Good Financial Reads: Budgeting, Benjamins, Barometers & Buffett

Following along with the blogs of financial advisors is a great way to access valuable, educational information about finance — and it doesn’t cost you a thing! Our financial planners love to share their knowledge and help everyone regardless of age or assets.

Catch up on some of the latest posts with this week's roundup:

Don't Knock Hourly Planning

by Justin Castelli, RL Wealth Management

My biggest beef with my industry is the underlying theme that only families with wealth need financial advisors; I’m talking real financial advisors–fiduciaries, not salespeople disguised as financial advisors. No financial advisor will admit to this, and they don’t have to, just look at the way the majority of financial advisory firms are structured–an annual management fee based on the amount of assets managed, often combined with a minimum asset level, or fee to be met. By setting minimum levels, individuals looking to get started with their financial planning are excluded and left to fend for themselves.

How are these individuals ever to accumulate the wealth to meet minimum levels if they cannot get the help they need to make good financial decisions? It’s like the old saying, what came first, the chicken, or the egg…except it’s what came first, the wealth, or the advice?

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Let's Talk About Budgeting

by Tony Madsen, NewLeaf Financial Guidance

Budgeting. It’s the dreaded b-word in financial planning. Everyone knows it’s necessary, but most don’t know where to begin. Or worse, they take a stab at it but overcomplicate things and inevitably fall of the bandwagon. So why in the world is setting a budget (and sticking to it) so tricky? Well, a few things come into play that make budging harder.

First, we all lead busy lives. We’re over-connected, work hours are longer than they ever have been, and the ability to access whatever you need online with one “click” is more prevalent than ever. Second, people are less likely to prepare for large expenditures if they’re use to purchasing things immediately and having the instant satisfaction that comes with it. Finally, even if you’re a fiscally responsible individual, life happens. When big things come up, or even just a series of small, unexpected expenditures, it can be tough to stay on track to meet your goals. It takes a lot of patience to create a budget and stick to it. But what if you could make it easier?

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What's your Barometer?

by Tyler Reeves, Plimsoll Financial Planning

Social media is our generation's greatest addiction. 

Not only are we addicted to the mindless minutiae of repeatedly checking our accounts, but we also seem to be increasingly measuring our own happiness by what others are posting on our News Feeds.

I noticed this in my own life a few days ago...

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Six Things I Learned from my Encounter with Warren Buffett

by Ben Wacek, Wacek Financial Planning

Warren Buffett has amassed over $70 billion primarily through investing. Few argue against the fact that the 86 year old is the greatest investor the world has ever seen. I recently had the opportunity to spend an entire day listening to him and absorbing knowledge.  The occasion, Berkshire Hathaway’s shareholder meeting, drawing over 40,000 to CenturyLink Arena in Omaha, Nebraska.  As you can see in the cover photo that I snapped, to say that Buffett is a celebrity at this event would be an understatement.  My dad, brother, and I showed up at 5:45 AM on this Saturday only to find ourselves waiting in a long line for the doors to open an hour later!

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