Podcast Summary: The Stacking Benjamins Show – "How Does a Money Nerd Think About 'Romance'?" (SB1644)
Release Date: February 14, 2025

Introduction to Valentine's Day and Financial Stress

In this Valentine’s Day special episode, Joe Saul-Sehy and Doug (OG) delve into the financial dynamics of romance, exploring how money matters influence relationships. The hosts set a candid tone by addressing the often-overlooked financial pressures that accompany romantic gestures, particularly during holidays like Valentine’s Day.

Key Statistics on Valentine's Day Spending

The episode kicks off with a discussion on a recent study from lendingtree.com, authored by Maggie Davis, revealing that:

• Lovebirds plan to spend an average of $179 on Valentine’s Day.
• 56% of people would skip the holiday if they could to save money.

Joe Saul-Sehy reflects on the high average spending, questioning its feasibility for individuals with modest incomes. Sarah Catherine Gutierrez adds, "$170 seems like a lot of money... I feel like that's a lot of money for any income" (10:09).

Expanding Beyond Gifts: The Hidden Costs

The conversation broadens to include indirect expenses associated with Valentine's Day, such as:

• Dining Out Costs: A decent meal can quickly escalate into a three-figure expense.
• Babysitting Fees: Sarah Catherine mentions, "Did you know babysitters now charge 25 bucks an hour?" (10:22), highlighting the cumulative costs beyond just purchasing gifts.

Doug humorously shares an anecdote where he handed over a wad of cash to a babysitter, leading to unexpected financial strain: "She just handed the whole wad of cash to the babysitter... It was like three or four hundred bucks" (18:35).

Credit Card Debt and Financial Honesty in Relationships

A startling statistic catches the hosts' attention: a significant number of people incur credit card debt for Valentine’s Day without disclosing it to their partners.

Joe remarks, "The number of people that are going to go into debt for Valentine's Day and they're not going to tell the person they're romantically involved with that they're going into debt. That rubbed me there" (13:27).

Len Penzo emphasizes the importance of financial honesty: "If you think that's going to turn into some long term relationship, healthy relationship... that's not a very good way to get off" (13:27).

Managing Finances with Your Partner

The hosts and guests share strategies for maintaining financial harmony in relationships:

• Early Financial Conversations: Jesse Kramer notes, "We've been together seven years... when we first moved in, we really sat down and said, here's what I earn, here's what you earn..." (28:03).

• Segregating Finances: Len advises, "If you're separate spenders with different habits, you might need to segregate your finances to prevent overspending" (27:50).

• Acts of Service Over Expensive Gifts: Sarah Catherine shares, "There's nothing hotter or sexier than someone cleaning out the garage... We don't need gifts. We need acts of service like that" (15:00).

Creative and Budget-Friendly Valentine's Day Ideas

In the second half of the show, the team brainstorms romantic ideas tailored for "money nerds" seeking to celebrate without breaking the bank:

1. Handwritten Notes: Emphasizing the sentimental value, Len suggests, "A handwritten note... puts more thought..." (32:44).

2. Homemade Dinners and Picnics: Joe recounts a memorable, low-cost picnic: "We had a picnic behind our house on the golf course, just a bottle of wine..." (33:44).

3. Budget-Constrained Adventures: Jesse Kramer proposes activities like:

   • Cooking meals with ingredients on sale to foster creativity.
   • Planning local adventures with a set budget, e.g., "$50 or less" activities (41:08).

4. Spreading Out Surprises: Doug reminisces about surprising his partner with small gestures leading up to Valentine's Day, though he acknowledges the challenges in sustaining such efforts over the years (44:34).

Trivia Segment: Financial Stress in Relationships

The episode features a fun trivia segment where the hosts quiz their guests:

Question: What percentage of Americans in relationships cite finances as their primary source of stress?

• Len guesses 85%.
• Jesse Kramer opts for 40%.

Joe reveals the correct answer: 37%, demonstrating the high impact of financial issues on relationships.

Final Thoughts and Takeaways

The hosts wrap up with key takeaways emphasizing the importance of:

• Financial Transparency: Open discussions about money can prevent misunderstandings and financial strain.
• Thoughtful Gestures Over Costly Gifts: Meaningful, low-cost actions often hold more value than expensive presents.
• Creative Problem-Solving: Setting budgetary constraints can inspire unique and memorable romantic experiences.

Doug humorously concludes, "Valentine's Day is a day when you go into debt and lie to your partner about it all in the name of making them happy. Sounds about right. It's no wonder we're stressed out." (51:33)

Notable Quotes

• Doug (OG): "56% of people say they would skip the holiday if they could. I think when it comes to your wallet, can't you skip this holiday?" (09:47)

• Len Penzo: "Nothing's more romantic than somebody that starts a Roth IRA at age 18." (03:20)

• Sarah Catherine Gutierrez: "There's nothing hotter or sexier than someone cleaning out the garage... We don't need gifts. We need acts of service like that." (15:00)

• Jesse Kramer: "The key to another person's heart is an unexpected gift at an unexpected time." (35:37)

Conclusion

This episode of The Stacking Benjamins Show provides a humorous yet insightful exploration of how financial decisions intersect with romantic endeavors. Through candid conversations and practical advice, Joe and his guests encourage listeners to prioritize financial health and meaningful connections over extravagant spending, especially on occasions like Valentine's Day.

For more episodes and financial tips, visit StackingBenjamins.com and follow them on their social media channels.