The Stacking Benjamins Show
Episode: Tiffany Aliche on Connections and Financial Wholeness (with a side discussion on recent DoorDash/Klarna news)
Release Date: March 31, 2025
Hosts: Joe Saul-Sehy and OG
Guest: Tiffany Aliche (The Budget Nista)
I. Introduction to the Episode
In this episode of The Stacking Benjamins Show, hosts Joe Saul-Sehy and OG welcome financial guru Tiffany Aliche, known as The Budget Nista. The conversation delves deep into the concept of financial wholeness, the significance of community in financial planning, and features a side discussion on the latest developments between DoorDash and Klarna in the buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) space.
II. Setting the Tone: Hosts' Banter
The episode kicks off with the hosts sharing lighthearted banter, setting a friendly and approachable tone. They joke about being "pissed off at the world" and engage in playful exchanges that highlight their camaraderie and the show's informal atmosphere.
III. Main Interview: Tiffany Aliche on Financial Wholeness
A. Tiffany's Background and Financial Lessons
Tiffany Aliche shares her personal journey, emphasizing how past financial mistakes—such as being scammed by a trusted financial advisor—propelled her into the world of financial education. She reflects on overcoming challenges like foreclosure, credit card debt, and overspending, stating:
"I've made every mistake possible. Foreclosure, credit card debt, scam, overspending, all the things you could think of. I've done it."
(Timestamp: 12:47)
Despite these setbacks, Tiffany expresses gratitude for the lessons learned, which fueled her mission to help others achieve financial wholeness.
B. The Importance of Community in Financial Planning
A central theme discussed is the role of community in achieving financial goals. Tiffany emphasizes building a support network to maintain financial discipline and resilience:
"We have to figure it. Yeah, exactly. So then figuring out like, okay, how did you get here then I like to build community around the financial goals."
(Timestamp: 11:16)
She likens financial management to maintaining physical health, underscoring that without addressing underlying issues, setbacks are inevitable.
C. Building Financial Wholeness: The Steps
Tiffany outlines a structured approach to financial wholeness, breaking it down into incremental steps:
- Budgeting (10%)
- Saving (like a squirrel saving)
- Debt Management (30%)
- Credit Management (40%)
- Retirement Planning (50%)
- Investing for Wealth (60%)
- Protecting Assets through Insurance (70%)
She highlights the importance of understanding one's financial foundation—assessing debt, credit scores, and budgeting—as the first step toward sustainable financial health.
D. Tiffany's PBS Special: Behind the Scenes of "Get Good with Money"
Tiffany discusses her new PBS special, "Get Good with Money," providing a behind-the-scenes look at its creation. She recounts initial challenges, such as grappling with teleprompter anxiety during taping:
"I had never been that afraid to perform... I just said, can I do it the way I would normally do it?"
(Timestamp: 25:03)
Through perseverance and support from the production team, Tiffany successfully delivered a powerful and engaging special that resonates with viewers. She marvels at the positive reception from her family and audience, reinforcing the impact of her message.
IV. Headline Discussion: DoorDash/Klarna Buy Now, Pay Later
The hosts shift gears to discuss recent news about DoorDash partnering with Klarna to introduce a BNPL option for users. This move signifies DoorDash's first BNPL alliance in the U.S., aimed at providing a flexible payment method for restaurant deliveries. The conversation critiques the potential pitfalls of such financial products:
"How are the holidays brighter when I'm buying stuff that I know I can't afford?... people are entering into these relationships with Klarna without a clear plan to pay it off."
(Timestamps: 38:08 - 39:47)
They caution listeners about the ease of accumulating debt through BNPL services, emphasizing the importance of financial discipline to avoid long-term implications.
V. Practical Money Tips and Challenges
A. Cash-Only Challenge
OG introduces a personal experiment to adopt a cash-only spending approach for a month, including the use of debit cards. The rationale is to create immediate financial "pain" with each transaction, fostering better spending habits compared to the delayed impact of credit card bills.
B. Reducing Food Waste as a Budgeting Strategy
The hosts discuss strategies to minimize food waste as a means to cut down grocery expenses. They share personal anecdotes about managing pantry and freezer inventories, highlighting how conscious consumption can lead to significant savings.
"If you just ate the food that was in your house, you could probably go without buying food for a month."
(Timestamp: 53:53)
VI. Closing Remarks
As the episode wraps up, the hosts reiterate key takeaways:
- Financial Literacy Starts with Community: Building connections with like-minded individuals fosters mutual support and accountability in financial endeavors.
- Avoiding Debt Through Conscious Spending: The impact of immediate financial outflows encourages better budgeting and reduces reliance on credit.
They invite listeners to tune into Tiffany Aliche's PBS special, "Get Good with Money," and explore additional resources available on their website.
VII. Notable Quotes
-
Tiffany Aliche on Overcoming Financial Mistakes:
"But there would be no budget Nista without that. That mistake. So I'm grateful for it."
(Timestamp: 13:12) -
On the Importance of Community:
"If you are someplace far, you might honestly consider moving closer to other people... sometimes you have to create that community, even if that means moving closer to people."
(Timestamp: 15:19) -
On Financial Wholeness and Planning:
"Even if we fix it, if we don't know how we got here, you're going to be back, you know, again and again and again."
(Timestamp: 11:16) -
Tiffany on Confidence vs. Capability:
"This is a confidence issue, not a capability issue."
(Timestamp: 30:22) -
On Avoiding BNPL Pitfalls:
"Because people enter into these relationships with Klarna going, oh, yeah, I can do that without any clear plan to actually pay it off."
(Timestamp: 39:40)
This episode offers invaluable insights into achieving financial wholeness through structured planning and community support, complemented by an informative discussion on modern financial products like buy-now-pay-later services. Tiffany Aliche's authentic anecdotes and practical advice make complex financial concepts accessible and actionable for listeners seeking to improve their financial literacy.