The Stacking Benjamins Show

Establishing your BEST financial habits means realizing that it isn't about being great today or tomorrow; it's about doing the right things over and over again for the long run. Today we talk to the creator of a documentary specifically about a long run. 3100, Run and Become is the story of an ultramarathon that covers (shocker) 3100 miles. Better yet? It's run around a single New York City block. Sanjay Rawal will take us through the event, his making of the film, and we'll talk about topics that have everything to do with finance. 1) Finding what you love; 2) Chasing a dream; 3) Knowing your weaknesses; 4) Finding your state of "Flow"; and more. The cool part for us? We get to talk finance in a way that you've probably never heard it talked about before.During our headlines segment, another deceased celebrity's estate is an arm wrestling match for the heirs. Sigh. We'll tell you who's fighting for the cash and discuss what YOU should do to foolproof your estate plan from your greedy family. Then, in our second headline, credit card reward programs are everywhere... but just like ice cream brands, they're not all created equal. We'll talk pros and cons of credit card rewards during our second piece.As if that's not enough, we keep bringing it! During our Haven Life Line segment, we'll answer a question from Jason. He's wants to retire in his 40s. If Jason rolls his Roth 401k into a Roth IRA, will he be able to withdraw the cash without the tax penalty? Does the 5 year conversion rule still apply?Then, in our letter segment David is just starting to pay attention to his financial situation. He wants to know what the advantage would be of using a financial advisor or buying funds that have high expense ratios over doing it himself. Couldn't he just do it on his own and save extra cash? We'll surprise Jason with an answer he doesn't expect, and hopefully surprise you, too.And don't you worry, we'll still have time for some of Doug's very special Benjamin Franklin themed trivia.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

What are the absolutely worst wedding gifts you could give this wedding season? One recent article from Kiplinger had us nodding our heads, so Mom said we should challenge our Friday roundtable, including special guest Beau Henderson from the Retirement Resource podcast, to a special game show! While we'll have some fun with this topic, you'll take away some better ideas for wedding gifts, creating a little less waste and a ton less wasted money.Halfway through the show we'll take a break from our discussion on all things wedding related while Joe talks to Anthony Strike, founder of SteadiPay. Steadipay helps users pay off their credit cards in full so that they can use them like debit cards. How does it work? SteadiPay puts an equal amount of cash aside each time a credit card is used, and at the end of the month the app will automatically pay your balance with the amount. Interested in knowing more? We'll get the details from Anthony.And after we let Doug have a little fun with our Friday gameshow-inspired trivia, we'll field a voicemail from an anonymous caller during our Magnify Money call. Our caller tells us they're relatively new to money, and that they're 34 with $300k of savings built up. What's the best plan of action to get started in the world of finances?Thanks to Simple Contacts for supporting Stacking Benjamins. Save $20 on your first Simple Contacts order at http://www.simplecontacts.com/sb and use promo code: sb. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you make all of your financial transactions happy ones? How do you introduce the idea of abundance into your life? Ken Honda believes that while money can't make you happy, we DO attach lots of emotions to those bills in our wallet. Why shouldn't we actively manage our self talk around our money? That's the question Ken asks and answers on today's show. We'll talk about gratitude, sharing, making more money, changing your mindset, and creating more "Happy Money" in your life.Plus, in our headlines segment, stock market investors aren't the only one worried about fees...the Justice Department is currently taking a look into the world of real estate and hidden realtor commissions. So, what does that mean to you? We'll discuss how sneaky commissions impact the home buying process for both sellers and buyers. In our second headline, the IRS has announced a higher limit for HSA contributions in 2020. We'll have you covered with everything you need to know by the end of today's headlines segment.Then, after a little break for Doug's trivia, we'll answer Cal's voicemail call to the Haven Life Line. Cal's planing on semi-retiring soon. He thinks he'll use his 401k to subsidize his post 55 years. Is this a solid plan, or is there something he's missing?And during our letters segment we'll tear open some mail from Adrian, who write's in with a some questions about opening up a Roth IRA for kids. Is it true that minors can have an IRA once they earn income? Does that have to be through a W2, or does chore money work too?Thanks to Skillshare for supporting Stacking Benjamins. Get TWO months of courses for free at Skillshare.com/SB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Allison Schrager is an economist who's studied negotiation, diversification, and also, the topic we'll discuss in today's episode, risk. She'll explain risk using a lens that we haven't seen someone use before...the eyes and actions of legal sex workers. To illustrate how people think about risk, she visited brothels, horse breeders, and, among others, poker players. We'll discuss the many ways we miscalculate risk, how to make better decisions, and what happens when we evaluate the wrong types of risk.And in our headlines segment, we'll call up Madeline Hume from Morningstar. They've completed a report on the state of 529 college savings plans nationally, and Joe and Madeline will dive into the data. We'll talk ab out the latest innovations in plans, plus shine a spotlight on some of the best and worst states to invest your hard-earned college money. Plus, we'll look at one piece describing a shakeup in the online financial planning community that could spell trouble for industry leader Vanguard.In our Haven Life Line segment, we'll throw out the line to Jason, who has some questions for OG about risk parity. Would something like a a 50/50 split between stocks and long-term treasuries a good idea? What are the possible downsides?After we spend some time giving advice to Jason we'll tear open Chris's letter, who has some social security questions. Considering the investments and pensions Chris and his wife already have on the table, would it make more sense to defer taking social security? We'll give our thoughts, but if you're looking for a more in depth conversation about social security you can check our our previous interview with Philip Moeller and Paul Solman.Thanks to Skillshare for supporting Stacking Benjamins. Get TWO months of courses for free at Skillshare.com/SB.Thanks to Simple Contacts for supporting Stacking Benjamins. Save $20 on your first Simple Contacts order at http://www.simplecontacts.com/sb and use promo code: sb. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is there ever a right time to quit your job? At what point do you give up on the current job and take a pay cut to climb a better ladder? On today's show we'll talk career prospects, life planning, income, and more during our headline segment. Helping us out with today's roundtable are our contributors: Mary Wheeler from the Know Debt No Problem podcast, Paula Pant from the Afford Anything podcast, and OG from our very own Stacking Benjamins show.Halfway through the show we'll take a little break from our discussion on jobs (or lack thereof), while Joe talks to Simeon Hyman of ProShares about the market's new exchange traded fund... PAWZ. We've discussed plenty of financial and investment strategies on the show, but this may be the first time we'll discuss a pet care inspired ETF.After Joe wraps up his conversation with Simeon we'll pivot back towards our contributors for our Magnify Money call. JC calls in today with some excited news: he's getting married soon! With marriage on the way, JC also has retirement on his mind. He's 27, and is thinking about playing catch-up with his investments. Is he a little crazy to think about maxing out their accounts despite their income levels?Thanks 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.Thanks to AcreTrader for supporting Stacking Benjamins. Learn more at AcreTrader.com/sb. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What's on your bucket list? Do you talk about your list or have you actually sat down and drawn one up. If not, why not? Today's guest, Karen Cordaway, discusses bucket lists in detail with us. Why you should have one, how to begin, what to avoid, and how to stick to your list are just a few of the topics we'll cover. Even if you're knee deep into building your list (or working through one), there's something for everyone today!And in our headlines segment... how prepared are you to tackle unexpected expenses? We'll cover a piece by the Motley Fool that describes one bill that would bankrupt most Americans, but don't worry, we'll also give some methods on getting ahead. In our second headlines, we'll give our two cents on 10 rules one publication says that you should follow for financial success.We'll throw out the Haven Life Line to Sanjay, who's thinking about putting all of his cash in a single index fund like the Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund. Long time listeners of the show probably know where this one is heading.And don't worry, we'll still have time for some of Doug's trivia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's holiday episode we'll remember a great member of the investment community, T. Rowe Price. Cornelius Bond recently wrote a biography on the investing giant, and we'll dive in on the man, the investment philosophy, and how he built one of the country's biggest financial companies. First, in our headlines segment, do you know someone who's graduating this spring? You may want to share today's show with them, because we'll cover what many employers think is the most annoying characteristic of new hires. Think the trait has something to do with slacking off or staring at their phones all the time? The real answer might surprise you. Plus, in our second headline, Uber just completed one of the  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What keeps you motivated when you don't feel like thinking about saving more, spending less, or investing better? Do you have words you live by to help guide you through life? On today's show we're calling our friends Brandon Opre from TrustTree Financial, Paula Pant from Afford Anything, and the Len Penzo from LenPenzo.com, to discuss financial quotes that'll keep you motivated. Take this (interesting) freebee from Charles A. Jaffee: "It's not your salary that makes you rich; it's your spending habits." Like that? We have many more in today's episode.Halfway through the show, we'll take a break from the discussion with our roundtable crew to finish our summer holiday travel coverage. To compliment our show from Wednesday with Theme Park Insider's Robert Niles, today Joe will talk with Bethany Bayless, co-host of the Money Millhouse podcast, about Disney tips and tricks she's so graciously decided to share with us. If you'll want to hear more of that conversation make sure to stick around for a few seconds after Doug closes out the show... you won't regret it if you have a trip planned to see a mouse in your future.After we close out of our Disney themed travel guide, we'll hand the mic over to Doug who has some holiday weekend-appropriate trivia. We'll ask our roundtable a very important question: how many billions of dollars did Americans spend on wine last year? Think you have the answer? Remember your answer and see if you could beat our guests on the show.We'll end today's roundtable with a call from Amy, who's going back to school to be a nurse practitioner. While her hospital is paying for some of her expenses and fees, Amy will still have to cough up about $15,000. Should she reduce her 403b contributions to the company match, or take out a loan and pay it back after she gets her degree?Thanks to Proper Cloth for supporting Stacking Benjamins. Get $20 off your first custom shirt at Propercloth.com/sb.Thanks to Ting for supporting Stacking Benjamins! Get $25 off your phone at sb.ting.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Each year here in the basement, it isn't officially summer until we present this episode, which is why we're so happy to bring you Robert Niles, Mr. Theme Park Insider. He's coming down for his annual trip to the basement to help you find your best summer theme park fun. From the best upcoming rides, to fan favorites, plus the best way to get a few discounts from your favorite parks...he's bringing all his tips and tricks to you on this episode. I know! We're fired up, too!And in our headlines segment, where's the best place to save for big purchases like a house or other short-term goals? We'll probably have a few answers that are not exactly what you're thinking. And in our second piece, randomly selected stocks beat out investment picks by fund managers. So... what does that mean for us? We'll cover monkeys, darts, and savings goals on today's headlines segment. Just another day...Next, during our Haven Life Line call, we'll answer a voicemail from Dan, who wants to know how best to allocate his family's investments. He's diversified, but does he really need mid-caps and a total stock market index fund? Plus, in our follow-up letters segment, Steve calls in says that he's invested in large, mid, and small cap... (plus international funds.) Steve doesn't have a problem with his allocation, but is it an issue that it's all through one brokerage firm? You'll get the best of both worlds during today's listener focused segments.And don't worry, we'll still have time for some theme parked... themed trivia.Thanks to Ting for supporting Stacking Benjamins! Get $25 off your phone at sb.ting.com.How about $50 off your first job post? Head to Linkedin.com/sb Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bigger Pockets' David Greene joins us to tackle a more efficient way to buy real estate, especially if you're interested in building a large portfolio of passive income-generating properties. It's called the BRRRR method, and we'll walk through each of those letters on today's show. specifically, we'll talk about how to buy, rehab, rent out, refinance, and repeat. Even if you don't plan on using BRRRR as your strategy, David will share lots of tips on putting your best real estate deals together, finding a great time to help you, and common problems with real estate investing and how to avoid them.And in our headlines segment, are you in a race to reach retirement? We'll discuss one MarketWatch piece that shares 5 hard-earned lessons from people who retired early. It turns out that early retirement (or any retirement at all, is more about psychology than you would think...but it's still about math.Later in the show we'll throw out the Haven Life line to Dave. His mother-in-law wants to invest in his children's college fund. What's the best way to go about that? A 529 plan? Something else? We'll all weigh in on a myriad of options.Then, in our letters segment, Aly's Capital One investment account has been sold to E-Trade. What are the alternatives that she should use?Of course, as always, we'll also make some room for some of Doug's fantastic pre-Memorial Day trivia.Thanks to Proper Cloth for supporting Stacking Benjamins. Get $20 off your first custom shirt at Propercloth.com/sb.How about $50 off your first job post? Head to Linkedin.com/sbHave you read this far? Write us this phrase: OG Stinks! to joe at stackingbenjamins.com to win a #Doug2020 tee-shirt. You can join the brigade of people for responsible leadership!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices