Category: Finances

How to Navigate Home Buying Like a Pro With Steve Knox (Ep.5)

How to Navigate Home Buying Like a Pro With Steve Knox (Ep.5)

Discover the essential steps to successfully securing a mortgage, from pre-approval to closing costs, and how to avoid common pitfalls.

Jim Sumpter dives into the world of mortgages with guest Steve Knox, uncovering critical insights about the mortgage process, including the importance of pre-approval, the impact of credit scores on mortgage rates, and the often-overlooked closing costs. Understanding these elements is crucial for smart financial planning and making informed home-buying decisions.

By listening, you will explore:

  • Why getting pre-approved before house hunting can save you time and stress
  • The different loan programs and which might be best for you
  • The hidden costs involved in closing a mortgage
  • How your credit score impacts your mortgage rate and approval chances
  • And more

Connect with Jim Sumpter: 

Connect with Steve Knox (NMLS number 107021):

About our Guest: 

Steve Knox is a mortgage loan originator and branch manager. Recently Steve and his team joined Premier Mortgage Services under the branch name of “Knox Mortgage Team”. Our offices are located in Mill Creek, WA and Hoover, Alabama.

Prior to his mortgage career Steve owned Knox Management Strategies, a business consulting firm focused on process and sales improvement for retail, business and nonprofit organizations. Prior to that, Steve’s first career was in retail where he started as a sales person, ending his retail career as the Director of Management and Retail Education for Eddie Bauer Stores. During his career Steve supervised stores operations in over 40 states.

Jim’s Five Rules of Investing & Understanding the Basics of Financial Planning (Ep.4)

Jim’s Five Rules of Investing & Understanding the Basics of Financial Planning (Ep.4)

Have you ever wondered how to get started with your investments or how to make your money work harder for you? 

Your host Jim Sumpter breaks down his tried-and-true rules for investing, making complex concepts easily digestible for everyone. 

Whether you’re a novice or an experienced investor, Jim’s insights on setting investment goals, understanding risk tolerance, and leveraging the power of compounding and diversification will guide you on your financial journey. 

Jim Sumpter, CFP®, discusses: 

  • Investing basics you need to know to get started
  • Jim’s Rules for Investing & setting investment goals, assessing risk tolerance, diversifying your portfolio, and more
  • Learn how compounding your money over time can significantly impact your financial health
  • Start Early, Invest Consistently & why these two principles are critical to long-term financial success.
  • And more

Connect with Jim Sumpter: 

Cash Flow: The First Piece of Your Financial Puzzle (Ep. 3)

Cash Flow: The First Piece of Your Financial Puzzle (Ep. 3)

You want to take control of your finances but don’t know where to start. Sound relatable?

It’s time to unpack the first piece of your financial puzzle — cash flow.

Tune in as Jim Sumpter, CFP®, explains the role of cash flow in financial planning. Whether you’re just starting your career, gearing up for retirement, or navigating the middle, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to make smarter financial decisions.

Jim discusses: 

  • Why cash flow planning should be considered in every stage: wealth accumulation, preservation, and distribution
  • The need to understand gross vs. net income
  • The 50-30-20 rule to allocate your income effectively
  • How to optimize your emergency fund by dividing it into three tiers of cash reserves
  • Avoiding the costly endeavor of budget creeps
  • And more

Connect with Jim Sumpter: 

Meet Your Host Jim Sumpter! (Ep. 1)

Meet Your Host Jim Sumpter! (Ep. 1)

Financial planning is similar to solving a puzzle. The decisions are intertwined, and we have to carefully piece them all together to achieve the big-picture vision.

That’s exactly what we will explore in The Financial Puzzle Playbook!

Welcome to the inaugural episode, where you will get to know your host Jim Sumpter, CFP®, both personally and professionally.

Jim discusses: 

  • Childhood stories, working with his dad, and early life lessons he cherishes to this day
  • How he got started in financial services
  • His experience working with clients from various parts of the world
  • An intro to the six key puzzle pieces we’ll cover in future episodes
  • And more

Connect with Jim Sumpter: 

The Story Behind the CMC Financial Brand (Ep. 2)

The Story Behind the CMC Financial Brand (Ep. 2)

The name ‘CMC’, the different financial puzzle pieces, and our bright color scheme of teal, green, pink, and yellow — they all are an essential part of our brand.

But how did it all come together?

Let’s take a look at the origins of the CMC Financial brand with your host Jim Sumpter, CFP®. In this episode, Jim takes listeners behind the scenes and shares his journey of becoming an independent advisor and how he involved his kids in the branding process.

Jim discusses: 

  • A recap of the six essential financial puzzle pieces
  • The intertwined nature of financial decisions (with examples)
  • A little about the lives of his three dearly loved kids: Carson, Madison, and Cassidy
  • What listeners can expect in future episodes
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Jim Sumpter: