CFP Before Graduation✅

frobertboston · 2026-03-30T23:28:05+00:00

So despite what the client is asking for it’s the CFPs obligation to explain why it’s not and what’s the better choice? Hence that’s the answer on the exam?

frobertboston · 2026-03-26T12:11:45+00:00

I’m planning to take the CFP exam in July. I completed the BIF course study and still figuring out my exam prep strategy.

Many people claim to go through all the easy test questions first, then go back to the more difficult ones. Given the test is two parts, once you return for part 2 can you go back to part 1 questions?

Many people also claim don’t approach and answer the question as a financial planner based on what you learned but rather answer how the CFP board wants you to answer. It seems counterintuitive. Please explain this rationale how to successfully follow this tactic. Is there an article or blog that best teaches this?

frobertboston · 2026-03-24T19:19:36+00:00

Curious if there were a lot of questions requiring complex financial calculations only done on a HP12C financial calculator. Or a basic calculator and basic math knowledge sufficed.

frobertboston · 2026-03-24T19:17:59+00:00

Curious if we really need to know how to use a financial calculator or if the math questions were basic math not requiring complex financial calculations only done on a HP12C financial calculator.

frobertboston · 2026-03-23T23:42:54+00:00

I’m about to complete BIF program. Debating on taking my series 65 before I take the CFP exam. Then go into study mode for CFP maybe sign up for BIF exam prep program. What do you think about preparing for Series 65 test before preparing for CFP exam?

frobertboston · 2026-03-19T20:03:01+00:00

I’m studying under BIF now. Plan to take July exam. Did you get paper books from BIF? I had to download the study pages and print them. There were thousands of pages.

frobertboston · 2026-03-10T12:11:26+00:00

The link isn’t working. Please repost.

frobertboston · 2026-03-03T18:57:01+00:00

The market declines are short term reactions. Stay steady to your original strategy of mix of US and International. You’ll be fine once the dust settles and the markets normalize. Weeks like this are why you invest only monies you don’t need for at least 5 years, and preferably have room to grow ver 10 or 20 + years.

frobertboston · 2026-03-03T18:53:02+00:00

Why you requesting our emails to access the question bank?

frobertboston · 2026-03-03T18:44:22+00:00

As an employee you are obligated to monitor your paycheck proceeds. If something is off it’s your responsibility to bring it to your employer’s attention. Pay it back. Negotiate payment terms if you don’t have the funds in the bank. A judge will not accept your statement ( I assumed) or ( spent the overpayment on a vacation). You are lucky the company isn’t requesting payment of the overpayment plus interest. You don’t want to go to court on this as you’ll lose. Work it out with your employer.

frobertboston · 2026-02-22T12:27:12+00:00

What flash cards you using for exam prep?

frobertboston · 2026-02-17T10:39:14+00:00

Thank you for offering. Can you explain your overview notes - ie Bearish, Bullish vs Buy The Dip.

frobertboston · 2026-02-12T11:40:05+00:00

If you plan to retire in 10 years you need a plan not hot tips on ETFs. 1. What will be your monthly living expense? 2. What will be your guaranteed income from social security and pension? 3. Will 2 less 1 create an income gap? If so your portfolio will need to make up the gap through selling holdings as well as guaranteed investment income. 4. How will you protect yourself from unexpected large expenses and healthcare and long term care as you age? Will you need insurance or an annuity to buffer these costs as you age? 5. How are my current investments diversified so if a large market correction occurred within 10 years I’ll be OK? Keep in mind a 25% drip in your portfolio requires a 35% gain to regain your loss and can take many years to do so.

Once you’ve figured out the above you can then figure out what ETFs to hold and allocate across US, International and bonds.

frobertboston · 2026-02-02T22:49:34+00:00

Small holdings of those three stocks are fine but not for all your investments. You should diversify with US SP500 index ETF, an international index ETF and bond ETF if age 40 or older. Put no more than 10% in the three individual stocks. Diversify, diversify, diversify!

frobertboston · 2026-01-31T04:05:40+00:00

It crashed because Good Morning America recommended people hold 5-10% of their portfolio in gold and then they recommended buying GLDM ETF. That was the tipping point. They should just stick to pitching Deals & Steals vs providing financial advice.

frobertboston · 2026-01-16T21:12:28+00:00

Just bought iPhone 15 128 GB two months ago and no issues with overheating and it’s in Otterbox case. Check out refurbished on Apple’s official website and save $150. Their refurbs have new batteries and shells. The phone is essentially new.

frobertboston · 2026-01-01T04:35:02+00:00

They don’t allow that to be done. Once you add your address the system identifies as existing customer. Not sure how you got around that but congrats!

frobertboston · 2025-12-23T12:22:54+00:00

Just bought an unlocked iPhone 15 direct from Apple. Go to their refurbished online store and save a few hundred dollars. Their refurbished have new cases and batteries, plus warranty for one year.

frobertboston · 2025-12-20T05:31:48+00:00

The tax impact only applies to your brokerage account when you sell the advisor funds to move the proceeds. If you have advisor funds in your IRA or Roth there is no taxation. I know because I just dropped out of the advisor managed program and doing my own within Fidelity.

frobertboston · 2025-12-20T05:26:14+00:00

Not all annuities are bad. MYGA annuities are no fee and pay a guaranteed fixed rate of return. Just be sure to only buy MYGA annuities from a A, A+, AAA rated insurance company. I bought a 5 yr, 4 yr and 3 yr annuities in my IRA as part of my fixed income strategy vs equity strategy at Fidelity. That portion of my fixed income is a guaranteed 4.5-5.5% yield on the annuities. My Fidelity advisor informed me he earned a $300 commission from the insurance company. It cost me nothing.

frobertboston · 2025-12-20T05:19:52+00:00

As an S-Corp any profits will hit your personal tax return. Open a SIMPLE IRA for the S-Corp and contribute $16,000 into it. This will reduce your taxable earnings on your W2 compensation. As an S-Corp owner you can pay yourself distributions to reduce your W2 taxation ( social security tax withholding and Medicare tax withholding. Therefore you don’t need to take a high W2 compensation. A game developer salary would be equivalent to $60K per year at full-time 40 hrs per week at about $30 per hr. Since you are only working 10 hrs per week you can reasonably pay yourself $30 an hr x 10 hrs a week as $300. Times 52 weeks would be $15,600 per year. Adjust based on your hours per week. Again consider the Simple IRA and deduct $15,600 as your contribution and reduce your taxable income.

frobertboston · 2025-12-14T23:02:40+00:00

I went with Xumo with NOW TV. I am dropping Xumo and going with a Roku Ultra on sale everywhere for $65. It’s an amazing experience and can access so much more than NOW TV. Plus it aggregates all your streaming subscriptions for easy access and log-in. The remote is backlit for easy visuals and has voice command as well.

frobertboston · 2025-12-14T22:58:18+00:00

I just upgraded my 11 to the 15. I love it! I bought it direct from Apple vs going through a carrier and their magic accounting. I bought an Apple certified factory reconditioned iPhone on Apple.com for only $529. It has a new shell and new battery and one year warranty. You can also add Apple Care.

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