Tag: Financial Planning
From SALT Caps to Senior Deductions: Understanding the New Tax Bill with Rob Baner (Ep. 5)

From SALT Caps to Senior Deductions: Understanding the New Tax Bill with Rob Baner (Ep. 5)

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Taxes don’t usually make the highlight reel, but this year’s sweeping updates could impact families in ways that go far beyond April 15.

In this episode, Jude Boudreaux and Caleb Arringdale sit down with Rob Baner, partner and head of the tax group at The Planning Center, to unpack the new tax law and what it really means for everyday families. From the expanded SALT deduction to the brand-new senior deduction, Rob helps break down the fine print into plain language while sharing practical strategies you can actually use.

What to expect in this conversation:

  • The biggest 2025 tax law changes and who they may affect most
  • Why 2026 could bring new challenges and new planning opportunities
  • How charitable giving strategies like “lumping” and donor-advised funds fit into the picture
  • Practical tips for navigating deductions, phase-outs, and future uncertainty
  • And more!

Listen in and learn how small choices today can set you up for clarity tomorrow.

Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®: 

Connect with Caleb Arringdale:

Connect with Rob Baner:

About our Guest: 

As a CPA, Rob’s responsibilities focus primarily on taxes and tax matters. Rob joined The Planning Center in 2015, after working with a full-service Quad Cities CPA firm from 2010 to 2015. Though his duties vary based upon the needs of our clients, he works collaboratively with our financial planners to provide comprehensive tax preparation and tax planning services to our clients. It’s important to remember that tax planning is a year-round job and April 15th is simply the culmination of our work. Nothing gives Rob greater satisfaction than knowing that we have helped our clients navigate the maze that is our tax system.

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From Chaos to Clarity: J.J. Sessions, CFP® on Family, Cash Flow, and Financial Freedom (Ep. 4)

From Chaos to Clarity: J.J. Sessions, CFP® on Family, Cash Flow, and Financial Freedom (Ep. 4)

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When J.J. Sessions walked away from running his own practice to join The Planning Center, he wasn’t just looking for a new job—he was searching for a better way to serve clients and his family. 

In this heartfelt conversation, J.J. reflects on the challenges of running a business, the stress of managing cash flow, and the joy of finding a system that supports both financial goals and personal values. Alongside Jude and Caleb, they explore how First Step transformed J.J.’s family dynamic, helping him and his wife finally feel aligned in their spending habits and priorities.

Listeners will hear J.J.’s story of moving from Minnesota to Fresno, the power of mentorship, and how teaching his six children about money has changed his perspective on wealth and legacy. This episode is a reminder that financial success isn’t just about numbers, it’s about creating space to focus on what truly matters.

Here’s what you can expect:

  • Why J.J. gave up business ownership for more impact
  • How First Step simplifies cash flow conversations
  • Teaching kids financial boundaries (with a butcher paper trick!)
  • How to align money decisions with family values and community impact
  • And more!

Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®: 

Connect with Caleb Arringdale:

Connect with J.J. Sessions:

About our Guest: 

J.J. Sessions has been preparing for a career as a financial planner all his life. As a high school senior, he once gave a speech on the benefits of compound interest. Though he started college with a desire to be a marriage and family therapist, he found that he could do more for people by helping them with their financial lives. Things like effective cash flow planning and life planning can have a profound impact on reducing the stress and conflicts in marriages that surround money. J.J.’s primary responsibility as a financial advisor is to help individuals and families to achieve clarity on their financial and life goals, and work closely with them to accomplish those goals.

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From Music to Money: The Unique Culture at The Planning Center (Ep. 3)

From Music to Money: The Unique Culture at The Planning Center (Ep. 3)

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What makes financial planning akin to crafting a symphony? How do emotions and logic dance in sync when managing investments?

Join Jude Boudreaux, CFP®, and the ever-enthusiastic Caleb Arringdale, EA, as they welcome Matt Knoll, CFP®, a seasoned financial planner and musician, to the “Living Beyond the Numbers” podcast. Matt, who holds a vital role in the Planning Center’s investment committee, shares insights into weaving a balanced financial strategy that harmonizes with life’s melodies. Drawing from years of experience, including mentorship under influential leaders, Matt discusses the essence of investment philosophy, the art of rebalancing portfolios, and the emotional aspects of investing.

Key discussed topics include:

  • The intersection between music and financial team dynamics
  • Crafting an unselfish succession plan
  • Understanding portfolio rebalancing and emotional investment triggers 
  • Navigating market volatility and long-term Investment planning 
  • How taxes and investments can dance together 

Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®: 

Connect with Caleb Arringdale:

Connect Matt Knoll:

About Matt Knoll: 

Matt Knoll is a seasoned financial planner and musician who brings a unique blend of expertise, empathy, and creativity to his work. As a Senior Financial Planner at The Planning Center, Matt plays a key role in helping clients align their financial decisions with their personal values. With over a decade of experience, he specializes in comprehensive financial planning, investment strategy, and guiding clients through major life transitions. He also leads the firm’s investment committee and supports the trade-desk operations, ensuring strategic consistency across client portfolios.

Matt began his journey at The Planning Center as an intern before joining full-time in 2013. He holds the Certified Financial Planner™ designation and is registered to provide advisory services in Illinois, Iowa, and Texas. Known for his calm presence and thoughtful approach, Matt has a gift for making complex topics feel clear and manageable.

Outside of his financial work, Matt is a passionate musician and host of The Frontline Podcast for Christian Men, where he supports men in pursuing growth and purpose. Whether in the office or behind a microphone, Matt is committed to helping people live more intentionally—financially, spiritually, and relationally.

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The Stories Behind the Numbers: Why We Plan the Way We Do (Ep. 1)

The Stories Behind the Numbers: Why We Plan the Way We Do (Ep. 1)

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What if your definition of success wasn’t about money, but the life you get to live because of it?

In this episode, host Jude Boudreaux, CFP®, and his “Director of Positivity,” Caleb Arringdale, EA, introduce the heart behind Living Beyond the Numbers. They share their personal stories—from Jude launching a financial planning firm with a newborn at home, to Caleb’s journey from public accounting into people-centred planning, and what drives their work with clients today.

Key discussions include:

  • Why values should shape your financial decisions, not just the numbers
  • The early money lessons (and struggles) that shaped Jude and Caleb’s careers
  • How Jude defines success through his relationship with his wife, Karen
  • What “prioritize later” means for your financial and personal well-being
  • The power of integrated planning, mentorship, and intentional conversations
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®: 

Connect with Caleb Arringdale:

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