The Personal Finance Notebook
Straightforward frameworks for everyday money choices, from cash flow to big life goals.
What To Do With Your Old 401(k) Before Year-End: Smart Moves for Retirees and Job Changers
Many retirees and job changers leave old 401(k)s behind, which can lead to higher fees, limited investment options, and lost control.
Year-end is the perfect time to review and consolidate accounts for better organization and tax efficiency.
Rolling your old 401(k) into an IRA offers broader investment choices, clearer fees, and easier integration with your retirement income plan.
Direct rollovers prevent unnecessary taxes or penalties and help keep your money growing tax-deferred.
A well-planned IRA rollover can simplify retirement management and create more flexibility for future Roth conversions or withdrawals.
The 2025 Elon Musk Pay Package: What Equity-Comp Professionals Can Learn
• Shareholders vote November 6 on Tesla’s new CEO pay package and why the debate matters for anyone paid in stock
• What “pay for performance” really looks like and how vesting hurdles translate to your RSUs, ISOs, and ESPP
• Governance lessons from the court fight and why process and disclosure shape real value
• Practical takeaways to cut concentration risk and plan taxes before a vest or exercise
• A 30-day equity checkup you can actually finish: inventory grants, calendar key dates, model “what-ifs,” write a one-page policy
5 Things Individual Investors Should Do Before Year-End
The one portfolio tweak I make every Q4
A simple tax move most investors overlook until it’s too late
The account to top off now so January feels easier
A quiet checklist that prevents costly year-end surprises
How I set next year’s “rules” in 10 minutes flat
Year-End Stock Option and RSU Planning for Tech Professionals
Learn how to review your stock options and RSUs before year-end. Fiduciary financial planning for tech professionals in Scottsdale, Arizona.
What’s Driving the S&P 500 to Record Highs?
The S&P 500 is reaching record highs on the back of stronger earnings, Fed rate cuts, and ongoing AI momentum.
Corporate buybacks and new leadership from health care stocks are adding fuel beyond just big tech.
For investors, new highs are a reminder to revisit allocations, rebalance, and stay disciplined with long-term plans.
Government Shutdown: A Bird’s Eye View
Government shutdown explained: what closes, what stays open, and how a continuing resolution could avert it—plain-English answers and next steps.
What a U.S. government shutdown means for services, paychecks, travel, and benefits—timelines, FAQs, and practical tips in simple terms.
Shutdown watch: deadlines, continuing resolution basics, and how federal services may be affected. Clear, nonpartisan overview.