Building Wealth
RSU Andy
Senior Software Engineer · San Francisco, CA
Tech lead with $340k in unvested RSUs and no plan for them.
About RSU Andy
Andy has been at his tech company for 6 years. He's a strong engineer but has never had a financial plan. His RSUs are vesting on a 4-year schedule and he's been selling them immediately — until his coworker told him he might be leaving money on the table.
Financial Snapshot
$195,000
Annual Income
$280,000
Net Worth
34
Age
RSU Andy's Story — 5 Chapters
The Vest Day Problem
Andy's first RSU tranche vests: 1,200 shares at $42/share. He sells immediately for $50,400. His coworker holds. Six months later, the stock is at $61. Andy is furious — but was his coworker right?
Uses: rsuThe 401(k) Question
Andy has been contributing 6% to his Traditional 401(k) to get the match. His marginal rate is 32%. Should he switch to Roth? He models both paths over 18 years — and discovers the answer hinges entirely on one assumption about his future tax rate.
Uses: roth-vs-traditionalThe FIRE Number
Andy runs the numbers for the first time. At his current savings rate of 28%, he can retire at 52. But if he increases to 40%, it's 46. What would it take to hit 45?
Uses: fireThe Concentration Problem
Andy's unvested RSUs are now worth $340k — 54% of his net worth. His financial advisor says diversify. His gut says hold. The model shows the risk both ways.
Uses: rsuThe Sabbatical Math(Coming soon)
Andy is burned out. He wants 6 months off. His manager says no. A competing offer gives him a 3-month paid sabbatical. What does the financial model say about the career gap?
Uses: sabbatical