Stock options are a type of equity compensation, which is a way for employers to reward key employees beyond the usual paycheck. Most equity comp packages can provide a great opportunity to build wealth, but managing that well requires advanced planning. If you want to avoid making big mistakes with stock options, there are specific…
The 3-Step Process to Saving 40 Percent of Income
Prefer to listen rather than read? Pair this post with Episode 25 of the Beyond Finances podcast, where we talk about the process of saving 40 percent of income and the steps to take to make that happen. Do you know how much money you save right now? And perhaps more importantly… do you know…
What You Need to Save Before Having a Baby Might Be the Wrong Question
Most of my clients are in their 30s and 40s, and many of them are either starting families or adding to them. Many of these soon-to-be parents ask me, “how much do we need to save before having a baby? What should we have in the bank before we start thinking about having kids?” It’s…
Beyond Finances Podcast #49: Managing Equity Comp: How to Balance the Risks and Rewards
Leveraging equity compensation is one of the potential avenues we previously highlighted for use on the road to building wealth. But to enjoy the rewards, you have to know how to manage the risks along the way. Many industries offer a piece of ownership to company employees through equity compensation packages. If you receive equity,…
How to Build a Bulletproof Balance Sheet
Too often, we equate being conservative or risk-averse with missing opportunities, or missing chances to grow wealth. While there is such a thing as being too hesitant or too cautious, there’s a good reason to lean toward less risk when doing long-term planning. Even if you feel highly comfortable with risk or actively seek it…
Wealth Management Is an Infinite Game. Are You a Good Player?
Despite the recent popularity of people playing day trader, trading stocks using gamified apps designed to hook your attention and keep you engaged is a risky proposition. Playing on trading apps is a great way to gamble while casinos operate in limited capacity due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but it’s a poor strategy for…
Is Your Financial Plan Missing This X Factor?
We originally wrote this this piece for Kiplinger, where it was first published. We’ve provided an updated version for the BYH blog here. There is no shortage of great content available for those who want to build a sound financial plan that considers how you may want to retire someday (especially if you want to…
Managing Money as a Couple: Tips and Tricks to Get It Right
If you ask 10 different couples how they manage their money, you’ll probably get 10 different answers… including something along the lines of “We don’t. Budget? What budget?” Let me go ahead and say that might be the only wrong answer here. Some couples keep separate finances, both before and after marriage. Others combine everything…
Beyond Finances Podcast #41: So You Want to Make a Speculative Investment
A broad-based, globally diversified portfolio is hands-down the right answer when it comes to growing wealth for the long term. But that doesn’t mean other, more speculative and risky investments are always a bad move… They’re just not a great idea most of the time. Today, we’re looking at some alternative ways to invest outside…
Have Equity Comp? Make Sure It Doesn’t Put Your Wealth at Risk
A version of this article was originally written for and published on Kiplinger. Equity compensation can be an extremely useful tool when it comes to building wealth. And just like any other tool you may use, you can leverage your equity comp to build something great — in this case, significant wealth — or, you…