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Welcome! Bridget Sullivan Mermel and John Scherer talk introduce themselves and talk about why they started the channel, Friends Talk Financial Planning.
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The Basics of Donor-Advised Funds: Tax Benefits and Flexible Charitable Giving Strategies
In this episode of Friends Talk Financial Planning, John and Bridget dive into the basics of Donor-Advised Funds. They discuss how these...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Dec 12, 2023
Selling I Bonds: Is It a Wise Financial Move?
In this engaging episode of Friends Talk Financial Planning, hosts John and Bridget delve into the intricacies of selling I bonds,...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Dec 4, 2023
Avoid IRS Penalties: Understanding Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) and Secure Act 2.0
In this episode of Friends Talk Financial Planning, John and Bridget discuss the required minimum distributions (RMDs) and the recent...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Nov 27, 2023
Retirement Account Withdrawal Rules: Exceptions to the Age 59 ½ Requirement
Bridget Sullivan Mermel and John Scherer discuss the 59 and a half year age rule for retirement account withdrawals. They highlight...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Oct 11, 2023
New IRS Rules for Catch-Up Contributions and Their Potential Impact
John and Bridget discuss the new rules introduced by the IRS regarding catch-up contributions for individuals over the age of 50. The...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Sep 22, 2023
Donor Advised Funds - The Smart Way To Give!
Many people of heard about Donor Advised Funds (D.A.F.) but not everyone knows how powerful they can be to leverage charitable giving. ...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Jun 26, 2023
Using I Bonds New Fixed Rate to Optimize Earnings
I Bonds New Fixed Rate is about double what it was before--up to .9% of your investment. In this video we talk through the strategies...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Jun 11, 2023
Tax-efficient Giving | Make Your Kids and Grandkids Happy!
When you've reached a point in your life when you know you've got more than enough, you may think about passing along your financial...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
May 16, 2023
4 Types of Tax Free Retirement Income | Paying zero tax can be fun!
Paying zero tax in retirement is possible, but it doesn't generally happen by accident. In this episode we discuss major sources of tax...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
May 2, 2023
Mutual Funds vs Exchange Traded Funds | Which Do You Want?
Mutual Fund vs Exchange Traded Fund? There are basic differences you should know. We talk about why the two forms of investment have...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Feb 20, 2023
What's NOT in SECURE Act 2.0 | What Didn't Make the Cut
What's NOT in the SECURE Act hasn't gotten much attention as everyone, including @FriendsTalkFinancialPlanning, have been focusing on...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Jan 31, 2023
Convert 529 to Roth | How's This Going to Work?
One of the new provisions o the Secure Act 2.0 is that 529 College Savings Plans are now going to be able to be rolled over into Roth...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Jan 22, 2023
Secure Act 2.0 Summary | 4 Facts for 2023
Secure Act 2.0 Summary. The late December passage of the Secure Act 2.0 means that a lot of us missed it. Those of us paying attention...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Jan 10, 2023
Financial Resolutions for 2023: You Tell Me Yours, I'll Tell You Mine!
Financial Resolutions for 2023. Both John Scherer and Bridget Sullivan Mermel are making them! And we're revealing them in this video....
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Jan 2, 2023
Year End Bear Market Tax Moves | Two ways to Benefit from Down Market
Year End Bear Market Tax Moves--The stock market has been down this year, and we're approaching year end. It's a great time to take a...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Jan 2, 2023
Smart Charitable Giving | 3 Pro Tips!
Smart Charitable Giving is relevant during this time of year. In this video, we talk about how to give money and save on taxes. Give...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Nov 29, 2022
QCD from IRA: Save Big on Taxes While Helping Charity
Understanding QCDs, or Qualified Charitable Contributions can save you big on your taxes. As a practical matter, there are important...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Nov 6, 2022
Can I Afford a Boat (or other splurge)?
John bought a boat! How do financial planners think through (rationalize?) if they or clients can afford a boat or other splurge? We...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Jul 5, 2022
Most Common Tax Mistake You May Be Making Now
The most common tax mistake people make is happening right now. Not doing tax planning. Or thinking that because they had their tax...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Jun 18, 2022
How to Pick Investments for My 401K? | We reveal how we invest our 401Ks
Figuring out how to pick investments for your 401K can be confusing. We tell you how we chose mutual funds in our own 401ks, what our...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Mar 20, 2022
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