Our Annual Magic 8 Ball Predictions for 2026 (SB1788)

20 snips

Jan 9, 2026

Guest

Len Penzo

Guest

Mindy Jensen

Mindy Jensen, a personal finance podcaster focused on financial independence, joins Len Penzo, a witty finance blogger known for his contrarian views, and OG, a regular financial commentator. The trio predicts various 2026 trends using a humorous Magic 8 Ball approach. They speculate on mortgage rates, stock market performance, and potential celebrity news. Fun forecasts include Mindy’s Super Bowl prediction, Len's thoughts on gold prices, and concerns about inflation stemming from AI. It’s a mix of entertainment and thoughtful financial reflection!

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Episode notes

INSIGHT

Predictions Entertain; Process Builds Wealth

The episode centers on how to think about uncertainty rather than trusting forecasts.
Predictions are entertaining but process and habits build long-term wealth.

ANECDOTE

Kardashians Returned Despite Prediction

Mindy asked whether Keeping Up With The Kardashians would be canceled and it returned for season seven.
The Magic 8-Ball predicted cancellation but was wrong on that call.

INSIGHT

Rates Move Before Announcements

Mortgage rates dropped notably during 2025, reaching around 6.13% by October 24.
Market pricing often reflects expected policy moves before official announcements.

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It's that time of year when we look ahead, squint confidently into the future, and pretend we have any idea what's coming next. In this annual Stacking Benjamins tradition, Joe Saul-Sehy welcomes back Mindy Jensen from the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Len Penzo of LenPenzo.com, and OG for the predictions episode that blends money talk, pop culture, and just enough nonsense to keep everyone honest.

Instead of pretending anyone can forecast the markets, the crew leans into what really matters: how to think about uncertainty. With help from a Magic 8 Ball (clearly the most reliable forecasting tool available), the panel throws out bold guesses about stocks, crypto, AI, inflation, interest rates, and the kinds of headlines that will dominate conversations in 2026. Some predictions are financial. Some are cultural. Some are optimistic, let's say.

But beneath the fun is a useful reminder for Stackers. Predictions don't build wealth, process does. This episode isn't about acting on guesses. It's about stress-testing assumptions, questioning narratives, and remembering that long-term success comes from good habits, not crystal balls. If you've ever wondered how much attention to pay to forecasts (and how much to ignore), this conversation delivers clarity wrapped in entertainment.

And yes, there are sports predictions, celebrity guesses, and enough wild speculation to guarantee at least a few laughs when we look back a year from now.

In This Episode You'll Hear:

The crew's biggest financial and cultural predictions for 2026
What the Magic 8 Ball "thinks" about markets, rates, and inflation
Why forecasts are fun but dangerous if taken too seriously
Thoughts on AI, energy use, and how technology may affect daily life
Predictions about crypto, gold, and the stories investors love to chase
A reminder of what matters when markets surprise everyone
Sports, pop culture, and wildly specific guesses that will age somehow

Join the Conversation:

Which prediction do you think has the best chance of being right, and which one will age the worst? Share your take in Spotify comments or the Basement Facebook group so we can revisit it next year and keep receipts.

This episode is a reminder that while nobody knows what 2026 will bring, Stackers who stay curious, flexible, and grounded tend to do just fine. Magic 8 Ball or not.

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/magic-8-ball-and-2026-predictions-1788/

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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