Build a Better Financial Future

With Financial Advice Tailored to Generation X !

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COVID-19 Update: We have not experienced any disruption to our firm. We remain committed to providing the highest level of service to our clients and remain available to potential clients who are interested in working with our firm. You can schedule a phone call or virtual meeting below:

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Empowering You to Reach Your Financial Dreams

Build a Better Financial Future, LLC was created with the mindset that people are unique and require individual attention. I will work with you to understand your individual situation and develop a customized plan that suits your individual needs and goals.

Whether you need retirement planning, debt management help or planning to save for a home, college education, or a vacation (yes, you’re allowed to take a vacation and you should budget for these too!), or any other goal in your life, you should have a written plan with specific numbers and dates as to when you want to achieve these by.

That’s where I come in. I’m here to listen to your goals and aspirations and work with you to make a plan to help you get there. I also have to have the courage to tell you if you’re steering off course, but I’ll be gentle, I promise.

Whether it’s financial planning or investment management, I’ll be more than happy to work with you.

Does this sound like you?

You are very busy focusing on your family and your career
You are a diligent saver or want to become one
You want to make sure you have a solid plan in place as you accumulate wealth or plan for your retirement income
You want help navigating through life’s changes
You value financial & tax planning advice

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Virtual Financial Planning

I’m a big fan of efficiency and simplicity so I also meet with my clients remotely using the latest communication technology. Now my clients don’t need to leave work early, get babysitters, fight traffic, or look for parking just to come see me. We can talk on the phone or video chat and when our meeting is over, you’re already home!

Discover a Smarter Way for Gen Xers to Plan For Tomorrow!

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About

Luis F. Rosa, CFP® EA

Certified Financial Planner™

Hola, me llamo Luis! I came to the U.S. at age 11 from the Dominican Republic. I was inspired by my parents to work hard and pursue an education. However, I was not taught about personal finance at home or at school, and had to learn the hard way.

Some of the biggest money mistakes I made when I was younger:

I failed to pay myself first. I tried to save what was left after spending, instead of spending what was left after saving.
I over borrowed on my student loans in college for “living expenses” which really was translation for Spring Break in Cancun!
I got credit cards in my freshman year of college before I even got a job! (To be fair, they did include the credit card applications inside the books at the bookstore, I could not resist!)

I became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional in order to help others pursue their goals. I do my best to keep it simple, so no fancy jargon or investment terms. It’s all about your vision of success and how I can help you on your way to building a better financial future.

I currently live in Pasadena, California with my wife, Alison. I lived in New York for the majority of my adult life, and currently travel back there during the year to visit family and existing clients. When not helping a client, sharing financial insights on the On My Way To Wealth Podcast, volunteering, or hosting an event, you can find me eating at one of my favorite Vegan restaurants or visiting a beach or walking trail in the Los Angeles area.

Honored to be named one of Investopedia's 100 Top Financial Advisors in 2020 and 2021!

Proud to be part of the InvestmentNews 40 Under 40 Class of 2019!

Listen to Luis' Story on the Human Advisor Podcast!

Your Future Success Starts With a Financial Plan

I believe that in order to be successful in your financial endeavors, you must first decide on an appropriate budget for your financial goals and situation. I know the word “budget” can sound restrictive but it does not need to be. Think of it as “allocation” instead. Governments and businesses budget their money in order to properly function. They allocate certain amounts for payroll, expenditures, etc. I believe individuals and families should also do the same thing in order to be successful at reaching their goals.

There is Power in Writing Goals Down

You shouldn't just say you “want more money”. You should know how much money you want, by when, and have a detailed plan as to how you’re going to accumulate it and its purpose. I believe that flexibility is key to making a plan work, since things don’t always go as planned and sometimes there is more than one way to get to a goal.

I’m also flexible in my practice. You do not have to use all of my combined services. While I would love to handle all of your financial needs, it is entirely up to you which services you choose for me to provide. Whether it’s financial planning or investment management, I'd be more than happy to work with you.

If It’s Just in Your Head It’s a Dream.
If It’s Written and It's Measurable, It’s a Goal!

Financial Planning Process

Our advisor/client relationship begins with my listening to your goals and aspirations. I will help you pursue your goals by completing a comprehensive overview of your current financial situation and helping you implement actionable steps into your everyday life.

So what does the financial planning process look like?

Complimentary Consultation

Our first interaction will be during a complimentary 30-minute conversation, where we explore your current situation and your vision for your future. Once we’ve mutually agreed to work together, we get started on helping you build a better financial future. We'll have a discovery call, a recommendations meeting, and as many meetings needed to help you implement your plan. You'll also have ongoing support in between meetings throughout the year.

Discovery Call

A 60-90 minute Initial Discovery Meeting via video conferencing. The discovery call is all about you, and how we can start to build you a better financial future. During the call we will explore deeper into your goals. We will take a look at where you are today and what you want to accomplish in the future. This call will serve as the basis to create your financial plan. Once completed, I will take all of the information gathered from the discovery call and from the documents you provide, and begin to outline a personalized financial plan.

Recommendations Meeting

The next time we meet, I will present you with a comprehensive financial plan based on your financial history, where you stand today, and what your financial goals are for tomorrow. The recommendation is customized to help you pursue your financial goals. Your plan will include a detailed action list that I will help you implement into your day-to-day life. The recommendations include the following:

An easy-to-read summary of your current net worth, goals, and action items.
An asset allocation recommendation for your current 401(k) or work retirement plan.
Life insurance review and recommendations.
Debt repayment analysis and strategy.
Recommendation on how to best setup your savings “buckets” to help meet your savings goals.
Recommendations on investment strategy based on your investment goals.
Recommendations on retirement planning
Recommendations on tax planning
Review of current estate plan (wills, beneficiaries, etc.)

Ongoing Check-Ins

Life will happen. That’s why we have quarterly or semi-annual check-in meetings during the year to ensure that your financial plan is still working for you and your goals. These virtual meetings can be as needed or if a major life event occurs. Additionally, you’ll also have access to phone and email support in between meetings.

The Benefits of Working With Me

Simplicity

No fancy jargon, get financial planning in simple terms.

Clarity

Get clarity around your money with clear actionable steps.

Ongoing Planning

Life will happen, get ongoing support throughout the entire year and as life events occur.

No Pushy Sales

I don’t sell any products. As a Fee-Only advisor, my compensation comes directly from my clients in an easy to understand & transparent fee schedule.

Fiduciary

A fancy word for stating that I will always uphold your interests and needs first.

No Investment Minimums

Unlike “traditional” financial planners, you don’t need to have a large sum of money to invest in order for us to work together.

See a Sample Financial Plan Summary

Not Ready For Ongoing Financial Planning Yet?

Get the Build a Better Financial Future Booster Package!

Package Includes:

Addressing your top 2 to 3 financial concerns
Creation of a budget including help with how to best prioritize savings vs. paying down debt.
Debt elimination strategy for student loans and/or credit cards.
Explanation & review of 401K investment options, employer matching, and vesting schedule.
Life insurance review.
Follow up email with a detailed action list so that you can start implementing my recommendations immediately!

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Are You on Track to Meeting Your Goals?

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Blog/Podcast

Please visit the On My Way To Wealth Blog and Podcast by clicking here

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Empowering Gen Xers with Planning Tools and Action Steps to Help Position Themselves for a Better Financial Future!

FAQ

Who is your typical client?

My typical clients are individuals and couples that are ready to set themselves up for a better financial future. However, they are not interested in get-rich-quick schemes or looking to buy the next hot stock or fad. Rather, they are willing to follow a strategic approach to reaching their goals and are open to working with a financial planner that will also serve as an accountability partner.

If I hire you to manage my money, where do you invest it?

I use Fidelity Investments, TD Ameritrade, and Schwab as the custodian of your accounts. This means I never have possession of your money. I only have discretion to buy and sell within your accounts. I use FormulaFolio Investments and Altruist to build your portfolios which are customized to you based on your risk tolerance, time horizon, and other pertinent factors.

Why are you a financial planner?

I believe personal finance should be taught in school at an early age. Often we learn about finances by making mistakes that could have been avoided with education rather than learning via trial and error. I’m passionate about empowering individuals & families to make the best decisions toward achieving their goals. I have found great satisfaction from seeing someone climb the ladder of success based on their definition of it, not what society tries to define for them.

What does a financial plan look like?

Most individuals are unfamiliar with how a financial plan is created or what one actually looks like. I value assisting you with developing a financial plan that is transparent, simple and easy to understand. Take a moment to review a sample financial plan that I have drawn to gain a better picture of how I can help you and your financial future.
See a Sample Financial Plan

Do I have to use all of your services to work with you?
No. While I would love to handle all of your financial needs, it is entirely up to you which services you choose for me to provide. Whether it’s financial planning or investment management, I’ll be more than happy to work with you.

What is the fiduciary standard?

According to the CFP Board of Standards, the fiduciary standard of care requires that a financial adviser act solely in the client’s best interest when offering personalized financial advice.

Under federal law, in particular the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, investment advisers are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or appropriate state authorities and are required to provide services to their customers under the fiduciary standard. CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals providing financial planning services also must abide by the fiduciary standard, as defined by CFP Board.

Broker-dealers are also regulated under federal law, including under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but are not required to provide services to their clients under the fiduciary standard of care. Instead, broker-dealers provide services under the “suitability standard of care,” which generally requires only the broker-dealer’s reasonable belief that any recommendation is suitable for the client. It is important to recognize that a financial recommendation that is “suitable” for a client (as legally required for broker-dealers) may or may not be a financial recommendation that is in the client’s best interest (as legally required for investment advisers).

What is an IRS Enrolled Agent?

As per the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), enrolled agent status is the highest credential the IRS awards. Individuals who obtain this status must adhere to ethical standards and complete 72 hours of continuing education courses every three years. Enrolled agent is a person who has earned the privilege of representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service by either passing a three-part comprehensive IRS test covering individuals and business tax returns, or through experience as a former IRS employee.

What does your financial services experience include?

I have been working in the financial services industry since I graduated from college in 2001. I’ve worked for broker-dealers as well as Registered Investment Advisory firms. I have obtained Series 66 & 7 securities licenses as well as the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification and the IRS Enrolled Agent credential. I’ve always worked in a client facing role, serving as the first point of contact. Whether it’s investment management or financial planning, I always provide a personal touch to help my clients pursue their goals and answer any questions they have.