Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
How I Plan for the Stock Market Freakout…I Mean Selloff
I got an email from Nate, a client, linking to a story about the stock market’s climb. “Is it time to sell?” he asked me. “The stock...
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Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Jul 15, 2019
Buying a House? Talk to Kojak
Terri and David came in for a meeting with me. They were expecting a baby and wanted to buy a house. They had their eye on a $500,000...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Jul 15, 2019
What I Tell Clients Who Want to Buy Gold
“Okay,” the client said at the end of our meeting, after I had recommended my investment strategy, “I’ve just got one more question.” ...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Jul 15, 2019
Give Money, Feel Happy
“How should a client think about giving money to charity?” was the question my colleague posted on an adviser forum. I should know this,...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Jul 9, 2019
Breaking up with your bank
Socially responsible money management starts with your bank
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Jul 9, 2019
"Fee-only" versus "fee-based"…what is the difference?
A lot of financial advice is "free."
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Jul 9, 2019
The Truth about Why to Invest in Real Estate
Don't buy real estate because you think it's an easy way to make money while in your underwear watching TV while eating Cheetos.
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Jun 27, 2016
2,557 Reasons Why You Should have International Stocks in your Portfolio
Even before Brexit passed, I got questions if it still makes sense to include international stocks in our portfolios. So I asked one...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Feb 18, 2016
Dive Deep into Credit Cards
Recently a client emailed me to ask, “What is the best credit card?” Then, at a family holiday, four of my nieces and nephews asked the...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Dec 10, 2015
Draft Brett Favre to Start Your End-of-Life Plans
It's awkward to have "the talk" with your parents. Here's how to get started. We should all have an ongoing conversation with our loved...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Sep 23, 2015
Give Money, Feel Happy
“How should a client think about giving money to charity?” was the question my colleague posted on an adviser forum. I should know this,...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Aug 31, 2015
New Ways to Invest in Small Businesses
When nonprofessional investors are able to put money into small businesses, everyone can benefit. I met with Paul on Tuesday. He is the...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Oct 13, 2014
How to be Charitable...and Hold Onto Your Money
You can inexpensively plan for a donation from your 401(k) while retaining access to the account if you need it. After they got married,...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
May 17, 2014
Why Investments Smell
Why investments smell Our fridge finally died; we could also use a new dishwasher. So, when we found that a local retailer was...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Jan 2, 2014
Market at All-time High: good time to sell?
USA Today says that stocks are at all-time highs. So is it a good time to sell? Well…probably not. Here’s why. Let’s take a closer look...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Sep 12, 2013
Here's Joe: Chopping Onions and Saving Money
I’ve been watching a lot of US Open Tennis. As any fan knows, that means being inundated with commercials pitching financial advice. ...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
May 21, 2013
Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
Welcome guest blogger: Judy McNary CFP(R) I posed this question at a seminar recently and all hands shot up. It doesn’t matter whether...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Mar 13, 2013
Four Green Ways to Pay Less Tax
I beg to differ. As a comprehensive planner, I love to talk about the good you can do without investing a dollar. One great way is to...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Feb 20, 2013
Check Your Insurance Before You Need It
The insurance socially responsibility test. Subject your insurance to it even if you don’t care about “social responsibility.” What is...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Feb 4, 2013
How do Guns Make the Grade in a Portfolio?
Dear Bridget, Recently I’ve read reports that the both the California and Chicago teachers pension funds are either reviewing or...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Dec 11, 2012
How to Fix Capitalism
Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot to love about Adam Smith. Each person acts in his or her own self-interest in a free market…what’s...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Oct 11, 2012
The Bitter Pie: Financial Advisors Industry Statistics
The industry I am in confounds me. Why are so many consumers so poorly served? Almost daily I hear stories of advisors hiding fees,...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Feb 9, 2012
Breaking Up with My Bank
Dear Bridget, Although I like a good vampire movie, I don’t like it when I feel like my big bank has fangs in my neck. Between high ...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Jul 28, 2011
Crisis: Real or Manufactured?
Dear Bridget, Is there anything we can/should do about the pending debt-ceiling deadline? Should I be getting cash out of the bank to...
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