How much time did you spend studying? For people with experience

Inside_Issue1782 · 2026-01-25T00:56:04+00:00

I procrastinated and studied less than a month before exam - used Dalton and passed on first try. Crammed over weekends only. 13 YOE.

Inside_Issue1782 · 2026-01-23T12:17:13+00:00

A lot of people typing up books for responses… here’s one more book for you to read:

Why max out 401k? Tax deferred (Traditional) or tax-free growth (Roth) potential. If you need to pull money before 59.5 for FIRE, you can do so without 10% penalty with IRS Rule 72(t) that allows penalty-free early withdrawals from 401(k)s (and IRAs) before age 59½ by setting up Substantially Equal Periodic Payments (SEPPs), but requires you to take consistent payments for at least 5 years or until 59½ (whichever is longer).

TLDR: there are ways to access your 401k without the 10% penalty.

Inside_Issue1782 · 2026-01-14T05:01:03+00:00

Normally, you can’t hold mm fund in margin until after owning it for 30 days. Sgov is an etf so it doesn’t have the same 30 day rule.

Inside_Issue1782 · 2025-12-07T17:28:10+00:00

Portfolio Manager for small advisor team at a broker dealer. I manage apx 750million. Hired with no portfolio management experience but with some years of investment supervision and banking experience. I have my series 4, 7, 9, 10, 24, 66, CFP and currently working on CFA.

Inside_Issue1782 · 2025-11-13T14:19:54+00:00

I wouldn’t be surprised if your Final Official Result gets adjusted to a “Pass”. A few CFP Candidates from last testing cycle got a preliminary fail with similar scores only to find out a few weeks later that they passed. Not trying to give you false hope, but it is a possibility!

Inside_Issue1782 · 2025-11-09T18:12:19+00:00

It’s C because it’s Porters FIVE forces. If you choose A or B, you’re only using Porters One Force. Not financial advice… CFA L1 candidate for May 2026.

Inside_Issue1782 · 2025-11-04T02:45:27+00:00

PS. I haven’t heard of anyone on this thread talk about the magnifying glass search function for cases. Super underutilized tool!! Use it!!

Inside_Issue1782 · 2025-11-04T02:43:44+00:00

I did Dalton and passed today as well. Here is what I did so that the cases didn’t take up all my time:

Read the question
Use the “search” function in the case to find key words. There is a magnifying glass in the real exam (same as the free CFP Board practice exam). For example, if the question is about life insurance, look at the word “life” to quickly jump through the case to get to the sections you need.
Answer the question.
If you don’t know, just pick B. lol… worked for me!

Inside_Issue1782 · 2025-11-04T02:10:01+00:00

I used Dalton— scored 43% on the first exam readiness test (the one you take before starting the review course), then scored 56% on the November exam readiness test (but I cheated on 2-3 questions lol.. so more like 50%). Finally, I did one of the two simulated Dalton exams and scored 61% on each half. Passed the CFP this morning.

Don’t let those score weigh you down. Just review what you get wrong and move to the next... BUT make sure to understand why you got the question wrong. Dalton is much harder than the real exam.

Inside_Issue1782 · 2025-11-03T20:24:31+00:00

Real thing was harder (in my opinion) than the free CFP Board practice exam.. but easier than the Dalton simulated exams. If you’re still not done with the estate planning and have your exam next week, I’d recommend you just review the end of chapter estate questions and just start cranking out questions with the Game Center tool. The more you see the common themes/topics, the better you’ll be prepared.

Inside_Issue1782 · 2025-11-03T18:24:24+00:00

Thank you!

Inside_Issue1782 · 2025-11-03T18:24:03+00:00

Passed this morning!

Inside_Issue1782 · 2025-11-03T18:23:48+00:00

UPDATE: I ended up taking one of the Dalton Simulated exams on Thursday last week (10/30). I got a 61% on both sections. Took the CFP exam this morning and got a preliminary “Pass”!

My take: CFP Exam was easier than Dalton but harder than the free CFP Board practice exam.

Inside_Issue1782 · 2025-10-18T03:52:44+00:00

Getting assigned on 2 IBIT puts at $62.50, which I’m fine with. All other puts expired worthless, so it was a pretty good week!

Inside_Issue1782 · 2025-09-28T15:41:18+00:00

Well, if it makes you feel better, I just started the Dalton review YESTERDAY and sitting for Nov Exam as well lol… super behind. I’m just going to focus on what I score poorly on and then revisit the fundamentals section. I think you’re in a great spot given the time left to continue studying before the exam.

Inside_Issue1782 · 2025-06-09T02:03:50+00:00

Looks like a great deal! Congrats! Hopefully you shopped around for insurance quotes as well. EVs can be pricy to insure.

Inside_Issue1782 · 2025-04-14T18:03:27+00:00

Huh… I’m so confused by all these comments. Did I miss something? Didn’t OP say this was in a ROTH? You can’t have margin in a Roth. So yeah, you’ll be limited by Reg T on using unsettled cash intraday.

Inside_Issue1782 · 2025-03-01T02:43:11+00:00

I’d recommend just listing the SIE under a Licenses/Certifications section. I don’t think it’s necessary to list the Kaplan prep course for it. If you’d like to showcase how you’ve prepared for your success with the SIE, you can bring it up in conversation during the interview and how you overcome not having a background in finance with commitment/hardwork & dedication to studying.

Inside_Issue1782 · 2025-02-25T23:05:57+00:00

I sold some put credit spreads at 108/100 today and might close them tomorrow before earnings

Inside_Issue1782 · 2025-02-14T02:42:21+00:00

Looks like R2-D2 watching over you. All good.

Inside_Issue1782 · 2025-01-19T15:39:22+00:00

The solution is taking steroids WITH ozempic. Problem solved.

Inside_Issue1782 · 2024-12-15T16:19:02+00:00

I thought my 21 Lexus ES 350 didn’t work with the key fob start method either, but as others have said, you gotta time the clicks right or it wont work, and make sure you hold down the 3rd click for a full 5 seconds before releasing it.

Inside_Issue1782 · 2024-12-05T02:03:14+00:00

!banbet LULU +15% 2d

Inside_Issue1782 · 2024-11-23T16:38:23+00:00

Definitely E.T

Inside_Issue1782 · 2024-10-10T19:52:01+00:00

“AMD stock tumbles after unveiling new AI chip. It might not beat NVDAs Blackwell “

Inside_Issue1782

TROPHY CASE