Divorce Planning, Newly Independent Women
Joseph Goldy, CFP®, CDFA®
Understanding the CDFA® Designation: Your ...

Anyone who has gone through a divorce knows how emotionally challenging and financially complex it can be. While attorneys handle the legal aspects, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® focuses specifically on the financial implications of divorce. This specialized designation equips professionals with the expertise to guide clients through the intricate financial aspects of divorce proceedings, ensuring better outcomes for their financial future.

Understanding the CDFA® Designation: Your Financial Ally During Divorce
Pharmaceutical Professionals, Stock Options, Financial Planning
AnnaMarie Mock, CFP®
Science Meets Finance: How The Scientific ...

Anna Marie Mock, a fee-only certified financial planner at Highland Financial Advisors, discusses the dynamic interplay between art and science in financial planning. Drawing inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci's philosophy that "everything connects to everything else," she emphasizes that financial planning is an art involving subjective goal-setting and a science-driven by objective analysis tools. In this video, Anna explains how the scientific method can be applied to financial planning, using equity compensation as a concrete example. 

Science Meets Finance: How The Scientific Method is Applied in Financial Planning | Ep. 6
Financial Planning, Financial Tips, Net Worth
Stephanie Burke
Understanding Your Money Script

What are your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs about money? What about your partner, and do they differ from your own? Sometimes, the conflict we experience around money in our personal lives can be attributed to incongruent money scripts with those with whom we share finances. Let’s dive into the term money script and how understanding it can help us achieve our financial goals.

Understanding Your Money Script
Financial Planning, Financial Tips
Edward Leach
The Dependent Care FSA – An Overlooked Benefit ...

In talking with clients about the benefits their employer provides during the open enrollment season, one often overlooked benefit if clients have dependents is the Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

The Dependent Care FSA – An Overlooked Benefit During Open Enrollment Season
Financial Planning, Financial Tips, Healthcare, Investments, Life Planning, Savings
Edward Leach
3 Reasons Every High Net-Worth Family Should ...

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are not only a savvy investment option but also offer numerous benefits, especially for high-net-worth families. An HSA is a tax-advantaged savings account designed for individuals with high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) to help cover out-of-pocket medical expenses. While the utility of HSAs is universal, they hold advantages for high-net-worth families and have steadily grown in popularity since their inception.

3 Reasons Every High Net-Worth Family Should Fund a Health Savings Account

Stock Options

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Science Meets Finance: How The Scientific Method is Applied in Financial Planning | Ep. 6

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Science Meets Finance: How The Scientific Method is Applied in Financial Planning | Ep. 6

Anna Marie Mock, a fee-only certified financial planner at Highland Financial Advisors, discusses the dynamic interplay between art and science in financial planning. Drawing inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci's philosophy that "everything connects to everything else," she emphasizes that financial planning is an art involving subjective goal-setting and a science-driven by objective analysis tools. In this video, Anna explains how the scientific method can be applied to financial planning, using equity compensation as a concrete example. 

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Mastering Equity Compensation: A Guide for Pharmaceutical Executives

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Mastering Equity Compensation: A Guide for Pharmaceutical Executives

Equity compensation is a powerful tool for pharmaceutical executives to enhance their financial health and secure a stake in their company's long-term growth. As a Certified Financial Planner™ at Highland Financial Advisors, AnnaMarie Mock delves into the intricacies of equity compensation, providing valuable insights and strategies. In this video, we explore the various components of equity compensation, including stock options and grants, to help you make informed decisions and optimize your financial plan.

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Navigating Non-Cash Benefits: A Guide for Pharmaceutical Executives

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Navigating Non-Cash Benefits: A Guide for Pharmaceutical Executives

In today's discussion, we embark on the second step of enhancing financial health for pharmaceutical executives: the strategic utilization of non-cash benefits. Led by AnnaMarie Mock, a fee-only certified financial adviser at Highland Financial Advisors, this video aims to shed light on the often underestimated yet impactful facet of compensation packages.

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Donating Appreciated Stock and Equity Compensation to Reduce Taxes

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Donating Appreciated Stock and Equity Compensation to Reduce Taxes

As we’re in the throes of tax season, you may be surprised by the potential tax liability you face. In the realm of tax planning, savvy investors are always on the lookout for strategies to minimize their tax burden while maximizing their charitable contributions. One such strategy gaining traction is donating appreciated stock, funds, and equity compensation. By strategically leveraging these assets for charitable giving, individuals can support causes they care about and reduce their tax liability meaningfully.

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A Tax Tale: The Story of Reporting Income Taxes From Stock Compensation

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A Tax Tale: The Story of Reporting Income Taxes From Stock Compensation

Sarah, a savvy pharmaceutical executive, has accumulated Non-Qualified Stock Options (NQSOs) and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as part of her compensation package. Sarah had always been meticulous with her finances and records of her stock option grants, exercise dates, and the fair market values at the time of exercise. As her stock compensation vested over the years, she knew proper tax reporting was crucial to avoid any IRS headaches.  

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Mastering Financial Health: Step Two - Understanding and Managing Cash Compensation

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Mastering Financial Health: Step Two - Understanding and Managing Cash Compensation

In this video, AnnaMarie Mock, a Certified Financial Planner™, focuses on the second step in her series for pharmaceutical executives, emphasizing the importance of cash compensation in financial planning. She compares compensation to a banana split, with cash compensation as the essential component. Mock advises managing lifestyle expenses based on a stable salary rather than variable bonuses and highlights the need for a spending plan.

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When Should I Exercise & Sell My Non-Qualified Stock Options? – Using Merck's (MRK) Stock History

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When Should I Exercise & Sell My Non-Qualified Stock Options? – Using Merck's (MRK) Stock History

In contrast to the first half of 2023, the second half has had volatile, lackluster returns for some of the stock market and pharmaceutical stocks. Market fluctuations can significantly impact wealth creation, especially when navigating stock compensation.

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How to Evaluate a Job Offer - Salary, Benefits, Stock Options, and More

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How to Evaluate a Job Offer - Salary, Benefits, Stock Options, and More

Deciding to accept, reject, or negotiate a job offer is very important and requires much forethought to assess all the components in the offer letter. Before diving headfirst, ensure your potential new employer matches not only your compensation expectations but also your values.   

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What Should You Review When Laid Off?

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What Should You Review When Laid Off?

Reviewing and adequately reacting when handed a severance package can be daunting. A flood of emotions and concerns can cloud your judgment and lead to rash decision-making. It's essential to pause and compose your thoughts before proceeding because some of your benefits will still be extremely valuable to your short and long-term plan.

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Are you concerned about being laid off in the life science industry?

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Are you concerned about being laid off in the life science industry?

Pandemic investments and the continuation of gene therapy spurred the growth of companies in recent years. Still, these same companies are feeling the pinch due to growing economic uncertainty. Life sciences do better than other industries during economic and market drawdowns, but it is not immune to global influences.

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What you need to know about Merck's 401(k) Savings Plan

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What you need to know about Merck's 401(k) Savings Plan

Pharmaceutical companies can have robust benefits packages encompassing cash compensation, equity compensation, and non-monetary benefits. It's essential to understand the type, timing, and amount of each to have a clear picture of your finances, as this provides the capital to grow wealth.

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Using The Scientific Method for Financial Planning – Equity Compensation

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Using The Scientific Method for Financial Planning – Equity Compensation

Leonardo DaVinci wisely said, "Study the science of art. Study the art of science. Realize that everything connects to everything else." Financial planning integrates art and science through a dynamic process. The art is subjective and experienced while exploring goals and aspirations and making decisions. The science is objective and visible in the tools to develop projections analysis.

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Equity Compensation and Delayed Gratification: Do you have a Plan for When Your Options Vest?

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Equity Compensation and Delayed Gratification: Do you have a Plan for When Your Options Vest?

Walter Mischel, psychologist and professor at Stanford University conducted an experiment in the 1960s about delayed gratification and published his findings in 1972. In the study, a researcher explained to a child they could either have one marshmallow immediately or two marshmallows if they waited 15 minutes.

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Equity Compensation Concentration: When is enough, enough?

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Equity Compensation Concentration: When is enough, enough?

I'm new to gardening as my interest in this hobby blossomed (pun intended) over the Covid lockdown. This spring, I was clearing out my garden in preparation for my new plants, and I spotted a patch of weeds that overtook about a quarter of usable soil within the garden confines.

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How to Get the Most Out of Your Equity Compensation

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How to Get the Most Out of Your Equity Compensation

Growing up, my parents instilled two philosophies in me; to always live below my means and save for the future. Those simple words of wisdom resonated with me and unknowingly shaped my personal and professional life. Through my parents’ guidance, anytime I’d get a cash gift, I’d put some away in savings (i.e., my very secure piggy bank) and spend the rest on myself (i.e., probably on candy or something of the sort).

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Understanding Your Compensation Package

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Understanding Your Compensation Package

Congratulations! You received a well-deserved promotion but are unsure of what that means for your total compensation. There are three main types of compensation, and it's essential to understand the type, timing, and amount of each to have a clear picture of your financial plan.

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Should You Sell Your Stock Compensation When It Vests Below the Grant Price?

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Should You Sell Your Stock Compensation When It Vests Below the Grant Price?

There has been no shortage of volatility with global equity markets on a rollercoaster ride this year. A steep drop in prices scares investors and heightens our senses to pay attention to avoid making mistakes. However, this fear can lead to indecision or taking no action.

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Crash Course on NQSOs and Taxes

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Crash Course on NQSOs and Taxes

As we head into the throes of tax season, investors will be getting a slew of tax documents to report on their tax returns. Tax filing can be complicated even further by adding equity compensation into the equation because there can be (1) multiple tax reporting forms for one transaction, (2) different tax treatments based on the type of compensation (3) specific rules for varying strategies.

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Any equity in Incentive Stock Options (ISOS)?

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Any equity in Incentive Stock Options (ISOS)?

An incentive stock option (ISO) is a form of equity compensation where the employee has the right to buy shares of the company at a discounted price with special tax treatment. An ISO is a long-term incentive that replaces cash compensation and encourages employees to contribute to the company’s growth and development, hoping the options grow in value over time.

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