Blog

Debt Discharged in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

By Dan Madden, CFP®

Chuck lost his job last year when his company moved their factory overseas. Chuck has been unable to find another job and had to file for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Which of the following debts can be discharged in the bankruptcy? $10,000 of rent he owes his landlord $20,000 of taxes he owes the IRS…

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Your Smart Watch Can Void Your Passing Score on the CFP® Board Exam

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

CFP® Certificants in the News CFP Board’s recently revised PATHWAY TO CFP® CERTIFICATION AGREEMENT (PATHWAY) highlights key requirements for certification. We’ll address select topics contained within this CFP Board publication, beginning with when you can publicly represent yourself as a “Candidate for CFP® Certification. Candidate for CFP® Certification You can represent yourself in this manner…

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Using Future Value Versus Present Value in Multi-Step Questions

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Course: Fundamentals of Financial PlanningLesson 5: Using the Calculator Student Question: I am attempting to understand when to use PV or FV in the second step of the multi-step problems…the payment calculations. I understand that we will need to first calculate the required capital for the financial goal (Ex: retirement or college) and that would…

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Defining a Stock Spread

By Dan Madden, CFP®

Which of the following combinations correctly describes a spread? A combination of a short sale and a purchase of a call for the same stock A combination of buying and selling calls on the same stock with different expiration dates and exercise prices A combination of a put and a call on the same stock…

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3 Ways to Help Protect Against Income Tax Fraud

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Good to Know You just received a letter from the IRS that doesn’t make sense. It may not be cause for alarm, but consider this-the letter may be a red flag for the potential theft of your confidential income tax information. Cybercriminals can use this information to wreck your finances, for example by: Taking out…

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Understanding the Relationship Between Coupon Rates and Duration

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Course: Investment PlanningLesson 9: Fixed Income Securities Student Question: There is a question regarding duration that I continue to struggle with.Which of the following are true: Can you explain #1 and #3? Instructor Response: Thank you for your question.  This can become a bit convoluted. Let’s unpack the word “duration” first.  Duration is nothing more than…

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Appropriate Valuation Method

By Dan Madden, CFP®

Sam McBuck has an estate of $10 million and would like to leave it to his nephews. Sam assumes he will live for at least 5 more years. The property in Sam’s estate currently includes the following assets: An apartment building in downtown New York that Sam owns with three partners, each of whom wants…

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CFP Board Establishes 501(c)(6) to Focus on Workforce Development

By Dan Madden, CFP®

CFP® Board Updates The CFP Board announced in January that they have established a new 501(c)(6) to help achieve their strategic workforce development priorities.  The end result will be a 501(c)(3) called the CFP Board Center for Financial Planning and a 501(c)(6) called the CFP Board of Standards. Why are they taking this action? The…

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Dependent Care Assistance Plan

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Course: Retirement PlanningLesson 9: Building Retirement Wealth by Maximizing Fringe Benefits Student Question: Is a Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP) funded by an Flexible Spending Account the same thing as a Dependent Care FSA?  If not, could you provide some additional info as to how the two would work together (could an individual utilize both…

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