The Financial Puzzle Playbook

The Financial Puzzle Playbook

Welcome to The Financial Puzzle Playbook, where we make money matters simple, enjoyable, and oh-so-relatable. Through engaging stories and casual conversations, Jim Sumpter and his guests will teach you how to bring together all the important puzzle pieces like income, cash flow, retirement, taxes, education funding, estate and more. Moreover, they will explain how to reorganize your financial puzzle in the face of unexpected life events. So just sit back and get ready to take control of your financial future!

Episodes

September 15, 2026 • 35 mins

Getting married means combining more than your lives. For young couples, it can also mean figuring out how to budget together, talk openly about spending, and make financial decisions as a team.

How can young couples build healthy financial habits, communicate about spending, and make decisions that reflect what matters most to them?

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Young adults entering new stages of life often face major decisions around careers, relationships, and money. 

How do you build a future together while navigating uncertainty and changing priorities?

In this episode, Jim Sumpter, CFP®, reconnects with Cassidy Sumpter to talk about her path toward becoming an elementary...

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How much cash should you keep on hand? When should you begin planning for long-term care? What happens when you inherit an IRA? 

These are the kinds of financial questions many people don’t ask until they’re facing an important decision.

In this episode, Jim Sumpter, CFP®, walks through several of the retir...

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Have you been putting off your estate plan because it never feels urgent?

Many families discover too late that assumptions, outdated paperwork, or missing documents can create difficult decisions for the people they care about most.

In this episode, Jim Sumpter, CFP®, explains why estate planning isn’t reserved for we...

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Digital assets are becoming a bigger part of financial conversations, but many people still wonder whether they belong in a long-term plan.

How do blockchain, Bitcoin, and crypto actually work? And what should investors understand before adding digital assets to a portfolio?

In this episode, Jim Sumpter continues part two o...

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Life has a way of changing even the most carefully crafted financial plans. One day you’re focused on building wealth and preparing for the future, and the next you’re navigating a major transition that requires a completely different set of financial decisions. 

In this episode, Jim Sumpter, CFP®, welcomes fellow advisor and GFG Wealth Advisors...

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Cryptocurrency can feel confusing, speculative, or difficult to understand, especially with so much hype surrounding digital assets.

In this episode of The Financial Puzzle Playbook, Jim Sumpter sits down with Wealth Advisor and Founder of Route Financial Group, Loran Coffman, MRFC®, C...

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May 20, 2026 • 38 mins

Many people think tax planning happens once a year when they file their return. Jim Sumpter believes the real planning starts after tax season ends.

In this episode, Jim introduces what he calls the “Tax Control Triangle,” a simple way to think about where your money lives, how it’s taxed, and why flexibility matters when it comes time to use i...

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What shapes the financial mindset of the next generation? 

How do young professionals balance money, work, faith, and purpose as they begin their careers?

In this episode, Jim Sumpter, CFP®, sits down with Margaret Easterling, Finance student at Samford University and intern at CMC Financial, to explore how young adult...

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Financial planning today is about more than picking investments.

As client needs grow more detailed and interconnected, how do advisors bring together the right people and resources to serve families well?

In this episode, Jim Sumpter, CFP®, introduces Mark Green, President at GFG Wealth Advisors, to share how their strateg...

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Tax headlines can sound simple, but the details often tell a different story. What do recent tax law updates actually mean for your income, deductions, and long-term planning? And how should you adjust when the rules keep shifting? In this episode, Jim Sumpter, CFP®, breaks down key changes from the recent tax bill and explains …

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Inheriting money sounds straightforward, but for many families, it becomes one of the most confusing and emotionally loaded financial moments they will ever face. In this episode, the client learns why preparation, guidance, and the right advisor matter more than the inheritance itself. Jim Sumpter, CFP®, is joined by fellow CFP® David Pulcini Jr. for …

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What does real diversification actually look like when markets feel noisy and unpredictable? In this episode of The Financial Puzzle Playbook, Jim Sumpter, CFP®, sits down with trading desk expert Paul Wankmueller to break down how stocks really work, why diversification goes far beyond numbers, and how investors can stay grounded when headlines and emotions …

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Most families think adding a child to a parent’s bank account is a simple act of love, but Jim Sumpter CFP® reveals how easily it can create tax issues, legal exposure, and long-term family conflict. In this episode, Jim breaks down why ownership matters more than most people realize and why wills often never even …

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Many families avoid talking about money because they fear conflict, awkwardness, or hurting someone’s feelings.  Jim and returning guest Brendan Frazier break down why family meetings matter more than ever and how they can protect both relationships and legacies. They explore the emotional dynamics that show up when siblings gather, why blended families need a …

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It is easy to think financial planning is all about numbers, but this episode pulls back the curtain to show why the human side matters just as much.  In this episode, Jim Sumpter, CFP®, sits down with returning guest Brendan Frazier, Chief Behavioral Officer at RFG Advisory, to explore the Golden Circle framework and how …

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Sometimes the toughest seasons reveal the most unexpected opportunities.  When COVID-19 turned the world upside down, Jessica Snead found herself without a job, a plan, or a clear next step, but what she did have was creativity, determination, and a love for making things beautiful. In this episode of The Financial Puzzle Playbook, host Jim …

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Join host Jim Sumpter, CFP®, and his returning guest, CMC Financial’s Vice President, Andy Graffeo, AFSP, as they take you through essential year-end financial planning strategies using their six-piece playbook. They cover key topics like maximizing 401(k) contributions, Roth conversions, required minimum distributions, charitable giving, education planning, and energy tax credits. Throughout the episode, Jim …

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The holidays come early in this unforgettable episode of The Financial Puzzle Playbook, where Jim Sumpter is joined by none other than Santa Claus himself.  With a cocoa in hand and a beachy Hawaiian shirt on, Santa opens up about his off-season routine, what makes the perfect cookie, and why budgeting for the holidays is …

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What happens when Gen Z tackles investing armed with TikTok hacks in one hand and a finance textbook in the other? In this candid and high-energy episode of The Financial Puzzle Playbook, host Jim Sumpter reconnects with Vivi Spotswood, a rising junior at Ole Miss, for part two of their conversation. This time, the spotlight …

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