The Stacking Benjamins Show

What if the biggest upgrade to your finances wasn't a new strategy but a new way of thinking? Joe Saul-Sehy and OG unpack the small but powerful money mindset shifts that separate people who know what to do from people who actually make progress. This isn't about motivation posters or vague positivity. It's about practical mental frameworks that lead to better decisions, fewer regrets, and more confidence with money. The team walks through their top five money mindset tweaks. How to focus on strengths instead of endlessly fixing shortcomings. Why taking action beats overthinking every time. How playing long-term games with the right people changes everything. Along the way, they connect mindset directly to real-world choices, like how thinking clearly about value, longevity, and opportunity cost affects something as everyday as buying a car. That's where Carl Brauer from iSeeCars joins the conversation with insight into which vehicles deliver the best long-term value. It's a perfect case study in mindset-driven money decisions. Not chasing shiny objects, but choosing options that quietly compound in your favor. If you've ever felt like you're doing most things right but not seeing the results you want, this episode helps you zoom out, recalibrate, and move forward with intention. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: The five mindset shifts that consistently lead to better money outcomes Why progress comes from doing rather than perfecting your plan first How understanding compounding changes the way you view time, effort, and money Why focusing on your strengths beats trying to fix every weakness How to think about purchases like cars through a long-term value lens The power of playing long-term games with people who think the same way THIS EPISODE IS FOR YOU IF: You feel like you know what to do with money but struggle to actually do it, you're tired of motivational content that doesn't translate into real change, you want to understand why some people progress faster with less effort, you're making a big purchase soon and want to think about it more clearly, or you believe the way you think about money matters as much as what you do with it. Sometimes the most profitable move isn't changing your plan. It's changing how you think about the plan. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What separates people who build lasting wealth from people who just chase the next hot investment? David Greene from BiggerPockets has a clear answer, and it's not what most people want to hear. Joe Saul-Sehy and OG revisit a standout 2023 conversation with David that still resonates today. His story isn't about shortcuts, hacks, or getting lucky. It's about skill building, discipline, and learning to turn everyday work into long-term opportunity. From scooping ice cream at Baskin Robbins to building a successful real estate career, David breaks down what actually creates momentum over time and why "passive income" still requires serious intention. This episode showcases the kind of conversation that belongs in the vault. David explains what makes work feel worth it, how to develop skills that compound, and why the unsexy fundamentals matter more than the flashy strategies everyone's talking about. If you're tired of hype and ready for substance, this interview delivers. The show also tackles two critical protection topics. Adam Barowy from UL's Fire Safety Research Institute joins to explain the real (and often overlooked) risks of lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes, scooters, and everyday devices. He shares practical steps every family can take to reduce fire risk without panic or overreaction. Then Joe and OG field a listener question about keeping family property in the family. The discussion explores estate planning tradeoffs, communication challenges, and how to think through shared ownership without creating future conflict. Every segment connects to the same core idea. Building a life that's not only financially strong but resilient, safe, and meaningful. What You'll Walk Away With: • David Greene's framework for building wealth through skill mastery, not investment shortcuts • Why "passive income" is never truly passive and what actually makes work sustainable long term • Practical fire safety guidance for lithium-ion batteries you probably already own in your home • Simple steps to reduce household fire risk based on real research, not fearmongering • Thoughtful estate planning insights for preserving family property across generations • How to think about money not just as growth but as protection and stewardship This Episode Is For You If: • You're tired of wealth-building advice that sounds too good to be true • You want to hear how someone actually built success through discipline and skill development • You've got lithium-ion batteries around the house and never thought twice about fire safety • You're thinking about how to pass property or wealth to the next generation without creating conflict • You believe the smartest money moves involve both growing and protecting what you have Before You Hit Play, Think About This: What's one area of your financial life where you're focused on growth but might need more protection or structure? Share your thoughts in the Spotify comments or bring the discussion into the Basement Facebook group because this episode tends to spark great follow-up conversations. Sometimes the smartest money move isn't about earning more. It's about keeping what you've built safe and aligned with what matters most. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is the constant push to be great quietly making life (and money) harder than it needs to be? This vault-worthy episode from 2023 hits differently, especially during a season when expectations run high and energy can run low. Joe Saul-Sehy is joined by Len Penzo, Paulette Perhach, Diania Merriam, and special guest Stephanie O'Connell Rodriguez for a candid roundtable about ambition, procrastination, perfectionism, and the surprising freedom that comes from choosing good over exhausting. Instead of chasing flawless systems or ideal outcomes, the conversation explores what actually moves the needle in real life. Building momentum. Removing friction. Letting go of the idea that every decision has to be optimized. Whether it's money habits, career goals, or simply getting unstuck, this episode offers a calmer, more sustainable way forward without lowering your standards or your future. Along the way, the group shares personal stories, practical strategies, and a few moments that only happen when smart people stop pretending they've got it all figured out. It's thoughtful, honest, and exactly the kind of perspective many Stackers didn't know they needed. What You'll Take Away from This Episode: • Why perfection often slows progress more than fear or lack of knowledge • How "good enough" can be a powerful financial strategy, not a compromise • Practical ways to break through procrastination without burning out • When delegation and automation actually help and when they just add complexity • How to balance ambition with contentment without feeling like you're settling • Why consistency beats intensity in both money and life Questions Worth Sitting With: Where are you chasing "perfect" when "done" would be better? What would improve immediately if you lowered the bar just a little? Which money habit could become easier if you stopped optimizing it? We'd love to hear your take. Share your thoughts in the Spotify comments or bring the conversation into the Basement Facebook group, especially if this episode gave you permission to ease up without giving up. Sometimes the best financial move isn't pushing harder. It's choosing progress that actually fits your life. This one's a quiet classic, and those tend to age the best. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One snowy Christmas Eve in Texarkana, Neighbor Doug settled into bed in his snazzy Superman Footie PJs (Amazon affiliate link), still buzzing on Joe’s Mom’s eggnog… Today’s special holiday episode recounts a completely original tale of Doug and the money lessons learned when he’s visited by three ghosts—past, present, and future. Especially when it comes to past credit mistakes, what’s done is done. Whatever method works best for you (debt snowball or debt avalanche), do that one. Come to terms with your bad money habits and realize that you can’t outearn them. It’s on you to fix the bad money habits of your past. Focus on what’s current and fix what needs fixing today. Don’t get caught in the trap of lamenting your past nor only planning for the future. Our only truly limited resource is time. Balance living for today with planning for the future. Remain in the present – especially when spending time with your loved ones – while keeping a vision in mind for your longer-term future plans. Be intentional about your plans and actions today and timeline what you want to achieve in what time you have remaining. Communicate on a regular basis with your “team” (loved ones) about your financial goals, progress, and situation. We recommend scheduling a weekly Family Budget Meeting. Automate as many of your financial decisions as possible today so you never have to think about them again in the future. Commit to paying off that mortgage early, ramp up those retirement savings contributions, stack those Benjamins for your kids’ college savings. Decide where you want to be financially in the future; face reality of where you are currently (we like our sponsor, Monarch Money, to track where you are); and take the necessary step to make that future a near certainty. Remember that time is the one commodity that’s finite for all of us. Value your time and experiences while staying responsible to your present and future self. Remember and learn from the sins of your past to build on your strengths; focus on living in the present and building your financial foundation; and head into the future with more confidence than Joe’s Mom’s Neighbor Doug during the annual Sun’s Out, Guns Out El Camino Competition at the Sizzler. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/doug-and-the-three-ghosts-2025-holiday-special-1778 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's the most wonderful time of the year in the basement, and we're kicking off the holiday season with our biggest, most packed episode yet. Joe Saul-Sehy, OG, and Neighbor Doug welcome Joel Larsgaard and Matt Altmix from the How to Money podcast for a year-end celebration of everything that mattered in money during 2025. Think of this as the holiday parade of personal finance episodes. There's a lot happening, it's all connected, and you'll want to stick around for the whole thing. First up, Joel and Matt join the crew for their Top 5 Lessons from the Events of 2025. From AI's real impact on everyday work to market surprises nobody saw coming, this segment unpacks the money moments that actually changed how we think about our finances. These aren't just headlines rehashed. They're the insights that'll help you make smarter moves in 2026. Then the show shifts to a fascinating trend everyone's noticing but nobody's quite figured out yet. Why is everyone suddenly betting on everything? Prediction markets are exploding, retail investors are taking bigger risks, and the line between investing and gambling feels blurrier than ever. Joe, OG, Joel, and Matt dig into what's driving this shift, whether it's brilliant or reckless, and how to think about risk when it seems like the whole world just discovered the casino. But wait, there's more. Nick from Alaska calls in with a real-world budgeting challenge that proves even the most prepared Stackers face seasonal money surprises. His situation sparks the kind of practical, helpful conversation this show does best. And because this is a holiday kickoff episode, we're wrapping with big news about the Stacking Benjamins Vault, the new tool designed to help you organize and protect your most important financial documents without the headache. This episode has everything. Big ideas, real questions, legendary guests, surprise calls, and the energy of a show that knows the best episodes are the ones where there's almost too much good stuff to fit in. Welcome to the holiday season, Stacker style. What You'll Walk Away With: • Joel and Matt's Top 5 Money Lessons from 2025 that actually matter going forward • How AI really affected work and income this year in practical, not theoretical, ways • Why prediction markets and betting culture are suddenly everywhere and what it means for investors • Whether the shift toward riskier investments is smart adaptation or dangerous groupthink • Nick from Alaska's budgeting challenge and the solutions the crew offers in real time • An inside look at the Stacking Benjamins Vault and how it helps you organize what matters most • The perfect energy boost heading into holiday episodes and a new year of smarter money moves This Episode Is For You If: • You want the year-end money recap that feels like a celebration, not a lecture • You've noticed everyone's suddenly betting on elections, sports, and markets and wonder what's going on • You love episodes with special guests, surprise calls, and enough happening to keep you engaged the whole way • You want to head into the holidays feeling smarter about money, not more anxious • You're ready to kick off the season with the Stacking Benjamins crew at their absolute best After You Listen, Share This: What was your biggest money lesson from 2025? And have you noticed yourself (or people you know) getting more comfortable with risky bets lately? Drop your thoughts in the Spotify comments or the Basement Facebook group because this episode kicks off our holiday run, and we want to hear what's on your mind heading into 2026. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/year-end-lessons-with-the-runners-up-of-the-charity-challenge-1777 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices