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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Navigating Tax Efficiency: An In-Depth Exploration of Tax-Managed Funds

Posted on December 09, 2023 in Guide

Investing wisely involves not only selecting the right assets but also optimizing your portfolio for tax efficiency. Tax-managed funds, a specialized category of mutual funds, aim to minimize the tax impact on investors while maximizing returns. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the intricacies of tax-managed funds, exploring their …


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Traditional IRA: When the Tax Deduction Is Worth It

Posted on October 21, 2023 in Guide

A traditional IRA is a retirement account that may offer a tax deduction now in exchange for generally taxable withdrawals later. It is useful, but it is not automatically the best next account for every remote engineer.

The decision depends on your income, whether you are covered by a workplace …


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What is a 529 Plan? A Guide to Education Savings

Posted on October 13, 2023 in Guide

Navigating the world of educational savings can be a complex and financially demanding task, especially when preparing for your child's future education. One of the most powerful tools at your disposal is the 529 plan, a tax-advantaged savings vehicle designed to help families save for educational expenses. In this article …


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Navigating the Tax Implications of the Dividend Capture Strategy

Posted on October 09, 2023 in Guide

The dividend capture strategy is an investment technique that aims to capitalize on dividend payments from stocks by buying and selling them strategically around the ex-dividend date. While this strategy can generate income for investors, it also comes with significant tax considerations. In this in-depth article, we will explore the …


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Ex-Dividend Date: What It Means Before You Buy or Sell a Stock

Posted on September 23, 2023 in Guide

The ex-dividend date is the first day a stock trades without the right to receive its next declared dividend. If you buy on or after that date, you generally will not receive that dividend. If you owned the shares before it, you generally remain entitled even if you sell on …


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Quick Look: Dividend Capture Strategy

Posted on September 23, 2023 in Guide

The dividend capture strategy is an investment technique employed by some investors, particularly those seeking to generate income from dividend-paying stocks. This strategy involves buying shares of a dividend-paying stock just before its ex-dividend date, holding them long enough to receive the dividend payment, and then selling the shares shortly …


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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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401(k) vs. Roth 401(k): A Decision Framework for Engineers

Posted on August 01, 2023 in Guide

The useful question is not whether a traditional 401(k) or Roth 401(k) is universally better. It is which tax treatment fits your current income, likely future tax situation, and ability to save consistently.

Both accounts are workplace retirement plans. Both can invest in the options offered by the …


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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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