Breaking Money Rules and Playing Survivor Pantry SB1789

6 snips

Jan 12, 2026

In this engaging discussion, the hosts challenge traditional financial wisdom by questioning the assumptions behind popular money rules. They dive into the complexities of Social Security and the impact of behavioral choices on retirement decisions. The importance of adaptability in spending and inflation planning takes center stage. Just when things get serious, a fun challenge called the Survivor Pantry reveals our true readiness for unexpected situations. Get ready for fresh perspectives on finance that prioritize flexibility over fear!

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INSIGHT

Think Of Retirement As Two Buckets

Reframe retirement assets as two buckets: guaranteed Social Security and variable investments.
Choosing to lock guaranteed growth (by delaying) trades off potential market upside but reduces longevity risk for income.

ADVICE

Don't Treat Delayed Benefits As A Bonus

Avoid increasing spending when Social Security later boosts income; keep total cashflow steady.
Treat delayed benefits as income replacement, not a bonus to expand spending.

INSIGHT

Watch Rosy Returns And Lifestyle Creep

Many financial plans use overly rosy return assumptions and ignore lifestyle creep.
Projecting constant spending while assuming high returns can produce unrealistic comfort in retirement planning.

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What if some of the "rules" you've been told about money aren't rules at all, just assumptions that haven't been questioned lately?

Joe Saul-Sehy, OG, and Neighbor Doug pull apart a handful of deeply held financial beliefs and see what holds up when real life enters the conversation. From Social Security timing to investment return expectations, the crew explores where common advice works, where it falls short, and why context matters more than catchy rules of thumb.

Along the way, the discussion shifts from spreadsheets to behavior, because knowing what to do is one thing and doing it (especially in retirement) is another. The team talks through spending realities, inflation anxiety, and how small mindset shifts can make your plan feel less fragile and more livable.

Then, just when things get serious, Doug introduces a challenge that's equal parts practical and revealing. The Survivor Pantry. It's a simple idea that uncovers how prepared (or not) we really are, and why preparedness isn't about fear but flexibility.

In This Episode You'll Explore:

• Why popular Social Security advice isn't one size fits all

• What real world investment returns look like over time

• How behavioral blind spots can derail otherwise solid plans

• The difference between planning for retirement and living in it

• Smarter ways to think about spending as prices change

• Why some financial myths refuse to die (and how to spot them)

• What the Survivor Pantry reveals about readiness and resilience

• How questioning assumptions can lead to calmer, more confident decisions

This episode is less about finding new answers and more about asking better questions, especially if you're tired of feeling like you're "behind" for not following every money rule to the letter.

Conversation Starter for the Basement:

What's one money belief you've always accepted but now you're not so sure about? Drop your thoughts in the Facebook group or comments and compare notes with other Stackers who are rethinking the playbook right alongside you.

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/challenging-money-assumptions-1789

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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