helping tech professionals in their 20s and 30s navigate equity comp, taxes, and building real wealth | CFP® | tweets are not advice
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Almost everyone making $250,000+ in tech has the basics down
401k maxed, index funds, no credit card debt
But after that it gets less consistent
Here are the 5 most common mistakes I see (and how to fix them): 🧵
"Why would I pay an advisor when I can just buy index funds?"
Picking funds is usually less than 10% of what actually builds your net worth
Meaning you're ignoring the other 90%
Here's the 6 signs it's time to hire a financial planner: 🧵
6. There's a decision you've been putting off for six months
When to invest?
The old 401k?
The estate documents?
Maybe you don't know the answer
Or maybe you've read enough to know the answer
But just aren't confident enough to pull the trigger
Assurance or catching the fatal mistake is priceless
Quick Summary:
1. You no longer have time
2. You unexpectedly owed taxes two years in a row
3. You have equity comp
4. One stock is over 25% of your net worth
5. A big year is coming
6. You've been putting off a decision for 6+ months
Notice none of those are index fund problems
Keep buying the index funds (that's not the hard part)
Find this helpful? Give me a follow @clbradfish for more on equity comp and taxes!
“How do I lower my taxes as a high earning W2 employee?”
Good news: it’s not too late for this year
Here’s the 5 things you can still do before December 31: 🧵
5. Give to charity (the tax efficient way)
Don't itemize (and take the standard deduction)? That's okay
New for 2026, you can deduct up to $1,000 of cash gifts (or $2,000 if married)
Do itemize? Give appreciated stock instead of cash
- no capital gains tax on the growth
- you still get to deduct the full value
Quick Summary:
1. 401k: bump it for the last few paychecks
2. HSA: run it through payroll (skip the FICA 7.65% tax)
3. State or property tax: pay before December 31 if you itemize
4. 529: fund it before December 31 for the state deduction
5. Charity: $1,000 cash deduction allowed even with the standard deduction or give appreciated stock if you itemize
Find this helpful? Follow @clbradfish for more like this everyday!
The IRS just released the 2027 tax brackets
Dont worry... I'll save you the time from looking
Here’s the 7 things that changed (and what it means for your paycheck): 🧵
7. AMT exemption
AMT = alternative minimum tax
- Single: $93,000 (phase out starts at $515,950)
- Married: $144,700 (phase out starts at $1,031,900)
Most people never hit AMT
The exception: exercising ISOs and holding the shares
Quick Summary:
1. Tax brackets: up about 3.2%
2. Standard deduction: $33,200 married / $16,600 single
3. Child tax credit: $2,300 per kid
4. Health FSA: $3,500 ($700 carryover)
5. Commuter benefit: $350 a month
6. Gift exclusion: $20,000 per person
7. AMT exemption: $93,000 single / $144,700 married
Still waiting on the 2027 401k limits (I'll post those when the IRS does)
Find this helpful? Follow @clbradfish for more like this everyday!