Which type of bond is best for your portfolio? In this episode of Friends Talk Financial Planning, John Scherer and Bridget Sullivan Mermel discuss the best bonds for your financial situation. Treasury bonds, Municipal bonds, I bonds, and Corporate bonds have their advantages and disadvantages. Don’t miss this opportunity to determine which type of bond might serve you and your situation best! Check out our What Bonds to Buy video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taoB4XXBf5o

What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying a vacation home? In this episode of Friends Talk Financial Planning, John and Bridget discuss both the math and emotions behind owning a vacation home. Is it a good investment? What is your goal? Don’t miss the opportunity to answer these questions and more so that you can avoid having regrets about your vacation home! Resources: - Alliance of Comprehensive Planners: https://www.acplanners.org - John's firm website:...

Let’s talk about 5 things that financial planners miss when working with their clients. From not planning for Social Security, to not making sure their client has the right insurance, these are important financial plans that your financial planner should be helping you with. 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/friendstalkfinancialplanni

The Social Security Fairness Act has been reintroduced in 2025 — and it could change retirement benefits for millions of workers. If passed, it would repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), which currently reduce Social Security benefits for those with certain government pensions. In this video, you’ll learn what the bill actually proposes, who it affects, and what’s likely to happen next. I’ll break down how it could impact your r

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 consider, including which investment options you should look at. We'll also talk about strategies for minimizing the downsides of a bad 401(k) plan while still preparing for retirement. How we invest our 401(k) video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9g_uOw8sbU Resources: - Alliance of Comprehensive Planners: https://www.acplanners.org - Joh

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 adjustments to tax brackets and tax deductions. Whether you’re retired or still planning for it, understanding these updates can help you make smarter financial decisions. Resources: - Alliance of Comprehensive Planners: https://www.acplanners.org - John's firm website: https://www.trinfin.com - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook

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 video, we break down smart strategies for timing your required minimum distribution withdrawals during volatile markets. You’ll learn how to avoid selling at a loss and how to use bond ladders or fixed income for stability. Resources: - Alliance of Comprehensive Planners: https://www.acplanners.org - John's firm website: https://www.trinfin.co

In this video, we discuss the hidden tax pitfalls of annuities, which we describe as a “ticking tax time bomb.” While annuities are often marketed for their tax-deferred growth, they can become costly later because withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income rather than at lower capital gains rates. For example, a client who invested $50,000 decades ago saw it grow to $1 million. Now, nearly all of that gain is subject to income tax—potentially at rates of 22% or higher—whereas

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! 1. Giving Too Much Money: It's important to avoid giving away more than you can afford, especially if it risks your own financial security. Only give money beyond what is necessary for your lifestyle and future needs, typically when you're confident that your wealth will last through retirement, which will usually occur in your late 70s or