The Stacking Benjamins Show

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