BIF Bites

In this episode of BIF Bites, Kaylee makes her debut as the newest BIF Crew member, sharing best practices for CFP® exam study groups just in time for students preparing for the November exam. She introduces a multi-group strategy—combining 1:1 partnerships, small virtual groups, and larger practice sessions—while offering tips on time management, leveraging diverse professional backgrounds, and maximizing learning through active participation. Kaylee also contrasts different study approaches and wraps up with practical advice for forming effective groups, whether virtual or in-person, along with a challenge for listeners to apply these strategies in the week ahead.

In this episode, Jerry lays out a clear, practical game plan for what to do after a life-changing financial windfall. Whether you've hit the jackpot yourself or you're advising a client who has, let's walk through the essential first steps. From staying grounded to assembling the right team and making smart, long-term decisions. Don't let sudden wealth become a sudden problem for you or for one of your clients.

In this episode of the BIF Bites podcast, Jerry dives into the Hobby Lobby Scandal from 2010 and how we can use it for an important lesson for the CFP exam.

It was the 1960s—bellbottoms, Beatles, and flower power ruled the day while America's youth challenged authority at every turn. But while Jimi Hendrix was setting guitars ablaze, California businessman Clifford D. Crummey was quietly funding his family's life insurance trust with annual Christmas gifts—until the IRS claimed those gifts didn't qualify for tax exclusion. Embodying the rebellious spirit of his times, Crummey fought back and won a 1968 court battle that revolutionized wealth transfer forever. Today, "Crummey Powers" help sophisticated families move millions tax-free through dynasty trusts, proving that sometimes the most powerful estate planning tools come from the most unexpected places. Welcome to the summer of Peace, Love, and Crummey Powers—where one man's fight created a legacy that continues to stick it to the IRS, one trust gift at a time.

In this week's BIF Bites episode, Jerry and Adam sit down to discuss life after passing the CFP(r) Exam. 

In the final instalment of this Question Palooza series, Jerry and Adam tackle the best way to gift a family business as part of an estate plan. 

It's day 5 of our 6-day Question Palooza extravaganza. In this episode, Jerry and Adam tackle ESPP and how the different aspects of this retirement benefit are taxed.  

Today Jerry and Adam tackle everyone's favorite topic, taxes! They dive into the taxation of ISO's and also the tricky question writing style of the CFP Board. This is part 4 of a 6-part series going through the top topics of the CFP exam.  

Jerry and Adam are back with Day 3 of Question Palooza! Today, they tackle investments and discuss what makes a suitable portfolio asset mix for a client looking for inflation protection. 

In today's episode, Jerry and Adam discuss homeowners' insurance, covering what is and is not covered. This is part 2 of a 6-part series going through the top topics of the CFP exam.  

Jerry and Adam kick off a new edition of Question Palooza! This is part 1 of a 6-part series going through the top topics of the CFP exam.  

In this episode, Jerry and Adam give their best tips and tricks for tackling the case study section of the CFP Exam! 

In this episode of BIF Bites, Jerry and Adam dive into the fascinating world of business cycles and economic indicators. They explore the four phases of the business cycle and discuss how these cycles impact the economy. The crew also breaks down the different types of economic indicators, focusing on leading and lagging indicators. Discover how metrics like new building permits and stock prices serve as early signals of economic shifts, while indicators such as unemployment duration and the consumer price index confirm trends after the fact.Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how these indicators help economists and investors navigate the ever-changing economic landscape.

In this week's episode, Jerry dives deep into the latest craze in ultra-short-term financing with Klarna, Affirm, and other Buy Now, Pay Later programs.

In this BIF Bites episode, Adam is joined by Jenny Coombs, Director of Content & Development at US SIF, to discuss the basics of ESG investing, its history, and its importance in sustainable investing strategies. They explore the long-term benefits of ESG investments, the power of collective action, and the role of endowments in sustainable investing. The conversation also covered upcoming events related to sustainable investing, including the US SIF Forum and an Advisor Day event.So the next time someone asks, "ya down with ESG?" You'll answer with a resounding ..."yeah, you know me!"US SIF website: www.ussif.orgUS SIF Forum 2025: https://www.ussif.org/events-and-networking/conference

In this episode, Adam channels 'The Dude' from The Big Lebowski to explain the complex subject of depreciation in business accounting. He explains its purpose and discusses two main methods: straight-line depreciation and the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS).Adam also introduces the Half-Year Convention, providing examples of common useful lives for various assets. To wrap it up, he shares a personal experience with rental property depreciation, highlighting why understanding these concepts is crucial for financial planners and their clients.The BIF Crew Abides.

In this episode, Jerry dives into the history of Wash sales, how to avoid them, and what to do if you have one.

Another CFP(R) exam cycle hascome to a close. Congratulations to those receiving the Preliminary Pass fromthe BIF Crew! For the passing group, it's a time for celebration, relief, andplanning of next steps, both professionally and personally. However,approximately 33-40% of exam takers' exam outcomes aren’t the sought-afterPreliminary Pass but a Preliminary Fail.  In the BIF Review, we offerspecialized support for candidates preparing to retake the CFPCertification exam through exclusive webinar sessions. These sessions featurepanel discussions with retakers who succeeded after their initial attempt(s)and webinars on exam strategies, mental preparedness, anxiety management, andstress reduction. Join Adam as he gives you aninside look at the BIF Review, showcasing excerpts from these Special RetakerSessions!

The Bif crew is back with their most popular segment -Question Palooza!

This week the gang is all here as Jerry, Mike, and Adam go through the most difficult topic from each of the 6 main curriculum areas.