

The Stacking Benjamins Show
StackingBenjamins.com | Cumulus Podcast Network
Named the Best Personal Finance Podcast by Bankrate.com and Kiplinger, The Stacking Benjamins Show features a light and friendly tone. Hosts Joe Saul-Sehy and OG aim to make financial literacy fun for all as they sit around the card table in Joe's Mom's half-finished basement and talk with experts about personal finance, saving, investing, and important money trends. As Fast Company once wrote, the Stacking Benjamins podcast "strikes a great balance of fun and functional." So join Joe and OG every Monday, Wednesday and Friday as they read your letters, discuss major headlines, and throw in some trivia and laughs for free.
Episodes
Mentioned books

11 snips
Aug 13, 2025 • 1h 5min
How One Entrepreneur Constructed a Better Tomorrow (with Cheryl McKissick Daniel) SB1721
Cheryl McKissick Daniel, President and CEO of McKissick & McKissick, shares her family's remarkable journey in construction, emphasizing entrepreneurship across generations. She reveals strategies to turn challenges into opportunities, highlighting the value of reputation as a currency in networking. Cheryl discusses the importance of adapting financial plans and building strong teams to succeed. With insights on negotiation and resilience, listeners gain practical advice to thrive in their careers and businesses while navigating life's unpredictabilities.

28 snips
Aug 11, 2025 • 1h 2min
How To Fix 8 of the Most Common 401k Mistakes (SB1720)
Learn about the most expensive mistakes people make with their 401(k)s and how to fix them quickly. Discover why employer matches are basically free money and explore smart strategies for rolling over old 401(k)s. The conversation shifts to the emotional challenges of transitioning from saving to spending in retirement, offering practical tips to spend guilt-free while aligning withdrawals with personal values. Understand how to turn your nest egg into a meaningful income stream and embrace financial freedom for a fulfilling life.

10 snips
Aug 8, 2025 • 55min
Hot Financial Takes: Are You In or Out? SB1719
Joining for a lively roundtable are Paula Pant, host of the Afford Anything podcast, Jesse Cramer from Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors, and Don McDonald of Talking Real Money. They dive into hot financial topics, like whether cash or credit is best for beginners and the real trade-offs of delaying homeownership. The conversation covers essential insurance needs, the impact of hiring a CPA, and insights on Roth vs. Traditional 401(k) strategies. Plus, they debate target date funds and whether to keep collision insurance on older cars, all with a fun twist!

23 snips
Aug 6, 2025 • 1h 16min
Master the Art of Negotiation with Paula Pant (SB1718)
Paula Pant, host of the Afford Anything podcast and a negotiation instructor, shares powerful insights to help listeners master the art of negotiation. She discusses overcoming fears in negotiations, emphasizing aspiration and reservation points for successful outcomes. Topics range from tackling salary discussions to everyday negotiations, like avoiding chores. The conversation also touches on innovative strategies for workplace retirement plans and the realities behind viral financial advice, all sprinkled with humorous anecdotes and nostalgic TV references.

7 snips
Aug 4, 2025 • 1h 21min
A Sandwich Guide to Navigating Inflation (plus how to plug 401k "leakage") SB1717
Len Penzo, an award-winning personal finance expert, joins the hosts to explore the quirky intersection of inflation and sandwiches through his Annual Sandwich Survey. They discuss surprising shifts in sandwich prices and how to keep enjoying affordable lunches despite rising costs. The conversation then shifts to troubling trends in 401(k) hardship withdrawals, offering valuable insights on how to secure retirement savings. Plus, Stacker community member Christine shares essential tips for reducing college expenses—definitely worth a listen!

7 snips
Aug 1, 2025 • 1h 6min
What Would YOU Do With $50,000? (SB1716)
Join Paula Pant, founder of Afford Anything and a savvy real estate investor, along with Jesse Cramer, founder of The Best Interest, as they dive into the capital conundrum of what to do with a sudden $50,000. They emphasize starting with mindset and goals before addressing high-interest debt, investing, or splurging. The conversation reveals common pitfalls in managing windfalls and tackles the 401(k) match dilemma. Expect playful banter mixed with valuable insights on navigating unexpected financial blessings.

14 snips
Jul 30, 2025 • 1h 24min
How to Make Better Decisions Using Math (with Ted Dintersmith) SB1715
Ted Dintersmith, an economist and education reformer known for his advocacy in math education and the documentary 'Most Likely to Succeed,' brings a fresh perspective on how math can transform decision-making. He argues that being roughly right is more useful than being precisely wrong, encouraging practical approaches to consumer math in everyday life. Dintersmith shares an eye-opening story about how a challenging exam impacted a young student’s confidence, emphasizing the need for math education that fosters curiosity and real-world applications.

20 snips
Jul 28, 2025 • 50min
How to Turn 2025's New Tax Rules Into Big Savings (SB1714)
Big tax changes are on the horizon for 2025, offering savvy savers ways to maximize their cash! Discover why some tax credits might be a better deal than deductions. Learn how to make above-the-line moves for valuable savings without itemizing. Fans of charitable giving and auto loans will see new benefits. Families will appreciate expanded child credits and dependent care accounts. Plus, find out about 401(k) catch-up rules for those over 50 to supercharge retirement savings. Tune in for practical tips that could add thousands to your bottom line!

16 snips
Jul 25, 2025 • 1h 1min
Climbing the Wealth Ladder: Conquering Retirement Fears (with Mark Trautman) SB1713
Mark Trautman, financial literacy advocate and host of Mark's Money Mind, joins Paula Pant, personal finance expert, and Jesse Cramer, financial planner, to tackle retirement fears. They explore how losing identity can be scarier than running out of money and share strategies to overcome procrastination. The panel emphasizes the importance of income diversification, the psychological aspects of retirement planning, and real stories about transitions. They also discuss healthcare planning, ensuring both financial and emotional well-being in retirement.

22 snips
Jul 23, 2025 • 1h 18min
Understanding Your Financial Roadmap (with Nick Maggiulli) SB1712
This episode features Nick Maggiulli, Chief Operating Officer at Ritholtz Wealth Management and author of Of Dollars and Data. He shares insights from his book, The Wealth Ladder, discussing financial priorities from emergency funds to generational wealth. Nick emphasizes that increasing income is often more crucial than frugality. He talks about wealth plateaus, the trap of goal obsession, and the importance of understanding opportunity costs. Practical strategies for navigating wealth levels offer fresh perspectives on financial growth and fulfillment.