The Stacking Benjamins Show

Heather Jacks has done it all. She's created a new job to work for Howard Shultz, facilitated wine and bourbon tastings, ferried pigs for a guy, lived in the outback, and slept full-time in a bus named Bubba. Also? She writes travel stories for Fodor's and other outlets, while also keeping a blog. ....and she's modeled. ..and she's been a teacher. ...and....the list goes on, but we're excited today to talk to her about how she's found a way to put together diverse skills and barter her way across the USA. Think you don't have enough money to travel? She'll share tricks she's used and stories from the road on today's wide-ranging (to put it mildly) discussion.LOTS of people are having debt forgiven because of COVID-19, but some are in store for a surprise. We'll share who's showing up with their hand out when you write down debt during our headlines segment. Also, the new Social Security cost of living increase has been announced, and....it's not pretty. We'll talk inflation, the stock market, and setting up your investments to win.Of course we'll also throw out the Haven Life line to a lucky listener and leave some time for Doug to share some of his mind-bending trivia. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How's your network of mentors, friends and coaches? Who can you reach out to for help when you really need something? On today's show our roundtable contributors will tackle networking, and how to build a more effective surround sound for your life. We won't talk "networking," which can come across as dirty and slimy. We'll tackle how to effectively and sincerely grow a network so that you're more effective and also more of a help to other people. Our piece today says that your net worth is equal to your network, and we'll ask our roundtable what that means for you.Speaking of being happy...after our discussion on true friendship, wealth, and cold, hard business decisions - we'll turn our attention to a new site called Happy Money in our Friday FinTech segment. We'll give a break to our panel while Joe talks with the company's Chief Science Officer, Dr. Elizabeth Dunn, who's a behavioral and happiness expert. How do you, as mom says, turn that money frown upside down? She'll share details of what they're working on.Who's on our roundtable today? We're super happy that today we network with Roger Whitney from the Retirement Answer Man podcast, Paula Pant from Afford Anything, and OG from our very own podcast.Of course, we'll also save time for Doug's Friday game show trivia. It's too bad Joe isn't in the running for points - today's Disney themed trivia would net him an easy win this week. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How's your savings plan been? Have you had to abandon ship on your retirement goals during this car wreck of a year? What are the keys to doing well with your money when the world turns on it's head? Today we'll discuss all of those things and T. Rowe Price's newest 401k data with the company's head of thought leadership, Josh Dietch.Is the stock market a house of cards? In a stunning accusation, one piece says that the stock market is nothing more than a (legal) Ponzi scheme, and a better investment for your money would be real estate, agriculture, and oil. While we're NOT jumping on the train to Ponziville, could there be some logic to the claims? We'll break down whether you should take any stock in opinion pieces with claims like these during our headlines segment of the show. Plus, Cake Boss Buddy Valastro is on his road to recovery after severely injuring his dominant decorating hand in a bowling alley accident. We'll share exactly what happened, and why this might make you change your mind about your insurances.We'll round out today's show with a letter from Randy during the Haven Life Line. After listening to our Guy Raz episode, Randy wanted to share his experience moving to Columbia. He reports that it was "easier" than he thought it would be, and he saved a lot of money doing it.Of course, we'll always save some time for Doug's trivia. It's an action packed Wednesday here in the basement, so we hope you enjoy it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you focus on managing time or money? If you worry about every dollar, do you value your time similarly, spending moments carefully? While many of us know much we expect to save, spend, and invest each month, not as many of us know exactly where our time is going. In her new book, Time Smart, Harvard Global Health fellow Ashley Whillans explains where all your extra time is going, the two different approaches we take with time and work, and why it feels like we have less time in our day than ever before.Think you don't need a layer of separation between you and your money? After today's headline, you might reconsider how much access you want to your cash. The short and sweet? Under NO circumstances should you cash out $400,000 for your partner's flight school venture. (And maybe watch your checks). In our second headline, we'll cover Kobe's autographed court floor selling for over $600,000. While that's an undeniable nice piece of history to show off to your friends, the average investor (or even a lot of investors who could be considered rich), probably shouldn't even think about spending that kind of cash on a collectible.Plus, during our Haven Life Line Steve from Arkansas has a thing or two to say about Bauxite. On a recent show Joe and OG dismissed Bauxite a little too quickly for Steve's tastes, and he's laying down some firsthand knowledge.As always, we'll save some time for Doug's trivia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Most of us are frustrated by our paycheck. Are you a Henry? That's "high earner, not rich yet." Maybe you know a Henry and are confused how someone who makes so much money is constantly broke all the time? While our topic today covers money mistakes made by high-earners, workers of all income-levels will find today's advice relevant to their wallets.Plus, ever dream about owning rare baseball cards, vintage cars, or maybe even a jersey? Halfway through the show we'll dive into the world of investing and collectibles with Rob Petrozzo, co-founder of Rally. While you might not have the cash to buy a classic Aston Martin, you could invest in some shares.During our Magnify Money segment we have a big question that Brian posted in our Basement Facebook group on behalf of his neighbor. Brian's neighbor has had a rough go financially so far, but he's looking to turn things around. With bad credit, a felony, and a foreclosure on the record where should Brian's neighbor start?Plus, we'll make some time's for Doug's weekly trivia game show.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How are geniuses different than the rest of us? Can we study them to emulate some of their strengths? How do we define genius? Can we become a genius by applying ourselves? Today we'll tackle all of those questions and more with Dr. Craig Wright, who joins us to talk all things genius on today's show. If you've ever wondered what to do to improve your abilities in any area, we'll cover some of the traits of the best and brightest among us on today's show.Plus, while we've all read about the growing gap between the richest and poorest among us, we've actually read very few ideas to solve the problem. Hedge fund star Bill Ackman has a proposal, and in our headlines segment, we'll share details. Should we begin giving people money at birth? That's part of his idea that we'll share. Also, we all know that there are a few keys to success in life. Today we'll share the "magic sauce" as presented by one Tik-Tok creator. Brilliant!Of course we'll still throw out the Haven Life line AND save time for some of Doug's delicious trivia. What are you waiting for? Press "play" already! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you getting all of the mileage you can from your workplace benefits? LOTS of people are likely leaving money on the table by not layering benefits correctly, and TODAY we'll make sure you aren't one of them. Today Amanda Lannert, CEO of benefit-expert company Jellyvision, joins Joe to share best practices when it comes to increasing the mileage from your benefits. During Joe and Amanda's conversation, we'll walk through every benefit in the package and detail how to make better decisions about not just health insurance, life insurance, and disability coverage, but we'll also talk about flex spending accounts, health savings accounts, dependent care accounts, pet insurance, legal plans, supplemental hospital coverage, dental, and more.What's your retirement plan? We'll kick off our headlines segment by sharing the very scary retirement plan that far too many Americans are relying on. If you're reading this, you just might be the saver in your group of friends... and after you hear today's statistics you'll want to make sure your friends aren't including YOU as THEIR emergency plan. Plus, in our second piece, one lucky man found a 9-caret diamond in a public state park. As it turns out, it doesn't matter how you come into money, the IRS will find you, and they'll get their due. (On the other hand... public roads are nice too).We'll finish the show with a Haven Life Line question. Brian's company started offering withdrawls on after-tax contributions. Brian plans on using the mega back door Roth IRA instead of a 529 plan for his two-year old. He wants to pull out the contributions only and let the growth be used for retirement savings. Brian asks: what do we think of his plan?Of course, we'll also give Doug will some air time to deliver his trivia! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How many times have you negotiated a better deal? Car payments? Rent? Mortgage fees? How much in life is up for negotiation, and how do you get better at it? We asked our roundtable contributors the same thing, and they had a lot to offer. Making up today's show: Stacy Johnson, founder and CEO of MoneyTalkNews; Paula Pant from the Afford Anything podcast; and Len Penzo (from the LenPenzo.com blog), and another thanks to our celebrity reader - and author of today's piece - Rich Jones from Paychecks & Balances.Halfway through the show we'll take a break from our discussion while Joe rings up Ryan Falvey, co-founder of Financial Venture Studio. Fintech is a fast moving field, and we'll find out from Ryan how COVID has changed the game when it comes to apps on your phone.We'll finish out today roundtable with a Magnify Money call from Bruce. He tells our roundtable that he's buying his first home, and wants to shop around for a good mortgage. How can he do that without his credit being dinged 100 times? Our roundtable gives him so solid advice, and it'll be nice knowledge for you tooo.Of course, we'll also carve out some time for Doug's game show trivia.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The biggest mistake you can make is to wait until the last minute to learn about how to make the most out of your benefits packages. It's one thing to mess up a form at the DMV, but when it comes to your Medicare, making a mistake can lead to big issues with your health. Danielle Kunkle Roberts, author of new book, 10 Costly Medicare Mistakes You Can't Afford To Make, comes on today's show to share the key decisions you'll need to make and how to avoid losing money or health care options.Plus, is another bear market on the way? Honest answer? Maybe! During our headlines we'll explain how the bear market could drop next week, (or tomorrow, or even next month)... and why that shouldn't matter to your portfolio anyway. In our second piece, we'll share the changing American sentiment behind sustainable funds.During the Haven Life Line, Amy calls in with questions on how to retire as an expat. Amy and her husband live in Germany with their three kids and they both get paid in euros. Due to complicated investing laws, Amy has most of their assets located in the United States. The problem? Amy's family plans to retire in Germany! Amy asks us: What type of professional should Amy and her husband hire to sort out their financials? Should that professional be American or German?All that and more on today's episode! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

So you've learned that it's important to save. You've picked a mutual fund or an exchange traded fund, and now you're pouring some money in. What should you know next? Today we'll chat with CBS Business Analyst and host of the Jill on Money show, Jill Schlesinger. We'll talk about investment fees, better diversification, what's MOST important when you're investing, and more. Get ready for some investing talk because today class is in session!Making coffee is great, but the real easy money-maker? Holding other people's money. During today's headlines we'll explain how the giant coffee chain Starbucks it padding a huge part of their bottom budget with YOUR cash. Plus, financial giant LPL is stopping some of their advisors from using a Morningstar product. Is this a case of big brother overstepping? Hardly! We'll talk about how advisors work and the role of oversight on today's show.During the Haven Life Line, Jordan calls in with a question that I think will resonate with more than a few listeners. Jordan will be working from home for the foreseeable future due to COVID. His car has been collecting dust in the garage. Jordan asks: would it be sensible for him to sell his car? Jordan's wife will still have her minivan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices