Can building wealth be as entertaining as a round of trivia in the basement? We think so—and today’s episode proves it. Joe Saul-Sehy is joined by Doc G, Paula Pant, and Jesse Cramer to play a fast-paced financial game show based on 11 expert-approved ways to grow your wealth. From boosting your income and dialing in your budget to the eternal tug-of-war between paying down debt and investing more, this episode delivers wisdom with a side of basement-brand chaos.
But we don’t stop at just the basics. Our roundtable dives into:
How homeownership plays into your wealth picture (even if it’s not as sexy as index funds),
Why insurance coverage might be your best wealth-preserving move,
The truth about improving your credit score without obsessing over every point.
Plus, a trivia celebration of 50 Cent’s Vitamin Water payday turns into a lesson in surprise wins—and surprise losses.
Whether you're just beginning your wealth-building journey or refining your strategy, this episode brings practical insights, hearty laughs, and a gentle nudge to rethink what really grows your net worth.
How to increase your income (without selling essential organs)
Budgeting strategies that actually stick
Why investing early matters—and when paying off debt takes priority
The real ROI of proper insurance coverage
A homebuying debate that might ruffle some financial feathers
Birthday trivia for 50 Cent and the Vitamin Water deal that made him a legend
End-of-episode takeaways you’ll want to write down (or tattoo, if that’s your thing)
Stackers, whether you're navigating rainy days or planning for a brighter financial future, today’s conversation will help you stack smarter, live better, and maybe even walk away with a new strategy—or at least a smile.
FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/our-favorite-ways-to-grow-wealth-1692
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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1:12:47
Taking Your Portfolio Global: Expert Guidance from MarketVector's Joy Yang (SB1691)
After Monday’s primer on why your portfolio needs some international flavor, we’re following up with a deeper dive—this time with someone who lives and breathes global markets. Joe Saul-Sehy and OG welcome Joy Yang, Head of Index Product Management at MarketVector Indexes, to talk through how to actually invest beyond U.S. borders.
Joy explains how ETFs can help investors capture international growth while minimizing risk—and why country-specific and sector-specific ETFs might just be your new best friend. You'll also hear insights on investing in private markets, the rise of digital assets, and whether private equity in your 401k is a brilliant idea… or a cautionary tale.
But don’t worry, the basement stays weird. Doug brings the trivia heat with a Martha Stewart–Eliot Spitzer stumper, and the episode wraps with some creative audience feedback (including one Stackers’ AI-powered school project that caught our attention).
Topics Covered:
How to diversify globally without overcomplicating your portfolio
The power of ETFs for targeting specific markets and sectors
What you really need to know before considering private equity in retirement accounts
Balancing simplicity with opportunity in a world of shiny investment options
The limits of “going big or going home” when it comes to risk and return
Stackers, if you’re looking for smart ways to expand your portfolio’s reach—or just curious what index creators think about Bitcoin—this episode delivers insights, laughs, and a grounded reminder: simple can still be smart.
FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/how-to-invest-globally-with-joy-yang-1691
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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1:08:01
The Case for International Investing & The True ROI of Emergency Funds (SB1690)
How global is your portfolio, really? This week in the basement, Joe Saul-Sehy, OG, and the gang zoom out from the U.S. markets and take us on a whirlwind trip around the investing world. Spoiler alert: the case for international investing is stronger than you think—and it’s not just about chasing higher returns. It’s about risk reduction, smart diversification, and maybe even admitting that the U.S. isn’t always the world’s MVP.
You'll hear how developed and emerging markets fit into a well-balanced portfolio, how correlation works in your favor (yes, this time that’s a good thing), and what history tells us about going global. Joe and OG share practical advice for how to get started, when to rebalance, and how much international exposure might make sense for the average Stacker.
Then in the second half, we pivot from markets to money buffers: listener Jeff from Cleveland wonders how to set insurance deductibles based on the state of his emergency fund. We break down how to think about the real return on your rainy-day stash—because spoiler: it’s not about the interest rate, it's about your resilience.
To wrap things up, we share timeless wisdom from Stackers across the country on what they’d tell new graduates about money, life, and how not to blow that first paycheck on a jet ski.
Why international investing may improve both your returns and your risk profile
How much of your portfolio to allocate internationally—and what history suggests
What "correlation" really means and why it’s your friend (at least in investing)
Risks and common misconceptions of investing overseas
How to choose between developed vs. emerging markets
Portfolio tools to visualize your asset mix and expected outcomes
Why your emergency fund’s best ROI might be peace of mind
How to align insurance deductibles with your liquidity cushion
What our community of Stackers wishes they had known after graduation
FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/making-the-case-for-international-investing-1690
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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1:00:41
Is Flourishing Tied to Financial Freedom? A New Study Reveals Insights (SB1689)
This week, we’re getting deep (like, basement-deep) into what it means to flourish.
Join Joe, OG, Paula Pant, and special guest Ryan Doolittle as they unpack a brand-new study on happiness. Spoiler: it’s not just about stacking cash. From the influence of childhood experiences to the surprising power of community, autonomy, and faith, this episode asks whether true wealth is more emotional than numerical.
Plus, Ryan shares his adventures from his new series Try and Ryan—where he road-tests hobbies that might just add meaning to your retirement (and your Tuesdays).
What we’re exploring in the basement:
🌱 What the latest research says about flourishing—and why it’s not just for the rich
👶 How childhood trauma or support plays into long-term happiness
⛪ Religious attendance: a surprising common thread in many “happy” lives
🎯 Autonomy, mastery, and purpose at work—and why they might matter more than promotions
🌍 Why Finland keeps winning the “World’s Happiest Country” race (and what Americans might learn from it)
💰 How financial flexibility might be more valuable than financial freedom
🧓 Gender and retirement happiness: why the experience might not be equal across the board
🛠️ Ryan’s “Try and Ryan” series and how picking up hobbies can boost life satisfaction
🏎️ Also: Trivia mayhem involving the Indy 500, Paula’s cat gets a shoutout, and OG still won’t drive stick
🎙️ Want to be wealthy and well?
Tune in for a conversation that’s as heartfelt as it is hilarious—because in the basement, we believe money’s just the fuel. Flourishing is the journey.
Show notes: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/money-happiness-and-flourishing-1689/
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1:06:55
Here's An Easy Way To Save $3,000 Per Year (with Bryan Suddith) SB1688
Turns out, saving $3,000 a year might be easier (and tastier) than you think. This week, we’re dishing up big savings with Bryan Suddith, who turned his family’s runaway grocery bill into a budget-friendly game—complete with freezer hacks, local meat tips, and food waste strategies that actually work. He joins Joe, OG, and guest co-host Len Penzo (yes, that Len Penzo of LenPenzo.com fame) to share how mindful meal planning can make your wallet and your taste buds happy.
We’re also talking about a Wall Street Journal piece that reveals why high schoolers are ditching traditional degrees for skilled trades... and landing $70K jobs right out of the gate. Plus, Doug helps us navigate one of life’s most awkward questions: What do you call your friend’s mom? (Hint: it’s not “Linda.”)
What’s stacked inside this episode:
🧾 How Bryan gamified his grocery budget and saved thousands—with zero meal-prep burnout
🥩 Freezer hacks, locally sourced meats, and the joys of slow-thawed financial wins
🥦 Food mindfulness: the surprising connection between awareness and grocery savings
🎯 Why budgeting doesn't have to feel like punishment (especially when TikTok is involved)
🎙️ Bryan’s bonus storytelling and public speaking tips for anyone who has to talk to humans
🔧 Trade school is trending: why $70K jobs are showing up before diplomas
🧰 Should your teen consider HVAC over Harvard? We unpack the growing case for skilled trades
🤷♂️ Conan O'Brien, Doug, and the Great Parental Naming Debate of 2025
💡 If you’ve ever overpaid at the grocery store or underestimated a plumber’s paycheck... this one’s for you.
Bring your shopping list and your sense of humor—we’ll meet you in the basement.
Full Show Notes: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/avoid-food-waste-and-save-benjamins-bryan-suddith-1688/
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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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.