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StackingBenjamins.com | Cumulus Podcast Network

Named the Best Personal Finance Podcast by Bankrate.com and Kiplinger, The Stacking Benjamins Show features 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.

The Stacking Benjamins Show

Ever feel like your money questions don't fit neatly into one category? One minute you're thinking about retirement, the next it's insurance, emergency funds, gifting money, or whether your workplace plan is helping or hurting you.

This is one of those episodes where Stackers bring the real-life questions, and Joe Saul-Sehy, CFP Anna Allem, and Neighbor Doug help sort through the noise. It's a true Q&A show built from the issues you're wrestling with right now. No perfect spreadsheets. No one-size-fits-all answers. Just practical guidance for making smart decisions when your financial life has a lot of moving parts.

You'll hear how to prioritize when everything feels important, how to adjust your strategy as rules change, and how to stay flexible without losing control of your long-term plan. College planning comes up, but it's part of a bigger conversation about balancing competing goals, not the center of the episode.

What You'll Learn:

• How to make better decisions when multiple financial priorities collide

• Smarter ways to think about life insurance when cash flow feels tight

• How to build or rebuild an emergency fund with inconsistent income

• What changes to 401(k) rules could mean for your saving and investing strategy

• When opting out of a workplace plan might make sense, and when it's a mistake

• How automatic enrollment and contribution changes can impact your future wealth

• The right way to gift money to kids or grandkids without creating tax or planning problems

• How HSAs fit into your bigger financial picture

• Why financial gridlock happens and how to break through it

• How to balance short term flexibility with long term security

• A clear explanation of FAFSA and financial aid, and how it fits into overall planning for families who need it

This Episode Is For You If:

• You're juggling multiple financial priorities and not sure which one to tackle first

• You feel stuck because everything seems important and nothing feels urgent enough

• You want guidance that fits your messy real life, not just textbook answers

• You're tired of financial advice that assumes you only have one problem at a time

• You need permission to prioritize imperfectly and still make progress

If your finances feel like a maze, this is your map.

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/answering-stacker-questions-with-anna-allem-1792

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 to Prioritize Your Money: Listener Q&A (SB1792)

Some people kick off a new year with a vision board. We prefer a runway show in sweatpants from Joe's mom's basement.

Joe Saul-Sehy, OG, and Neighbor Doug throw personal finance into the spotlight and ask the question every Stacker secretly loves: What's officially "so last year" in your money plan, and what's worth keeping for 2026?

Because here's the truth. You don't need a total financial makeover. You need a few smart "wardrobe swaps" that fit your real life. The habits that quietly drain your progress (hello, lifestyle creep). The stuff people obsess over that doesn't matter as much as they think. And the overlooked moves that make everything else easier.

The crew breaks down what's out (financial habits that looked good but never delivered), what's in (the practical moves that reduce stress and create actual progress), and why real financial planning isn't just about investments but about building a system that holds up when life gets messy.

Also on the docket: a fresh start to the yearlong trivia competition with new rules, new twists, and the kind of competitive energy that makes you wonder if the trophy comes with a safety warning label.

What You'll Learn:

• What financial trends are out for 2026 and why they weren't helping anyway

• The habits that are in if you want more freedom, less stress, and fewer "where did my money go" moments

• Why real financial planning isn't just investments but a system that works in real life

• How lifestyle creep sneaks in and a couple ways to stop it before it becomes your full-time hobby

• What tax strategy means for normal people, not just spreadsheet enthusiasts

• The money conversations you should have early in the year before life gets loud again

• A realistic take on housing in 2026 and what to focus on when markets don't behave

• New trivia rules including a twist that changes everything if you're not paying attention

This Episode Is For You If:

• You want to know what to stop doing so you can focus on what works

• You're tired of financial advice that adds more tasks instead of clarity

• You suspect some of your money habits aren't pulling their weight

• You want permission to quit the financial trends that never fit your life

• You're ready for a few strategic changes that make 2026 feel more manageable

Questions to Think About:

What's one money habit you're officially retiring in 2026? If you could upgrade one part of your financial plan this year, what would it be: spending, saving, investing, insurance, or taxes? Drop your answers in the comments or the Basement Facebook group because this episode is all about figuring out what stays and what goes.

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/finance-hot-or-not-2026-1791

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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The Money Habits to Keep and Ditch in 2026 (SB1791)

If you're making decent money but still feel like you're one bad month away from stress, this episode is for you.

Joe Saul-Sehy, OG, and Neighbor Doug sit down with Mel Abraham to talk about something most Stackers think about but don't know how to start: creating income that doesn't depend entirely on showing up to work every single day. Not side hustle mania or get-rich-quick schemes. Just practical ways to build what Mel calls a "money engine" that makes your financial life steadier and way less stressful.

Mel breaks down the different types of income streams, how they fit into real life (not just theory), and where to start if you're tired of feeling like your paycheck is the only thing keeping everything afloat. The goal isn't to quit your job tomorrow. It's to create options and breathing room so one surprise expense or career hiccup doesn't derail everything you've built.

Then Joe and OG tackle the January financial to-do lists that flood your inbox every year. You know the ones: "15 money moves to make before February!" They separate what's worth your time from what's just financial busywork designed to make you feel productive without moving the needle.

Because here's the truth. You don't need more financial homework. You need a few strategic moves that make 2026 feel more manageable from the start.

What You'll Walk Away With:

• How to think about building income beyond your paycheck without burning out

• The different types of income streams and which ones fit your actual life right now

• Where to start creating assets that work even when you're not clocking in

• Which January money tasks are worth doing and which ones waste your time

• How to prioritize your financial checklist for maximum impact with minimum stress

• Simple ways to organize your money for the year without it becoming a second job

This Episode Is For You If:

• You're making decent money but still feel financially stressed

• You want options beyond your paycheck but don't know where to start

• You're tired of feeling like everything depends on your next paycheck

• January financial advice usually overwhelms you more than it helps

• You want systems that reduce anxiety, not add more tasks to your list

Before You Hit Play, Ask Yourself:

What's one income stream you'd love to build if you knew it wouldn't be complicated? If you only had one hour this month to improve your finances, what would you spend it on? Drop your answers in the comments or the Basement Facebook group because Mel's framework plus Joe and OG's January reality check might be exactly what you need to start the year without the usual stress.

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/build-your-money-engine-mel-abraham-1790

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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Build Income Beyond Your Paycheck (SB1790)

What if some of the "rules" you've been told about money aren't rules at all, just assumptions that haven't been questioned lately?

Joe Saul-Sehy, OG, and Neighbor Doug pull apart a handful of deeply held financial beliefs and see what holds up when real life enters the conversation. From Social Security timing to investment return expectations, the crew explores where common advice works, where it falls short, and why context matters more than catchy rules of thumb.

Along the way, the discussion shifts from spreadsheets to behavior, because knowing what to do is one thing and doing it (especially in retirement) is another. The team talks through spending realities, inflation anxiety, and how small mindset shifts can make your plan feel less fragile and more livable.

Then, just when things get serious, Doug introduces a challenge that's equal parts practical and revealing. The Survivor Pantry. It's a simple idea that uncovers how prepared (or not) we really are, and why preparedness isn't about fear but flexibility.

In This Episode You'll Explore:

• Why popular Social Security advice isn't one size fits all

• What real world investment returns look like over time

• How behavioral blind spots can derail otherwise solid plans

• The difference between planning for retirement and living in it

• Smarter ways to think about spending as prices change

• Why some financial myths refuse to die (and how to spot them)

• What the Survivor Pantry reveals about readiness and resilience

• How questioning assumptions can lead to calmer, more confident decisions

This episode is less about finding new answers and more about asking better questions, especially if you're tired of feeling like you're "behind" for not following every money rule to the letter.

Conversation Starter for the Basement:

What's one money belief you've always accepted but now you're not so sure about? Drop your thoughts in the Facebook group or comments and compare notes with other Stackers who are rethinking the playbook right alongside you.

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/challenging-money-assumptions-1789

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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Breaking Money Rules and Playing Survivor Pantry SB1789

It's that time of year when we look ahead, squint confidently into the future, and pretend we have any idea what's coming next. In this annual Stacking Benjamins tradition, Joe Saul-Sehy welcomes back Mindy Jensen from the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Len Penzo of LenPenzo.com, and OG for the predictions episode that blends money talk, pop culture, and just enough nonsense to keep everyone honest.

Instead of pretending anyone can forecast the markets, the crew leans into what really matters: how to think about uncertainty. With help from a Magic 8 Ball (clearly the most reliable forecasting tool available), the panel throws out bold guesses about stocks, crypto, AI, inflation, interest rates, and the kinds of headlines that will dominate conversations in 2026. Some predictions are financial. Some are cultural. Some are optimistic, let's say.

But beneath the fun is a useful reminder for Stackers. Predictions don't build wealth, process does. This episode isn't about acting on guesses. It's about stress-testing assumptions, questioning narratives, and remembering that long-term success comes from good habits, not crystal balls. If you've ever wondered how much attention to pay to forecasts (and how much to ignore), this conversation delivers clarity wrapped in entertainment.

And yes, there are sports predictions, celebrity guesses, and enough wild speculation to guarantee at least a few laughs when we look back a year from now.

In This Episode You'll Hear:

 The crew's biggest financial and cultural predictions for 2026

 What the Magic 8 Ball "thinks" about markets, rates, and inflation

 Why forecasts are fun but dangerous if taken too seriously

 Thoughts on AI, energy use, and how technology may affect daily life

 Predictions about crypto, gold, and the stories investors love to chase

 A reminder of what matters when markets surprise everyone

 Sports, pop culture, and wildly specific guesses that will age somehow

Join the Conversation:

Which prediction do you think has the best chance of being right, and which one will age the worst? Share your take in Spotify comments or the Basement Facebook group so we can revisit it next year and keep receipts.

This episode is a reminder that while nobody knows what 2026 will bring, Stackers who stay curious, flexible, and grounded tend to do just fine. Magic 8 Ball or not.

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/magic-8-ball-and-2026-predictions-1788/

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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Our Annual Magic 8 Ball Predictions for 2026 (SB1788)

If 2026 already feels busy and it's barely started, you're not imagining it. Joe Saul-Sehy and OG sit down with renowned time management expert Laura Vanderkam to tackle one of the biggest stressors Stackers face. Feeling like there's never enough time to do the things that matter, including managing money well.

Laura helps break the myth that better time management means squeezing more productivity into already packed days. Instead, the conversation centers on intentional time use: how to protect space for what matters most, reduce decision fatigue, and build simple systems that make life (and money) feel lighter. If you've ever said "I don't have time to deal with this right now" about your finances, this discussion will feel uncomfortably familiar in a good way.

From there, the show zooms out just enough to connect time decisions to money decisions. Joe and OG explore why financial stress often comes from neglect rather than bad choices, and how a few well-timed actions (like organizing documents, planning ahead for aging parents, or setting aside focused "money time") can prevent massive headaches later. No doom and gloom economics here, just a reminder that uncertainty is always around and preparation beats prediction every time.

The episode also takes a thoughtful turn toward caregiving and elder planning, a topic many Stackers are quietly juggling while managing careers, kids, and their own goals. Laura and the team talk about how planning before a crisis saves not just money but emotional energy, one of the most overlooked resources of all.

This is a conversation about doing less reacting, more choosing, and building a 2026 where your calendar and your bank account work together.

What You'll Hear:

• Why "being busy" isn't the same as using time well

• Laura Vanderkam's practical strategies for reclaiming focus and presence

• How small pockets of time ("time confetti") quietly drain energy

• Simple ways to create space for money decisions without overwhelm

• Why procrastinating financial tasks often costs more than bad investing

• How to think ahead about caregiving without panic or perfection

• What documents and conversations make future decisions easier

• How to prepare for uncertainty without obsessing over headlines

If you want to start 2026 feeling more in control (not just of your money but of your life), this episode offers a grounded, encouraging roadmap. No hustle culture. No financial fear tactics. Just smart conversations about using your time wisely so your money decisions get easier, not harder.

Listen for the moment when "I don't have time" turns into "I'm choosing what matters."

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/master-your-time-management-with-laura-vanderkam-1787

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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Making Time for What Matters with Laura Vanderkam (SB1787)

A new year has arrived, and with it comes a fresh wave of hot takes, bold predictions, and "can't miss" investing ideas. Joe Saul-Sehy and OG step back from the noise to discuss what clearly doesn't work and then to focus on what actually helps you build wealth in 2026 and beyond.

Rather than chasing hot trends, they revisit the timeless rules that have quietly done the heavy lifting through every market cycle. Why diversification still matters even when it feels boring. Why IPO hype and speculative real estate deals often disappoint. How consistency beats cleverness far more often than most people expect.

From there, the conversation shifts into a practical framework Stackers can use no matter what the market throws their way. Joe and OG walk through the proper order of investing decisions: start with clear goals, build the right asset allocation, choose appropriate asset selections, and then layer in tax strategy. By putting taxes in the right place (after the big structural decisions), they explain how to improve outcomes without letting tax avoidance distort the entire plan.

The episode also digs into real-world traps that tend to surface when uncertainty rises. Real estate crowdfunding. Penny stock temptation. Misunderstood property tax increases. The guys break down where people get tripped up and how to protect yourself without becoming overly cautious or frozen by fear.

Just as important, Joe and OG explore the difference between luck and skill in investing stories. If you've ever felt behind because someone else's risky move worked out, this discussion brings perspective and relief by reminding Stackers what sustainable progress actually looks like.

What You'll Learn:

• Why timeless investing principles matter more than 2026 predictions

• How diversification truly reduces risk and where people misuse it

• The dangers of IPOs, penny stocks, and "exclusive" real estate deals

• The correct order of smart investing decisions: goals first, asset allocation next, asset selection after that, tax strategy layered on last

• How to think about tax efficiency without letting taxes drive the plan

• What new homeowners often misunderstand about property taxes

• How to spot luck masquerading as skill in investing success stories

• Ways to stay confident and consistent when markets feel uncertain

If you're looking to start 2026 grounded, informed, and focused on the moves that actually matter, this episode delivers a steady, practical roadmap without hype, fear, or shortcuts.

Listen for the principles that hold up when markets misbehave and the small mistakes that quietly derail otherwise solid plans.

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/real-estate-scam-companies-1786

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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Waste Time on Hot Real Estate or IPO Trends or Start Building Wealth? SB1786

What if earning more money in 2025 has less to do with working longer hours and more to do with becoming dangerously useful?

In this conversation, Joe Saul-Sehy and OG sit down with entrepreneur Alex Hormozi to break down how skill stacking, leverage, and better decision-making can radically change your income trajectory, whether you run a business, lead a team, or clock in for a 9-to-5.

Alex pulls back the curtain on what actually drives higher pay: choosing the right skills, focusing on work that compounds, and learning how to take smart risks without blowing up your life. Along the way, he tackles one of the hardest challenges Stackers face, how to pursue growth when well-meaning friends, family, or coworkers are urging you to play it safe.

This isn't about hustle culture or quitting your job tomorrow. It's about building a skill set that makes you indispensable, learning how to negotiate from a position of strength, and thinking long-term while others stay stuck optimizing small things.

WHAT YOU'LL TAKE AWAY:

 Why skill stacking beats talent when it comes to earning power

 How to identify high-leverage skills that pay off in any career

 Ways to invest in yourself that don't require an MBA or massive risk

 How to apply entrepreneurial thinking inside a traditional job

 Practical negotiation insights that actually work in the real world

 When giving away value helps you grow and when it backfires

 How to tune out discouraging advice without burning bridges

 Why systems and processes matter more than motivation

If you're serious about earning more in 2025 but want to do it thoughtfully, sustainably, and on your own terms, this episode gives you a blueprint worth studying.

Listen for the mindset shifts that compound quietly and the small changes that can unlock much bigger opportunities over time.

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Alex Hormozi on Skills That Actually Build Wealth, Part 2 (SB1785)

What if the biggest driver of your financial future isn't the stock market but your skill set?

In this episode of The Stacking Benjamins Show, Joe Saul-Sehy and the crew sit down with entrepreneur and business strategist Alex Hormozi to unpack one of the most overlooked wealth-building tools Stackers have access to: skill acquisition.

Alex doesn't pitch get-rich-quick nonsense or risky moonshots. Instead, he walks through how ordinary people (employees, side hustlers, and business owners alike) can increase their income by focusing on high-leverage skills, smarter negotiations, and taking calculated risks that actually make sense.

You'll hear how Alex went through early business struggles and hard-earned lessons before building real wealth. Not by chasing trends, but by deliberately stacking skills, learning faster than the competition, and betting on himself without blowing up his life. The lessons apply whether you're asking for a raise, switching careers, growing a side hustle, or simply trying to earn more without working yourself into the ground.

This is an episode about earning more on purpose, not grinding harder.

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:

 Why skill-building often beats investing early in your career

 How to identify high-leverage skills that pay off repeatedly

 The difference between smart risk and reckless risk

 Why small optimizations won't change your life but big skills might

 How to design your own curriculum without going back to school

 When betting on yourself actually makes financial sense

ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
Reflecting on standout episodes from 2025 and what's coming next, a quick check-in on managing your money with intention not noise, why confidence is built through reps not motivation, and how compensation and risk are more connected than you think.

A QUESTION FOR THE BASEMENT:
What's one skill you've learned that's paid off way more than you expected, or one you wish you'd started earlier? Share it in Spotify comments or bring it to the Basement Facebook group. Your answer might help another Stacker spot their next big opportunity.

Because money grows in accounts, but wealth starts with what you can do.

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Alex Hormozi on Skills That Actually Build Wealth SB1784

New year, clean slate, and maybe time for a closer look at the person managing your money.

Joe Saul-Sehy and OG kick off 2026 by answering the question many Stackers quietly wonder about: Is my financial advisor actually good at their job?

Rather than talking theory or credentials, they break down five real-world red flags that signal an advisor might be more focused on products, commissions, or their own ego than on your goals. These are the subtle warning signs you'll never see in a glossy brochure but you'll absolutely feel over time.

The 5 red flags:
• Poor communication that keeps you in the dark
• Office culture that feels off
• Confusing jargon (often a feature, not a bug)
• Unclear or hidden fees
• Products over process

Plus: Doug's Italian food trivia, New Year's breakfast burrito chaos, and a reminder that you're allowed to expect clarity and respect.

Question for you: What's the biggest green flag or red flag you've seen from a financial advisor? Share in the comments—your story might help another Stacker avoid a costly mistake.

The Red Flags Your Financial Advisor Hopes You Miss

New year, clean slate, and maybe a closer look at the person helping you manage your money.

In this episode of The Stacking Benjamins Show, Joe Saul-Sehy and OG kick off the year by pulling back the curtain on a question many Stackers quietly wonder about: Is my financial advisor actually good at their job?

Rather than talking theory or credentials, the guys break down five real-world red flags that signal an advisor might be more focused on products, commissions, or their own ego than on your goals. These are the subtle warning signs you'll never see in a glossy brochure but you'll absolutely feel them over time.

From how an advisor communicates (or doesn't), to what their office culture tells you, to why confusing jargon is often a feature not a bug, this episode gives you practical ways to evaluate whether your advisor is truly on your team.

And because this is Stacking Benjamins, the serious stuff is balanced with laughs, a little New Year's chaos, and Doug's trivia detour into Italian food.

If you've ever wondered whether you should stay, ask better questions, or quietly run for the exit, this episode gives you the confidence to decide.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

 The top five red flags that signal a subpar financial advisor

 Why great advisors focus on process and goals, not hot products

 How poor communication quietly sabotages your financial progress

 What an advisor's office environment and staff behavior can reveal

 Why unclear fees and excessive jargon should make you nervous

 How to check public records without feeling overwhelmed

ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
A fresh start to the year with breakfast burritos, Doug's trivia break on Italian food, a reminder that you are allowed to expect clarity and respect, plus community updates and what's coming next.

HERE'S A QUESTION TO THINK ABOUT:
What's the biggest green flag or red flag you've seen from a financial advisor? Share your experience in Spotify comments or bring it to the Basement Facebook group. Your story might help another Stacker avoid a costly mistake.

Because the right advisor doesn't just manage money. They help you sleep better at night.

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5 Signs Your Financial Advisor Might Be Failing You (SB1783)

How do you not only survive the holiday season but thrive during it? Today our roundtable team rolls out their very best holiday survival ideas. We'll talk shopping to family to mindset and fun...plus maybe sprinkle in a laugh or two. Calling in today is Paula Pant from the Afford Anything podcast, plus Len Penzo from LenPenzo.com, and who can forget OG from our very own show!
 
 Plus, at the halfway mark of today's episode we'll talk about flexible spending accounts. What do YOU need to know before the year is up? Maybe a lot. Hopefully we save a few people a LOT of money because they listened to today's podcast! Helping us by calling dad's shortwave from all the way over in Europe, we'll welcome back Suzanne Lucas, aka the Evil HR Lady from evilhrlady.org.
 
 And during our Magnify Money call we'll hear from our good friend Santa and he gives us his tip for not getting so tipsy this time around the world on his sleigh.
 
 As always, of course we'll quiz our contributors with an epic gameshow question by our neighbor, Doug. All that and more on today's show! Hope you can join the fun!
 
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Our Roundtable Team's TOP Holiday Tips (plus the Evil HR Lady!)

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