Tag: Financial Planning
Navigating Holiday Stress with Jennifer Sumpter (Ep. 14)

Navigating Holiday Stress with Jennifer Sumpter (Ep. 14)

By |

How do you handle the stress of the holiday season?

In this episode of The Financial Puzzle Playbook, Jim Sumpter, CFP®, is joined by his wife, Jennifer Sumpter, FPQP®, to explore the stressful emotional and financial challenges we face during the holidays. With warmth and humor, they dive into personal stories about coping with family dynamics, unexpected holiday hurdles, and the financial strains many experience at this time of year. Jennifer, a key part of the CMC Financial team, shares heartfelt insights from her personal experiences and professional expertise as a financial paraplanner.

Jim and Jennifer discuss:

  • (02:02) The emotional impact of life changes like loss and divorce during the holidays
  • (07:12) Navigating the transition of empty nests and shifting family dynamics
  • (16:25) Diffusing familial tensions around divisive topics like politics and sports
  • (21:06) Managing financial stress and setting realistic expectations for holiday spending
  • (24:43) Practical coping strategies for not having loved ones nearby during the holiday season
  • And more

Whether it’s advice on handling seasonal stress or tips on financial planning for the holidays, this episode is relatable and invaluable. Tune in for a session filled with practical advice and a personal touch.

Resources:

Connect with Jim Sumpter: 

Connect with Jennifer Sumpter:

About our Guest: 

Jennifer Sumpter is a Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™ at CMC Financial.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
Estate Planning for Young Families + The Must-Have Documents (Ep.6)

Estate Planning for Young Families + The Must-Have Documents (Ep.6)

By |

Are you prepared for life’s ultimate certainties? Join us as we demystify estate planning with attorney Alex Priester, helping ensure you and your loved ones are protected.

We’re discussing some of the critical components of estate planning—wills, powers of attorney, and medical directives. Alex Priester, a seasoned estate planning attorney, walks us through the essentials, explaining why these documents are vital at every stage of life. 

From young families to retirees, we cover practical advice and real-life examples, helping you navigate the complexities of estate planning.

Episode discussion points include:

  • Learning the who, what, and why of wills, and why they’re crucial for protecting your assets and loved ones
  • Discovering the importance of having a power of attorney for both financial and healthcare decisions
  • Understanding how medical directives go beyond a simple DNR, ensuring your healthcare wishes are respected
  • Why estate planning isn’t just for retirees & why young adults, parents, and mid-life professionals also need comprehensive estate plans too

Resources:

Connect with Jim Sumpter: 

Connect with Alex Priester:

About our Guest: 

Alex, a native of Huntsville, Alabama, graduated from The University of Alabama School of Law in 2020 with her J.D. and LL.M. in Taxation. 

During her time in law school, Alex was awarded The University of Alabama Federal Tax Clinic Scholarship and the Justice Janie L. Shores Scholarship.  Alex received awards for best paper in each of her tax courses including Personal Income Taxation, Capital Gains Transactions, Corporate Transactions, Civil Tax Procedure, and Business and Accounting Ethics.  Alex was inducted into the Bench and Bar Legal Honor Society and served as an ambassador for future and incoming students of The University of Alabama School of Law.

In addition to her academic studies, Alex served as a member of the Public Interest Student Board and was awarded the Dean’s Community Service Award, the Student Pro Bono Award, and the Order of the Samaritan for her pro bono and law-related volunteer work. 

Alex lives in Leeds with her husband, Jake Hoogstra, and their 4 “furkids.”  Her hobbies include reading, baking, traveling, and golfing with her dad.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
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)

By |

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
Cash Flow: The First Piece of Your Financial Puzzle (Ep. 3)

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

By |

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: 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
Meet Your Host Jim Sumpter! (Ep. 1)

Meet Your Host Jim Sumpter! (Ep. 1)

By |

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: 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
The Story Behind the CMC Financial Brand (Ep. 2)

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

By |

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: 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More