Techie Personal Finance Bootcamp
I help tech employees use their finances to create the life of their dreams by helping you take your financial confidence to the next level!Are you a tech employee who wants to learn how to better manage your finances?Working in tech you may experience extreme pay increases, which may allow you the ability to accomplish goals you've only dreamed of. However, if mismanaged, you can also find yourself stressed out and under pressure to increase your income in order to fit your lifestyle.The good news, is through education and a little bit of determination, you have the power to control your future and create your best life.Not only will we cover basic personal finance concepts, but we'll dive deep into tech specific benefits and issues that I regularly help my clients build strategies to maximize. (Examples: working for start ups, restricted stock units, stock options, and layoffs) Also, on a regular basis, I will have special guests that will highlight their stories with unique stories about their tech experiences.
Episodes
From Educator to Developer Community Manager: Roxy Rodriguez on Career Change, Community, and Building the Tube Feed Tracker
Lucas Casarez hosts Techie Personal Finance Boot Camp.
He interviews Roxy Rodriguez Becker, a Cuban American mother of three in Houston who transitioned from a decade in middle school math education and librarianship into tech.
Roxy describes discovering web development during her master&rsqu...
RSUs Explained: Vesting, Taxes, Selling Strategies & How to Avoid Paying Taxes Twice
CFP Lucas Casarez of Techie Personal Finance Boot Camp explains how RSUs work and how to avoid common mistakes, especially paying taxes twice due to incorrect cost basis reporting. He distinguishes startup RSUs (often illiquid and effectively worth zero until a liquidity event) from publicly traded RSUs (valued daily and sellable at vest...
Lucas Casarez, a CFP®️ professional and founder of Level Up Financial Planning, hosts Techie Personal Finance Boot Camp and explains how tech professionals can choose the right financial advisor, comparing the process to researching stroller features and price points.
He introduces five key questions to ask when interviewing advisors:
1. Whether they are a fiduciary versus operating under a suitability standard (including...
Gilbert Sanchez shares his journey into tech. From car sales to cybersecurity. All in 6 months.
You'll hear about Gilbert's planning process, which included personal finance strategies, as well as the way he structured his learning, job applications, and navigated rejections.
Follow Gilbert on your favorite social media provider:
https://x.com/gilbertsanchz
https://www.youtube.com/@GilbertSanchz
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilbertesanch...
Lucas Casarez, a CFP and founder of Level Up Financial Planning, explains why many tech professionals can make six figures yet still feel broke, citing statistics that 48.6% of people earning over $100K and 36% earning over $200K report living paycheck to paycheck. He outlines four main drivers: lifestyle inflation, taxes reducing actual take-home pay (often 30–50%, especially in high-tax states), lingering past obligations l...
Navigating Common Tax Mistakes and New Tax Laws for 2026
In this episode of Techie Personal Finance Bootcamp, the host discusses several common tax mistakes and introduces new tax laws for 2026. Starting with essential tax preparation steps, the episode explains the importance of gathering relevant tax documents, considering new changes like RSUs and employer stock, and the pitfalls of rushing to file taxes without all forms. The ho...
This episode provides an overview of significant changes to tax laws announced on July 4th, 2025. Key points include the permanency of temporary tax laws from 2018, slight increases in standard deductions, and significant increases in the state and local tax (SALT) cap from $10,000 to $40,000. Additional updates include adjustments to charitable contribution deductions, new senior tax deductions, auto loan interest tax deductions, ...
In this podcast episode, Lucas Casarez interviews Rizel Scarlett about her journey into the tech industry, her experiences with family life, and her insights on community building and leadership.
Rizel shares her background, starting from her challenges as an undocumented immigrant in college, transitioning into tech through programs like Resilient Coders, and eventually securing roles in tech companies.
She discusses the...
Should You Cash Out Your 401(k) Retirement Account?
In this episode of Techie Personal Finance Bootcamp, we explore the critical question of whether you should withdraw from your 401k. We discuss common reasons for considering a withdrawal, such as emergencies and market fears, and highlight the financial downsides, including taxes and penalties. The episode also covers alternative solutions like 401 (k) loans and emphasizes the imp...
Feeling like you're stuck living paycheck to paycheck? 🤔
Join Lucas Casarez, tech financial planner, as he dives into the hidden financial wins you might be overlooking!
Retirement Savings
Welcome to Techie Personal Finance Bootcamp. Many of you might feel like you're living paycheck to paycheck, not saving as much as you'd prefer. However, if you step back, you'll see activities adding value, akin to savings,...
Navigating Stock Market Volatility: Long-term Investment Strategies Explained
In this episode of Techie Personal Finance Bootcamp, we discuss the current stock market volatility caused by recent tariff announcements and offer practical advice for maintaining a long-term investment approach. Learn why diversification is crucial, how to manage short-term financial goals, and why now might be a good time to invest, especially for young...
In this video, the host explains why paychecks may be smaller in January 2025 compared to December 2024.
The main reason is due to the resumption of Social Security deductions at the start of the year, which cease once annual income exceeds $176,100. This deduction affects high-income earners significantly, making their early-year finances feel tighter.
The host provides tips on managing cash flow and plan...
In this episode of Techie Personal Finance Bootcamp, we explore the real value of bonuses, raises, and stock options with a focus on how taxes can greatly diminish their apparent worth. We delve into examples to reveal the true post-tax income you can expect. Additionally, we highlight common mistakes like lifestyle inflation and poor financial planning that can lead to overspending and emphasize the importance of intentional money...
This episode delves into the financial issues tech professionals face, focusing on the challenge of managing credit card debt despite high incomes.
It discusses how lifestyle creep, unexpected expenses, and high interest rates lead to debt accumulation.
Emphasizing the importance of financial management, the danger of relying on future financial expectations and underscores the consequences of unchecked de...
Sean Page, a senior technical recruiter at Propel, shares his non-traditional career path from biology major to public health professional to tech recruiter. He emphasizes the increasing competitiveness in the job market, the importance of understanding DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) in hiring processes, and the need for clear communication in salary negotiations. Sean highlights the differences between working in non-profi...
In this episode of Techie Personal Finance Bootcamp, host Lucas Casarez, CFP® discusses the process of transitioning out of a tech career, addressing the importance of understanding projected salaries, the impact of lifestyle and expenses on decision-making, and the necessity of financial planning.
He emphasizes the need for thoughtful consideration and planning before making any drastic career changes, suggesting expl...
- What Is The Difference Between A Private And Public Company
- The Most Common Types Of Employer Stock Plans
- How Your Employer Stock Is Taxed
- Employer Stock Strategies
- Is Your Charitable Giving Is Tax Deductible
- What Is A Donor Advised Fund
- Benefits Of Don...
In this episode, you'll learn the answer to the following questions about how your retirement accounts impact your taxes, as well as, how to correctly make Backdoor ROTH contributions.
- What Is A Traditional Retirement Account
- What Is A ROTH Retirement Account
- Do I Make Too Much To Contribute To Certain Retirement Accounts
- What Is A Backdoor ROTH
- Can I Make a Mega Backdoor ROTH Contribution
Taxes can be complex and confusing, but it's important to understand them so you can pay the correct amount and take advantage of all the deductions and credits you're eligible for. In this episode, we'll cover everything you need to know about your taxes, from the basics to more advanced strategies.
Topics covered:
- What are the different types of taxes?
- How are taxes calculated?
- What are deductions and credits?
- What is the standard...
In this episode, we interview Andrew Hedges, a career changer, startup co-founder, and non-profit co-founder. We talk about his journey from traditional employment to tech, the mission of his startup Assistiv Labs, the most misunderstood thing about accessibility, and advice for founders and co-founders. We also discuss The Collab Lab, a non-profit he co-founded, and the benefits of teaming up with others.
Here are some key question...
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