If you work for a company that offers equity compensation then you may notice, or have received, non-qualified stock options as a piece of the compensation structure. Of the two types of employee stock options, non-qualified options and incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options tend to be more prevalent.

Stock options may seem a little daunting because of the complexities and moving parts but rest assured I’m here to give you the basics on non-qualified stock options.

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) are among the most popular forms of equity compensation today. They’re typically extended to key employees of a company in lieu of cash directly via a bonus, pay raise, or even a portion of salary.

For most, the word budgeting sends a shiver down the spine from past or maybe even current trauma. I get it.

Budgeting, or the planning of your income and expenses, tends to be the stage that involves the culmination of your history with money (including financial trauma), values and beliefs, your shortfalls, financial goals and more.

However, there seems to be many misconceptions around budgeting.

If you have, or plan to receive, any sort of equity compensation then it’s important to know how your vesting schedule works and the concept of “vesting” in general.

Knowing the ins and outs of your vesting schedule can help with your strategic financial planning in order to make the best decisions possible.

When it come to our parents, they can give us a lot of valuable life advice. Unfortunately, when it comes to money and personal finance many of us have received terrible advice from our parents.

It’s okay, many of them don’t know what they don’t know or they’re simply passing on what they’ve learned from who knows where (e.g. the media, their parents/family, other sources they “trust”, etc.).

Regardless, just because they give us advice it doesn’t mean we should act upon it. We must do our due diligence because after all they’re OUR personal finances.

Let’s be honest, personal finances tend to be the afterthought that we promise to handle in the future.

What many don’t realize is that time matters, especially when talking about our finances. That’s because personal finances can either compound in your favor or against it. The longer we prolong the health of our finances the more damage that will be done over time.

Professional relationships can be tricky. We’re more familiar with our lives, and those around us, so evaluating personal relationships comes more natural for many of us.

However, what about evaluating professional relationships?

If you currently have a financial advisor then it’s important to evaluate that relationship on an ongoing basis.

When it comes to wealth building, and habits in general, you want to establish a structure that’s going to keep you as consistent as possible. This is so you can reduce the friction, or push back, of carrying out different actions necessary for you to thrive within your personal finances. Budgeting is no different. There are many different views around budgeting but I want to talk about the easiest way to budget by saving for your top priorities first.

Insert the reverse budget.

I would be terrified if I were shopping for a financial advisor and I didn’t know what I know. There’s a lot of noise and bad actors in the profession that make this process naturally difficult.

Regardless, the evaluation and comparison process can be much easier if you have the right questions to ask.

There’s no worse feeling than having a major financial set back or to be interrupted as you’re getting your finances on track. When building wealth and getting your financial affairs in order there are a ton of very fun and exciting things to do.

However, many individuals skip over one of the most foundational steps: the emergency fund.

It’s never been more important to have one in order to prevent potentially costly mistakes