Should I leave my 401(k) with my old employer, roll it over to a plan my new employer offers, or do something else entirely?

You have three choices for the funds in your old 401(k) plan. The two you mentioned (leaving it where it is or rolling it over to your new employer) and rolling it over to an IRA. The best option for you would depend on several . . . .

Retirement Planning, InvestingJoshua Escalante Troesh, CFPApril 18, 2019Retirement & Legacy, Retirement Planning, Individual Retirement Account, 401(k), 457(a), 403(b), Liability Protection, Building Wealth, Managing WealthComment

How do I find the right financial advisor for me?

Finding the right adviser is difficult but not impossible. You will want to research advisers and then set up appointments with at least three or four of them. An adviser should be a fiduciary, should not be a commissioned. . . .

Life Planning, Investing, Retirement Planning, Tax Planning, Insurance Planning, Estate Planning, Debt ManagementJoshua Escalante Troesh, CFPApril 4, 2019Financial Foundation, Starting Out, Building Wealth, Managing Wealth, Retirement & Legacy, Retirement Planning, Financial Advice, Fiduciary, Fee-Only, Financial Planner

How to Choose Between Weighted Funds

Somehow missed this when it came out, but happy to be quoted in U.S. News & World Report and be able to help investors understand the uses of cap-weighted and equal-weighted funds.

InvestingJoshua Escalante Troesh, CFPApril 2, 2019Quoted, Retirement & Legacy, Retirement Planning, Mutual Funds, Exchange Traded Funds, Building Wealth, Managing Wealth

Why do my husband and I owe so much in taxes every year?

While the specifics of your tax situation can't be determined without reviewing your tax returns, most likely you are just a victim of the marriage penalty. When two high-income people get married . . . .

Life Planning, Tax PlanningJoshua Escalante Troesh, CFPMarch 29, 2019Federal Income Tax, Marriage, Starting Out, Building Wealth, Married Filing Separate, Married Filing Joint

Should we invest in stocks or pay off student loans with money gifted to us from our wedding?

I encourage the two of you not to consider this as an either/or situation, but instead use the money to provide for multiple goals. Focus on multiple goals to help you achieve both financial stability and a happier life . . . .

Retirement Planning, Debt ManagementJoshua Escalante Troesh, CFPMarch 21, 2019403(b), Pension, Starting Out, Marriage, Financial Foundation, Building Wealth, Student Loans, Retirement Planning, Emergency Fund

Should I reduce my 401(k) contributions to save money for a down payment?

I think either of the two options would work well, since you would still be contributing at least 10% to your retirement account (you can count your contribution and your employer's contribution for this benchmark). At your . . . .

Life Planning, Retirement PlanningJoshua Escalante Troesh, CFPFebruary 7, 2019Buying A Home, Starting Out, Building Wealth, 30-year mortgage, 401(k), Retirement Planning, Roth IRA

What is the safest way to earn a higher interest rate on our money than by using our traditional savings account or a money market account?

In order to stay within your "safest" criteria, you would want to stick with an FDIC or NCUA insured account. You can get slightly higher interest rates by shopping around for high-interest savings accounts from online banks and credit unions. Currently (November 2018), rates on savings accounts are….

Life Planning, InvestingJoshua Escalante Troesh, CFPNovember 15, 2018Starting Out, Financial Foundation, Building Wealth, Young Families, Buying A Home, Savings, Certificates of Deposit (CDs), Money Market Funds, Money Market Accounts, High-Yield Savings Accounts

Should I change my asset allocation strategy?

Although I cannot identify a specific asset allocation without doing a lot more analysis and knowing what your current asset allocation is, my general comment are below. You seem to be positioned well for the future. In fact . . . .

Investing, Retirement PlanningJoshua Escalante Troesh, CFPNovember 8, 2018Building Wealth, Managing Wealth, Retirement & Legacy, Retirement Planning, 401(k), Asset Allocation, Investment portfolio

How To Keep The Recent Market Drops From Ruining Your Financial Plan

The end of last week saw a stock market drop which has many spooked and supposed experts have been using words like ‘market crash’, ‘historic drop’, and ‘recession’. Here are the 5 things you should do to keep the market downturn from ruining your financial plan.

Investing, Retirement PlanningJoshua Escalante Troesh, CFPOctober 16, 2018Building Wealth, Managing Wealth, Retirement & Legacy, Retirement Planning, Young Families, Starting Out, Financial Foundation

What are the pros and cons of annuities versus stocks?

Despite what you might hear, there are some very good ‘pros’ in favor of annuities. But, there are also a lot of very big ‘cons’ with buying an annuity. Annuities provide a fixed income until you die, which is very attractive for retirees. With a fixed annuity, the fact the insurance company is taking. . . .

Retirement Planning, InvestingJoshua Escalante Troesh, CFPOctober 4, 2018Building Wealth, Retirement & Legacy, Young Families, Retirement Planning, Annuities, Stock

My wife and I are receiving a large amount of money from employer stock options; how can we lower our tax bill?

Based on your information, the three strategies to begin exploring are maxing out your 401(k) plans, maxing out an HSA if you have access to one, and creating a Donor Advised Fund if you are . . . .