Griffin takes us back to a classic from a year ago... We’re all professional jugglers. We juggle a career or school, family duties, friendships, and somehow also manage money. How do we effectively manage money AND take care of everything else? Kimberly Palmer (author of the new book Smart Mom Rich Mom) joins us to talk about the pressure of parenting, managing the budget and earning a wage. When’s the right time to have children? In our headline segment we discuss John Oliver’s latest stunt. On...
Jun 26, 2017•1 hr 10 min
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Jun 26, 2017•8 min
How should you invest when the market's been in a bull market tear for the last several years? We ask our Friday roundtable panel that question and MAN, they don't disappoint. You'll hear about selling losers, setting expectations ahead of time for your investments, and more. We also cover (as we do EVERY Friday), LOTS of other topics, including whether it's best to pay with cash or credit. What do you think? I'm not sure our panel will agree... AND we also bring up some of the difficult questio...
Jun 23, 2017•1 hr 2 min
What does your financial dream house look like? Financial planner Greg Powell says that he always has trouble convincing people to complete a financial plan because it sounds like a ton of work. But a financial dream house? That's a much easier sell...and he's going to help you sell yourself on that concept in today's episode. We'll talk about where investments fit into the overall structure (not as far up the priority list as you'd think), how to work through building your "plans," and then how...
Jun 21, 2017•1 hr 2 min
You're excited about saving, but how do you get someone else to take the plunge? Today's guest, Gene Natali, says that the answer might not be what you expect, and he should know. He co-authored the book The Missing Semester about personal financial education in the classroom, and he's BACK on the Stacking Benjamins show to share how to get ANYONE started in the right direction with their money. In our headlines segment, we talk about financial advisory fees. Are they going down? A recent report...
Jun 19, 2017•1 hr 5 min
In our first roundtable piece today, we discuss whether the first thing kids out of high school need is good credit. Should people first focus on credit to secure more debt or should they build assets? We'll start there on today's episode, featuring our listener VeShannah Lovelace, Greg McFarlane, and Paula Pant. ...and in our Friday FinTech segment, we talk to Harsh Sinha, Engineering VP at international money transfer company Transferwise. We talk about the dirty underbelly of transferring mon...
Jun 16, 2017•53 min
How much debt have you wiped out? I'll bet today's guest wiped out more, and she's going to share how she got into so much debt, and then the strategies and tactics she used to wipe it out and become a fantastic money coach. Of course, this is the Stacking Benjamins show, so there's much more. In our headline segment we'll talk about weird investments in IRAs. Should you look outside the traditional investment ideas for opportunities? We'll weigh in. We'll also share some news about a couple of ...
Jun 14, 2017•58 min
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...
Jun 12, 2017•1 hr 2 min
The new vs. used car debate rages on today's podcast. Which is better, buying new with the warranties and assurances that a dealer brings to the table, or purchasing used for (possibly) a lot less money? No platitudes or "rules of thumb" in this discussion. Renee Horne, VP of Loan Experiences from USAA , and Timothy Cain, auto sales analyst for TheTruthAboutCars.com, tackle every aspect of the discussion, from warranties, insurance, car payments, maintenance, car dealers , and available choices....
Jun 09, 2017•57 min
What would you find out about yourself after writing down all of your income and expenses for a year? Jonathan Morduch and Rachel Schneider, authors of The Financial Diaries, did just that, and they found some disturbing trends about work, emergency funds, and families struggling to get ahead. We talk to them about how families cope on today's podcast. On the Haven Life line , Brenda is changing jobs from a 401k to a 403b. Can she move money between these two funds? If she can...should she? We'l...
Jun 07, 2017•1 hr 4 min
We kick off today's show talking Tiger Woods and the cost of his recent...er...problem. And then Karen Schenone from Blackrock tells us about how bonds work! What a great kickoff to today's episode. After that, it's ALL of your letters, including ones about IRAs...how to you maximize your contributions; we then turn to blogging. Should Daryl start a blog? We weigh in. We also talk about investing in bonds, building the wrong side-hustle, and more. Special thanks to M1Finance for sponsoring our s...
Jun 05, 2017•53 min
Are there really only three rules to getting rich? A recent online piece at a major publication says so, so we ask our crack panel to weigh in. If there WERE three rules, would these even be the correct three? Of course that's not all. We'll also talk about stock market and investing facts you may not know, and wrap it all up with some of our biggest financial regrets. On our Friday FinTech segment, we talk to Ryan Coon from Rentalutions. Thinking about renting houses on the side? Ryan and compa...
Jun 02, 2017•59 min
What should you know about your money that doctors often mess up? Dr. Amir Baluch comes down to the basement today to share some of the basics that he teaches doctors...and that you should know, too. Plus, in headlines we talk about a mechanic who says, "Your car is DONE!" and also share a disturbing story about people losing vacation days. That's expensive--and not just for your wallet. On the Haven Life line , Erin just bought a car with cash and now has some cash flow to invest. She asks the ...
May 31, 2017•1 hr 1 min
With automation a bigger part of our life, what's going to drive the economy in the future? We talk economics, work, and the role of money with executive producer Dave O'Connor of the new National Geographic show Year Million. In our headlines segment, we're joined by David Siegel, CEO of Investopedia, to tells us about lessons learned from their recent Market Madness competition. 5,000 college students participated, and the results AND lessons from the competition, including some of the big nam...
May 29, 2017•56 min
What are some tricks to lower your utility bills? Jamila from JourneyToLaunch and Fritz Gilbert from The Retirement Manifesto join Len Penzo (Len Penzo dot com) in a fun, fast-paced roundtable discussion about lowering your home expenses and saving more money. We'll also tackle the recent news from Ford about their HUGE personnel cuts. What should YOU do if you think your job is on the chopping block? In our Friday HR segment, the Evil HR Lady, Suzanne Lucas stops by to answer a listener letter....
May 26, 2017•57 min
With Memorial Day right around the corner in the USA, we ask Mr. Theme Park Insider, Robert Niles, "Where we can find the best values?" As always, he delivers with suggestions for parks around the country, and with ideas for people and families of all ages. In our headlines we talk about money disorders that kill your financial plan. We also discuss a disturbing spending trend among older people. We throw out the Haven Life line to Emily, who wants to know if her boyfriend's job is sub-optimal (...
May 24, 2017•1 hr
Today we're live from Times Square and the 2017 CO-OP THINK! Conference, where credit union executives gathered to talk innovation in money management. What do the next five years look like for your money? What innovative solutions are credit unions dreaming up? We talk to top credit union officials from around the country AND financial luminaries like Jean Chatzky and Bobby Rebell to talk about digital innovation. We also throw out the Haven Life line to a caller who wonders how to invest a $20...
May 22, 2017•1 hr 28 min
How do you get ahead financially? Our friends at Kiplinger wrote a fantastic, conservative piece about the keys to financial success and today our crack roundtable team of award winning writers will discuss THAT piece and two others. In our Friday Fintech segment we talk to Dee Choubey from MoneyLion about tracking your money more effectively. How does it work? We'll talk all things money management, debt control, and good, solid nudges to help you handle your finances successfully. Thanks to So...
May 19, 2017•55 min
Invest or pay down credit cards? Buy a car or invest toward a house? These are opportunity cost questions, and today, Emily Guy Birken, author of End Financial Stress NOW, joins us to explain how it works. We'll also talk about the problem with "free," sunk costs, and other often neglected strategies to manage money better. In our headlines we'll talk Johnny Depp again, plus talk financial knowledge. How much do we learn about money over our lifetime? The answer will surprise you. Today we throw...
May 17, 2017•1 hr
Claudia and Garrett Pennington paid off nearly a quarter million dollars in debt. Better yet? They became MUCH more focused on what was important to them with money and their life. Claudia comes down to the basement on today's show to share their inspiring story of perseverance, living a thoughtful life, and questioning the need for everything. Hulu? Questioned. Cars? Questioned. House? Questioned....and much more. Of course, that's not all. We throw out the Haven Life line to Cameron, who wonde...
May 15, 2017•1 hr 7 min
We have a fun, wide-ranging discussion today about buying happiness, buying art, firing company boards, and figuring out your retirement number. Liz from ChiefMomOfficer.org joins Len ( LenPenzo.com ) and Paula ( AffordAnything.com ) to cover these wide-ranging topics. First, we'll discuss a piece arguing that you CAN buy happiness....and that it's different for everyone. True? You'll find out our panel's opinion today! Plus, we'll discuss Wells Fargo recently renewing every member of their boar...
May 12, 2017•51 min
On today's show, we're covering all the tough topics because YOU are the headliner on this show! We're answering your letters about 401k plans, college savings, and more! Plus, we throw out the Haven Life Line, we feature headlines about online security with our friend Jocelyn from NextAdvisor and more. Thanks to SoFi and MagnifyMoney.com for helping us with today's show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Cali...
May 09, 2017•1 hr 2 min
What is "impact investing"? Jessica Huang from iShares stops by the basement to fill us in, and you won't be disappointed. Maybe your portfolio CAN reflect your ethics and keep the high returns you're looking to achieve. We're also excited to talk to Jack Kosakowski from Junior Achievement today. A new JA study finds that kids are frightened by financial terms. Why? What can we do about it? He has answers. As always, we'll throw out the Haven Life line to a lucky listener and also squeeze in som...
May 08, 2017•58 min
What could make your 20's easier? Or, if your older, what SHOULD you have known in your 20's? On today's roundtable episode, Paula Pant from Afford Anything, Len Penzo from LenPenzo.com, and Joe discuss all the things they should have known back then. But that's not all. We circle the wagons on tipping. Should you tip for takeout? When is it appropriate to leave a tip? We'll address all of that today! PLUS - in our Friday Fintech segment we talk to Ross Kimbarovsky from Respect. If you're worrie...
May 05, 2017•1 hr 7 min
Think you know everything about the board game Monopoly? Think again! Mary Pilon, author of the New York Times bestseller The Monopolists joins us to talk about the unbelievably interesting and slightly sordid history of one of the world's favorite games. In our headlines segment, we're joined by Jamie Wise from the BUZZ Index . He'll share the latest buzz on investing from social media. Then we're joined by Shane Steele from Chime . They have a new fee finder service which has uncovered some HU...
May 03, 2017•1 hr 7 min
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
May 02, 2017•24 min
Tired of being broke? Erin Lowry is coming to save you today. Erin's the author of the new hit book Broke Millennial, and shares stories about examining your past, focusing on your tendencies, and then going on the offensive with your financial life. In our headlines segment, Brittney Burgett from Haven Life joins us to talk about how expensive parenting has become. She'll share some tips for parents about priorities and protecting your biggest asset: your time. Plus, we throw out the Haven Life...
May 01, 2017•1 hr 7 min
Griffin the Intern (AKA the Fintern) is rewinding to our time with Pete the Planner helping out on the roundtable. Here is the original show description: Today we handle a listener question asking, “What exchange traded fund should I buy?” Of course, OG has ideas…. Pete Dunn, AKA Pete the Planner, joins Greg and Len today to talk about high rent payments, rigged company reports and gourmet dog food. How do you make ends meet when 30 percent of your money has to go to your landlord? How do you pi...
Apr 28, 2017•55 min
The Fintern brings another great episode today featuring Darrow Kirkpatrick giving plenty of advice on retirement. Here's the original description: Can you retire yet? Our friend Darrow Kirkpatrick not only can help you answer that question, but he’s coming down to the basement to share TESTED early retirement strategies, such as the role of annuities, setting up your investments, insurance decisions, surprises in retirement, and more. AND because we’re kicking off a fresh eight weeks of shows, ...
Apr 26, 2017•28 min
Today, the FinTern rewinds to one of our favorites episode when Farnoosh Torabi visited the basement to answer your letters. She answered far better than we could have without her. Here's the original show description: We try to stump the amazing Farnoosh Torabi of So Money podcast fame with your letters….but she’s too amazing and answers FOUR of them with little help from us. Should you start a house flipping business with friends? What assumptions should you make in a financial plan? How do yo...
Apr 24, 2017•1 hr 1 min
