Financial planning and education (without the jargon) I Creating blueprints for high-earning sales executives and business owners

I left the financial industry because I saw a problem.

People wanted to work with a planner, but they ended up becoming a number on a spreadsheet.

I had to leave to start something new.

And now?

I'm a fee-only planner who helps salespeople & equity compensated employees under 45 give a purpose to their paycheck.

I left the large financial institutions to start my own independent company. I did it so people could pay for real planning and not just an agenda to sell a hidden product. 

As a true fiduciary, Pashman Financial, LLC was built on that promise by focusing on you and you only.

🔵 Why people hire me? 

Well, people have come to me with the following problems:

- They want peace of mind with their money
- Their old advisor barely communicates with them
- They want an answer tailored to them, not from Google
- They felt pressured to buy a product that wasn't a right fit
- They are great at making money but struggle to keep it
- They want a simple plan that's easy to understand
- They want someone to hold them accountable
- They want someone they can trust

🔵 What are my services?

I help identify your goals, craft a financial blueprint that lays out action items to hit them, and monitor your progress. 

💵 Cash Flow Management  
📈 Equity Compensation
🏡 Real Estate Planning
📊 Investment Planning
📍 Retirement Planning
🛡 Insurance Planning
📚 Education Planning
💲 Tax Management
💳 Debt Repayment
📃 Estate Planning

🔵 Who do I serve?

Age: Individuals and families between 30-50 years old
Target: Sales pros, tech employees, other millennial families
Location: Virtually anywhere in the U.S.

But I love working with people that are driven to make a change. So even if you don’t fit these criteria, feel free to reach out. Your personality is everything. 

🔵 Why I'm different?

1) My model is primarily a flat fee service. No time trap. 

2) I do not require you to hand over your investments nor require a minimum to work with. Managing your assets is optional and I'll still assist you if you do it yourself. My focus is ongoing financial planning. 

3) I focus on how to increase your cash flow, not just your assets. I work with you to ensure your systems are set and consistently educate you on how your finances work. I get paid to truly keep you accountable over time.

You can find my pricing in my "featured" section on the website. 

Stop delaying action. Shoot me a message to schedule a complimentary intro.

Max Pashman, CFP®

Renting is not a waste of money 
Renting is not a waste of money
Renting is not a waste of money
Renting is not a waste of money
Renting is not a waste of money

It isn’t always “throwing money away”.

In fact, it’s an option that offers flexibility.

It’s avoiding being locked into a mortgage you’re not financially or emotionally ready for.

People underestimate how costly the wrong home purchase can be.

Better to stretch on rent than get trapped by a mortgage you can’t afford.

Helping Founders and Executives Plan for Early Retirement and Exit

Most have no clue what a write-off does.

Here's a quick breakdown of what it is:

A write-off is merely a deduction.

So use the example:

→ You get a $20,000 expense to write off
 → If your income starts at $200,000?
 → It gets lowered to $180,000
 → So what does that mean?

Here's what it does not mean:

IT DOES NOT MEAN $20,000 LESS TAXES.

A deduction does one thing:
Reduces income taxable.

In this case, a single person in 2025:
(Using only federal taxes in this example)

→ The entire $20,000 is in the 32% bracket
 → The amount taxed? $6,400 federal
 → So with the taxes saved?
 → You netted - $13,600

So yes, you saved more in taxes.

But you still spent money in the end.

It's not a dollar-for-dollar save.

It's a reduction in income taxed.

Big difference!

Note: Post is purely educational and not financial or tax advice*

Max Pashman

pashman-financial-llc

schooloffinances

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Your employer offers you a $200,000 salary. 

But also offers a $200,000 bonus with it.

When you get the bonus, it's taxed just like your salary. 

Except it's withheld completely different from it. 

One question you should always ask:

What will you do with the bonus?

Option 1: Spend it
Option 2: Save it in cash
Option 3: Invest in your company's stock
Option 4: Invest it into your portfolio

No matter what happens, that bonus gets taxed when it vests. 

And if you haven't figured it out by now, I'm not talking about a bonus.

Welcome to planning around Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) 101

90% of parents plan to invest for their kids, but are clueless where. 
 
Here are the full details of common accounts to consider:
 
#1 529 Plan 
 
Usually the first option people think of when planning for their kids. 
 
This is the traditional go-to if you know your kid is going to college. 
 
The reason being is that it provides tax advantages specifically for educational needs. 
 
Pros of 529: 
 
-Earnings are tax-free when used for qualified educational expenses 
-Can front load up to 5x normal contributions 
($19,000 X 5 = $95,000 per contributor) 
-May offer a state deduction depending on the state 
 
Cons of 529: 
 
-If not used for education, earnings are taxed + hit with a 10% tax penalty 
-Limited investments options available 
-Expense ratios could be high 
 
 
#2 UTMA / UGMA 
 
Don't think the funds will be used for college? 
 
One of the most popular alternatives is a UTMA / UGMA. 
 
It can be a good way to provide a nest egg for the future. 
 
Pros of UTMA/UGMA: 
 
-A vehicle that could be used to teach your kids about personal finance 
-Can be used for any purpose and not just their education 
-Exempted from paying a gift tax up to $19,000 / year 
 
Cons of UTMA/UGMA: 
 
-Hurts financial aid as a kids asset and is subject to kiddie taxes 
-Contributions are irrevocable (cannot be taken back) 
-Funds MUST be given to kids when they are 18-21 depending on the state 
 
#3 Custodial Roth IRA 
 
Who doesn’t love a Roth? 
 
Now you can provide one for your child. 
 
This is a unique way to build tax-free money that’s partially accessible penalty-free before retirement. 
 
(Partially is the key word here) 
 
Pros of Custodial Roth IRA: 
 
-Not included in the financial aid calculation 
-Access to contributions are penalty free 
-Earnings are penalty free and/or tax free if requirements are met 
 
Cons of Custodial IRA: 
 
-Restrictions on earnings withdrawals 
-Retirement is a very low priority for an 18 year 
-Full control is given to the child by 18/21 (like a UTMA / UGMA) 
- Child must also earn income to contribute
 
#4 Brokerage (Under Parent's Name)
 
While it doesn’t have many tax benefits, it offers flexibility. 
 
You may not know what to do with your kid's future, so this provides options open to you. 
 
This also gives you control over how to invest and when to gift. 
 
Pros of Brokerage: 
 
-Flexibility around managing and investing 
-No penalties for withdrawals 
-Capital gains tax treatment 
 
Cons of Brokerage: 
 
-No deductions 
-Dividends and trades are taxable in the year received & realized 
-Could be subject to kiddie tax if funds gifted before their adulthood 
 
What works for you will depend on your situation. 

Choose the accounts that fit for your kids! 

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Like these visuals? You'll love my money visual newsletter.

Be sure to be subscribed to receive the new one this week:

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Talks about #money, #wealth, #investing, #personalfinance, and #financialplanning

People spend roughly $200 a plate for a Thanksgiving dinner. If they took that $100 and invested it in the market over 30 years you would have made nah I’m just kidding have a great Thanksgiving everyone!

"Let's circle back after the holidays"

1st Follow Up: I meant after Christmas

Next Follow Up: Sorry I really meant after Valentines Day

Next Follow Up: Yeah I meant my CPA's tax holiday season

Next Follow Up: Oh whoops I'm on Holiday for the entire summer

Next Follow Up: Scary the year went by! Speaking of which, I meant after Halloween

Next Follow Up: Who are you? Oh yeah. Let's circle back after the holidays.

Major changes are coming to your finances in 2026. 

Here's everything you need to know:

Every year, the IRS adjusts contribution limits to keep pace with inflation, but 2026 is shaping up to bring some of the most notable increases in recent memory. If you're planning ahead for retirement, these updates matter.

→ Workplace Retirement Plans (401(k), 403(b), 457)

2025: $23,500
2026: $24,500

Catch-Up (50+): increasing from $7,500 to $8,000 (up to $11,250 depending on income)

→ Traditional & Roth IRA

2025: $7,000
2026: $7,500

Catch-Up (50+): increasing from $1,000 to $1,100

→ SIMPLE IRA

2025: $16,500
2026: $17,000

Catch-Up: increasing from $3,500 to $4,000 (up to $5,250 depending on income)

→ Health Savings Account (HSA)

2025:
• Individual: $4,300
• Family: $8,550

2026:
• Individual: $4,400
• Family: $8,750

Catch-Up (55+): remains $1,000

→ What this means for you

Higher contribution limits create more room to lower taxable income, increase long-term investment potential, and accelerate progress toward retirement. 

Even incremental annual increases compound significantly over time.

If you want 2026 to be a year where you maximize your financial opportunities, start planning now.

If you need help building a contribution strategy that aligns with your goals, reach out and let’s talk.

I've fallen off the wagon a bit on LinkedIn.

Less time on here. Less engaging.

Ironically, my impressions have never been better.

But the truth is that I need time to cool down a bit. 

Some people love to flex how often they show up on here or how much they engage. 

When you are a solo business owner, your time just needs to be recharged. 

It's just my simple way of not making my way to a burnout. 

Regardless, I can't wait to go back on full go in a couple of weeks. 

I've never been more optimistic about what LinkedIn can provide in 2026 and beyond. 

Let's keep it going folks!

Your friend sells iPhones for $1,000.

You decide to buy an iPhone from your friend.

Your friend says to you:

"Hey you're my friend so I'll give you a 15% discount and let you buy it for $850."

You buy the iPhone for $850.

Because of the high demand for these iPhones, this iPhone has the potential to increase its value or lower it.

And people right now are willing to buy them for $1,000.

You have two choices:

Option 1) Hold on the iPhone and see it's value go up or down

Option 2) Sell it immediately and pocket that $150 profit

All of which depends on a couple of factors:

- Your financial situation
- Your desired exposure
- Your risk appetite
- Blackout periods

And if you haven't figured it out by now, I'm not talking about iPhones.

Welcome to Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPP) 101.

If I were a DIY investor, these are the platforms I'd be using:

- Banking: Chase
- Investing Platform: Fidelity / Vanguard
- HYSA: Betterment / Wealthfront / Marcus
- Bill Management: Rocket Money
- CC Comparison: Points Guy
- Tracking Progress: Monarch
- Estate Planning: Trust&Will.com
- Life Insurance: Ladder Life
- Donations: Daffy.org
- Budgeting: YNAB

None of these companies paid me to write this. 

I genuinely like the areas that help DIY investors here. 

One area I did not include: retirement software. 

I personally believe that without the right expertise, this is the hardest to execute on your own.

Despite all the things you can do on your own, I think getting a second set of eyes for areas like retirement planning, equity compensation, tax planning, and exit planning needs the expertise of an advisor.

Which tools do you use?

Today: Shirt worth $100

Black Friday next week: “50% OFF! Now $100!”

 What a steal.

52% of families are unprepared for an unplanned expense. 
 
Here's how you can better prepare for it:

Create a safety net in your plan.

AKA an emergency fund. 
 
Doing so for three reasons:
 
-> Access to short-term funds 
-> Avoid tapping into long-term funds 
-> To prevent you from taking on more debt 
 
The chart you see is one that I put together. 
 
I love to incorporate multiple variables to identify the right number. 
 
These are just some examples. 
 
And just my personal take on what I've seen. 
 
You may only need 3 months, but you want 12 months for peace of mind. 
 
The point is that while the 3-6 month rule is a good benchmark, it's also flexible. 
 
Choose the amount that fits your profile. 
 
It's an insurance policy for your goals.

Don't go into a food coma with your money. 
 
Here's what most miss about finances: 
 
It's not about the fancy stuff. 
 
Investing is awesome. 
So are the investments. 
And so are the vehicles. 
 
But individually, they mean nothing. 
 
The combination of them does. 
 
Things that should be considered: 
 
- Why you have them? 
- How do they work with one another? 
- What role they play with your goals? 
- Where does you money work?] 
- When do you need it? 
 
By having the right plan, you can put a purpose to your paycheck. 
 
You wouldn't wing a Thanksgiving dinner. 
 
Neither should you with your finances.

Happy Thanksgiving!

You have Chat GPT for find your answers.
You have Perplexity to find your answers.
You have Gemini to find you answers. 

Yet, you haven't made changes.

Or worse, left wondering what you need to change now. 

Things like:

- Set up automated investing systems
- Build a savings plan for your next home
- Make a debt payoff plan you can stick to
- Build a real equity plan (RSUs, ISOs, ESPPs)
- Create a tax plan for bonuses and RSU vests
- Build a simple spending plan that actually works
- Optimize your account order (taxable, 401k, Roth, HSA)
- Review insurance needs without selling you insurance
- Optimize self-employed taxes and retirement plans
- Run long-term projections for major decisions
- Turn vague financial goals into real numbers
- Review your full financial picture for gaps
- Set up a smart charitable giving strategy
- Create an early retirement roadmap

In other, words you haven't taken action... yet.

We're entering an interesting era of paralysis by analysis. 

We're getting more well informed about our finances thanks to AI.

But the lack of action continues to remain with humans. 

Let's make 2026 our goal to it implement together.

It takes a human to know a human after all.

When you need help, DM me.

SpaceX is rumored to IPO at a $1.5 trillion valuation.

While great for employees, it could also be a tax nightmare. 

Take Timmy, for example.

He got 10,000 ISOs back when the company was tiny.

Strike price? 10 cents a share.

Meaning he could buy everything for just $1,000
(10,000 × $0.10)

Fast forward.

SpaceX becomes one of the most valuable private companies in the world.
The latest 409A valuation hits $200/share.

So on paper?

Timmy’s options are worth $2 million.
($200 × 10,000)

He hasn’t exercised yet.

Then, like many employees do, he accepts another job.

And suddenly, the countdown starts.

Most companies give you 90 days after leaving to exercise ISOs before they turn into NSOs.

So Timmy rushes.

He exercises everything in December 2025.

Pays the $1,000 strike price.
No regular tax due at exercise.
He now owns the shares.

Feels amazing.

Until tax season.

Timmy discovers he owes over $500,000 in AMT.

Because AMT treats the bargain he got:

($200 FMV – $0.10 strike) × 10,000 = $1.999 million as income for AMT purposes.

Here’s where SpaceX employees could run into the same problem:

Even if SpaceX IPOs in 2026?

You still can’t sell right away.

Because:

- Newly public companies have insider lockup/blackout periods
- Employees often can’t sell for 6 months or more after IPO
- Pre-IPO shares may have transfer restrictions
- Early investors usually get liquidity before employees

So imagine Timmy:

- He exercised in December to beat termination deadlines.
- He triggered a huge AMT bill on paper gains.
- The IPO happens in 2026, great!
- But he’s still locked up and cannot sell.

Meaning:

The AMT bill is due in April 2026

The shares still aren’t liquid.

He might not be able to sell until late 2026 or even 2027.

This turns from a dream to a nightmare.

This exact sequence has happened before at other rocket-ship startups.

Let’s pause:

Timmy is not a real person.
(This is a hypothetical scenario after all)

But problems like this?
Not made up either.

And it’s preventable.

Here’s what Timmy could have done:

- Run an AMT forecast before exercising
- Exercise earlier when the valuation was far lower
- Exercise gradually instead of all at once
- Plan for liquidity timing around IPO + blackout periods
- Keep cash on hand for any AMT exposure
- Or choose not to exercise at all

And one more nuance:

Even if you owe AMT, you may recover some through the AMT credit, but only if the stock eventually sells for a gain.

If the price drops before he can sell?

The AMT is gone forever.

That’s why ISO planning matters.

Equity can be life-changing.

Or financially devastating.

The difference isn’t the IPO.

It’s the strategy leading up to it.

So if you’re at SpaceX, or any pre-IPO company, run the numbers before exercising.

Don’t end up like Timmy.

Dear LinkedIn,

Show everyone's impression count. 

Sincerely, 
Literally Everyone

If you sell your RSUs, this one mistake can cost you thousands.

Before you sell, always check your cost basis. For example:

You receive company stock at vest
→ Share price at vest: $40

Later, you sell
→ Share price at sale: $100

What should happen:

Cost basis = $40
Sale price = $100
Taxable gain = $60

But what I’ve seen happen way too often:

Cost basis shows $0

So the IRS thinks:

Sale price = $100
Taxable gain = $100

That means:

You’re paying taxes on gains you never actually made

Higher capital gains = Higher tax bill!

The good news:

This is usually a reporting issue.

It can often be corrected before (or even after) the sale.

But only if you catch it.

Before selling any RSUs, ESPP, or stock awards:

- Check the cost basis
- Confirm it matches the vest price
- Fix errors before you hit sell

Because paying extra taxes for no reason is a mistake you don’t need to make.

Educational only. Not tax advice.

90% of employees with RSUs can’t explain how they work.

Here’s the simple version you actually need.
 
Restricted Stock Units (RSU) are equity offered by an employer to an employee. 
 
No upfront financial commitment is required from the employee. 
 
Meaning they pay nothing out of pocket for them. 
 
But rather it’s viewed as a “promise”. 
 
So how do they receive them? 
 
A vesting schedule is attached to one of these requirements. 
 
1. Time served at the company 
2. Performance related 
3. Combo of both 
 
It usually has a 4 year graded vesting period starting a year from the grant date. 
 
After 1 year 25% is vested, then 25% is added after every year. 
 
Example: You have 1,000 shares that has a 4-year vesting period 
 
In this case, 250 will be vested after the first year, 250 for the second year, and the same for the third & fourth year. 
 
So as this happens, how do RSUs get taxed? 
 
Because the employer gives this to employee like a bonus, the RSU is treated as compensation. 
 
Therefore, the entire face amount is treated as income. 
 
This event occurs only when the RSU has been vested. 
 
Example: The amount vested 1,000 stock for $10 FMV? 
 
1,000 X $10 = $10,000 
 
When this vests, this amount is treated as taxable income. 
 
But you receive this in stock, not in dollars. 
 
So how are taxes withheld here? 
 
Employers commonly sell some of the stock it in an effort to withhold the taxes. 
 
For example: 
 
Let’s say 2,500 of stock was vested at $100 = $250,000 
 
Suppose in this example 22% is withheld. 
 
Of the 2500, 550 of them would be sold immediately to withhold the taxes. 
 
Leaving the employee with 1,950 stock after. 
 
If the employer immediately sells at vesting, no additional taxes are due from those stocks. 
 
However, you’ll need to track this because employers might not withhold the correct amount for you. 
 
Monitor this as it vests. 
 
What about your stock after? 
 
When you receive your stock, the price at the time of vesting is the new cost basis. 
 
From that point onwards, the stock is has capital gains treatment. 
 
So should you keep it or not? 
 
This is concentrated stock, which is a risk in itself. 
 
This will depend on your risk tolerance and desired exposure to one company. 
 
Selling some or all may make sense and reinvest in a diversified portfolio. 
 
It all comes down to your preference!

Northwestern Mutual

Helping you live life intentionally and using tools that allow you to pay less tax, protect your family, and be confident in your future.

Financial Advisor

Philly Frassati

Providing adventures and parties that draw young adults  closer to God. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/phillyfrassati?

Co-Founder

Cristo Rey Consulting

Helping small catholic non-profits succeed with the resources they have

Founder, Non-profit consultant

Ziegs Landscaping

Generated annualized returns of $240k
Sold

Co-Owner, Manager

Christian Family’s Financial Guide 🙏 Read my bio and see how… Be Radically Intentional 👊 Accepting new clients: generous families/businesses

🔷When I gave my life to Christ everything changed. 🔷

I knew my life needed to be oriented towards Him.

Not just on Sundays-everyday and in each area of my life. 

Including finances, family, work… everything.

Now, I help families realign their finances. 
Making heaven and impact the goal. Not just wealth.

🔹 Why families hire me? 🔹 

- They want peace of mind with their money 
- They want someone w shared values and goals
- They want to leave a lasting legacy more than money
- They want an answer tailored to them, not from Google 
- They built up a financial junk drawer and need a plan
- They want a clear plan that's easy to understand 
- They want someone to hold them accountable 
- They want someone they can trust

🔹 How we help 🔹 

I help Christian families define their family vision, organize their financial junk drawer, and realign their resources towards their mission through:  

💵 Cash Flow Management  
👼 Planned giving strategy 
🏡 Real Estate Planning 
📊 Investment Planning 
📍 Retirement Planning 
🛡 Insurance Planning 
📚 Education Planning 
🙏Legacy Planning
📃 Estate Planning
💲 Tax efficiency

🔹 What meeting is like 🔹

Financial planning shouldn’t feel like an interrogation. 
It should feel like a family dinner. 

 A place where:
 
- We learn 
- We get to the heart 
- We have open dialogue 
- We act with confidence and accountability


If you're a Christian family 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 looking to realign your finances send me a message.

Your family is too important to wait.

I'm here when you're ready.
But until then, you're in my prayers.

God Bless you,

Jack 🙏

Jack Ziegler III

Twins receive $800K inheritance at 48.
One quits $190K job. 
Starts “passion project.”

Buys lake house for $425K. 
Takes big family trip they dreamed of $25k.
Lifestyle inflation everywhere.

No budget. No plan. Just “freedom.”

Age 55: Consulting income: $60K. Inheritance: $250K left.

Age 58: Sells lake house at loss.
Age 62: Back to corporate. Starting over.
Age 68: Still working. Can’t afford not to.

The other twin does it different.

$800K inheritance at 48.
Keeps his $150k job. 
Invests 80% immediately.
Gives $150k: church building fund.
Goes on $10k family trip. 

Lives on salary. 
Pretends inheritance doesn’t exist.
Age 55: Inheritance grown to $1.2M. Untouched.

Age 60: Retires. 
Endows seminary scholarship for $500K.

Age 70: Grandkids’ college funded. Legacy secured.

One honored God. One honored comfort.
Windfalls don’t reveal character.
They expose what was already there.

Who are you serving when nobody’s watching your bank account?

Windfalls come in many forms. 
They won’t change your habits and attitudes. 

Build them in yourself. 
Instill them in your children.

Jack Ziegler III, CFP®

Christian Families CFP® Accomplish Radically Intentional Goals Generous families 35-55 See my Featured Section for Resources 👇 Read my bio to see if we're a fit.

No alternative text description for this image

4 years ago: Success meant bigger house 
3 years ago: Success meant bigger portfolio 
2 years ago: Success meant bigger business 

Then God flipped the script. 

Through cancer. 
Through our marriage.
Through becoming a dad. 


He molded and shaped my heart 
to be more aligned to His Will, not mine

Now success means: 

- Living a radically intentional life 
- Drawing closer to Jesus Daily
- Leading my family boldly 
- Bigger generosity goals 

The numbers still matter. 
But they're not THE matter. 

Slowly as I was planning and planning
House, status, business, money
became my main goals…

I had to get cancer to flip it around.
You don’t have to.  

You can re-prioritize your life TODAY!


Just say yes to His plan. 
Even if it looks different than you imagined. 

Here to help when you're ready.

God bless you, 

Jack 🙏

The classic midlife crisis:

- Buying a fancy car
- Cheating on your spouse
- Over drinking and over eating
- Invest in random risky start up

What if Instead: 

- Shifting focus from wealth to impact
- Re-Falling in love with your spouse + family 
- Seeing your health as an asset
- Taking your faith seriously


With this shift comes an opportunity.

You have the skills, connections, 
and resources to change the world. 

Most people waste the opportunity.
But you can change the world.
You’re made for greatness. 
Be radically intentional.
Make it count. 

God bless you,

Jack 🙏

Three kids: 22, 19, 16. $340K income.
Oldest needs rent help. “Just for a year.” Year three: still paying $1,800/m.

Middle child moves home. Car breaks. Cosign loan. $520/month. They cover it.

Youngest wants out-of-state college. 
$62K/year. “We can’t say no.”

Age 52: Supporting all three. $4,200/m total. Retirement stopped.
Age 65: Can’t retire. 
Age 78: Retired now need LTC and asking kids for financial help. Kids don’t have it. Didn’t learn to save. 

Try this instead…

1 - Match what they save.
2 - Charge small rent, increase each yr and save for their down pmt. 
3 - Give specific college budget. Explain real costs and alternatives.
4 - Match their giving.

I get the temptation but honestly it does way more harm then good. 

You can and should still bless your kids.
Just please prioritize the wisdom with it. 
Model in your finances and do it intentionally. 

Love doesn’t mean funding everything.

Your kids don’t need your money forever. They need your wisdom now.

I want my sons to see their Dad:

1. Devoted to Christ
2. Generous in all things
3. Be in love with his wife
4. Make sacrifices for his family
5. Serve w/o expecting anything in return
6. Build a business devoted to Christ
7. Prudent in managing our finances
8. Share the mission of our family
9. Invite them to be a part of it
10. Empower them to live it

What do you want your kids to see?

God bless you,

Jack🙏

I used to think tithing was about the church’s budget. I was dead wrong.

It’s about your heart’s freedom.

This year, I’ve watched clients wrestle with their giving ($40K their tithe on $400K income).

“Jack, that’s a nice car. That’s a family vacation. That’s… a lot.”

I get it. I’ve been there.

But here’s what I’ve learned after working with 200+ families:

The families who give generously are always the most at peace with money.

Not because they have more.
Because money has less of them.

“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)

This is something I discovered during a mission trip to Haiti.

I watched kids play joyfully with sticks and stones.

I saw families grateful for rice and beans.

I met believers who gave sacrificially from their poverty.

I came home ashamed of my hesitation to give from my abundance.

Now the goal is to increase giving annually.

Here’s the paradox:

-> The more you give, the more you receive.
-> Not always financially.
-> But always spiritually.

Peace. Joy. Purpose. Freedom.

The families who hold their wealth with open hands sleep the best.

“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” (1 Timothy 6:18)

Your generosity isn’t just changing the world.

It’s changing you.

What step toward greater generosity is God calling you to take?

God bless you,

Jack 🙏

♻️ Share to inspire others toward joyful generosity.
🔔 Follow for more faith-centered financial wisdom.

I wasted 3 years afraid to build wealth.
Terrified I’d become the rich man.
The one Jesus said couldn’t enter heaven.

So I kept my business small and subconsciously sabotaged any major progress. 

I made assumptions about successful people’s character and prayer lives.

Convinced poverty made me more holy,
I’d feel guilty every time revenue jumped.

Meanwhile:

	•	My giving was capped
	•	My goals dwarfed by fear
	•	My talents squandered and hidden

Then I onboarded my first 5-figure client.
And the guilt hit HARD.

Even though I could see the incredible impact and their gratitude for the work…

I was overcome w questions of guilt.

“Am I becoming that rich man?”
“Will money corrupt my faith?”

But here’s what I finally understood:

The rich man’s problem wasn’t his wealth.
It was his ATTACHMENT to it.

Jesus wasn’t condemning resources.
He was exposing idolatry.

The question isn’t: “Am I building wealth?”
It’s: “Who am I building FOR?”

I know our mission. 
To be the light of Christ in families financial lives. 

Now when I land a big client, I still feel it.
That flicker of fear.

But I remember:

- Business growth means more families helped
- Means bigger impact for the church
- Greater giving in the community

Let my journey be a warning. 

Stop letting fear steal your best years.
Stop confusing poverty with piety.

If you have the ability to…

Build boldly. Give generously.
Trust completely.

God bless you,

Jack 🙏

P.S. In business there’s a powerful theme:

We are often paid in direct correlation to the amount of value we are adding ‼️

If I want to add massive value and transformational growth, that will come with business growth.

Sometimes God asks us to do big things.

But most times he asks us to be faithful in the little things.

I think about this when I look at my family.

A mostly ordinary life sprinkled with some extraordinary moments.

Decades of faithfulness,
Marked by extraordinary love.

______

My dad worked hard providing for decades. 

—> Fought harder to teach us to be present at home, generous, humble. 

My mom worked hard raising 6 crazy boys
A mostly thankless job.

—> Fought harder to teach us how to love, to pray, to serve.

_______

Leading my family now, I know the daily moments where I choose patience, choose love, choose sacrifice, choose Jesus.

Those moments compound over decades.

And just like my parents have quietly built a legacy of love with 6 soldiers changing the world….

We will continue that. 
And build upon it.

What legacy are you building?

God bless you,

Jack 🙏

Parents are 71 and 68 living off $7.5k/m
“They’ll be fine. Dad has a pension.”
4 yrs later Mom falls. Needs care. 

$7.2k/m. Dad’s pension: $3.8k/m
$400k invested. New spend $13.5k/m.

3 yrs later: Care increased. Savings drained. Sold home. Mom passed. Dad, living with kids.

Next yr. Dad needs memory care. $6k/m.
You’re the main caregiver. Marriage strained.
Your retirement drained. Siblings barely help.

OR ‼️

Parents are 71 and 68. 
“We need to talk about the future.”
Family meeting. Siblings involved. 
Long-term care insurance: $7.8k/yr.
Estate plan reviewed. 

Hard conversations now. Not in crisis.
Mom declines. Insurance covers most.
They keep the house. Savings stay intact. 

Parents pass peacefully. 
Family home stays in the family.
$400k inheritance split. Marriages intact.

You retire on time. 
Parents get care and stay Mom and Dad. 
Grandma and Grandpa. Not patient.

Avoiding the conversation doesn’t avoid the cost. It multiplies it.

Finances are generational. Let’s plan like it.

Don’t pray for your kids to be successful.
Pray for them to be faithful.

Don’t pray for your life to be easy.
Pray that it’s meaningful.

Don’t pray for your kids to be happy.
Pray for them to be holy.

Don’t pray for financial security.
Pray for radical generosity.

Don’t pray for your business to be profitable.
Pray for it to be impactful.

Don’t pray to build wealth.
Pray to build the kingdom.

“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you”

It’s official. I hate the DMV.

In order to get a real ID you need:

1. Social Security card
2. your birth certificate
3. your marriage license
4. the deed to your home
5. A tax return
6. Passport
7. your old license
8. Your W-2 w/ full SSN on it 

In order to have a tax return or a W-2, you need a Social Security number.

In order to have a passport, you need a drivers license, Social Security number and a birth certificate.

In order to have a drivers license, you need a Social Security number and proof of residence.

In order to buy a home with a mortgage, you need a Social Security number, a drivers license, a tax return, and your W-2.

If you’re missing anyone of the above, you can’t get a real ID. 

If you’re missing any one of the above, you can’t get the above.

I get the need to avoid fraud and identity theft, but at this point, I’m convinced it’s easier to commit identity fraud than it is to get a real ID.

OK, rant over… guess who did NOT get a real ID today.

If the goal is as much wealth as possible.
If the goal is tax savings at any cost.
If the goal is rate of return. 

I promise. I’m not the right advisor.

If the goal is heaven.
If the goal is generosity and impact.
If the goal is more family time and legacy.

I promise. I’m the right advisor.

I want spouses closer. 
Children blessed abundantly.
Churches growing and transformed.

As a result of our financial planning. 

Yes, of course we still grow wealth, save people taxes, and have competitive returns.

No one hires me for that alone. 

I regularly give advice that results in less wealth but more purpose and intentionality.

I aim to give families permission to spend, give, retire. Because it’s not all about saving.

If that’s what you’re after, 
send me a message.

He has $2.3M in company stock options.
$1.8M in gains if he sells today.
Tax bill to diversify: $450k.
So he holds it all.

“Not paying that tax.”
Meanwhile 87% of his net worth and 100% of his income is one company.

If the stock tanks, everything tanks.
If he gets laid off, income AND wealth disappear.

Paralyzed by the tax bill.


Here’s what he could do…
(Bare with me this is cool)

Strategies he’d never heard of:

	1.	Moved $800k into an exchange fund. (Diversified without triggering taxes, deferred 7+ years)
	2.	Donated $500k of appreciated stock to Donor Advised Fund. (Zero capital gains, $125k income tax rededuction, funds giving for 10 years)
	3.	Sold $400k using direct indexing with tax-loss harvesting. (Captured $90k in losses, offset gains to $40k tax bill)
	4.	Kept $600k in company stock. (Still has upside exposure)


The math: Would have paid ~$400k to diversify everything.

Actually saved $85k instead.

Net result: $85k tax benefit while diversifying 75% of holdings.

Company stock drops 35%? 
Doesn’t crush his goals.

His net worth dropped only 8%.
Meanwhile the guy who “didn’t want to pay taxes”?

Lost $800k when the stock crashed.

“Not wanting to pay taxes” cost him 10x more than the taxes would have.

Concentration builds wealth.
Diversification protects it.

How much are you risking by holding everything in one stock?

Many Christian’s think they have to be poor to be holy. 

It’s a crippling mindset that leads to…

- Fear controling financial decisions
- Scarcity around the opportunities around you
- Ignoring finances silently hurting your family
- Tracking every dollar leading to money fights
- Judging others and fostering jealousy


Instead see money as a tool and experience:


- An abundance of love driving decisions
- Leveraging dollars for greater impact 
- Detachment from money and Attachment to God
- Intentional living aimed at Gods plan for your life
- Peace in a long term plan and surrender to God

_____________


Here’s how we switch from fear to intention:

1. Plan Prudently
2. Give Generously
3. Pray for Wisdom
4. Practice Gratitude
5. Align Spending with Values
6. Surrender the outcomes to God

There’s freedom from money stress.

I’d start with #6 and work your way up.

God bless you,

Jack 🙏

He’s 42 making $450k.
Paying 37% tax on top dollars.
His advisor told him to max his Roth 401k.

But a $23.5k deduction saves him ~$8700 in taxes annually.

Tax free sounds smart until you see what happens next.

At 55 he retires early.
Income drops to $60k from rentals.
Tax bracket: 12%.

Watch this…

Now he converts $100k/year from 401k to Roth.
Pays 12% tax instead of the 37% he saved.

Over 15 yrs: 
Converts $1.5M at 12% = $180k total tax. 
As opposed to $555k at current rate.

At 70.5 he starts QCDs from the pre-tax money.

$70k/yr 15 yrs to church, tax-free.

The math: Deducted at 37%, converted at 12%, gave at 0%.

25% tax arbitrage on $1.5M = $375k saved.
37% arbitrage on $1M giving = $370k saved. 

Most people stop at “max your 401k.”

The real strategy is deduct high, convert low, give tax-free.

Are you just maxing 401k or playing the long game?

$280K household income.
Three kids. Ages 14, 12, 9.

“We’ll figure out college when we get there.”

Age 47: Zero in 529 plans. Market’s up. They’ll start next year.

Age 48: Market correction. “Bad timing. We’ll catch up.”

Age 50: Eldest applies to schools. Sticker shock: $55K/year.

Age 51: First tuition bill. Home equity line. $45k borrowed.

Age 52: Second kid enrolls. Another $90K on credit.

Age 54: Third kid starts. 
Total borrowed: $380K.

Age 58: Still paying. Kids graduated. 
$450k total parent debt. 
Parents’ retirement delayed 10 yrs.

Age 70: Finally retire. Student Debt paid off. 

… one small habit 10 yrs earlier makes a massive difference. 

5% of income or $1k/m starting when youngest was born. 

Allow kids to take $5k/yr in loans for responsibility. 

Now you still retire at 60. 
Kids go to same schools.
Kids get the same jobs. 

Could retire at 65 and help kids with first home.

Legacy isn’t all about college ed. 
Those days are over.

Imagine retiring early to be with your grandkids so your daughter can work part time earning $50k/yr and not pay for childcare.

You’ve added to your kids household $80k/yr in value from saved costs and added income.

That $80k allows her to fully stop working in 4 yrs from sped up retirement and kids savings.

Maxing 401k for 4 yrs ages 28-32 = 
Extra $600k in assets by retirement. 

$30k/yr for 4 yrs = 
Extra $450k for kids future college. 

Buys 4 yrs of her husbands income growth. 

One income, big family, owning a home, giving charitably feels impossible for many.

4 yrs of grandparent support can make all the difference. 

The generational impact is astounding.

The good life is simple:

1. Love God with all your heart
2. Love your neighbor as yourself

Even when I add more it’s still simple:

1. Give generously
2. Get married
3. Be present with your kids
4. Spend less than you make
5. Invest in your healing and growth 
6. Eat well
7. Exercise

None of this is easy.
But it is simple.

And we live in a world that has trillion dollar industries built to help you live out each one of those.

And a God who wants your good so badly he sent his only son to die for you. 

His grace is real. 
The tools are out there.

When life feels off… examine the above list. 
See how you’re living them out. 

Pick 2-3 and take one step to improve them. 

I think you’ll notice that it’s really a wonderful life.

$800k income
80-hour weeks
80 seconds of daily prayer

Something's wrong with this picture.

I know the pain of high demands and little time for anything else.

Chasing "more" while starving my soul.

The wake-up call?

My Doctor saying:
"You’re going to want to sit down for this. You have cancer."

Where do I go? 
What do I do? 
How do I think?

Questions raced through my head as I drove like a ghost to the chapel.

Staring at Jesus I prayed:
“Jesus if this cancer took me, would you be proud of the way I lived my life?”

His answer transformed me.

“Jack, you are my son and nothing can take that away. not cancer, not your sin, not your weaknesses. Nothing. My son, I am proud of you.”

After becoming cancer free, I couldn’t be the same:

Time isn't about management
It's about stewardship

Your calendar shows what you worship
Your budget reveals your priorities

First Buy Back your time w/ 4 C's of leverage

- Content (Multiplies outreach)
- Capital (At my buy back rate)
- Code (Tech working for me)
- Collaboration (Hiring to replace me)

Now re-prioritize First Fruits:

- Morning prayer (non-negotiable)
- Family devotions (protected)
- Sabbath rest (full stop)
- Tithe (Automated)
- Saving (Radically intentional)

The result?

More peace.
More presence. 
More profit.

God honors our priorities,
When we honor His.

Sometimes the most extraordinary results come from very ordinary actions.

Need help aligning your time and treasure?
Let's talk.

God bless you,

Jack 🙏

Couple finished med school 2012. 
$310K joint student loans.
$450k household income. 
Landed attending jobs. 

“We sacrificed enough. Time to live.”

2019, Age 33: Buy $1.4M house. 
$10k/m mortgage.

Two German SUVs. $2.5k/m combined.
Country club. Boats. Vacations. $5k/m

“We earned it.”

Start having kids. Childcare $3k/m.

Student loans? 
Minimum payments. 25-year plan. 
Still $2k/m

Pay check to pay check after modest 401k contributions. 

2026 Age 40: Loans still at $265K. House equity: $380K. New income $625k

Here’s the chance to make it right…

You can:

Upgrade to $2M home. 
Stay pay check to paycheck.

OR! 

Keep lifestyle the same. 
Begin saving and giving the new ~$100k/yr

One leads to $2M at 60 but can’t retire because of 30k/m lifestyle.

The other leads to $2.5M and debt free by 50 can retire in 5 yrs w/ $4.5M on $20k/m debt free. 

This is how you make or break wealthy vs rich.

You have the ability to turn rich and broke to blessed and wealthy by a couple of small choices. 

How will you steward it?

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Jack Ziegler III

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