Blog
Here you'll find:
1. The latest on what you need to know about the economy and the markets.
2. Our monthly newsletter "The Rundown" with everything you need to know for the month ahead.
3. Tips and tricks from our team to help you level up your personal finances.
Schedule A Meeting if you wish to discuss anything written by our team!
Step Six: Manage Risks | Alex's Guide To Building Generational Wealth
After you develop your Savings Plan, the next step toward building generational wealth is to manage your risks. For those that have every played sports, we constantly hear the cliche, “Defense wins championships.” While...
Read MoreCredit Cards, High Interest Rates & Stress – OH MY!
Credit Card debt is at an all-time high, going over $1 Trillion for the first time in history. The average rate for a credit card during the pandemic was 14.39%. Currently, the average rate has skyrocketed to over 22%! The scariest...
Read MoreEmbracing Non-Attachment: The Key to Achieving Your 2023 Business Goals
Hi, my name is Tori Sierra and I'm a financial advisor who helps female business owners of color save money in taxes, maximize their after tax income, and save for their future selves. I'm also a yoga teacher and, today, I'm bringing...
Read MoreThe Rundown
We cover the top news headline you need to know, share what our advisors have been up to in the wild, a webinar replay for "How To Save Money In Taxes For Biz Owners", & share Alex's Sept Four in his Guide To Building Generational Wealth!
Read MoreStep Five: Create A Savings Plan | Alex's Guide To Building Generational Wealth
Once you’ve completed Step 4 and determined your financial goals, it’s time to put the Savings Plan in place that will make those goals a reality. This is the process of working backwards from your goals to what action you should take toda
Read MoreShow All
The Rundown
In The Rundown for August, we share:🔅 The TOP Market Related News Headline🔅Our Advisors In The Wild 🔅A Video To Find Unclaimed Property In CA 🔅 Tori's New Blog Post: "Embracing Change As A Business Owner"🔅The Hidden Cost of Getting Sic
Read MoreThe Hidden Cost: How Being Sick Can Impact Your Financial Plan
When we fall ill, our primary concern is naturally our physical well-being. However, there is an often-overlooked aspect of illness that can have a profound impact on our lives: our financial plan. From medical expenses and lost income...
Read MoreStep Four: Clarify Financial Goals | Alex's Guide To Building Generational Wealth
Step 4 begins what I consider the fun part of the generational wealth building process. This is where your goals, values, and dreams come into play. This is where you begin to shape the type of life and type of impact you want to have....
Read MoreThe Rundown
In The Rundown for July, we share:🔅 The TOP Market Related News Headline🔅An Intro To Brandon's New Role 🔅A Guide To Unclaimed Property In California 🔅 A New Podcast Episode: "Embracing Change As A Business Owner"🔅Brandon's Video On Ups
Read MoreDiscovering California Unclaimed Property: A Guide to Reclaim What's Yours
California Unclaimed Property, a lesser-known topic among residents, holds a hidden treasure trove of forgotten assets waiting to be claimed. From dormant bank accounts and uncollected insurance policies to abandoned safe deposit boxes...
Read MoreThe Rundown
The June 2023 issue of The Rundown is out now! 📰 This Month's TOP Headline You Need To Know 💳 The Upside-Down Car Loans Dilemma 🔥 Reframe With Tori 📚 Step Three: Eliminate Bad Debt | Alex's Guide To Building Generational Wealth
Read MoreStep Three: Eliminate Bad Debt | Alex's Guide To Building Generational Wealth
Debt is not a bad thing. Sometimes debt gets a bad rap, but in reality, almost everyone has some form of debt. In fact, sometimes taking on debt is necessary to keep your financial journey moving. Yes, sometimes debt can become an...
Read MoreThe Upside-Down Car Loans Dilemma: Navigating the Pitfalls
When it comes to buying a car, many of us rely on auto loans to make the purchase more affordable. However, sometimes these loans can turn sour, leaving us in a situation commonly referred to as an "upside-down car loan." Business...
Read MoreCredit Card Balance Transfers - The Pros and Cons
As our team has been working with our clients, we've noticed that more and more people are carrying a credit card balance. This inspired me to look into why we were seeing this type of financial behavior and what solutions we...
Read MoreThe Rundown
The May 2023 issue of The Rundown is out now! 📰 This Month's TOP Headline You Need To Know 💳 Credit Card Balance Transfer: Pros & Cons 🔥 Reframe With Tori 📚 Step Two: Emergency Fund | Alex's Guide To Building Generational Wealth
Read MoreThe Debt Ceiling and Your Portfolio
• The debt ceiling has been reached, and the clock is ticking before the U.S. will miss payments on its obligations.• Market fluctuations will likely worsen as political brinkmanship could last until the last second.•...
Read MoreStep Two: Emergency Fund | Alex’s Guide to Building Generational Wealth
An Emergency Fund is simply a pool of money set aside for unexpected emergencies. Once you have stabilized and your monthly net cash flow is consistently positive, your first goal should be to establish an Emergency Fund. When it comes...
Read MoreThe Rundown
We break down the top news headline and why it matters to you, share what you need to know about your credit card statement, share this month's Hot Take, and reveal the first step in Alex's Step By Step Guide To Building Generational Wealth
Read MoreHow To Read Your Credit Card Statement
If you are someone who frequently uses a credit card to make purchases, you must be familiar with the monthly credit card statements that show up in your mailbox or inbox. While it may be tempting to ignore these statements or give...
Read MoreFrom Opening Bell to Opening Day
There is a new season of baseball on deck and a fresh commentary from Cetera Investment Management. “From Opening Bell to Opening Day” examines America’s national pastime and its similarities with investing and markets. No curveballs in thi
Read MoreStep One: Stabilize | Alex’s Guide To Building Generational Wealth
Stabilizing is simply the art of balancing your personal cash flow statement. For many, this first step toward building generational wealth will be the most challenging. Stabilizing can take lots of discipline, lots of time, and might...
Read MoreThe Rundown
We share the most significant headline of the month, Brandon's video on 3 Credit Cards You Need, Tori's Hot Take On Tax Refunds, and an introduction to Alex's Step-By-Step Guide For Building Generational Wealth
Read MoreIntroduction | Alex’s Guide To Building Generational Wealth
Were you born into a rich family or a poor one? The one thing every human has in common is that they have no control over which family they are born into. This should a uniting factor. In reality, humans still tend to make judgments...
Read MoreWhat Are High-Yield Savings Accounts?
As the Federal Reserve (Fed) looks to increase interest rates for the time being, High-Yield Savings Accounts (HYSA) can add value to cash you have on the sidelines for emergencies or other financial goals. For those who don’t...
Read MoreThe Rundown
We share the TOP news headline you need to know going into this month, deets on the SECURE Act 2.0 via video and blog, our HOT TIP for February to get the most from your credit cards, and we introduce the newest member of our team, Max!
Read More7 Ways the SECURE Act 2.0 Will Impact You
Did you know a large new bill was signed into law in December, 2022? The Secure Act 2.0 went somewhat under the radar, but its impact on retirement plans and personal finances will surely be felt for years to come. In this blog post, I...
Read MoreWhat’s In Brandon’s Wallet?
In my last blog post, I broke down the different kinds of cards you should have in your wallet. In this post, I will go through the cards that are in my own wallet. Hopefully this provides you with an example of what a diversified...
Read More3 Types Of Credit Cards You Should Have In Your Wallet
As the new year has started, many family members and friends I’ve spoken with have a common new year’s resolution theme: to maximize whatever they do. This can be in the form of maximizing time throughout their day,...
Read MoreThe Rundown
To kick off this fresh new year, we breakdown market headlines and why they matter, we cover "5 Reasons To Start An HSA", share this month's HOT TIP, and share our "2022 Wrapped"!
Read MoreCetera's 2023 Market Outlook: Low Expectations Are Easier to Beat
Cetera Investment Management is pleased to release its annual Market Outlook for 2023 titled, "Low Expectations Are Easier to Beat." In this outlook, they discuss while they expect volatility to remain in both stocks and bonds, stocks have
Read MoreThe Rundown
December's Rundown breaks down news headlines you need to know, Brandon shares "5 Tips To Help You Save Money While Traveling", we share books written by our incredible clients, and share this month's hot tip regarding the market & midterms
Read More5 Tips to Help You Save Money When Traveling
Since COVID restrictions have been easing this year, I’ve started traveling more. As I mentioned in my last blog post, I treated my whole family of 5 to a week long vacation in Maui, Hawaii. I showed how I used credit cards to...
Read MoreThe Rundown
In The Rundown for November, we cover market headlines you need to know, Tori highlights the similarities between wedding vows & investing, Brandon shares how he took his family of 5 to Maui using credit cards rewards, and we share photos f
Read MoreWe Got Married!
It's official! Alex and I got married on Saturday, October 1st in Cambria, California, along the coast of San Luis Obispo, surrounded by our closest family and friends. On October 3rd, we headed out for our honeymoon in Italy! We went...
Read MoreHow I Took My Family Of 5 To Maui Using Credit Card Rewards
This past September I treated my whole family (my parents and my two younger brothers) to a weeklong vacation to Hawaii. We went to the island of Maui and had a relaxing time. As many of you might now, a weeklong stay in Maui is not...
Read MoreWeekly Recap | October 24, 2022
Weekly RecapOctober 17-21, 2022 RecapInvestor Optimism GrowsStocks ReboundCorporate earnings and comments from Federal Reserve officials were the focus last week. Thus far, just over 20% of the S&P 500 companies have released earnings...
Read MoreQ4 Market Outlook | Is the Fed Fighting the Ghost of Inflation?
Cetera Investment Management has released its 2022 Fourth Quarter Outlook. In this outlook, they discuss how the Fed’s commitment to fight inflation at the cost of economic growth and the labor market. The risk of recession...
Read MoreThe Rundown
In The Rundown for September, we cover market headlines you need to know, share a new Teacher Talk with Tori video, Brandon shares valuable insight on the value of money, and Alex gives us the bottom line when it comes to the recent student
Read MoreStudent Loan Forgiveness: The Bottom Line
By now, you've probably heard the announcement. After promising student loan forgiveness in his 2019 campaign, Biden finally announced his administration's plan. While some argue that the plan does not go far enough, others...
Read MoreThe Rundown
In our August Rundown, we break down market headlines you need to know, share the new way to prepare for long-term care in Alex's latest Wealth & Wellness video, review the pros and cons of credit card balance transfers, share three ways in
Read MoreHow Much Is My Dollar Worth Tomorrow?
As we sit down with our clients to help achieve their financial goals, our goal as advisors is to help educate them in the big world of finance. One idea or subject that is somewhat hard for people to grasp is Time Value of Money,...
Read MoreHow Do You Pay Your Financial Advisor?
Do you know how you pay your financial advisor? Surprisingly, many people do not know the answer to this question. The financial services industry is complicated and there is no single standard method for financial advisors to charge....
Read MoreCredit Card Balance Transfers - The Pros and Cons
As our team has been working with our clients, we've noticed that more and more people are carrying a credit card balance. This inspired me to look into why we were seeing this type of financial behavior and what solutions we...
Read MoreThe Rundown
We break down market headlines, share how to maximize your 401(k), identify the pros and cons of paying off your mortgage, demystify crypto, and share this month's hot tip!
Read MoreInvestors Sell Stocks and Bonds Before Fed Meeting
• Market sell-off continues as investors sell both stocks and bonds.• Fed comments after their meeting this week are very important for market direction.• Given negative market sentiment, room for positive surprises...
Read MoreShould I Pay Off My Mortgage?
Wouldn't it be nice to pay off your mortgage? Emotionally, the answer is probably yes. If we take a look at the numbers, however, it might not be as nice as it seems. One of the most common questions we get from our clients, especially...
Read More5 Tactics to Maximize Your 401(k)
The 401(k) is one of the most well known investment accounts geared towards saving for retirement. In our experience as advisors, we’ve seen many clients utilize this account, but fail to to truly maximize their investments. In...
Read MoreThe Rundown
In this month's Rundown, we cover market headlines you need to know, break down the two main types of life insurance, share guidelines for when you can retire, provide three takeaways from Cetera's market commentary, and share this month's
Read MoreWeekly Recap | May 23, 2022
Weekly RecapMay 16-20, 2022 RecapStocks Formally Avert Bear MarketS&P 500 Declines a Seventh WeekThe S&P 500 closed fractionally higher last Friday, rebounding from an earlier intra-day low that was momentarily down more than 20% from...
Read MorePotential Clues to Spotting a Market Bottom
Markets are in a deep correction and investors are looking for clues about when this decline will end. While forecasting the exact bottom is a fool’s errand, there are clues to look for.
Read More"When Can I Retire?"
Finding the right time to retire depends on your work benefits, your health, your retirement goals and a number of other factors. While there is no one size fits all approach when it comes to retirement planning, there are some general guid
Read MoreThe Rundown
In May's edition of The Rundown, we cover headlines you need to know, share a new video called "When Can I Retire?", invite you to listen in on a conversation with economist and comedian Ben Stein, share "5 Things To Do With My Tax Refund"
Read More5 Things To Do With Your Tax Refund
As a majority of Americans finished filing their taxes this past April 18th, the IRS is refunding millions of dollars back to everyone who’ve filed and have paid more than what they needed to. Essential, the money you may be...
Read MoreThe Rundown
🌷Happy April! 🌷 📝In this month's issue of The Rundown, we cover: 🗝️ The second quarter economic outlook for 2022, 🗝️ The two simple ways you can choose to work with our team, 🗝️ The benefits & risks of "Buy Now, Pay Later", 🗝️ Th
Read MoreThe Benefits & Risks of "Buy Now, Pay Later"
The concept of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) is nothing new. To the older generation, BNPL is essentially what they called the “installment plan” or “layaway plan” with a modern twist. Think of the infomercials on...
Read More3 Tips To Bring Mindfulness To Your Money
According to a study, published by Capital One and The Decision Lab, 77% of participants reported feeling anxious about their financial situation. In our new YouTube series called “MINDFUL MONEY” , I share tips on how to...
Read MoreHow Will Rising Interest Rates Impact You?
In the last 2 years, we faced an unexpected pandemic that temporarily caused us to shut down our economy, we've seen dramatic increases in inflation, and now we are witnessing Russia's assault on Ukraine and democracy as a whole.
Read MoreWhich IRA Makes The Most Sense For You?
Saving your hard-earned money into an individual retirement account (IRA) can help tremendously in saving for your retirement. Data from the Congressional Research Service Department reveals that in 2019, about 25% of U.S. households owned
Read MoreThe Rundown
We give you a monthly rundown on the latest market headlines, important financial tips, and strategies to set you up for a successful month!
Read MoreWhy You Should Consider Including Municipal Bonds In Your Portfolio
With the tax return deadline approaching, taxes are certainly top of mind for many investors. One of the most common goals that I hear from my clients is to save money on taxes. So, what are some methods to do this? A quick way to lower you
Read MoreWhere Are Your Tax Dollars Going?
Taxes; you can’t get away from them, and everyone will pay them one way or another. Taxes are something we have always heard about, but if I were to ask you what they were and what they were used for, would you know? Well, taxes...
Read MoreTori & Alex's February 2022 Newsletter
In our February newsletter, we review the latest market headlines, debut our latest "Teacher Talk With Tori" video and Brandon's newest blog post on budgeting, and share this month's hot tip!
Read MoreHow Do I Distinguish Between Wants Vs. Needs?
Within the topic of personal finance, budgeting is the foundation. From our experience, many people have a hard time differentiating between what a need is and what a want is when allocating money towards various things in life. Though it c
Read MoreTori & Alex's January 2022 Newsletter
In our first newsletter in 2022, we break down news headlines and why they matter to your portfolio, Alex shares a blog post about why he got his CFP designation and what that means for our clients, Brandon debunks 5 credit card myths, and
Read MoreWhat Is A CFP® Professional?
My Personal Journey Ever since I became a financial adviser in 2016, getting my Certified Financial Planner® designation has been an important goal. The Certified Financial Planner® designation represents the highest level of...
Read More5 Credit Card and Credit Score Myths & Their Truths
There are a lot of myths that circulate around credit cards and credit scores which have caused confusion among some people. In this blog post, we will cover 5 of the more common myths we hear revolving around credit cards and credit scores
Read MoreOur December 2021 Newsletter!
In this month’s newsletter, we break down news headlines, including market implications of the Omicron variant, Alex covers HSAs, & Brandon shares 5 financial gifts that will make a difference in the future to get you ready for the holidays
Read More5 Financial Gifts That Will Make a Difference in the Future
With supply chains being hit hard by Southern California’s backlog of ships, we might have trouble getting the latest and greatest toys, tech, or jewelry this holiday season. This predicament, coupled with rising inflation, may...
Read More5 Reasons To Start An HSA
For many people, healthcare is one of the largest necessary expenses every year. There are all sorts of health insurance plans ranging from low premium plans with high deductibles to high premium plans with low deductibles. Regardless...
Read MoreTips on TIPS (Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities)
Over the last several months, inflation has become a hot topic for good reason. We are seeing substantial levels of inflation for the first time in almost 15 years. While it is concerning to see the increasing prices of daily...
Read MoreOur November Newsletter!
In this month’s newsletter, we break down news headlines, Brandon shares "5 Websites That Can Help You Save Money", I share what I celebrate most about my heritage, and more!
Read More5 Websites That Can Help You Save Money
With the holiday season coming up, everyone is trying to save a bit of money when buying gifts for someone they love or even for themselves. Below are 5 websites that I use to help me save money doing everyday shopping. Rakuten...
Read MoreOur October Newsletter!
We review market headlines, share a couple blog posts by Brandon, a webinar on our Adviceworks client portal, some market updates/commentaries, and more!
Read MoreThe Value Of Time: How Many Hours Did That Cost?
Back in college, when money was scarce for a broke college student, every penny counted. I worked a full-time job at a local restaurant while also being a full-time student. I found different ways to make my dollars stretch, but also...
Read MoreWill I Get Social Security When I Retire?
As an advisor, I get the question all the time: “Will Social Security still be around when I retire?”. This is especially concerning for millennials and younger generations who have heard their whole lives that the Social...
Read More4 Credit Cards Tips to Make Your Life Easier
As someone who loves to play the long-term credit card game, I've found ways to maximize the value of my credit cards and make life a bit easier. This can be challenging when dealing with something that most Americans find daunting....
Read MoreOur September Newsletter (And A Big Announcement!)
HAPPY SEPTEMBER! In this month's newsletter, we celebrate something BIG, break down recent market headlines, review the Senate's budget framework, share Alex's latest blog post & YouTube video, invite you to a Cetera 'IN THE ROOM' event, &
Read MoreLong Term Care: 7 Things You Need to Know
What is Long Term Care? Long Term Care is a specific type of healthcare designed to meet a person’s health or personal needs over either a short or long period of time. Typically, one will require Long Term Care if they can no...
Read More5 Financial Scams To Look Out For
From phone calls informing you that your car’s insurance is expired to emails from foreign princes asking for money, there are an abundance of financial scams out there that take advantage of millions of Americans. Last September...
Read More5 Ideas For Retirees To Make Some Extra Cash
In last month's blog post, I listed 5 ways college students can make money during their college/university career. In this article, I introduce how to make some extra cash during retirement for retirees. With 2020 affecting Americans...
Read MoreIs Inflation Back? What You Need To Know
Over the coming months, there will likely be many headlines about inflation that add to the noise. We hope this blog article cuts through the noise and provides some education and context around the inflation conversation.
Read More5 Flexible Ways for College Students to Make Money
With millions of students graduating high school over these next couple of months, there will be many people continuing on to higher education, whether that be a community college, trade school, or university. Of those people, many...
Read MoreWhat Services/Goods Are Worth Paying More For?
If you have been following our blog for a while, you probably know that we are always on the hunt for a good deal. There's nothing wrong with a good deal, but SOMETIMES that way of thinking can leave you in a bit of trouble. We believe...
Read MoreWhat Is Diversification?
Diversification is the act of investing in a variety of different areas in order to reduce the overall risk of your portfolio.1 Essentially, it takes the age old saying of "Don't put all of your eggs into one basket," and applies that...
Read MoreKey Differences Between an IRA & a 401(k)
An IRA, which is short for "Individual Retirement Account", is an account that you can save money into for your retirement. A 401(k) is also an account that you save money into for your retirement, but is sponsored by your employer,...
Read More5 Ways To (Legally) Beat Credit Card Companies At Their Own Game
Think of a credit card company like a casino. Your goal when playing their games are to make money. There’s the saying “the house always wins”. That is only the case if you let them win. In this blog post, we will...
Read More7 Retirement Terms All California Teachers Should Know
Our team of advisors has over a decade of experience working with teachers. Every year we help several of our clients comfortably retire from teaching. One of the main ways we help our clients is by educating them on how their benefits...
Read MoreCar Leasing 101: What You Need To Know
What is a car lease? As simple as it is, a car lease is the financing of a car’s depreciation. Unless you took an accounting course back in high school or college, you are probably wondering what depreciation is. Depreciation is...
Read MoreTEACHER TALK WITH TORI: "What Is My CalSTRS DBS?"
In this episode, I explain the basics of the California State Teacher's Retirement System's (CalSTRS) Defined Benefit Supplement, or "DBS". *What is it?*Will you have a benefit from the DBS?*What role will it play in your...
Read MoreDates You Need To Know For 2021
The start of the New Year gives us a moment to reflect on the previous year and plan for the new one. As we put together our calendars for the new year, there are some important dates to remember. Below is a breakdown by month of dates...
Read More5 Financial Goals for the 2021 New Year
As we prepare to start the New Year, now is a great time to join in on the tradition of New Year’s “resolutions.” 2020 was an unprecedented year with Covid-19 that really opened our eyes to the important things in...
Read MoreWhat Kind Of Relationship Do You Want With Your Financial Advisor?
What kind of relationship do you want with your advisor? To answer this question, you should first ask yourself if you're a... 1. "Do It Yourself-er" 2. "Collaborator" 3. "Delegator"...
Read More“Discipline Equals Freedom”
“Discipline Equals Freedom” Off the bat, from the title of this blog, you are probably thinking how does discipline equal freedom? They are a complete dichotomy of each other. However, without one, you can’t have the...
Read MoreInvesting 101 Episode 4: "What Is Dollar Cost Averaging?"
As investors, how do we invest with confidence when there is so much uncertainty and volatility? Stick to common investment strategies, such as "dollar cost averaging".
Read More5 Tips & Tricks to Save Up to $100/Month
5 Tips & Tricks to Save Up to $100/Month Saving money each month doesn’t have to feel like an uphill battle. Our assistant, Brandon, is passionate about personal finance and saving money in small ways that have a HUGE impact....
Read More12 Activities To Keep You Healthy During Quarantine
12 Activities To Keep You Healthy During Quarantine As financial advisors, one of our main goals is to help clients alleviate the stress in their lives. The primary way we do this is by addressing financial stress. We do this by...
Read MoreTEACHER TALK WITH TORI Episode 2: "What Is A 403(b) & What Are My Options?"
For Our Teachers: Navigating the world of 403(b)s can be complicated, especially if you're a teacher just trying to navigate your new reality of a virtual classroom for your students. If you're in the same boat as many overwhelmed and...
Read MoreInvesting 101 With Alex Episode 3: "Modern Portfolio Theory"
INVESTING 101 WITH ALEX In Episode 3 of Investing 101, Alex discusses how to construct an investment portfolio based on "Modern Portfolio Theory". "Modern Portfolio Theory" is a mathematical framework investors and advisors use to...
Read MoreWhat Does The 2020 Election Mean For Your Portfolio?
"The 2020 Election and Your Portfolio". With 2020’s overabundance of explosive headlines, including a pandemic, an economic recession, and civil unrest, the 2020 Election has been somewhat overlooked until recent weeks. The election...
Read MoreTEACHER TALK WITH TORI Episode 1: "What is CalSTRS?"
Introducing our new series, "Teacher Talk With Tori"! Okay I've been very excited to launch this new series because it was made SPECIFICALLY for California public school teachers. My mom is a 3rd grade teacher and I know how much of...
Read MoreInvesting 101 Episode 2: "What Type of Investment Vehicles Make The Most Sense For Me?"
Hi everyone! In our second episode of our "Investing 101" series, Alex covers different types of investment vehicles available to investors on the market. If you have questions on which vehicle(s) might make the most sense for you,...
Read MoreWhat Is The State of Real Estate In 2020?
Is now a good time to buy a house? Is now a good time to sell? What about commercial real estate? Lately, we have been getting a lot of questions about the real estate market. Like the stock market, the real estate market is governed by...
Read MoreInvesting 101 Episode 1: "What Type Of Investment Vehicles Make The Most Sense For Me?"
Hi everyone! This is our first episode of our series called "Investing 101" where we spend a few minutes on a variety of topics involving investing. We will star off with a few videos on the basics and then go into some more advanced...
Read MoreMeet Our Assistant, Brandon!
Hi everyone! Rounding out our "Get To Know" video blog series is licensed sales assistant (and backbone of our team), Brandon Chhan! Brandon has been with Cetera Investors for just under 3 years and is the hardest worker we know. We...
Read MoreQ&A Episode 5: "What Is Regulation Best Interest & Why Does It Matter?"
Hi everyone! In today's Q&A, we address the new and important regulation established by the SEC called "Regulation Best Interest". This new regulation aims to improve consumer confidence in their advisor. We answer questions on "Reg...
Read MoreRegulation Best Interest and the Fiduciary Advisor
When working with a trusted financial advisor, you probably assume that they are giving advice in your best interest. But, how can you be sure? What is Regulation Best Interest? On June 30th, 2020, the Securities and Exchange...
Read More5 Factors That Influence Your Credit Score
What are the biggest factors that influence your credit score? You've likely heard the term “FICO score”. This is one of the most popular types of credit scores that lenders use to decide if and how much credit to offer....
Read MoreQ&A Episode 4: "California Teacher Pension Basics"
For this week's Q&A, we discuss the basics of the California Teacher's Pension! We discuss: What is the CalSTRS pension? What are the different pension formulas and which one applies to me? What are the factors that determine my...
Read MoreMeet Financial Advisor, Alex Sierra!
Hey everyone! Next up in our "Get To Know" series is a short introduction to financial adviser, Alex Sierra. Alex loves helping his clients develop sophisticated financial strategies designed meet their goals. Learn a bit more about...
Read MoreQ&A Episode 3: "What Is Socially Responsible Investing"
Hi everyone! In today's episode, we discuss one of my favorite topics: Socially Conscious Investing. We discuss these 4 questions: What is Socially Responsible Investing and why is everyone talking about it? How has Socially...
Read MoreBuilding Credit and Improving Credit History
In our last blog post about credit, we discussed the basics of credit, the different types of credit, and why credit is important. Next, we will review how to build credit and how to take where you are now and improve upon it. Building...
Read MoreMeet Financial Advisor, Tori Gutierrez!
Welcome to the very first of many VIDEO blogs! First up in our video blog series is an introduction to our team! Up first is "Get To Know: Tori". Tori has been a financial adviser for seven years and loves her clients very much. Learn...
Read MoreQ&A Episode 1: "Our First Q&A"
We are answering YOUR questions every Friday! This was our first Q&A, which is 30 minutes on savings, long term care, and Alex's most recent blog post. Future Q&As will be 10 minutes! Send us your questions and we will try to answer...
Read MoreCoronavirus and the Consolidation of Power
What Happened We all remember when news of the coronavirus hit and it became apparent that many businesses were going to have make significant cuts or shut down. We all remember getting the “Stay At Home” orders from the...
Read MoreCredit Basics 101
What is Credit? According to Experian, "Credit is the ability to borrow money or access to goods or services with the understanding that you’ll pay later." People use credit to buy almost everything, including food, clothing,...
Read MoreAlex's Take on the Current Market Environment
Amid the Coronavirus pandemic, we are facing more uncertainty than ever before. Many are concerned about their health, their loved ones, their jobs, and their ability to pay the bills. Many are also uncertain about the economy and how...
Read MoreWhat is a Good "Plan of Action" for My Stimulus Check?
The answer to this question depends on your specific situation, but here are a few ideas that would have the biggest impact on your financial well-being: Pay your bills. This one might sound obvious, but if you have fixed inflexible...
Read MoreOur Holiday Party!
Alex and I had so much fun at our client appreciation holiday party on Saturday! It's really nice to see clients outside of a meeting. We had a chance to relax and enjoying each other's company, delicious food, and drinks. But I think...
Read More