor. Whether you're a landlord, charitable giver, paying off college debt, contributing to an HSA, or anything in between, Hannah has great advice ensuring you won't be leaving any cash on the table. Plus, Fidelity recently held an AMA (ask me anything) on Reddit. The thread gathered A LOT of attention, but not for the reasons you'd think: everyone had Robinhood on their mind. While Reddit users did comment on the GME/Robinhood debacle, there was a bigger question: why in the world does Robinhood have such an incredible user interface, while many of the other big-name brokerages and bank apps seem to be stuck in the first episode of Wandavison? We'll finish out the show with a Haven Life line question from one listener who has finally come to their senses with Robinhood. Listener Taylor has invested with the company for years and he's ready to jump ship. The big question? How can he change move his investments to another brokerage without taking a big capital gains hit? We'll give him many options so he (and you!) can move on to greener pastures. Naturally, we'll also give Doug his airtime halfway through the show. FAANG stocks used to be all the rage, but some investing pros are looking to the future and is giving one company the boot. Find out which one during Doug's trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feeling stuck? Maybe it's time to move. Of course, it's a lot easier to write about moving than actually planning and doing it. And while a move may pay off in the long run, there could be a hit initially to your finances. With that in mind, today we ask our round table contributors: what exactly would encourage you to move? Better location? Pay? Maybe you want to escape the harsh Detroit winters? (I'll let you guess who had that complaint). It's a fun conversation that covers a breadth of topics in true Stacking Benjamins fashion. Helping us out today are our round table regulars: Paula Pant from the Afford Anything podcast, Len Penzo from the LenPenzo.com blog, and our very own OG. Halfway through the show, we'll give our contributors a break while Joe talks everything alternative investments with Michael Weisz, co-founder of alternative investments company Yieldstreet. During their interview, Michael covers everything from the company origin stories - a shocking reality check that a large percentage of everyday consumers were locked out of the alternative investments sector - to helping investors by cutting down average IRA rollover times from forty days to six. If you've ever wondered about other investment choices outside of stocks, bonds and funds, this is one interview for you. We'll end today's show with our MagnifyMoney segment. Caller Kevin tells us that his father passed away last year. While he isn't attached to the credit card debt his father left behind, he's heard the horror stories of banks hounding family members after a loved one's death. Kevin asks: what's the best strategy for dealing with the looming creditors? We'll give Kevin some heartfelt advice that we hope can make this time a little easier. Of course, we'll give Doug his airtime halfway through the show, and he's keeping things Texarkana Classy with today's trivia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you have money conversations with the people in your life without making things awkward? From asking the boss for a raise to having a tricky money chat you'd rather not have with a family member, and even to opening honest lines of communication with your partner - money can be a scary topic to broach. We bring good news: it doesn't have to be. Erin Lowry, the mind behind the Broke Millennial series, joins us today to share how you can move beyond the "pit in your stomach" feeling when it comes to money conversations, and the answer (really) is easier than you'd think. Plus, during our headlines... let's just say the local Texarkana Chamber of Commerce isn't too happy with how we've been portraying the small quaint town of Texarkana. Chamber of Commerce President, Bubba "Tex" Mext had a few words he wanted to share with us, and - lucky for you - we caught it all on tape, and we're sharing it here today. Of course, we won't leave you high and dry either. When we find some clean airtime, we'll also discuss a piece about the growing popularity of HSAs. While the book is still out on investor sentiment towards a dual HSA/401k investment approach, it's not the worst idea to consider for your larger financial portfolio. We'll explain why during our headlines. During our Haven Life Line, we'll answer a call from Maz, who has more questions about the GameStop situation. What are the big lessons to take away here? What should investors have learned? How can people do better in the future? Naturally, Doug can't let Tex Mext make so much commotion without having a few words on the matter himself. Better brush up in your Lone Star knowledge, because Doug has Texas on his mind today during his trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Think you can't network like a pro because you're an introvert? Better put your party hat on and take a shot of liquid courage, because our guest today is coming in with strategies and techniques that'll turn anyone into a lean, green, networking machine. (Without resorting to sending out hundreds of spam emails). Our guest, Matthew Pollard, has helped multiple businesses become million-dollar ideas, and he assures us it has a lot less to do with having the skills of a smooth talker, and a whole lot more with honest connection and preparation. Having trouble with the law? While the long arm of the government may be able to seize your bitcoins, today's piece shows that by forgetting a key piece of information, you don't have to worry about your bitcoins ever really going goodbye - but good luck cashing anything in for your retirement. Plus, we'll cover why everyone's favorite mortgage strategy, velocity banking, is an off-the-rails fun way of paying down your debt... until it all comes crashing down around you. Plus, during our Haven Life line, Justin tells us he's interested in buying stocks for his daughter. Her favorite game, Roblox, is about to go public, but the company is doing a direct listing. Justin asks: Are direct listings as bad as IPOs for everyday investors? Is there anything he should know about before getting involved? We'll give Justin the rundown, and even throw in a few of our favorite apps to get kids started on investing. As always, we'll save some time for Doug's network-based trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Love is in the air, and today, no matter your relationship status, you're gonna LOVE our discussion on your relationship with money. How is it? Is it healthy? Growing? Worrying? We'll discuss all of the emotions around money on today's show, featuring a cast of financial media peeps including Paul Ollinger from the Crazy Money podcast; Paula Pant from the Afford Anything podcast; and our very own OG. Plus, just in time for Valentine's Day, there's big news from the financial app for couples called Zeta. The founder of Zeta, Aditi Shekar is back, to share all of the details. If you have a relationship with someone AND you're trying to mix money in any way, you'll want to hear their news. Of course we'll still all have opinions for a lucky listener on today's MagnifyMoney.com call AND we'll battle it out over Doug's Valentine's Day themed trivia question. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Well, we went and added a comma. You weren't counting, but mom was. Today we'll share the money lessons we've learned over our first 1,000 (wow, have we really made that many?) episodes. Plus, we'll hear from many of our friends you'll recognize from the financial community. We'll share a monster list of our favorite books and resources, but all of the things that we've learned on our journey over the past (near) decade. During our headlines, we'll double up on the experts. First, we'll talk to Dirk Izzo, president and GM of Hospitality at NCR, who'll share how restaurants embraced innovation and kept revenue flowing in the face of unprecedented challenges. In our second piece, we'll invite the man who literally wrote the book on silver investing to explain the craze in the silver markets hitting the news lately. What was happening while we were all watching Gamestop? It turns out, a TON. David Morgan will share his best tips on today's show. As always, we'll save some time for Doug's trivia. Finally, thank you Stackers for making a thousand episodes of this little podcast a reality. We couldn't have done it without you. Enjoy the show.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It seems absurd now, but Netflix co-founder Marc Randolph was told early on that his company name would never work. Today, he's going to give us some of the same advice he's giving on his new podcast, "That Will Never Work." We'll discuss fighting fear, hiring the right team, having conviction in your ideas, and more. And don't worry if you aren't interested in becoming an entrepreneur. We also asked Marc how to interview better (he's interviewed thousands of people) AND how to ask your boss for a raise. In fact, you'll be surprised what he has to say about raises. Wondering what's going on in the world of fintech? During our headlines, we'll share the newest developments in tech that helps you manage money better. From advancements in technology making your information more secure against hackers to new-new digital banks promising more consumer-friendly resources and more, there's a ton of interesting developments on the horizon. We'll cover many of them. Plus, we'll tackle a headline about Jeff Bezos stepping down from Amazon. Do you think he finally reached his magic number and has enough to retire? Maybe he gave of the lattes and buckled down? Probably not, but that won't stop us from talking about setting goals, retirement, and more. We'll finish today's show with a question we often get about 401k plans. After you leave a company, should you move your funds? Josh left the basement a voicemail explaining that he likes keeping his investments in one place so it's simple to stay focused on the big picture. However, Josh won't be able to contribute to the Thrift Savings Plan after he retires from the military. He asks: is there a benefit to keeping his money in the account? Would he be missing out on anything if he rolls his TSP over to a Roth IRA? As always, we'll save some time for Doug's trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you get to the top of your game? How far would you go to keep your business and personal social groups aligned with your goals? We'll quiz our roundtable, plus get their thoughts on the number one goal they're trying to attain currently. Our contributors this week are Sandy Smith from YesIAmCheap.com; Paula Pant from the Afford Anything podcast; and Len Penzo from the LenPenzo.com blog. After we finish talking about goals and dreams with our roundtable we'll pivot to our interview with Brian Hamilton, the co-founder and CEO of the new digital bank One. There's been a lot of great improvements in the digital banking industry, but Brian found a problem: it was hard to find a good bank that offered all the features someone would want. His solution? Make one. During our fintech segment, we'll dive into the making of One with Brian and talk about good business values, vision, and the digital banking landscape. During today's MagnifyMoney call we'll tackle a question on credit card rewards. Alan tells us he and his wife have been playing the rewards game and got up to $10,000 in 2020. He says it seems like a great side hustle and ask for our thoughts. As always, we'll give Doug some airtime halfway through the show to have this week's trivia game show. If you happen to be knowledgeable on the annual revenues of Wisconsin-based shower head companies, this one is for you.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've told plenty of incredible underdog financial stories on the podcast, but none like the one's you'll hear today. More than recovering from 6-figure debt or learning how to balance their budget, today we're excited to bring you the stories of the first black Americans, some of whom survived slavery, but who all went on to become millionaires. Shomari Wills, author of Black Fortunes, joins us today to bring incredible stories of fortitude, challenges and surpassing hardships. We're sticking with the financial "comeback" theme during our headlines. Think you should throw in the towel on the whole financial independence thing because you've made a few mistakes? While you may not have the star power to pay off a $9 million tax evasion bill, like today's headline focus, Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino, your path to independence isn't over because you've wracked up some debt or made some bad decisions. Plus, a big life insurance company just was sold to another. If you're a client, what happens to your policy? We'll describe how it all works on today's show. Of course we'll also throw out the Haven Life Line to a lucky listener AND save time for some of Doug's trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wondering what the heck is going on with GameStop? We'll dedicate some time to explain everything from the beginning: why GameStop and Robinhood are in the news, what a short squeeze is and how it happens in real-time, why Robinhood (and other companies) stopped investors from buying GameStop stock, and more. Of course, we'll also take on the obvious question: should you invest your cash in GameStop stock? Could the "Work till you drop, I'll sleep when I'm dead" mentality actually be costing you more than you think? After we finish our explanation on all things GameStop, we'll share an interview we loved so much we had to play it for you here. Despite what we may say, many of us love to stay busy. Be it at work, with our personal lives, our volunteering on the weekends: staying on go is good. But, slowing down and choosing priorities with more purpose can have surprising results in your life. Expanding on that point, we'll play an interview between Mike Carruthers, host of the Something You Should Know podcast, and business psychologist Tony Crabbe. During today's Haven Life line we'll take a question from Andrew. He's 26 with an index universal life insurance policy that comes with a hefty $500 premium. Andrew asks us: is it smart to continue paying on this policy for future retirement, or should he close it and look at better options? As always, we'll save some time for Doug's trivia. You'll love it all! We love you! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Life is about odds, and so are negotiations. How do you stack the deck so that you're "playing to the judge" the next time you're in a pressure discussion, high stakes negotiation, or difficult conversation? Today we're joined by a woman who teaches her students to interview better using many subtle (and not so subtle skills), the Scholarship Shark, Pam Andrews. Plus, Len Penzo has been involved in raise and workplace negotiations for the last 30 plus years, and OG has negotiated a ton with his kids, and sometimes he even wins! They'll all join in with their best tips on how to negotiate better. From what to say to non-verbal cues, we'll share LOTS of important ideas. Nearing retirement and think you'll need some help "landing the plane"? After we part ways with our roundtable contributors, we'll sit down with Rhian Horgan from Silvur, a retirement app designed to help you make better financial decisions leading into your golden years. We'll finish out the show with a MagnifyMoney question from Corey, who wants to build cash flow and long-term diversified wealth. He asks, what are our thoughts on investing in real estate? Corey says he wants his investment to be as passive as possible. Should he look into hard rental properties or REITs? Our roundtable will share their thoughts via Joe. (You'll have to see when you get there). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What do New York City's richest residents, murderous unions, and world-famous guests like Marilyn Monroe and the Beatles have in common? The Plaza Hotel! Julie Satow, award-winning journalist and author of The Plaza, joins us today to share the century of fascinating stories the hotel holds between its walls. From fortunes beyond measure to the Great Depression, from the Golden Age of Hollywood to Home Alone 2, the Plaza Hotel has never been shy about its place in history. Plus, believe it or not, we're about to enter tax season! Tax expert Katherine Pomerantz joins us during today's headlines to share all-new tax rules. Between relaxed guidelines on charitable giving, new deductions for your student loan payments, and more savings than you'd think for your home office, this is one tax talk that'll keep you listening. Cole and his wife are DINKS, and are contributing heavily to their IRAs and Roth accounts. They're planning on semi-retiring early and are looking for some advice on how they can best invest for the long-term, keep money relatively liquid, and have enough cash for living expenses. Thoughts? (And OH BOY, does Joe have some thoughts on this one. You don't want to miss this). Of course, after a short and sweet rant, Cole gets plenty of great advice for the future. Of course, we'll also save time for Doug's trivia, and much, much more. Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Beyond the big sticker price, New York Times money columnist Ron Lieber has a different mindset than most about college costs. After Ron explains why most of our assumptions on college costs are wrong (that includes you), he'll share three key criteria about what we're really looking for when it comes to higher education. We'll also tackle the no-college route, which comes with its own surprising set of misconceptions that have grown over time. What's the bottom line? There's a whole lot more to think about than the price tag, no matter which path you choose. We'll cover all of the options, threats, and opportunities on today's show. In the financial headlines segment: is the sky finally falling on the stock market? For the twentieth time, NO! Despite what non-stop headlines tell you, the market will drop when it drops. Like Joe says, when it comes to the market, this is one of the few areas in life when doing nothing is the right call. Still, feeling the itch to move some money around? Take OG's advice and try to call the market for the next twenty days. If it works, call us before you do anything else, because we have an offer for you. If it doesn't work, stick to the tried and true and forget about market-timing. We'll finish today's show with a Haven Life voicemail from Susan. She and her husband want to set up a savings account for their grandchild but have a few questions. How can they create a sustainable system for any future grandchildren? What happens if their grandchildren are bad with money? Are there any tax implications to worry about? We'll cover these questions, and more, for a comprehensive answer on setting up your kids for a fulfilled financial future. As always, we'll save some time for Doug's (student-loan-themed) trivia halfway through the show, and much, much more (including some awesome TikTok advice....). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Not sure how to ask for a raise at work? Don't know how to initiate seemingly awkward money conversations with the people around you? This one is for you. Joining us today with their best tips on having an honest, productive dialogue around money are our roundtable contributors: Doc G from the Earn&Invest podcast; Len Penzo from the LenPenzo.com blog; and Paula Pant from the Afford Anything podcast. Halfway through the show, we'll pivot our money conversation towards data and money management with Brian Barnes, the founder of M1 Finance. We love data and graphs as much as the next Stacker (no really), but Brian approaches automation a little differently. Doing our Fintech segment we'll have a conversation on why less is more when it comes to the streams of information you use for investing choices. During our MagnifyMoney segment, our mystery caller asks if they should take on debt to finish their graduate degree earlier or take it a year slower and cash-flow their degree. Our caller assures us that her degree is in high demand. They ask: how do they determine the opportunity cost between waiting or taking on loans? As always, we'll give Doug some time in the spotlight with this week's trivia game-show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we welcome the two-time Emmy award-winning host of Travelscope, Joseph Rosendo to the show to share travel tips as we dust off the suitcases and hopefully get ready to hit the road during the latter part of the year. What should we plan to see? Should we try for more or see less? What does he think about travel groups, packing, and learning the language? We'll discuss FOMO, getting to know diverse people, and even having the right mindset on today's show. Plus, anyone who's ever tried to receive an insurance payout knows how much these companies can drag their feet: the tourism and hospitality industry is discovering their pandemic-related claims aren't going the way they'd hoped in many cases. During our headlines, we'll cover what's been going on behind the scenes, and hopefully, leave you with an urge to go recheck your policies for sneaky language from your insurers. During our Haven Life Line, Stacker Steve left us a Stacking Benjamin's BINGO card worth of trigger points, but we didn't let that stop us! Between automatic contributions, NOT getting caught up in a Robinhood rant (only the second time we passed on that opportunity), and pensions - we definitely took the high road on this one. That's not all! Doug shares his own tips on travel points, shares some trivia, and more. It's just another day in the basement! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ryan Harris has had a front row seat to stress. Over a 10 year career in the National Football League and 4 years as a starting lineman at Notre Dame, he played in plenty of "this is the most important play of all" situations. Now on a quest to help empower people to embrace better financial habits, the former Super Bowl 50 winner joins us today to talk about how to fight stress and how to live with doubt. He'll also share his own story of making plenty of money but still not possessing the systems to hold on to cash. Should this week's changes on Capitol Hill have you worried for your wallet? I won't even make you wait on this one - THE ANSWER IS NO! During today's headline segment we'll tackle a piece stirring up some unfounded fears that your personal finance "hangs in the balance" over the government change in Washington. You should never stick your head in the sand, and ghost the financial markets over the (D) or (R) in your politician's name. Don't take my word for it... just wait for Joe's rant. We'll also share our thoughts on Tesla reaching a 2 TRILLION dollar valuation in two years, and all the reasons that shouldn't matter at all for your portfolio, even if your friends say otherwise. Plus, not sure if you should pay off your home early? During our Haven Life Line we'll answer a voicemail from one listener weighing the pro and cons of paying off a mortgage on a house they'll only live in for another five years. They ask, should they instead save their extra Benjamins for the next move? Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're all tired of hearing about what a "dumpster fire" 2020 was. How do we reboot the computer, restart the machine, refresh the situation, and re-fire our financial engine? That's our topic today, and OG, Paula Pant (AffordAnything), and special guest Roger Whitney (Retirement Answer Man) all have helpful ideas about getting back on track. Halfway through the show we're excited to talk to our old friend (and Joe's co-host on the Money Tree podcast), Doug Goldstein. Doug's created a constant happiness journal. If you've been waiting for the perfect journal to have a more happy 2021 and beyond, Doug will share with you why he created this, how to best use a journal, and why journaling works for so many people. Finally, on our MagnifyMoney.com question of the episode: Jon is thinking about college costs for his four kids. He's heard the Stacking Benjamins expert, Pam Andrews (the Scholarship Shar), say that a HELOC, or equity in the home, can't be factored into the FASFA. Jon's kids are in private school and have to do something like FAFSA. Jon has $60,000 in savings and is thinking about putting two-thirds of the savings into a HELOC, to possibly get financial aid. Thoughts? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you balance getting what you want now without mortgaging your future? Or on the other hand, how do you avoid have ZERO fun today while you prep for a rosy tomorrow? We often recommend that you look at your situation as if you're a business, and today we'll talk to a man who led one business to amazing results, the former CEO of Honeywell, David Cote. Plus, the cryptocurrency market value has topped $1 trillion, with Bitcoin now worth over $38,000 a coin. Feeling the itch to jump into the Wild West of investing? We won't stand in your way, but we do have a few stories about us selling a coin or two... WAY before we should have. In our second piece, is paying to improve your credit a smart play? We'll discuss everything from good habits to shady house financing, automation, and The Big Short. Should you be paying taxes on your unemployment? Mike called the Haven Life Line after he noticed there were no taxes automatically deducted from his two months of unemployment. Should Mike worry about the IRS coming after him later? We'll answer that question, share Doug's trivia, and we'll be skeptical about exactly how many people actually listen to the podcast. Is it really two or maybe only just mom? Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Know those people who say you need a 4-year university degree to reach success and financial independence? Our guest, Myra Oliver, has a thing or two to say about that. She's worked as a hairstylist, real estate broker, and now is our resident financial coach on today's show. Myra knew she didn't need a degree to reach her goals of financial freedom. Today Myra will share her story about working hard toward success. She shares stories about how she learned quickly how to bring in more money, how she manages real estate, surrounding herself with the right people, and how she and her husband were able to retire from their traditional jobs by age 33. "You have to do what others won't, to get what you want." - Myra Oliver's mantra. Plan on leaving something behind for your loved ones? Get your financial house in order first. We recently covered how former Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh passed away without a will, but you may remember Prince also didn't have a will. (Yes, we also talked about Prince way back in 2016). It turns out, that case is still ongoing, and the IRS believes Prince's estate owes over $32 million in federal taxes, based on a new valuation. During our headlines, we'll give you plenty of reasons to get your legacy in order today. Plus, can you make 2020 Roth IRA contributions until Tax Day 2021 if you're already paying taxes for the new year? Stacker Josh calls in today with a voicemail for the Haven Life Line telling us he'd rather get it right now than have to deal with the IRS later... can't fault him on that logic. As always, we'll also save some time for Doug's trivia, and much, much more. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we stay focused on goal setting. We're turning our attention to our group of financial media members and asking them how THEY are achieving their own goals. They'll share how they communicate, hold family members accountable, and stay on track. Joining us today is special guest and host of the Seven Figures podcast, Sandy Waters; Paula pant from the Afford Anything podcast, and Len Penzo from LenPenzo.com. Halfway through the show, we'll give our contributors a break while we sit down with health and wellness expert Angelo Poli from MetPro.co. With the holidays over and the new year here, Angelo has some great tips to fatten up your wallet while you trim down the waistline. How are you going to grow your net worth without a healthy body to keep you focused on the prize? We'll share how. Plus, how can early retirees make sure they have enough reserves in the bank to take care of emergencies down the road? During the MagnifyMoney segment, our contributors drop some knowledge for Laura, who called in asking about preparing for early retirement with a preexisting condition. Plus we'll save time for all-new game show trivia from the big man himself, Doug. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rules. When things go wrong we think, "We should make some more guidelines. That'll help people keep things moving." However, Netflix decided that rules might be the problem, so they eliminated many of them. Study after study shows that Netflix employees report high satisfaction with their jobs and perform at a highly productive rate. So how do they do it? Today we'll talk to Erin Meyer, co-author (with co-founder Reed Hastings), of a new book on the topic. Whether you manage a family, a department, or are an entrepreneur, today's interview will help you earn more and manage tasks (and people) more effectively. Plus, in our headlines segment, we'll detail a different way of gifting money. MacKenzie Scott gave away $6 billion in 2020 without asking for buildings to be named after her. She gave it quickly and effectively, many say. But if you're giving away money, what oversight should YOU employ before turning over your hard-earned money? We'll share what you need to know, plus in our second headline, we'll review a recent Securities and Exchange Commission ruling approving testimonials in advisor's advertising. How will that change marketing? Possibly, a lot. We'll explain. Of course, we'll also throw out the Haven Life line to Brad, who's retiring but still wants to max out his HSA contributions for the year. Are there any rules he needs to be aware of? In, fact, there are! OG will explain. Don't worry! We'll also save time for Doug's trivia question. Mom says hello! Enjoy the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Most of us start each year looking at external goals, such as "What can I gain," or "How can I achieve...", but after the dumpster fire we just experienced last year, we think the best place to begin 2021 is to look INWARD. If you know yourself better, you'll be able to address your strengths and cover your weaknesses. On today's show, Rachel Cruze joins us to tackle your money history and how your family, upbringing, and past mistakes can help you become a more powerful saver, spender and earner this year and beyond. It's a powerful interview and we're excited to help you avoid the shame, remorse, and guilt that many of us feel around our financial lives. "You can change yourself and you can change your habits." - Rachel Cruze In our headlines segment, we'll discuss the tremendous pressure many students feel to go to college, by tackling one star who just emerged from her prison sentence. We'll also tackle the new Social Security rules for 2021. While there are lots of changes, even if you aren't yet receiving Social Security benefits, we'll widen this topic to share some best practices when it's your turn to apply. During the Haven Life Line we'll take an answer from Eric, who has questions on HSA contribution limits. While his wife has an FSA, Eric has an HSA for him and his son. Eric asks: does he fall under the single contribution limit, or is he covered by the family limits? Of course, Doug will share another fantastic trivia question, and there's much, much more. Happy New Year! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wish you knew what the future held? Us too! While we can only foresee the future as well as the next guy, our brilliant, all-knowing device is all fired up and ready to go to kick off your 2021. That's right, this is our annual Magic 8-Ball episode, where we look back on the events of 2020 and ask a plastic, Walmart-purchased kid's toy what it thinks will happen over the next 12 months. For those of you stumbling onto this show for the first time you're in for a treat: each January for the last many, many years, we've asked Len Penzo's Magic 8-ball to predict what's in store, and during the early years, this little ball was EERILY accurate. BUT, not only will we take a look back to see how well the 8-ball predicated 2020's events (and really, who could have guessed this year?), we'll also implore the 8-ball to reveal the secrets of the upcoming year. Plus, for those of you getting serious about your personal finance resolutions, we'll ask the headmaster of the Stacking Benjamins Money Club, Aaron Velky for his best advice during today's fintech segment. One thing we already know: having accountability makes achieving your goals that much easier. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to our final show of 2020! We're finishing our the year that seemed like it would never end with another classic episode from 2014. Long-time listeners may remember our interview with one-half of the two man Cannonball Run crew, and new listeners will appreciate this one. Just remember, the show format was a little different back then. Make sure to tune in tomorrow for our very first (brand new!) episode of 2021: our Magic 8-ball show with Len Penzo. Long time fans love this show year after year, and with all the madness that was 2020, you'll definitely want to see how the 8-ball's predictions have stood against the test of time. You can read our original show notes for today's episode below: While OG is moving across country, we thought we’d bring you a cross country adventure episode!Ed Bolian did something you wish you’d also done – he drove coast to coast in a modified Mercedes…..in just over 28 hours. How did he do it? Ed shares his crazy story on this week’s episode. Suzanne Lucas, the Evil HR Lady, is BACK with a horror story about 401k loans. Sandy Smith (Yes, I Am Cheap!) joins Len and Paula on the roundtable to discuss 33 reasons your finances are a mess, plus Len and Joe read and answer your letters and discuss a couple movies. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to our second most quirky Stacking Benjamins interview. This show goes way back, so don't worry if the format feels a little different. You can read our short and sweet headlines below: Ken Perenyi forged masterpieces for a living…until the FBI showed up on his doorstep one day. Ken’s book, Caveat Emptor, describes how he went from a school boy with no money to a world class forgery expert….AND Ken describes the journey himself on today’s show. The Makin’ Sense Babe is in a foul mood, and rants against people who don’t understand side hustles. Joe & OG discuss how financial advisors dress…..does that impact the quality of their advice? Doug brings trivia, the guys show you how to win Jane Blaufus’ book, and they review two hit films: Captain Phillips and Gravity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Just a few more days until the new year! We're keeping our countdown going strong with one of America's original big-time investors: Abigail Adams. You can read our original show notes below: As Women’s History Month draws to a close we suddenly realize….we’ve done nothing to celebrate! Today on the show we make up for that (‘in spades,” as mom says) by inviting down to the basement professor Woody Holton, author of the book Abigail Adams, for which he won the Bambridge Award and more. He’ll describe the amazing prowess of Adams in a time when many women not only weren’t investing, but weren’t even allowed to participate in their family’s financial plan. He’ll describe which investments she preferred, why she decided against real estate didn’t work for her portfolio, and how she created an estate plan for herself in a time when many women didn’t have that luxury. In our headlines segment, we’ll talk to Jamie Wise from the BUZZ Index (ticker BUZ). He’ll describe why his strategy and those of some of his algorithm-based competitors seem to be winning in this time of volatility. He’ll also share some of the names that the crowds on social media are focusing on to ride the choppy market. Also, with the financial markets all over the place, we’ll review a story from Marketwatch that asks whether the market will crash, and if it will, what you should do to buckle up. The advice might surprise you, if you’re looking for ways to exit stage left, or are looking for advice that tells you how to exit stage left….or right. We’ll of course have more from the world of financial planning, throw out the Haven Life line to lucky listener Nelson, who’s worried about his parents’ financial plan. They have an insurance-company based financial advisor, so Nelson thinks that they should move to different advice. How does he approach the topic with his parents? We also score some of Doug’s spinach-based trivia, and more. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to day four of our countdown! You didn't think we would stop did you? Today in our New Years countdown featuring our quirkiest interviews, we're turning back the clock to our time with documentary filmmaker Sanjay Rawal. You can read our original show notes below: Establishing your BEST financial habits means realizing that it isn’t about being great today or tomorrow; it’s about doing the right things over and over again for the long run. Today we talk to the creator of a documentary specifically about a long run. 3100, Run and Become is the story of an ultramarathon that covers (shocker) 3100 miles. Better yet? It’s run around a single New York City block. Sanjay Rawal will take us through the event, his making of the film, and we’ll talk about topics that have everything to do with finance. 1) Finding what you love; 2) Chasing a dream; 3) Knowing your weaknesses; 4) Finding your state of “Flow”; and more. The cool part for us? We get to talk finance in a way that you’ve probably never heard it talked about before. During our headlines segment, another deceased celebrity’s estate is an arm wrestling match for the heirs. Sigh. We’ll tell you who’s fighting for the cash and discuss what YOU should do to foolproof your estate plan from your greedy family. Then, in our second headline, credit card reward programs are everywhere… but just like ice cream brands, they’re not all created equal. We’ll talk pros and cons of credit card rewards during our second piece. As if that’s not enough, we keep bringing it! During our Haven Life Line segment, we’ll answer a question from Jason. He’s wants to retire in his 40s. If Jason rolls his Roth 401k into a Roth IRA, will he be able to withdraw the cash without the tax penalty? Does the 5 year conversion rule still apply? Then, in our letter segment David is just starting to pay attention to his financial situation. He wants to know what the advantage would be of using a financial advisor or buying funds that have high expense ratios over doing it himself. Couldn’t he just do it on his own and save extra cash? We’ll surprise Jason with an answer he doesn’t expect, and hopefully surprise you, too. And don’t you worry, we’ll still have time for some of Doug’s very special Benjamin Franklin themed trivia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to day three of our countdown! You may recognize this one from earlier this year, but we just couldn't bring ourselves to leave this one off the list. You can read our original show notes on this Dominatrix-themed episode below: Do you have trouble staying in charge of your money? Maybe you let your priorities get away from you and want to make a change? Today we’ll talk about communication, being direct, and asking for what you really want with the author of the hit new book Bow Down, Lindsay Goldwert. In this unique new perspective on how to take charge, Lindsay sat down with dominatrixes across America to get first-hand information on how you can “reset the power dynamic in any situation to get what you want—whether it’s from a husband, boss, or partner.” During our headlines segment, are you finally bringing in a HUGE nice income, but your bank account isn’t rising? Lifestyle inflation can become a serious issue for high earners, and without a proper plan in place investors run the risk of becoming a HENRY – High Earner, Not Rich Yet. Plus, during our second headline, we’ll touch on why actor Rick Moranis is making a return to the big screen and what lessons you can glean for your financial plan. Plus, we’ll open up the mailbag during our Haven Life Line and answer an estate-related question from Diana. Diana is the executrix of an estate plan for the funds of two pre-teens but wants to appoint someone else to take over most of the responsibilities. What can she do? What is she supposed to do? We’ll cover some estate planning basics on today’s show. Of course, we’ll also make some time for Doug’s trivia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to day two of our countdown to New Years! Did you know that one group of people tend to live longer than the rest of the population? This episode was one of our old-school "short stacks," and you'll find just the interview in this one. You can read our original show notes below: Dr. Anna Corwin, a (then) anthropology PhD candidate at UCLA specializing in aging, well being and social interaction, wrote such a great piece for Yes! The Magazine that we had to have her on the show to discuss it. One group of people have picked the lock on living longer and more happily than the average person. What group is it? You’ll have to listen to find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to our countdown to New Years! Leading up to our New Year's Magic 8-ball episode with Len Penzo we're bringing you our top "quirkiest" interviews. These shows were released from this last year all the way to 2013, so you're in for a real treat. We're kicking things off with our interview with Tracy Coenen, a forensic spy who uses her knowledge of spreadsheets and bank knowledge to chase down criminals. You can read our original show notes below: She’ll tell you over and over that her job isn’t interesting. But if you’re a money nerd, do we have a treat for you today, because accountant Tracy Coenen spends her time chasing down bad guys using spreadsheets and bank statements (I’ll stop if you need a moment). Today she’ll tell us stories of two stories where she helped catch perpetrators by using financial records (and some amazing ingenuity) to help bring “bad guys” to bear. Plus, are you interviewing soon? Even if you aren’t we’ll talk about some useful tips if you’re interested in moving up the ladder at work or with another pursuit (and who isn’t?). Plus, we’ll discuss the new milestone one fund company just passed and pause for a moment…man, that’s a lot of money. Of course, we’re also going to toss out the Haven Life Line to Dillon and get Joe and OG’s take on how Dillon should approach his investments. All and and we’ll still make room for Doug’s trivia. Step aside, people! There’s a new episode coming…..this plate is HOT! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What was YOUR biggest lesson from 2020, besides avoid pandemics? Today we'll share our top 5 (plus an "honorable mention") events from maybe the weirdest year in recent memory. There were MANY great takeaways this year, so it was difficult to decide. Today we'll talk about the importance of emergency funds, relationships, giving, sticking to your investment strategy, and more! Plus in our headline segment, we're joined by IRA and tax guru Ed Slott, who shares a few last-minute tax tips. He'll talk about your Roth IRA, giving, and (gasp!) spending money. That's not all. Doug shares trivia about today's Festivus holiday AND Joe and OG answer a Haven Life line call from a guy named Nick in Alaska. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Comedy Central is such a part of American culture that its existence seems obvious, but that wasn't always the case. The process of creating Comedy Central is a story of perseverance, luck, believing in yourself and your idea, and more. We'll talk to Art Bell about his original idea for Comedy Central, his background, and how he wound up pitching it to the head of HBO (without an appointment!). If you've ever had an idea that you wanted to bring to life, you MUST listen to today's show. Plus, the student loan crisis is back in the news lately, with many speculating how the new administration is going to possibly change the game for borrowers. While we won't speculate on any of that, we WILL speak with Asha Srikantiah from Fidelity Investments about not only their 2020 Student Debt Snapshot (which shines a light on some of the most looming problems people are having with debt), but also a new free tool they've developed to help people work on better loan repayment strategies and options. Later, we'll throw out the Haven Life line to J.J., who is changing brokers and wants to know the best way to diversify his portfolio now that he's moved. How can he diversify without paying a bunch of unnecessary fees? Of course, we'll still share Doug's trivia, take a call about Joe's warranty expiring, and more. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the end of 2020 FINALLY in sight, (and what a long 38 months it's been), we're excited to bring you all of our best lessons from the last year. Between Paula Pant and Len Penzo, with OG and Joe weighing in on all of their top picks, you'll have plenty to chew on. We'd write more here...but who wants to give up what our top picks are? Just listen! PLUS, there's new innovation coming to your computer and phone. Like clockwork, it seems we hear about regular data breaches and how the companies we trust with our information have been mismanaged. Today we'll welcome to our Friday Fintech segment our friend Peter Polson from Tiller Money, to learn all about new advancements coming to your computer and phone app security. This will revolutionize how you look at financial technology in the future. While there's no listener voicemail today, that doesn't mean we're not answering a question. We found a problem we wanted to help someone solve over at the personal finance subreddit. At the very least we'll make sure that (hopefully) none of you Stackers make this same mistake. This poster bought a new car with a 72-month loan attached at 5.9%. The kicker? They have a 710 credit score! With only a few days to return it, they ask what's the good play here? Of course, we'll have ideas. BUT that's not all...we'll also reach the finish line on our year-long trivia contest! Can OG force Len into an overtime week? We'll have the exciting (maybe) conclusion (also...maybe) on today's show. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Few people have seen as many great ideas (and horrible ideas) as Paul Merriman. We were listening to Paul Merriman's advice long before we had a podcast and today we FINALLY were able to sit down with him...and he doesn't disappoint. Today Paul dishes out five ideas that will all make you over a million dollars more during your lifetime if you're a young investor. Before you listen you should ask yourself NOT if you've heard these ideas before, because there's a good possibility that you have. The key question to ask is, "What are you DOING about these five ideas." Based on statistics of the average investor we can all use help IMPLEMENTING a better strategy, and Paul shares some great ones today. Plus, should you invest in non-traded real estate? A recent headline complains that real estate that isn't traded is hard to value. Joe and OG will go over exactly what the controversy is AND whether you should consider these for your portfolio. Also, we'll cover new information the Securities and Exchange Commission is making available to US investors. Will it change how you invest? We'll answer THAT question as well. We'll end the show with a question from Matt on rebalancing. Matt asks if the natural ebbs and flows of the stock market (and regular investments) negate the purpose of rebalancing. Wouldn't the market take care of that on its own? What's the point? We'll talk rebalancing 101 today! It's a nerd's dream! Plus, Doug gets a little classy with today's trivia. Well, he would consider anything to do with the subject of tea to be classy. If you feel confident in your tea trivia, make sure to test your mettle halfway through the show. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Joe & OG every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from Joe's mom's basement in Texarkana, Texas. They'll cover all the current money headlines, talk to experts and avoid washing windows, three days a week! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Know anyone just beginning their financial journey? Well, gather them round your listening device because on today's show Symoné B. "Beez," author of Financial Starter Kit and co-host of the new podcast 4 Goats and a Mic, joins us. We'll walk you through the FIRST things you need to do to build a solid financial foundation. Plus, Symoné will share her story from start to finish: from finding herself sinking in credit card debt - a situation she promised herself she'd never be in - to cutting up her credit cards to retake control of her situation. But she didn't stop there, now Symoné is on a mission to help others gain financial independence and avoid the same pitfalls she encountered. We'll talk 101 financial strategies, what to do when your in over your head, and more. Hello DoorDash and AirBnB lovers! Are you getting FOMO (fear of missing out) from all of the flashy initial public offering (IPO) headlines? With seemingly every IPO followed up by the "look at how much money it made on Day 1" headlines, who wouldn't want to get the early bird special on the next one? There's only one problem about jumping on IPOs to make a killing in the stock market, and early DoorDash investors found that lesson out the hard way. After Joe and OG explain how these IPOs actually work, we'll jump on the line with Affinity Solutions CEO, Johnathan Silver to get some firsthand data on how consumer spending has changed this past year. Have you driven to work less and fixed up your home office? Maybe shopped for the holidays a little early? Jonathan just might describe YOU on today's show. And finally, we finish today's show with a note of good cheer. Tyler calls into the Haven Life line looking for advice on the best way he can help set up his future niece/nephew for college and beyond. Of course, we'll always save some time for Doug. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A certain prince is having some issues and only YOU can help! Do you help him? Whether it's that scam, the IRS is knocking on your door, or another reach into your pocketbook, scams are everywhere (especially this time of year). What are the best practices for avoiding losing your money? We'll tackle a recent list written by our friend Stacy Johnson on today's show. Helping you hold on to your dollars, we'll welcome Doc G from the Earn and Invest podcast, Paula Pant from Afford Anything, and Len Penzo from the award-winning LenPenzo.com blog. Vanguard has released a new study about millennials and their view on retirement. We'll chat about that with Brian Concannon, head of Vanguard Digital Advisor. While we have his attention, we'll have him take on a tour of their new platform. He'll talk about how it works, the problems it solves, what it costs, and more. We'll finish out the show with a voicemail from Katherine. She knows she'll donate a large sum to her favorite non-profit, but is there a good time to donate it? Katherine says that she is still young, and knows any money she invests will compound and go a lot further in the future. Thoughts? As always, Doug will keep the party going with his game-show trivia. Today is a bittersweet day in history: the biggest Ponzi scheme in history, orchestrated by Bernie Madoff, ended on this day. Think you can guess how much Madoff stole from his clients? You'll find the answer at the halfway mark of today's episode. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The history of money is possibly (even probably) the most tangled web of assumptions, grief, symbolism, happiness, and longing in the history of the world. Today Frederick Kaufman joins us to share a few of those stories. From the earliest days of exchanging objects to represent currency, to the heads of state on coins, to Bitcoin and beyond, we'll discover many of the stories that encompass names from Adam Smith to Anna Nicole Smith. Plus, during our headlines segment of the show we'll talk to Sean Hanft from FSAStore.com. It's nearing the end of the year and if you have flexible spending account dollars left, it's time to use them before you lose them. Plus, one blog post making its way around, which makes the case against opening a 401k to start saving for retirement. Naturally, Joe and OG have a thought or two about that. Plus, we all know the famous 4% rule (of thumb), but have we been using it wrong this whole time? Matt calls in the Haven Life Line to ask for some clarification. While you shouldn't be using rules of thumb to guide your portfolio in the first place, Matt's question could potentially have big implications on your retirement draw-down. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With all of the talk about a divided nation, finger pointing about the election, and a year when so, so many things have become "political," today we're thrilled to bring you John Hope Bryant, who throws water on all of these arguments. His no-nonsense approach to how we ALL win together is refreshing and provocative. We'll talk about lessons from his new book, Up From Nothing on today's show. Plus, big congrats to stock-based ETFs in November. Record inflows poured into these positions, which leaves Joe and OG scratching their heads. Why do investors wait until the market climbs to record highs to stuff money into funds AGAIN? We'll counter that with yet another piece we found that proclaims the sky is about to fall. Again. Of course, that's not all. We'll get some help from a listener on explaining Value Averaging (vs. Dollar-Cost Averaging), and Doug will skewer a horrible, horrible national recognition day for a group he says is undeserving. Wait until you hear his rant... Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Maybe you've heard the Jim Rohn phrase, "You are the average of the five people around you." Is that true for you? Probably. If you're looking to improve either your net worth, your career, or just your friendships, giving careful thought to your "tribe" will pay dividends. Today we'll work from a recent Tony Robbins piece on this topic with three people who work hard to surround themselves with good, uplifting people. Aaron Velky, the head of the Stacking Benjamins Money Club (but probably more important, the head of financial education company Ortus Academy), will give us some great advice. Also, we'll hear great ideas from Paula Pant from Afford Anything and OG as well. It's a great episode that you'll want to listen to before setting your 2021 goals. Plus, our Stacking Benjamins Scholarship Mastery course is about to go into session! If you are either heading to school yourself, have a family member or friend in school, or a high school junior or senior, we're going to tell you all of the important dates coming up this year for scholarships AND we'll detail how our course works so you can get in before the deadline, which is Friday, December 11th. Our anonymous caller to the Magnify Money line today is receiving a $500,000 inheritance. His parents want him to connect with their financial advisor, but he's been doing good so far by investing in low-cost funds on his own. Our caller and his wife has have no debt other than their mortgage. He asks: is it time to bring an advisor on board, or should he stick with what's been working so far? With everyone posting their year-end music reviews, Doug decided to share some of his own. Fancy yourself top-notch when it comes to your music trivia? Today is for you. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Looking for quick ways to save a few more bucks? Or, are you too busy to even slow down and think about stashing some extra cash every month? While we don't promise taking the light bulb out of your oven will bring you riches, we ARE fans of quick, time-conscious hacks that save you some Benjamins. Lisa Rowan, the author of the hit new book Money Hacks, joins the basement airwaves today to share some of the 275+ money hacks she's collected. Plus, could your salary size be completely out of your control? Maybe so, if you believe a new survey that suggests there's a BIG correlation between the size of a man's package and how much bacon he brings home. (Don't shoot the messenger). In more traditional finance news, Joe and OG also cover what the new (possible) Treasury secretary-elect, Janet Yellen, might mean for the economy. Nick has been having trouble getting disability insurance for his wife, so we'll throw him the Haven Life line. She suffers from depression and anxiety. Nick asks: how can he cover their insurance gap? As always, OG and Joe come to the rescue. As always, we'll save time for Doug's trivia. You'll hear it for yourself... but let's say you might find Doug a bit peculiar today. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Think you don't know the first thing about investing? Bola Sokunbi makes it clear that not only is investing EASIER than you might think, it also can be a lot of fun. We'll define some of the popular terms you'll hear, talk through some of the basics, and dive into what you really need to invest so that you feel confident about getting where you want to go with your financial goals. Also today, we dive into a popular sports figure who spends north of a million dollars a year on coaching. A million dollars? Doesn't that sound like a waste of money? We'll maybe change your mind on how you view expenses to "sharpen the saw" (as popular author Stephen Covey has written). We'll also talk about the difference between how professionals invest versus the amount of money that Glen calls in during our Haven Life Line with some questions about the government Thrift Savings Plan. Glen has left his contributions alone and now that they've grown he's looking to consolidate his various workplace funds into a Vanguard account. He asks: can his TSP contributions be rolled over? Does the face Glen made contributions in Iraq change how his money is treated? Of course we'll also give Doug some time to share his trivia. Today's theme? Think you're in tune with digital purchasing trends? (That's a weird sentence). You can test your mettle with Doug's Cyber-Monday themed trivia.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you aren't interested in shopping on Black Friday weekend, we've got you covered with one of our FAVORITE episodes. Every year we dive into our favorite board games about money and economics AND we invite some board game insider friends to help us learn about some new fun games. I'm super excited that the guys from the No Cube Zone (Coniff, Jordan, and Rippee) join us today to dive in to not only our top-5 games about money or economics, but also their top 5 games to share with family this holiday season. Plus, we'll continue the theme by dumping our normal Friday Fintech Segment for a Friday Board Game exclusive. The subscription game company making Hunt A Killer just was named the #6 fastest growing company in the USA by Inc. We'll dive into the game, how it's made, what the firm's focused on, and how exactly a subscription game works with co-founders Ryan Hogan and Derrick Smith. It's nearly two hours of board game goodness, friends, and Thanksgiving weekend discussions. We're thankful you're spending it with us! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you're looking for new tech toys for the holidays this year, we bring you today good news and bad news. The good news is that we're going to cover LOTS of ground and some of the hottest and coolest tech we've seen in years. On the bad news side? It's going to be harder than ever to get your hands on any of it. Today we're geeking out on the hottest of the hot and the newest of the new tech with our friend Bridget Carey from CNET. Bridget, as she has every year with us (and as she does daily in her CNET videos and reviews), breaks down everything you need to know to have a geeky, techie holiday season. And if the hot new tech you're looking for has four wheels we also have you covered. Slow down before you run off and buy the flashiest car, because you may be surprised how much the value drops when you drive off the lot. We'll talk to Karl Brauer from iSeeCars.com about a new study showing which models and brands hold their value best AND which cars you may want to avoid. During the Haven Life line call-in segment of the show, August calls in with a question not too many people consider: do office workers sitting behind a computer everyday need occupation disability insurance? After all, what could go wrong? We'll share suggestions about disability coverage and what you need to cover. Plus, what in the world is going on with this "OLED" business? Seems like everything from smart TVs to new iPhones are promising the latest and greatest OLED devices. During Doug's trivia, he'll test your 2020 electronic knowledge... if he can find the answer himself, that is.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today kicks off our big U.S. Thanksgiving holiday week of shows, and today we start it off right by sharing all of the good, bad, and ugly deals YOU can score this Black Friday. Regina Conway from Slickdeals.net joins us to help save your wallet and point out some of the issues not-careful shoppers may face. Where should you spend your hard-earned cash to get the most bang for your buck this holiday shopping season? Which retailers are offering the best deals on hot items? What deals aren't worth the wait? What's different this year because of COVD? Whatever your question is - Regina has you covered. Plus, did Pfizer's CEO break laws while insider trading his company's stock when it exploded recently? Financial disclosures show that the CEO, Albert Bourla, sold almost $6 million in stock the same day the company's vaccine news broke. After our discussion on what REALLY happened - we'll turn our heads to yet another report of a criminal advisor fleecing his clients to the tune of $320,000. The short and sweet? Be beyond suspicious of any advisor who might promise you quick riches. During the Haven Life Line, we take a question on peer-to-peer lending. We recommended LendingTree the last time we discussed P2P, but caller Greg says the company has since become a bank. He asks: what's our take now? Are there any companies we recommend? As always, Doug will give his own share of the airtime for his trivia. Today? He's bringing it back with some old-school Black Friday trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you're lucky enough to have a job now, and you've been still chasing your dream, what does your "finish line" look like? You won finance! Hooray! With everything you want behind you, what's next? Answering these questions and more are today's contributors: Jennifer Grimson from the Micro Empires podcast; Len Penzo from the LenPenzo.com blog, and our own Stacking Benjamins podcast co-host, OG. While the question seems nice and someday-ish, I think today you'll find that you're closer to "enough" than you may think. Halfway through the show we'll break from our conversation and move over to your wellness checkup. Like Suze Orman said (in a number of words), what do riches mean without your health? During this week's middle segment, we take a quick break from FinTech to cover health and wellness with MetPro's co-founder Angelo Poli, who will break down how important proper nutrition really is - both for your health AND your bottom line. What's your next step when you're at absolute zero? No cash, no residence, no job? That's what our contributors have been tasked to help with today, and our special guest Jennifer Grimson is the perfect person to ask. Jennifer has had to start from zero... TWICE. Today Jennifer and our panel share what you should do when you find yourself starting with nowhere to turn. As always, we'll save some airtime halfway through for Doug's game show. Doug will start out with a freebie: The country of Nigeria commands the largest GDP in Africa. The question? How much is it?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've recorded a ton of episodes. At the point we hit stop on this one, we're officially nearly at 1,000...but when you count all of the previous podcasts, the shortened episodes that we used to NOT count, and the special events, we're well over 1,500 episodes. Not ONCE during that time did we stop and ask ourselves, "Should we actually give people the framework that we're working from?" Today we do that. Joe and OG have a frank conversation about the art of fooling around, about sharing mistakes instead of victories, and about including stories from many points of view. If you've listened to the Stacking Benjamins show once or a thousand times, we hope you'll enjoy the first episode where we discuss the SB Creed. Of course, we will STILL lean on Doug for a trivia question. We're not heathens.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What happens when you find three great storytellers and ask them to share their personal journeys toward a better life, LIVE? You get a nearly two-hour YouTube special that we're going to replay for you right here! The STACK event features the co-author of the classic financial philosophy book Your Money Or Your Life, Vicki Robin, who will talk about her journey learning for herself why finding a different path to financial security was important. We also feature a guy who's story has resonated with many (especially lately after a feature video in the Million Stories series was released), Michael Santos. Michael found himself incarcerated at a young age but not only turned around his own life, he also is passionate and focused on helping others going through trouble turn their lives around. Finally, and kicking off our show, we'll introduce you to Dan Chan, a man who's not only entertained billionaires, but a guy who's had to pivot with his business since COVID-19. How did he go from working at PayPal to chasing his dream? He'll share his journey today! If you'd like to join us for the live, unedited event, where you can ask questions, hang out with other Stackers, and possibly take home one of our participant prizes, sign up for our newsletter, The Stacker, at http://stackingbenjamins.com/stacker. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Let's not mince words. It's been a pretty s%$! year. BUT there have been TONS of fantastic financial lessons you could have learned from 2020, and many skills you've probably figured out already that you NEED in the future. So what are those skills? We'll share the top 5 list our friend Katie Brewer, CFP listed on a recent blog post. Here to help us dive into their take on all of these skills is Joe's co-host on the Money With Friends podcast, Bobbi Rebell. Plus, from Afford Anything, we'll get help from Paula Pant...AND from Len Penzo dot com, we'll hear from Len Penzo. In our Friday FinTech segment, we'll speak with Qube founder Ryan Clark about how they've created an envelope budgeting system for 2020 and beyond. Not familiar with the envelope budgeting system? We'll explain how it works AND how Ryan's team uses technology to help you do better with your money. Plus, during our MagnifyMoney.com segment, we'll take a question from a listener who wonders what designations he should pursue to coach people on their money. He's thought about becoming a Certified Financial Planner, but thinks for the type of coaching he wants to do, that it might be overkill. You'll love how the team today discusses which designations might be best (spoiler: we don't agree). Of course, we'll also leave time for Doug's amazing trivia challenge, which today is all about the World Wide Web. Can you nail the answer without looking it up? Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Buildings, sidewalks, statues, plaques...they all tell stories that are nearly hidden from view. You can take a walk out of your front door if you live in nearly any city, and there are stories all around you. The great news? They're all free. And, like a puzzle, the stories of a 99% invisible city can keep you occupied for hour after fascinating hour. Today we chat with Roman Mars from the 99% Invisible podcast about a few of these stories. We'll talk about park in Australia, a baseball player in Japan, and sidewalks...everywhere. Over $1 billion in bitcoin has been seized by the U.S. government. We'll share how and why, and also dive a little into bitcoin in general. Has it become a more stable landscape for investors? Plus, in the search for lower taxes and a better bottom line, Rock Legend Gene Simmons has decided to wave his California estate (and California taxes) goodbye. High taxes vs. good friends and memories of the neighborhood. Which would you choose? Plus, we'll throw out the Haven Life line to August, who wants to rollover his Roth 401k to a Roth IRA when he retires. He's already seeded the IRA with $500. Is there any reason to invest in one account over the other? August asks, does the answer change if he's plans to retire early?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today's wide-ranging chat with the Invest Diva, Kiana Danial, we hear about her personal story of setting high goals and achieving them. From her family's flight from Iran to working on becoming an engineer, being fired from a Wall Street job and more, Kiana's done it all, and today we'll talk about how you can pivot your way to success. We'll also talk about popular brokerage app Robinhood, making videos that people want to watch, the FOMO people felt during the heady Bitcoin run up, and more. Plus, remember the old saying: if it's too good to be true, it probably is? Make that doubly so if what you're talking about involves investing or finances. We'll share yet another story of investors being fleeced out of their life savings after being roped in by too-good-to-be-true financial scams. And also, Suze Orman is back in the news. A recent health scare has the queen of money talk thinking critically about the relationship between money and health. During our Haven Life line, Ronnie Jo calls in asking for good financial advice for her 19 year-old sister. She'd like to make sure her sister can navigate the financial waters, and Joe and OG deliver advice that'll serve anyone well, young adult or not. Of course, we can't have a show without giving Doug some airtime. His trivia for today? Something about Einstein? Or winning money? Who really knows? Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's show, we bring you a cornucopia of November financial topics! Is your rule of thumb going to leave you broke in retirement? We'll start off by talking about the nerd's updated version of the 4% rule and maybe throw in some advice explaining why generalized guidelines aren't the best investing strategy. Plus, in homage to our older roundtables, we'll give our contributors a few more headlines to chew on, including a new plan to push required minimum distributions to 75, AND our roundtable will cover the new college savings plan ranking system from Morningstar. Making today's super-show happen is our amazing team of contributors: Michael Anderson of the Big Idea podcast; Paula Pant from the Afford Anything podcast, and from our very own podcast, OG. Halfway through the show, we'll FINALLY share our main topic, bow to avoid a holiday hangover. Joe and Belinda Rosenblum will talk about how to set up a strategy to make sure this is the year you finally are able to get ahead financially, or at the very least, stay afloat during the holiday season. We'll finish today's show with some salacious gossip thanks to our question from Shane. He says that he loves our pieces on financial crimes, but what about the the less popular crimes? Shane wants to hear about daring financial crimes like money laundering and check kiting. Does our panel deliver? Yes! So make some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy this week's MagnifyMoney segment. Of course, we'll always save some time for Doug. Think you know your sports history? You'll love Doug's question today.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What can we learn from market wizards, the name Jack Schwager gives to traders who routinely beat the index? Even if you aren't trying to trade the market, but instead want to just be competent, you can learn a ton. Jack Schwager has studied the best and brightest in the industry for years and today we talk to him about patience, discipline, love of the game, and more. You can use ALL of these ideas to be a better investor, even if, like most of us, you're a member of the buy-and-hold tribe. Plus, in our headlines segment, how hard is it to get your will done? Our engineer extraordinaire, Steve Stewart, just finished his. Joe and OG ask him about how and why he completed his plan, and how difficult it was. We'll also throw out the Haven Life line to Peter, who wonders about his investment strategy, and of course, we save time for Doug's amazing, post-election trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While everyone struggles to get along through COVID-19, if you're lucky enough to be healthy and safe, NOW may be a great time to find ways to earn more money. By using skills you already have, you can begin to build wealth and put your financial house in order. Today we'll talk to Mr. I Will Teach You To Be Rich, Ramit Sethi, about the power of networking, college, working online, transferring skills, and more. It's a powerful discussion that hopefully will move you from being defensive in 2020 to going on offense. When's the last time your family reviewed your household fire safety plan? Good financial planning goes beyond the adrenaline-fueled excitement of long-term investing and emergency funds. During our headlines we'll be joined by Steve Kerber, Director of the UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute. Steve will share essential safety tips on how you can keep your family - and physical property - safe from a fire emergency. PLUS, you can watch a new video below from the Firefighter Safety Research Institute showing just how little time you have to escape a home fire. In our second piece, we'll discuss the importance of things like disability insurance. In a tragic incident, a cyclist has been reportedly left brain-damaged after a split-second accident with a dog. Many people go without when it comes to insurance with excuses like, "I'm safe!", or "nothing bad ever happens to me!" The other side of that coin is that accidents are just that... accidents. We'll finish out the show with a Haven Life line question on HSAs (Health Savings Account) and HRAs (Health Reimbursement Arrangement). Ethan will be switching jobs soon, and his new employer only offers a HRA. Ethan wants to keep contributing to his HSA even without the extra employer benefits, but wants to know: can he contribute to both the HRA and HSA? Plus, with the election looming tomorrow, Doug's campaign is in full swing. He'll use some of his mid-show airtime to quiz his loyal voters on how many electoral votes he'll need to take the White House. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's show we're mixing the ghoulish past with the horrific NOW. Chuck Jaffe from Money Life with Chuck Jaffe joins us to share how he's scaring his neighborhood kids this year into better money habits AND then we rewind (this is our rewind week!) to Sandy Smith sharing how she spent just under $5000 on her wedding and had the ultimate experience for herself, her husband, and their friends. It's a great now/rewind episode of Stacking Benjamins (plus we share an AWESOME event coming up for all Stackers on 11/10...join us!). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What's more spooky than an investing story gone wrong? Nothing... if we're discussing your net worth. Today the Fintern brings us back to our time with CFA Rick Ferri, who dropped by the basement and scared us silly with some absolutely HORRIBLE investing stories. Plus, Nick Clements from MagnifyMoney.com also joined the show to talk about our (then) recent discussions around technology and pricing structures. Of course, we also had headlines, Doug's trivia, and more. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Happy Rewind Week Stackers! We're kicking off Monday strong with a special show that used to be a fan-favorite: a Joe and OG Top 5. Today's topic? How to react to market volatility. It was relevant then, and it's relevant now. There's no featured guest on today's show - but there's also a whole bunch more of Joe and OG banter than you'd normally have. (Some people say that's a good enough trade-off). You can read the short and sweet original show notes below: It's another Top 5 episode! Today Joe & OG tell you their top 5 ways to handle bouncing markets. In headlines we tackle the herd mentality down markets create and signs that it's time for a new advisor. We also fire up the Quotacy hotline for the first time, where Sam asks about stretch IRA rules. It's all that and more on today's show! Thanks to Candid and Netsuite for sponsoring the Stacking Benjamins show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Worried it's next to impossible to get your finances in order by this point? What if I told you it could happen by Thanksgiving? (For those of you caught in the infamous 2020 haze, that's a little more than a month away). Today our roundtable crew share their personal tricks of the trade they employ to manage their budget, lower their expenses, and keep charge of their finances. Joining us on our roundtable is the mind behind the Own Your Money brand and Stacking Benjamins' partner in our Making Money Easy course, Belinda Rosenblum; Kevin Payne from the popular Family Money Adventure blog; and basement regular Len Penzo... from the aptly named Len Penzo dot com blog. After our contributors finish sharing their top finance tips, we'll give them a break while we shine some light on small businesses and what they've been experiencing this year. Helping us shine that spotlight is Kabbage co-founder, Kathryn Petralia. Kabbage was the second biggest PPP loan provider, and Kathryn will share the mistakes she's seen businesses make, what businesses should be doing right now, and what we can maybe expect in the future. We'll finish out the show with our Magnify Money segment - our caller Jambalaya wants to self-insure his health costs. He breaks his plan for his, and makes sure to let us know that he's otherwise healthy. Jambalaya asks for our seal of approval: is his plan sound, or, in his words, "should I keep it simple stupid?" Our roundtable will share their thoughts on our caller's plan. Naturally, we'll make some airtime for Doug's Friday trivia game show. This week's question? The original iPod sale price! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When you make a decision about your money, do you weigh how that plays against your long term goals? Doing so is called considering your "opportunity cost." Today's guest talks about both the process of thinking about opportunities AND discusses how to weigh down markets. Should you move your money? He's been through a ton of down markets and has a world of experience with them. Today we're airing a very special episode with JL Collins, author of The Simple Path to Wealth. Doc G (in an interview originally aired on the Plutus award-winning Earn and Invest podcast) caught up with Collins last year, and asked him many questions, that we'll play for you today. What's your first response after finding out your online portfolio has been liquidated and cleared of its cash? Okay... so after THAT, you're probably calling your financial advisor until they pick up the phone, right? At the very least, solo investors should call the support line for their online brokerage.. right? What happens when NO ONE is available to help you figure out where the money went....or worse yet, when you do get a reply back it says that you'll need to hold tight for a few weeks? That's exactly what's happening to Robinhood investors... we'll unveil yet another issue at the troubled brokerage during our headlines segment. In our second headline: day-traders are often ignored by long term investors, but new research indicates these very-same day-traders could be a driving force behind market fluctuations, including the market rebound this year. Don't worry - we'll cover what that means to you and your plan. We'll finish out the show with a call from Ryan, who wants to know more about family contributions to a 529 plan. Ryan and his wife are expecting their first child, and would like their family members to contribute to their child's 529 plan instead of traditional gifts. Are there any online portals their family can use, or is it up to Ryan and his wife to collect contributions and investing the cash? Of course, we'll save some time for Doug's trivia. Doug was feeling generous today with his dino-trivia, and opted for multiple choice responses... enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Heather Jacks has done it all. She's created a new job to work for Howard Shultz, facilitated wine and bourbon tastings, ferried pigs for a guy, lived in the outback, and slept full-time in a bus named Bubba. Also? She writes travel stories for Fodor's and other outlets, while also keeping a blog. ....and she's modeled. ..and she's been a teacher. ...and....the list goes on, but we're excited today to talk to her about how she's found a way to put together diverse skills and barter her way across the USA. Think you don't have enough money to travel? She'll share tricks she's used and stories from the road on today's wide-ranging (to put it mildly) discussion. LOTS of people are having debt forgiven because of COVID-19, but some are in store for a surprise. We'll share who's showing up with their hand out when you write down debt during our headlines segment. Also, the new Social Security cost of living increase has been announced, and....it's not pretty. We'll talk inflation, the stock market, and setting up your investments to win. Of course we'll also throw out the Haven Life line to a lucky listener and leave some time for Doug to share some of his mind-bending trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How's your network of mentors, friends and coaches? Who can you reach out to for help when you really need something? On today's show our roundtable contributors will tackle networking, and how to build a more effective surround sound for your life. We won't talk "networking," which can come across as dirty and slimy. We'll tackle how to effectively and sincerely grow a network so that you're more effective and also more of a help to other people. Our piece today says that your net worth is equal to your network, and we'll ask our roundtable what that means for you. Speaking of being happy...after our discussion on true friendship, wealth, and cold, hard business decisions - we'll turn our attention to a new site called Happy Money in our Friday FinTech segment. We'll give a break to our panel while Joe talks with the company's Chief Science Officer, Dr. Elizabeth Dunn, who's a behavioral and happiness expert. How do you, as mom says, turn that money frown upside down? She'll share details of what they're working on. Who's on our roundtable today? We're super happy that today we network with Roger Whitney from the Retirement Answer Man podcast, Paula Pant from Afford Anything, and OG from our very own podcast. Of course, we'll also save time for Doug's Friday game show trivia. It's too bad Joe isn't in the running for points - today's Disney themed trivia would net him an easy win this week. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How's your savings plan been? Have you had to abandon ship on your retirement goals during this car wreck of a year? What are the keys to doing well with your money when the world turns on it's head? Today we'll discuss all of those things and T. Rowe Price's newest 401k data with the company's head of thought leadership, Josh Dietch. Is the stock market a house of cards? In a stunning accusation, one piece says that the stock market is nothing more than a (legal) Ponzi scheme, and a better investment for your money would be real estate, agriculture, and oil. While we're NOT jumping on the train to Ponziville, could there be some logic to the claims? We'll break down whether you should take any stock in opinion pieces with claims like these during our headlines segment of the show. Plus, Cake Boss Buddy Valastro is on his road to recovery after severely injuring his dominant decorating hand in a bowling alley accident. We'll share exactly what happened, and why this might make you change your mind about your insurances. We'll round out today's show with a letter from Randy during the Haven Life Line. After listening to our Guy Raz episode, Randy wanted to share his experience moving to Columbia. He reports that it was "easier" than he thought it would be, and he saved a lot of money doing it. Of course, we'll always save some time for Doug's trivia. It's an action packed Wednesday here in the basement, so we hope you enjoy it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you focus on managing time or money? If you worry about every dollar, do you value your time similarly, spending moments carefully? While many of us know much we expect to save, spend, and invest each month, not as many of us know exactly where our time is going. In her new book, Time Smart, Harvard Global Health fellow Ashley Whillans explains where all your extra time is going, the two different approaches we take with time and work, and why it feels like we have less time in our day than ever before. Think you don't need a layer of separation between you and your money? After today's headline, you might reconsider how much access you want to your cash. The short and sweet? Under NO circumstances should you cash out $400,000 for your partner's flight school venture. (And maybe watch your checks). In our second headline, we'll cover Kobe's autographed court floor selling for over $600,000. While that's an undeniable nice piece of history to show off to your friends, the average investor (or even a lot of investors who could be considered rich), probably shouldn't even think about spending that kind of cash on a collectible. Plus, during our Haven Life Line Steve from Arkansas has a thing or two to say about Bauxite. On a recent show Joe and OG dismissed Bauxite a little too quickly for Steve's tastes, and he's laying down some firsthand knowledge. As always, we'll save some time for Doug's trivia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Most of us are frustrated by our paycheck. Are you a Henry? That's "high earner, not rich yet." Maybe you know a Henry and are confused how someone who makes so much money is constantly broke all the time? While our topic today covers money mistakes made by high-earners, workers of all income-levels will find today's advice relevant to their wallets. Plus, ever dream about owning rare baseball cards, vintage cars, or maybe even a jersey? Halfway through the show we'll dive into the world of investing and collectibles with Rob Petrozzo, co-founder of Rally. While you might not have the cash to buy a classic Aston Martin, you could invest in some shares. During our Magnify Money segment we have a big question that Brian posted in our Basement Facebook group on behalf of his neighbor. Brian's neighbor has had a rough go financially so far, but he's looking to turn things around. With bad credit, a felony, and a foreclosure on the record where should Brian's neighbor start? Plus, we'll make some time's for Doug's weekly trivia game show.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How are geniuses different than the rest of us? Can we study them to emulate some of their strengths? How do we define genius? Can we become a genius by applying ourselves? Today we'll tackle all of those questions and more with Dr. Craig Wright, who joins us to talk all things genius on today's show. If you've ever wondered what to do to improve your abilities in any area, we'll cover some of the traits of the best and brightest among us on today's show. Plus, while we've all read about the growing gap between the richest and poorest among us, we've actually read very few ideas to solve the problem. Hedge fund star Bill Ackman has a proposal, and in our headlines segment, we'll share details. Should we begin giving people money at birth? That's part of his idea that we'll share. Also, we all know that there are a few keys to success in life. Today we'll share the "magic sauce" as presented by one Tik-Tok creator. Brilliant! Of course we'll still throw out the Haven Life line AND save time for some of Doug's delicious trivia. What are you waiting for? Press "play" already! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you getting all of the mileage you can from your workplace benefits? LOTS of people are likely leaving money on the table by not layering benefits correctly, and TODAY we'll make sure you aren't one of them. Today Amanda Lannert, CEO of benefit-expert company Jellyvision, joins Joe to share best practices when it comes to increasing the mileage from your benefits. During Joe and Amanda's conversation, we'll walk through every benefit in the package and detail how to make better decisions about not just health insurance, life insurance, and disability coverage, but we'll also talk about flex spending accounts, health savings accounts, dependent care accounts, pet insurance, legal plans, supplemental hospital coverage, dental, and more. What's your retirement plan? We'll kick off our headlines segment by sharing the very scary retirement plan that far too many Americans are relying on. If you're reading this, you just might be the saver in your group of friends... and after you hear today's statistics you'll want to make sure your friends aren't including YOU as THEIR emergency plan. Plus, in our second piece, one lucky man found a 9-caret diamond in a public state park. As it turns out, it doesn't matter how you come into money, the IRS will find you, and they'll get their due. (On the other hand... public roads are nice too). We'll finish the show with a Haven Life Line question. Brian's company started offering withdrawls on after-tax contributions. Brian plans on using the mega back door Roth IRA instead of a 529 plan for his two-year old. He wants to pull out the contributions only and let the growth be used for retirement savings. Brian asks: what do we think of his plan? Of course, we'll also give Doug will some air time to deliver his trivia! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How many times have you negotiated a better deal? Car payments? Rent? Mortgage fees? How much in life is up for negotiation, and how do you get better at it? We asked our roundtable contributors the same thing, and they had a lot to offer. Making up today's show: Stacy Johnson, founder and CEO of MoneyTalkNews; Paula Pant from the Afford Anything podcast; and Len Penzo (from the LenPenzo.com blog), and another thanks to our celebrity reader - and author of today's piece - Rich Jones from Paychecks & Balances. Halfway through the show we'll take a break from our discussion while Joe rings up Ryan Falvey, co-founder of Financial Venture Studio. Fintech is a fast moving field, and we'll find out from Ryan how COVID has changed the game when it comes to apps on your phone. We'll finish out today roundtable with a Magnify Money call from Bruce. He tells our roundtable that he's buying his first home, and wants to shop around for a good mortgage. How can he do that without his credit being dinged 100 times? Our roundtable gives him so solid advice, and it'll be nice knowledge for you tooo. Of course, we'll also carve out some time for Doug's game show trivia.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The biggest mistake you can make is to wait until the last minute to learn about how to make the most out of your benefits packages. It's one thing to mess up a form at the DMV, but when it comes to your Medicare, making a mistake can lead to big issues with your health. Danielle Kunkle Roberts, author of new book, 10 Costly Medicare Mistakes You Can't Afford To Make, comes on today's show to share the key decisions you'll need to make and how to avoid losing money or health care options. Plus, is another bear market on the way? Honest answer? Maybe! During our headlines we'll explain how the bear market could drop next week, (or tomorrow, or even next month)... and why that shouldn't matter to your portfolio anyway. In our second piece, we'll share the changing American sentiment behind sustainable funds. During the Haven Life Line, Amy calls in with questions on how to retire as an expat. Amy and her husband live in Germany with their three kids and they both get paid in euros. Due to complicated investing laws, Amy has most of their assets located in the United States. The problem? Amy's family plans to retire in Germany! Amy asks us: What type of professional should Amy and her husband hire to sort out their financials? Should that professional be American or German? All that and more on today's episode! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

So you've learned that it's important to save. You've picked a mutual fund or an exchange traded fund, and now you're pouring some money in. What should you know next? Today we'll chat with CBS Business Analyst and host of the Jill on Money show, Jill Schlesinger. We'll talk about investment fees, better diversification, what's MOST important when you're investing, and more. Get ready for some investing talk because today class is in session! Making coffee is great, but the real easy money-maker? Holding other people's money. During today's headlines we'll explain how the giant coffee chain Starbucks it padding a huge part of their bottom budget with YOUR cash. Plus, financial giant LPL is stopping some of their advisors from using a Morningstar product. Is this a case of big brother overstepping? Hardly! We'll talk about how advisors work and the role of oversight on today's show. During the Haven Life Line, Jordan calls in with a question that I think will resonate with more than a few listeners. Jordan will be working from home for the foreseeable future due to COVID. His car has been collecting dust in the garage. Jordan asks: would it be sensible for him to sell his car? Jordan's wife will still have her minivan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does diversification really mean? Contrary to popular opinion, there's more to good diversification than just spreading your money around. But how does it work? Today we'll tackle a recent piece from the Wall Street Journal that dives into popular myths about diversification. Believe it or not there's more to it than just "spreading your money around." Before I forget - a big thanks to today's roundtable contributors! You can find more from Miranda Marquit at MirandaMarquit.com and freelancewriteracademy.com; Paula Pant at AffordAnything.com; AND you can get help in your financial corner from OG HERE. As far as financial independence and doing all the "right things," Jeff is pretty set. After years of effort getting to this point, Jeff now finds himself thinking less about his finances. What's the solution here? Find a hobby? Earn more cash? Buy products from all of our sponsors? Our roundtable will share their thoughts during our Magnify Money segment.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mike Rosenfeld is what some people call boxer Jeison Rosario's "secret weapon." Boxing fan are fired up this week because Saturday features a title bout on Showtime between Jeison Rosario and Jermell Charlo, and today, Coach Mike joins us to share how he's worked with not just Jeison but with top professionals to bring energy, focus, and drive to whatever they do. We'll even share an exercise that Coach Mike uses (and that you can use, too) to improve your performance immediately. How much whiskey does it take to buy a house? It almost sounds like the start of a joke, but one U.K. man is laughing all the way to the bank. After discovering the value off his Macallan whiskey collection has skyrocketed, he plans to use his newfound cash as a down payment for a home. We'll round out today's show with a question most of us have asked at one point or another: are financial advisors worth the price? How hard could it be, right? Instead of answering a voicemail on today's Haven Life Line, we're turning our attention to a Reddit post that we think perfectly encapsulates why you should have an advisor as a buffer between you and your money. This might be one of the biggest money mistakes you never want to make. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What are you doing to be best in class? What's your curriculum toward success? Why wouldn't you create your own personal MBA to achieve your goals? If you did, what would you study? Today we're going to help you sharpen the saw by welcoming Josh Kaufman, author of the Personal MBA, a book that came out 10 years ago (and now has a new 10th anniversary edition), but is even more meaningful today than it was then. Build more skills and you'll be rewarded with far more Benjamins... Plus, during our headlines segment, we'll feature TWO stories about borrowers either having their student loan debt erased or who were suing to have it expelled. We'll ask attorney Leslie Tayne her thought about whether these rulings will open up opportunities for YOU to discharge your student loans. We'll finish out today's show with one big question: do you tell your kids either your net worth or your total investments? We asked the same question to our SB Basement Facebook group, and received a range of responses. We'll share not only our own, but a nice range of parent responses during our segment. As always, Doug will also get the spotlight during the halftime. On the menu for today? Fantasy Trivia! (I went into this one blind and I'm proud to say I actually got this one right.)  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Would you cut birthday parties, holiday get-togethers, attending work events, or giving gifts? How much would you cut to live a financially lean "simple life"? One Reddit user has taken these steps (and more!) in an attempt to stay on course. After our special surprise celebrity reader delivers today's piece, we'll ask our roundtable for their thoughts. Has lean living gone too far? Is financial independence worth these sacrifices? Today we are joined by Olympic gold-medalist turned financial planner, Lauryn Williams; comedian and host of the Crazy Money podcast, Paul Ollinger; and the guy you know and love - Len Penzo of the LenPenzo.com blog. Halfway through the show we'll take a break from our discussion while Joe rings up Zach Pettet. The last time we talked to Zach was when he was on stage on behalf of Fountain City Fintech during our Stacking Benjamins Live Tour. Today, Zach has his own podcast examining the world of fintech: For Fintech's Sake. During the segment, we'll poke Zach's brain to find out where the world of fintech is at now, AND ask what's in store for the future of fintech. During our MagnifyMoney call, we'll give some advice to an anonymous caller who is interested in investing. While she doesn't have enough extra cash to buy whole stocks, she could buy fractional shares. Because E-Trade doesn't offer fractional shares, our caller would have to open an account with another firm. Any advice? What good brokerage firms offer fractional shares? Is this even a good idea at all? Plus during Doug's trivia gameshow, we'll celebrate the U.S. Air Force's 73rd birthday. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How I Built This. It's the case-study story that Guy Raz, creator and host of NPR's How I Built This podcast, has been told many times. Today we'll flip the script on Guy and ask him: what led him to build his hit podcast? We don't stop there, we'll also get inside Guy's head and ask about some of the common themes among the stories he's heard. We'll ask about business as war, fear, building loyal fans, and what drives these founders...often "normal" people, toward success? Plus, thinking about leaving this all behind the hot moment that countries begin accepting American passports? During our headlines segment, we'll share a list that already has my vote for the best title of 2020: 4 tropical places you can live well for less than 2000 dollars. (Anyone else working remotely bookmarking this)? In our second piece: has the college education model finally met its match? Welcome to Google's newest venture: higher education. Google's new certificate program can be completed in just about six months, and at a fraction of the cost of a traditional college. Ka-ching! While large companies are already signing on to honor the certificate, we won't know its true value until we collect some solid data on the hiring rates of graduates. Later, during our Haven Life Line, Francisco calls in with a question about expense ratios. Would switching from a high-to-low expense ratio account be a good move? Does that answer change for tax-advantaged accounts? Of course, there will still be time for Doug's trivia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How many times have you lost and thought, "I'm going to learn to do better the next time, so I win." What did you learn specifically from losing? Author Mary Pilon asked the same question and put together an anthology on stories about epic losses that shines a spotlight on the struggle involved trying to reach the top of anything. If you're inspired--like we are--by stories of other's struggle so we don't feel so alone, you're going to be super excited listening to Mary share a few epic stories from the book. Next, has Robinhood finally attracted its share of regulator attention? During our headlines, we'll recap the numerous reasons why you shouldn't use Robinhood for your investing. Plus, in our second piece, are you heading to retirement disaster by underestimating your life expectancy? During the Haven Life Line, we'll take a question about short-term investing from Matt. He's currently in college, and looking to invest $2000 for a couple of year. Where's the best Matt can invest his money? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the happiest podcast on earth? Do you know where we stole that catchphrase from? If you do, you just might be a product of marketing. Companies spend millions of dollars each year trying to get you to remember their brand. Today we'll prove just how much we remember marketing with a game show episode where we slightly change the brand slogans and see if our roundtable participants (OG, Paula and Len) can come up with them. How many can you get right? ...and is that a good thing? Plus, halfway through the show, insurance company Hippo and home security firm Simplisafe join us to talk about a new study talking about home insecurity. With the pandemic, the average person feels less secure about their home life. As a response, they've also teamed up with a new partnership. We'll share details about the study and the partnership on today's show. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What happened to the sharing economy? The new work model promised to give workers flexibility and new income streams, while people with excess could share what they had with people looking for help. What it turned into is a different matter: lots of people earning below minimum wage, an over-saturation of workers all competing for the same prime hours, and headline-making lawsuits from companies looking to minimize their responsibility to workers. These are all things new gig workers can expect when joining the new "gig" field. Today we chat with Juliet Schor, author of the new best-selling book, After The Gig. During our interview Juliet will share the business strategies that kick-started the shift in direction large gig and sharing companies made, how gig workers don't know how much they're truly making, and we'll also dive into possible solutions to the gig economy's current problems. In our headlines segment, we'll ask, "Why half of the millennial generation have canceled their travel credit cards?" Plus, Fidelity is now offering their first Bitcoin fund. Should you pay any attention? We'll finish out the show with our Haven Life Line. Retired clergyman Bill calls in asking if he can really take out a tax-free housing disbursement from his 403b if the money was made through clergy work.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever wish you had better habits? Whether you're not getting out of bed for that morning run, or you stay up too late before an important meeting in the morning, or you can't stop breaking the budget - we've all asked ourselves, "why did I do that AGAIN?" Dr. Joseph Cardillo, best-selling author of multiple books on the intersection of mindfulness and health not only knows the answer to that, he's sharing the solution on today's show! In his new book, 12 Rules of Attention, Dr. Cardillo goes through easy-to-follow steps on how you can stop bad habits in their tracks, AND how to trick your brain into establishing habits that'll make you a superstar in whatever area of your life you wish to improve. Brittany Spears is back in the news. In our headlines segment we'll review how her father has served as her conservator for twelve years (taking care of Spears' money), and now the pop star wants him out. So, what does it mean to have a conservator? How can someone make sure everything is on the up-and-up? We'll share that and recall one famous conservator horror story which saw one extremely rich widow fight homelessness. Plus, what's a headlines segment without talking about money and video games? Today we'll also cover the beef between Apple and Epic Games. It's...wait for it...pretty....epic. We'll also throw out the Haven Life line today to listener Swaggenit, who was notified by Turbotax that because he already contributes to his 401k, he won't receive any tax benefit for his IRA. He asks: because he doesn't receive a tax advantage now and he's contributing post-tax money, will the money be tax-free when he withdraws it? Is there a good reason to keep contributing to his IRA? As always, we'll of course save some time for Doug's trivia, who's keeping his Independence Day questions going strong. Enjoy!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The one and only Scott Alan Turner from Financial Rockstar podcast joins the fun this week. He, Len Penzo and Joe tackle financial insecurity, mortgages and horrible Valentine's gifts. Also, we're ending our Rewind week with some pretty special segments. Check out our original show notes below: At the halfway point we have a great visit with Thomas Smyth from AskTrim.com about his new app. Trim dives into your accounts to find forgotten subscriptions you're paying and unsubscribes you (if you wish). AS IF that's not enough, we're excited at the end of the episode to share some time with the star of SoFi's new Super Bowl commercial, Brandon Williams. We'll talk about the experience and his investing passion - real estate. That’s it for this week of rewinds! Coming Monday: We’ll chat with Dr. Joseph Cardillo, author of 12 Rules of Attention: How to Avoid Screw-ups, Free Up Headspace, Do More and Be More at Work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does your financial dream house look like? Financial planner Greg Powell says that he always has trouble convincing people to complete a financial plan because it sounds like a ton of work. But a financial dream house? That’s a much easier sell, and he’s going to help you sell yourself on that concept in today’s episode. We’ll talk about where investments fit into the overall structure (not as far up the priority list as you’d think), how to work through building your “plans,” and then how to build a team that effectively helps you finally create the “structure” of the house. Happy Hump Day! We're keeping our rewind week going strong with today's show featuring our time with Greg Powell. We thought his unique approach to financial planning was interesting then, and we think it's interesting now. Also from our original show notes: On the Haven Life line, Garrett asks about company stock inside of his 401k. Should he dump it? If you have company stock inside of YOUR 401k, this’ll be helpful for you…and if you own LOTS of one company’s stock, you’ll also like this segment. We also answer a letter from Andrew, who wonders about his target date fund. As you know (if you’ve listened to us before), we’ve been pretty critical of target date funds. What is his next best move? Do YOU have a target date fund? Maybe today’s letter segment will help you, too! Of course we have Doug’s trivia, some bad jokes, and lots more…. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Most of us have been at home a lot more than normal, which led us to realize that this week may be high time for a discussion about "stuff." Too many of us have too much clutter. Clutter not just in our house, but in our minds, in our thoughts, and in our goals. That's why today's episode is super important to us. Happy rewind week! While Joe and OG are hanging up at the beach sipping mojitos (okay, maybe not really), I’m turning back the clock to visit some of our favorite past interviews. We're kicking this week off strong with one of our favorite interviews in the catalogue: Vicki Robin, author of bestselling book, Your Money or Your Life. You can read our original show notes below: Why are you saving money? How much joy are you receiving from that “stuff” you own? You may rethink your financial plan after today’s show, because our guest is the co-author of the HUGE bestselling book, Your Money or Your Life. Vicki Robin helped shape the financial independence/retire early movement, and she’s on her way down to the basement today to talk to us about re-examining your beliefs around your life and your money. Your money or your life, indeed. In our headlines segment we’ll talk about student loans with Robert Farrington from The College Investor. He’ll talk about how over 3,000 people just took part in an event to pay off a TON of student loan debt. We’ll share best practices, how best to apply to lower interest rates on your debt, and how to pay them down in a way that makes sense for your situation. We’ll also discuss the new SEC proposed fiduciary rule. Is THIS finally the rule we’ve been looking for? Will it replace the mostly knocked-down rule from the Department of Labor? We’ll review the rule and discuss what you need to know about it on today’s show. Plus, we throw out the Haven Life line to Karen, who’s contributing to a brand spankin’ new health savings account. How should she best use it? We’ll share how these plans work on today’s show. We’ll also answer another listener letter, throw out Doug’s trivia question, and watch him try to juggle….one ball. Thanks to MagnifyMoney.com for sponsoring Stacking Benjamins as well. MagnifyMoney.com saves users on average $450 when they compare, ditch, switch and save on credit cards, student loan refinancing, checking, savings and more. Check out MagnifyMoney.com for your savings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Big houses, fast cars, and flashy boats... are we all destined to hit the "what do I really want with life anyway" crisis? While everyone's therapy comes in different forms, does it have to mean burning obscene amounts of cash budgeted for things like, "life savings" just to reclaim your life? On today's show we'll share what YOU can do when you're second guessing your goals and your life's direction...so that you can keep the sportscar money in your pocket. Helping us out on the roundtable today is Kathe Kline, from the Rock Your Retirement podcast, Paula Pant from Afford Anything, and OG. Plus, we're helped today by our special celebrity reader: Tom Schwab, founder and CEO of Interview Valet. We're happy to have him reading our focus piece today! Curious about what your friends and other influential people you follow are investing in? After our discussion on making sure your mid-life crisis doesn't turn into a disaster, we'll ring up Katie Perry, VP of social investing platform Public. We'll round out the show with a question from Martin, who's interested in house hacking. Martin is 17 doesn't have much cash to throw around. He asks: what can he do to have his cash work for him? So far he's been reading up on stocks in the Motley Fool, but what else could he be doing? And of course with it being Friday... we'll make some time for Doug's game show.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does it take to work as a Hollywood designer for major rock and roll bands? Lindsay Hearts started with a sewing machine at age 16, worked her way up to fashion week in New York, and finally decided it was time to make a move to reach her dream: creating a brand of her own in LA. She moved west with the goal of NOT working for someone else, but to build her own business. Today we'll hear her inspiring story, plus how she's helped out during the time of COVID, how she manages a team, and much more. While interest rates remain near all-time lows, the cost to actually refinance just got more expensive. We'll share that during our headlines segment, and also dive into the "fun" happening at Eastman Kodak. What does that have to do with your money? Maybe more than you think. Of course, we'll still throw out the Haven Life line AND we'll also share some of Doug's amazing trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Charles Duhigg is a guy who knows a lot about habits. His book on the topic was on the New York Times bestseller list forever, his second book is also a bestseller, and now he has a new podcast called "How To!" that talks about the habits needed to perform specific tasks. Want to be funnier? Lose weight? Get a promotion? He covers it. Today we cover HIM and the topic of habits on today's episode! Also today we ask the question, "How much skill is involved when a day trader wins?" Apparently, according to a recent piece, the statistics ain't good (as mom says). We'll cover that in our headlines segment, plus what Amazon plans to do with the huge stores left behind by Sears and JCPenny. Of course, they have plans... We'll also throw out the Haven Life line to Brock, who writes in with a dilemma on student loans. He's running low on funds to pay for college, but he has about $3,500 invested in the stock market. Should Brock take out subsidized loans, or cash in some of his investments? We'll share our answer with you AND him, AND save time for some of Doug's delicious trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re super happy to present to you this year’s Plutus Award finalists. There are 30 categories this year and you’ll hear ALL of the commentary about these awards plus the complete rundown. Joining us for the award presentation are Harlan Landes, creator of the Plutus Awards, and Miranda Marquit from Planting Money Seeds AND Plutus Awards director. For the commentary roundtable, we welcome the author of Mindful Millionaire, Leisa Peterson, the woman behind the Fioneers blog, Jess, and Mr. Do You Even Blog, Pete McPherson. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How can you become better with money? The good news: it's simple! The bad news? Just like anything else it will require a bit of work. Lucky for you, we're covering some of our favorite exercises (call them whatever you want if the word "exercise" isn't doing it for you) to make you better with your money. On that note, we want to give a big thanks to Eric and Kali Roberge for today's piece! Eric wrote it on the Beyond Your Hammock blog, and Kali has so nicely agreed to be our celebrity reader. To tackle the topic, this week's roundtable guests include Natalie Torres-Haddad, author of Financially Savvy in 20 minutes, Len Penzo from the LenPenzo.com blog, and OG from our very own podcast. Taking vacation could be hard enough BEFORE most of us started to work from home. Either from company culture, a disorganized office, or simply grinding to pull ahead of the pack - there are a ton of reasons people don't feel comfortable asking for time off. Now you can add working from home and becoming virtually connected to the office all day to your list of problems. What's an employee to do? Helping us navigate the new waters is our (not so physically) near and dear friend, Suzanne Lucas from the Evil HR Lady blog. We'll finish the show with our MagnifyMoney segment. Kelvin calls in with what he admits is a great problem to have: him and his wife are set and well on the way to early retirement if they choose to do so. Now the problem... how in the world do they get out of the hustle and save mindset? Once someone "makes" it, how do they start enjoying their money? Of course, halfway through the show we'll carve out some time for Doug's game show trivia.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Looking to save more cash, but don't know where to look? Today we welcome Dan Ariely, Chief Behavioral Economist with Qapital, and professor and expert on psychology and behavioral economics at Duke University. According to Dan, the best strategy may not necessarily be about adding more cash to your bottom line but reprioritizing the money you already have. Instead of trying to out-earn your spending habits, realign your focus to make the cash you earn go further for you each week. Plus, every week it seems like another online bank cuts their rate and super-savers are upset at the loss of "free cash." During our headlines, we'll discuss why recent rate drops shouldn't be the end of the world AND we'll also cover the reasons behind a recent surge in new accounts with robo-advisors. When it comes to saving your cash, should you stack more Benjamins in your wedding fund or your IRA? Our anonymous caller lets us know that he's putting away $1000 a month for his wedding, but only $500 into his Roth. He won't have any extra cash available when he becomes eligible to contribute to his 401k. Our caller asks: should he pull back on his wedding savings? Of course, we'll save some time for Doug's trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We talk often on the show about growth-oriented investments, but what if you wanted higher income-paying tools for your portfolio? Will Rhind, CEO of GraniteShares, is a guy who knows income, his HIPS ETF is specifically engineered to create high income streams. Today we'll talk with Will about many of the different types of investments that go into his ETF. We'll dive into how they work, what could make income streams expand and contract, and also what could make an income-producing portfolio volatile. Also, because his background is also in commodities, we'll ask him about gold in a portfolio and his view of current markets. Plus, have you been giving out your social security number in exchange for free cruise trips? Admittedly that may not seem like such an attractive offer in the current environment, but non-cruise related financial scams are on the rise. From pyramid schemes to nefarious bank activity, you'll find yourself double-checking you finances after listening to today's headlines. During our Haven Life Line we'll answer a question from Derek, who is wondering if he should switch to his company's workplace health plan. He says the workplace health insurance seems worse than what he already has. Is there any reason to switch? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Here's a shock (or not....): LOTS of people are feeling stress right now - so if you're feeling overwhelmed, you aren't alone. Admittedly there aren't answers for everything, but that doesn't mean it's time to throw priorities, goals, and self-care out the window. In the words of Lin Manuel's Arron Burr: "I am the one thing in life I can control." (Thanks J.D. Roth, for reminding me there's a Hamilton line for everything!) During today's show, we'll ask our roundtable: when life becomes stressful, what's your emergency plan to take back the reins? How do you get life back on track? A big thanks to our contributors today: CFP Katie Brewer from Your Richest Life, Len Penzo from the LenPenzo.com blog, and Paula Pant from the Afford Anything podcast. Another special thanks to today's celebrity reader: Jason Vitug. You can find more from Jason at his site JasonVitug.com Halfway through the show we'll give our roundtable a break while Joe rings up Kelly Lannan, VP of Young Investors at Fidelity. The financial company has released a new investing app, Fidelity Inspire, and is designed to help young adults plan, save, and invest for their financial goals. We'll dive into all the different offerings and features the app brings during our interview with Kelly. After our fintech segment we'll keep Doug's Friday gameshow going strong. Tune in to see who wins it this week! We'll finish off today's show with an all-too real question posed to Peter Dunn: when your adult kid is laid off and needs help paying the bills, what do you do? We'll ask our roundtable for their take before rolling the end credits.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if you could talk about inflation in a way that actually hit home? Today we'll do just that by diving into the cost of a brown bag lunch sandwich. What does a sandwich cost? How has the price changed over time? Len Penzo has been comparing the prices of brown bag sandwiches for twelve years, and for seven of those we've been tracking it on the show with him. Today's show is one long-time fans will know and love, and one that we hope our new listeners won't miss... it's our annual fan-favorite: the Len Penzo Sandwich Survey. How much has the cost of making classic sandwiches increased year over year? What sandwich gets you the most bite for your buck? We'll compare baloney, PB&J, turkey and swiss, the BLT, and more. Plus, is your neighborhood restaurant going to stay a little quieter for good? During our headlines segment of the show, we'll dive into a piece detailing how more than half of businesses that closed on Yelp during the pandemic are shutting their doors permanently. In our second piece, Jim from the Route to Retire blog has found his Panama retirement dream ending sooner than expected after the pandemic hit. What should you do if you find your retirement going off track during YEAR ONE? Later in the show, instead of answering a listener voicemail during the Haven Life Line, we'll use a blog piece covering what financial information you should have learned so far in 2020. This year has been full of lessons, and you'll want to make sure you haven't missed any. As always, we'll make sure and save some time for Doug's trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sure, financial planners work with people, but many only work with you ONCE you have your act together and you're ready to begin working on big-money problems. What do you do if you're just learning how to set up a budget, get out of credit card debt, or save systematically? Today we'll tackle all of that with Rebecca Wiggins, the executive director of the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education, on how financial coaches (not financial advisors...that's something else!) help people like you set up a better financial life. Plus, we don't know if you've looked lately at gold prices...but if not, BAM! It's through the roof. Should you buy some? In our headlines segment, we'll share a piece that Joe and OG just might agree with on the topic.... Also, LSU football star Joe Burrows has become a rich man after signing an NFL deal. However, this star says that he only plans to live off endorsements... and his dad says Joe can finally get out of his parent's basement. (Looks like Joe should have thought twice before signing a cash-packed contract). Is living in a basement bad? Should Burrows think twice before saving all that money? We'll have some answers and takeaways today. After we break for Doug's trivia today, we'll finish up the show with the Haven Life Line. When the wealthy in-laws want to help finance your new house, do you take their money? How can you accept large sums of money without big tax implications? Should you accept a 6-figure gift from parents? We'll cover it all for Jim, who wrote in with his VERY first-world dilemma.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ah, the simple life. With all of the chaos in the world, how do we get back to basics? Today our roundtable crew are going to help you reboot, rejuvenate, and revive your live with ideas from a recent blog post about 30 tips for simple living. We'll talk about everything from diet and exercise to reading more often. That'll help you focus better, feel stronger longer, and most importantly (for our show, anyway), Stack More Benjamins. Plus, during our Friday FinTech segment, we'll speak to Jesse Meacham, creator of You Need a Budget, or YNAB, as fans of the software call it. While you may be familiar with YNAB, have you heard the origin story of this groundbreaking system? Jesse will walk Joe through the early years and how YNAB works to help more people keep better track of their money. Of course, we'll still save time for Doug's amazing trivia. Would you like a sheet to begin working on our favorite tips? Joe's mom has made an accountability sheet! Just head to stackingbenjamins.com/simpleliving. That way you can get started on actually implementing what you heard! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you make the topic of money actually fun? That's the question the Singleton Foundation asked, and CEO Shelly Miles and Executive Producer Lisa Freberg join us today to explain how they pulled it off. They not only found talented creators to bring together a video channel that resembles Netflix for money nerds, but they also thought deeply about exactly how to turn each story into a longer discussion. Today we'll talk about how they've made money discussions compelling, fun, and best of all, habit-changing. Big news happened recently in mutual fund land. Vanguard is throwing in the towel on one of its products. Plus, as they attempt to tread water, colleges have turned to mass layoffs. What does that mean for the college experience? We'll share our thoughts. And in today's Haven Life Line call, Seth has some business debt to pay off. He'd expected to make enough money on the side to pay it off but that hasn't happened. So instead, he plans to use his W2 income to wipe it out. Should he approach it like regular debt and pay off the highest interest loans first? ...and of course, we'll save time for some of Doug's "working like a dog" trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are we focused too much on being liked? From the workplace to our personal lives, most of us don't want to be the person who rocks the boat. Go with the flow, right? Antarctic expedition leader Rachael Robertson says that approach to leadership (or even following) couldn't be more wrong. An honest - yes that means having tough conversations! - workplace is more constructive than an office focused on making sure everyone is getting along every day. Plus, remember the 401k article going around suggesting a 401k plan doesn't make much sense anymore for savers? Yeah... hope you didn't immediately pull out your entire retirement fund after reading that because we're covering that topic today and may have a different opinion. During the Haven Life Line, how can Shawn figure out the right allocation for his portfolio? Should he go 90% stock, even 100%? When it's time to retire, how does Shawn pull out his cash? He's in his early 50s and think he has enough Benjamins to retire soon. As always, we'll also make sure and save some time for Doug's trivia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Treat yo' self! It's a wonderful concept with one big downside: the phrase "treat yo' self" often means burning a big stack of cash on retail therapy. Don't get me - we're human, and we've all had those days ending with an oh-so-cathartic impulse buy of computer parts and beef jerky (too specific?). BUT self-care doesn't necessarily mean spending money. With a lack of Benjamins being one of the leading stressors among U.S. adults, taking control of your money can be one of the most effective self-care methods available. While it may not provide the instant dopamine-infused gratification jolt, becoming a master of your finances will hand you a more fulfilled life without snowballing debt, revolving credit, or phone calls from debt collectors. Being able to tap your card for the occasional splurge without worry about going into the red is nice, too. Have a garage full of tools or wondering how to finish your next project? After our discussion on self-care, we'll take a break from the roundtable while Joe rings up Stefan Cordova from borrowing site FriendWithA.com. If there's one feeling even more ubiquitous than impulse buying a soda in the check-out line, it's tearing into a new home project only to realize that you don't have the right tools to finish the job. Stefan's idea aims to solve that. Everyday people (yes, like you and me), can put stuff up for rent that other people may need, and the people in need get to rent what THEY need without paying sticker price for a one time project. After we finish up our interview with Stefan, we'll crank up the music during Doug's gameshow turned trivia segment, where this week we quiz our roundtable on Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson in celebration of his birthday next week. Just how many octaves does ole Bruce have in him? We'll then round out the show by asking our roundtable: what song best describes your financial life? Thank you to the awesome contributors who made today's roundtable happen! This week's contributors include Stephanie McCullough from Sofia Financial, Len Penzo from the LenPenzo.com blog, and OG from our very own podcast.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Think it's impossible to make a million dollars working a blue-collar job? Millionaire and former ditch-digger Ken Rusk might have something to say about. For decades, the college experience has been pushed as THE prioritized option for high school graduates, but with the student debt crisis becoming worse year after year should you look elsewhere? Today, Ken Rusk will show you how forgoing the college route doesn't mean you're giving up your chance of financial independence...and it just might enhance it. It may only be Wednesday, but TGIF? Sofi is now offering an ETF that... wait for it... pays you every Friday. Sound familiar? You can check out our headlines from Monday's show if you're curious about what happened with two other investments promising some quick cash. Listen closely for just how much BIG money you'll receive every week in this new fund. Cha-ching. Plus, no Haven Life Line for today! Instead, Gertrude (from our Facebook Basement group) posed this question to our members: what's YOUR side hustle? We got a bunch of feedback and we can't cover everything, but we'll share a few of our favorite responses. Even with no voicemail, we'll always save time for some of Doug's trivia, who's going classic finance with today's question.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever thought, "Maybe I should be SPENDING more money?" Our guest today thinks that maybe you should re-examine how you're living. Bill Perkins, poker star and energy trader, says that investors have too much of their mindset set on the future, and not enough energy focused on the now of life. We'll discuss over-saving, being TOO frugal, and actually spending your money on today's episode. Plus, how does an ETF that literally pays YOU to invest not gain enough attention to take off? It turns out...that free might not actually mean better. Weird, huh? We'll cover what went wrong with this ETF and others like it, during today's headlines. In our second segment, we'll cover the results of a financial retirement report showing nearly half of all retirees have to make big spending cuts after 5 years. Here's a reminder: when you're planning for retirement, your cash has to last you through ALL of retirement. During the Haven Life Line we'll take a voicemail from Jenny, who wants to know the differences between a value fund and a growth fund. How can you tell one from another, and which is better? Should a portfolio include both funds for diversification? Are there different uses for each fund? Does the amount of time until retirement matter for picking a fund type? In the spirit of Bill Perkins, we'll also save some time for Doug's gambling-themed trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FIRE, FIRE, FIRE! While we'll never disparage the basic goals of the #FIRE movement: becoming financially secure and having the option to retire early, we still have to ask the question, "Is fully subscribing to FIRE lifestyle naive?" Are we putting too much emphasis on the "Retire Early," and too little on "Financial Independence"? We ask our contributors: is it time to put the fire out? Our awesome roundtable team today includes: Don McDonald from the Talking Real Money podcast, Paula Pant from the Afford Anything podcast, and our very own OG. Plus, are you wondering how to teach your kids about money? Do you know someone (maybe YOU) that needs foundational knowledge about how finances work? After our FIRE discussion we'll take a break from the roundtable to introduce the new Stacking Benjamins Money Club! Aaron Velky from Ortus Academy is our head instructor at the Money Club, and he joins us to share how it all works. When we swing things back around to our roundtable, we'll break out the results of our question to the parents in our audience: how are you with finances and your children? Do you open the whole book to your kids? Do you give them basic financial advice? We'll see what the parents had to say PLUS hear a thing or two from our roundtable with their personal strategies.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are we focused on the wrong priorities when it comes to elder care? While physical care is important, should our healthcare focus change to put more consideration on the emotional needs of our elders? Today we welcome Anne Basting to learn about how her strategies have been changing the eldercare experience for both healthcare workers AND families. The results are amazing and the methods she recommends aren't only easy to implement, but they solve many issues in elder care as it's currently presented. Plus, looking for a safe place to save your money? During our headlines we'll share all the reasons why investors are mistakenly pulling their money out of American markets and placing it in the last place you'd probably imagine. In our second piece we'll dive into an article covering how Richard Branson moved past some of his failed businesses. During the Haven Life line we'll take a question from Adam, who is investing for his kid's college fund. The cash is currently in a target date fund, and Adam is looking for some advice on how he can pull the money out when it's time. OG gives some great advice here on how you can transition from an all-stock plan to a safe cash-fund all by the time the kids graduate high school. As always, we'll save some time for Doug's trivia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Golfing, RV life, fishing, board games (of course), and a cushy portfolio... what else is there to retirement? It turns out: there's still a bunch! Not to worry though, today we're throwing our special guest out into the rain and instead delivering a feature-length discussion on every little thing you need to consider BEFORE retirement. Plus, what's going on with the national coin shortage we've been hearing about everywhere? And why are financial advisors reporting having a hard time selling software? During our headlines we'll cover how social distancing has caused a coin shortage across the country, and also exposed how advisors may be approaching their business with the wrong focus. Plus in our Haven Life Line, Mat's employer is stopping the 401k match. Mat is thinking about taking that money and moving it over to an IRA for more flexibility, do we have any thoughts on this? Turns out... Joe and OG have a few different ideas than Mat expected for his money. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

All that we hear about when we read financial pieces about hiring advisors is, "Ask about the fees," and "Hire a Fee Only Advisor." Sadly, the former and current advisor who operate this podcast know it isn't that easy. There are fee only advisors who are morons and a cheap fee means nothing if you find zero value in your "low fee" advice. So what SHOULD you ask? Today we gather together some of our favorite pros to ask them. What questions SHOULD people ask (but don't)? What should people look for in a good advisor? What are the things you should expect a good advisor to actually do for you? When is the right time to hire an advisor? We'll ask these and many more questions of Dana Anspach from Sensible Money, The Retirement Answer Man, Roger Whitney, and our very own OG. But that's not all. We're excited to hear today about one of the hottest companies in FinTech, SoLo Funds. Travis Holoway joins us on today's show to talk about lending made easy for people who traditionally struggle to find funding to make ends meet. Whether you're a lender or borrower, you'll want to hear about this company. Of course, we'll save time for the MagnifyMoney question AND ask our team of experts to weigh in on our weekly trivia question. That AND more on today's show! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What's worse than having a bunch of money? Having bunches of money and not knowing why you have it, or what joy it would bring...if any. So if you have no plan, what's waiting at the end of the rat race? Can there be more to riches than a bulky 401k, a big house, and of course... stuff? Today we'll invite a woman who is a Mindful Millionaire, Leisa Peterson. We'll discuss why for many the conventional path to wealth is an empty journey and how to set yourself on a much more fruitful financial journey. How's your 401k doing? Good news: not many people made trades in their workplace accounts in the second quarter (after a record-setting first quarter of moves). The bad news? The moves that people DID make were generally not what you'd hope for, if you're looking for good long term results. Plus, the US House of Representatives is trying to block the Securities and Exchange Commission from allowing hedge funds in your 401k plan. What does that mean? Are we for that or against? OG and Joe will have a nice discussion about it...or maybe even a little disagreement on the subject. Of course, that's not all. We'll give Doug enough time to share some amazing trivia AND we'll also throw out the Haven Life line to Rich, even though he's from Ohio.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What are the secrets behind great innovation? Whether in your work life - like creating a system to streamline mornings at the office - or your personal life, innovation has affected everything around you. But where do great ideas come from? Beyond simply coming up with new ideas, does innovation takes a willful, focused effort to succeed? What exactly are the steps needed to create the perfect environment for innovation? Sharing his secrets today on how to create a better (and more lucrative) future is TED speaker, commentator, and author of The Rational Optimist and The Evolution of Everything, Matt Ridley. In his newest book, How Innovation works, Matt shares how the history of innovation has shaped the world, covers many of the circumstances that made innovation possible, and outlines some pretty good guesses on what's coming to our world in the future. Plus, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy has been making the rounds in the headlines for encouraging investors to "buy, buy, buy!" Dave claims making money in the market is beyond easy. To see if he agrees, we'll ring up Brian Barnes, the CEO of M1 Finance. While we have Brian on the line, we'll also ask about him the current day-trading mania, and if "winning" is really as easy as people online try to make it seem. In our other headline of the day, why are Vanguard and State Street holding out on the newest ETF craze to hit the market? Should everyday investors be just as wary? During our discussion on the new financial product known as ANTs (active nontransparent ETFs), we'll touch on the true issue behind the active vs. passive debate, the usefulness of having a technological, research-driven, approach to investing, AND the golden question: can you really outperform the market? We'll round out the show with a... I hesitate to use the term "question" here. (You'll see what I mean when you get there.) During the Haven Life Line Adam does asks us: why do people keep making the same financial mistakes over and over again when there's over a century of market data? Adam covers a bunch of great points that we mostly agree with, but we do get to hear one of OG's evolving theories. While I also hesitate to endorse Doug's segment today for personal reasons, we also give him some airtime for his donut-themed trivia.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Save more than you spend, don't take on a mountain of debt, live below your means... they're all phrases that the financially-savvy among us might take for granted, but let's be honest. Most of us didn't start out that way. Today we ask our contributors: what are some money lessons you had to learn the hard way? On today's show we'll hear some sage advice from Jen Smith (from the Frugal Friends podcast), Doc G (from the Earn & Invest podcast), and Len Penzo... of LenPenzo.com. A special thanks to David Bakke from MoneyCrashers.com for reading today's featured piece. After our discussion on life lessons, we'll ring up Angelo Poli from the health and fitness gurus at Metpro. Even though COVID may be keeping you from your local gym, Angelo will share some great financially-minded tips on how you can still maintain your health at home without breaking the budget. PLUS, we're answering some questions listeners left for Angelo in the Stacking Benjamins Facebook group. By the way, if YOU want to be involved next time, you can join us here: The Basement Later, our contributors will weigh in on our Twitter poll: for people who were formerly bad with money, what inspired you to change? Just like in our title segment, you'll find that some super-savers have always had a special affection for finances, but others (talking about me here), have come to terms with their bad habits a little differently. As always, we'll save some time for Doug's Friday Gameshow. Hope you enjoy it as much as we had fun making it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is your job going bye-bye? Today's guest says, "Probably." But how do you succeed in an economy that seems structured against you? On today's show, we're excited to have a deep conversation with the co-founder of NPR's Planet Money and the creator of the new Passion Economy podcast, Adam Davidson. We'll touch on what the future of technology means for you, for the economy, and how our current economic situation is "more of the same" or "different" than the country's last two big downturns... and how you can STILL do what you love in an economy that's constantly changing. Plus, why in the world are people investing in bankruptcies? Is the Hertz stock fiasco ringing a bell? During our headlines we'll explain how the concept behind "knowing just enough to hurt yourself" caused amateur investors to lose their Benjamins. Later we'll throw out the Haven Life Line to Dave, who has been laid off this year. Dave and his spouse were previously unable to contribute to a Roth, but they're now eligible. Dave is thinking they should convert their traditional IRA over to a Roth and he wants to know our thoughts.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As we round the 4th of July holiday, we've all celebrated George Washington as the first President of the United States, the general who lead the Continental Army against the British, and the second or third most popular character in the Broadway play "Hamilton." However, did you ever think of George Washington as an entrepreneur? Economist John Berlau has thought about that AND how Washington's entrepreneurship aspirations molded both his vision as a future leader, and our country. Today he's with us to share stories from Washington's life, including how he became an entrepreneur, and some of his most prominent contributions to our country. If you're a history fan, entrepreneur, or just someone who wants to learn how the best-and-brightest made their way, today's show is for you. Of course, that's not all. We'll discuss the recent issues with the economy and your 401(k) plan. It turns out that you can still become a 401(k) millionaire. There's no need to get overly creative with your financial plan. That'll be good news for most of us. Plus, we'll talk estate planning. When someone chooses you to manage their affairs when they pass away, what should you do? For some of you we'll preview our best tips, and for everyone else, we'll share what you should think about when choosing an executor or contingent trustee. Don't know those terms? We'll even share what that means on today's show for no charge! Of course, we also save time for Doug's fireworks, including his trivia AND incredible wit. It's a kick-butt first show back for the SB team, and we're glad you're hanging out with us. Check out the show notes for ALL of the links in today's show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Should you have an exit strategy for the stock market? In this rewind episode Paula Pant and Len Penzo go head-to-head with their own personal strategies. Also, during the Fintech segment we interviewed Kyle Robertson, co-creator of the now discontinued Lemon app. While you won't be getting your hands on Lemon, our discussion still serves as a great introduction to taking charge of your finances with the help of financial tools. You can read the original show notes below: It’s WAR in the basement today, as Len Penzo (LenPenzo.com) and Paula Pant (AffordAnything) square off about exit strategies. Should you think about selling if the market tanks but you haven’t yet reached your goal? We’ll talk about that for a LONG part of today’s super-sized show….but that’s not all. We also have other topics and the usual hilarity. At the halfway point, in the FinTech spotlight we talk to Kyle Robertson, the co-creator of the Lemon app (Lemon.co), about how his expense and money tracking app works. Not only does it show you how you’re spending money, but it’ll provide helpful data and tips so you can manage your money better in the future. Thanks to MagnifyMoney for sponsoring our podcast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There have been plenty of retirement headlines shared online lately. While many of these articles share some great grounding advice, we've also seen a fair share of "scare" headlines as well. With that in mind we hand-picked today's rewind episode to dispel retirement fears you may have picked up the last couple of months. You can read our original show notes below: Retirement planning is all about starting early and planning well, which is why we’re excited author Emily Guy Birken (Choose Your Retirement) joins us in the basement to share her top 5 retirement myths. That’s not all we do on this show, though. OG & Joe share headlines about “smart beta” and the ROI of a college education. We take your letters about life insurance and improving your credit score….and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rewind Week! Throughout the week we'll replay some of our favorite shows from the past. We're kicking Monday off with an interview we've had plenty of compliments on. Newer listeners will appreciate this one, and older listeners will find Annie Duke's interview refreshingly timely. Our original show notes are below. Do you think you make the best decisions under most circumstances? Today’s guest will tell you that if you don’t have all of the information, the more adamant you are about your point of view, the easier you are to “beat.” Annie Duke was a professional poker player for 20 years, winning many top tier professional tournaments and taking on the best decision makers alive. Equally as important, she brings her academic career in cognitive psychology to bear on decision making that can help you with everything from your investments to your career and more. In our headlines segment, parents are spending TONS of money on their children’s extracurricular activities. Beyond avoiding vacations or planning vacations around some of our people, some parents are stopping contributions to their retirement and not putting money in college funds…just for extracurriculars. We’ll talk about what harm this does (and maybe have some surprising points of view) on today’s show. Plus, it looks like 5% interest rates on mortgages may be right around the corner. Currently, the average interest rate stands at 4.5%. What would a 5% rate do to the financial markets and to your debt load? A recent piece discusses all the different ways we’d be affected overall by higher and higher rates. We’ll of course have more from the world of financial planning, throw out the Haven Life line to lucky listener Ethan, who wonders about market cap weightings for indexes. Why do people invest in indexes that are weighted heavily toward the biggest components? We also answer a letter from John, who asks about our favorite financial books. What are they? You’ll have to listen to find out! Of course, we’ll still score with some of Doug’s delightful trivia, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wonder how your super-saver friends make pocketing Benjamins look so easy? Well, we come bearing good news because your questions are all going to be answered on today's show. MOST great savers trick themselves into saving more money and we'll dive into exactly how and what they do so that you can replicate all of their tricks. Spoiler: it's MUCH easier than you think. Michelle Jackson from the Michelle Is Money Hungry podcast will join Doc G from Earn & Invest podcast and Len Penzo from LenPenzo.com for today's exciting discussion AND Jennifer Mah from Choose FI will read today's piece we outline. Plus, remember hearing about those hairdressers that had Coronavirus? During today's not-so Fintech segment, we'll talk to the Evil HR Lady Suzanne Lucas on what that means for your job. We'll round out the show by answering a voicemail about rebalancing. While Jeff had asked if there are fees or taxes associated with rebalancing, we aren't stopping our roundtable there. During the Magnify Money segment our contributors will share their own rebalancing process. How frequently should an investor rebalance their portfolio? What should people keep in mind? Of course we'll also save time for some of Doug's amazing trivia and much, much more. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When does buying insurance cross the line from being smart to throwing away your hard earned cash? There are the regular choices of course: car, home, life, medical, and dental insurance. But what about all the other types of coverage out there? Between rental insurance, phone, electronics, various types of worker's insurance, travel insurance (and more!), a person could easily break the budget by trying to keep 100% of their life covered. Today we'll make sure you know what type of insurance is available to you, which kinds you should buy... and of course, the types of coverage that you should probably run away from. Plus, we'll share a story of an investor who discovered a huge negative balance on his Robinhood account. We'll share the series of investing choices that lead to a tragic outcome, and the problems behind investing as sport by people who don't know many of the basics. Debt can be extremely stressful, but it is not worth your life. Help is available. You can speak with a counselor today at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - (1-800-273-8255) or find more help at SuicidePreventionLifeline.org. We'll also carve out some time in the middle of the show for Doug's family-themed trivia.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In these strange times, with so much uncertainty, how do you manage your money effectively? Today we'll ask some of our favorite experts about what you should be focused on, how to pay down debt, what to do with your retirement money, and how to manage your investments. Last week we hosted a LIVE YouTube two hour event featuring some of the top names in personal finance. We were joined today by representatives from Fidelity (Ken Hevert), TIAA (Shelly Eweka), T.Rowe Price (Josh Deitch), and Morningstar (Christine Benz). Plus, Bobbi Rebell from Money With Friends podcast and Doc G. from Earn & Invest pitch in to help us ask as many questions as possible so you can be better with your Benjamins. Because this is the audio from a YouTube recording, the audio stream will be a little different, but there's still lots of great tips here for you to enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You've probably heard the age-old arguments. Old dude on the radio says "all debt is bad." Your savvy neighbor says that there's "good debt" and "bad debt." You watch relatives YOLO with credit cards. Where's the line, REALLY? Today we'll ask three people who are good with money: contributors Paula Pant from the Afford Anything podcast and Len Penzo from LenPenzo.com are joined by great saver AND blogger Lance Cothern from the Money Manifesto blog. We'll dive into the good, bad and ugly of debt. BUT that's not all. On today's Friday Fintech segment we'll learn about a new company called Nestegg helping small landlords compete with the big kids. How does it work? We'll all find out together. Of course, we'll still have our trivia challenge, answer a MagnifyMoney.com call for help, and more! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After winning the lottery, would you go for a straight-out check OR the lifetime income stream? While people will decide which is their BEST choice pretty quickly, do you have the right information to make that choice? Today we sit down with the CEO of Saber Pension and Actuarial Services, Brent Henningson to talk not just lottery, but maybe also pensions, annuities, and life settlements. Wait a minute? Is the annuity thing just a smokescreen so we'd pay attention to something that's important but maybe not that interesting? Maybe so, but however we get you to the table, these are decisions with thousands of dollars on the table and you can't afford to make the wrong choice. Plus, is day trading easier than being a long term investor? We'll have some fun diving into why the Barstool Sports founder claims he is a better investor than Warren Buffet, and that day trading is "the easiest" game there is. David Portnoy is ALWAYS good for a quote or two. In the second half of our headlines segment, we'll share one list explaining why the RV life might not be the golden dream people are expecting. Even in retirement... informed planning is half the battle. During our Haven Life Line will answer a call from military dentist Joe (not our Joe, of course), who will be separating from service next year to pursue specialty training. While he's going through classes his only planned income will come from the GI bill. Joe's two questions are, one: can he still contribute to his IRA during his education with no taxable income? If not, would working a few days a month make him eligible? Two: he is currently maxing his Roth TSP account. Should he drop his contribution amount to get more liquidity before leaving service? As always, we're saving some time for Doug's trivia.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Want to change the world with your donations, but feel powerless? Are you unsure of the best WAY to donate money or time to an organization? Have you ever been burned by the ineffective use of the money you've loaned or gifted? Today we'll talk to someone who knows how to help you become the philanthropist you've always wanted to be. Not only will Kris Putnam-Walkerly share how to find great organizations and evaluate them, she'll also give us tips on using tools like donor-advised funds to make a larger impact (and maybe score some tax relief!). Don't worry if you like your news a bit on the harder-edged side - today's show has something for everyone: We'll ask how does an investor go from almost netting one million dollars to broke in two weeks? During our headlines, we'll look at how some investors got in over their heads in an attempt to earn huge returns... until the money train came to a screeching halt. In our second piece, we'll ask whether air travelers should expect airlines to raise fees to keep the middle seat open during the pandemic. Plus, where are the financial resources for people who DON'T want kids? During the Haven Life Line we'll answer a question from Maddie, who has become more interested in saving and planning for retirement. A lot of resources she's found so far have a focus on planning for the expense of children down the road. Maddie asks: what resources can she find for people in her situation?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Maybe you've heard of the term "anchoring" when it comes to sales. Most likely you heard it when a fast-talking salesman threw out a couple of high figures for a fancy car just outside of your budget. (But hey! That's okay, we have some more affordable models right over here... and look, you're five dollars under your limit!) But, is it possible to use the power of anchoring to actually help you reach financial goals? In our featured piece today, which is both written AND read on-air by Emily Guy Birken, we'll dive into how you can use the power of anchoring to cut your expenses, save more money, and find financial independence more quickly. Helping us dig into the topic is none other than the co-host of the BiggerPockets Money podcast (and Bigger Pockets CEO), Scott Trench. Of course, we'll also have help from Paula Pant of Afford Anything, and our very own OG. After we're done with our anchoring discussion we'll give our roundtable a little break while Joe rings up Angelo Poli from MetPro. Did being stuck inside for months on end cause you to pack on a Covid-19 pounds? Angelo will share some great strategies to get your lifestyle back on track. We mixed things up on our Magnify Money segment this week so we could give Scott Trench a little fun. With some inspiration from a Reddit Real Estate post, we asked this question to the roundtable: What are your real estate buying/selling horror stories? Of course, we're also carving out some time for Doug's trivia.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you feel just a little bit lost managing your retirement funds? Don't feel like your alone. A recent study shows that MOST Americans have no clue how to pick investments in their 401k, and worse yet, even more people feel like they're investing poorly for their retirement! If you want to fix your 401k plan (that thing you save into for retirement...), we're coming to the rescue. Today we'll discuss the good, the bad, and the stop doing this before you ruin your retirement. There are MANY ways to make your 401k grow faster, but today we'll discuss how to pick better investments, save more money, stop making trading mistakes, picking better funds, and more. Later in the show we'll throw out the Haven Life line to caller AJ, who wants our thoughts on buying a property at a discount to be used as an Airbnb. With the rest of AJ's bills paid, and the 401k and other retirement accounts fully funded, AJ and her husband have put in a $460,000 offer for a $540,000 house. So, is it a good time to make this investment? As always, we'll carve out some time for Doug's trivia.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Your boss offers you a several thousand dollar raise, do you turn it down? Probably not! Yet, one of California's top real estate agents says that home buyers and sellers both regularly leave thousands of dollars off the table. That's why today we're talking about better real estate transactions with Marin County, California's top real estate pro, Tracy McLaughlin. She'll share strategies from her new book, Real Estate Rescue, for staging, updating, and pricing a house so that it sells both for more money and more quickly. We're also diving into why financial advisors are losing faith in planning software tools. With plenty of highly-rated software on the market, should you be worried that your advisor is disregarding fintech? We'll jump into the "why" during our headlines AND cover why so many Americans had to dip into their retirement funds during the pandemic. Plus, could refinancing your home loan actually end up costing you more in the long run? During our Haven Life Line we'll answer a question from Niranjan, who heard on the show that because of the way amortization tables are structured, it might not always be a good idea to refinance a mortgage. He asks us to explain this a bit more in detail, and of course, Joe and OG oblige. During the segment, we'll explain financing, interest rates, amortization tables, and more. We'll also carve out some time for some of Doug (who seems to be acting a little suspicious today... more on that later) and his trivia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you had trouble getting the people around you to understand the importance of saving, investing, and planning? Maybe you're having trouble connecting with people on their level or it's difficult to have a meaningful, lasting conversation? Worse yet, and on a much wider scope...maybe you don't understand current events and why things are happening. Today we dive into a piece from the Harvard Business Review that suggests there's a key piece that could be missing in your relationships: curiosity. Our roundtable will help us figure out the why behind your questions about what others are doing...and includes our friend from the financial blog Tread Lightly, Retire Early, Angela Rozmyn; Len Penzo from the LenPenzo.com blog, and our very own OG. After our awesome (if we don't say so ourselves...) empathy discussion, we'll give our roundtable a break while we chat with the founder of a new money-tracking solution. Between breaking your spending down into searchable categories, automatic bill and subscription detection, and budget capabilities, the Copilot app has a lot going for it. We'll chat with founder Andres Ugarte during our Friday Fintech segment to get the inside scoop. Plus, do you remember the first time you had to buy home essentials on your own? ("What??? Bacon cost THAT much!?") During our MagnifyMoney segment, we'll dive into some of the responses to our Twitter poll: What’s something you didn’t realize how expensive it was until you had to start buying it yourself? Here's one from the home team: shredded cheese (more than I thought it would cost anyway), cleaning supplies, and of course... going out to eat multiple times a week. KA-CHING!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you just beginning your journey toward investing or know someone graduating from high school or college? On today's show we'll field a letter from Jonathan with some help from our friend Christine Benz at Morningstar. What things should graduates and new savers think about first? Where do they make mistakes? What resources and books are great reads? We'll tackle all of those questions during today's episode answering your questions! We'll also tackle a question about target-date funds. Why do most target date funds stink? We'll explain. Also - have you thrown away your stimulus money accidentally? If it hasn't come yet, there's a good chance you have. We'll explain why there's been such a mix up on today's show. We'll also wonder aloud about the news last week out of Silicon Valley. Has COVID-19 created a new normal for workers which includes working from anywhere? Twitter says "Yes," and Facebook says...."Maybe." We'll explain.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can you actually manufacture "luck"? Have you been hoping for your fortune to change? Do you feel like you've failed often lately? What if we told you that you COULD change your luck? , Today we tackle the recipe on luck with the man who actually co-wrote the book on the topic, Gay Hendricks. Between setting yourself up for success and being ready when opportunity comes knocking, Gay Hendrick has a wealth of information on how you can begin to operate your life, investments, savings, and budget with the power of the world on your side. Plus, has the current situation left you scrambling to pay rent? Or maybe you're a landlord still waiting on checks from struggling tenants? During our headlines we'll ring up rental real estate expert Justin Pogue for some advice on what you should do if you're stuck in a bad situation either way during these difficult times. In our second piece we'll cover some secondary effects of the troubled economy: teenagers across the country are finding out their usual summer jobs won't be waiting for them this year. Later, we'll answer the question: does the law of supply and demand mean that stock prices are currently artificially inflated? Caller Jay left a voicemail on the Haven Life Line and notes that the number of publicly traded companies have halved since 1996. Wouldn't supply and demand dictate that these companies stock prices go up (more demand, fewer shares), regardless of their performance? It's another fun show with much, much more. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Has goal setting helped your quality-of-life? Today we review a recent blog post where the author decides that goals have possibly ruined much of his life. Today our round table contributors will dive into this post from blogger Alex West, and talk about measurement of goals, a horizon that always seems to be unreachable, the randomness of progress, and more. After our discussion on goals (or the lack thereof), we'll shift gears to speak with Pam Andrews from The Scholarship Shark. How can you help someone not only get into the school of their dreams but help them get it paid for with scholarships? We'll discuss the problems students face, the important aspects to think about when targetting scholarships AND we're also thrilled to announce our brand-spanking-new partnership with Pam. Looking for more after our discussion? You can find out more at: StackingBenjamins.com/scholarships. We'll round out our show with sharing the results of a timely and special poll. A few weeks ago we asked our friends on social media what their best "investment" has been so far during this unprecedented quarantine. During today's Magnify Money question we'll ask our contributors to answer this same question and we'll also share some of the answers Twitter shared with us. One last thing... we'll always save some time for Doug's trivia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We all wonder...this big stock market run-up lately...can it continue? Who should you listen to? What should you believe? Today we ring up a man WE believe, Phil Town, author of New York Times bestseller Rule #1, to provide some clarity. We'll ask him about the economy, the market, his strategy, and what he feels is the wrong way to invest in this climate. If you're ready for some straight talk from one of the best investment teachers, you'll enjoy today's discussion. Plus, are you in the market to purchase a home? Joe and OG roll out 12 great housing markets for first-time buyers. We’ll round out our headline with our second piece on credit cards: why are issuers now giving out lower holder limits, (and does it really matter to you anyway)? Later, we'll answer a question posted in our Stacking Benjamins Facebook group: Jason asks, what can he do to fix his father's retirement plan? His father is 60 and plans to work until he is forced to retire. At that point he plans to move in with Jason. With there being at least a decade of prep time remaining, Jason pleads asks us: what can he do in preparation? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How would you like to pay off your mortgage in four years? Heck, many of us would love to pay off a mortgage in 29 years! Four years sounds like the stuff of dreams and make-believe, right? We might not have believed it ourselves if we didn't sit across from him in the basement and listen to his story. Today we're proud to bring you Andy Hill, host of the Marriage, Kids and Money podcast, and long-time friend of all of us in the basement. You may have heard Andy before on the show, but today he's agreed to share his amazing story on the podcast. We hope you can walk away from this one with some new inspiration and focus on your own financial walk. What kinds of important items have people been spending their stimulus checks on? Well....while many Americans spent their checks on necessities, companies are also reporting some surprising not-so-great results. We'll dive into what people have been spending their cash on, AND save some time to cover why 70% of workers can't save for retirement. Later in the show, we'll throw out the Haven Life Line to one Dad-To-Be expecting a son in November. Eric and his wife know they can open up a 529 plan for their son, but wonder about other accounts. They both live outside of the U.S., but Eric still makes money from a Colorado-based company. Can he open up a brokerage account for his son? Plus, Doug will test your nerd-mettle during today's trivia segment with a thundering round of back-to-back fantasy and sci-fi questions. See if you can guess them all! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Don't talk to strangers. Make your savings automatic. Don't buy so many lattes. How many pieces of unsolicited advice have helped you become a better version of yourself? Today our contributors are helping us walk through a recent blog post that delivered exactly 68 pieces of advice to help you live a better life financially AND mentally. Helping us with today's show are our near-and-dear contributors: Elle Martinez (of Couple Money), Len Penzo of LenPenzo.com, and our very own OG. Halfway through the show we'll take a break from the unsolicited advice (that you should totally listen to by the way), and we'll learn some strategies on keeping your children engaged and responsible while everyone is stuck at home. During our Fintech segment, Gregg Murset of BusyKid will also share how his app can help your family learn better habits, and put their allowance to good use by teaching them to save, give, and be a part of a community. Ever hear the phrase, "just because you can, doesn't mean you should"? A few weeks ago we asked our friends on Twitter to give us their best answer... but with finances in mind. During our Magnify Money segment we'll share our favorite replies, and our contributors will even share a few of their own answers. One last note: Remember the story in the news recently about the elderly man who ejected himself from the French fighter jet? We won't give away too much, but Doug has some heart-pounding trivia for you on today's show. Today's podcast is another high flier! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who wants to waste money cooking up food on a holiday weekend that doesn't taste good? Not us. That's why, if you are like the rest of us, hanging out at home or with only a small gathering of people...it's the PERFECT year to make a little geeky fun and stretch that holiday-spending dollar. Today we'll help you create some recipes from your favorite shows, movies, and fantasy worlds with the host of the hit blog (and now book!) The Geeky Chef....Cassandra Reeder. She'll share some awesome recipes so you can create great Memorial Day fun... even if you don't have backyard space or a grill. Plus, what's the deal with the renewed interest in gold since the market started shaking? We'll ask State Street Global Advisors' Chief Gold Strategist, George Milling-Stanley, about the role gold should play in your investment strategy. We'll also cover the new rule changes to your FSA and HSA funds... it just became a little easier to buy certain necessities at stores. Finally, we'll wrap up the show with a timely question from Georgiy, who thinks he's heard Joe make some comments about gold. He asks: is it true that gold is 6 times more volatile than the market? If so, could we point him to some sources saying so? Of course, we'll save some time for Doug's trivia. It'll be fun, as usual, here in the basement! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's time for summer fun and theme parks are all closed! Will they open in time for there to be a season? Will there be any virtual fun coming from these entertainment companies? If we choose to head to a theme park, how are they keeping us safe and will there be discounts? Welcome to our annual theme-park guide episode! Today we'll ask all of these questions and more of Robert Niles (of Theme Park Insider), to find out how parks are coping during state shutdowns. We hope to ALL be surprised with good news during today's discussion. Here's a question: how did one unfortunate man find himself 9 million dollars in debt by the end of one trading day? We'll tackle that during our headlines segment. Plus, scams will be on the rise with so many people applying for unemployment and expecting relief checks. How should you protect yourself from becoming a victim? ...and during our Haven Life Line we'll take a question from Lisa, who is opening up a new HSA account. This being her second account, Lisa wonders if she can combine the two HSAs into one. Can she do that? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever feel stuck? Here's a question: How do you stop thinking about doing something important in your life/career/money and actually get started with the hard tasks? This week our roundtable regulars share how they motivate themselves to press "go" more quickly each time, and how to keep pressing "go" more often. We'll talk about fighting fear, making decisions, and working your plan on today's show. After our group is done sharing how they motivate themselves to NOT click the "still watching" option on Netflix, Joe will ring up Lauren Minches from Blueprint Income. They've recently partnered with AARP on a new annuity hub. First, we'll dispel some common annuity myths and also talk about why some annuities get a bad rap (spoiler: it's sometimes deserved). Then we'll discuss how different annuities work. If you're new to lifetime income options, Lauren will walk us through it together on today's show. We'll round out our Friday with a Magnify Money question from caller Jordan, who has spent a lot of time as a DIY investor. Now that Jordan is planning on possibly bringing on an advisor, he asks us: what are our thoughts on drawing on an investment policy statement? Is there anything Jordan should know? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you’re either one of the millions of unemployed Americans (heck, or in the WORLD), or you’re stuck in a job you don’t really want, now is a great time to look for better work. Companies are poised to begin rehiring and you’re in the hunt of your life. How do you score that dream position? Career coach Kevin Kiley would say it’s by taking advantage of the tools you have and by using your brain to tilt the odds in your favor. We’ll discuss how to set yourself up for a great job, how to work the interview AND how to network like a pro. We’ll also tackle what NOT to do during the interview process. Kevin’s seen it all, and today he’ll share stories of the good, bad and ugly, so that you’re better prepared.  Will the US economy have to fundamentally change after we recover from this economic meltdown? We’ll share one popular media piece that says the answer is “probably, yes.” One billionaire investor says that one way or another taxes will have to go up. But don’t worry...we also have an opinion about that piece AND others like it (of course). We’ll share our thoughts about that topic during our headline segment AND also detail the story about one investment firm that is paying BIG to correct an index fund rebalancing gone wrong. Oops. How does that happen? We’ll nerd out with you while we share the funny/horrible story. Of course, that’s not all. We’ll also throw out the Haven Life line to a lucky listener AND Doug will share some of his Top Gun themed trivia. It’s Top Gun day in the basement, and Doug’s feels the need….the need for speed! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While the first person to tell you that nothing good happens while you're using drugs will be today's guest Michael Brody-Waite, he WILL insist that the skills he learned in recovery are the same skills we all need for success with life and money. He should know. As a man who's walked the journey from drug addict to CEO and success coach, Michael funnels his darkest experiences into powerful lessons he'll share with you. Today, Michael will teach you how to rebalance your priorities, reclaim your energy, and thrive in both work and life. A new bond has arrived! The Treasury last week announced a 20-year note to help offset the massive spending lately in Washington. We'll discuss how that works and may impact your wallet in our headlines segment. Also, we'll cover the results of a recent Morningstar study that shows why it is more important than you might thank to have a thorough financial plan and an (emotional) support network in place. It turns out that it's easy to stay the financial course when everything is going right. The problem is when panic starts to set in, not pressing that big, red "sell everything" button. Today we'll throw out the Haven Life line to a caller a not-quite-usual question about loan repayment. Due to COVID-19 reasons, Vanessa was laid off from work. However, she was building up her savings beforehand. Vanessa also receives unemployment and severance pay. She wonders, "Should I use savings to pay off student loans? Or, would it be better to keep making minimum payments and keep her cash buffer?" Of course, Joe and OG have an opinion. One last thing: Happy Twilight Zone Day! Doug has a special treat in store for you in celebration. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The host of the new Real Estate Rookie podcast, Felipe Mejia, joins Paula Pant (Afford Anything) and Len Penzo (Len Penzo dot com) to talk about real estate for newbies. A recent blog post at Coach Carson dot com discusses the writer's relationship with a mentor, and the most valuable real estate lessons he learned. Whether you're interested in real estate or just good lessons about life (and boy, are there many packed into this episode), we've got you covered. Plus, we'll also talk to the Evil HR Lady, Suzanne Lucas, about Zoom call etiquette. Many of us have to do calls from home now, but haven't figured out exactly what's acceptable and what isn't. Suzanne will dive into the details of cleaning up your conference call manners. Of course, Doug will share some trivia for our regular Friday contest AND we'll answer a question from a listener about life post-coronavirus. Should you keep more money in cash? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices