If you’re lucky enough to work for one of the many tech companies that offer multiple ways to save money, you may be wondering which programs to prioritize. Microsoft employees, for instance, have the good fortune of having access to a pre-tax/Roth 401(k), after-tax 401(k), Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) and Health Savings Account (HSA)….
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If there’s one thing I love to do, it’s to negotiate. I know it can be intimidating and sometimes scary, but I tend to see it as a game. I’ve negotiated every single job offer I’ve received—some successfully, and others not so much—as well as various car, house, and other purchases. I am by no…
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Creating stock grants that base payouts for executive employees on more than just their continued employment has become the new norm for a growing number of companies. These special stock grants are known as performance shares, and nowadays tech workers who reach executive status are more likely to receive grants of performance share units (PSUs)…
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You may or may not have heard of a Mega Backdoor Roth, but they are becoming increasingly common, especially in the tech world. Often confused with a Backdoor Roth IRA contribution or a Roth 401(k) contribution, this strategy, while sharing similarities with both, is unique for a few reasons. STANDARD 401(K) REVIEW First, let’s review…
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While in the middle of your career and possibly raising a family—likely in your 30s, 40s or 50s—it can be challenging to plan for the day full-time employment is an option rather than a requirement. Nevertheless, it is important to keep in mind that the decisions you make during your pre-retirement years directly affect when…
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For opportunistic investors, employer stock purchase plans (ESPPs) become more attractive in a bear market. This is because stocks are bought at an additional “discount” on top of the 15% price cut that is inherently built into the plan. ESPPs are employer-sponsored investment plans that allow employees to purchase company stock at a discounted price—typically…
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With the tech-heavy Nasdaq index down more than 25% so far this year, many tech employees worry that they are seeing a replay of the dot-com boom and bust of the late 1990s and early 2000s. And although those fears may be well-founded (there are certainly several similarities between now and then), since the financial…
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On December 20th, 2021, Cerner put out a news release with the simple title Oracle Buys Cerner. As a former Kansas City tech employee who has gone through an acquisition, I feel you. Anxiety runs high. Speculation becomes rampant! It can run the gamut from “we’re all getting canned tomorrow!” to “we’re saved!” Rather than…
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If you recently changed jobs or are currently considering an offer for a new one, you have probably thought about your new salary and benefits package, the commute, and perhaps even how you will reward yourself for a job well done. However, there is a good chance you may not have given much thought to…
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These days, companies must get creative about the ways in which they both compensate and motivate their workforce. One of the most popular practices is to offer employees opportunities to own company stock, essentially helping them take ownership of their work performance, whether good or bad. And one of the more popular ways companies support…
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When a couple makes the decision to live exclusively on the salary of one spouse or partner, they may take the time to review their monthly cash flow and cut out any unnecessary expenses prior to making it official. However, a topic that is likely to be put on the back burner is the issue…
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Every year, somewhere between January 1st and April 15th, millions of Americans work their way through the five stages of grief as they prepare and file federal and state tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). And although, for a very small few, this time of year can bring about feelings of elation, for…
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If there is one thing that workers of all job types across every industry can agree on, it is that they could always benefit from having more money in their paycheck. It does not matter how much a person currently makes or the amount of it they actually spend; there is always room for more….
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When it comes to managing personal finances, charitable giving is a well-established tool often used to assist individuals and small businesses with year-end tax planning. With strategic and well-timed donations, you can minimize tax liability while supporting the causes you hold dear. Traditionally, people consider charitable giving simply as writing a check to a few…
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