Are you struggling with debt? How about a little inspiration? Cindy Zuniga paid off a LOT of debt in just four years. Like you, she finally realized she’d had enough and something had to change…so change she did. Today she’ll share the struggle and her path out from deep debt, along with dispelling some myths about debt payoff strategies along the way. She’ll also share how she successfully used a cool concept called “zero-based budgeting” to not just pay down debt but to curb her spending habits successfully. Additionally, she’ll share some of the places she found inspiration to keep going on her long journey during her payoff process and after. If you saw Cindy’s story on Good Morning America, you’ll love this expanded interview with her today on Stacking Benjamins!

Plus, Fidelity Investments has some great news for savers: we’re doing a good job saving collectively. However, some of us are (ahem) doing better than others. John Boroff, Fidelity’s Director of Retirement and College Leadership joins us on Joe’s dad’s shortwave radio to talk about not just the successes, but also why people have maybe been more successful so you can emulate those strengths. He’ll also share some great ideas to save more if you’re behind.

If you think that’s all, it might be your first time here (so welcome!). Of course we’ll throw out the Haven Life line to a lucky caller, share some of Doug’s chocolatey trivia AND much, much more. Enjoy!

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Show Notes:

Thanks to Indeed for supporting Stacking Benjamins. Post your first job today by using Indeed.com/sb

<2:49> Headlines

• Fintech Adoption in North America Lags Global Acceptance (The Financial Brand)

<13:59> John Boroff

John is the Director of Retirement and College Leadership at Fidelity, and John joins us in the basement to discuss their latest biannual retirement savings study.

Are you unsure of how well you’re doing in preparation for retirement, click here to find out your The Fidelity Retirement Score – fidelity.com/score

Also, if you’d like to see the full biannual retirement savings study, you can simply click here.

<25:37> Cindy Zuniga

Cindy graduated from law school in June 2015 and landed her dream job at a prestigious law firm, but found herself with $215,000 of debt.  You read that right . . . $215,000.  About 90% of the debt was from law school.  Like any millennial Cindy went to the Internet for help. She found book recommendations, YouTube videos, podcasts, blogs, you name it.  She was drawn to content created by women, particularly women of color, because their stories and journeys resonated.  

Some of Cindy’s inspirations are:

• Bola Sokunbi from clevergirlfinance.com. Click here to listen to Bola’s Stacking Benjamin interview.
• Yanely Espinal from missbehelpful.com
• Jamila Souffrant from journeytolaunch.com. Click here here to listen to Jamila’s Stacking Benjamins Roundtable appearance.

She created a plan to take control of her finances and began her financial freedom journey in January 2016, which led to some spectacular results.

We won’t spoil the rest of the story, tune in to the show to hear the full interview.

Learn more about her journey, and perhaps how Cindy might be able to help you with your debt payoff journey by visiting her website, zero-basedbudget.com.

<53:18> Doug’s Trivia

• What’s the most likely thing identity thieves will try to steal?

<58:40> Haven Life Line

• Andre calls in to ask about Joe and OG’s take on trying to make money on the Raiders move to Las Vegas

Want the guys to answer your question? You can call into the Haven Life Line and get your question answered on-air HERE.

Join us Friday!

When our roundtable discuss 16 money wasters.