Many people think tax planning happens once a year when they file their return. Jim Sumpter believes the real planning starts after tax season ends. In this episode, Jim introduces what he calls the “Tax Control Triangle,” a simple way to think about where your money lives, how it’s taxed, and why flexibility matters when …
What shapes the financial mindset of the next generation? How do young professionals balance money, work, faith, and purpose as they begin their careers? In this episode, Jim Sumpter, CFP®, sits down with Margaret Easterling, Finance student at Samford University and intern at CMC Financial, to explore how young adults think about money and career …
Financial planning today is about more than picking investments. As client needs grow more detailed and interconnected, how do advisors bring together the right people and resources to serve families well? In this episode, Jim Sumpter, CFP®, introduces Mark Green, President at GFG Wealth Advisors, to share how their strategic partnership expands capacity for clients. …
Tax headlines can sound simple, but the details often tell a different story. What do recent tax law updates actually mean for your income, deductions, and long-term planning? And how should you adjust when the rules keep shifting? In this episode, Jim Sumpter, CFP®, breaks down key changes from the recent tax bill and explains …
Inheriting money sounds straightforward, but for many families, it becomes one of the most confusing and emotionally loaded financial moments they will ever face. In this episode, the client learns why preparation, guidance, and the right advisor matter more than the inheritance itself. Jim Sumpter, CFP®, is joined by fellow CFP® David Pulcini Jr. for …
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 …