Intro

Ever make a money move in the heat of the moment and wish you could take it back? That’s exactly why a rock-solid Investment Policy Statement (IPS) might be your most underrated financial tool. In this episode, Joe Saul-Sehy, OG, and Neighbor Doug peel back the layers on IPSs—why they matter, how they save you from your own impulses, and the role they play in making sure your investment strategy actually sticks. Think of it as your financial GPS, keeping you on course when market turbulence makes you want to grab the wheel.

But it’s not just about avoiding panic-selling. The basement crew digs into the nuts and bolts of what a good IPS should include, from setting specific goals to handling liquidity needs and keeping your risk tolerance aligned with your lifestyle. You’ll also hear how rebalancing, governance, and regular reviews can transform your investments from “hope and pray” into a system you can rely on. Along the way, expect the usual SB tangents: a Joan Jett–themed trivia challenge, a TikTok tale about Apple Pay gone wrong, and more than a few moments where Doug forgets he’s not supposed to run the show.

By the end, you’ll not only understand how to create (or update) your IPS, but you’ll also see how it connects directly to building confidence in your financial plan. Whether you’re brand new to investing or a seasoned hand looking to sharpen your strategy, this episode delivers the blueprint.

• Why an Investment Policy Statement is your best defense against emotional investing

• How to set clear goals, liquidity rules, and risk guidelines for your portfolio

• The pitfalls most people overlook when drafting an IPS (and how to avoid them)

• Smart strategies for rebalancing and reviewing your plan without overcomplicating things

• A cautionary tale from TikTok that reminds us all to keep our guard up with payment apps

• Listener Q&A on stock sales and the quirks that come with them

  
  

  Questions You'll Begin to Answer During the Episode:

• Do you have a written IPS, and if so, does it reflect your actual goals—or just what you thought they were five years ago?

• What emotional triggers most often tempt you to stray from your financial plan?

• How often do you review your investments, and is it based on strategy—or headlines?

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/simple-steps-for-better-money-management-1738

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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