Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
401k to IRA Pros and Cons | When to do it. When to Hold Off
Rolling your 401K to an IRA used to be automatic advice, but it might not be a great idea. We talk about when to do it, and when to hold...
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Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Jun 18, 2022
Most Common Tax Mistake You May Be Making Now
The most common tax mistake people make is happening right now. Not doing tax planning. Or thinking that because they had their tax...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Jun 16, 2022
How Do REITs Work in a Portfolio? | REIT Investing Explained
Real estate investing can be made easy with REITS, or real estate investment trusts. But many people don't know how REITs work in a...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Jun 10, 2022
Chicago Real Estate--Time to Act?
The last time I had Kyle Harvey on the Chicago Money Show, the producers and director immediately said, “Have her on again. She’s good!”...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Jun 6, 2022
Is it Best to Pay Off Mortgage Before Retiring?
Should you pay off your mortgage before you retire? Is it best to pay of your mortgage before retiring? What are the pros and cons of...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
May 28, 2022
Where Do I Invest After I've Maxed Out My 401K? | Our Top 5 Ideas
Figuring out where to invest invest after you've maxed out your 401K is a reason that many people come to financial planners. We offer...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
May 21, 2022
Why We Love I Bonds: Series I Bonds. 9.62% Guaranteed in CD-like investment...What's not to Love?
We Love I Bonds. These are inflation-adjusted savings bonds that are issued by US Treasury Direct. Here are three reasons we love them:...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
May 16, 2022
I Have Life Insurance Through Work. Is That Enough? | Pros and Cons of Group Term Life Insurance
A viewer asked--I Have Life Insurance Through Work. Is That Enough? What are the Pros and Cons of Group Term Life? We answer! Neither of...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
May 12, 2022
Overcoming Impostor Syndrome and the Shecession: Single Woman and Money
Between impostor syndrome and the shecession, being a single woman can be tough! But, armed with the right information, you can...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
May 7, 2022
Building a Bond Ladder: Guaranteed Income on Same Date Every Year
https://youtu.be/9TjD_b7OVvk The bond ladder--a tool in retirement that provides guaranteed cash flow on the same date each year for a...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
May 1, 2022
How to Figure Out Retirement: Knowing How Much You Need to Retire
You can figure out retirement, but it generally takes a bit of time. Knowing how much you need to retire and feeling ready to do it are...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Apr 24, 2022
How Much Money For Financial Independence? Financial Success by 55!
Understanding how much money you need for financial independence isn't rocket science. What do you need to consider yourself a...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Apr 18, 2022
I Bonds: Buy Now or Wait until May? Like Planting Zucchini!
Figuring out if you want to buy I bonds now or wait until May can be confusing. With guaranteed interest rates on these savings bonds...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Apr 9, 2022
Net Worth by 40: Are You on Track?
Is your net worth by age 40 putting you on track to retire? This is an important question we often get as fee only financial planners. We...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Apr 7, 2022
Adulting with Money on the Chicago Money Show with Guest Kacie Swartz
Adulting. It means to act responsibly. But is adulting “exclusively used by people who adult less than 50% of the time?” You can test...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Apr 3, 2022
Net worth at 30: How do you compare?
Is your net worth at 30 on the right track? We talk about how to figure that out. First, we talk about elements of net worth. What is...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Mar 25, 2022
Where to park money: Viewer asks--where do I stash 500K?
Where to park money? A viewer inherited $500,000 and wanted to know. They (wisely) didn't want to take some time to decide exactly what...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Mar 20, 2022
Is Inflation Good or Bad? How to think it through.
Is Inflation good or bad? Gas prices are up. We see them every time we drive down the street. On the news, they keep talking about...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Mar 20, 2022
How to Pick Investments for My 401K? | We reveal how we invest our 401Ks
Figuring out how to pick investments for your 401K can be confusing. We tell you how we chose mutual funds in our own 401ks, what our...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Mar 20, 2022
Crypto: Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)? Is that Good or Bad?
The Larry David commercial during the Superbowl plus other ads play on our FOMO (fear of missing out) on crypto. Do you need to be afraid?...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Mar 10, 2022
Avoid Fumbling, Prepare for the Future, with Dennis Stearns
Here's a link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7Zc86yeY-A Join Dennis Stearns and me talk about his last book, Fourth...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Feb 26, 2022
Is Buying an Annuity a Mistake? 5 Red Flags to Watch For
Too often, buying an annuity is a mistake. It doesn't have to be. Watching for 5 simple, easy to identify red flags can help you avoid...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Feb 26, 2022
How to Loan Money To a Friend or Family Member and Protect Yourself
If you're thinking about loaning money to a friend or family member, there are many things to keep in mind. Or, if you're thinking of...
Bridget Sullivan Mermel CFP(R) CPA
Feb 13, 2022
The Super Bowl and Money: Takeaways you can use in your personal financial planning
Millions of people around the world will watch the Super Bowl but few will think about lessons they can take from the game to apply to...
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