Does The American Dream REALLY Costs $5 Million? (SB1741)

10 snips

Sep 29, 2025

Is the American Dream really out of reach, or just redefined? The hosts dive deep into the cost of achieving your dreams, discussing everything from healthcare to rising college expenses. They explore strategies for reducing costs, like using used cars and trimming discretionary spending on weddings and vacations. Insights on smart financial planning and the importance of compounding interest take center stage. Plus, there's advice for guiding young adults in investing and recommendations for binge-worthy entertainment. It's all about making your version of the dream attainable!

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Headline Numbers Can Mislead

Investopedia's $5M "American Dream" stacks many lifetime costs together and uses averages that can mislead.
Joe Saul-Sehy and OG show you can question or reframe many line items instead of accepting a single headline number.

ADVICE

Extend Car Life And Buy Used

Keep cars longer and buy used to cut lifetime vehicle costs dramatically.
Joe Saul-Sehy demonstrates extending ownership to average lifespan halves the reported $900K car tally.

ADVICE

Plan Early To Reduce College Bills

Use AP, community college, transfers, and scholarships to slash college costs per child.
OG shows targeted planning in high school and early college can save tens of thousands per kid.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Think the American Dream is slipping out of reach? Think again. In this episode of The Stacking Benjamins Show, Joe Saul-Sehy, OG, and Neighbor Doug tackle one of the biggest financial questions of our time: how much does it really cost to live the life you want — and is it still possible? Spoiler alert: it is, but it takes more than a paycheck and a Pinterest board. We break down fresh research from Investopedia, the rising price tag of everything from healthcare to college, and how smart planning (and a little basement wisdom) can keep your dreams from turning into financial nightmares.

But this isn’t just another numbers game. Along the way, the gang shares stories from the road — including Joe’s brush with baseball’s most entertaining team — and digs into the strategies that can help you fight inflation, outsmart rising costs, and make compounding interest your best friend. Plus, we tackle big listener questions, from how to choose the right financial advisor to the best ways to set young adults up for success in a tougher economic landscape.

And because life isn’t all spreadsheets and savings goals, we round things out with some binge-worthy TV and movie picks for when you’re off the clock. It’s part money masterclass, part basement hangout — and all about helping you take real steps toward your version of the American Dream.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why the “American Dream” isn’t dead — but why it may look different today.
The real costs behind homeownership, healthcare, education, and retirement (and how to plan for them).
Strategies for budgeting, saving early, and building systems that make your money work harder.
How to vet a financial advisor and what red flags to watch out for.
Smart ways to guide young adults toward financial independence.
The power of compounding interest and how to use it to your advantage.

Questions to Consider (and Discuss with Fellow Stackers)

What does the “American Dream” mean to you — and has that definition changed over time?
Which costs (housing, healthcare, college, etc.) feel most overwhelming right now, and how are you tackling them?
What’s one piece of financial advice you’d give to someone just starting their journey?

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/the-rising-cost-of-the-american-dream-1741

Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201

Enjoy!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices