BIF Bites

Upcoming changes to the CFP® Exam and working with clients that choose married filing separately tax treatment. 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.

Visit BIFBites.com to view the question discussed during this episode. Are you sick of tax season? Ya, same. We wish they’d come up with a vaccine for that. Let’s put a nice pretty bow on all things tax! We talk about the mad dash for documents, common client questions and other haunting items that pop up every April. The BIF guys also discuss the potential benefits and downsides of utilizing a Ne...

Visit BIFBites.com to view the question and other resources discussed during this episode. The BIF guys start with a discussion on recent changes made to FAFSA forms and the aspects that may not be so clear. Up next... illegal vs. unethical. Just because you can doesn't mean you should. The episode wraps up with a question on eligibility for corporate retirement plans. The BIF Bites podcast covers...

Visit BIFBites.com to view the question and other resources discussed during this episode. The vaccine is here! Now who exactly is going to pay for it? Mike and the guys shine some light on that very important question. The group then stays in Health Care land to discuss Medicare's “Donut-Hole” and the power of HSA accounts (Mike's a huge fan). Finally, the episode wraps up with a Stop-Loss Insura...

Visit BIFBites.com to view the question discussed during this episode. Brendan takes an interesting look at the relationship between election outcomes and market performance over the past few decades. The BIF Bites crew then discusses SECURE Act changes to inherited IRAs and the ramifications these changes will have on existing estate plans. The episode concludes with updated Kiddie Tax laws. I fe...

Visit BIFBites.com to view the question discussed during this episode. 2020 has forced financial advisors to work differently. What are the pros and cons of WFH? Listen in as we discuss potential new compliance pitfalls, how to maintain client relationships virtually and more. This episode also touches on bad advice available on TikTok, Reddit and social media in general. Does this create an oppor...

Visit BIFBites.com to view the question discussed during this episode. On this month's episode the crew dives into economic policy. Why does the “c” in Fiscal stand for Congress? How does the Fed set monetary policy in crisis conditions? The focus then shifts to Reg BI, which just went into effect. Is it a big deal? How will it affect you and your fellow advisors? What does Reg BI mean for the fin...

Visit BIFBites.com to view the question discussed during this episode. Jerry, Brendan and BIF's newest co-host, Adam Scherer, talk with Jon Robinson, CEO and co-founder of Blueprint Investment Partners. Jon shares his impressive origin story... small town kid with no business contacts makes his way to wall street as a trader and ultimately founds and operates his own investment company. The conver...

CFP® Board's John Loper joins the podcast this month! The education, examination and experience requirements all fall under John's purview as CFP® Board’s Managing Director of Professional Practice. Over the years we've received many, many questions from students. We can answer almost everything, but we do admit that there have been a few stumpers. Well, there's truly no one better suited to answe...

Visit BIFBites.com to view the question of the month and other helpful resources discussed during this episode. The gang tackles several timely topics in this month's episode. Brendan is running his practice from home and shares the challenges and benefits that he's run into so far. Jerry leads a discussion on the new CARES Act and also quickly revisits the SECURE Act. Finally, Mike tackles refund...

The BIF Bites team walks down market memory lane and examines bear markets from the past 100 years. Jerry, Mike and Brendan discuss the causes and timelines of each market crash before also exploring the lessons learned from each. Yes, these are scary times and we must acknowledge that. But we must also look to the past and realize that we have been here before. And in the past we have persevered...

With the March Exam window just around the corner, Jerry, Mike, and Brendan sit down to cover their favorite test taking tips in this "bonus" episode of BIF Bites. We cover health and wellness, what to expect on Exam Day, how to maintain focus and much, much more. Click play to hear what you should be doing the week before, the day before, and the hour before you walk into your testing center. The...

Visit BIFBites.com to view the question of the month and CFP® Board's "Key Elements of SECURE Act" resource. In this month’s episode of BIF Bites Jerry, Mike, and Brendan discuss how the new SECURE Act will impact both clients and financial advisors. The SECURE (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) Act is the biggest regulation update since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Listen in as...

Visit BIFBites.com to view the question of the month. In this episode Mike and Jerry welcome back Brendan Flaherty to cover end of year financial planning topics such as tax loss harvesting, wash sales and the gift tax. They also cover good financial planning practices to avoid mistakes that can arise from rushing decisions at year end. The BIF Bites podcast covers topics that are important to tho...

Visit BIFBites.com to view the question of the month. Jerry and Mike invite Brendan Flaherty, CFP®, CIMA®, on to discuss behavioral finance and the curriculum covered by CFP® Education providers. 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. Jerry Mee is the Di...

Visit BIFBites.com to view the question of the month and a reflective article that Jerry wrote on the lessons he learned while working with Gary. Jerry and Mike invite Gary Wedge on to discuss the challenges faced by today's CFP® candidates. Gary just passed the July 2019 CFP® Exam after 2 previous unsuccessful attempts. This episode is a true must listen for anyone considering CFP® certification....

Visit BIFBites.com to view the question of the month. In this episode Mike and Jerry tackle the kiddie tax and how to calculate it, explain why the fiduciary rule changes are not so scary and make sense of today's retirement plan type "alphabet soup" (ingredients include 401ks, IRAs, SEPs, 457s, 403bs and more). Jerry Mee is Director of Student Support at the Boston Institute of Finance and has ne...

Visit BIFBites.com to view the question of the month. Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Boston Institute of Finance’s new “BIF Bites” podcast with co-hosts Jerry Mee and Mike Long! Listen in as we discuss Roth IRA withdrawals, how to get the most out of your study time and scoring expectations for the CFP Exam. Jerry Mee is Director of Student Support at the Boston Institute of Finance and h...