The Stacking Benjamins Show

The Stacking Benjamins Show

Named 2023 Best Personal Finance podcast by Bankrate.com, The Stacking Benjamins Show has a light and friendly tone. Hosts Joe Saul-Sehy and OG aim to make financial literacy fun for all as they sit around the card table in Joe's Mom's half-finished basement and talk with experts about personal finance, saving, investing, and important money trends. As Fast Company once wrote, the Stacking Benjamins podcast "strikes a great balance of fun and functional." So join Joe and OG every Monday, Wednesday and Friday as they read your letters, discuss major headlines, and throw in some trivia and laughs for free.

  1. Wall Street Creates (Yet Another) Hilariously Bad Investment Product (SB1643)

    14 HR. AGO

    Wall Street Creates (Yet Another) Hilariously Bad Investment Product (SB1643)

    Just when you thought Wall Street had run out of ways to package up risky investments and slap a shiny label on them—here we go again. Today, Joe and OG break down yet another overcomplicated, high-fee, and completely unnecessary financial product. Whether it’s preying on investor fears, promising market-proof returns, or just outright nonsense, we’ll help you spot the warning signs before you end up with a portfolio full of regret. But that’s not all. A viral TikTok tip about hiring your family members for tax benefits has been making the rounds, so we’ll dive into whether this is actually a genius tax strategy or just another case of the internet handing out half-baked financial advice. Plus, a listener asks about breaking into financial planning, and we lay out what it really takes—beyond the certifications and credentials (spoiler: sales skills matter). And Doug brings us a trivia question about one of the greatest art heists in history, proving that sometimes the best investment is knowing how to disappear with the Mona Lisa. Also: Joe saw ‘Wicked’ and has thoughts—mostly about how much better Wonka was. What’s Inside Today’s Episode: The Latest Wall Street Gimmick: A financial product you definitely don’t need. Understanding Risky Investments: How to tell if an ETF, structured note, or annuity is actually worth your time. Hiring Family for Tax Benefits: A TikTok tax hack that might actually work—if you follow the rules. Trivia Time with Doug: One of the most famous art heists in history. Breaking Into Financial Planning: What it takes to switch careers and make it in the industry. Community Feedback & Upcoming Episodes: A sneak peek at what’s coming next (including our Valentine’s Day special). Episode Highlights: What’s in a Name? The ridiculous branding that makes bad investment products sound good. Bitcoin Meets Structured Protection: The ETF that no one asked for but someone, somewhere, will buy. Hiring Your Kids for Tax Savings: A loophole with some very real fine print. How to Become a Financial Planner: Beyond certifications—why understanding people (and sales) matters. Doug’s Trivia: If you could steal any piece of art, what would it be? Asking for a friend. Joe’s ‘Wicked’ Review: Spoiler: Wonka was better. Huge Resource Mentioned in This Episode: Want to learn more about structured investments? (Just kidding, you really don’t.) Tune in now and learn how to dodge the latest Wall Street nonsense while making smarter money moves. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/new-crypto-etfs-1643 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

    1h 12m
  2. Are You On Speaking Terms With Your Wallet? (SB1642)

    2 DAYS AGO

    Are You On Speaking Terms With Your Wallet? (SB1642)

    Swipe right on financial stability or get ghosted by your savings? While Joe's mom yells upstairs about who left the empty milk carton in the fridge (seriously, who does that?), we’re diving into the messy, complicated, and sometimes hilarious world of your relationship with money. Are you in a stable, long-term commitment with your finances, or are you stuck in a toxic on-again, off-again affair with impulse spending? Special guest Shannah Game, certified financial planner and author of Unraveling Your Relationship with Money, joins us to decode the emotional baggage we bring to our bank accounts. Meanwhile, Doug swears he’s figured out how to “game” the stock market using AI—spoiler alert: it involves a Magic 8-Ball. We also tackle some questionable dating preferences (because who doesn’t want to know if their financial habits make them swipeable?) and unpack the latest market shake-ups. In this episode: 🏈 Super Bowl takeaways and why Doug insists commercials count as “investing research” 💰 Your financial habits might just be the biggest red flag in your dating life 🎙️ Shannah Game on money, mindset, and making smarter choices 💔 Rollercoaster relationships—with your wallet and beyond 🧐 Money manifestos: How to rewrite your financial story (without Mom intervening) 🤖 AI's impact on investing, and why OG isn't buying it (literally) 📈 How to keep your portfolio from ghosting you 🤯 Hidden track: Doug’s latest deep dive into bizarre facts—this time, dinosaur vomit Will your money habits lead to a lifetime of wealth—or will your wallet break up with you via text? Tune in and find out! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/relationship-with-money-financial-habits-sb1642 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

    1h 18m
  3. How To Use Our #1 Key To Money Management Success (SB1641)

    5 DAYS AGO

    How To Use Our #1 Key To Money Management Success (SB1641)

    Is automating your finances the key to effortless money management, or a one-way ticket to financial autopilot disaster? Paula Pant, Jesse Cramer, and Doc G join us to navigate the fine line between automation genius and accidental money mayhem. Done right, automation saves you time and stress. Done wrong? You might be funding a forgotten gym membership for the next five years. 😬 What’s Inside This Episode? 💰 The Power of Automation – How strategic automation can make your financial life simpler, more efficient, and stress-free. 🤖 What to Automate & What to Keep Manual – Should you set bills to auto-pay, or will that lead to mysterious charges on your credit card? 📊 High-Tech Money Tools: Are They Worth It? – Todoist, Notion, and other techy automation tricks—are they game-changers or just digital clutter? 💡 Personal Automation Hacks – How the panel automates their finances like pros (without losing control of their money). 🎭 The Dark Side of Automation – Horror stories of overdraft surprises, vanishing paychecks, and auto-pay regret. 📢 Stacker Debate: Should You Automate Everything? – The great automation showdown—when automation helps and when it hurts. ✨ Special Bonus: The Worst Things to Automate – Some things should NEVER be on autopilot. Find out what financial automation fails made our list. Takeaways for Smart Stackers: ✅ Automation = Freedom (When Used Wisely). The right balance saves you time while keeping you in control. ✅ Auto-pay is great—until it isn’t. Track subscriptions and bills so you don’t end up paying for things you don’t use. ✅ Manual check-ins keep you financially sharp. Even with automation, you need to review your money regularly. ✅ Tech tools can help—but they’re not magic. The best system is the one you actually use. 🎧 Hit play now and rethink your approach to automation before it outsmarts you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 9m
  4. Yet Another Insurance To Avoid (SB1640)

    FEB 5

    Yet Another Insurance To Avoid (SB1640)

    What do scammers, fancy doors, and Twinkies have in common? Turns out, more than you think! Today, Joe, OG, and Doug take you on a wild ride through financial scams, fraud prevention, tax implications of dual residency, and... the surprising link between door quality and financial stability. (Yeah, we didn’t see that one coming either.) What’s Inside This Episode? 🕵️‍♂️ Scams, Scams Everywhere! – From identity fraud to the trendy new "deed theft" scam, learn how to protect yourself before a scammer claims your house faster than you can say "that wasn't in the budget." 💳 Fraud-Proofing Your Finances – Why setting up credit monitoring, checking your bills, and paying attention to sketchy emails can save you thousands in headaches. 🚪 The TikTok Minute: What Do Soft Close Doors Say About Your Wealth? – Is your financial future written in the way your doors shut? Find out why door noises might reveal more about your bank balance than your credit score. 🧾 State Taxes & Dual Residency: The Sneaky Costs of Living in Two Places – Thinking about snowbirding to Florida or keeping a backup home in another state? We break down what you NEED to know before state tax authorities come knocking. 🤖 Password Security & The Quantum Computing Takeover – Is the future of passwords doomed? What you should be doing now to keep your Twinkies—and your bank accounts—safe. 🍕 Pizza Cutting Controversy & Nostalgic Minivan Stories – Because what’s a Stacking Adventures episode without a little debate, a little reminiscing, and a whole lot of questionable opinions on pizza slicing? 🍰 Twinkies Trivia: A Deep-Dive into the Snack That Never Dies – Have scientists unlocked the secret of Twinkie immortality? More importantly, should Twinkies be considered part of a solid financial plan? (Spoiler: probably not, but let’s discuss.) 📢 Stacker Questions & Community Fun – Helping a listener navigate dual residency tax headaches + a special meetup announcement! Takeaways for Smart Stackers: ✅ If it sounds too good to be true, it’s a scam. Seriously. Trust your gut, not the email from "Prince Jeff of Nigeria." ✅ Your finances need monitoring, just like your snack stash. Set up credit alerts and check your accounts weekly to avoid surprises. ✅ Moving states for tax savings? Do the math first. Dual residency isn’t always the loophole people think it is. ✅ Twinkies may last forever, but financial security requires maintenance. A solid money plan beats a stockpile of snacks (but only slightly). 🎧 Hit play now for a mix of financial wisdom, scam-prevention tips, and just the right amount of Twinkie-fueled fun! 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

    56 min
  5. Redefining Retirement with Benjamin Brandt (SB1639)

    FEB 3

    Redefining Retirement with Benjamin Brandt (SB1639)

    Retirement planning isn’t about waiting until 65—it’s about setting yourself up for a life you love starting right now! Today, Certified Financial Planner Benjamin Brant joins us to challenge traditional retirement thinking. What We Cover: ✅ Retirement planning starts now, not later – Why waiting to plan is the biggest mistake you can make. ✅ Dream big, but expect some ‘bad data’ – How testing financial plans (and life plans!) helps you refine your future. ✅ Why trust beats performance in financial planning – A new study shows that your advisor’s returns matter less than their integrity. ✅ The Monte Carlo simulation debate – What this financial tool actually tells you (and what it doesn’t). ✅ Childhood dreams, stand-up comedy, and time travel? – How revisiting past joys can shape a meaningful retirement. ✅ Choosing the right financial advisor – The #1 factor to look for before handing over your portfolio. Key Takeaways: 💡 Retirement isn’t a number—it’s a mindset. The earlier you start thinking about what brings you joy, the better. 💡 Financial planning isn’t perfect science. Bad data, trial-and-error, and adjusting your plan over time? Totally normal. 💡 Trust is your biggest investment. A good financial advisor isn’t just about returns—they’re about guidance you can rely on. Grab your favorite drink (coffee, bourbon—you choose!) and let’s stack some wisdom for your future self. 🎧 Hit play now and start building your best retirement today! FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/find-your-fulfillment-in-retirement-Benjamin-Brandt-1639 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

    1h 11m
  6. Unpacking a Rare Vanguard Target Date Fund Problem (SB1637)

    JAN 29

    Unpacking a Rare Vanguard Target Date Fund Problem (SB1637)

    Ever wondered if you’re better off building your own target date fund instead of relying on a one-size-fits-all option? We’re diving into whether crafting your own investment mix is worth the effort, potentially saving you fees and giving you more control over your portfolio. But even the pros get it wrong sometimes—just ask Vanguard. We’re covering the major settlement they’re facing over misleading statements about taxes and target date funds, proving that even the big guys make costly mistakes. Meanwhile, a listener asks a great question about balancing tax optimization with financial flexibility—because what good is a perfectly tax-efficient plan if it ties your hands when you need cash? Plus, Doug takes us back to the origins of the gasoline-driven automobile, and there’s even an unexpected run-in with a Supreme Court justice (because why not?). And of course, we’ve got a TikTok moment that’ll have you questioning life choices and a few financial misconceptions that might just make you rethink your approach to money. What’s Inside Today’s Episode: Vanguard’s Costly Mistake: The settlement every investor should know about. Understanding Mutual Fund Taxes: How taxes sneak up on your investments. DIY Target Date Funds: Pros, cons, and when to consider building your own. Trivia Time with Doug: The surprising story behind the gasoline-driven car. The TikTok Minute: Financial advice that may (or may not) be worth your time. Financial Flexibility vs. Tax Optimization: Finding the balance in your strategy. Community Announcements & Meetups: Where to find us next. Episode Highlights: Vanguard’s Legal Trouble: What happened, and what it means for investors. Mutual Fund Taxation: Avoiding unexpected tax bills. Should You Build Your Own Target Date Fund? We break down the numbers. Listener Q&A: How to stay tax-efficient while keeping access to your cash. Doug’s Trivia: Who REALLY built the first gasoline-powered car? An Unexpected Supreme Court Encounter: Because that’s just how things go around here. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Learn more about Vanguard’s target date fund settlement in our show notes: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/vanguard-target-retirement-trouble-1637 Read up on mutual fund tax strategies and more by signing up for our 201 newsletter! https://stackingbenjamins.com/201 Tune in now and get the insights you need to build a smarter investment strategy—without falling into costly traps. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1 hr
  7. Is Your Brain Blocking Your Financial Goals? (with Jessica Moorhouse) SB1636

    JAN 27

    Is Your Brain Blocking Your Financial Goals? (with Jessica Moorhouse) SB1636

    What’s really standing between you and your financial goals? In today’s mentor, Jessica Moorhouse—financial counselor, podcast host, and author of Everything But Money—joins Joe to dive into the mental and emotional side of managing money. Jessica shares her journey with therapy, how relationships shape our financial habits, and the role of self-talk in creating a healthier money mindset. Whether you’re feeling stuck or just want a fresh perspective, this interview offers practical tools to help you take control of your financial future. In our headline segment, we explore the concept of a “no-buy” list—a clever strategy one woman used to pay off $34,000 in debt. Learn how gamifying financial goals can make saving more manageable—and even fun! Whether it’s cutting back on unnecessary spending or finding creative ways to save, this segment will inspire you to rethink how you approach your financial challenges. Here’s what we cover today: Saluting our troops—and wondering why Doug still doesn’t have a Navy Federal mug Meet Jessica Moorhouse: Financial counselor, podcast host, and author of Everything But Money Unlocking the connection between your money mindset and financial success with Jessica How Jessica’s personal journey and therapy shaped her healthier money mindset Unpacking how emotions and relationships impact financial habits Understanding rational vs. irrational guilt—and how it affects your money decisions Recognizing irrational guilt and why it’s critical to tackle it Celebrating financial wins and overcoming the fear that holds you back Jessica’s book Everything But Money—and why it’s a must-read for anyone improving their financial mindset Sneak peek: What’s next on the More Money Podcast with Jessica Moorhouse Doug’s historical trivia: Financial lessons from the past Gamifying financial goals: Make saving and investing fun and rewarding Real-life success stories: The No Buy Challenge and how it helped pay off $34,000 in debt Join our community: Upcoming meetups and ways to get involved Final thoughts and takeaways: Simple actions you can start today to improve your financial mindset FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/changing-your-money-self-talk-jessica-moorhouse-1636 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

    1h 15m
4.4
out of 5
1,862 Ratings

About

Named 2023 Best Personal Finance podcast by Bankrate.com, The Stacking Benjamins Show has a light and friendly tone. Hosts Joe Saul-Sehy and OG aim to make financial literacy fun for all as they sit around the card table in Joe's Mom's half-finished basement and talk with experts about personal finance, saving, investing, and important money trends. As Fast Company once wrote, the Stacking Benjamins podcast "strikes a great balance of fun and functional." So join Joe and OG every Monday, Wednesday and Friday as they read your letters, discuss major headlines, and throw in some trivia and laughs for free.

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