In anticipation of our annual magic 8 ball episode next Friday, we're taking a look back at last year's magic 8 ball episode. For those of you new to the show, each year roundtable regular Len Penzo brings down his magic 8 ball and we ask it wide-ranging questions for the next year. What were the predications? How did the 8 ball do this year? It's time to get all caught up in preparation for our debrief next week (along with a whole new set of questions for 2019). This episode also featured a Bl...
Dec 28, 2018•1 hr 6 min
Today's rewind episode features one of our favorite interviews with a fantastic guest: Dr. Woody Holton, author of the book "Abigail Adams", for which he won the Bambridge Award and more. In a time when women weren't expected, or even necessarily allowed, to be in charge of their finances, Abigail Adams took charge of her money and made sure she would be financially independent. Plus, Joe talked to Jamie Wise of the Buzz Index, we took a Haven Life Line call for help, answered a listener letter,...
Dec 26, 2018•1 hr 2 min
With all the news going around about the markets, we thought it would be fitting to kick off our rewind week by sharing our time with Ric Edelman. Ric, Chairman and Founder of Edelman Financial Services, bestselling author, and host of the hit “Ric Edelman Radio Show” joined our show to give us some advice on some "best practices" to follow in a choppy market. This episode originally released on November 2016. You can find the original show notes HERE . Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. V...
Dec 24, 2018•1 hr 1 min
There's nothing wrong with selling some of your clutter to help pay down your debt, but, as today's piece from Val Breit from TheCommonCentsClub (in a piece appearing on Rockstar Finance), there are plenty of other things you could be doing to help solve your financial troubles. Discussing this piece with us today is Paula Pant (from Afford Anything), Len Penzo (LenPenzo.com), and from our very own podcast, OG. Halfway through the roundtable we'll take a break for our Friday Fintech segment. Do ...
Dec 21, 2018•56 min
Thinking about getting into real estate? We're bringing down two fantastic guests who are excited to deliver what you need to know about investing in real estate: from the BiggerPockets real estate community and podcast, we're talking to Josh Dorkin and Brandon Turner. And in our headlines segment, another advisor is going fee only... but probably not for the reasons you think. Plus, we'll throw our the Haven Life Line to Nick, who wants to know more about what an "inverted yield curve." Should ...
Dec 19, 2018•1 hr 8 min
Are you having trouble climbing out of debt? Or maybe you're tired of daily calls from debt collectors? Whether you have serious debt or just need to refresh your plan, today we're kickstarting your 2019 journey to financial independence with the host of the Money Girl podcast, Laura Adams. Plus, speaking of 2019, what does the next year have in store for the world of credit? We're talking to Senior Vice President of Research and Consulting at Transunion, Matthew Komos, during our headlines segm...
Dec 17, 2018•1 hr 16 min
What items are YOU buying that are a complete waste of money? Today we're throwing out the playbook and all the rules for this very special episode of the Stacking Benjamins show. Joseph Hogue from the Let's Talk Money! YouTube channel joins Paula Pant (Afford Anything) and Len Penzo to walk through 12 things that you're better off NOT owning. While you may not be surprised by the items on our list, you'll probably be glad that you heard a few of them, because today you just might find a few new...
Dec 16, 2018•1 hr 20 min
Tired of all the running around shopping and working and cooking and planning...all to try and make the perfect holiday? What if you ditched all that and instead just focused on the people around you? Would that make it better? We'll talk about not just frugaling your holiday season, but minimizing it. Here to help us do that, today we welcome special guest Naseema McElroy from the Financially Intentional blog. She'll talk strategies and stories with Len (Len Penzo dot com) and OG. We'll talk ab...
Dec 14, 2018•1 hr 10 min
What do you wish someone had told you when you were 22 years old? How much would it have changed your trajectory? Would you have even listened to the advice? Today we're not just doling out idea to help your financial future....the guys are answering your specific financial questions. We'll also tackle questions about converting an IRA to a Roth IRA (how do you do it?), about why we always use 7-10% as our assumption over long periods when talking about the stock market, and how to know if you'r...
Dec 12, 2018•59 min
If you're like most people during the big holiday season, it's not really a question of IF you go over your budget, but WHEN--and how badly. With another "can't miss" deal around every corner who can keep themselves from doing a little splurging when shopping this month? Believe it or not, studies show that we plan for all of those expenses....it's the fact that the muffler sometimes drag behinds the car or another emergency expense happens which sends the budget into a tailspin and your credit ...
Dec 10, 2018•1 hr 6 min
How can you really follow a financial plan when absolutely nobody knows what's going to happen to the economy or in their life in a couple of years? What happens to your financial plan if you lose your job or have a medical emergency that wipes out your savings? Helping us understand how to manage money and finances during the fog of life is a writer you know from the F*ck Off Fund, AND who you've read in the New York Times, Elle, Slate (and more)... Paulette Perhach . She'll be joined by Paula ...
Dec 07, 2018•1 hr 6 min
How will YOU become the next millionaire next door? Believe it or not, it's been 23 years since The Millionaire Next Door shook the foundation of what people thought about wealth. You mean LOTS of people built their wealth in other ways than inheriting a bunch of money or working in huge income jobs? ...and that just because you LOOK wealthy doesn't mean you ARE wealthy? Today we talk to Dr. Sarah Fallaw (researcher and also the daughter of Thomas Stanley, author of the Millionaire Next Door) ab...
Dec 05, 2018•59 min
Recently there have been LOTS of headlines about FIRE. Good? Bad? Ugly? We invited David Bach down to the basement to ostensibly ask him about the 20th anniversary edition of his Smart Women Finish Rich book. While we cover that in detail, we also asked him about HIS thoughts on the FIRE movement....and let's just say that he was more than happy to share. In our headlines segment it's time for tax loss harvesting and year end tax planning. What should you do? An Investment News piece details a f...
Dec 03, 2018•1 hr 8 min
If you're like me, holiday parties are a mix of sheer terror, the threat of being stuck in a corner in the world's second most boring conversation, and hoping that you don't accidentally stick your foot in your mouth. So, to help us all not only navigate the holiday party scene but to crush it, we're asking all of our party conversation strategy questions to Vanessa Van Edwards, author of Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People. Whether you're usually the "life of the party," or you're ...
Nov 30, 2018•1 hr 13 min
Ever think that you need to take decisive action to bring your investments under control? Ever wonder exactly what moves you should make the next time the market moves up or down? We've got you covered, because Dr. Daniel Crosby joins us to talk about how to avoid getting in your own way with your investments. We'll discuss exactly why decisive moves might not work, why your brain is horrible at investment decisions, and more. As always when we talk to Dr. Crosby, it's a fun, fast paced, and (sh...
Nov 28, 2018•59 min
If anyone knows about fighting fear, it's Akshay Nanavati. While fighting overseas with the Marines, Akshay lost people close to him and subsequently suffered PTSD. He'll share his story of overcoming his own paralyzing fear, fighting demons, and achieving some HUGE goals on today's show. Whether you're afraid of asking for a raise, of starting a workout program to feel better (and earn more money), or to get started saving, investing, or paying down debt, there's something for everyone on today...
Nov 26, 2018•1 hr 12 min
While everyone else is standing in Black Friday lines hoping for the best deals, we're kicking back in the basement enjoying some board games. Eric Summerer from The Dice Tower joins us to talk about his favorite games about money, economics, and business. And then, as an added bonus, he'll stick around and share four ideas for frugal holiday gaming fun. Want to spend some time with your family laughing and enjoying your time together? Take these recommendations from the co-host of the biggest b...
Nov 23, 2018•1 hr 6 min
Every year early adopters worry about one thing....technology. What's the hottest new thing? What's the flop that we should avoid? How expensive is the latest do-dad going to cost? Should I buy last year's do-dad to save some cash? We're super excited because joining us to talk all things technology on our special pre-Black Friday show, we welcome CNET Senior Editor Bridget Carey. Plus in our headlines segment, social media is changing how millennials invest. Is that good or bad? Plus, in our se...
Nov 19, 2018•1 hr 8 min
Ready, set, SHOP! If you have to shop (and we're fairly certain you're like us and aren't in love with the idea at all), why not make it more fun by saving tons of money? Whether you're looking for clothing, tools, kitchen aids, furniture, or just something quirky, we've got you covered. Today we're talking to Sarah Hollenbeck from BlackFriday.com about the best deals available this holiday season. In our headlines segment we'll share another great deal that has savers everywhere cheering. The I...
Nov 19, 2018•1 hr 3 min
We're dedicating today's show to all of your burning financial questions. Will the fact that Anna's parents are opening up a 529 plan for her daughter create unintended financial consequences down the road? What should Keith do with a $50,000 inheritance and no job? What should ANYONE do when they receive $50,000? Jessica is a new investor. What platforms should she be looking into when trying to invest? After our David McKnight interview, Ryan is focusing on more money in his "tax-free" bucket....
Nov 14, 2018•1 hr 15 min
On today's show we're talking to Chris Peach and Andrea Robinson about big life changes. Think it's too late for you to change your direction? Or maybe you're too apprehensive about jumping into the unknown? Chris and Andrea will break it down on just how Andrea made the jump herself. From making use of your time to start a side-hustle to cutting expenses and making a good budget, there are bite-sized pieces that make the huge life decisions a bit easier to make. Plus, in today's headlines, woul...
Nov 12, 2018•1 hr 22 min
How do you find time to make all of the right money moves, have relationships with family or friends, AND keep a career that brings in the Benjamins? We'll talk about that and a TON more on today's podcast, recorded live in Detroit, Michigan, to round out our three-city tour! As always, we're bringing the party with a cast of special guests from the Detroit area. First, we'll talk to popular blogger and mother of twins Catherine Alford (CatherineAlford.com) and father-of-two, podcaster Andy Hill...
Nov 09, 2018•1 hr 24 min
We're kicking off our live Kansas City show with a fantastic hometown story on how one guy went from small time jobs to BIG time pre- and post-game shows for Kansas City Royals television broadcasts. You heard his podcast recently on our feed (as he interviewed Bob Kendrick for his Rounding The Bases podcast), and now you get to hear HIS story. Not only will he talk about chasing his dream career, but also how he's thinking critically now about "what's next." With off-season time and his speakin...
Nov 07, 2018•1 hr 36 min
We kick off live show week with a great story. How about a blogger who owed thousands in student loan debt and turned things around so much that only a few years later she's earning six figures every month and lives on a sailboat? Michelle Shroeder-Gardner joins us live from Orlando, Florida, to help us kick off our Three-Town Tour! But that's not all. Plus, because we're live, we've brought a TON of financial and community stars with us. Helping TIAA support difference makers in the Orlando com...
Nov 05, 2018•1 hr 39 min
Investors. Right when they turn left they turn right. You've heard lots of stories about people who've lost fortunes...all because they lost their head. Yet one recent publication shows the mindset shift of investors over time and through different market conditions. By knowing what most people think, by learning the psychology of an investor, maybe you can avoid many of their mistakes. We're excited by our roundtable team today because they've all not only made mistakes but they've also helped ...
Nov 02, 2018•1 hr 13 min
We're bringing two specially picked Halloween inspired guests down to the basement today, (and as a bonus, for once we can call all of our cobwebs and flickering lights seasonal decoration. Bonus!) Today we welcome the two brains behind the Mad Money Monster blog, Mr. and Mrs. Mad Money Monster. And speaking halloween decorations, Mr. Mad Money Monster, (or Harrison for short), is also a horror film director! Not only are we going to discuss practical money habits gone scary , we'll also peek in...
Oct 31, 2018•1 hr 17 min
We're kicking off the week talking about new jobs, annuities, paying down your mortgage, and spreadsheets....that's right, it's our favorite episode: we're answering YOUR letters. Joseph's got his first "big boy" job as an engineer after college. He's already got his eyes set on financial independence, what steps should he be taking to get there? Next, Gwen wants to know the reasoning behind not paying off your mortgage early. Wouldn't it be better to put $500 towards the mortgage each week rath...
Oct 29, 2018•1 hr 9 min
Just like how you need to know where the pedals are when you ride a bike, learning the key financial terms is an important part of your success as a saver. What are the most important terms to know? We're joined by Tom Drake from the Maple Money podcast, CFP Katie Brewer from Your Richest Life Planning, and Paula Pant, to tackle most of the basics. Which of these terms do you know? We'll also talk to Lucas Hall, who we give us a walk through this week's Friday FinTech featured company, Cozy. If ...
Oct 25, 2018•1 hr 9 min
Today we bring you two fantastic podcast episodes in a single package! As part of our three city tour we headed to Orlando, where Chris Browning and the Popcorn Finance podcast took the stage. Chris tackles some of his (and the audience's) biggest money wins and failures. He talks about controlling spending, buying some dumb stuff, listening to some bad advice, and more. And in the second half of our show, Joel Goldberg and the Rounding the Bases podcast take center stage from our show in Kansas...
Oct 24, 2018•48 min
Need inspiration to pay off your debt? We have it today. Alaya Linton from the blog HopeandCents.com and her husband paid off over $74,000 of debt in....wait for it....25 months. She'll walk us through all of the bad decisions she made wracking up the debt, then hitting the wall where suddenly she was in huge financial trouble, her first credit card denial, her car being repossessed, and more. But then she'll also share how her family changed and she attacked her debt and paid it off in 25 short...
Oct 22, 2018•1 hr 10 min
