Todd R. Tresidder – Founder
A Biographical Overview of Todd Tresidder, the Entrepreneurial and Investment Expertise That Shaped Financial Mentor
You've probably noticed how self-proclaimed financial experts have biographical pages filled with credentials and achievements designed to impress you. This page is no different… at least in the beginning. Todd Tresidder's background includes:
- B.A. in Economics from University of California at Davis
- Member of Economics Honors Society and Deans List
- A serial entrepreneur since childhood building many businesses and retiring at age 35 from his position as a Hedge Fund Investment Manager responsible for a 20+ million dollar portfolio.
- Todd's portfolio management for the Hedge Fund produced 100% winning years except one which was less than a 5% loss.
- Raised net worth from less than zero at age 23 to self-made millionaire 12 years later by “walking the talk” using the same personal finance and investment strategies taught on this web site.
- An early pioneer and expert in statistical and mathematical risk management systems for investing.
- Financially independent from age 35 through investing – not marketing – unlike many other financial gurus who made their money through marketing courses and books.
- Still an active investor who earns consistent investment returns in both up and down markets.
The point of these factoids is to demonstrate that I teach personal finance and investing based on real experience. I walk the talk and have the results to prove it. I do not teach ivory tower theories or inaccurate conventional wisdom: instead, I show you what works, what doesn't, and why – all based on actual, provable, experience.
With that said, there is a serious limitation to the financial and professional data cited above. It tells you about my financial and investment expertise, but it doesn't tell you anything about me as a person. In other words, there are many self-proclaimed financial experts with impressive resumes so what is different about Todd?
The most obvious difference is I made my money investing in publicly traded markets just like you can do; whereas, many financial experts made their money through becoming best-selling authors and marketing financial advice to you. Unless you plan on writing a best-selling book and building a marketing empire you may find difficulty duplicating their success.
“Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.” – Helen Keller
Another key difference is the focus of my message. My focus is on personal development and how the pursuit of financial freedom provides a transformational path to personal fulfillment. This stands in stark contrast to other money experts who use lavish lifestyles and fancy vacations to sell their message. My focus is on the experience of life, not the toys and goodies.
Many investment gurus drive flashy cars, wear expensive clothes, and live in mansions. I don't. I dress on the casual side of average, drive ordinary cars, and live in a nice home in a nice but not extraordinary neighborhood. In short, I'm the classic “Millionaire Next Door” as described in the book with the same title by Stanley and Danko.
Todd and his kids riding “Nessie,” their 4 person bike, through Yosemite Valley.
I also live very traditional values where I believe in treating people fairly and giving more value than I take in business relationships. The result is my former business associates remain good, personal friends to this day, and my business endeavors have not left a trail of bankruptcies, lawsuits and controversy like so many other financial experts. Financial results are important, but money won't contribute to fulfillment if your life and relationships are a mess.
I have been married only once, never divorced, and spend more time cooking healthy meals at home than dining in pricey restaurants. I prefer playing with my kids at a local park to jet-setting around the world. In short, I'm an “average Joe” except for my financial and business expertise.
“People say that what we are seeking is a meaning for life. I don't think this is what we're really seeking. I think what we're seeking is an experience of being alive.” – Joseph Campbell
The reason I choose an ordinary but comfortable lifestyle is because I prefer to build net worth instead of overhead so I can enjoy freedom instead of flash. I didn't pursue wealth so that I could buy everything I wanted: I pursued wealth so I could do whatever I desired, and be whatever I was capable of being. I value experience over stuff.
I've never wanted the mansions, private jets, flashy sports cars, and other encumbrances that the get-rich-quick gurus try to sell you on. I'm too environmentally conscious to consume at such a wasteful level. Besides, that is the mistaken pursuit of material wealth as a substitute for happiness. It doesn't work.
“That man is richest whose pleasures are the cheapest.” – Henry David Thoreau
I find joy in life experience, intellectual pursuits, and relationships. First on the list is family and friends closely followed by reading stimulating books, enjoying outdoor recreation like running, swimming, skiing, hiking, cycling, camping, backpacking, travel, and I love personal growth. I do exactly as I please: I don't report to a boss and nobody owns my time except me (and maybe my wife). I take three months of vacation per year and usually wake up without an alarm.
None of this costs much money but it does take time, and that is why I pursued financial freedom in my own life and support others to do the same – so that you have the time to do what gives you more joy in life without worrying about money – so that you can live true wealth by finding fulfillment and happiness.
“It is far better for a man to go wrong in freedom than to go right in chains.” – Thomas Huxley
I teach the pursuit of financial freedom as a transformational path because that's what it was for me. I grew in ways I never imagined, and I am happier for it. The money was nice, but the inner transformation was the bigger reward.
And that is why I formed Financial Mentor – to share that journey with you. To grow a community of like minded individuals who are passionate about building wealth and financial freedom because it improves the quality of life for themselves and their families.
“The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but to reveal to him his own.” – Benjamin Disraeli
I enjoy working with business owners and investors who share my passion for enjoying more of what is important in life. Financial Mentor gives me a forum where I can share the lessons of my business and investment experience. I don't stand above you on a pedestal, but instead stand as a fellow traveler on the same life path with valuable experience to share.
Combining cutting edge investment and business development strategy together with the latest personal growth technology into a transformative journey to financial freedom is my unique gift to share with the world. It is a way I can help others while helping myself.
“What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for a worthwhile goal, a freely chosen task.” – Victor E. Frankl
If you would like to join me in this adventure please participate in this web site by learning, making comments to articles, and supporting my mission to make this the most valuable resource on the web for business owners and investors seeking financial freedom and personal freedom.
Thanks,
Todd R. Tresidder
Todd's Adventures – What Financial Independence Looks Like
Going back to finding joy in experiences, here are a few ways I spend my time while on vacation. More videos will be added soon. Hope you enjoy!
Heli-Skiing in Canada
Music: www.bensound.com
Hello Todd,
After immersing myself in some of Anthony Robbins programs for the past several months, it has become clear that the financial aspect of my life is in dire need of a turn around. I typed “Financial coaching” into my computer search engine and your website was the first one I chose to check out. I did a quick scan and then started reading some of your articles all the way through. The one about the myths of multiple streams of income really made perfect sense to me and it was quite fortunate for me to have read it as I have considered this a viable strategy. The depth and insight of your words made it possible for me to clearly realize that my current situation and skills would not allow me to manage multiple streams successfully. I can’t thank you enough for sharing your knowledge. Though my current situation is somewhat upsidedown, as it improves, I will schedule coaching sessions. Until then, I will use the knowledge you have so graciously offered here to help me get to an improved position. I would also like to say I respect you for having done the work to earn your money, not like someone who made theirs by becoming a best selling author or some flashy bullshitter selling schemes or whatever the tip of the day is. Thank you again for sharing your knowledge and energy, my sincerest hope is that others reciprocate to you as well.
Sincerely,
Joe Antra
Thanks Joe for the feedback. I’m glad you found my thoughts on finance and wealth building helpful in formulating your own plans for success. If you feel inclined to give back to this community one way you can really help is by spreading the word among your contacts and by using social bookmarking services like Digg, Delicious and StumbleUpon for the articles you like which increases links back to this site. This helps me further my mission to reach more people with this material. Hopefully you subscribed to the newsletter so that we can continue to communicate in the future. Best of luck to you, and thanks again for the supportive comment.
Congratulations cousin. It’s very pleasing to know that you have succeeded in your business ventures and that your family is doing well. I’m now living in Calistoga in the wine country where I’ve been the last 17 years enjoying life while raising my 13 year old son Lucas. We’ve always known in our family that you were headed to great successes and glad that you reached them. Come spend some time in Calistoga and I’ll take you and the wife to some of our favorite spots here in the Napa Valley!
Take care and say hi to the rest of the Tresidder clan!!
Craig
Hey Craig,
Great to hear from you. Yes, we will be visiting you in the wine country soon. We love to take the bikes down there and do a little touring.
Talk to you soon…
Mr. Tresidder,
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. I look forward to spending a lot of time on your website.
Sincerely,
Danielle Frederick
@ Danielle – Thanks for your feedback. I hope you get a lot of value from the site and enjoy our community.
@Todd Tresidder:
Mr. Tresidder:
Stumbled on your site this afternoon and became increasingly interested as you explained your life philosophy as it relates to wealth and happiness. Funny thing – I maike a six figure income and live a comfortable middle class life, but as a corporate person who in his mid forties who is at career halftime, I am nowhere near your measure of having more liquid net worth than lifetime earnings (and I just reviewed my SS statement as compared to k-plans/IRAs for confirmation of that sad fact.
That said I just could not agree more with your outlook on the pursuit of wealth as it relates to true freedom vs. the shackles of an endlessly conspicuous pursuit of affirmation from neighborhs and friends. That’s why I buy used cars and rarely go out to dinner, and find joy in my family and simple pursuits. Keep spreading that message of yours – it’s good for your clients and good for the financial health of this country and society.
John
@ John – Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate your support in spreading the word as well. Make sure you subscribe to the newsletter and you will be notified as I add new educational content to the site. Together we can make a difference.
Hi, Todd. I really enjoyed learning about your story. Retired at age 35? Wow! That is highly impressive. I am also an aspiring financial coach and hope to learn a lot from you. I have book-marked your site and it looks really impressive. Thanks for sharing!
@whitney1 Thanks Whitney.
Dear Todd
Love the website and articles and resonates with my philosophies.
I was wondering if you could share a recommended reading list of books. I am 26 years old and am starting to earn an income above my expenses and am thinking of ways to invest this surplus income. So I have been improving my financial IQ and think a value investing approach for above average returns as I have long term time horizons.
Would be great to know your thoughts on this matter
M Singh
@MontyBains A detailed recommended reading list is on my to-do list. I have the first page up already which contains mindset books for achieving wealth here – https://www.financialmentor.com/free-stuff/best-books/wealth-building-books .
Regarding investing at your age, I would be looking at rental property financed exclusively with fully amortizing fixed rate mortgages and dividend paying stocks where 70% or more of the earnings are diversified internationally outside the dollar.
Hope that helps. Thanks for your support.
Hi Todd,
Thank you for the feedback. I actually thought of the same investment strategy at the moment for rental of properties such as distressed residential for a long term bet with a top down approach against inflation and devaluation of the dollar/sterling? What are your thoughts on the returns if deflation (Japan) occurs for a sustained period of time or is it not of major concern considering the time length for investing in rental properties and leverage used.
I have also read other investors e.g. warren buffett also commenting on this as a good bet but management/logistical is too much for someone with his net worth but a good opportunity for someone like me.
I am living in the UK and the rates are 4.75-5.00% over a 10 year period as I cannot find lenders for a fixed mortgage for a longer time length and that doesn’t appears as attractive as things pan out compared to the mortgage rates available in the US
It would be great to know your thoughts. Do you have any books you can recommend for increasing my “financial IQ” as I am highly motivated in gaining financial freedom and want to expand my knowledge early to compound by returns with informed decisions.
In addition do you provide any services for clients in the UK?
Best Regards
@MontyBains My book recommendation pages were noted in the first response. Here they are again… https://www.financialmentor.com/free-stuff/best-books/wealth-building-books . And yes, my coaching services are international in nature. I have clients all over the world – Israel, U.K., Singapore, Canada, U.S., etc.. You can learn more here https://www.financialmentor.com/financial-coaching/how-to-start-financial-coaching-now
@Todd Tresidder Dear Todd, I cant tell you how happy I am to have found your site this morning.. I have been losing sleep and pulling my hair out with worry about finances ( I know Im not the only one) your easy to use calculator and explanations on the snowball effect are wonderful and Im starting today.. ( taking a deep breath) Thank you for helping .!!! sincerely Cheryl
Hi Todd,
I really appreciate your whole philosophy as well as how you advocate multiple investment streams. Most advisors are locked into stocks and savings and omit real estate and private business ownership as a means to acquire wealth. I’ve referred several friends and clients to your site. I do have a question about your retirement calculator. Should I be entering my retirement savings net of taxes too? Should the “amount I want to spend” be inflated to include the taxes owed on that amount? It appears only the interest on investments are taxed in the print out. Thank you. I love the calculator but want to be sure I’m using it correctly.
ontheyuba Thanks for the kudos on the content and your referrals. Much appreciated.
Regarding the tax questions on the calculator, I believe I fully disclosed the answers in the information section that shows up on the right when you click on each entry box.
Your savings are entered as a total without regard to tax, and the amount you want to spend in retirement is entered without adjusting for taxes as well.
That is because all of the income adjusts for taxes in the calculator as you correctly pointed out. You don’t want to be double taxed!
Hope that helps!
Hi Todd,
I am 100% with you on this journey and it is almost certainly my goal to assist others in doing the same thing. My immediate thoughts on your bio above was similar to all other sites within this niche, a list of qualifications to build trust and credibility. What wasn’t expected was the heartfelt content which followed, your moral ethics are well founded and something which resonates well with my own story.
The fact that you seek experience in life rather than materialistic nonsense, is exactly why I fully intend to support this new found resource. I firmly believe in creating a more sustainable future, one where the consumer mindset is diluted and more people are aware of the negative impact their habits have on their children’s future environment.
What resonates most with my journey is the fact that you pursued financial freedom for the time benefits, this is by far our most precious commodity and traditional capitalists spend most of their time growing wealth with very little freedom. My goal is to create surplus time and spend that more wisely…
Yep! I couldn’t agree more. Time is your ultimate scarce resource. The deadline of death is what brings perspective to everything we do, ever day.
Hi Todd,
I’ve been learning and growing from you and the info shared
on your site for a few months now, but I’ve never commented before. (So here’s
to trying something new). I feel as
though I’m getting to know you as my “financial mentor” and would like to
introduce myself as I plan to stick around for the long haul.
I am a Nurse Administrator by profession but a business
woman and investor at heart. I am currently 34 years old and plan to be
financially free by 40. I resonate with the desire to achieve financial freedom
for personal fulfillment as opposed to acquiring “stuff”.
My husband and I have three small children, and I look
forward to being there for them more and not have my life dictated by a boss or
a lender who requires me to exchange my time for money. I want more for me and
my family and I am committed to the 3-prong strategy you’ve shared of achieving
financial freedom – which for me translates into time freedom!
Thank you for your willingness to share and assist others on
their journeys. I am so excited and so grateful.
Most appreciative!
Soon to be free,
Tamika
Thanks Tamika! That’s why I provide all of this free education (and paid courses). I hope it helps you on your journey. Thank you for introducing yourself!
Wow! What a great resource of information! Can’t wait to read several of the articles here. Financial freedom and Financial Education is a passion of mine, and I can’t wait to share some of this information with friends and family. Have you ever thought of bringing on additional coaches for your business? If so, I’d be interested in learning from you so I can help other find their way to financial freedom.
~RCR
Hi Randy – Once I build out the 7 Steps Group Coaching curriculum then I will be bringing in additional coaches. Hope that helps!
Hello Todd,
This may come across as a bit odd. I have enjoyed a very fortunate career in Technology Sales Management while building a real estate portfolio that has allowed me and my family to enjoy a comfortable life while also providing for their children’s children as well ( if and when they settle down). Now for the odd part. I would like to share what I have learned over the years with no financial compensation expected. I see so many younger people that seem to lack so many of the basic approaches that you have shared. “If I knew then what I know now” is sort of my goal. To share what I have learned and to maybe save some time on behalf of the next generation. I find at this point in my life I have available time and would like to help. Any suggestions you may have would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and patience with my ramblings.
Peter
Congratulations on your success. Regarding your questions, it’s not clear what you are asking? Are you looking to contribute here, or create something on your own? Ultimately, it’s a lot of work, and it’s very rewarding. You just have to decide what you want and then make it happen. Hope that helps!
First and foremost I didn’t accept you to be exactly like what i want to pursue in my life, and the way you go about life, humbling yourself instead of being flashy with your wealth. I admire that above all!!!
I am a 18 year old senior about to graduate highschool and I really want to get started on my path of financial freedom asap!! So I really need your help on guiding me towards the proper steps I need to take to finally be free because I really don’t like working on someone else schedule amd being a slave to money. I want a life where i can pursue whatever I please and be my own boss without worrying about waking up for work the next day. Im willing to work hard now to get to where i have to be later in life , Im ambition for in becoming financially freedom and starting a new chapter in my life with my wife and children Hopefully when i get married!
Thanks for being real!!
Sayyam Rashid
That’s why I created this site and do all this work producing these educational resources. I hope it helps you with your journey!
Just found the site by pure luck, or it’s just finally aligned with me. Very interesting and educative. I found a new path here, thank you for this site.
You’re welcome. Glad to have you as part of this community.
So I sat down at my computer today to do some financial planning for my husband and I and found your website while searching for an amortization calculator. I feel like I have just happened across a gold mine of valuable information.
This happened two years ago while searching for information to heal my thyroid. It was then that I found an extremely knowledgeable coach for my health.
For me, it’s not about how much money I have and I don’t care for extravagant things. I just want to be able to enjoy this life with my family and for them to do the same when I am gone.
Thank you so much for being the kind of person who wants to share your knowledge with others.
So glad we found your site!
Lisa
Your legal disclaimer on the bottom of the page states “The publisher and its authors are not registered investment advisers, attorneys, CPA’s or other financial service professionals and do not render legal, tax, accounting, investment advice or other professional services. ”
Yet you specifically promise “proven, systematic, step-by-step investment advice”.
Either you’re a financial advisor or you’re not, and if you are then there are laws that must be followed.
Thank you for lecturing me on the laws, Tiffany. To answer your aggressive question, I operate within the education exemption of the investment advisory laws. I never provide personalized investment advice, specific securities recommendations, or market opinions for your personal investment portfolio. Instead, I provide generalized investment education. So yes, there are laws that must be followed. And they are being followed.
Dear Mr. Tresidder,
I would first like to know if you are a Fiduciary? I am 59 and my wife Nancy is 56. We are nearing retirement with approx 250K in retirement accounts. I read so often that analyst claim we will need a million dollars to retire comfortably. I don’t by into this ideology. I believe I need to fund the gap. The gap between expenses and social security. We will have a mortgage in retirement of 1550.00 monthly and My social security will cover that. We don’t have expensive wants or needs but I do worry about future healthcare. I plan to leave my full time, full stress job ate age 62 and downsize my career until age 65 when I intend to sign up for social security. My wife has plans to retire and sign up for social security at age 62. Our first grandchild will be born this May and we plan to spend the quiet life with her. I too believe that experiences are more valuable than money. Thank you for the valuable insight.
Regards,
I can’t give personalized financial advice by law. I operate FinancialMentor.Com under the education exemption in the financial advisory laws. What you are asking for is the specific domain of a personal financial advisor. In addition, you wouldn’t want me to reply to your question based on the incomplete information provided anyway. The law exists for good reason. A proper answer to your question requires deep knowledge of your personal situation, goals, and finances. The risk of an inaccurate answer based on scanty information is too high and disrespects the importance of the question you are asking. So while that’s not the answer you were hoping for, I hope it’s helpful and points you in a useful direction.
Just amazing what I read so for about your life your values is family friends good relationships and building wealth to take care of your family give back to the community keep it solid
Thanks!