Our Advice For Beginning Investors and Recent Graduates (SB1679)
Your burning questions fuel this episode! Joe Saul-Sehy, OG, and special guest Christine Benz of Morningstar unpack some of the biggest questions facing investors today—especially those just starting out.
We kick things off by diving deep into target date funds. They promise simplicity—but do they deliver long-term results? We explore when they work, when they don’t, and what you should consider if they’re part of your portfolio.
Then Christine shares a graduation-season masterclass in financial advice:
How to begin investing, even when you feel behind
Why lifestyle creep is the silent killer of wealth
The importance of building habits now that will serve you for decades
Resources and reading recs that can actually move the needle for new grads (and not-so-new grads)
We also answer listener questions on:
Whether refinancing your mortgage is still a smart move
How global shifts in labor and supply chains may impact your finances
And why it’s time to give your favorite retirement calculator a second look
And somewhere in all this… someone may or may not reveal a dream dinner scenario that involves a pair of country music legends. But, you know, that part probably didn’t happen. Probably.
Whether you're just graduating, recalibrating, or rethinking your strategy entirely, this episode is your invitation to stack smarter—and have a little fun while you do it.
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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1:26:25
Becoming a Financial Badass with Jen Sincero (SB1678)
Joe Saul-Sehy sits down with bestselling author Jen Sincero, the powerhouse behind You Are a Badass and You Are a Badass at Making Money. If you've ever felt stuck in financial quicksand or caught in a loop of scarcity thinking, Jen brings the fire (and the funny) to help shift your mindset and start building wealth from the inside out.
You’ll hear:
How Jen went from living in a garage to becoming a seven-figure entrepreneur
The mindset shifts that changed her relationship with money—and could change yours
Why self-talk and affirmations aren't fluff—they're your financial launchpad
Simple ways to start reprogramming how you think, spend, and save
The importance of consistent investing—even when you’re not feeling confident
We also touch on:
Why your HSA might be a secret investing weapon
What to know as tax deadlines approach (and how not to panic)
A listener’s creative approach to investing—and how OG and Joe weigh in
Plus: marathon filming, TV mishaps, and trivia surprises from Mom’s neighbor Doug
If you're ready to stop playing small with your money and start stacking like a badass, this episode will give you the mindset—and motivation—to get going.
FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/you-are-a-badass-at-making-money-greatest-hits-week-1678
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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52:43
The Great Debate: Buying vs Renting Your Home (SB1677)
Buying vs. renting: it’s one of the most emotionally charged—and financially misunderstood—topics in personal finance. This week on The Stacking Benjamins Show, Joe Saul-Sehy, OG, and guests Jesse Cramer and Chris Luger enter the ring to challenge the conventional wisdom behind homeownership.
It’s not just a polite chat. It’s a full-on basement debate where no side goes unchallenged.
You’ll hear:
The surprising math behind renting—and why it’s not “throwing money away”
What most homeowners don’t budget for (and pay dearly for later)
Why buying a house might be one of the best—or worst—decisions you ever make
How lifestyle, mobility, and flexibility factor into long-term wealth
The emotional traps, practical benefits, and tough tradeoffs on both sides
Plus, Mom’s neighbor Doug gets into full trivia-host mode with a Star Wars challenge, and we sprinkle in some good-natured jabs, marketing wisdom, and a reminder that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
If you’ve ever bought a home, sold one, rented, or even thought about doing any of the above—this episode will make you think twice.
FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/renting-vs-buying-forever-1677
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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Retirement might be the goal, but the journey? Full of curveballs. On today’s episode, Joe Saul-Sehy is joined by special guest co-host Len Penzo of LenPenzo.com, along with OG and Neighbor Doug, for a no-holds-barred look at what really derails retirement plans—and how to build a strategy that can handle the chaos.
From unexpected job loss to rising long-term care costs, adult kids moving back home, and even changing relationship dynamics, this episode dives into the often-overlooked risks that can chip away at your retirement dreams.
Inside the episode:
What to consider when evaluating long-term care insurance
How job instability late in your career can throw off your timeline
The growing trend of adult children impacting their parents’ retirement
Grandparents becoming full-time caregivers—and the financial toll that brings
Relationship shifts and widowhood in retirement
Downsizing, austerity planning, and staying financially flexible
Plus, our TikTok Minute features Gary V on why taking a step backward might be the smartest move forward. And as always, Doug brings the trivia heat—this time, with a nostalgic nod to a certain potato-headed toy.
With Len Penzo in the basement, the insights (and squirrel references) are extra sharp. Prepare to laugh, learn, and rethink what “retirement ready” really means.
FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/four-things-that-can-derail-your-retirement-plan-1676
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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1:08:43
Fitness Meets Finances: Your Questions for Angelo Poli from Metpro (SB1675)
When it comes to living your best financial life, good health isn't a nice-to-have—it’s a must-have. In today’s episode, we welcome Angelo Poli from MetPro, who shows us why smart fitness and nutrition choices are just as important as smart money moves.
Drawing on insightful listener questions, Angelo shares:
How consistent habits—not extreme diets—build the foundation for long-term health
The real scoop on intermittent fasting, the carnivore diet, and other trending fads
Practical ways to lower blood pressure, boost energy, and keep momentum even when life gets busy
Why managing your wellness is one of the most powerful ways to protect your future earning potential and enhance your quality of life
Because stacking Benjamins isn't just about saving—it's about having the health and energy to enjoy them.
Later in the show, Joe and OG tackle smart financial strategies for uncertain markets:
How to choose the right financial advisor when fear is everywhere
What really matters in your long-term financial plan
Why stability and experience will always outperform hype
And finally, we dig into Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs)—what they are, when to use one wisely, and how to avoid the common traps.
This episode is all about stacking smarter—your wealth, your health, and your life.
FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/improve-your-health-and-your-finances-in-2025
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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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.