The Stacking Benjamins Show

If you’re either one of the millions of unemployed Americans (heck, or in the WORLD), or you’re stuck in a job you don’t really want, now is a great time to look for better work. Companies are poised to begin rehiring and you’re in the hunt of your life. How do you score that dream position? Career coach Kevin Kiley would say it’s by taking advantage of the tools you have and by using your brain to tilt the odds in your favor. We’ll discuss how to set yourself up for a great job, how to work the interview AND how to network like a pro. We’ll also tackle what NOT to do during the interview process. Kevin’s seen it all, and today he’ll share stories of the good, bad and ugly, so that you’re better prepared. Will the US economy have to fundamentally change after we recover from this economic meltdown? We’ll share one popular media piece that says the answer is “probably, yes.” One billionaire investor says that one way or another taxes will have to go up. But don’t worry...we also have an opinion about that piece AND others like it (of course). We’ll share our thoughts about that topic during our headline segment AND also detail the story about one investment firm that is paying BIG to correct an index fund rebalancing gone wrong. Oops. How does that happen? We’ll nerd out with you while we share the funny/horrible story.Of course, that’s not all. We’ll also throw out the Haven Life line to a lucky listener AND Doug will share some of his Top Gun themed trivia. It’s Top Gun day in the basement, and Doug’s feels the need….the need for speed! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While the first person to tell you that nothing good happens while you're using drugs will be today's guest Michael Brody-Waite, he WILL insist that the skills he learned in recovery are the same skills we all need for success with life and money. He should know. As a man who's walked the journey from drug addict to CEO and success coach, Michael funnels his darkest experiences into powerful lessons he'll share with you. Today, Michael will teach you how to rebalance your priorities, reclaim your energy, and thrive in both work and life.A new bond has arrived! The Treasury last week announced a 20-year note to help offset the massive spending lately in Washington. We'll discuss how that works and may impact your wallet in our headlines segment. Also, we'll cover the results of a recent Morningstar study that shows why it is more important than you might thank to have a thorough financial plan and an (emotional) support network in place. It turns out that it's easy to stay the financial course when everything is going right. The problem is when panic starts to set in, not pressing that big, red "sell everything" button.Today we'll throw out the Haven Life line to a caller a not-quite-usual question about loan repayment. Due to COVID-19 reasons, Vanessa was laid off from work. However, she was building up her savings beforehand. Vanessa also receives unemployment and severance pay. She wonders, "Should I use savings to pay off student loans? Or, would it be better to keep making minimum payments and keep her cash buffer?" Of course, Joe and OG have an opinion.One last thing: Happy Twilight Zone Day! Doug has a special treat in store for you in celebration. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The host of the new Real Estate Rookie podcast, Felipe Mejia, joins Paula Pant (Afford Anything) and Len Penzo (Len Penzo dot com) to talk about real estate for newbies. A recent blog post at Coach Carson dot com discusses the writer's relationship with a mentor, and the most valuable real estate lessons he learned. Whether you're interested in real estate or just good lessons about life (and boy, are there many packed into this episode), we've got you covered.Plus, we'll also talk to the Evil HR Lady, Suzanne Lucas, about Zoom call etiquette. Many of us have to do calls from home now, but haven't figured out exactly what's acceptable and what isn't. Suzanne will dive into the details of cleaning up your conference call manners. Of course, Doug will share some trivia for our regular Friday contest AND we'll answer a question from a listener about life post-coronavirus. Should you keep more money in cash? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever thought about what it takes to break into life? Maybe, like us back in the day, you've thought, "How do I come close to this dream of getting to financial security?" Forget financial security...what about just making ends meet? Today we'll interview a woman who's been through everything life could throw at a woman and she STILL came out ahead...today we're giving you an amazing interview with Arlan Hamilton on what it took for her to break into not only life, but also the venture capital world in Silicon Valley.Why isn't Warren Buffett overly concerned about the stock market fluctuations happening currently? We'll cover Buffett's investing approach that enables him approach the market with an outlook that many investors don't have. Plus, we'll take a look at why low volume ETFs are good performers... until they weren't.During our Haven Life Line, we'll take a question from Peter, who wants to know more about using offset loans. Peter is having trouble getting a HELOC, and thinks that using an offset loan could be a good avenue for getting the funds to purchase more cash-flowing properties. Peter asks, is he wrong for wanting to do this?We'll also make some time for Doug's Nurse Appreciation themed trivia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When you think of a discussion, negotiation, or collaboration you don't usually think "soulful." That's where most of us differ from advertising mogul Jason Harris. Today we'll talk a bout putting more of your own soul into your work and relationships so that you make fewer financial mistakes (and career mistakes) AND build toward your dreams faster. New unemployment data hit last week and in our headlines segment we'll talk about how to weather the storm if you're not sure about your job or you've already lost yours. We'll also turn our spotlight on non-COVID related charities and discuss how they're faring (spoiler alert: not well). During the Haven Life Line we'll tackle a question about surprise student loan debt, and during Doug's trivia...well, you'll just have to hear it to believe it. May the 4th be with you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're finishing this week off with a timely rewind episode handpicked by the Fintern: eight smart things to do with $1,000 right now.  You can check out our original show notes below: What should you do with a small windfall? Today we ask, if you had $1,000, how should you best use it? We have an article that gives us eight great options, but we ask our panel which of those is best...and why? THAT alone gets rolling a fanstastic discussion between OG, Len Penzo, and special guest from the Money Nerds podcast, Whitney Hansen. We'll also turn our eye on FinTech. We talk to FinTech company founders most weeks on this show, but from the near-outside looking in, where's the ball headed? Rory Holland from CSTMR has a front row seat at the FinTech party, and answers the questions...what's the problem, how's it being solved, and what's next for FinTech? You'll see LOTS of possible directions for FinTech (and...psst....your money) after you hear this interview. We also answer Carolyn's three-oh call for help to the Blooom hotline. Her 21 year old son is graduating from college and she's concerned about claiming him. Can she claim him as a dependent still? On top of that, we'll also answer a letter from another listener, share Doug's trivia, and more. Thanks to MagnifyMoney.com for sponsoring Stacking Benjamins as well. MagnifyMoney.com saves users on average $450 when they compare, ditch, switch and save on credit cards, student loan refinancing, checking, savings and more. Check out MagnifyMoney.com for your savings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to our Wednesday rewind show! With so much job uncertainty going around right now, the Fintern decided now would be a good time to revisit a great interview we had with freelance extraordinaire Vincent Pugliese. Vincent took himself from a mountain of debt to a successful freelance business, and shared with us his stories, lessons, and experiences he learned along the way. You can read the original show notes below: He had $140,000 in debt, a crappy paying job, and a baby on the way. What would Vincent Pugliese do? We ask the award-winning photographer that very question on today's show. He's photographed four Presidents and every major sport's national championship in the USA, but his debt story will have you shaking your head today. Plus, in our headlines segment, health savings accounts are all the rage, but what's going on with all of this money sitting in cash? We'll address that AND talk about new tax law spurring 401k contributions. We'll of course have more from the world of financial planning, throw out the Haven Life line to lucky listener Chris, who wonders, "Should a 20 year old hire a financial advisor?" Of course, we'll still score with some of Doug's delightful trivia, and more. Thanks toThanks to TurboTax Live for supporting Stacking Benjamins. Get a personal review of your tax return with a CPA or EA backed with a one-hundred percent Accuracy Guarantee. Connect with a TurboTax Live expert at TurboTaxLive.com/SB. Thanks also to MagnifyMoney.com for sponsoring today's show. Compare, ditch, switch and save on consolidation loans, credit cards, student loans, auto loans and more at StackingBenjamins.com/MagnifyMoney.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Communicating with your partner about money can be difficult in the best of situations, let alone staying inside for weeks on end. That's why to kick off our rewind week the Fintern picked a topic that will hopefully keep you out of some hot water: how you can stop fighting about money! You can check out the original show notes below:   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.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

People (and that includes us!) tend to react emotionally to big change. For us, that's running out of pizza rolls, but when it comes to money, that often means investors can make a bad situation worse by thinking with their heart instead of their head. Today we're going over the coronavirus financial checklist: steps you should be taking not only to make sure your financial bases are covered, but your mental health as well. Pete the Planner from Hey Money! joins Paula Pant and OG on today's show to tackle the best ways to weather any financial storm. Halfway through the show we'll take a break from our financial checkup and turn our attention to our Friday Fintech segment. While our age-old advice of being diversified isn't going anywhere, we understand that people will experiment with individual stocks. Today Joe rings up Michael Patak from BlueChxp, to discuss how you can learn to invest without pouring all your sandbox money down the drain. During our Magnify Money call-in Jimmy calls in with an interesting take on how to handle economy downturns and hypothetical job loss. While he understands having an emergency fund, Jimmy suggests it's better to use lines of credit and other people's money before diving into his own funds. Why shouldn't his emergency fund and various financial accounts be his last line of defense? As always, we'll save some time for Doug's trivia. Enjoy the fun! We did! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you're anything like us, you probably have a business idea or two that has been floating around in your head since the quarantine began. After all, what else is there to do between Netflix, snacks, taking a nap, eating dinner, and going to sleep learning who knows how many practical new skills? While an idea is always step one, you won't go very far without some practical knowledge. Today we'll talk to entrepreneur Chris Krimitsos, the founder of PodFest, creator of The Messengers documentary, and overall business connector, to find out what it takes to get a new business rolling. Plus, the financial crisis around coronavirus is hitting areas none of us had thought of, including firms like Merrill Lynch taking a step away from their adviser training program. We'll talk about that fallout and what it means for advisory firms. Plus, in our second headline, how much cash should you be putting away each month to send your kid to college debt-free? We know most people are just trying to put food on the table, but graduation is right around the corner and for many kids, college is not that far away. Later in the show, we'll throw the Haven Life Line and shake out some time for Doug's special trivia. Happy Earth Day, peeps! #Doug2020! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices