DO MORE WITH YOUR MONEY
136 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 16 ratingsPlanning strategies for doing more with your money on the path to financial independence
DO MORE WITH YOUR MONEY will teach you how to optimize taxes, invest strategically, and plan for financial flexibility and long-term independence
CFP® Pro TJ van Gerven shares his expertise in the areas of equity compensation, diversification, and sustaining financial independence
To learn more about TJ's independent advisory firm Modern Wealth Builders, head to modernwealthbuilders.com
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Episodes
#127: Unconventional Financial Planning: Navigating Life Without Kids with Jay Zigmont, PhD, CFP®
February 28, 2024 15:00 - 38 minutes - 42.2 MBIn this episode of "Do More With Your Money," host T.J. van Gerven interviews Jay Zigmont, PhD, CFP®, founder of Childfree Wealth. Jay, a financial planner specializing in advising childfree individuals, discusses the lack of financial planning services tailored to the 20-25% of the U.S. population not planning to have children. He highlights the unique financial planning challenges and opportunities for childfree people, such as the flexibility to live differently from the standard life scr...
#126: How Can Financial Planning Help You Achieve Life Balance and Fulfillment with Mike Troxell
February 14, 2024 15:00 - 49 minutes - 45.6 MBIn this episode of "Do More With Your Money," host TJ and financial advisor Mike Troxell discuss the challenges and strategies involved in financial planning, particularly for individuals with complex equity situations. They explore the emotional aspects of financial decisions, the importance of life planning, and the balance between enjoying life and maintaining financial security. The conversation also covers sabbatical planning, the evolving role of financial advisors, and the benefits of...
#125: Managing money across borders for globetrotting Indian millennials with Vrishin Subramaniam
January 31, 2024 15:00 - 46 minutes - 49.9 MBIn this episode of "Do More with Your Money", host T.J. van Gerven interviews Vrishin Subramaniam, a financial planner who specializes in assisting Indian millennials and Gen Z living abroad. They discuss the unique financial challenges faced by this demographic, including issues related to visas, cross-border money management, immigration status, taxation, and currency transfers. Vrishin also shares his insights on investment preferences, retirement planning, insurance considerations, emerg...
#124: Helping High-Earning Gen Z and Millennials Achieve Financial Success and Time Freedom with Zechariah Schaefer
January 17, 2024 15:00 - 1 hour - 62.9 MBIn this episode of "Do More with Your Money," host T.J. van Gerven interviews financial planner Zechariah Schaefer. They discuss Schaefer's personal journey into finance, his focus on helping high-earning Gen Z and millennial innovators, and the common financial pain points his clients face. Schaefer shares his views on cryptocurrencies, the importance of rental income in real estate investments, and strategies for business owners. They also discuss the concept of impact investing and the im...
#123: Understanding Bitcoin with Isaiah Douglass
January 03, 2024 15:00 - 59 minutes - 54.3 MBIn this episode of "Do More With Your Money," host TJ van Gerven chats with financial planner and bitcoin advocate Isaiah Douglass. They discuss the history and evolution of money, the creation of Bitcoin, and its potential as a store of value and investment. Douglass explains the concept of Bitcoin's self-regulation, the role of miners, and the energy consumption of Bitcoin mining. He also discusses the potential growth of Bitcoin, the risks associated with having only dollar-denominated as...
Roth or Traditional Contributions: Which is Best for High-Income Earners?
October 25, 2023 14:00 - 12 minutes - 18.5 MBIn this episode of "Do More With Your Money," host TJ van Gerven discusses the differences between Roth and traditional contributions for high-income earners. He explains the tax implications of both and how one's current and future income tax bracket can influence the decision. He also touches on the potential for future tax rate increases and the concept of Roth conversions or backdoor Roth contributions. The episode emphasizes that choosing between Roth and traditional contributions is a ...
Understanding The Overlooked Risk Of Long-Term Disability In Financial Planning
October 18, 2023 14:00 - 9 minutes - 16.1 MBIn this episode of "Do More With Your Money," host TJ Van Gerven discusses the often overlooked risk of long-term disability in financial planning. He explains the importance of having coverage, especially for those in early career stages, and highlights the need for understanding one's employer-sponsored coverage. Van Gerven also discusses the difference between own occupation and any occupation coverage, the potential limitations of employer plans, and the importance of supplemental covera...
Are Target Date Funds The Best Option For Beginner Investors?
October 11, 2023 14:00 - 10 minutes - 16.6 MBIn this podcast episode, TJ van Gerven discusses target date funds and their practicality for investors, particularly those who are just starting out. Target date funds are mutual funds designed for retirement investing with a specific future date in mind. The fund's asset allocation is adjusted over time to align with the target date, starting with a more aggressive investment strategy and gradually shifting towards a more conservative allocation. Target date funds offer a convenient one-st...
The High-Income Earner's Handbook: Navigating Withholding and Safe Harbor Rules
October 04, 2023 14:00 - 10 minutes - 16.9 MBIn this podcast episode, host TJ van Gerven discusses the topic of withholding for high-income earners and understanding safe harbor rules. He explains the difference between withholding on paychecks and actual tax rates, highlighting that the withholding rate on bonus income may not always be accurate. To simplify the process, TJ suggests focusing on the safe harbor limit, which ensures that a certain amount is withheld on taxes to avoid penalties for under-withholding. He also advises keep...
Maximizing Your Retirement Savings with the Mega Backdoor Roth 401(k)
September 27, 2023 14:00 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBIn this podcast episode, host TJ van Gerven discusses the concept of the Mega Backdoor Roth 401(k) and how it can be a beneficial strategy for long-term savings and tax diversification in retirement. He explains the different types of contributions available in a 401(k) plan, including pre-tax and Roth contributions. He also highlights the benefits of making strategic financial decisions early in your career and building flexibility for future financial security.
What is the Wash Sale Rule and How Does it Impact Equity Compensation?
September 20, 2023 14:00 - 5 minutes - 5.39 MBIn this episode of the podcast "Do More With Your Money," host TJ van Gerven discusses the wash sale rule and its implications for equity compensation. He explains what a wash sale is and how it can inadvertently be triggered with equity compensation such as restricted stock, stock purchase plans, and stock options. The consequences of triggering a wash sale are explored, including the disallowance of losses and complications in tracking cost basis and taxes. The episode concludes with an in...
How can you find the right financial advisor for your needs?
September 13, 2023 14:00 - 9 minutes - 15.4 MBIn this podcast episode, financial advisor TJ van Gerven shares insights on how to effectively work with a financial advisor. He highlights the importance of understanding different types of advisors and their compensation structures. van Gerven suggests seeking advisors who prioritize advice and have a comprehensive approach to financial planning. He recommends reputable sources for finding advisors and emphasizes the benefits of working with advisors who specialize in specific niches. van ...
From Discounted Stock to Cash in Hand: Making The Most Of Employee Stock Purchase Plans
September 06, 2023 14:00 - 7 minutes - 14 MBIn this podcast episode, TJ van Gerven discusses employee stock purchase plans (ESPPs) and their benefits and trade-offs. He explains that ESPPs offer a discount on company stock, potential savings through a lookback period, and the option to sell immediately for a profit. However, he warns about holding period requirements and concentration risk. van Gerven advises listeners to assess their cash flow and consider maximizing their ESPP contributions, while also emphasizing the importance of ...
Escaping the Real Estate Rat Race: Why Renting Might Be the Smarter Choice
August 30, 2023 14:00 - 10 minutes - 16.4 MBIn this episode of the podcast "Do More With Your Money," host TJ van Gerven discusses the societal pressure to purchase real estate as a primary residence. He highlights the changing cost of ownership and interest rate environment, urging listeners to consider their goals and run the numbers before making a decision. TJ breaks down the financial implications of owning a primary residence, emphasizing the time it takes to build equity and advising staying in a property for at least ten years...
The Greatest Return on Investment: Building Financial Flexibility
August 23, 2023 14:00 - 8 minutes - 7.59 MBPeace of mind that comes with having financial resources. By building good financial habits and making strategic financial decisions, individuals can create a foundation of flexibility that opens up a world of possibilities. Whether it's taking time off to explore new opportunities or negotiating for higher income, financial flexibility provides the power to shape one's own future. TJ van Gerven encourages listeners to start early and prioritize building financial resources, as the hidden re...
Are You Overcomplicating Your Portfolio Construction?
August 16, 2023 14:00 - 15 minutes - 14.1 MBIn this podcast episode, TJ van Gerven discusses portfolio construction from a holistic standpoint. He emphasizes the importance of the allocation between stocks, bonds, and cash as the largest determinant of expected return. TJ advises against overcomplicating portfolio construction by focusing on individual securities and suggests diversifying assets instead. He also highlights the significance of having a cash reserve for living expenses to provide peace of mind during volatile market per...
The Dangers of Holding onto Vested Stock: Tax Implications and Concentration Risk
August 09, 2023 14:00 - 10 minutes - 9.74 MBIn this podcast episode, TJ van Gerven discusses the dangers of not selling restricted stock immediately when it vests. He explains that while receiving vested shares may feel like a cash bonus, they are illiquid and cannot be accessed immediately. van Gerven highlights the concentration risk of holding a significant portion of one's net worth in a single stock, suggesting that owning more than 5% is considered concentrated. He also warns about the potential tax implications, as the with...
The cash conundrum: Balancing risk tolerance and financial security in an inflationary world.
August 03, 2023 16:24 - 10 minutes - 16 MBIn this podcast episode, TJ van Gerven, host of "Do More With Your Money," discusses the importance of understanding the real return on cash in an inflationary environment. He advises against holding too much cash, as it can lose value over time due to inflation. van Gerven suggests considering factors such as total cash position, net cash balance, fixed expenses, and personal spending habits when determining the right amount of cash to have on hand. He recommends aiming for a cash reserve o...
Unlocking the Potential of Incentive Stock Options: Risks and Benefits
October 03, 2022 17:10 - 9 minutes - 18.9 MBIn this episode of "Do More With Your Money", host TJ van Gerven discusses the topic of early exercising incentive stock options (ISOs) and the potential tax implications and trade-offs involved. He explains the concept of alternative minimum tax (AMT) and the importance of understanding the difference between the strike price and the current valuation of the shares. He also discusses the risks and benefits of early exercising ISOs, as well as the option of borrowing money to exercise them. ...
Should You Early Exercise Your Incentive Stock Options (ISOs)?
October 03, 2022 17:10 - 9 minutes - 11.7 MBRead the blog post here
Evaluating Your Tender Offer: Considerations, Tradeoffs, And Planning Opportunities
August 15, 2022 15:39 - 11 minutes - 13.2 MBRead the blog post here
To Sell or Not to Sell? Evaluating Tender Offer Considerations
August 15, 2022 15:39 - 11 minutes - 20.4 MBIn this podcast episode, TJ van Gerven discusses the considerations and trade-offs of accepting a tender offer, which is a solicitation to purchase equity in a private company. He explains that the most common reasons for accepting a tender offer are diversification purposes or personal financial reasons, but there are potential downsides to keep in mind. The speaker advises holding onto equity until post-IPO when shares are publicly traded and the market does a good job of pricing in future...
The Hidden Dangers of RSUs: What You Need to Know
May 18, 2022 12:00 - 7 minutes - 14.2 MBIn this podcast episode, TJ van Gerven discusses the potential pitfalls of dealing with RSUs (Restricted Stock Units), a form of equity compensation. He emphasizes the importance of tax planning, diversification, and avoiding concentration risk. TJ warns against being caught off guard by taxes when RSUs vest and advises against holding too much of your company's stock. He also reminds listeners that a good company does not necessarily mean a good stock. Overall, he stresses the importance of...
It Started Off With A Dip How Did It End Up Like This
May 11, 2022 12:00 - 18 minutes - 21.6 MBJoin weekly tips for pursuing FI
I-Bonds: Over-Hyped Or Useful?
May 04, 2022 12:00 - 13 minutes - 16.4 MBJoin weekly tips for pursuing FI
Financial Planning: Art Or Science?
April 27, 2022 12:00 - 9 minutes - 11.8 MBJoin weekly tips for pursuing FI
Reasons Why You Owe So Much Come Tax Time
April 20, 2022 12:00 - 14 minutes - 17.2 MBJoin weekly tips for pursuing FI
It's OK To Do More Of The Same
April 13, 2022 12:00 - 7 minutes - 9.89 MBJoin weekly tips for pursuing FI
How To Execute A Backdoor Roth IRA
April 06, 2022 12:00 - 13 minutes - 16.4 MBJoin tips for pursuing FI
Automate Your Savings Plan
March 30, 2022 12:00 - 14 minutes - 16.9 MBJoin Weekly Tips For Pursuing FI
Why Benchmarks Are Crucial For Gauging Investment Effectiveness
March 16, 2022 13:00 - 12 minutes - 14.5 MBJoin weekly tips for pursuing FI
I Can't Afford To Exercise My ISOs
March 09, 2022 13:00 - 9 minutes - 10.6 MBJoin weekly tips for pursuing FI How should you approach exercising ISOs when you don't have the ability for a cashless exercise? Especially common in pre-IPO situations you may not have enough cash to exercise your ISOs to get the clock ticking on long-term capital gain treatment. In this podcast episode, I share some ideas for navigating this issue.
Dealing With Market Uncertainty
March 02, 2022 13:00 - 11 minutes - 13.2 MBJoin weekly tips for pursuing FI Plan conservatively so you can invest aggressively. In this podcast episode, I share how you can deal with market uncertainty by focusing on the things in your control.
Focus On Work Optional Not Retire Early
February 23, 2022 15:32 - 9 minutes - 11 MBJoin weekly tips for pursuing FI Putting too much emphasis on the "retire early" aspect of financial independence can create a scarcity mindset and limit you from obtaining what you really want sooner. In this episode, I share why "work optional" is a better mindset for most people to focus on because it allows you to take breaks along the way while create a fulfilling life experience.
The Problem With Target Date Funds
February 16, 2022 13:00 - 8 minutes - 10.4 MBJoin weekly tips for pursuing FI Target date funds can be a great all-in-one solution for someone early in their investing journey who's looking to get appropriate investing exposure. However, target date funds can create some problems as you continue to grow your investment assets outside of a workplace retirement plan since they fail to take into account your complete financial picture. In this episode, I share some of the downsides target date funds can create as the complexity of y...
The Major Downsides Of Paying AMT
February 09, 2022 13:00 - 11 minutes - 13.2 MBJoin weekly tips for pursuing FI What are the major downsides of paying AMT when exercising ISOs? If you're not aware of the liability come tax time, you can create a cash flow nightmare. If you're aware of the liability ahead of time, the main downside is providing an interest-free loan to the IRS with the AMT credits you receive. An AMT credit is considered "non-refundable," meaning you have to have a tax liability in a future tax year that can be offset. Depending on your ta...
You Don't Need Permanent Life Insurance - Here's Why
February 02, 2022 13:00 - 12 minutes - 15.1 MBJoin Tips For Pursuing You most likely don't need to be paying for permanent life insurance. Term insurance is a far more cost-effective solution. In this podcast episode, I break down why you should keep your investing and insurance needs separate.
Tax-Loss Harvesting To Increase Net Returns
January 26, 2022 13:00 - 14 minutes - 16.6 MBJoin Tips For Pursuing FI Physician On FIRE: Tax-Loss Harvesting Guide In this episode, I break down the basics of tax-loss harvesting and some major pitfalls to be aware of.
Play The Game So You Can Exit The Game
January 19, 2022 13:00 - 8 minutes - 9.88 MBJoin Tips For Pursuing FI Financial planning is the guide that leads you from the game you are playing to the game you want to be playing.
Value Investing Vs. Market Cap Weighted Indexing
January 12, 2022 13:00 - 9 minutes - 11.7 MBJoin Tips For Pursuing FI In this podcast episode, I explore the differences between value investing and a passive investment style (market-cap-weighted).
How To Make 2022 Your Best Financial Year Yet
January 05, 2022 13:00 - 9 minutes - 10.9 MBJoin Tips For Pursuing FI As we start 2022, now is a great time to map out your cash flow for the year. How much of your income do you want to save this year and put towards growing your net worth to accelerate your path to FI. In this episode, I share my framework for mapping out cash flow and automating planned savings goals.
Considerations When You're Looking To Change Jobs
December 29, 2021 13:00 - 7 minutes - 9.18 MBJoin Tips For Pursuing FI Changing jobs can have a substantial impact on the trajectory of your future earnings. In this podcast episode, I share several considerations for comparing employment options and maximizing your compensation on the path to FI.
You Can Have Anything But Not Everything
December 22, 2021 17:56 - 8 minutes - 10.5 MBJoin Weekly Tips For Pursuing FI With financial planning, you can have anything, but not everything. Determine what you really want to quantify tradeoffs on the path to FI.
Dealing With Inflation and FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt)
December 15, 2021 13:00 - 15 minutes - 18 MBJoin Tips For Pursuing FI In this episode, I share strategies that are in your control for dealing with inflation and FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt) in general. There will always be FUD on the path to FI. By focusing on evidence-based strategies that are in your control, you can minimize the potential negative impact of inflation.
Build For Balance And Sustainability
December 08, 2021 13:00 - 9 minutes - 11.2 MBJoin Weekly Tips For Pursuing FI Whether it's your fitness, finances, or business aspirations, build for balance and sustainability. Prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term enthusiasm.
Pursuing Equity Compensation In A Startup As A 1099 Contractor
December 01, 2021 17:31 - 11 minutes - 14 MBJoin Tips For Pursuing Your Financial Independence In this podcast episode, I share crucial things to be aware of when pursuing equity compensation in a startup as a 1099 contractor. From health insurance to taxes and retirement plans, being 1099 presents a different set of financial planning strategies than a W2 employee. I also discuss the importance of prioritizing equity compensation over a higher base salary.
Start With A Vision - Then Iterate
November 24, 2021 13:00 - 9 minutes - 11.2 MBJoin MWB Weekly Tips Here With financial planning, start with a baseline vision of your desired lifestyle. From there, you can start to quantify tradeoffs depending on how aggressive your vision is. You can have anything but not everything.
Defining "Enough"
November 17, 2021 13:00 - 7 minutes - 8.29 MBJoin the Modern Wealth Builders weekly tips email list What is "enough"? What is the end vision for the lifestyle you're building towards? In this episode, I share my thoughts around what "enough" means for me and how you can define "enough" for you.
Minimize Regret With Life Changing Money Decisions
November 10, 2021 12:00 - 11 minutes - 13.7 MBJoin weekly tips here Regret optimization > Tax optimization Focus on determining when is “enough” before focusing on tax optimization.