Stacking Benjamins: Your Gateway To Money And Personal Finance

How effective are you at leading people? On today's show, our guests Dr. John Kotter and Holger Rathgeber discuss how to become a more effective leader and lesson's they've learned from coaching many of the top business leaders today to build better workplace teams. Plus, as usual, we'll have the same assortment of headlines, trivia, laughs, and your letters. Enjoy! You can find the original show notes here: Building Better Leaders and Teams Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Griffin takes us back to a classic from a year ago... We’re all professional jugglers. We juggle a career or school, family duties, friendships, and somehow also manage money. How do we effectively manage money AND take care of everything else? Kimberly Palmer (author of the new book Smart Mom Rich Mom) joins us to talk about the pressure of parenting, managing the budget and earning a wage. When’s the right time to have children? In our headline segment we discuss John Oliver’s latest stunt. On the hotline, we tackle a question from Jamie about charitable giving. Doug shares trivia on working moms. We have all of that AND still more on today’s podcast! Thanks to MagnifyMoney.com for sponsoring our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How should you invest when the market's been in a bull market tear for the last several years? We ask our Friday roundtable panel that question and MAN, they don't disappoint. You'll hear about selling losers, setting expectations ahead of time for your investments, and more. We also cover (as we do EVERY Friday), LOTS of other topics, including whether it's best to pay with cash or credit. What do you think? I'm not sure our panel will agree... AND we also bring up some of the difficult questions kids ask about money. How would YOU answer them? In our Friday FinTech segment we have a great guest...Patrick Ambron from BrandYourself.com talks about the importance of creating and protecting your online identity. He shares horror stories of people's social media problems and explains steps to protect yourself. Plus, as always with this segment, he'll share with you their platform and how they help people dig in and take charge of their identity. Thanks to MagnifyMoney.com for sponsoring our show, and thanks also

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.  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 ne

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. passive management debate. Do active managers hold a candle to passive? Does it matter? Then we throw out the Haven Life line to Dan, who asks about EE bonds. Are these bonds a great way to protect against deflation? We'll also answer a letter from Todd, who has some extra money and wants to know how to invest it...other than in sending it to his favorite podcasters (#disappointing).  It's National Martini Day, so Doug's pouring dr

In our first roundtable piece today, we discuss whether the first thing kids out of high school need is good credit. Should people first focus on credit to secure more debt or should they build assets? We'll start there on today's episode, featuring our listener VeShannah Lovelace, Greg McFarlane, and Paula Pant.  ...and in our Friday FinTech segment, we talk to Harsh Sinha, Engineering VP at international money transfer company Transferwise. We talk about the dirty underbelly of transferring money and how Transferwise helps you lower your fees. Of course that's not all. We also talk about saving $50k of someone else's money, extreme ways to pay down debt, and much more. Thanks to MagnifyMoney.com for sponsoring our show, and thanks also to everyone who's visited Amazon.com using our link! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How much debt have you wiped out? I'll bet today's guest wiped out more, and she's going to share how she got into so much debt, and then the strategies and tactics she used to wipe it out and become a fantastic money coach. Of course, this is the Stacking Benjamins show, so there's much more. In our headline segment we'll talk about weird investments in IRAs. Should you look outside the traditional investment ideas for opportunities? We'll weigh in. We'll also share some news about a couple of amazingly stupid criminals. Making money is hard. The way these morons messed up stealing money might even be harder to believe. On the Haven Life line, Mark wonders about an all stock portfolio vs. using some bonds. We'll discuss the philosophy of a 100% equity game. We'll also answer a letter from Patrick who asks us about the relationship between owning a home and your retirement plan. Should you count home equity into the equation? You'll find out. Of course we have Doug's trivia, some bad jokes, and lots more....

Looking for the perfect budget? Maybe the key isn't counting every penny or finding the perfect spreadsheet. Elle Martinez, author of the new book Couple Money, believes that whether you're single or married the answer might lie in communication, and we'll tackle how to have money dates and stop fighting about money on today's show. In our headlines segment, we share a story about comedian Tracy Morgan. Apparently Walmart, who paid him $90M after a severe accident in 2015, wants more proof about his injury. We'll discuss disability coverage and more from that fallout. Then we throw out the Haven Life line to Susan, who asks about taking out a student loan for her son so he can establish credit. We'll also answer a letter from Julian about Roth IRAs, help Doug bring down the trivia, and sprinkle in some pick up lines along the way. Special thanks to M1Finance for sponsoring our show! We couldn't do any of this without the support of some pretty awesome companies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcast

The new vs. used car debate rages on today's podcast. Which is better, buying new with the warranties and assurances that a dealer brings to the table, or purchasing used for (possibly) a lot less money? No platitudes or "rules of thumb" in this discussion. Renee Horne, VP of Loan Experiences from USAA, and Timothy Cain, auto sales analyst for TheTruthAboutCars.com, tackle every aspect of the discussion, from warranties, insurance, car payments, maintenance, car dealers, and available choices. It's a comprehensive, fun discussion that you won't want to miss. ...and in our Friday FinTech segment, ever worry about paying too much for health care? Better yet, ever wonder if you're being overcharged at your doctor versus going to a different provider? David Vivero from Amino.com joins us to talk about researching your doctor, health care facility AND the procedures you're contemplating in an easier way than you'd ever thought possible. Thanks to MagnifyMoney.com for sponsoring our show, and thanks also to everyon

What would you find out about yourself after writing down all of your income and expenses for a year? Jonathan Morduch and Rachel Schneider, authors of The Financial Diaries, did just that, and they found some disturbing trends about work, emergency funds, and families struggling to get ahead. We talk to them about how families cope on today's podcast. On the Haven Life line, Brenda is changing jobs from a 401k to a 403b. Can she move money between these two funds? If she can...should she? We'll discuss her options. In headlines, Jamie Wize from the BUZZ Index (ticker BUZ) joins us to talk about recent social media swells about SNAP and Palo Alto.  Of course we have Doug's trivia, some bad jokes, and lots more.... Huge thanks to MagnifyMoney.com for helping us with today's show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We kick off today's show talking Tiger Woods and the cost of his recent...er...problem. And then Karen Schenone from Blackrock tells us about how bonds work! What a great kickoff to today's episode. After that, it's ALL of your letters, including ones about IRAs...how to you maximize your contributions; we then turn to blogging. Should Daryl start a blog? We weigh in. We also talk about investing in bonds, building the wrong side-hustle, and more. Special thanks to M1Finance for sponsoring our show! Looking for an investing platform that doesn't involve compromises? Try M1Finance to be invested. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are there really only three rules to getting rich? A recent online piece at a major publication says so, so we ask our crack panel to weigh in. If there WERE three rules, would these even be the correct three? Of course that's not all. We'll also talk about stock market and investing facts you may not know, and wrap it all up with some of our biggest financial regrets. On our Friday FinTech segment, we talk to Ryan Coon from Rentalutions. Thinking about renting houses on the side? Ryan and company have created some interesting technology to help you organize like a pro. Thanks to MagnifyMoney.com for sponsoring our show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What should you know about your money that doctors often mess up? Dr. Amir Baluch comes down to the basement today to share some of the basics that he teaches doctors...and that you should know, too. Plus, in headlines we talk about a mechanic who says, "Your car is DONE!" and also share a disturbing story about people losing vacation days. That's expensive--and not just for your wallet. On the Haven Life line, Erin just bought a car with cash and now has some cash flow to invest. She asks the guys where to put it. In our letters segment, William worries about life insurance. Does he have enough? Of course we have Doug's trivia, some bad jokes, and lots more.... Huge thanks to SoFi and MagnifyMoney.com for helping us with today's show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With automation a bigger part of our life, what's going to drive the economy in the future? We talk economics, work, and the role of money with executive producer Dave O'Connor of the new National Geographic show Year Million. In our headlines segment, we're joined by David Siegel, CEO of Investopedia, to tells us about lessons learned from their recent Market Madness competition. 5,000 college students participated, and the results AND lessons from the competition, including some of the big names missing from the average portfolio, are interesting. We also talk about annuity sales, which are down a TON since this time last year. What's going on? OG & Joe will talk all things annuity. We also throw out the Haven Life line to Josh, who wonders if he should hire a more active manager for his money, and we answer a letter from a listener who thinks Joe's movie review of a recent film was more than a little off. Of course, that's not all. Doug brings the trivia, mom brings treats, and there are some horrible joke

What are some tricks to lower your utility bills? Jamila from JourneyToLaunch and Fritz Gilbert from The Retirement Manifesto join Len Penzo (Len Penzo dot com) in a fun, fast-paced roundtable discussion about lowering your home expenses and saving more money. We'll also tackle the recent news from Ford about their HUGE personnel cuts. What should YOU do if you think your job is on the chopping block?  In our Friday HR segment, the Evil HR Lady, Suzanne Lucas stops by to answer a listener letter. It seems our listener is close to retirement and his boss might be a micro-manager...or maybe just overly focused on setting improvement goals. How does our listener work with the boss to get through the next couple years until he retires? As always, we have all of that and much, much more to help you kick off a big holiday weekend in the USA. Thanks to SoFi and MagnifyMoney.com for sponsoring our show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Memorial Day right around the corner in the USA, we ask Mr. Theme Park Insider, Robert Niles, "Where we can find the best values?" As always, he delivers with suggestions for parks around the country, and with ideas for people and families of all ages. In our headlines we talk about money disorders that kill your financial plan. We also discuss a disturbing spending trend among older people. We throw out the Haven Life line to Emily, who wants to know if her boyfriend's job is sub-optimal (he's an active stock trader), and we answer a letter from Stephanie, who asks about buying a house. Should she plop down a bigger down payment or go with a bigger loan to leave her money invested? Of course we have Doug's trivia, some bad jokes, and lots more.... Huge thanks to SoFi and MagnifyMoney.com for helping us with today's show! Looking for show notes? They're right here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we're live from Times Square and the 2017 CO-OP THINK! Conference, where credit union executives gathered to talk innovation in money management. What do the next five years look like for your money? What innovative solutions are credit unions dreaming up? We talk to top credit union officials from around the country AND financial luminaries like Jean Chatzky and Bobby Rebell to talk about digital innovation. We also throw out the Haven Life line to a caller who wonders how to invest a $200,000 inheritance. Doug brings the trivia, we answer a listener letter, and much more. Thanks to SoFi and M1Finance for sponsoring our show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you get ahead financially? Our friends at Kiplinger wrote a fantastic, conservative piece about the keys to financial success and today our crack roundtable team of award winning writers will discuss THAT piece and two others. In our Friday Fintech segment we talk to Dee Choubey from MoneyLion about tracking your money more effectively. How does it work? We'll talk all things money management, debt control, and good, solid nudges to help you handle your finances successfully. Thanks to SoFi and MagnifyMoney.com for sponsoring our show!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Invest or pay down credit cards? Buy a car or invest toward a house? These are opportunity cost questions, and today, Emily Guy Birken, author of End Financial Stress NOW, joins us to explain how it works. We'll also talk about the problem with "free," sunk costs, and other often neglected strategies to manage money better. In our headlines we'll talk Johnny Depp again, plus talk financial knowledge. How much do we learn about money over our lifetime? The answer will surprise you. Today we throw out the Haven Life line to Jordan, who has an important tax question many of you may share. Taylor sends us a letter about opportunity cost. Should he pay down debt or invest? We also share Doug's trivia, and more. Thanks to SoFi and MagnifyMoney.com for helping us with today's show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices