Budgeting
Joshua Escalante Troesh, CFP
Build a Budget in 15 Minutes

The importance of budgeting is undeniable, but many don’t do it because it is time consuming and difficult. Learn how to build a basic budget in 15 minutes which meets both your financial needs and goals.

Build a Budget in 15 Minutes
Budgeting
Joshua Escalante Troesh, CFP
Your Budget Shouldn’t Control Your Spending

The debate about whether a budget is a necessity or a waste of time often centers on a fundamentally flawed definition of budgeting. The exercise of budgeting shouldn’t be designed to limit you, but to give you the freedom to spend money in the manner you wish to spend it.

Your Budget Shouldn’t Control Your Spending
Budgeting
Joshua Escalante Troesh, CFP
How to Automate Your Finances

There is a lot of talk in the financial media about the benefits of automating your finances. But what exactly does that mean? And how do you go about doing it? Here’s one simple method of automating your finances which ties your budget in with your pay.

How to Automate Your Finances
Budgeting
Joshua Escalante Troesh, CFP
The 15-Minute Basic Budget

The importance of budgeting is undeniable, but many don’t do it because it is time consuming and difficult. Learn how to build a basic budget in 15 minutes which meets both your financial needs and goals.

The 15-Minute Basic Budget
Budgeting
Joshua Escalante Troesh, CFP
The Hidden Risks of Bill Payment Automation

You hear a lot about automating your bills and putting your finances on auto pilot. But not doing it correctly can cause significant problems in your finances and your life. Here's how to automate with care and protect yourself.

The Hidden Risks of Bill Payment Automation

Advocacy

5 Ways The SEC Says "Screw You" to Investors with Regulation Best Interest

5 Ways The SEC Says "Screw You" to Investors with Regulation Best Interest

The recent approval of the SEC’s Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) has killed any hope that financial advisers at Broker/Dealers would finally be required to be fiduciaries for their clients. The SEC went out of its way to create a regulation that would confuse consumers into thinking they have legal protections, when they don’t.

5th Circuit Agrees: Stock Brokers & Insurance Agents Just Salespeople

5th Circuit Agrees: Stock Brokers & Insurance Agents Just Salespeople

The Stock Brokerage and Insurance Industries are fighting hard against the Department of Labor's Fiduciary Rule, which would require their advisers to put their client's interests first and disclose conflicts of interest. The industries got the 5th Circuit Court to agree that, unlike Registered Investment Advisers, stock brokers and insurnce agent are just salespeople

What the Broker Protocol Exits Mean for Investors

What the Broker Protocol Exits Mean for Investors

Investors may mistakenly think Morgan Stanley and UBS leaving the Broker Protocol agreement only impacts stock brokers and their employers. The SEC, however, identified the Broker Protocol as an important agreement for both customer choice and privacy.

SEC Data Breach a Bigger Deal for Investors than Consumers

SEC Data Breach a Bigger Deal for Investors than Consumers

Consumers shouldn't worry about the most recent SEC security breach, as the information hackers got did not include private personal data. The hack does, however, point out a risk to investors and a special risk future government agency breaches could pose to consumers.

How To Opt Out of Equifax's Arbitration Agreement

How To Opt Out of Equifax's Arbitration Agreement

Equifax's offer to provide one-year of free credit monitoring service comes with an arbitration clause which waives your legal right to sue Equifax. Here is how to opt-out of the arbitration clause and preserve your rights to sue Equifax or join a class-action lawsuit.

Is Your Financial Adviser Infested with BICE?

Is Your Financial Adviser Infested with BICE?

The DOL Fiduciary rule is now in force, but there is a loophole for commissioned advisers which can allow them to maintain their current compensation model. Make sure you understand the Best Interest Contract Exemption and the implications it has on potential conflicts of interest which could influence the investment advice you recieve. 

Do You Know How Your Advisor is Licensed

Do You Know How Your Advisor is Licensed

Between the wide range of meaningless job titles and the alphabet soup of certifications and designations, it's easy for an advisor to hide how they truly do business. One thing an adviser can't hide, however, is how they're licensed. Knowing the license will tell you what they can advise on, how they are compensated, and whether they are fiduciaries.