Tag: Financial Planning
How to Reduce Tax Season Stress (Ep. 10)

How to Reduce Tax Season Stress (Ep. 10)

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Why does tax time feel so overwhelming, and what can be done throughout the year to avoid those stressful moments in April?

In this episode, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy are joined by Michael W. Valenti, CPA, CFP®, CEPA®, MAcc, Tax Director at Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors, to break down why taxes feel emotional and how proactive planning can ease that burden. They explore common causes of under-withholding, challenges for high earners, small business owners, and retirees, and how simple adjustments can reduce surprises. 

The conversation also covers bonus income, equity compensation, crypto reporting, and when it makes sense to work with a CPA.

Key takeaways:

  • Why tax-season stress usually stems from uncertainty rather than the final bill
  • How estimated payments and smarter withholding can help households and business owners avoid surprises
  • Key tax pitfalls for high earners navigating bonuses, equity compensation, and multiple income streams
  • When DIY tax filing makes sense and when bringing in a pro can save time, money, or headaches
  • Tax planning strategies to make April more predictable and manageable

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About Our Guest: 

Michael Valenti serves as the Director of Personal Tax Services, where he leads a team of tax professionals specializing in individual tax compliance and planning.  Additionally, Mike serves as a financial advisor. He joined the company in 2025.

Specializing in planning for high-net-worth individuals, Mike provides a unique tax perspective to the wealth management and financial planning arena. Mike holds the CPA, CFP®, and CEPA designations and approaches financial planning through a holistic lens. 

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How to Maximize Your Bonus (Ep. 8)

How to Maximize Your Bonus (Ep. 8)

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For those who receive a year-end bonus, it can be tempting to splurge or treat yourself. But what if that extra money could help you check off a major financial goal??

 In this episode, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy dive into the psychology behind bonuses and why timing, taxes, and emotions matter more than you think. They share practical strategies to turn windfalls into long-term wins, covering everything from tax withholding and automation to emergency funds, Roth accounts, and 401(k) contributions. Plus, they break down how to approach bonuses at different career stages so you can make the most of every dollar.

Key takeaways:

  • Why we view bonus money differently, and how to avoid emotional spending traps
  • The truth about bonus tax withholding 
  • Smart strategies for using bonuses: retirement accounts, 529 plans, charitable giving, and emergency funds
  • Career-stage tips from early professionals to executives with equity compensation
  • Why planning ahead with an advisor beats making spur-of-the-moment decisions

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How To Practice for Retirement (Ep. 4)

How To Practice for Retirement (Ep. 4)

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Retirement isn’t just about reaching a number or a specific age. It’s a significant life transition that requires preparation beyond financial planning.

How do you shift from a lifetime of saving to spending? How do you build new communities and find purpose when work becomes optional?

In this episode, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy explore the concept of “practicing retirement” and how to prepare for this major life transition at every stage of life. They discuss the psychological challenges of spending down savings, the importance of aligning your values with your spending, and practical strategies like bucketing, visualization, and test-driving retirement lifestyle choices. 

  • Key takeaways:
  • The psychological and behavioral challenges of transitioning from saving to spending in retirement
  • The importance of retirement planning beyond finances, including identity shifts, community building, and lifestyle changes
  • How to use bucketing and visualization techniques throughout your life to align spending with your values and goals
  • Practical strategies for test-driving retirement
  • The counterintuitive benefit of stopping retirement savings 2-3 years before retiring to improve quality of life and potentially stay in the workforce longer

Resources:

Connect with Bryn Mawr Trust: 

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Welcome to The Planning Perspectives Podcast: The Human Side of Planning with Jamie Hopkins & Kate Duffy

Welcome to The Planning Perspectives Podcast: The Human Side of Planning with Jamie Hopkins & Kate Duffy

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Hosts Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy share their journeys, first money memories, and the life lessons behind financial planning.

From gravel shovels to fog machines, ballroom dancing to estate planning, they reveal how personal experiences shape the way we view money and life choices. Their candid reflections highlight the emotional and behavioral aspects of financial planning, underscoring why conversations about money are always deeply personal.

Key Points:

  • Jamie and Kate’s backstory of meeting and how they came together at Bryn Mawr Trust
  • First money memories and how early experiences shape money attitudes
  • Emotional and psychological factors in financial planning, from independence to fear of loss
  • Their biggest “aha” moments around money and the importance of planning before a crisis
  • Personal recharge activities like ballroom dancing, cooking, movies, and how balance ties into intentional planning

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