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Interested in Personal and Financial Planning?
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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Stock Market Predictions: Our Outlook for 2022
There is a lot of news about stock market predictions for 2022, find out our outlook for 2022 and learn market predictions are worth your...

Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Jan 11, 2022
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How to Start and Run a Small Business with owners of Uncommon Ground and the 5G store
How do you start a small business? Is it worth it? How do you get into it, anyway? In this episode I’m joined by two Chicago-area...

Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Jan 7, 2022
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Socially Responsible Investing for Good Returns: How to Invest in ESG without Lower Returns
Socially Responsible Investing means lower returns to some people. It doesn't have to. In this video, we explain how to get market...

Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Dec 18, 2021
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Are Taxes Going Up? Maybe. 2 Steps to Prepare
There's a lot speculation that taxes are going up in the future. People wonder--what should I do? Fear is the underpinning of a lot of...

Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Dec 18, 2021
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Student Loans Now! With Patti Hughes
People are talking a rare opportunity to help lift the student loan burden. Plus, they’re on pause until January. Is there any hope...

Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Dec 9, 2021
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Financial Planning for Omicron: Are You Worried?
The Omicron variant is coming. Should you change your financial planning to adjust for the latest variant? Are you worried about your...

Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Dec 6, 2021
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4 Mistakes People Make When They Find a Financial Planner
Finding a financial planner can be difficult. They all sound the same when they say they care about their clients. How can a normal...

Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Nov 27, 2021
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Make More in Donations and Pay Less in Tax
If you want to make more in donations and pay less in tax, picking the right way to give to charity is crucial. In this video, we'll...

Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Nov 26, 2021
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High Inflation Money Strategy: Invest to Beat Inflation
Inflation is high; we discuss the strategy we both use to help clients understand and plan for it. We haven't seen inflation figures...

Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Nov 16, 2021
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Fee-only or Fee-based financial advisor: What's the Difference?
What's the difference between a Fee-only or fee-based financial advisor? It turns out, the difference is significant. We’ve talked in...

Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Nov 11, 2021
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Medicare, Marketplace and Me on The Chicago Money Show
Medicare and the Marketplace have had big changes this year. It’s open enrollment time, so now you or someone you love might be able to...

Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Nov 11, 2021
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Which Employee Benefits for Me? Sorting Through Your Options During Open Enrollment
Confused about which employee benefits are right for you during open enrollment? You're not alone. This video helps you be smart and...

Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Nov 4, 2021
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3 Questions to Ask when Finding a Financial Advisor
When you look for a financial advisor, there are three questions you absolutely must ask. Finding a financial advisor can be difficult....

Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Oct 27, 2021
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Keys to Creating Minority Wealth on The Chicago Money Show
Minority families’ net worth is about 15% of white families, and Blacks and Latinx with bachelor’s degrees typically earn $12,000 a year...

Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Oct 20, 2021
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Give I Bonds to Kids: Save Tax, More Flexible than 529s
Series I Bonds savings bonds are currently paying more interest than other safe investments. That means a lot of people are paying...

Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Oct 16, 2021
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Should I buy I Bonds? How do I buy I Bonds?
Buying I bonds can be a smart way to keep up with inflation and earn more interest. But who should buy I Bonds? How do you actually go...

Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Oct 16, 2021
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Eliminate Money Hurdles to Improve Your Finances: Darcy Luoma Talks Financial Planning
Money hurdles can make people feel helpless to improve their relationship with their finances. Darcy Luoma joins Bridget Sullivan Mermel...

Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Oct 5, 2021
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Special Guest Darcy Luoma Talks Money: Three Steps to More Intentional Personal Finance
Darcy Luoma describes how you can become more intentional with your money. Our Special Guest Darcy Luoma will help us understand! She's...

Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Sep 28, 2021
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Allowances, I Bonds, Social Security, Buying a 2 flat... Your Questions! The Chicago Money Show
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA fields questions including: How should I handle allowances with kids? When should I take social...

Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Sep 14, 2021
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Should I Invest in Bitcoin? Does cryptocurrency fit into your financial plan?
How should you think through buying bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies? Let’s face it: Bitcoin, Dogecoin, and other cryptocurrency are...

Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Aug 7, 2021
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Real Estate and Free Fun in Chicago on The Chicago Money Show
https://youtu.be/NHb1806npKM On this episode of The Chicago Money Show we talk about real estate and fun things to do in Chicago—and not...

Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Aug 6, 2021
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Thinking about Renting Out Your Vacation Home? Consider this!
Bridget got a question this week--what are the pros and cons of renting out your vacation home? John is a CFP® who owns a vacation home....

Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Aug 2, 2021
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Tax Secrets: What ProPublica reports about Billionaires can Help You Save, Too!
Many people feel that taxes are unfair. ProPublica recently reported how billionaires legally pay low taxes. We talk through—is there...

Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Jul 29, 2021
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Want Better Interest Than Banks are Paying? | I Bonds May Be Your Answer!
Inflation is going up, yet interest rates remain low. We talk about how I bonds are looking very appealing because they earn better...

Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Jul 10, 2021
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