Author: Meg

How We Evaluate and (Hopefully) Improve a Client’s Existing Portfolio

Block Woman looks at a jumbled pile of multi-colored puzzle pieces.

As much as I think most of investing is boring (and should be), I really enjoy the puzzle of what to do when I first start working with a client’s existing investment portfolio. And how I work through that puzzle might help you evaluate and improve your own investment portfolio.

investing tax planning

Our Investment Beliefs

A black-and-white image of Block Woman perched on a rough-hewn rock. Block Woman appears to be contemplating their shadow.

I rarely talk about investing in this blog. It has been on purpose.

Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPP): Enroll, But Don’t Get Too Excited.

Block Woman gazes at white horizontal sheet of paper propped up on a light-colored wood easel. A green question mark symbol hangs above her pointed head.

Do you know, more or less, how RSUs work, but ESPPs are a complete mystery? Join many of our clients in that confusion. And frankly they are stupidly complicated for the amount of money they’re worth to you.

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You Just Started a New Job. How Much Should You Contribute to Your New 401(k)?

Block Woman looks at a piece of white paper with a grey maze drawn on it. There are 3 green exclamation marks above Block Woman.

One of the many things you have to figure out when you start a new job is the new company 401(k).

401(k) new job retirement savings

You Want Certainty. I’m Sorry, You Can’t Have It. So How Should You Make Financial Decisions?

Block Woman looks at a black-and-white die that is being rolled

Because our clients are of the human variety, a lot of them want some certainty in their planning. They want to know that this decision will turn out right, or that they will be able to achieve this or that goal.

financial planning life planning uncertainty

Reflections on 7 Years of Flow

Block Women's head is lying on a round cake with white icing. Seven colorful birthday candles are strewn around.

My seventh year in business was probably my hardest year, save for my first. My first was characterized by “Will this even work?” Last year was characterized by “It worked. But I’m not happy…and good lord am I tired.”

anniversary birthday business owner financial planner life lessons Life values values

How I Created My Own Charitable Giving Plan: An update 2 years later

Block Woman reviews a hand-written list of potential charitable donations. There is a pile of cash underneath the list.

Two years ago, I wrote about creating my own charitable giving strategy, which I then documented in spreadsheet-y glory. I’m back to tell you how I’ve changed and improved it since then.

charitable donations charitable giving DAF donor advised fund

Rolling Over An Old 401(k)? Watch Out for These Gotchas.

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Earlier this year, a client rolled over an old 401(k) into her IRAs at TD Ameritrade (where we manage our clients’ investments). She received, correctly, two checks from her 401(k): one for her pre-tax 401(k) account and one for her Roth 401(k) account. She mailed both of those checks to TD Ameritrade…and they were both automatically dumped into her traditional IRA.

401(k) IRA Rollover 401(k) Rollover mistakes Roth IRA

You Should Aim to Be Financially Independent…Enough.

Though the fervor around “financial independence” has abated a bit in recent years, I still see quite a bit of it. (Perils of the job, doncha know.) In fact, I most often see this “I want to retire now!” from women who are burned. the f*ck. out. by their career in tech.

Financial Independence Financial Independence Retire Early FIRE Retire Early retirement retirement savings

Should You Exercise Your Options at Your Private Company? 4 Approaches to Consider

Block Woman balancing on a slender tightrope in the top third of the image.

This is for all you private-company employees out there who still have your job. And have exercisable stock options hanging over your head, causing persistent low-key anxiety about: