The Stacking Benjamins Show

Stackers in the wild are amazing creatures. We're quitting the job we don't care about and spend more time in our community because we've built emergency funds (Mike and Melissa share this story). We're becoming enrolled agents, a job that many can use as a side hustle to pay down debt, retire early, or build a better life (Jordan shares his tale passing these three tests). We're retiring early because we did the work and created surround sound to bounce ideas off of other people (Chris shares how he left his job at age 50). There are so many cool people all around you doing awesome things and today we share just THREE stories from YOU. But first we have a pair of disturbing headlines. One says the market is poised to continue upward, while the other cautions that we're nearly 100% certainly headed for a downturn. The problem? These two pieces were both found on the SAME reputable website, one right under the other! Huh?!? So, which is correct? We talk about both predictions and what we think YOU should do when you read either of these prognostications. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/stacker-community-episode-taxes-fire-flexibility-1489 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

Kurt Long used to launch rockets for NASA, but lately, he's been worried about your money (and your health). Kurt is the co-founder and CEO of security and privacy firm BUNKR, and has worked with some of the largest financial and healthcare institutions to keep your data private. We discuss where the biggest threats are coming from, what to ask advisors, what you should do to protect your health care records, and more. By the end of today's episode, you should have a clear idea of when your financial information is at risk and when you're safe. But before that we dive into a headline about timeshare exit fraud. If you've ever heard the commercials offering to help you get rid of your timeshare, you may have some idea what a huge industry it's become, and also now full of scammers trying to "help" you...or maybe just help themselves to your money. We talk timeshares, scams to get you IN and unfortunately, now also scams to get you out. How do you steer clear of all of this? We'll share ideas Of course, we'll also take a question from a Stacker who said, "I'd better call Saul....Sehy and OG!" and we leave time for Doug's trivia question, that we're sure you'll be sharing around the virtual watercooler later today. Our 1500th episode is coming! If you've changed your financial life at all because of the show or the SB community, call in and celebrate with us. Tell us how you've made some positive changes and we'll help motivate other Stackers to get rolling on their financial plans! Go to http://stackingbenjamins.com/voicemail and leave us a message sharing something you've done as a result of the show. Thanks for helping us build this coming episode! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/secure-your-life-kurt-long-1488 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 role does spending money play in your life: as a tool to live a better life or a yardstick of status to measure yourself against others? Our roundtable discussion centers around this, as we're lucky to be joined by the dynamic duo Kitty and Piggy from the award-winning Bitches Get Riches podcast and blog. They join up with OG and Len Penzo to form the roundtable for this epic episode. Joe's mom's cousin Diania Merriam, founder of the EconoMe Conference, takes over MC duties for Neighbor Doug. In the second half of the roundtable discussion, sponsored by DepositAccounts.com, we dig into each of our contributors' favorite entry on Morgan Housel's list. Stick around for the next installment of our year-long trivia contest. Diania brings a Gillian's Island-themed trivia to our panel. Will the Bitches use their advantage in numbers to take home the W for Paula? Will Len's first-hand knowledge of Gillian's Island, having actually been around for the pilot episode, give him the upper hand, or will OG use his superior financial planning skills to bring home the W? FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/kitty-piggy-roundtable-1487 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

Were so worried about the Benjamins, the job, the success ladder, and getting "the things" that sometimes we forget to live. Guy Kawasaki was in the room when the iconic Apple "Think Different" campaign was created. He believes that "Think Different" isn't enough today. In his words, "You can be different and still suck." It's time for a higher target, and that target is "remarkable." But how do you get there? We'll detail everyting from the findings of Carol Dweck to the work of Jane Goodall to parse what "remarkable" truly means. In Guy Kawasaki's world, it means surfing. It means questioning your beliefs. It means learning how to ask better questions. Before that we cover a disturbing headline: FinTech company Chime and company-with-a-reputation-of-dishonesty Robinhood are better regarded than products which compete against them offered by big names like Vanguard and Fidelity. Why are younger investors and savers trusting these names over the heavyweights? That's good news, right? Maybe. We'll share what we think this means and also what you should do about it when thinking about where to park your hard-won dollars. Of course, we'll also take a question from a Stacker in need AND share Doug's trivia question! On the back porch, we also announce some new meetup dates. Come out and join us! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/how-to-live-your-best-life-best-self-guy-kawasaki-1486 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 new businesses start every year, only to fail weeks or months later. Sadly, many of the missteps these would-be business owners made could have been presented if they'd followed some fairly simple steps. CPA Michele Cagan not only owns her own small business, she counsels many business owners with their taxes and their business plans. She joins us today to share some of the most essential nuggets new business owners and side hustlers need to know, from her new book, Starting a Business 101. In our headline segment, Capital One has acquired Discover. What does this mean for Discover and Capital One cardholders and clients? We'll dive into all of the details and what experts are predicting will happen to the benefits cardholders of each company can expect. Good news no matter whether you're a Discover or Capital One customer...experts seem to believe things are looking up across the board. Of course, we'll also share a TikTok minute AND discuss backdoor Roth IRAs, mega-backdoor Roth IRAs (aka - "Doug's Mom IRAs"), and much, much more. Of course, we save time to wander out to the back porch and share our favorite films and television shows...and others we don't care for so much. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/how-to-start-a-business-101-michele-cagan-1485 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 round out Rewind Week with an episode from The Earn & Invest Podcast. This is a current events/community Thursday episode featuring an Earn & Invest community member Ian Kist. We are also joined by Joe Saul-Sehy from The Stacking Benjamins Podcast. Today we discuss current articles about Crypto and Indexing that seem to be diametrically opposed. Who is right? This show originally aired on January 25, 2024, so ignore any mention of current events. To see the original show notes, visit Community Episode: Crypto vs S&P 500 Index Smackdown — Earn & Invest (earnandinvest.com). 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 continue Rewind Week with an episode where interviews Jason Tartick. How happy are you, truly, with your job and life? Many people go through the motions in a career they don’t like, never taking the leap to find something they actually enjoy. The average life expectancy is 79 years, so here’s a question: 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 as a banker 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 joins the fun to share the results of Fidelity’s State of Retirement Planning survey. She shares the biggest concerns on investors’ minds and the impacts the pandemic has had on our financial confidence. Later, we’ll also answer Kevin’s question about an excess Roth IRA contribution. And, of course, Doug will share his amazing trivia. This show originally aired on April 6, 2022, so ignore any mention of current events. To see the original show notes, visit When Do You Reboot Everything? (with Jason Tartick) » The Stacking Benjamins Show. 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 kick off our Rewind Week with an episode from our sister show, Stacking Deeds. Asking questions is the key to making connections, and today we connect with top Manhattan real estate broker Vickey Barron! She'll teach YOU how to ask the right questions to buy the right properties and build the right team. In our headlines, scams are on the rise....so what are some of the biggest real estate scams? We'll share. And speaking of share...I'll share some trivia that travels coast to coast. This show originally aired on August 15, 2023, so ignore any mention of current events. To see the original show notes, visit The Inquisitive Investor: Vicki Barron on How Asking Questions Elevates Your Real Estate Game (stackingdeeds.net). FULL SHOW NOTES: http://stackingbenjamins.com/sb-rewind-stacking-deeds-vickey-barron-1482 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

Over the course of your life, would you prefer to feel special or happy? If you can only choose one in your life, which one would you choose and feel like you made the most of it? That's the topic for our roundtable discussion today. We're joined by our very special guest Dana Anspach, CFP®, RMA®, Kolbe Certified™ Consultant, and Founder & CEO of Sensible Money, LLC. She's joined by our in-house sourpuss OG and Len Penzo, creator of the award-winning blog lenpenzo.com. Our panel discusses whether achieving "happy" or "special" is necessarily an either/or decision, or if there's some middle ground between the two. Joe goes on to clarify that the author's definition of "special" centers around addiction to professional success: addicted to being hardworking, successful, and wealthy. We tackle why many success-focused people are actually "miserably rich." Do you have to sacrifice your happiness in order to achieve professional success, or is there a way to have the best of both worlds? In the second half of the discussion, sponsored by DepositAccounts.com, we dive into how to overcome workaholism, so you avoid being miserable and wealthy. Is shedding materialism in favor of simplicity the secret to maintaining a healthy balance between success and happiness? Stay tuned for Doug's amazing big-money question. Will Dana propel Paula into a 3-way tie for first place or will OG or Len take sole possession of the lead? FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/balancing-success-and-happiness-1481 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 the most difficult skills you can master to create more Benjamins? Among the top must be "communicating effectively." The term "rainmaker" exists because people who can bring in more connections, networks, and also business into an organization are generally among the highest paid employees. The most valuable people in any organization are those who can simply and effectively share thoughts that move the needle. But that's only at work. Communication is also a huge part of making and keeping friends, building a family, or negotiating with neighbors, contractors, or community members. In short, being a supercommunicator pays in every possible way. That's why Charles Duhigg (bestselling author of The Power of Habit) joins us again to discuss how YOU can communicate more effectively. He'll talk about the different types of conversations people have, techniques to improve your skill when talking with others, and how to find common ground more often so that you can all handle the tasks of the day. But before that, we share a headline about the insurance industry. Things are a-changin', as they say, and it turns out...insurance is pretty boring. But will it always be boring? And what does that have to do with your money anyway? We'll share details on what's happening in the insurance industry and why you might want to evaluate your coverages to decide if it's time to move to better risk management techniques. Of course, we answer a question from a Stacker who thought, "I'd better call Saul....Sehy and OG!" He wonders about dividend paying stocks, taxes, and more. Plus, we'll also crown this podcast with Doug's amazing trivia question, the next round of our 2024 Math Joke Off, and more! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/charles-duhigg-1480 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Today's takeaways: 1) Check with your insurer to see that you're getting all the discounts possible AND check with other insurers to see if they're more competitive than your current offering. Talk to agents to ensure you have the right amount of coverage as well. 2) Ask, "What type of conversation are we having" before engaging too much in any discussion. Taking just a moment to do so can yield great opportunities. Learn to overshare so that others feel comfortable, and meet the person where THEY are, versus where you want them to be. 3) While dividends are great, a high dividend also means the chances for appreciation lower. If you're in a low tax bracket you may pay little (or no) tax on dividends...but a high dividend paying stock still may not be your friend. Also, if the dividend is really high, check to see if the company is organized as a partnership. If so, that may mean you'll have tax complications, including possible tax on dividends (even inside of an IRA), and additional reporting through a K-1 document...which often arrives very late in the tax season. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why aren't you making those big strides you're hoping for in your career, personal life, or with your money? Today we talk about the building blocks of success, which contrary to popular belief, isn't being "special" or taking a "big leap." It's getting the little things correct. Dr.'s Resa Lewiss and Adaira Landry join us to dive into tweaking some of the skills they've found can give you the largest boost with the least amount of effort, to increase your income, experience life more, and ultimately not just stack more Benjamins, but stack more worthwhile moments. Before that we share a headline that could save you thousands of dollars in taxes. One popular tax expert looks at the thousands of layoffs recently and finds some lemonade in the job-loss lemons of life. We explore one tax strategy we haven't discussed in a long, long time...and it could be your biggest tax break ever. Of course, we also share a great idea in the TikTok minute, Doug's amazing trivia, and more! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/micro-changes-for-big-results-1479 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 heard about the new Apple Vision Pro that was recently launched? Are you an early adopter, or are you waiting for the price to be cut and the kinks to be worked out? Here to discuss the new world reality of augmented reality and virtual reality, we're joined by Certified Financial Coach and co-host of the hit couples' finance podcast For Better & Worth, Ericka Young. She is joined by Doc G of the Earn & Invest podcast and our very own OG. Is this amazing new technology worth its $3,500 price tag? Is there room in your budget for it? Or is it a justifiable "I'll figure it out later" type of expense? We discuss the pros and cons of being on the cutting edge, when it's acceptable (or not) to pull the trigger on a big, not-totally-necessary expense. Plus, stick around for our latest installment of Doug's year-long trivia game. Will Doc G make Len proud, will Ericka put Paula Pant on the board, or will OG take this week's prize? In the second half of the show, sponsored by DepositAccounts.com, we dive into why the fact that the Apple headset is so good it is actually a problem. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/spend-or-save-priorities-ericka-young-1478 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

Love is in the air! Today we're talking about relationships with two fantastic people - our guest of honor today is the host of the Optimal Finance Daily podcast and also the woman behind the EconoMe Conference, Diania Merriam. Diania and Joe talk about relationships, money, and that the whole idea of "relationship" doesn't start where many people think it does. We especially focus on money's role in a relationship and how focusing on the wrong aspects of "love" can end up helping out OUT of a relationship instead of getting closer with your "soulmate." Before that we have some fun talking about investing strategies with guest co-host, comedian Paul Ollinger. Paul rides along with Joe, OG, and Doug through a fun discussion on the fact that advisors are getting away from "boring" allocations of exchange traded funds and instead moving to separately managed accounts. What IS a separately managed account and why would an advisor do that? We get NERDY on today's show and shine a light in an area that advisors may not want you to look. Of course, we take a call for help from a Stacker AND Doug regales us with his amazing trivia, which we're sure you'll LOVE. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/2024-econome-conference-diania-merriam-1477 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Grab some candles and cuddle up with a loved one for this one! It's an epic episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Breaking up is hard to do...but what if your money is at stake? You don't want to be in a horrible relationship with a financial advisor that you can't trust, don't like, and who doesn't make your wallet go all a-flutter. That's why we called in Chris Mamula to kick off "relationship week" on the podcast. He's a guy who was anti-advisor for a long time and now IS an advisor. How would HE tell you to break up when you're in a bad relationship? He'll share great tips AND his personal experience from behind the advisory veil on today's show. Plus, in our headline segment, millennials are struggling with credit card debt. How do they begin to dig out? We'll share both strategies and motivators for you, whether you're a millennial or not. Of course, we have a brilliant TikTok minute from a Stacker who's making the most of a Hallmark holiday by making money instead of spending it. If you're spending Valentine's Day working, you'll LOVE this edition... Of course, we'll also share Doug's fantastic trivia question AND Joe's review of Poor Things on the back porch. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/find-a-financial-advisor-you-love-1476 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 for a way to get and keep an edge over your competition? Want to dramatically improve your results and are willing to think big? We're joined by our friend Lacey Langford from the MILMO Show to tackle that subject. She's joined by Len Penzo of the award-winning LenPenzo.com and our very own Drill Sargent, OG. If you're looking to set yourself apart in your field, be sure to tune in as we discuss ways you can achieve an edge. Be bold and take risks, as these are ways to truly learn and put yourself out there. On the second half of our show, sponsored by DepositAccounts.com, we dive deeper into how you can find your edge. Should you cast a wide net when searching for people who will help you achieve your edge, or should you limit your search to just those who have already traveled the same path that you're on? Finally, be sure to stick around for Doug's inheritance-related trivia question! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/how-to-get-ahead-financially-1475 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

Ah, the distinct smell of tax time. All that sweating...sweating out deductions, college expenses, rental income, and maybe even side-hustle write-offs (what exactly is a write-off again?). There are so many options for software to help you, where do you turn? Today we're diving into the College Investor's annual list of best in class software with Mr. College Investor himself, Robert Farrington. We won't share just ONE choice, but will walk through all of the different areas of your life where you might need one particular program over another. Before that, though, we share a headline about one popular columnist who disappeared last year to write a book, and missed out on all of the ups and downs of the stock market. What did he learn? We'll share. Plus, we're finishing up round one of our Stacker Joke-Off...and we'll share four new math jokes AND unveil the winners of last week's matchup. All of that, Doug's trivia AND more on today's episode! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/best-tax-software-2024-robert-farrington-1474 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 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