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 …
What if a single unexpected moment reshaped your entire financial future? In this episode, host Jim Sumpter, CFP®, sits down with Eileen Shovlin, Director of Business Development at Crump Life Insurance, to explore the deeply personal journey that led her to become an advocate for smart, values-based insurance planning. From a life-altering car accident at …
Depreciation can be one of the most misunderstood aspects of owning a business or rental property, and mishandling it can lead to IRS headaches, audit risk, or unexpected capital gains. In this episode, Jim Sumpter, CFP®, breaks down how depreciation really works, including how it’s calculated, what qualifies, and what happens if you skip it. …
Have you ever wondered if your side hustle qualifies as a legitimate business or if the IRS sees it as just a hobby? In this episode, Jim Sumpter, CFP®, unpacks the surprisingly high-stakes distinction between the two. With real-life examples, Jim walks through the IRS’s 9-factor test for business classification and why failing that test …
What’s the puzzle of financial empowerment for women? Unpack the generational shift in wealth with Jim Sumpter and guest Jillian Berry in part two of the Financial Puzzle Playbook. Discover how women are becoming major financial decision-makers and what it means for the future. From understanding the impact of social media on financial literacy among …