BIF Bites

Understanding estate trust options can feel like wading through alphabet soup—what do all the letters mean and how do you keep them straight? Don't worry! Jerry Mee, CFP® is ladling out his knowledge, including the easiest way to remember each estate trust acronym, what these trusts do, and how to keep them straight for exam day.Get ready to pass the exam with The BIF Review! Our 8-week CFP® Exam prep course covers everything you need to know (and we have a lot of fun doing it). Try The BIF Review FREE for 30 days!

It's that time of year again! Jerry and Adam are joined by Kaylee, the newest member of the BIF Crew as they dive into a fresh set of exam questions to help you get ready for the November 2025 CFP® Exam. Ready to turn today’s insights into an organized study plan? Check out The BIF Review! It's our streamlined, eight-week CFP® Exam prep course that gets you ready to pass the exam while keeping you out of the weeds. Try it free for 30 days!

This week, Jerry sits down to talk all about viatical settlements, how to qualify for them, what the transfer for value is and why you need to know about them for the CFP® Exam. Get more structured, effective prep for the CFP® Exam with The BIF Review. In eight weeks, you'll get the resources, materials, and support you need to pass the exam and earn your marks. Learn more about The BIF Review and try it free!

In this episode of BIF Bites, Kaylee makes her debut as the newest BIF Crew member, sharing best practices for CFP® Exam study groups. Learn about her multi-group strategy that combines 1:1 partnerships, small virtual groups, and larger practice sessions. Plus, she's sharing tips on making the most of group studying through time management and how to leverage diverse professional backgrounds and maximize 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.Ready to turn today’s insights into success on the CFP® Exam? Check out The BIF Review—our streamlined, eight-week CFP® Exam prep course where you learn exactly what you need to know to pass the exam from practicing CFP® professionals. Plus, BIF Review students get access to our Facebook group where you can connect with other candidates, which is a great place to form study groups! Learn more about The BIF Review here.

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. Ready to turn today’s insights into an organized study plan? Check out The BIF Review! It's our streamlined, eight-week CFP® Exam prep course that gets you ready to pass the exam while keeping you out of the weeds. ⁠Try it free for 30 days!

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.Ready to turn today’s insights into an organized study plan? Check out The BIF Review! It's our streamlined, eight-week CFP® Exam prep course that gets you ready to pass the exam while keeping you out of the weeds. ⁠Try it free for 30 days!

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. Ready to turn today’s insights into an organized study plan? Check out The BIF Review! It's our streamlined, eight-week CFP® Exam prep course that gets you ready to pass the exam while keeping you out of the weeds. ⁠Try it free for 30 days!

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.