Total Compensation: Equity vs Cash

Posted on June 07, 2024 in guide

Understanding your total compensation is crucial when evaluating a job offer, especially in the high-tech industry. Compensation packages often include not just base salary but also bonuses, benefits, and equity. The two primary components of total compensation that often require careful consideration are cash (salary and

bonuses) and equity (stock …


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Understanding the Mega Backdoor Roth: A Guide for Remote Software Engineers

Posted on June 01, 2024 in guide

As a software engineer working remotely while traveling the world, managing your finances effectively is crucial. One powerful tool that can help you build substantial tax-free retirement savings is the Mega Backdoor Roth. This blog post will explain what a Mega Backdoor Roth is, how it works, and how you …


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A Software Engineer's Guide to Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

Posted on August 10, 2023 in guide

Restricted stock units (RSUs) are a type of equity compensation that is often offered to software engineers. RSUs give employees the right to own shares of company stock, but there are certain restrictions on when and how the shares can be claimed.

How do RSUs work?

When an employee is …


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A Software Engineer's Guide to Phantom Stock

Posted on August 08, 2023 in guide

Phantom stock is a type of equity compensation that gives employees the right to share in the appreciation of a company's stock without actually owning any shares. It is often used by startups and other companies that do not yet have publicly traded stock.

Phantom stock can be a valuable …


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Typical Compensation Zones for FAANG Companies

Posted on August 07, 2023 in guide

FAANG companies typically use a few different compensation zones, including:

  • San Francisco Bay Area: This is the highest-paying compensation zone, with salaries that are significantly higher than in other areas. This is due to the high cost of living in the Bay Area.
  • New York City: This is another high-paying …

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How are Compensation Zones Determined?

Posted on August 06, 2023 in guide

There are a number of factors that employers should consider when determining compensation zones, including:

  • Cost of living: The cost of living is one of the most important factors that employers should consider when determining compensation zones. This is because the cost of living varies significantly from one area to …

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What are Compensation Zones?

Posted on August 05, 2023 in guide

Compensation zones are geographic areas that have been designated by employers as having different salary ranges for similar positions. These zones are typically based on factors such as cost of living, local market conditions, and the availability of talent.

For example, a company might have a compensation zone for the …


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A Software Engineer's Guide to Restricted Stock

Posted on August 02, 2023 in guide

Restricted stock is a form of equity compensation that is often offered to software engineers. It is a way for companies to attract and retain top talent by giving them a stake in the company's success.

What is restricted stock?

Restricted stock is stock that is granted to employees but …


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401(k) vs Roth 401(k): Which is Right for You?

Posted on August 01, 2023 in guide

A 401(k) is a retirement savings plan that allows employees to save money from their paychecks on a tax-deferred basis. A Roth 401(k) is a variation of the 401(k) plan that allows employees to make contributions after-tax.

Both 401(k)s and Roth 401(k)s offer …


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A Software Engineer's Guide to Stock Options

Posted on July 31, 2023 in guide

Stock options are a form of equity compensation that companies offer to their employees. They give employees the right to buy a certain number of shares of the company's stock at a predetermined price. The price is typically set at a discount to the current market price.

Stock options can …


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