The Money Habits to Keep and Ditch in 2026 (SB1791)

9 snips

Jan 16, 2026

Guest

Jesse Kramer

Guest

Paula Pant

Join personal finance podcaster Jesse Kramer and expert Paula Pant as they dissect money habits to ditch or embrace for 2026. They tackle the pitfalls of chasing last year's hot investments and emphasize thoughtful asset allocation. Paula offers insights on the importance of creative housing solutions and avoiding lifestyle creep that harms financial progress. The duo encourages year-round tax planning, purposeful spending, and stresses that real financial strategies need flexibility to withstand life's surprises.

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INSIGHT

Don't Chase Last Year's Winners

Chasing last-year's top-performing asset class rewards luck, not planning.
Diversification decisions should be driven by long-term allocation, not recent headlines.

ADVICE

Pick And Stick To An Allocation

Pick an asset allocation and write it down so you're not chasing last year's winners.
Rebalance annually and then ignore short-term headlines to stay on course.

ADVICE

Rebalance Early And Automate

Rebalance your portfolio now at the start of the year and then ignore short-term noise.
Automate rebalancing where possible so your investments require minimal ongoing attention.

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Some people kick off a new year with a vision board. We prefer a runway show in sweatpants from Joe's mom's basement.

Joe Saul-Sehy, OG, and Neighbor Doug throw personal finance into the spotlight and ask the question every Stacker secretly loves: What's officially "so last year" in your money plan, and what's worth keeping for 2026?

Because here's the truth. You don't need a total financial makeover. You need a few smart "wardrobe swaps" that fit your real life. The habits that quietly drain your progress (hello, lifestyle creep). The stuff people obsess over that doesn't matter as much as they think. And the overlooked moves that make everything else easier.

The crew breaks down what's out (financial habits that looked good but never delivered), what's in (the practical moves that reduce stress and create actual progress), and why real financial planning isn't just about investments but about building a system that holds up when life gets messy.

Also on the docket: a fresh start to the yearlong trivia competition with new rules, new twists, and the kind of competitive energy that makes you wonder if the trophy comes with a safety warning label.

What You'll Learn:

• What financial trends are out for 2026 and why they weren't helping anyway

• The habits that are in if you want more freedom, less stress, and fewer "where did my money go" moments

• Why real financial planning isn't just investments but a system that works in real life

• How lifestyle creep sneaks in and a couple ways to stop it before it becomes your full-time hobby

• What tax strategy means for normal people, not just spreadsheet enthusiasts

• The money conversations you should have early in the year before life gets loud again

• A realistic take on housing in 2026 and what to focus on when markets don't behave

• New trivia rules including a twist that changes everything if you're not paying attention

This Episode Is For You If:

• You want to know what to stop doing so you can focus on what works

• You're tired of financial advice that adds more tasks instead of clarity

• You suspect some of your money habits aren't pulling their weight

• You want permission to quit the financial trends that never fit your life

• You're ready for a few strategic changes that make 2026 feel more manageable

Questions to Think About:

What's one money habit you're officially retiring in 2026? If you could upgrade one part of your financial plan this year, what would it be: spending, saving, investing, insurance, or taxes? Drop your answers in the comments or the Basement Facebook group because this episode is all about figuring out what stays and what goes.

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/finance-hot-or-not-2026-1791

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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