Category Archives: Uncategorized

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Tax-Efficient Charitable Giving (Ep.13)



Currently, in the United States, the rate of charitable donations has grown to nearly $500 billion a year. While corporations do their fair share of contributing, two-thirds of that total comes from individuals.

In this episode, Jeff Brimhall, Ph.D., CFP®, CFA, and Benjamin Cummings, Ph.D., CFP®, discuss how you can make your charitable contributions as tax-efficient as possible. They discuss a number of reasons you might want to consider charitable giving and how you can benefit from making charitable donations from your retirement accounts. 

Jeff and Benjamin discuss: 

  • Different charitable entities you can donate to and how they affect the strategies you can use to save on taxes
  • How you can use a donor-advised fund to separate your contributions over time 
  • How you can strategize selling a private business or real estate with charitable giving for a more tax-efficient process
  • And more

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Where to Start Planning Your Retirement (Ep.12)



When planning for your retirement we like to ask the important questions, check your portfolio and gather all the information necessary prior to offering you a plan. When it comes to retirement, a one size fits all mindset can cause you to miss out on unique opportunities specific to your situation. 

In this episode, Jeff Brimhall, PhD, CFP®, CFA, and Benjamin Cummings, PhD, CFP®, discuss a number of investment strategies such as contributing to a Roth IRA or a 401K and which one will work best for you based on your unique situation. Join us as you start your ideal retirement planning to live out your golden years the way you desire. 

Jeff and Benjamin discuss: 

  • How a Roth IRA might be the best account type for you
  • How to determine your retirement planning steps based on your age 
  • The tax advantages you can gain depending on the type of account
  • How you can determine the right amount and way to save for retirement
  • And more

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Why You Should Start Investing In A 529 Plan with Richard Ellis (Ep.11)



Do you have children or grandchildren who have yet to graduate from high school? Are you wondering how you can offer them a timeless gift this year that supports their future goals? 

Investing in a 529 plan might just be the perfect fit for you. 

In this episode, Jeff Brimhall, PhD, CFP®, CFA, and Benjamin Cummings, PhD, CFP®, talk with Richard Ellis, executive director at my529 to discuss what exactly a 529 plan is, how it compares to other savings plans and why you should start investing sooner rather than later. He also talks about transferring it from one beneficiary to another and what will happen to the plan if it is not used for education. 

Richard discusses: 

  • The benefits of having a 529 plan depending on the state you live in
  • How you can get a tax advantage on education expenses by investing in a 529 plan
  • Some reasons people start a 529 plan early for their children 
  • And more

 

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About Our Guest: 

Richard Ellis is a seasoned professional with experience working at all levels of state and local government. His primary expertise is in investment of public funds, debt issuance and budgeting. Richard has extensive experience speaking and training large and small groups. He has served on several boards and commissions helping develop policy and strategic initiatives. Richard also has experience working with various constituencies to find solutions to problems and continue the advancement of programs.

 


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How To WIN At Insurance with Todd Erkis (Ep.10)



Do you know what it means to “win” at insurance? If you’ve never thought about insurance in this light or have not considered how insurance can help during moments of high stress, you may want to tune in to this week’s episode. 

In this episode, Jeff Brimhall, PhD, CFP®, CFA, and Benjamin Cummings, PhD, CFP®, talk with Todd Erkis, author and professor at St. Joseph’s University to discuss how you can reformat the idea of insurance in your eyes so that you have the protection you need, when you need it. From car to life insurance, it is important to know how these plans work so that you feel confident when the time comes to tap into this area of your portfolio. 

Todd discusses: 

  • When is the right time to lock in an insurance plan
  • How to understand deductibles and choosing the right deductible level
  • The right time to approach your insurance company with a claim 
  • The decisions involved in life insurance and how to identify your needs
  • And more


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About Our Guest: 

Todd Erkis is currently living a lifelong dream teaching finance and risk management at St. Joseph’s University.

He is the author of “What Insurance Companies Don’t Want You to Know – An Insider Shows You How to Win at Insurance” available at Amazon.com.

He is also, a life actuary with experience in M&A, pricing, financial projections, annuity and life products including variable annuities (VA) and VA hedging.


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A Donor Advised Fund For All Your Charitable Needs With Dan Blake (Ep.9)



Creating a donor advised fund (DAF) means building a wealth account for charitable giving. How can you increase flexibility for yours and your families charitable contributions?

In this episode, Jeff Brimhall, PhD, CFP®, CFA, and Benjamin Cummings, PhD, CFP®, speak with Dan Blake, a managing director of University Impact, on creating flexible donor advised funds and creating family inclusive charitable contributions.

Dan discusses: 

  • What a donor advised fund is
  • How University Impact’s triple DAF increase flexibility for their clients donations
  • How parents can involve their children in charitable giving
  • Why people do or don’t donate
  • And more

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About Our Guest: 

Daniel’s background is in building and scaling startups. He started his first company, EcoScraps, in 2010 and sold it to a Fortune 1,000 company (Scott’s Miracle Gro) after 4 years. He has been on the board for two companies that have sold to publicly traded companies.


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Taking A Small Step To Make A Big Difference With Paul MacArthur (Ep.8)



Donating to a charitable organization, volunteering at a shelter or just giving to your neighbor, even the smallest actions can make a difference in someone’s life.

In this episode, Jeff Brimhall, PhD, CFP®, CFA, and Benjamin Cummings, PhD, CFP®, talk with Paul MacArthur, partner at MacArthur, Heder and Metler and co-founder of A Child’s Hope Foundation. They explore ways to make a difference in the world and the small actions that lead to greater experiences for the next generation.

Paul discusses: 

  • How A Child’s Hope Foundation got started
  • Why he focuses on orphanages
  • How he involves his children in volunteering and charitable giving
  • The first step in making a difference in someone’s life is taking action
  • His personal stories about taking small actions to create a joyful moment in someone’s life
  • And more

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About Our Guest: 

Paul MacArthur is the founding partner of MacArthur, Heder & Metler, PLLC. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in English with a minor in business finance from Brigham Young University, a juris doctorate from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at BYU, and a master of science in taxation degree (LL.M.), with honors, from the Washington School of Law.

His practice is focused on business formation, maintenance, contracts, corporate governance, mergers & acquisitions, succession planning, taxation, estate planning, non-profit organizations, and adoption. Paul is co-founder of A Child’s Hope Foundation, a non-profit public charity dedicated to improving the standard of care for orphaned children in third-world countries. He has also served and is serving as an officer and board member for many other non-profit entities.


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Investment Strategies at Blue Barn Wealth (Ep.7)



Choosing an advisor for your financial journey should mean partnering with someone who makes you feel comfortable.

In this episode, Jeff, Benjamin, and Hyrum discuss some of their investing strategies that can help you achieve your long-term financial goals, such as enjoying a comfortable retirement.

Jeff, Benjamin, and Hyrum discuss: 

  • Why the average investor over the last few decades made a much lower return than what the markets would’ve allowed them to achieve
  • The first steps they take when working with new investors
  • Why you should diversify your investments, especially when pursuing long-term goals
  • The dangers of being an overconfident and undereducated investor
  • And more

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The Blue Barn Wealth Way: Key Offerings and Expertise (Ep.6)



At Blue Barn Wealth, your goals influence everything we do.

In this episode, Jeff Brimhall, Benjamin Cummings, and Hyrum Smith discuss how they are helping people like you achieve long-term goals. They will become your financial partner and help you bring your financial plan all together using the 12 key services they offer.

Jeff, Benjamin, and Hyrum discuss: 

  • How they help people like you find their inspiration to lead a more fulfilling life
  • Why financial planning and living a simpler life go hand in hand
  • What you can expect in your first financial planning session with their team
  • 12 services they offer and which one best suits your needs
  • And more

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What Is Real Wealth? (Ep.5)



What does it mean to achieve Real Wealth?

In the most simple terms, it means to increase the value of more than just your investments.

In this episode, Jeff Brimhall, Benjamin Cummings, and Hyrum Smith discuss the meaning and purpose of Blue Barn Wealth’s slogan, “Live Within Your Meaning,” and how they implement its message into the lives of people like you.

Jeff, Benjamin, and Hyrum discuss: 

  • How they implement their slogan, “Live Within Your Meaning,” into their business practice
  • The strategies they use which can contribute to your wealth in whatever form that may be
  • Why you need to broaden your view of wealth to include more than just your investments
  • How creating Real Wealth can allow you to lead a simpler and more intentional life
  • And more

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Why The Name Blue Barn Wealth? (Ep.4)



The name of a business is the face of the business. That is why the founders of Blue Barn Wealth meticulously created and decided on its name.

In this episode, the three founders of Blue Barn Wealth, Jeff Brimhall, Benjamin Cummings, and Hyrum Smith, share their experience of naming their company, with the criteria of being simple, searchable and easy to remember to draw people to their services. They also explain the concerns they had to overcome about people understanding their story.

Jeff, Benjamin and Hyrum discuss:

  • The story and meaning behind the name ‘Blue Barn Wealth’
  • The origin of their partnership
  • And more

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