The Stacking Benjamins Show

What's the best safe withdrawal rate for your retirement plan? What the heck is a safe withdrawal rate? On today's special roundtable discussion, we dive into the deep end of this important topic: understanding what you're investing in, what different financial terms mean, and if they're important for you. We're thrilled to welcome our special guest, Bernadette Joy, to our roundtable panel. She's the force behind Crush Your Money Goals, a money media company to serve up fun and practical educational content. Our own OG joins her at the card table, along with Len Penzo, creator of the award-winning blog LenPenzo.com. In our second part of our discussion, sponsored by DepositAccounts.com, we dive into each of our roundtable contributor's favorite pieces of basic and advanced get-out-of-debt advice. Stay tuned for the next chapter in our year-long trivia contest. Doug brings the trivia suspense with an 'Ol Blue Eyes-infused trivia question. Will Bernadette keep Paula in the running for the year-end trophy, or will OG or Len put it out of reach? Listen and find out! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/fri-roundtable-basic-vs-advanced-advice-1446 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What is the best "next move" for your career or your passion? Keep moving. Dr. Mike Massimino knows how to achieve unlikely goals. He not only applied to be an astronaut three times before being accepted as a candidate, the third time he applied he was medically disqualified. Yet, he still found a way to work about two different space missions, was the first person to tweet from space, and act on several episodes of the Big Bang Theory. We ask him about all of this and more, and he drops some terrific leadership advice. No matter who you are, this interview can help you achieve more. Before that, in our headline segment, a player has been dismissed from a professional sports team. What does that have to do with you? We dive into the actions of the Chicago Blackhawks against player Corey Perry, and how that just might change your outlook as you make your way through December. Of course, we still share Doug's trivia and OG answers a question about employee stock ownership plans. All that and more on today's show! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/valuing-fresh-perspectives-mike-massimino-1445 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Whether you're leading your family, a department or work, or heck, "managing from the middle," every one of us has leadership potential inside of us that's untapped. And it's this time of year, when we're thinking so much about what we value and need in our lives that the topic of leadership is so important. That's why we asked Chuck Wachendorfer to be our Stacker mentor today. He met Joe and OG while leading a team at American Express and now helps major organizations, small business owners, and government entities develop better leaders. We talk to him today about the biggest issue in leadership: what do you do first when trying to lead? You may be surprised by his answer. In our headline segment we mark the passing of one of the greatest investors of our time. Charlie Munger passed away last week and we pause for a moment to talk about many of the common sense ideas Munger advocated and share some of his (maybe surprisingly) very funny takes on things like crypto currency. Of course, we'll delight you with the TikTok minute, shining a light on a creator who may or may not be sharing some brilliant insight about money management. We'll also throw out the lifeline to a lucky Stacker who needs our help. This time we help Allie determine annuity options for her work. When you retire, how should you think about your income stream? You'll want to listen to OG's answer. Of course we also feature Doug's trivia, the back porch, and more! Enjoy! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/leadership-masterclass-chuck-wachendorfer-1444 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What are the most common ways people shoot themselves in the foot (financially-speaking)? Here to tackle that very question is our expert panel of contributors: from Afford Anything, we're joined by Paula Pant; from the aptly named award-winning blog LenPenzo.com, Len Penzo joins us; and from across Joe's card table, the man, the myth, the legend OG makes an appearance. Will Len lock secure victory for the year-long trivia game, or will Paula or OG stay in the game? In the second part of the show, sponsored by DepositAccounts.com, our panel rounds out their top 10 financial mistakes. As we enter the last month of the year, Doug brings some Christmas tree-themed trivia. Can Len score an extra point, bringing him one step closer to victory? Will OG defend his title and take the W? Will Paula continue her unlikely come-back rally? Tune in to find out! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/top-10-financial-mistakes-1443 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How many times have you found yourself headed into the company holiday party thinking, "I hope I don't end up stuck in a conversation in the corner with someone"? Then, five minutes later, you're stuck in a boring conversation in the corner with someone? Or, you're trying to make a statement around the boss during a group conversation and you just can't figure out what to say? Or (and maybe worst of all), you're in a meeting and in front of all of the influential people someone asks, "So what do you think?" Impromptu speaking isn't just important around the holidays, but this time of year we're all more likely to be in a conversation with people who challenge our ability to communicate effectively. Today we bring you a great mentor on the topic, Matt Abrahams, who's not only an expert communicator, but he's so good that he teaches the topic at Stanford University and hosts a podcast on the topic. That's not all the communicating we'll do, though. We'll also discuss a recent Wall Street Journal piece which shares how much money people think they need to make before they'll finally be happy. That will lead us into a deeper conversation about what it really takes to be happy...and it turns out the answer might not be what you expect. That's not all! Of course, we'll also have some trivia from Doug, share the life line question, and more. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/think-and-talk-fast-with-matt-abrahams-1442 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Everyone says they know a great "money hack" but Tiffany Aliche (The Budgetnista, Brown Ambition podcast), knows LOTS of them and shares one that Joe calls "his favorite" core idea. While we aren't really fans of the term "money hack," in this case it most certainly applies. She also talks about accountability (probably also a money hack), her favorite insurance strategy, and then we take a LONG walk down a tangent that begins with estate planning. You'll hear about love, pain, the true role of money, what to do when you lose a loved one, and more. Before that, OG and Joe share a TikTok minute featuring a guy who's implemented his share of money hacks: Gordon Ramsay. We also throw out the Life Line to a lucky listener, and much, much more. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/get-your-budget-right-tiffany-aliche-1441 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to Joe's favorite episode of the year—our annual Black Friday board game episode! Joining us on this Black Friday, we are thrilled to welcome the BoardGameGeek herself, Candace Harris! She'll give us the lowdown on what's hot when it comes to finance and business-related board games! Plus, Neighbor Doug has a classic board game trivia question that's sure to Boggle your mind! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/black-friday-board-games-candace-harris-1440 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Some of the most expensive items in your life after your home and transportation are technology related. That's why each year, before Black Friday, we dive into our favorite technology items with CNET's expert Bridget Carey. This year Bridget shares what to watch out for in tech (there's always some sneaky "gotcha" waiting around many "great deals." We talk about household items, security, dive DEEP this year into the world of televisions, dip into the toy department, and more. But that's not all. Before that we get you up to speed on headlines about Dave Ramsey's eight percent solution to taking money from your retirement portfolio AND a headline about obscure investments. What could happen if you find a quirky but great-sounding investment opportunity? While we share a horror story, we also offer solutions and strategies to help you not get burned if you do decide to take the plunge. Of course, we'll also answer a question from a lucky Stacker AND we'll share Doug's incredible trivia question. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/black-friday-tech-report-bridget-carey/ Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With prices up (inflation) and wages stagnant, this is a GREAT year to look to save big on holiday gifts (and also to save big on those things you needed to buy anyway for around the house!). Regina Conway from Slickdeals makes her annual stop in Joe's mom's basement to dive into ALL of the top deals the fans at Slickdeals have found. We cover clothing, toys, kitchen gadgets, housewares, garage items, personal care, and more! With tons of great deals (and some quirky ones, too), you're sure to save big on your holiday season with Regina's help. And that's not all. In our headline segment we share the recent news that Mint, the popular money tracking app is shutting down. If you're trying to save big money into savings AND want to find the best app to track your cash, which way should you turn for support? We share MANY of our favorite solutions and why we like them so you can focus on the options that fit you best. Of course, that's not all. We share a TikTok minute, throw out the lifeline to a lucky Stacker, and of course share some of Doug's amazing trivia. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/black-friday-save-big-with-regina-conway-1438 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you looking to become rich? How do you define rich? What are your preconceived ideas about how to best get there? On today's special roundtable discussion, we're tackling that question and debating what the "best" ways are to hit that rich goal. On today's show, we're thrilled to have Crystal Hammond from our sister show that's all about real estate investing, Stacking Deeds. Crystal joins Len Penzo from Len Penzo dot Com and OG, CFP and co-host extraordinaire of this here Stacking Benjamins podcast. In the second half of our show, sponsored by DepositsAccounts.com, we round out the remainder of the top five ways to get rich. Stay tuned for Doug's Benjamin-laden trivia question. Will Crystal keep Paula in the game as we head down the stretch into the end of the year? Can OG orchestrate a comeback? Will Len extend his lead? Stay tuned to find out! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/fri-roundtable-top-5-ways-to-get-rich-1437 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Everyone wants something for nothing. Today's guest says the term "passive income" is a lie, and he's the guy hosting the biggest podcast in the "passive" income space...BiggerPockets! David Greene joins us again, this time to share his journey from being a guy with ZERO contacts and ZERO money to a guy wealthy beyond belief, with a giant team, and a career that most would love to have. We share his incredible journey that began working part time at a (of all places) Baskin Robbins ice cream shop. You'll learn what to focus on if you want wealth, how to build skills, and what NOT to do if you hope to advance up the career ladder. Plus, it's fire safety month! We're joined by Adam Barowy from UL's Fire Safety Research Institute. This year we're highlighting the dangers of lithium batteries, especially some of the big ones found in e-bikes and large powered toys. He'll dive into how to tell when there's the potential for a fire, how to identify potentially unsafe batteries, and how to practice good fire safety. Of course, we still leave time to throw out the life line to a lucky Stacker (even one from Ohio!), and dive into some of Doug's incredible trivia. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/the-truth-about-passive-income-david-greene-1436/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It seems like an uncertain time, doesn't it? High inflation, high interest rates, job uncertainty for some...and just under one year from now, a huge presidential election. These are the types of years when people sit out of the financial markets. They wait for "calmer waters" and "better times" to invest, moving their money to cash. But is that the right move? What should you do with your money as we ramp up toward another presidential election cycle? Today we've assembled an All-Star panel to address that very question. From T. Rowe Price, CFA and Capital Markets Strategist in the Multi-Asset Division, Tim Murray joins us. And from Fidelity Investments, Certified Financial Planner and Vice President, Financial Consultant Ryan Viktorin also chimes in, as does our behavioral expert, Certified Financial Planner and Co-Founder of the Financial Psychology Institute, as well as Associate Professor of Practice at Creighton University, Dr. Brad Klontz. We're excited they're all here and ready to help you guide your financial boat into safe waters. Do you know someone who's really worried about this election? This is definitely the episode for them! Share this with them so that you can help them stay calm and avoid potentially horrible moves with their money. FULL SHOW NOTES are at StackingBenjamins.com/investing-in-an-election-year-special-1435. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Here's a question: who walked into work recently and said, "I hope I suck at my job today?" I'm hoping the answer is NONE of our Stacker community. And yet, many of us underperform every day. Why? There are so many ways that we can make ourselves smarter, faster, better at our jobs. We shouldn't leave whether we're excellent at our jobs to our boss, and yet, there ARE some things that we and our boss can both do to transform our workplace and make our company better. Today we're joined by the guy who the world's wisest bosses turn to when they're wondering how to get their workforce to work better -- Andrew McAfee. Andrew has picked the lock on why some companies stink when it comes to empowering their team to rock at their goals and others wallow in mediocrity. He tells us the meaningful stories of how some leaders have transformed their workplace on today's show. But of course, that's not all. In our headline segment, there's good news for people saving for college. The rules have gotten easier? Unfortunately, we don't mean "easier to understand," but just "you can now save more money that helps you also not screw yourself over for financial aid." We'll discuss the secrets you need to know on today's show. You think transforming the workplace is all you need? Now you can also save money on your college costs? Double-whammy! And yet, we still bring you more. We also throw out the Haven Life Line to a guy wanting to "learn something" from the show (he must not know that Andrew McAfee is bringing it this episode!)...and asks us about putting money into a "donor advised fund." What is that exactly, how does it work, and will it transform your workplace? The answers are: "It's complicated, so you should listen," "It helps you avoid LOTS of taxes," and "No." There's still SO MUCH MORE! Come join the fun. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/find-bigger-opportunities-andrew-mcafee-1431 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our top article today discusses the current financial markets. If you thought stocks were going to move south, why wouldn’t you do anything about it? We ask our panel today that question and two more. Today’s show features an all-star guest roundtable line up. PT from the new Masters of Money podcast, Len Penzo from LenPenzo.com, and Paula Pant from the Afford Anything podcast debate and discuss our three topics ripped from the popular press on today’s show! This show originally aired in 2016, so please ignore any mention of current events. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/timing-the-market-rewind-1433 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's special Stacking Benjamins Rewind episode, we jump into the way back machine to listen to an episode from our friend Doc G's Earn & Invest Podcast. If you think personal finance is personal, you're mistaken! We hear it all the time: "personal finance is personal". In today's episode, JL Collins and Scott Trench join Doc G and they question this popular saying. While tactics and personal needs may vary, there are better and worse ways to invest and build wealth. Join us as we dive into the weeds. This episode of Earn & Invest Podcast originally aired on June 19, 2023, so please ignore any mention of current events. For the original episode's show notes, you can see them at If You Think Personal Finance is Personal-You're Mistaken! — Earn & Invest (earnandinvest.com). FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/is-personal-finance-personal-earn-invest-rewind-1432 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today's special rewind episode, we feature an episode from our sister show, The Stacking Deeds Show. Are you a novice investor interested in real estate? Do you want to learn how to navigate the world of real estate investing and make a positive impact in your neighborhood? In this episode of The Stacking Deeds Show, we dive into the importance of neighborhoods and how investing in real estate can help improve and strengthen communities. Join us as we discuss the challenges and opportunities of investing in fragile states, the power of building relationships in neighborhoods, and the importance of taking a horizontal approach to real estate investing. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting out, this episode will provide valuable insights and strategies for making a difference in your community through real estate. This show originally aired on October 17, 2023, so ignore any mention of current events. To see the original show notes, visit Saving Distressed Neighborhoods Through Responsible Real Estate Investing: with Dr. Seth Kaplan (stackingdeeds.net). FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/rewind-stacking-deeds-distressed-neighborhoods-1431 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At what age do you think will be the best days of your life? How do changing priorities impact how you view happiness? What role does stress play in detracting from the best days? What role do finances and financial independence play in happiness? Today's special roundtable discussion is all about the evolution of life satisfaction and the best days of your life — and how your happiness changes as your age progresses. What about the impact that having children has on your happiness? Joining us for this important roundtable discussion, we're proud to welcome the co-host of the How to Money podcast, Joel Larsgaard. He joins Afford Anything's Paula Pant and our very own OG as they offer their opinions and experiences on how the best days of our life and satisfaction change as we age. In the second half of the discussion, sponsored by DepositAccounts.com, our panelists share their thoughts on whether we should focus on achieving financial independence faster in order to the best days of our life quicker? We also discuss how taking an optimistic outlook may benefit you in the long run. Be sure to stay for this week's edition of our year-long trivia contest. Doug breaks out the way back machine and has some 90s pop music-themed trivia. Does that spell certain doom for Paula? Will she or OG break their current tie and join Len in first place? Or will Joel make Len proud and increase his lead? FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/friday-roundtable-best-days-of-your-life-1430 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What keeps YOU up at night? We asked an All-Star panel that you can only put together at a big conference like FinCon...and today we do just that. We're recording LIVE from the moomoo podcast booth at FinCon 2023 with Rob Berger (Rob Berger YouTube channel), Nick Loper (Side Hustle Nation), and Paula Pant (Afford Anything), to ask them what THEIR audiences are worried about right now. Man, did we get an earful. From rising interest rates to uncertain retirement conditions, to the world of work changing around us because of AI and more, we work through MANY of the big issues people are facing in 2023 and often come up with solutions to help relieve those fears. It's a special episode of Stacking Benjamins, without our usual segments (only the trivia remains...and Doug brings us a GREAT one today). Enjoy! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/live-from-fincon-new-orleans-1429 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Financial independence. It's often presented by writers as the place dreams are made of. You've reached this magical place called "enough" and now life is all unicorns and rainbows. But what happens when you realize that the march toward shoveling everything toward an uncertain future is creating a horrible existence TODAY? That's what happened to Jess, one half of the Plutus Award winning coaching team The FIoneers. Jess and Corey came by Joe's mom's basement to tell the tale of their "a-ha" moment that led them to reject shoveling tons of cash from a hated job toward an early retirement...and maybe an early grave. Before that we celebrate our Halloween-kickoff episode with a visit from financial columnist and the host of the Money Life podcast, Chuck Jaffe. Chuck orchestrates an awesome, interesting, and always-changing economics game every Halloween with the trick-or-treat'ers who come by his home. What's the game this year? He'll share what he's planning, and hopefully inspire you to find clever ways to teach kids some money or economic lessons. Of course we also throw out the Haven Life line (this time all the way to India!), and Doug regales us with his mind-bending trivia. It's a Halloween party in the basement! Hope you can join us. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/FIRE-horror-story-1428 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Les Brown, no stranger to hard work and the resulting success it brings, famously said, “Do what is easy, and your life will be hard. Do what is hard, and your life will become easy.” Does the secret to creating an easy life lie in doing hard work first? How much of what seems easy from the outside looking in is actually the result of hours of hard work that was put in beforehand? Joining Joe for a special roundtable discussion that centers around how to do the hard things in order to create an easier life going forward are three people who are no strangers to doing the hard work: Roger Whitney, the Retirement Answer Man; Carl Jensen, creator of the 1500 Days to Freedom blog; and Paula Pant, host and creator of the award-winning Afford Anything podcast and blog. They dive into the complex relationship between hard work and an easy life and offer some gems for Stackers to take away. In the second half of our show, sponsored by DepositAccounts.com, we discuss some hard work life skills and money skills that you can tackle today that will help you out financially in the future. Be sure to stick around for our resident hard work expert Doug's astrological-themed trivia! Will either of our two guest contributors pull out the W and Len or OG benefit from their hard work, or will our regular contributor Paula continue her late season charge for our spectacular dollar store trophy? FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/friday-roundtable-hard-work-easy-life-1427 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices