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

In this episode, John and Bridget discuss all things Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) and Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) and how to decide which strategy to use when making charitable contributions. They break down the highlights and mechanics of each option and provide insightful tips on making the best choice based on your specific situation. Check out our previous episodes on DAFs! Basics about Donor-Advised Funds: https://youtu.be/g7jbhnLcNDw How to maximize your

In this video, Bridget and John discuss the ins and outs of making estimated tax payments to the IRS and provide valuable tips on how to stay out of hot water with the tax authorities. Whether you've had a windfall, started a business, or experienced a big financial change, understanding estimated payments is crucial. Join us to gain insights and avoid underpayment penalties. IRS Chart: https://www.irs.gov/payments/quarterly-interest-rates John's firm website: https://www.t

In this episode of Friends Talk Financial Planning, John and Bridget reveal the secrets to the backdoor Roth IRA strategy. If you think you make too much money to contribute to a Roth IRA, think again! They discuss how to navigate the income limits and take advantage of this little-known strategy to maximize your retirement savings. Join them as they break down the steps and provide valuable insights on tax planning. Don't miss out on this valuable financial strategy, and mak

In this episode of FTFP, John and Bridget dive into the advanced strategies of using donor-advised funds for charitable giving and tax planning. They discuss the concept of "bunching" charitable contributions, controlling future investments, simplifying tax situations, and promoting the feeling of giving back. They also explore the benefits of involving family members in charitable decisions and the flexibility of donor-advised funds in supporting various causes. Join John an

In this episode of Friends Talk Financial Planning, John and Bridget dive into the basics of Donor-Advised Funds. They discuss how these funds allow individuals to maximize tax deductions while retaining control over their donations. They explain the concept of a donor-advised fund, its benefits, and when it might be advantageous for someone to use. Additionally, they touch on the implications for individuals who do not itemize their taxes and the potential strategies for co

In this engaging episode of Friends Talk Financial Planning, hosts John and Bridget delve into the intricacies of selling I bonds, providing listeners with valuable insights and practical tips to navigate this financial terrain. With a dynamic and conversational approach, they make the complex world of I bonds accessible to both seasoned investors and those new to financial planning. The hosts kick off the episode by breaking down the current rates of I bonds, offering a co

In this episode of Friends Talk Financial Planning, John and Bridget discuss the required minimum distributions (RMDs) and the recent changes to penalties for not taking them. They dive into the details of the Secure Act 2.0 and provide important tips to avoid IRS penalties. John's firm website: https://www.trinfin.com For advisors around the US: https://www.acplanners.org/home Thanks for watching, and please subscribe! #RMDs #RequiredMinimumDistributions #SecureAct2.0

In this episode of FTFP, John and Bridget discuss the challenges of selling a house and offer their insights and advice. From pricing strategies to considering carrying costs, they delve into the emotional and financial aspects of selling a property. Join them as they explore the decision-making process and the importance of taking into account the value of time and effort. Don't miss out on their valuable tips! Episode about Bridget selling her house: https://youtu.be/6dxsm

In this episode of Friends Talk Financial Planning, John and Bridget discuss the new rates for I bonds that changed on November 1. They dive into the components of the I bond rates and explain how the fixed rate is currently at 1.3%. They also discuss the benefits of I bonds as part of your investment portfolio and how they can be used for emergency funds or retirement savings. John and Bridget also touch on the complexity of buying I bonds and how it requires engagement with

In this episode of Friends Talk Financial Planning, hosts John and Bridget discuss the impact of presidential politics on the stock market. They delve into the three best and three worst presidencies in terms of stock returns and explore the surprising party affiliations behind them. Using historical data and charts, they uncover some interesting trends and draw conclusions about the influence of presidents on the stock market. Join them as they debunk common assumptions and

In this episode of Friends Talk Financial Planning, John and Bridget discuss the increasing threat of cybercrime and share five important steps to protect your identity. They delve into the importance of multifactor authentication, the use of strong passwords or passphrases, and the risks associated with sharing sensitive information via email. Join them as they provide practical tips and strategies to safeguard your identity from cybercriminals. Don't miss out on this valuab

In this episode of Friends Talk Financial Planning, Bridget shares her personal experience of buying a house and the financial planning lessons she learned along the way. With the current real estate market characterized by low inventory and high interest rates, Bridget breaks down these factors and their impact on the buying process. She also discusses the unique circumstances of sellers in today's market and the challenges they may face in transitioning out of their homes.

John Scherer and Bridget Sullivan Mermel discuss why it's difficult for companies to stay at the top and what investors can do about it. They analyze the historical performance of top stocks and the factors that contribute to their decline. They highlight government intervention, competition, and the diminishing returns of large companies. They emphasize the importance of diversification to mitigate risk and capture future high-performing stocks. John's firm website: https:

Bridget Sullivan Mermel and John Scherer discuss the 59 and a half year age rule for retirement account withdrawals. They highlight exceptions to the rule, such as being able to withdraw from a company retirement plan at age 55 or later. They also mention the importance of understanding the incentives in the financial industry that may lead advisors to recommend moving money into an IRA. Additionally, they touch on the option of substantially equal periodic payments for early

In this episode of Friends Talk Financial Planning, Bridget Sullivan Mermel shares her personal experience of being hacked and provides valuable insights on how to prevent it from happening to others. She emphasizes the increasing prevalence of hacking on bank accounts and the need for individuals to be vigilant in protecting their financial information. Bridget recounts how she was targeted through a physical check and highlights the importance of sealing envelopes to preve

In this episode, John and Bridget discuss the concentration of stocks in the market, particularly the so-called FANG stocks (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, and Google). They address concerns about a few stocks driving the market and the potential risks associated with that. They analyze historical data and market trends to provide a broader perspective on the issue. They also explore the changing nature of companies and how they are categorized, using examples like Amazon

John and Bridget discuss the new rules introduced by the IRS regarding catch-up contributions for individuals over the age of 50. The rules state that if you are over 50, you can put extra money into your 401(k) to catch up on retirement savings. However, starting in 2026, if your income is over $145,000, you can only make catch-up contributions to a Roth 401(k), not a traditional one. The speakers discuss the implications of this change and potential tax planning opportuniti

John Scherer and Bridget Sullivan Mermel discuss the impact of inflation on retirement in this episode of Friends Talk Financial Planning. They explore different approaches to factoring in inflation, with John including it in his projections and Bridget taking a more conservative approach. They also discuss the individualized nature of retirement spending and the flexibility retirees have in controlling their expenses. The key takeaway is to consider inflation in retirement p

`Welcome to another episode of Friends Talk Financial Planning! In this installment, we delve into the world of the Fiduciary Standard—a noble code of conduct that draws parallels to the chivalrous oaths of knighthood. Join us as we introduce our guest, Ken Robinson, who shares his insights on the significance of this standard and its impact on our clients. From the very beginning, we dispel the misconception surrounding the term "fiduciary," reminding our viewers that it i

I was recently quoted in a Wall Street Journal article: "The 'You-Make-a-Lot-of-Money Tax' Hits More Americans" by Laura Saunders. Here's...

Join us as we welcome a very special guest, Ken Robinson, the author of Don't Make a Budget: Why it's So Hard to Save Money and What to Do About it . Ken Robinson has revolutionized the concept of budgeting with his groundbreaking system that prioritizes paying yourself first. Through his book, he provides invaluable insights and actionable steps to help you regain control over your financial well-being. We all know that using cash allows us to witness the tangible nature

Many people of heard about Donor Advised Funds (D.A.F.) but not everyone knows how powerful they can be to leverage charitable giving. In today's episode we talk about situations where Donor Advised Fund makes sense, the of the tax savings that a DAF can bring, and how it can help facilitate happiness through giving. John's firm website: https://www.trinfin.com For advisors around the US: https://www.acplanners.org/home Thanks for watching and please subscribe! TRAN

Giving money away can come with happiness or regret. Bridget Sullivan Mermel and John Scherer discuss how to avoid three flavors of donation regret. Stay tuned for our tips on how to feel more of the warm glow of giving, too! John uses his own stories to illustrate how donating can make you feel bad or good. He talks about how he thinks about being scammed by a charity and what he learned from the experience. We talk about public radio station changing formats, and fee

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 that are in play now because of this new, higher fixed rate. Just a couple of years ago, the 10 year Treasury was only paying about 1% interest. Today, if you buy a new I bond between May 1 & Oct 31, 2023 you’ll get a guaranteed minimum rate of 0.9% for the life of the bond (up to 30 years) PLUS you’ll get an inflation component as well. T