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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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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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): 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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Equity Compensation for Software Engineers

Posted on July 29, 2023 in Guide

Equity compensation is a form of non-salary compensation that companies offer to their employees. It is a way for companies to attract and retain top talent, and it can also be a way for employees to share in the company's success.

There are a few different types of equity compensation …


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Are Target-Date Funds Right for You? What to Check Before You Choose

Posted on July 25, 2023 in Guide

A target-date fund is a simple way to own a diversified retirement portfolio that becomes more conservative over time. It can be an excellent default, but the year in the fund name is not enough information to decide whether it fits you.

The SEC notes that funds with the same …


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Introduction to the 5-fund investment strategy

Posted on July 23, 2023 in Guide

The 5-fund investment strategy is a variation of the 3-fund and 4-fund strategies that adds a fifth fund to the mix: a real estate investment trust (REIT) fund. REITs are companies that own and operate income-producing real estate.

Adding a REIT fund to your portfolio can help to further diversify …


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4-Fund Portfolio: When an International Bond Fund Adds Value

Posted on July 21, 2023 in Guide

A 4-fund portfolio adds an international bond fund to the familiar U.S. stock, international stock, and U.S. bond structure of a 3-fund portfolio.

That extra fund can broaden bond exposure, but it is not automatically an improvement. The right question is whether the additional diversification fits your allocation …


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