One More Year
The math on financial independence seems fantastic… as in unbelievable. However, it’s technically possible! Nonetheless, inertia is tough to overcome. This article explores the pros and cons of waiting one more year to retire.
Potential Financial Steps for Tech Professionals in June
What financial steps might tech professionals take in June? Options could include: enjoy end of school year, replenish emergency fund, prepare for vacation and camps, and submit dependent care reimbursements.
$1 Million in Bank Account
A bank account may not be the place to park $1 million. There could be better opportunities. This article has seven parts: 1. possible scam, 2. drawbacks of checking and savings, 3. appropriate cash reserve, 4. extra compensation, 5. current tax savings, 6. future tax savings, and 7. investment considerations.
Buying a Property You Are Currently Renting
In an ideal world, your landlord would want to sell a home you would like to buy. However, your plans may not perfectly align. This article has three parts to consider if you are looking to buy a property you’re currently renting: 1. Renter wants to buy 2. Landlord wants to sell. 3. Potential next steps.
Potential Financial Steps for Tech Professionals in May
What financial steps might tech professionals take in May? Options could include: review tax withholding (Form W-4), update goals and financial plan, check student loan / other debt balances, fund education savings, and schedule fall Paid Time Off (PTO).
Who Should Be My Beneficiary?
It can be tough to choose a beneficiary for an account! There are many considerations. This article has three parts which may help you select your beneficiaries: 1. Importance of naming a beneficiary, 2. Primary and contingent beneficiaries, and 3. Account type considerations.
What to Do When Stocks Drops
It can be scary when stock markets fall. However, things may not be as bad as they seem. There are steps you can take. This article explores: 1. Not as bad as the headlines, 2. Back to basics, and 3. Current opportunities.
Potential Financial Steps for Tech Professionals in April
What financial steps might tech professionals take in April? Options could include: evaluate stock purchased at a discount, file tax return(s) or extension(s), make tax payment(s) or plan refund(s), review / rebalance investment portfolio, replenish emergency fund, and review tax refund(s).
How Salary Is Calculated
This article explores: 1. How salary is calculated, 2. How salary is determined, and 3. How to get a raise.
Potential Financial Steps for Tech Professionals in March
What financial steps might tech professionals take in March? Options might include: select employee stock contribution %, plan major expenses, finalize last year contributions, prepare taxes, and schedule summer Paid Time Off (PTO).
What to do with $100k
What should I do with $100k? It depends. Five good options include: 1. protect yourself, 2. cut expenses, 3. invest in yourself, 4. make a major purchase, and 5. invest wisely. This article explores ideas for each option.
Potential Financial Steps for Tech Professionals in February 2025
What financial steps might tech employees take in February? Options might include: update saving for raise and bonus, schedule tax prep meeting, gather tax forms and create checklist, accept Restricted Stock Unit (RSU) grant, and review / rebalance investment portfolio.
Get a HELOC Before Retirement?
This article explores an often overlooked strategy. A market drop soon after retirement could force the retiree to sell investments. However, they might be able to use a Home Equity Line Of Credit (HELOC) to delay the sale. Interest rates tend to fall with recessions. Since HELOCs usually have variable interest rates, the debt could become less expensive when it’s needed most.
What Supersavers Miss
Supersavers often overlook opportunities. Some of those include: merit aid, Social Security funding, benefit claiming strategies, single stock exposure, target allocation, asset location, Mega Roth, home gain exclusion, personal liability, rental cash flow, lifetime tax minimization, penalties and interest, withholdingg, bunching donations, Donor-Advised Fund (DAF), giving income away, coverage limits, deductibles, prepaid discounts, umbrella, disability impact, federal estate tax, state estate and inheritance taxes, and step-up in basis.
January 2025 Questions
T-Mobile employees asked some great questions in a recent Q&A session. How do I reduce the tax on stock grants? What should I do with the money after I divest from a single stock? What investments are there besides the S&P 500? Should I contributed to a 529 plan?
Potential Financial Steps for T-Mobile Employees in January
What financial steps might T-Mobile employees take in January? Options might include: submit dependent care reimbursements, update net worth estimate, refresh long-term projections, evaluate Mega Roth, begin gathering tax forms, and plan summer vacations and camps.
December 2024 Questions
There were many great questions asked in a recent Q&A session with T-Mobile employees! How can T-Mobile employees make the most of their paycheck and resources in ways non-T-Mobile employees cannot? What will happen to the RSUs that haven't vested when I retire? Can I have an HSA if I'm on Medicare? How do you reduce exposure to T-Mobile stock without a huge tax impact? What is recommended to put into a 401(k) before retirement age? How much is too much to contribute to a pre-tax 401(k)? What are some good apps for individual investing? What are stable options to invest in long-term growth? What are some things to consider when inheriting a Roth IRA? What are your thoughts on investing in crypto?
17 Investment Signs You Need a Financial Plan
17 investment signs you need a financial plan: 1. Your Financial Advisor “Doesn’t Charge You Anything”, 2. You Don’t Know Why You’re Receiving Information, 3. You Own a Muni in a Retirement Account, 4. You Own Company Stock and Don’t Participate in the ESPP, 5. You’re Married and Don’t Know What a Spousal IRA Is, 6. You Don’t Invest Funds in a Health Savings Account, 7. You Feel You Must Earn at Least 15% a Year to Retire, 8. Your Accounts Are All Diversified, 9. You Own Art or Antiques, 10. You Think You Wear Large, Mid, and Small Caps, 11. You Don’t Know What Required Minimum Distributions Are, 12. You Aren’t Getting Your Company’s Full Match, 13. You Pull from Retirement Accounts While Still Working, 14. You Own a Small Business and Don’t Know What QSB Stock Is, 15. You Think a Roth 401(k) and IRA Are The Same, 16. You Take Investment Advice from a Luber Driver, and 17. You Think an Investment Is a “Sure Thing”
Potential Financial Steps for T-Mobile Employees in December
What financial steps might T-Mobile employees take in December? Options might include: make year end retirement contributions, update resume and career plan, harvest tax losses or gains, review Social Security statement(s), and update 401(k) contribution rate.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving, all!
I have even more than usual to be thankful for this year - including family, health, time, clients, support, and generator.
