What does real diversification actually look like when markets feel noisy and unpredictable? In this episode of The Financial Puzzle Playbook, Jim Sumpter, CFP®, sits down with trading desk expert Paul Wankmueller to break down how stocks really work, why diversification goes far beyond numbers, and how investors can stay grounded when headlines and emotions …
Most families think adding a child to a parent’s bank account is a simple act of love, but Jim Sumpter CFP® reveals how easily it can create tax issues, legal exposure, and long-term family conflict. In this episode, Jim breaks down why ownership matters more than most people realize and why wills often never even …
Many families avoid talking about money because they fear conflict, awkwardness, or hurting someone’s feelings. Jim and returning guest Brendan Frazier break down why family meetings matter more than ever and how they can protect both relationships and legacies. They explore the emotional dynamics that show up when siblings gather, why blended families need a …
It is easy to think financial planning is all about numbers, but this episode pulls back the curtain to show why the human side matters just as much. In this episode, Jim Sumpter, CFP®, sits down with returning guest Brendan Frazier, Chief Behavioral Officer at RFG Advisory, to explore the Golden Circle framework and how …
Sometimes the toughest seasons reveal the most unexpected opportunities. When COVID-19 turned the world upside down, Jessica Snead found herself without a job, a plan, or a clear next step, but what she did have was creativity, determination, and a love for making things beautiful. In this episode of The Financial Puzzle Playbook, host Jim …
Join host Jim Sumpter, CFP®, and his returning guest, CMC Financial’s Vice President, Andy Graffeo, AFSP, as they take you through essential year-end financial planning strategies using their six-piece playbook. They cover key topics like maximizing 401(k) contributions, Roth conversions, required minimum distributions, charitable giving, education planning, and energy tax credits. Throughout the episode, Jim …
The holidays come early in this unforgettable episode of The Financial Puzzle Playbook, where Jim Sumpter is joined by none other than Santa Claus himself. With a cocoa in hand and a beachy Hawaiian shirt on, Santa opens up about his off-season routine, what makes the perfect cookie, and why budgeting for the holidays is …
What happens when Gen Z tackles investing armed with TikTok hacks in one hand and a finance textbook in the other? In this candid and high-energy episode of The Financial Puzzle Playbook, host Jim Sumpter reconnects with Vivi Spotswood, a rising junior at Ole Miss, for part two of their conversation. This time, the spotlight …
When Vivi Spotswood arrived at Ole Miss, she didn’t know many people, but what she did know was that she wanted to carve her own path. Now a rising junior studying finance, entrepreneurship, and marketing, Vivi joins host Jim Sumpter for a two-part conversation about cash flow, confidence, and the mindset shifts that come with …
What does insurance really look like across a lifetime, and how do you make sure it fits your plan? In this second conversation with Eileen Shovlin, Director of Business Development at Crump Life Insurance, we dive deep into the logistics of insurance at different stages of life. From understanding insurability and group policies to integrating …