The Stacking Benjamins Show

How does using your retirement plan as a path to a cool million sound to you? Are the existing tools that are currently available to most of us enough to get us there, or do changes need to be made to update the rules around what investments are accessible to the masses? Joining us to tackle this important issue, we welcome Stephanie McCullough from the Take Back Retirement podcast. Also, we're happy to welcome back our friends who are ready to talk retirement at the drop of a hat, Paula Pant and Len Penzo.

We also dive deeper into actionable best practices for Stackers who are just starting out by addressing the question of how to be aggressive without overdoing it on the risk.

Plus, stick around for Doug's constructive trivia question! Will Len extend his stranglehold on the lead? Will Paula demonstrate that she deserves to remain squarely not-in-last-place? Will Stephanie do OG a solid and lift him out of the sole cellar-dweller spot?

For full show notes go to https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/all-about-401ks-roundtable-1388

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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What a rare look we bring you today "behind the curtain." Credit unions are owned by members and serve (in most cases) a community of people. In theory, they should be your go-to resource for financial matters. So why are they often your second resource (if you think of them at all) behind banks? Banks, owned by shareholders and not at all beholden to customers (Bank of America said out loud during an earnings call last year that they don't pay more on savings because customers aren't demanding it!).

There's good news on the way, though...Joe was emcee of the relEVENT Conference at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas a few weeks ago, and while there, he found out SO MANY innovative ideas from leaders in the credit union space. Not only are they already leading the way in individual communities...they're also working hard to get even better. Today we'll share short interviews with a number of experts at the conference about the future of credit unions, what leaders are thinking about, and what's available now that you may have not known.

It's a mega-episode at over 75 minutes...but certainly a rare look at the other side of the table at what "they're thinking" while they're trying to help you with a car loan, mortgage, savings account, or other services.

Thanks to Jeff Klein and Choice Creative Solutions for asking Joe to emcee. Need maybe the world's greatest emcee for your event? Head to joesaulsehy.com.

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/credit-union-relevent-conference-live-1387

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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You may not know Jeff Smulyan's name, but you know what he's done. The creator of New York's famous The Fan radio station and the former owner of the Seattle Mariners baseball franchise joins us today to talk about lessons learned during his tumultuous career. Experience teaches you to learn from your mistakes and Jeff isn't afraid to share his (along with, of course, the huge wins he's had that shape an incredibly successful career). We'll talk about managing talent like Don Imus and trying to manage people double your age when you're leading in your twenties. It's a wide-ranging, thought provoking interview.

In a rare treat, you'll also get TWO headlines today. First, an antiquated payment system is finally (maybe) being taken out to the trash. What is it? We'll share news from the Federal Reserve today...along with a second headline about your estate plan. The government has quietly changed the game around sheltering money in your estate. How does it work? We'll share that as well, plus steps you should take right now to make sure your estate is handled as you wish.

Of course, we still will throw out the Haven Life line to a lucky Stacker, dive into a TikTok minute, and let you ponder Doug's trivia question about a huge hit song that was released (and that earned lots of Benjamins) on today's date back in 1984.

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/entrepreneurship-rollercoaster-lessons-jeff-smulyan-1386

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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What are some of the most valuable lessons in money that you've acquired over your lifetime? Money education is a lifelong process. Today, our weekly roundtable reviews one popular author's list of money lessons, and we'll add a few of our own. We also welcome co-host of the Talking Real Money podcast and the owner of one of the smoothest voices in the industry, Don McDonald. Joining us from NYC, recent Columbia graduate and host of our sister show, Afford Anything, Paula Pant. And the roundtable panelist who has the most life experience of our regular panelists - by a long shot - we welcome back creator of the award-winning blog LenPenzo.com, Len Penzo.

In the second half of the show, our panelists add their own life money lessons.

Doug dazzles us with a piece of head scratching NYC-related trivia. Will Paula be able to make the most of her homefield advantage to pull out the win? Does Don have an ace up his sleeve with some inside knowledge? Will Len extend his lead and bring home the dub?

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/money-lessons-roundtable-1385

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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Today we hear from our amazing community...and you will never be more motivated than after hearing their stories. First, we were excited to begin with TJ because so many of us live in an area a coach of ours calls "the gap." That's the state of mind where you're always thinking about how much more you have to do, how far behind you are, and how nothing in life is the way you want it to be. Yet, for most of us, it's actually far better to think about our successes. TJ celebrates earning money, among other cool things. Today he shares how he realized he'd earned a million dollars...and then how he threw himself a party to mark that big moment. Plus, he chats about some of the other cool milestones he tracks.

Then we turn to Annette, who takes full advantage of a community resource that we'll bet 99% of you have available, and that every study shows is underutilized. It can save you THOUSANDS of dollars and also help clean up the clutter at home. What is it? You'll have to listen to find out!

And finally (but definitely not least!) we talk to Skyler who climbed a mountain many never reach: he's created 100 episodes of his podcast, Money Talk with Skyler Fleming. He tells us why he started a podcast (and the lessons YOU should take from this), plus discusses some of the incredible conversations he's had and lessons learned from the first 100. We know how hard it is to make ONE episode, so to make 100 is an incredible accomplishment.

Today we have a special co-host, Kate Younkin, who leads our social team along with mom's friend Gertrude, and who helped us pick these special stories from a list of hundreds of cool things you're all doing. She shares why these are so worth sharing and what we can glean from all three of these Stackers.

Of course, we still saved time for Doug's trivia...and so much more!

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/community-episode-1384

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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Ready to kick your credit game into high gear, even if you come from a less-than-ideal credit background? We go straight to Christina Roman, who lives and breathes credit as part of her job as Consumer Education and Advocacy Manager at credit bureau Experian. She shares a ton of wisdom about the importance of maintaining a stellar credit report - and what steps to take to improve your credit score. Listen up, especially Millennial and Gen Z Stackers!

In today's headline, we dive into the topic of "periodic retirement." Why wait on pins and needles until you're completely done with your career, only to experience disappointment with retirement reality? Plus, what's guaranteeing that we'll be able to even live long enough to enjoy the fruits of our labor in retirement years? Doc G from Earn & Invest joins Joe, and Doug and brings his unique perspective as a hospice doctor to this very personal topic. Plus, we throw out the Haven Lifeline to Jay, who has a question about replacing bonds in his IRA with CDs.

Add to that Doug's frosty-themed trivia!

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/Millennials-Gen-Z-Credit-Clinic-with-Christina-Roman-1383

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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Are you ready to supercharge your productivity and unlock your full potential? Today, we're diving deep into the world of productivity and sharing some of the best practices to help you find your stride. Get ready for a spirited roundtable debate featuring our esteemed roundtable contributors: Doc G from Earn & Invest, Paula Pant from Afford Anything, and our very own OG.

In the first part of our discussion, we'll review a compilation of 50 top productivity hacks. Prepare for a rigorous debate as we weigh in on the effectiveness of these hacks. From time management techniques to prioritization strategies, we'll explore it all.

But that's not all! In the second part of the discussion, our roundtable contributors will reveal their personal go-to productivity hacks. Learn from the experts themselves as they share their secrets for staying focused and getting things done.

And be sure to keep up with our ongoing weekly trivia duel! This week, Doug brings a French twist to the party. Which panelist will emerge victorious, and will they all keep their heads? Jouir! (Enjoy!)

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/productivity-hacks-friday-roundtable-1382

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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Is it really human nature to believe what we're told at first pass, but then start to doubt after the conversation ends? Should we be more doubtful from the get-go? Today we welcome to the basement two men who want to share how to avoid getting sucked into false promises, hoodwinked by snake oil salesmen, and bamboozled by smooth-talking neighbors who have a sweet El Camino: Doctors Daniel Simons and Christopher Chabris.

In today's headline, we question the legitimacy of the advice given by a more off-the-beaten-path new source. This gives us a chance to put our critical hats on and have a larger discussion about vetting your news sources, how to spot red flags that raise eyebrows, and a few telltale signs that the piece was, at least in part, probably written by ChatGPT.

We throw out the Haven Lifeline to Lucas who wants our take on how to correctly calculate the tax basis on shares of stock that were purchased at a discount through an employee stock purchase plan ("ESPP"). And Doug has some explosive trivia!

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/deception-code-Daniel-Simons-and-Christopher-Chabris-1381

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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Trish Hunt had no idea that one phone call in her late twenties would change her life. This call, for most of us, might stop us in our tracks forever, unable to function or move past events she had no control over. Yet, in that moment, she decided that she had to move. She had to take control. She had to become, in her words, "Unstoppable." Today we'll share her story and her advice for those times in life when you're simply "in the weeds" (up to your armpits in tasks going nowhere) or you're truly dealing with some huge life events that are difficult to restart from. It's a great reminder during our first show of these eight weeks that life moves, whether we do or not...so it's time to start paddling.

In our headline segment, we'll help you paddle around some rocks the podcasting world has thrown your way. One company is shutting its doors. We'll not only help you continue to listen to your favorite shows without it (including, hopefully, this one!)...but we'll talk about what happens when you find out your employer might be closing their doors. What do you do to move forward? OG, Joe, and even Doug will have some timely advice.

Of course, we'll also throw out the Haven Life line to help a lucky Stacker with life's money problems and Doug will step in with his amazing trivia.

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/from-stuck-to-unstoppable-trish-hunt-1380

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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Fun with taxes! Riveting, isn't it? On this 2017 roundtable powwow, Paula, Len, and Greg McFarlane flexed their obscure tax knowledge.

The show originally aired in 2017 so ignore any mention of current events. Check out the original show notes here.

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/len-paula-greg-taxes-roundtable-rewind-1379

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