Stacking Benjamins: Your Gateway To Money And Personal Finance

It's been awhile since we've answered the mailbag, so we thought there's no better day to tackle some questions! So, our long-time hosts, Farnoosh & OG are kicking off April by answering a TON of your questions! We received many questions about topics including: caring for your pets after your passing, investing while paying off debt, savings plans, picking an HSA, and more. Plus, in our headlines segment, while everyone is panicking, we discuss why you should keep your cool and not change your plan. Plus, getting your taxes ready to file even though the filing date has been pushed back? If so, we'll discuss some frequent (and ugly) mistakes people make. Of course we'll also save time for Doug's trivia. Just another 50-minute day in the office (AKA basement) for us! Stay safe everyone! ...and wash your hands! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you have debt you're going to love today's episode. We'll talk to a woman who decided that it was time to take charge and change her course for the better. Choncé Maddox Ray (of the My Debt Epiphany blog) didn't have a huge savings account or a sizable income to get herself some relief from debt, but she didn't let that stop her from taking ownership of her life. She'll talk about how it took self reflection, planning, hard work, and follow through to lift herself from a life of debt. Deciding it was time for a change, Chonce paid off $11,000 in debt on a salary of less than $35,000. We'll ask Choncé to dive into just how she pulled that off. The relief bill is out (it was being finalized when we recorded...and there's nothing new to report that we didn't cover in the episode). With the bill signed into law, what's the next step? What should you do with the cash influx when it drops into your account? If you're a business owner what should you do as well? We'll cover that PLUS turn our attention to one

Sometimes trying to be an adult just plain stinks. But when do you "adult" and when do you "wing it"? A recent post on popular blogging site Budgets Are Sexy asks that question and today we put that in front of our roundtable panel of top bloggers and podcasters. Where do you balance minimalism with having the right backup? Joining us today from the Afford Anything podcast, we'll say hello to Paula Pant, from our own amazing podcast, our co-host OG, finally, from Len Penzo dot com, we'll welcome Frank from the movie Old School....who you know IS the most responsible adult. Okay, we're joking. Rounding out our team is just Len Penzo. Working from home? Trying to teach your children while you're working? Today we'll ask CEO Aaron Velky from Ortus Academy how his Money Club works. While others have struggled to help kids learn about money, Ortus Academy has developed a notable short term track record. Could your kids learn money habits better? Aaron joins us to talk about how kids learn and exactly what they

The market's down a bazillion percent (mom's not great at math), your neighbors won't answer the door (and for the first time ever, that's a good thing), and the world seems upside down. Time to stop throwing good money after bad and call a retreat? On today's show Joe & OG answer a TON of your questions about ANYTHING! While we received many questions about coronavirus we also field some about college savings plans, Roth IRAs, board games, and what we would have done if podcasting hadn't been the huge massive financial hit that it's been (sarcasm, kids...). Plus, in our headlines segment, while everyone is panicking, luckily there are still journalists out there ready to write some pretty stupid financial pieces. What's the latest piece of financial TP advice? We'll cover that on today's show AND save time for Doug's trivia. Just another nearly 90 minute day in the office (AKA basement) for us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First, we're joking about the coronavirus coverage. While we'll discuss the key fundamentals you need to know, we'll spend more time today talking about the basics. Between focusing on your money mindset with Jean Chatzky from The Today Show and HerMoney.com, refinancing your debt, and getting your taxes paid on time, there's a LOT to cover. Hopefully you'll find yourself focusing on the good things instead of glued to the television and events you can't control. During our headlines we're covering the latest silver lining from the IRS: the tax filing deadline has been kicked down the road AND penalties and interest has been waived on tax payments. During our segment we'll explain what that all means to you, (other than waiting a few more months to file, of course. Procrastination for the win!). Plus during our second headline we'll share how virus fears have led to a mortgage refinancing boom. During the Haven Life Line we're answering a question from one of our Facebook Basement members. Phil and hi

Since you're most probably stuck at home and "social distancing" yourself, now's a great time for a lighthearted discussion about spring cleaning your financial picture. Everything else in life right now seems pretty heavy, so today we'll keep it light with three people who know a thing or two about great money moves. Joining us today from Paychecks and Balances, we'll welcome Marcus Garrett, from the Afford Anything podcast, we'll say hello to Paula Pant, and finally, from Len Penzo dot com, its our favorite house keeper Alice from The Brady Bunch! ...while that would be fun, today it's just gonna be Len Penzo. While you're cleaning up your money, raising your savings rate is a great place to start (or at least trying to stop your savings from deteriorating...). SO today Joe will be chat about behavioral finance with expert Dr. Ted Klontz and Emily Shallal from Ally Bank. Dr. Ted Klontz lets us know that our ancestors did not hoard their money or even their toilet paper...#shocking. Surprisingly, he says

During this crisis, it's important to focus on the big picture...but what is it? Our guest today says (and we agree), that managing your energy, and not your time is the key to success. Angelo Poli, the founder of MetPro and advisor to some of the biggest celebrities and athletes in America, discusses weight loss, how to eat right (and avoid fad diets), and more. We're sure you'll learn a TON about nutrition (like we all do every time Angelo has been on the show). Plus, what's polite to talk about over dinner with people? Politics, religion, or your credit card debt? Today we'll talk to Nathan Hamilton during our headlines segment about a study he and the team at The Ascent have completed about appropriate topics at work and at the dinner table. I think you'll be as surprised as we were. If you think that's all, well that might mean that it's your first time here (so welcome!). Of course, we'll also throw out the Haven Life line to a lucky caller, share some of Doug's amazing trivia AND much, much mor

How does YOUR financial future look? Probably the first lesson anyone successful with money will tell you is that you can't look at life the same way anymore. While some expenses others may see as a given, you now see as a money drain. Where others see failure, you now see opportunity. Today we'll talk about changing your financial tune with Dave Mason, author of The Cash Machine, who suggests you can make big changes in your relationship with money by making some small changes in how you perceive the world around you. Recently the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates in response to the coronavirus. They may do it again. We'll talk about some opportunities this may open up for you. Plus, from the perspective of the individual investor (or more preciously, the Robinhood investor), life got a little worse for some traders when the investing app suffered an outage for an entire trading day as stocks surged. Later on, we'll answer a retirement and taxes question from Red. He can contribute to a Roth and

It's time to get down and dirty! Did you think financial experts agree on everything? OG has his boxing gloves on for this episode because today we're wrestling with topics financial experts can't agree upon. Fighting with him today from the amazing podcast Afford Anything, we welcome Paula Pant, and from the compelling podcast Earn and Invest, (formerly What's Up Next?), we'll also say hello to the Doc G. It's a great crew and we think you'll love the conversation they discuss as they wrestle with today's topics. We know it's fun to hang out in the basement, but Peak Money makes saving money look like fun no matter where you are! Today during our Friday FinTech segment, Joe will talk with Jonathan Yagel and Michael Brooks from Peak Money about how they're able to help people save more money toward their goals. It's an exciting journey that most of our listeners want to pursue. Who doesn't want more money toward their next vacation? I rest my case. And finally, during our Magnify Money segment, OG rea

Are you a "go-go-go" person? You live on phrases like, "I can sleep when I'm dead," or "hustle and grind." Today's guest Heather Chauvin from the Mom In Control podcast used to live that lifestyle, until a serious health issue finally forced her to face the truth: it isn't sustainable. Not only that, but Heather Chauvin will also share how, once she took care of herself better, she was then able to bring more energy to her life, creating much more than she was when she was "hustle and grinding." Plus, I don't know if you noticed, but the stock market has been slightly "bumpy" lately. Joe and OG have a timely discussion around people fleeing stocks AND those people who are on social media saying, "Go buy more." Both of these approaches could cost you dearly. They'll also discuss how Jeff Bezos now is joining the growing list of entrepreneurs putting his wallet behind the fight against climate change. We'll discuss ESG investing and why anyone would do that on today's show. If you think that's all, well

What's your financial plan? Is it built on bedrock or are you "winging it", aka building on sand? On today's show, Certified Financial Planner Brian Ursu joins us to dive into four strategies that will help anyone trying to build their financial house. For veteran planners, these will be things you've heard before. However, the question isn't, "Have you heard them?" Like anything, you should ask yourself, "Am I doing them?" THAT may yield a completely different answer. Plus, TurboTax maker Intuit has been in the news recently, because they're buying credit score site Credit Karma. What does that mean for consumers like us? Also, because Credit Karma is a FinTech company, what does that mean for FinTech? We'll ask Ryan Falvey from Financial Venture Studio both of those questions. If you've heard Ryan before on our show, you know he'll have an interesting point of view. Of course, that's not all. We'll throw out the Haven Life line to a lucky listener AND still leave time for Doug's trivia...which today takes

If you believe telling a white lie is okay, do you believe that about money topics? What about white lies that are told by big-time bloggers or (gasp) podcasters about the path to riches? We'll dive into the world of lies and deceit on today's show with an all-star cast around the rickety card table. Joining us today we welcome Dustin Heiner from The Master Passive Income Podcast, Paula Pant from the Afford Anything Podcast, and from our very own podcast, OG! We know a lot of you use calculators for your job, but we think you will all like using the Retirement Budget Calculator after hours as well. During our Friday FinTech segment, Joe will talk with Jason Parker from the Sound Retirement Planning podcast. They'll discuss how Jason's Retirement Budget Calculator has continued to grow. Joe last year said that this calculator was the "best retirement calculator for consumers" (he still thinks there are better calculators for pros). We'll have all the details on how it works AND share some discounts you won

It's your big moment. You're talking to the boss or giving a presentation at work. Maybe you're finally in front of your dream customer. And you blow it. Today we'll help you earn more money by focusing (well, as much as we focus...) on speaking well. Whether you're trying to convince the family to wash dishes or your boss to give you a raise, speaking more effectively is far from a "soft" skill. So today we welcome Grant Baldwin, author of The Successful Speaker, and host of the Speaker Lab podcast to give us some tips and tricks! How does Social Security look? During our headline segment, we'll dive into that topic, and run through the future of Social Security. How long will stay solvent? And, in the most important question anyone has asked around here today, we'll ask, "How did a couple of guys score free McDonald's?" Just another day on our show. If you think that's all, it might be your first time here (so welcome!). Of course, we'll throw out the Haven Life line to a lucky caller, share some of

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 m

There's been a lot of market fears going around this past week, but regardless of its origin people have been asking the same question for years: what should we do when the bull market finally ends? We're finishing out the rewind week with one of our classic old-school roundtable episodes featuring Paula Pant, Len Penzo, and Greg McFarlane answering that very question. You can read the original show notes below:   This has been a LONG bull market. So if you know that the next eight years will most probably NOT be like the previous eight, do you swap out some of your investments? We ask our roundtable panel that on today's show and as always, find Greg, Len and Paula all have different answers than you probably expected.   We also tackle lifestyle paradigms. Are you paying too much attention to your neighbor's success? Finally, we'll discuss fake news....no, we aren't going politics. We'll ask our panel whether there's any "fake news" in the money area that they're sick of hearing. Of course, they come

Are you committed to saving, but can't seem to get other people around you on board? It can be frustrating once investing for the future has clicked in your head, but not for the people you care about. Gene Natali, co-author of The Missing Semester, shared some great information with us on how to get anyone interested in saving for the future and we're revisiting that interview today. You can read our original show notes below: You're excited about saving, but how do you get someone else to take the plunge? Today's guest, Gene Natali, says that the answer might not be what you expect, and he should know. He co-authored the book The Missing Semester about personal financial education in the classroom, and he's BACK on the Stacking Benjamins show to share how to get ANYONE started in the right direction with their money. In our headlines segment, we talk about financial advisory fees. Are they going down? A recent report has details on where that ship is headed. Also, we'll talk about the age-old active vs. p

Have you ever thought about jumping into real estate? It isn't all roses, rainbows and money. On today's rewind episode, the FinTern takes us back to 2018 and Dana Bull's appearance in the basement, talking about all of the good times and bad in the business of investing in property.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What big money wasters exist in your life? Unless you're like us, Benjamins seem to slip out of your pockets WAY too easily. Today, we'll test our guests' game show skills to see if they can guess 16 fantastic examples of money wasters we found hidden in a recent Marketwatch piece. Joining us to play along we welcome Chelsea Brennan from The Smart Money Mamas Podcast, Doc. G from the What's Up Next show, and our very own nerdy engineer, Len Penzo, from Len Penzo dot com! One big money waster could be the exorbitant bank fees people pay. During our Friday FinTech segment, Joe will talk with one company trying to lower your fees. Nami Baral, Chief Empathy Officer from Harvest joins us. They'll discuss how Harvest uses AI to help you save on all sorts of bank and credit card fees. We'll have all the details And finally, during our MagnifyMoney segment we will answer a question on if our fellow Stacker should open a non-profit farm. There's SO much more...but you'll have to listen to hear it all! Hope you

Are you struggling with debt? How about a little inspiration? Cindy Zuniga paid off a LOT of debt in just four years. Like you, she finally realized she'd had enough and something had to change...so change she did. Today she'll share the struggle and her path out from deep debt, along with dispelling some myths about debt payoff strategies along the way. She'll also share how she successfully used a cool concept called "zero-based budgeting" to not just pay down debt but to curb her spending habits successfully. Additionally, she'll share some of the places she found inspiration to keep going on her long journey during her payoff process and after. If you saw Cindy's story on Good Morning America, you'll love this expanded interview with her today on Stacking Benjamins! Plus, Fidelity Investments has some great news for savers: we're doing a good job saving collectively. However, some of us are (ahem) doing better than others. John Boroff, Fidelity's Director of Retirement and College Leadership joins us

When was the last time you planned to make some of your big dreams a reality? What's holding you back? Time? Money? Fear of the unknown? Today we're talking to Tamara Jacobi, who created a retreat in the Mexican jungle right after college. She's the author of the new book Wildpreneur AND a continental traveler, who'll join us and talk about how you can face your fears, climb to new heights, and make your dreams a reality. Are you worried about the economic effects of the coronavirus spreading to your portfolio? During our headlines segment, we'll ring up Chris Cook, president of Beacon Capital Management, and get some answers on what you can do to inoculate your investment strategy. During our Haven Life Line we're shaking things up a bit. We're keep the voicemails on hold this time around while we turn our eyes toward the results of our Instagram poll: what's been this year's most surprising budget busters? We'll break down our range of answers during this special Haven Life segment. As always, w