Freedman Financial

10/16/2026

Getting a tax refund feels great. Writing a check to the IRS? Not so much.

But here's the thing: neither one necessarily means your taxes were done "right" or "wrong."

In this week's Dollars & Sense podcast, Marc and Christian tackle one of the most common tax misconceptions and explain how tax withholding works behind the scenes. They discuss why a refund is often just the return of money you've already paid throughout the year, why owing taxes isn't automatically a bad thing, and how the tax system functions as a built-in checks-and-balances process.

If you've ever wondered why you got a refund, why you owed money, or where all of those numbers on your tax return actually come from, this episode is worth a listen.

Check out more podcasts on:
🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com//videos
🫘 PodBean: https://freedmanfinancial.podbean.com/
🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/.../freedmanfinancial/id605811046

10/13/2026

Another Topsfield Fair is in the books! 🎡

As we swipe through our camera rolls, it's hard to miss that the best part of the Fair is always the people.

We love the chance to catch up with people we only see once a year, watch families return each year to continue their traditions, and spend time alongside the volunteers who make it all possible. Being part of those moments, and a small part of so many Fair traditions, is what makes these 11 days so special.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by, shared a meal with us, volunteered, or simply said hello. We're grateful to have been part of another memorable Fair and look forward to doing it all again next year!

10/10/2026

Only two days left at the Topsfield Fair, and today's weather has us thinking about one thing: Matzoh Ball Soup. 🍲

When there's a little chill in the air, nothing hits the spot quite like a bowl of homemade comfort food.

Over the course of the Fair, we'll make more than 80 gallons of our homemade Matzoh Ball Soup, and for good reason. It's warm, comforting, and has been helping fairgoers take the edge off brisk October days for years.

The Fair ends October 12. If a bowl of Matzoh Ball Soup is part of your fair tradition, there's still time! Come visit the Bnai Brith Booth today!

10/09/2026

Only three days left to enjoy the Topsfield Fair! 🎡🌭 Have you had your go-to fair food yet?

Maybe it's deep-fried Oreos. Maybe it's a giant turkey leg. Or maybe you're one of the many people who makes a beeline for the B’Nai B’rith Booth every year for one of our menu staples: the Chili Dog with Cheese.

This crowd-pleaser features a ¼ lb. all-beef Hebrew National hot dog, topped with hearty chili and plenty of cheese.

Simple. Messy. Delicious.

And if you haven't had your go-to fair food yet, you've got three days to fix that.

10/08/2026

Roth conversions seem to be everywhere these days.

A neighbor mentions one. A friend read about one. Before long, you're wondering whether it's something you should be doing too.

In this week's Dollars & Sense podcast, Marc and Christian take a closer look at one of the most common questions they're hearing from clients: What exactly is a Roth conversion, and when does it make sense?

They break down the differences between traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, and 401(k)s, explain the tax implications in plain English, and discuss why a Roth conversion can be a powerful tool in some situations but not the right fit in others.

Because good financial planning isn't about following the latest trend. It's about understanding your options and making the decision that's right for you.

Watch the full episode below, or:

🎧 Listen on Podbean: https://freedmanfinancial.podbean.com/

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/freedmanfinancial/id605811046

10/07/2026

Day 5 of the Topsfield Fair! Today's Bnai Brith Booth spotlight: The Oy Vey Sandwich.

If you've spent any time at the Topsfield Fair, you've probably heard it, and we mean literally. When someone places an Oy vey Sandwich order and it leaves the kitchen, and the entire crew shouts: "OY VEY!"

It's become a tradition almost as famous as the sandwich itself. And once you see what's on it, you'll understand why.

Hot brisket. Hot pastrami. A crispy potato latke. Beef chili. All piled onto a bulkie roll and a pickle spear on the side.

Somewhere along the way, what started as a mashup of favorite menu items became one of the most talked-about sandwiches at the Fair. These days, it's a must-have for many fairgoers and a staple of the B’Nai B’rith Booth.

Be ready to roll up your sleeves, grab the sandwich with both hands, and dive in. As the photos show, this is not a sandwich for the timid.

Check out the fair map here to find the B'nai B'rith Booth, and come hungry: https://www.topsfieldfair.org/explore/map/ 🗺️

10/06/2026

Today’s Bnai Brith Booth creation comes with an important question: sour cream or applesauce?

We’ll serve 6,000 golden potato pancakes during the Topsfield Fair, five to an order.

Crispy around the edges. Warm in the middle. And technically made from a vegetable, if that helps.

Find us on the Topsfield Fair map: https://www.topsfieldfair.org/explore/map/ 🗺️

Stop by and settle the topping debate for yourself.

10/05/2026

If you haven’t heard by now, our team is at the Topsfield Fair serving up some Jewish comfort food favorites now through October 12. Every day this week, we’re featuring a different creation from the B’Nai B’rith Booth. Think of it as a guided tour, only with more pastrami.

First on our list: the meat knish.

We order 700 fist-sized knishes from Mamaleh’s Delicatessen in Cambridge. Each one is filled with pastrami, corned beef, potatoes, and caramelized onions, then wrapped in savory dough.

Is it a snack? Technically. Will you need both hands? Most definitely.

Find the B’Nai B’rith Booth on the Topsfield Fair map: https://www.topsfieldfair.org/explore/map/ 🗺️

Tomorrow, we’ll give you another reason to come to the fair hungry.

10/03/2026

Day two of the Topsfield Fair. Let’s eat...lots and lots of hotdogs! 🌭

The Topsfield Fair is underway, and today’s menu includes a little friendly competition.

Join us at the Trianon Stage at 3:00 PM for the ¼ lb. All-Beef Hebrew National Hot Dog Eating Contest. Come cheer on the contestants, then stop by the Bnai Brith Booth, order your favorite sandwich, and say hello!

🗺️ Find your way around the Fair (and most importantly, to us): https://www.topsfieldfair.org/explore/map/

Fair warning: watching people eat hot dogs may make you want a hot dog.

How Many 1/4lb ALL BEEF HEBREW NATIONAL HOT DOGS CAN YOU EAT???
Join us Saturday, October 4, 3pm at the Trianon Stage. 7 minutes to eat as many as you can. The record is 13!!!

10/01/2026

It wouldn’t be fall on the North Shore without the Topsfield Fair kicking off this weekend!

In this week’s Dollars & Sense, Marc and Marion talk about this year’s Fair, where Freedman Financial is proud to be a sponsor. They share a few of their favorite things their looking forward to, and share some must-dos to do during your visit.

They also shift gears to cover an important topic for older adults: transportation. As they explore alternative ways to stay mobile and connected, Marc and Marion share practical tips for navigating transportation safely and confidently as we age.

Check out more podcasts on:
🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com//videos
🫘 PodBean: https://freedmanfinancial.podbean.com/
🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/freedmanfinancial/id605811046