BIF Bites

This week we revisit an early BIF Bites episode that feels particularly relevant again with the July Exam looming ahead on the horizon. We hope you enjoy!

Jerry and Adam connect with Daniel Kopp, CFP®, MA, MS, founder of Wise Stewardship Financial Planning. The conversation explores Daniel's unique experience building and operating a financial practice that focuses on military families and widows.

Jerry and Adam discuss estate planning for the common man. We cover a few simple planning steps that will save loved ones from a world of headaches.

Jerry sits down with his former student, Jeff Sussman, CFP®, to talk about what life is like with the marks. Jeff has now been a CFP® Professional for 18 months. He shares how the marks have enabled him to better help clients, grow his business, and earn recognition from colleagues.

Jerry and Adam discuss the trials and tribulations of helping clients buy a home in the current market. Jerry shares his experience of shopping for a home from both a buyer's perspective and also a CFP’s perspective.

Jerry and Mike cover the complexities of claiming spousal benefits for social security. Listen in for the do's, the don’ts, and the everything in between.

A listener recently requested we cover the business tax gauntlet that is IRC Sections 1231, 1245, and 1250. Adam steps up to help. Do you have a topic request? Let us know!

The BIF Crew put ChatGPT to the test with tough questions: “Can you pass the CFP® exam?” “Do you plan on taking financial professional’s jobs?” “Which risk-adjusted performance measurement should be used when the Beta statistic is unreliable?” “Are you related to HAL 2000?” Tune in for a ‘no holds barred’ CFP v. AI BATTLE ROYALE!

Got an uninsured client? Need an overview of the 3 pillars of life insurance? Mike and Jerry are here to break down the basics on term, whole, and universal life insurance policies. Plus, they serve up a contrarian view on the old “buy term & invest the rest” rule of thumb.

Financial planning is all about sequencing. The ability to place a set of competing goals and needs in order is a key skill for planners to develop. Is adequate life insurance coverage more important than a fully-funded emergency fund? Should you fund a 529 or purchase extra long-term disability insurance coverage? How does having kids change your financial priorities? In this week’s episode, Jerr...

Fellow Financial Professionals, have no fear. Mike and Jerry are here (as always) to run through SECURE Act 2.0 provisions going into effect in 2023 ONLY. We cover the new RMD age and new exceptions to early withdrawal penalties as well as a couple of new tax credits that could benefit your clients.

How do you file if your spouse is sleeping on the couch? Better yet, what if the couch sleeper is you ex? What filing status do you go with if you currently have your divorce attorney on speed dial? Or if you think your spouse is actively committing fraud? Adam and Jerry tackle some doozies on this episode. Listen in. It's a fun one!

Jerry and Brendan sit down to discuss the recent collapse of SVB and the resulting banking crises. The two dig into how increasing rates and bond duration led to the collapse of the bank and tie it all back to how these lessons can be applied to the CFP exam.

In this episode, Jerry sits down with BIF grad Gene Witt to discuss his recent success on the CFP Exam. They cover the process of requesting additional accommodations from CFP Board as well as study tips and tricks for students with a wide range of learning disabilities.

Adam takes a deep dive into the world of Enrolled Agents. He explains why the designation is important, who its suited for, and how it can be used to better serve your clients.

In this episode, Mike and Jerry sit down to talk about the Social Security Trinity: the three things every advisor must consider when helping a client decide when to start taking social security.

In this episode Adam and Jerry sit down to talk about constructive receipt and how it can impact your taxes in everything from running a small business, to setting up an estate trust.

The Nitty-Gritty on Inherited IRAs w/ Adam & Mike by Boston Institute of Finance

Adam sits down with Cody Garrett to discuss the often over-looked, but truly critical information gathering stage of the financial planning process. Cody's a big believer in the power of "genuine" curiosity. We explain how a well-informed question has the power to strengthen your relationship with a new client. Very Exciting News: Measure Twice Planners and The Boston Institute of Finance have cre...

In this episode of BIF Bites, Adam and Jerry sit down to chat about the annual inflation adjustments to the IRS tax code. How these changes impact clients and the important discussions to have with them is covered. Find out what numbers are going up and what numbers are staying the same, and most importantly what that means for the CFP exam. The BIF Bites podcast covers topics that are important t...

Jerry and Adam welcome a new friend! Dominique Henderson, CFP® of Jumpstart Coaching Lab and DHJ Capital Management fame joins the guys to discuss how he supports future financial planning practitioners. We cover the uptick in financial services career changers and explore the essential skills required to build a great career in this industry. The guys also talk about when and how CFP® Education a...

The BIF Bites Podcast team has been quiet for a bit. We've been hard at work in the lab creating something that we are very proud of. It's finally time to share our exciting news!

Adam sits down with Brendan for our final March 2022 Exam episode. The BIF Bites podcast covers topics that are important to those seeking CFP® certification and really anyone that wants to better understand the financial services industry in general. Visit BIFBites.com for more.

Adam and Jerry put on their "dad" hats and give practical advice for Exam Day success. Enjoy! The BIF Bites podcast covers topics that are important to those seeking CFP® certification and really anyone that wants to better understand the financial services industry in general. Visit BIFBites.com for more.

Adam talks about question difficulty levels and the importance of making your layups. Then he breaks down 3 questions that range in difficulty from very straightforward to very difficult. Best of luck on your Exam! The BIF Bites podcast covers topics that are important to those seeking CFP® certification and really anyone that wants to better understand the financial services industry in general....