Welcome! Bridget Sullivan Mermel and John Scherer talk introduce themselves and talk about why they started the channel, Friends Talk Financial Planning.

Restricted Stock Units are a great way to build wealth, but they come with tax rules you have to know. In this video, we break down exactly what Restricted Stock Units are and how they are different from stock options. Resources: - Alliance of Comprehensive Planners: https://www.acplanners.org - John's firm website: https://www.trinfin.com - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/friendstalkfinancialplanning TRANSCRIPT: John:  Hey, Bridget. I was talking to a fri

Deferred compensation is often explained as a smart tax strategy, but the reality is more complicated than most people realize. In this video, we'll talk about how deferred compensation plans actually work, when they can reduce taxes, and when they might increase risk. Resources: - Alliance of Comprehensive Planners: https://www.acplanners.org - John's firm website: https://www.trinfin.com - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/friendstalkfinancialplanning TRAN

In this episode of Friends Talk Financial Planning, Bridget Sullivan Mermel and Luke Van de Loo about a change that could be happening for America’s retirement system. If private equity starts to make up portions of 401(k) plans, here's what you should know. Resources: - Alliance of Comprehensive Planners: https://www.acplanners.org - John's firm website: https://www.trinfin.com - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/friendstalkfinancialplanning TRANSCRIPT: Bri

In this episode of Friends Talk Financial Planning, Bridget Sullivan Mermel and Luke Van de Loo talk about a question everyone’s asking but few truly understand. With AI stocks going up and new companies launching every day, it’s getting difficult to separate true value from too much promise. Resources: - Alliance of Comprehensive Planners: https://www.acplanners.org - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/friendstalkfinancialplanning TRANSCRIPT: Bridget:  Today

In this episode of Friends Talk Financial Planning, John and Bridget talk about insurance mistakes that can cost you thousands, and how you can avoid them. There’s health insurance, life insurance, renter’s insurance, home insurance, auto insurance, umbrella insurance, and more. How do you decide what types of insurance you need and how much of each type of insurance is enough? Tune in for key insights that can help you choose insurance and avoid costly mistakes! Resources:

In this episode of Friends Talk Financial Planning, John and Bridget talk about whether a 50-year mortgage is a financially smart idea, and if so, who would benefit the most from it. Some people argue in favor of 50-year mortgages for increased accessibility and inflation protections. Others argue against them for concerns about equity and other underlying issues. Don't miss this opportunity to parse through the advantages and disadvantages of 50-year mortgages! Resources:

Does the 4% withdrawal rule still work in today’s retirement landscape? You’ll learn how inflation and market volatility have challenged the original estimates that created this popular retirement rule. We’ll compare the 4% rule to newer withdrawal strategies that adapt to changing markets and retirement needs. Resources: - Alliance of Comprehensive Planners: https://www.acplanners.org - John's firm website: https://www.trinfin.com - Find us on Facebook: https://www.fac

What should you know about the tax law changes for 2025 and 2026? In this episode of Friends Talk Financial Planning, John and Bridget discuss the new tax law changes that you should know about for the final quarter of 2025 and the entirety of 2026. There’re lots of tax planning strategies to consider at this time of year, especially given the recent tax law changes. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how you can make the most of these changes! Resources: - Alliance of C

Let's talk about if the market is quietly setting up for a correction or a full crash in 2025 and 2026. You’ll see what current economic data might be signaling about the months ahead. We’ll compare today’s conditions to past market cycles and talk about the key numbers a lot of investors are missing. Resources: - Alliance of Comprehensive Planners: https://www.acplanners.org - John's firm website: https://www.trinfin.com - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/

Why do great investors think like tennis players? In this episode of Friends Talk Financial Planning, Bridget proposes three similarities between successful tennis players and successful investors. From using the resources available to taking risks to mastering the mental game, there are ways that you can learn to succeed in tennis and finance. Whether you are an avid tennis fan or not, don’t miss this advice! Resources: - Alliance of Comprehensive Planners: https://www.ac

While Venmo and Zelle are very simple to pay friends and family, there are downsides of using these businesses that most people don't know. In this video, we'll talk about the real cost of using these platforms, and the opportunity cost of having your money stay with these platforms. Resources: - Alliance of Comprehensive Planners: https://www.acplanners.org - John's firm website: https://www.trinfin.com - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/friendstalkfinancial

Let’s talk about whether investors should stay the course or pull back when markets take a sharp downturn. It highlights the emotional...

In this episode of Friends Talk Financial Planning, we talk about some ways that the wealthy use to pay less taxes. Whether or not you...

Let's talk about some values that could be smart to talk about at the Thanksgiving table. From how you view money to how much you care...

Major changes to charitable giving tax laws are reshaping how donations impact your taxes. In this video, we break down the latest rules, limits, and strategies every donor needs to understand. You’ll learn how these updates affect deductions, required documentation, and tax planning for individuals and businesses. We’ll also cover common mistakes to avoid and how to maximize the impact of your giving under the new rules. Resources: - Alliance of Comprehensive Planners:..

Which type of bond is best for your portfolio? In this episode of Friends Talk Financial Planning, John Scherer and Bridget Sullivan...

What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying a vacation home? In this episode of Friends Talk Financial Planning, John and Bridget...

Let’s talk about 5 things that financial planners miss when working with their clients. From not planning for Social Security, to not...

The Social Security Fairness Act has been reintroduced in 2025 — and it could change retirement benefits for millions of workers. If...

In this video, we'll talk about how to decide whether contributing to a bad 401(k) plan is worth it. You’ll learn the key factors to...

Let’s talk about the new changes to your taxes and retirement after Trump’s recent tax bill. We’ll cover the important changes, including...

When the market is up one day and down the next, it can be difficult to know when to take your required minimum distribution. In this...

In this video, we discuss the hidden tax pitfalls of annuities, which we describe as a “ticking tax time bomb.” While annuities are often...

This week our conversation is all about 4 common mistakes when gifting money to kids. Listen today so you don't make these same mistakes!...