Ever wondered how to steer clear of trouble with your investments? Today, we’re diving into an SEC investigation that’s rattling one fund and discussing what you need to know to protect yourself. We’re also unpacking the benefits of passive investing and index funds—because simplifying your approach to the stock market might just be the smartest move you make.

In our TikTok Minute, we’ll take a look at a quick clip that highlights a common financial misunderstanding, and along the way, we’ll sprinkle in a bit of British charm (no spoilers, but it’s classic).

Finally, we’re tackling a listener question from a soon-to-be parent who’s wondering how to plan for their child’s financial future. From custodial accounts to financial aid strategies, we’ll walk through the best options to ensure your kids have a strong start. Add in Doug’s trivia, some thought-provoking discussions, and a peek at upcoming events, and you’ve got a packed episode full of actionable insights.

Run of Show

• Introduction and Opening Remarks
• Kickoff and Today’s Topics Overview
• Discussion on the SEC Investigation and What You Need to Know
• Monitoring Your Money Effectively
• Sponsor Messages and Lighthearted Banter
• Headline: Western Assets Bond Fund in Trouble
• Debating Active vs. Passive Management
• TikTok Minute: A Quick Look at Financial Missteps
• Listener Call and Doug’s Trivia Break
• Listener Question: Financial Planning for a Newborn
• Custodial Accounts vs. Other Savings Options
• Tax Implications and Financial Aid Considerations
• Upcoming Events and Community Meetups
• Doug’s TV Show Reviews



FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/when-good-funds-go-bad-1605

Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201

Enjoy!

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Ever feel like life keeps throwing curveballs your way? The truth is, it doesn’t actually get easier—you just get better at hitting those pitches. This week, we’re tackling financial challenges head-on with financial behavior psychologist Dr. Brad Klontz and TikTok star Adrian Brambila. Together, they deliver some much-needed “virtual slaps” to help shift your financial mindset from poor to rich.

We’re diving into practical tips like automating your finances, avoiding debt traps, and embracing tough love to overcome obstacles. In our headline segment, we’re revealing the U.S. cities with the highest and lowest non-mortgage debt. More importantly, we’ll discuss how to manage your financial health no matter where you live. It’s all about learning to play the game the right way.

And, of course, stick around for Doug’s trivia, humor, and possibly a questionable bread recommendation.

Run of Show

• Monday Morning Toast Ritual
• Debate Over the Best Bread Choices
• Salute to the Troops
• Introduction to the Stacking Benjamins Show
• Meet the Monday Mentors: Brad Klontz and Adrian Brambila
• Brad and Adrian Share Harsh Truths About Wealth Building
• The Psychology of Wealth and Financial Mindset Shifts
• Automation: The Secret Hack to Building Wealth
• The Poor vs. Rich Mindset: How to Change the Way You Think
• Investing Wisely: The 4% Rule
• Book Promotions and Special Offers from the Guests
• Doug’s Trivia and Humor Break
• Coaching and Motivational Strategies to Stay on Track
• Headline Segment: Debt in American Cities (Highest and Lowest)
• Conclusion and Final Thoughts on Getting Better, Not Easier

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/tough-love-money-lessons-brad-klontz-1604

Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201

Enjoy!

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How many personal finance rules does it actually take to keep your financial house in order? Book after book, podcast after podcast—everyone seems to have "the" set of rules you need. But one intrepid blogger asked himself, "How much do I really need to know to keep my financial health on track?" Today, we dive into his answer: the four laws of financial health, as explored by our lively roundtable crew.

Joining Joe and OG are Paula Pant, who's made it her mission to Afford Anything, and Jesse Cramer from The Best Interest podcast. OG’s here with a sports injury story (with a twist!), Paula’s got thoughts on ramping up savings, and Jesse dives deep into the need for a solid safety net. Get ready for laughs, valuable insights, and practical tips to help you set, track, and knock out your financial goals with confidence.

Plus, we’re treating you to some of Doug’s legendary trivia, and revisiting Oprah’s unforgettable weight loss reveal moment. Buckle up for a mix of fun and insight straight from Mom's basement!

Run of Show

• Introduction and Opening Remarks
• Meet the Hosts and Guests
• OG's Sports Injury Story (with a twist)
• Paula’s Early Voting Adventure
• Diving into the Four Laws of Financial Health
• Trivia Time with Doug
• Oprah’s Weight Loss Reveal: Guessing Game
• Different Theories on Oprah’s Weight Loss
• Answer Reveal and Lessons Learned
• Importance of Cash Reserves
• Building and Maintaining an Emergency Fund
• Systematic Saving and Investing Strategies
• Weekend Plans and Podcast Updates
• Closing Remarks and Takeaways



FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/the-four-laws-of-financial-health-1603

Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201

Enjoy!

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Curious about how AI might sneak its way into your financial plan? Today, we bring you the latest scoop on this hot topic with our guest, Robert Farrington from The College Investor. Together, we’ll break down the research on AI’s potential impact on your financial life (spoiler: it’s not here to pay your credit card bills). Plus, we tackle a listener question from someone who might've spent a bit too much time binging Better Call Saul.

Get ready to have your assumptions challenged as we throw in a TikTok Minute that’ll shake up everything you thought you knew abouthuge companies and their projections of the future. It isn't that we don't believe Goldman Sachs...it's just that the cost of being wrong may outweigh the gains of ignoring the strategy altogether. And, of course, stick around for trivia that’ll make you the star of your next gathering—Mom says you should be prepared to impress!

Join hosts Joe Saul-Sehy, OG, and the always-insightful Robert Farrington for an episode packed with practical financial wisdom, a few chuckles, and as always, a lot of basement charm. You know...because we're charming.

We're coming to NYC on December 12th! Join Joe, OG, Paula Pant AND Doc G for an amazing gathering of personal finance fans. Head to https://stackingbenjamins.com/nyc to sign up before spots are gone.

Run of Show

• Introduction and Opening Remarks
• Welcoming Robert Farrington
• Casual Banter and Health Tips
• Deep Dive into AI and Finance
• AI in Everyday Life and Financial Planning
• Challenges and Limitations of AI
• Using AI for Specific Financial Tasks
• The Future of AI in Financial Planning
• Personalized Advice and Experience
• Asking the Right Questions (to AI and yourself!)
• Where to Find More Information
• AI in Personal Finance
• Trivia Time with Doug
• Investment Strategies and Market Predictions
• Upcoming Events and Announcements - We're coming to NYC!
• Halloween Fun and Candy Tax

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Have you ever thought about the intersection of health and wealth? Today we start by sharing personal anecdotes about an unexpectedly painful break, leading into a robust chat with mentor Alua Arthur, a death doula who helps people find purpose through preparing for the end of life. The conversation dives deep into practical tips about setting financial goals while staying grounded, and the importance of balancing spending with saving, all while holding onto life’s deeper purposes.

Al Pacino's financial mishaps also serve as a cautionary tale about the importance of being an active CEO of your personal finances. The episode wraps up with advice on navigating the future as veterans from OG, insights into helping children understand finances, and more. You may go look for community, but there is only one that leaves you feeling satisfied: Stacking Benjamins. 

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Today, we'll dive into navigating life's awkward money moments with a fantastic round table discussion. We'll cover topics like how to handle unexpected spills at a friend's house, splitting the bill during social outings, contributing to group expenses, and even first-date etiquette. Plus, we discuss how to wisely use a financial windfall, the benefits of maximizing your retirement contributions, and the potential pitfalls of paying off your mortgage early. Get ready for practical advice, insightful stories, and plenty of laughs as we tackle these everyday financial dilemmas.

• Introduction and Joe's Favorite Things
• Upcoming Episodes and Special Guests
• Guide to Workplace Benefits
• Sponsors and Show Kickoff
• Round Table Discussion: Awkward Money Situations
• Handling the Check: Etiquette and Stories
• Birthday Dinners and Social Norms
• First Dates and Financial Expectations
• Road Trips and Gas Money
• Guessing the 1933 Minimum Wage
• Trivia Results and Reactions
• Listener Question: What to Do with Extra Money?
• Panel's Personal Updates and Announcements
• Post-Show Banter and Fun

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You asked for details on Joe's son's real estate adventure, and today you get it! This episode takes you to CampFI Midwest, where Joe's 29-year-old son, Nick, shares his journey toward financial independence through real estate investment. Starting in 2020, Nick began buying and renovating properties, primarily in Detroit, while living in Seattle and working at Microsoft. Learn about his strategies, the challenges he faces, and the importance of diversification in building a solid financial plan. The episode includes insights on finding deals, managing properties remotely, and the significance of making and learning from mistakes in the path to financial independence.

• Introduction to Greatest Hits Week
• Introducing Camp FI and Nick's Journey
• Nick's Real Estate Empire
• The Stacking Benjamins Podcast Vibe
• Nick's Detroit Real Estate Adventures
• Nick's Real Estate Strategy and Challenges
• The Importance of Diversification
• Concluding Thoughts and Advice

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Today, we look at the other side of financial independence: being able to travel the world! Our new Stacking Adventures show is off the ground, and we're giving you a peek at the latest episode. This show highlights YOUR experiences traveling, and when it comes to Japan, you share the best, worst, and in-between. From puking in your bosses' wife's shoes to riding the bullet train, we hear stories from Adventurers and share our own comments. You'll hear tips on packing, organizing luggage storage, theme parks to attend, places to find good food, navigating transportation, and more.

You'll find more episodes wherever you're listening to Stacking Benjamins, OR you'll find blog posts, trip reports, packing lists, and more at StackingAdventures.com.

Do you have travel stories about Peru, Chile, ghost tours, or New Orleans? Share those stories at StackingAdventures.com/MyStory

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Today, we'll discuss the pitfalls of overly conservative retirement planning and how it could delay your financial independence and retirement dreams. In this show which was originally aired on our "brother" show Earn & Invest, Doc G, and guest Jesse Cramer from the Best Interest podcast delve into the importance of finding a balance, exploring the impacts of stacking conservative assumptions related to social security, investment returns, and inflation. Jesse shares practical tips on re-evaluating your retirement assumptions, emphasizing the significance of flexibility and ongoing adjustments to avoid unnecessarily prolonging your work life.

RUN OF SHOW

• Introduction and Topic Overview
• The Cost of Being Too Conservative
• Interview with Jordan Grumet and Jesse Kramer
• Workplace Benefits Guide Announcement
• Earn and Invest Podcast Begins
• Jesse Kramer's Background and Career Shift
• Conservative Assumptions in Retirement Planning
• Introduction to Conservative Retirement Assumptions
• Guest Introduction: Jesse Cramer
• The Impact of Conservative Assumptions on Retirement
• Strategies to Avoid Overly Conservative Assumptions
• Revisiting and Adjusting Retirement Plans
• The 4% Rule and Its Implications
• Balancing Conservatism and Aggressiveness in Retirement Planning
• The Consequences of Overly Conservative Planning
• Practical Tips for Retirement Planning
• Exploring the 'Die With Zero' Philosophy
• Dealing with Loss Aversion Anxiety
• Conclusion and Final Thoughts
• Post-Interview Discussion

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To kick off a contentious week for the USA, we share one of our FAVORITE stories about the thread that binds us, our goals, our dreams, and yes, even our money. Laura Schroff was a high-powered executive in Manhattan when her life was changed forever by an 11-year old boy. It's a story you won't soon forget. Plus, we're thrilled that Scott Trench, BiggerPockets CEO joins us as guest co-host. We talk about crypto, athletes, and their money. It's our favorite way to discuss how your own money decisions could be better made. We also dive into non-compete contracts. That world has been changing quickly, and we've got you covered.

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Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your finances? Do you find yourself either making purchases as "retail therapy" or avoiding looking at your statements and online accounts? Or maybe, on the other end of the spectrum, you find yourself hoarding cash because you don't know when the next "rainy day" is going to arrive? In all of these cases and more, you might be experiencing financial trauma, a topic that is the focus of today's Stacking Benjamins live round table at FinCon 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. Hosted by Joe Saul-Sehy and featuring licensed family and marriage therapist Wendy Wright, certified financial planner Lawrence Sprung, and Afford Anything's Paula Pant, the discussion dives into the deep-seated emotional aspects of money. You'll learn about the signs of financial trauma, such as neglecting finances, overspending, and hoarding, and how these behaviors can impact your life. The panel offers insights into addressing and overcoming these issues, emphasizing the importance of compassionate curiosity and seeking professional help when needed. Whether you're living paycheck to paycheck or have a significant net worth, this episode will guide you on the path to better financial health and well-being.

RUN OF SHOW

• Opening Banter and Introduction
• Live from FinCon 2024
• Meet the Panelists
• Diving into Financial Trauma
• Signs of Financial Trauma
• Scarcity Mindset and Personal Stories
• Cultural and Individual Financial Trauma
• Judgment and Financial Secrecy
• Inherited Wealth and Emotional Struggles
• Behavioral Finance in Financial Planning
• Building Compassionate Financial Relationships
• Recognizing Financial Trauma: Hoarding
• Societal Views on Hoarding vs. Saving
• Personal Stories of Financial Extremes
• Balancing Financial Planning and Living in the Present
• Diagnosing Money Hoarding and Anxiety
• Steps to Address Financial Anxiety
• Exploring False Connections with Money
• The Importance of Financial Planning and Adjustments
• Tracking Spending and Financial Awareness
• Principles of Financial Therapy
• When to Seek Financial Therapy
• Conclusion and Resources

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/overcoming-financial-trauma-1595

Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201

Enjoy!

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