The Stacking Benjamins Show

If anyone knows how to sell a house, it's Mindy Jensen. Not only is she a house flipper extraordinaire, but she also works at BiggerPockets, the home of one of the largest forums (if not the largest) for real estate investors. She knows LOTS of the best advice. We talked to her a year ago, and in the spirit of this home-buying season, we thought we should replay this episode because it was such great advice. Whether its your residence, a rental you've been meaning to get rid of, or you're dipping your feet into flipping homes, there are easy mistakes you can avoid to sell your home FAST and get the most out of a sell. Back in 2018 we talked to Mindy Jenson, a master house-flipper whose successfully sold house after house, and got some insider tips on tricks are coming out of the real estate market a winner. Here is our original show description:In a crowded market, having a leg up by avoiding some easy mistakes might be the difference between selling your home quickly, and for the top dollar price possible, or not selling at all. House-flipper Mindy Jensen has sold COUNTLESS houses, and today stops by the basement with her best tips to help you sell your own homes faster. Whether it's your primary residence, rental property or flip, she'll detail how to prioritize and budget for repairs or improvements, and how to find the right help to sell your home. In our headlines segment, freelance writer Hannah Rounds has published a piece on which tax software makes her "recommended" list and which she says to avoid. She comes down to the basement to discuss winners and losers. Also in headlines, what can we learn about finance from basketball player LeBron James? Apparently, quite a bit, according to one publication. We'll talk about key lessons from LeBron on today's show.We'll of course have more from the world of financial planning, throw out the Haven Life line to lucky listener Marie, who wonders about better diversification for her money. Is ONLY having an S&P 500 fund a good approach?Of course, we'll still score with some of Doug's delightful trivia, and more.Why compromise with investments when you can use an intuitive, easy-to-use, robust platform? M1Finance combines the power of automated investing platforms with the flexibility of do-it-yourself but more expensive brokers. ...and now, it's FREE! Be Invested. Check out M1Finance . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The rules of work have changed over the last several years. You need to stay up to date on what's relevant so you aren't left behind and miss the next career opportunity. We were surprise when we went back and listened to this episode from 2017, when Joe sat down with Kathryn Minshew & Alex Cavoulacos, founders of TheMuse.com, to review what were then the new rules of business. Clearly, many still don't understand these. We find that these rules are just as relevant today as they were a few years ago, so we decided it was time to roll this episode again.Here is our original show description:Struggling at work? We'll review some of the "new rules" of business with the founders of TheMuse.com, Kathryn Minshew and Alex Cavoulacos. We'll talk about new rules in networking, finding the career you love, and working more effectively at the job you love.In our headline segment, Brian Barnes, CEO of M1Finance drops by to talk about tax planning. We know tax day was yesterday but these tips will help you make tax-smart moves while investing for the future. We'll also talk about another company being sued by an employee for rotten 401k options. Target date funds are again in the middle of some more controversy.Gena calls the Haven Life line to ask about the American Opportunity Credit, we share good news about recent guest Adam Dell and the Clarity app, and answer a letter from Ben about emerging markets investing. Is active investing the best way to go in smaller, more volatile markets? Of course, Doug brings down the trivia, and much, much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Less stress, easy overhead, and being debt-free... those are three fantastic reasons to chase financial independence. For a growing number of investors the top reason to save and live frugally has become a chance at early retirement. But, what type of freedom does early retirement bring? Is the freedom gained from early retirement worth it? We'll ask our contributors their thoughts on early retirement, and explore the concept of not retiring FROM something, but TO something on today's show. Assisting us in today's discussion is Rocky Lalvani from the Richer Soul podcast, Len Penzo from LenPenzo.com, and OG, from our very own Stacking Benjamins podcast.Halfway through the show, we'll hit the pause button on our discussion while Joe talks to Kevin Kidd, Roush Fenway competition director. You might be thinking, "WAIT, that's not FinTech! what does that have to do with finances?" As it turns out, there are a few financial lessons to be had from a professional racing team.Plus, after we finish a few laps around the track, we'll answer a voicemail from Rosie during our Magnify Money segment. Rosie's parents are retired, and she's recently learned her parents have been charged some crazy fees from their financial advisor. She wants to move them over to some low-cost index funds, but doesn't want to lose all their money in the process. What should their asset allocation look like?Thanks to Experian for supporting Stacking Benjamins. Boost your FICO score instantly for free. Boost is only available at Experian.com/sbThanks to MetPro for supporting Stacking Benjamins. Get a complimentary Metabolic Profiling assessment and a 30-minute consultation with a MetPro expert at metpro.co/sb. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're barring the doors, closing the shades, and not answering any house calls because today we're answering YOUR letters. From paying down a mortgage principle or investing, to allocations, backdoor conversions, and even the best strategies on giving kids an allowance... this show has it all, thanks to YOU!Plus, in our headlines segment, what can we learn from the life of a day trader? Longtime listeners can probably imagine the whole team's collective groan when we first broached this topic, but the more we discussed this headline, the more we found LOTS of great ideas that everyday investors can use. We love some of the lessons we can distill when learning what separates a good day trader from a bad one. In our second headline, we'll wonder out loud where is the future of financial advice is headed. We'll look over one report from Hartford Funds on important financial considerations you need to keep in mind and give our two cents while we're at it.Later, after we take a break during Doug's trivia, we'll queue up a voicemail from Pete, who no longer works at a job with 401k access. What are his options for investing with tax benefits? Can he still max our his Roth IRA through a backdoor conversion? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does a volcano have to do with your retirement? We won't use any crazy analogies here, like "things might erupt," or "danger could be bubbling below the surface," mostly because we wouldn't do something like that. But we don't need metaphors mostly because today we're talking to Dr. Rosaly Lopes, senior researcher, vulcanologist, and a TIAA client who speaks to us for a few minutes about her career, volcanoes, and how she's actively sought out annuities to fund her retirement. Why would she use them? What is a vulcanologist? What career advice does she have for people just starting down the path toward meaningful work? We'll ask all of those questions and more on today's show.And in our headlines segment, have you ever made bad financial decisions after a few drinks? (and we're definitely not referring to the kind the comes with free refills....). Maybe you ordered too much food, or indulged in some of Amazon's two-day shipping for "just a few" items you've had your eyes on? While breaking your diet for a night or ordering a new board game aren't exactly the biggest mistakes to make in the world, but how about drinking while you're on the job? While that may seem like duh moment for most of us, one exchange has recently made it official, telling workers to stop drinking on the job. Which business? Of course, it's a financial business...which is why we're talking about it today. Plus, in our second headline, scammers have ramped up schemes against people with medical bills. We'll cover 7 red flags to watch out for, and in a triple threat headlines segment today, we'll discuss one piece that proves how difficult it is to predict interest rates. It turns out even the brightest among us who study the market full time can't get it right.Later, after we take some time for Doug's specially themed volcanic trivia, we'll throw out the Haven Life Line to Mike, who's been thinking about exchange-traded funds. Should Mike have any concerns about using ETFs in his Roth IRA instead of mutual funds? After we're through discussing ETFs, we'll tear open a letter from Brian, who wants some fact-checking on his backdoor Roth conversion plans.Thanks to Experian for supporting Stacking Benjamins. Boost your FICO score instantly for free. Boost is only available at Experian.com/sb Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do avoid becoming a zombie? No, not the Walking Dead zombie, but the type who works their whole life, just pounding away, realizing too late that it was all for nothing? On today's episode, Deb Meyer helps the team talk about redefining retirement. What does it really mean? How do we ensure we're chasing the right dreams? We'll discuss some big, heady thoughts in today's main segment.Halfway through the show we'll take a break from our discussion to talk to the Evil HR Lady, Suzanne Lucas. Uber drivers have just been declared independent contractors, and not employees. What does that mean if you're working in the gig economy? What does that mean if you hire employees? We'll talk about all angles of this issue, and how it involves both side hustles and maybe also your primary job, on today's show.Of course, as always, we'll take a Magnify Money hotline call, test our knowledge with Doug's hotdog eating trivia, and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cameron Huddleston joins us to tell the story of her aging mother, and the time she nearly missed the chance to have an incredibly important conversation: how her financial assets were managed and what arrangements she'd made for the future. She'll share that story and strategies on talking with parents about money (especially what NOT to say), on today's show.Plus, in our headlines segment, more retirement plan lawsuits hit the court system. The Supreme Court is looking at an interesting case, which largely revolves around when the participant was told about allegedly sub-par investment options in his employer plan. If you get a prospectus, does that mean you're on the hook from that day for everything that's inside?Dave and his wife are debt free, and their children's college and retirement accounts are fully funded. Dave calls the Haven Life Line because they've been thinking about opening a taxable brokerage account to have funds outside of their retirement. Are there any tax implications they should know about? Is there anything else they should be considering?Thanks to LinkedIn for supporting Stacking Benjamins. Go to LinkedIn.com/sb and get a $50 credit toward your first job post.Thanks to Experian for supporting Stacking Benjamins. Boost your FICO score instantly for free. Boost is only available at Experian.com/sb Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You pay your bills on time. You're not in debt, and you have a great credit history. Yet, no matter what you do, you still find yourself stopping just below the mythical 800+ credit score threshold. What are you supposed to do? How do you push your credit score past the last hurdle? We'll discuss solutions for boosting a great credit score into a fantastic score, plus answer YOUR questions about credit card reward programs, where to keep your cash when you're waiting to buy a house, 401k questions and more on today's letter segment.And in our headlines segment, are you seeking out new financial knowledge on your own, or are you waiting for new information to find you instead? We'll talk with Emily Shallal, senior director of product innovation at Ally Bank, about Ally's recent study on financial literacy. Plus, in our second headline, brokers have until the end of June 2020 to implement new regulations. The new rules could put a bigger strain on smaller brokers, who lack the same amount of resources as larger companies.After some of Doug's musical trivia, we'll take a break from our letters to answer a Haven Life Line call from Gregg, who's opened a new brokerage account with Fidelity. The company has offered him a checking account., but when Greg initiatives an ACH on Day 1 it takes another 4 days before he gets access to the cash. How can they do this?Thanks to LinkedIn for supporting Stacking Benjamins. Go to LinkedIn.com/sb and get a $50 credit toward your first job post. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We LOVE talking about investing, savings, and of course, stacking Benjamins, but what about when you actually make it to retirement? Do you have a plan for your first day after your last day of work? How about that next month? That next year? We've mentioned it before: retirement isn't the destination, it's a journey, and a milestone on the bigger journey of life. Discussing the "Now, what?" of making it to retirement are our contributors, Derek Merkler from Parsonex Financial Services, Paula Pant from Afford Anything, and OG from our very own Stacking Benjamins.Halfway through the show we'll take a break from our discussion while Joe talks to Safwan Shah, CEO of PayActiv. Minimum wage employees are often hit the hardest with cashflow issues while they're between paychecks. Safwan and his company have set out to provide a solution: real time access to earned income. Safwan will share on just how PayActiv is accomplishing their goals during our Fintech segment.And during our Magnify Money call we'll answer a voicemail from Loretta. Loretta's parents are retired. They have a paid off house and a healthy amount of savings. However, her mom has gotten sick and money has become a bit tighter. Loretta has since realized that 90% of their stock is in one blue chip company. Her parents are hesitant to change. How can Loretta talk to her parents about their finances? Is She worried over nothing?Looking for something deeper than what we give you on the show? Three days a week not enough? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: The Stacker. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You've always known it: most of what people tell you about great work is a lie. Ideas such as company culture, work-life balance, and other truisms are all challenged today by bestselling business thinker, researcher and author Ashley Goodall. Today he joins us to flesh out what we really should be focusing on at work and how, whatever your role, you personally can make your work and your company better. If you spend a ton of time at work, why wouldn't you want it to be something that not only pays the bills, but something that's also fulfilling?In our headlines segment, a new report from the Federal Reserve shows how Americans are faring with their retirement savings. Finances seem to be okay, but what's the deal behind our thoughts on retirement savings? We'll share details. Plus, in our second headline, one survey is reporting that 60 percent of Americans don't have a will. While most of us don't have celebrity sized estates (such as the one we discussed Monday in our discussion on Tom Petty's estate problems), not leaving a will behind could mean trouble for your family.After we take a short break for Doug's Superman-themed trivia, we'll tackle a question from Erik who's thinking about opening a SEP account. Can he keep investing into his Roth IRA and have something like a SEP? Are there better options Erik should be looking into?And in out letters segment, we'll open a letter from Sue, who wants our thoughts on having an index annuity with an annual reset. She already has a bit of savings and has a paid off home. Is it annuity a good idea?Thanks to Experian for supporting Stacking Benjamins. Boost your FICO score instantly for free. Boost is only available at Experian.com/sb.Thanks to Clear for supporting Stacking Benjamins. Get your first two months of Clear for free by going to clearme.com/sb2019 and using promo code sb2019. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices