The Stacking Benjamins Show

Today we stay focused on goal setting. We're turning our attention to our group of financial media members and asking them how THEY are achieving their own goals. They'll share how they communicate, hold family members accountable, and stay on track. Joining us today is special guest and host of the Seven Figures podcast, Sandy Waters; Paula pant from the Afford Anything podcast, and Len Penzo from LenPenzo.com.Halfway through the show, we'll give our contributors a break while we sit down with health and wellness expert Angelo Poli from MetPro.co. With the holidays over and the new year here, Angelo has some great tips to fatten up your wallet while you trim down the waistline. How are you going to grow your net worth without a healthy body to keep you focused on the prize? We'll share how.Plus, how can early retirees make sure they have enough reserves in the bank to take care of emergencies down the road? During the MagnifyMoney segment, our contributors drop some knowledge for Laura, who called in asking about preparing for early retirement with a preexisting condition.Plus we'll save time for all-new game show trivia from the big man himself, Doug. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rules. When things go wrong we think, "We should make some more guidelines. That'll help people keep things moving." However, Netflix decided that rules might be the problem, so they eliminated many of them. Study after study shows that Netflix employees report high satisfaction with their jobs and perform at a highly productive rate. So how do they do it? Today we'll talk to Erin Meyer, co-author (with co-founder Reed Hastings), of a new book on the topic. Whether you manage a family, a department, or are an entrepreneur, today's interview will help you earn more and manage tasks (and people) more effectively.Plus, in our headlines segment, we'll detail a different way of gifting money. MacKenzie Scott gave away $6 billion in 2020 without asking for buildings to be named after her. She gave it quickly and effectively, many say. But if you're giving away money, what oversight should YOU employ before turning over your hard-earned money? We'll share what you need to know, plus in our second headline, we'll review a recent Securities and Exchange Commission ruling approving testimonials in advisor's advertising. How will that change marketing? Possibly, a lot. We'll explain.Of course, we'll also throw out the Haven Life line to Brad, who's retiring but still wants to max out his HSA contributions for the year. Are there any rules he needs to be aware of? In, fact, there are! OG will explain. Don't worry! We'll also save time for Doug's trivia question.Mom says hello! Enjoy the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Most of us start each year looking at external goals, such as "What can I gain," or "How can I achieve...", but after the dumpster fire we just experienced last year, we think the best place to begin 2021 is to look INWARD. If you know yourself better, you'll be able to address your strengths and cover your weaknesses. On today's show, Rachel Cruze joins us to tackle your money history and how your family, upbringing, and past mistakes can help you become a more powerful saver, spender and earner this year and beyond. It's a powerful interview and we're excited to help you avoid the shame, remorse, and guilt that many of us feel around our financial lives."You can change yourself and you can change your habits." - Rachel CruzeIn our headlines segment, we'll discuss the tremendous pressure many students feel to go to college, by tackling one star who just emerged from her prison sentence. We'll also tackle the new Social Security rules for 2021. While there are lots of changes, even if you aren't yet receiving Social Security benefits, we'll widen this topic to share some best practices when it's your turn to apply.During the Haven Life Line we'll take an answer from Eric, who has questions on HSA contribution limits. While his wife has an FSA, Eric has an HSA for him and his son. Eric asks: does he fall under the single contribution limit, or is he covered by the family limits?Of course, Doug will share another fantastic trivia question, and there's much, much more.Happy New Year! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wish you knew what the future held? Us too! While we can only foresee the future as well as the next guy, our brilliant, all-knowing device is all fired up and ready to go to kick off your 2021. That's right, this is our annual Magic 8-Ball episode, where we look back on the events of 2020 and ask a plastic, Walmart-purchased kid's toy what it thinks will happen over the next 12 months. For those of you stumbling onto this show for the first time you're in for a treat: each January for the last many, many years, we've asked Len Penzo's Magic 8-ball to predict what's in store, and during the early years, this little ball was EERILY accurate. BUT, not only will we take a look back to see how well the 8-ball predicated 2020's events (and really, who could have guessed this year?), we'll also implore the 8-ball to reveal the secrets of the upcoming year.Plus, for those of you getting serious about your personal finance resolutions, we'll ask the headmaster of the Stacking Benjamins Money Club, Aaron Velky for his best advice during today's fintech segment. One thing we already know: having accountability makes achieving your goals that much easier.Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to our final show of 2020! We're finishing our the year that seemed like it would never end with another classic episode from 2014. Long-time listeners may remember our interview with one-half of the two man Cannonball Run crew, and new listeners will appreciate this one. Just remember, the show format was a little different back then.Make sure to tune in tomorrow for our very first (brand new!) episode of 2021: our Magic 8-ball show with Len Penzo. Long time fans love this show year after year, and with all the madness that was 2020, you'll definitely want to see how the 8-ball's predictions have stood against the test of time.You can read our original show notes for today's episode below:While OG is moving across country, we thought we’d bring you a cross country adventure episode!Ed Bolian did something you wish you’d also done – he drove coast to coast in a modified Mercedes…..in just over 28 hours. How did he do it? Ed shares his crazy story on this week’s episode.Suzanne Lucas, the Evil HR Lady, is BACK with a horror story about 401k loans.Sandy Smith (Yes, I Am Cheap!) joins Len and Paula on the roundtable to discuss 33 reasons your finances are a mess, plus Len and Joe read and answer your letters and discuss a couple movies.Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to our second most quirky Stacking Benjamins interview. This show goes way back, so don't worry if the format feels a little different. You can read our short and sweet headlines below:Ken Perenyi forged masterpieces for a living…until the FBI showed up on his doorstep one day. Ken’s book, Caveat Emptor, describes how he went from a school boy with no money to a world class forgery expert….AND Ken describes the journey himself on today’s show.The Makin’ Sense Babe is in a foul mood, and rants against people who don’t understand side hustles. Joe & OG discuss how financial advisors dress…..does that impact the quality of their advice? Doug brings trivia, the guys show you how to win Jane Blaufus’ book, and they review two hit films: Captain Phillips and Gravity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Just a few more days until the new year! We're keeping our countdown going strong with one of America's original big-time investors: Abigail Adams. You can read our original show notes below: As Women’s History Month draws to a close we suddenly realize….we’ve done nothing to celebrate! Today on the show we make up for that (‘in spades,” as mom says) by inviting down to the basement professor Woody Holton, author of the book Abigail Adams, for which he won the Bambridge Award and more. He’ll describe the amazing prowess of Adams in a time when many women not only weren’t investing, but weren’t even allowed to participate in their family’s financial plan. He’ll describe which investments she preferred, why she decided against real estate didn’t work for her portfolio, and how she created an estate plan for herself in a time when many women didn’t have that luxury.In our headlines segment, we’ll talk to Jamie Wise from the BUZZ Index (ticker BUZ). He’ll describe why his strategy and those of some of his algorithm-based competitors seem to be winning in this time of volatility. He’ll also share some of the names that the crowds on social media are focusing on to ride the choppy market. Also, with the financial markets all over the place, we’ll review a story from Marketwatch that asks whether the market will crash, and if it will, what you should do to buckle up. The advice might surprise you, if you’re looking for ways to exit stage left, or are looking for advice that tells you how to exit stage left….or right.We’ll of course have more from the world of financial planning, throw out the Haven Life line to lucky listener Nelson, who’s worried about his parents’ financial plan. They have an insurance-company based financial advisor, so Nelson thinks that they should move to different advice. How does he approach the topic with his parents? We also score some of Doug’s spinach-based trivia, and more. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to day four of our countdown! You didn't think we would stop did you? Today in our New Years countdown featuring our quirkiest interviews, we're turning back the clock to our time with documentary filmmaker Sanjay Rawal. You can read our original show notes below: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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to day three of our countdown! You may recognize this one from earlier this year, but we just couldn't bring ourselves to leave this one off the list. You can read our original show notes on this Dominatrix-themed episode below: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 mailbag during our Haven Life Line and answer an estate-related question from Diana. Diana is the executrix of an estate plan for the funds of two pre-teens but wants to appoint someone else to take over most of the responsibilities. What can she do? What is she supposed to do? We’ll cover some estate planning basics on today’s show.Of course, we’ll also make some time for Doug’s trivia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to day two of our countdown to New Years! Did you know that one group of people tend to live longer than the rest of the population? This episode was one of our old-school "short stacks," and you'll find just the interview in this one. You can read our original show notes below:Dr. Anna Corwin, a (then) anthropology PhD candidate at UCLA specializing in aging, well being and social interaction, wrote such a great piece for Yes! The Magazine that we had to have her on the show to discuss it. One group of people have picked the lock on living longer and more happily than the average person. What group is it? You’ll have to listen to find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices