Lars Ronten - Financial Advisor

Lars Ronten - Financial Advisor Financial advisor supporting families & business owners in Placer County + Sacramento.

04/23/2026

How can you reduce my tax bill legally as a local business owner?

You do not need tax tricks. You need better tax habits. ⛳

A lot of business owners think tax strategy is some secret club.

It is usually not.

It is often about doing the boring things consistently and on time.

Here are 5 places to start:

✅ Step 1: Track every legitimate business expense.

Small misses add up.

✅ Step 2: Keep clean records all year.

Receipts in a shoebox are not a strategy.

✅ Step 3: Review retirement plan options.

Contributing can help future you and present-day taxes.

✅ Step 4: Time major purchases wisely.

Sometimes timing matters just as much as the expense itself.

✅ Step 5: Meet before year-end, not after.

Real tax planning happens before December turns into January.

Think of this like golf.

Most players don't improve by buying random new clubs (as much as we WISH we could).

They improve by fixing fundamentals.

Same with taxes.

The goal is not to be aggressive.
The goal is to be intentional.

Less scrambling.
Better records.
Smarter decisions.

Follow for more practical financial tips for business owners who want less chaos and more control.

04/19/2026

Mixing business and personal money is like packing for a trip with no suitcase. ✈️

Everything gets thrown together. Nothing is where it should be. And when you need something fast, chaos wins.

That is exactly what happens when business owners blur personal and business finances.

Here is the fix:

✅ Step 1: Open separate business checking and savings accounts.

No more running everything through one account.

✅ Step 2: Pay yourself intentionally.

Move money from business to personal as payroll or owner draw, not random transfers.

✅ Step 3: Use one business card for business expenses only.

No family dinners.
No vacation extras.
No “I’ll sort it later.”

✅ Step 4: Create basic categories.

Income, tax savings, owner pay, operating expenses, profit reserve.

✅ Step 5: Review your accounts weekly.

A 15-minute check-in can prevent huge year-end messes.

When your money is organized, decisions get easier.
Taxes get cleaner. Cash flow gets clearer and your stress usually drops.

This matters even more if your family depends on the business income. You need clarity, not crossed wires.

Comment “separate” if you want to clean up your money systems this quarter.

Your emergency fund isn't extra cash, it's your raincoat.When you spend time outdoors, you do not wait for the storm to ...
04/16/2026

Your emergency fund isn't extra cash, it's your raincoat.

When you spend time outdoors, you do not wait for the storm to start before packing the gear.

Business works the same way.

An emergency fund is not money that is sitting around doing nothing.

It is money buying you breathing room.

Here’s a practical way to build it:

✅ Step 1: Calculate your essential monthly business costs.

Think payroll, rent, software, debt payments, insurance.

✅ Step 2: Decide your target range.

A lot of owners feel safer with 3 to 6 months of essentials.

✅ Step 3: Build in stages.

Start with 1 month. Then 2. Then 3.

✅ Step 4: Keep it accessible.

This is not long-term investment money.
It should be easy to reach when needed.

✅ Step 5: Define what counts as an emergency.

Slow season? Maybe.
New office furniture? Definitely not.

Family-oriented business owners usually crave stability more than flashy wins.

And honestly, that's wise.

Cash reserves give you options.

Options reduce stress.

Reduced stress helps you make better decisions at home and at work.

Share this with a business owner who needs to stop calling every expense an emergency.

Financial advice with local roots and real relationships.Hi, I’m Lars Ronten. I'm husband, dad of two, and financial adv...
04/07/2026

Financial advice with local roots and real relationships.

Hi, I’m Lars Ronten. I'm husband, dad of two, and financial advisor serving the Greater Sacramento and Placer areas.

I love this community. It’s where I coach youth sports, golf, cook for my family, and connect with people who care about doing life well, not just doing it fast.

That’s how I approach financial planning too.

But here’s what truly drives me ⤵️
I believe authentic relationships come first. Always.

Before numbers or investments, I listen.
Before products, I build a plan that fits your life.

My mission?

To give you the clarity and confidence to make wise financial decisions that support the life you actually want to live.

Because money is just a tool. The real goal is freedom and peace of mind.

From investments to insurance, taxes to legacy planning, my goal is to help you live intentionally with your finances, not reactively.

Money shouldn’t be confusing. It should serve your lifestyle, your goals, and your family.

👉 If that’s the kind of partnership you want, hit FOLLOW for practical insights and local community connection.

01/02/2026

You’re not bad with money. But you might be falling into one of these really common financial traps. Let’s fix that:

🚫 Trap #1: Buying things just because they’re “on sale”
🚫 Trap #2: Keeping unused subscriptions because “it’s only $9”
🚫 Trap #3: Carrying a balance on your credit card like it’s no big deal
🚫 Trap #4: Saying “I’ll save what’s left” instead of paying yourself first
🚫 Trap #5: Thinking budgeting means “no fun allowed”

Here’s the better way:
✅ Spend based on values, not emotions
✅ Automate your savings
✅ Budget with your real lifestyle in mind
✅ Use credit with a clear plan
✅ Let go of the guilt and start fresh

This isn’t about being perfect. It's about being in control.

✨ DM me the word “trap” and I’ll send you a free checklist to help you spot and stop these habits.

Here's why your personal budget keeps failing and how to finally fix it for good. (Even if you've tried budgeting apps o...
12/28/2025

Here's why your personal budget keeps failing and how to finally fix it for good.

(Even if you've tried budgeting apps or spreadsheets before)

If you’ve tried budgeting again and again…

…and it still feels like it’s not working, this post is for you.

Here are 7 big reasons most people struggle with their budgets (and yes, I see these all the time in my work as a financial advisor):

1. You’re budgeting based on an “ideal” month, not a real one. Life doesn’t follow your spreadsheet. Plan for off weeks too.

2. You’re not accounting for surprise expenses. . . and they always happen. Emergencies happen. Vet bills happen. Kid's school expenses happen. Add a “life happens” buffer.

3. Your categories are too vague (“shopping” doesn’t cut it). Break it down into specifics like skincare, clothes, tech.

4. You’re underestimating lifestyle costs like takeout or subscriptions. That $7 coffee does add up. DoorDash fees are expensive. Be honest about what brings you joy.

5. You’re using tools that don’t match how your brain works. Not everyone is a spreadsheet person. Try visual trackers or apps.

6. You forget to check in weekly, so the plan stops feeling real. A budget is a living plan. Make it part of your weekly routine.

7. You’re trying to be too perfect… and that leads to burnout. Perfection leads to burnout. Progress > perfection... always.

👉 The fix? Your budget should feel like a tool, not a punishment.

Start by tracking how you actually spend for a few weeks — without judgment. Build from there. Make it flexible, forgiving, and made for your life, not someone else’s.

Want help building a budget that actually works?

✨ DM me the word “budget” and I’ll send you my starter guide. And SAVE this post so you can come back to it every month.

Every club has a purpose. So does every account. ⛳️You wouldn't hit a flop shot with a driver. Right? Treat your finance...
12/26/2025

Every club has a purpose. So does every account. ⛳️

You wouldn't hit a flop shot with a driver. Right? Treat your finances with the same level of analysis. Use the right money tool for the job and the round gets easier.

Here's what you need to build your “financial bag”:

1. Putter = checking. Daily cash flow. Smooth, simple, no friction.
2. Wedge = emergency fund. Short game for surprises. 3 to 6 months in high-yield savings.
3. Irons = retirement accounts. 401k, Roth IRA, Traditional IRA for long approach shots. Diversify and automate.
4. Driver = brokerage. Growth beyond tax-advantaged limits. Use broad, low-cost funds and time in market.
5. Hybrid = insurance. Term life and disability to cover gaps so the plan survives the unexpected.
6. Rangefinder = budget. Track your numbers so decisions are clear, not guesses.

The wrong tool makes the right shot nearly impossible. The right toolkit makes progress feel simple.

Want my “financial golf bag” checklist with target ranges and links? Comment BAG and I'll send it over.

Address

1425 River Park Drive Suite 100
Sacramento, CA
95815

Telephone

+19166486429

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