The Stacking Benjamins Show

Financial independence. It's often presented by writers as the place dreams are made of. You've reached this magical place called "enough" and now life is all unicorns and rainbows. But what happens when you realize that the march toward shoveling everything toward an uncertain future is creating a horrible existence TODAY? That's what happened to Jess, one half of the Plutus Award winning coaching team The FIoneers. Jess and Corey came by Joe's mom's basement to tell the tale of their "a-ha" moment that led them to reject shoveling tons of cash from a hated job toward an early retirement...and maybe an early grave.

Before that we celebrate our Halloween-kickoff episode with a visit from financial columnist and the host of the Money Life podcast, Chuck Jaffe. Chuck orchestrates an awesome, interesting, and always-changing economics game every Halloween with the trick-or-treat'ers who come by his home. What's the game this year? He'll share what he's planning, and hopefully inspire you to find clever ways to teach kids some money or economic lessons.

Of course we also throw out the Haven Life line (this time all the way to India!), and Doug regales us with his mind-bending trivia.

It's a Halloween party in the basement! Hope you can join us.

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/FIRE-horror-story-1428

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

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Les Brown, no stranger to hard work and the resulting success it brings, famously said, “Do what is easy, and your life will be hard. Do what is hard, and your life will become easy.” Does the secret to creating an easy life lie in doing hard work first? How much of what seems easy from the outside looking in is actually the result of hours of hard work that was put in beforehand? Joining Joe for a special roundtable discussion that centers around how to do the hard things in order to create an easier life going forward are three people who are no strangers to doing the hard work: Roger Whitney, the Retirement Answer Man; Carl Jensen, creator of the 1500 Days to Freedom blog; and Paula Pant, host and creator of the award-winning Afford Anything podcast and blog. They dive into the complex relationship between hard work and an easy life and offer some gems for Stackers to take away.

In the second half of our show, sponsored by DepositAccounts.com, we discuss some hard work life skills and money skills that you can tackle today that will help you out financially in the future.

Be sure to stick around for our resident hard work expert Doug's astrological-themed trivia! Will either of our two guest contributors pull out the W and Len or OG benefit from their hard work, or will our regular contributor Paula continue her late season charge for our spectacular dollar store trophy?

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/friday-roundtable-hard-work-easy-life-1427

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

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Want to know how to stack AND enjoy more Benjamins? Us too! That's why we like taking life advice from the right people. In our minds, Ron Shaich, founder and former CEO of Panera Bread joins us to talk about living a life of service. Ron's had a full life, making money quickly but still working. How come? It turns out, Ron's best life advice revolves around how to live with meaning, rather than chasing money. We talk about his early days with the company, reinventing Panera before it was broken, and coming back out of "retirement" four times to pursue the next phase of running the business he loves.

Speaking of life advice...one crypto trader could use some. Mom always said "measure twice and cut once" when doing anything. This trader lost OVER one hundred thousand dollars on a trade recently. We'll share how and what life advice this may mean for you! (There's plenty).

Of course, we still throw out the Haven Life Line to a lucky listener and also dive into some of Doug's juicy trivia.

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/know-what-matters-with-ron-shaich-1426

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

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Has the cost of...everything...got you down? Us, too. That's why today we bring you our Top 5 Ways to Cut Expenses Fast! If you're looking for some easy wins, we're bringin' them, along with a couple ways that may not be the fastest ways to cut expenses, but are completely worth the time and effort it'll take.

Has the return to the office had a bigger impact on your Benjamins stack than you remember? In our headlines segment, we see how many American workers are coping with the surprising cost of returning to the office.

Check out our TikTok Minute that may have you questioning the wisdom of having kids.

And stick around for Doug's crime boss-related trivia that will have you double-checking your tax returns to make sure the IRS stays off your back.

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/top-5-expense-cuts-1425

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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Are you letting your dreams of financial freedom slip through your fingers, always putting them off until tomorrow? Join us for today's special roundtable discussion, where we explore the art of not postponing gratification while still pursuing your financial freedom. Our featured guest is none other than the "Ordinary Sherpa" herself, Heidi Dusek, who joins Doc G and Len Penzo in this insightful conversation.

Discover the delicate balance between securing your future financial freedom and living in the present. Learn how to achieve financial independence without sacrificing the joys of today. Plus we delve into the potential impact of achieving financial freedom at a young age, including the challenges of leaving your old community and forming a new financial freedom community.

In the second half of our episode, DepositAccounts.com, we examine the unforeseen changes that early retirement can bring into your life.

And last but not least, our year-long trivia competition is reaching its climax! Who will come closer to being crowned the ultimate champion? Stay tuned for Doug's opera-themed trivia challenge!

For comprehensive show notes, including additional resources and references, please visit: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/accelerate-financial-freedom-roundtable-heidi-dusek-1424.

For even deeper insights, curated links, and in-depth discussions on the topics covered, be sure to explore our newsletter, "The 201," available at StackingBenjamins.com/201.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the episode!

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Where have you seen inflation the most? Maybe in travel. Between flights, the rental car, lodging, and admission fees, it feels like it takes FIVE bags of Benjamins to leave your back door for a long weekend! On today's show, we're thrilled to welcome travel savings expert Lee Huffman. He shares tips, tricks, and best practices to get the most out of your travel savings, wherever you may go. Be sure to tune in and get the most travel savings on any upcoming travel plans you have.

In today's conversation, Joe and Lee dive into travel savings when traveling domestically vs. travel savings for international travel. They chat about the travel savings to be had through rewards programs, how to accumulate the most points for your travel savings, and which programs offer the best value. They also touch on how Airbnb and VRBO stack up against the big hotel chains. They also dig into the best flight rewards programs for your travel savings. And they discuss the value of TSA Precheck and Global Entry.

In today's headline, we see how the recent Social Security cost of living adjustment (COLA) may fall short of its stated intention—to keep up with rising inflation. We throw out the Haven Lifeline to Patrick who has a question about 529 plans for his future children.

Plus, Doug dazzles us with his 90s fashionista awareness trivia.

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/travel-savings-and-tips-with-lee-huffman-1423

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 think that you aren't sure where you're headed with your money? Today we talk to TWO guests who began experimenting and found themselves much more prepared for the future than they'd thought. First, Annie decided it was time to experiment with "van life" during the pandemic. Her goal? To see if living and working from anywhere was actually viable. She'll share her stories, including what worked, what didn't and what she thinks about trying again long term. Plus, Tonia shares her story of how she realized she could actually quit her job! That was a welcome shock and now she shares what it's going to take for her to jump off the employment treadmill and into a new life. Think that's awesome? We're also joined by special guest co-host Becky Heptig, who along with her husband Stephen retired at 60 after only beginning the journey toward financial independence ten years earlier! She's the co-host of the hot new podcast "Catching Up To Fi," and she helps steer this ship today!

Welcome to a very special edition of Stacking Benjamins! On today's show, LIVE from Bali, Indonesia, Joe shares interviews and stories with a live audience at Amy Minkley's FI Freedom Retreat, where he was a keynote speaker. Not only does Becky Heptig from the Catching up to FI Podcast co-host, but she also shares her and her husband's success story about how they achieved financial independence in a relatively short time, starting from zero at the age of 50.

Joe's interview with attendee Annie is an eye-opening look at just how different financial independence can look for different people, with Annie's path fully embracing the location independence through #VanLife. Could camping, vagabonding, and generally roughing it be right for your financial independence? Annie shares the pros and cons of adopting this lifestyle.

Joe also sat down to talk with Tonia, who's story about how she unknowingly stumbled her way to financial independence hopefully will help you realize that maybe you're closer than you think to success! Learn from Tonia how to make the right moves to secure your financial independence by starting early.

Stick around when Doug calls in some Bali-related trivia.

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/live-from-bali-financial-independence-retreat-1422

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

Enjoy!

Tune in on Wednesday when we're going to help you see the world for less money (and to better splurge so that you create awesome memories) with the man behind the We Travel There podcast, Lee Huffman.

Written by: Kevin Bailey

Miss our last show? Listen here: The Money Tipping Point: When Do Saving, Spending and Earning Habits Go Too Far? (SB 1421).

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How much is too much of a good thing? How do we achieve the optimal balance between the two extremes of cheapskate and YOLO? Joining us for this extreme discussion we welcome the founder of the EconoME Conference and Doug's ex-girlfriend, Diania Merriman; Doc G from our sister show, the Earn & Invest Podcast, and writer extraordinaire, Paulette Perhach. They'll discuss what makes for extreme saving and extreme spending.

In the second half of this extreme roundtable discussion, we talk about how to find the right balance between the two extremes, based on your priorities and goals in life.

Finally, stick around for Doug's extreme sports-themed trivia! With all three of our regular contributors MIA, who will walk away with the W as we enter the second week of the fourth quarter?

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/friday-roundtable-extremes-diania-merriam-1421/

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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With so much emphasis placed on saving and investing throughout your working career to insure a secure and wealthy retirement, sometimes enjoying your life today can take a backseat. On today's show, we're joined by author Frank Legan to talk about adding humanity and the need to live your life in the moment into your financial planning. It's all about reaching a balance between planning/saving/investing for the future with treasuring and living your life today. In short, we're talking about choosing your investment choices - not necessarily which ETFs or funds, but the investment choices of what are your priorities in life.

We all know that we're responsible for our financial future, but at what point do we stop viewing "investment choices" as simply picking the right stock/ETF/fund/saving account and start placing a greater focus on choosing how much time we truly spend with those we care about and not always in the pursuit if more Benjamins? Make the right investment choices that align with your values, goals, and priorities!

In our headlines segment, we look into a all-too-common recurring theme: Americans and their penchant for spending. Talk about making investment choices in the wrong way! We throw out the Haven LifeLine to Jodi in Michigan who wants our take on annuities and how they can complement Social Security later in your retirement years. Could a deferred annuity be among the right investment choices for your finances?

And Doug brings it home by throwing out some investment returns-related trivia.

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/financial-planning-for-your-life-frank-legan-1420

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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Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of stuff you have accumulated? Ever looked at the mountains of stuff and wondered how many Benjamins you could flip that into? Joining us today are a husband-and-wife team, professional flippers Melissa and Rob Stephenson. We'll learn about how they started flipping, how to actually make money flipping, and how you could make flipping your side hustle. If you have ever wanted to learn how to make money on eBay, Amazon, or Facebook Marketplace, you don't want to miss today's interview all about flipping!

In our headline, we see how CDs have become a respectable option for parking some of your cash for safety. Stacker Jeff calls into the Haven Lifeline with a question about how to make up for lost time investing.

Plus, Doug brings some flipping-themed trivia in honor of Melissa and Rob coming on the show.

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/flea-market-flippers-melissa-and-rob-1420

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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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.