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

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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

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!

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! 

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

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

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"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.

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

64% of adults fear outliving their money more than death.

But most haven't heard the 4% Rule. Here's how it works:

It was a rule created to help retirees determine the amount they can take out.

It was intended to give people a guideline on what to aim for. 

The rule is pretty straightforward. 

In the first year, take out 4% of the portfolio. 

Then adjust that dollar amount for inflation annually after. 

It was originally tested with a couple of parameters:

- For a 65 year old (25-30 year retirement)
- Allocation with 50% stocks / 50% bonds
- Tested in a worst-case scenario

Using historical data, the rule was determined to give retirees a safe number to stick with. 

Is it completely flawless?

Not entirely. 

Many things can have an impact like:

- Inflation
- Economy moving forward
- Your unexpected variables to your situation

This is why the 4% rule is more of a reference than a final say. 

But it is a great guideline for a quick calculation to see your number. 

In reality, you will need a financial planner to help you out here. 

You need to evaluate variables such as:

- The timing of your retirement
- How long your retirement will be
- How your portfolio will be allocated 
- What other sources of income do you have
- What is the economy in your first year 
- What other goals will impact it
- And much, much more

When you need a quick number, you can use this freely.

But when you need the answer to work for you?

Seek a consultation from a financial planner. 

We're here to help when you're ready!


And if you want to see more helpful visuals like this, check out the newsletter with more details behind how they can help you.

Check it out here:

https://lnkd.in/gJC9mTQH

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!

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.

Hyper Pony Studio

Owner

North Square Investments

Digital Marketing Consultant

FortéOne

Fractional CMO | Chief Marketing Officer

Ariel Investments

C.S. McKee

UX Collective

Contributing Writer

MAQTOOB

Digital Bootcamp

Instructor

The Simons Group

Senior Designer

👑 Web, Marketing, & Design Expert for Advisory and Consulting Firms 👑 Websites driven by marketing expertise 👉 hyperponystudio.com

👋 Hi I'm Manda!

Follow me and ring my 🔔 if you're in the financial services industry and want to learn more about:

👉 Marketing persuasion techniques 
👉 Writing copy that converts
👉 Attracting potential clients
👉 Turning those prospects into clients
👉 Professionally presenting your brand 
👉 Attracting your ideal clients
👉 Creating an EFFECTIVE website
👉 Establishing trust and building authority

🔻 🔻 🔻 Want to work together? 🔻 🔻 🔻

For advisory and investment firms:
🔹 Complete brand, website, & marketing overhauls
🔹 Ongoing marketing and fractional CMO services
🔹 Deep-dive website audits

For independent financial advisors:
🔹 Deep-dive website audits
🔹 Web and marketing flash audits
🔹 Ignite Your Site course coming soon!

Learn more, view samples of my work, or start your project at hyperponystudio.com!

👑
Hyper Pony Studio 
Digital marketing for the financial services industry

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