PODCAST · business
Techie Personal Finance Bootcamp
by Lucas Casarez CFP®
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 stori
Episodes
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Jamming Her Way Into Tech w/ Roxy Rodriguez-Becker
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...
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RSUs: From Grants to Golden Handcuffs
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...
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Find The Perfect Advisor for YOU: 5 Questions You Need to Ask
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...
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Breaking Into Tech: From Car Sales to Cyber Security With Gilbert Sanchez
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…
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Making $100,000+ and Still Feeling Broke?
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:...
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What to Know Before Filing Taxes in 2026
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…
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Key Changes to Tax Laws 2025
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....
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Balancing Your Tech Career and Parenthood with Rizell Scarlett
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,...
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Should You Cash Out Your 401(k) Retirement Account?
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...
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Why Your Finances Are Better Than You Think
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…
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What Investment Volatility Means to You
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...
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Why Your Paycheck May Be Smaller This Month
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...
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Decoding Bonuses and Raises: What's the Real Value of Your Bonus, Raise, and RSUs?
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...
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#1 Reason Techies Struggle Financially - Credit Cards
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...
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Navigating the New Tech Job Market with Sean Page
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...
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Breaking Out Of Tech
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…
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Tax Planning: Employer Stock and Charitable Giving
In this episode, you'll learn the answer to the following questions about how your employer stock impacts your taxes, as well as, charitable giving strategies: What Is The Difference Between A Private And Public Company The Most Common Types Of Employer Stock Plans How Your Employer Stock Is…
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Understanding Your Taxes: Retirement Accounts & Backdoor ROTHs
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...
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Understanding Your Taxes: The Basics
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...
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A Co-Founder's Journey to Starting The Collab Lab (Non-Profit)
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...
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Getting Those Big Tech Checks with Tech By Choice
This is a part of the non-profit series where I highlight great members of the tech community who play a significant role in running a non-profit. Valerie is a self-taught developer who is now an engineering manager and the founder of Tech by Choice, a non-profit that helps underrepresented…
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Starting a Non-Profit to Help Underdog Devs
Can you imagine building a thriving career in tech, overcoming societal stigmas, and then going ahead to establish a non-profit to help others do the same? That's exactly what our guest today, Rick Wolter, has done, and he joins us to share his inspiring journey. Rick shares how he went from…
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What The Tech Is Lifestyle Creep?
Ever wondered why your spending seems to mysteriously multiply when your income increases? Join us as we dive deep into the world of lifestyle creep - the silent financial nemesis that can sabotage your present financial status and future plans. In today's episode, we unveil the facets of…
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From a Malware Incident to Cybersecurity Career with Danny Z
Have you ever wondered how a construction worker would transition into a career in cybersecurity? Our friend Danny, who did just that, offers a riveting account of his unique tech journey. A Microsoft scam was a pivotal moment that sparked his curiosity and propelled him to explore the complex...
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Student Loan Forgiveness: One More Chance?
What's Next for Student Loan Forgiveness? In this podcast, we discuss the recent news that the previously announced student loan forgiveness is no longer a legal solution. We cover what to expect now that payments are restarting in October, including the new SAVE repayment plan, and the temporary...
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Purchasing A Home in 2023
Is Purchasing a Home in 2023 a Good Financial Decision? In this episode, we'll discuss the pros and cons of purchasing a home in 2023. We'll cover topics such as: Why are mortgage interest rates so high? Is it financially feasible? How does it compare to renting? What should you do if you have a...
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How to Make More Money
In this episode, we'll talk about how to increase your income. Whether you're looking to make more money to retire early, have more security and flexibility, or simply to make ends meet, there are a number of things you can do to make more money. How to Know If You Need to Make More Money There…
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What the Tech is a HELOC?
Do you own a home with a ton of equity? In this episode, I talk about the awesomeness of a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC). I cover the pros, cons, and how they compare to other options that may be available to you.
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No Guts No Glory: Launching a Startup
Isai Cortez is a Tax Attorney and owner of Bismark Tax, Inc in Los Angeles, CA. He's also the founder of SynkBooks and an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University School of Law. Isai shares his story, which goes all the way back to age 4 when his family was in a situation that made him want to…
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Student Loan Forgiveness!
Huge news dropped today regarding student loans. There will be student loan forgiveness! That’s not all, as most people expected, student loan forbearance was extended through December 31st, 2022. Finally, there will be a new income-based repayment plan that will reduce the burden of student loan...
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Insurance Expert: Jessica Casarez
This was a fun episode to record with my mom, Jessica Casarez, who has been working for the same insurance agency for the last 37 years. Insurance coverage is almost like a foreign language and she does an amazing job and translating and simplifying the information. Topics covered: How much...
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Fertility Planning with Dr. Aimee
Dr. Aimee shares important information about fertility. It's her goal to let as many women avoid saying, I wish I would have known sooner. In this episode Dr. Aimee answers the following questions: The importance of understanding your fertility Alternative options to egg freezing A range of costs...
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What a Recession Means to You (2022)
Are you worried about a possible recession? In this episode, I tackle current events that may lead to a recession in 2022 and identify what you need to know to navigate your way through a recession confidently. Inflation The Stock Market Employment Interest Rates Housing Market
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Do You Need Estate Document with Will Beyers
Do you need estate documents? I invited my friend and Estate Planning Expert, Will Beyers to shed some light on that answer. Will does a great job summarizing what each document does and provides some context on when and why they will be needed. The documents discussed in this episode are: Wills,...
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Navigating Year One and Early Career in Tech With Kristal Garcia
In her prior career, Kristal worked as a Software Engineer at BuzzFeed and Marqeta, Director of Operations at a cryptocurrency startup, and as an assistant to executives and leadership at Uber, Affirm, and Sledgehammer Games. She served the largest Latinx in tech community, Techqueria, as a...
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What the Tech is an HSA?
Do you know all of the amazing benefits and flexibility of an HSA (Health Savings Account)? The best features are that they are triple tax-free: Tax-Reduction on contributions Tax-Free growth Tax-Free withdrawals That's not all. There could be real savings just by comparing a high deductible…
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5 Reasons NOT to Pay Off Your Mortgage Early
Purchasing a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make, but the significant debt you accrue in the form of a mortgage can sometimes carry a lot of emotional baggage. In this episode, I acknowledge some of the reasons people want to pay off their mortgages, but my...
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Living the Dream as a Game Dev with Jonathan Jennings
Jonathan Jennings is a software engineer who works in the AR, VR, and videogame spaces and currently helming his indie VR game at Weird Kid Studios named Galactic Bar fight. He’s been a guest lecturer at University and National Conferences. His first published essay Black Unicorn is available to...
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What the Tech is a Backdoor ROTH?!
The Backdoor ROTH is an advanced planning strategy for high earners and big savers. Should you use a Backdoor ROTH? Two reasons why you'd use a Backdoor ROTH strategy is: 1. You are phased out of making ROTH Contributions due to your high income. 2. You are a big saver and have already maxed out...
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Engineering Life Coach with Gina Covarrubias
My guest today is Gina Covarrubias, Certified Life Coach, B.S. Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering (Purdue University), M.S. Mechanical Engineering (University of Utah) Her distinctive background blends life coaching expertise with 12+ years engineering/technology experience in government,...
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Special Guest: Real Estate Expert Patrick Soukup
Join me as I interview a real estate expert, Patrick Soukup of Soukup Real Estate Services in Fort Collins, CO. We cover a wide range of topics from real estate as an investment and personal residence. Patrick also shares his insights on whether we are in a real estate bubble, how to search for a...
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Breaking Into Tech By Writing a Jingle with Orlando Gomez (OG)
Orlando shares his journey from finance, Peace Corp, back to finance and then breaking into tech by writing a jingle. Despite having an MBA and finance background, it took him over 8 months to break into tech. To stand out from the crowd, Orlando wrote Jingles and leveraged Twitter to directly...
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Should I Take Out a 401(k) Loan?
I'm a big fan of 401(k) loans, but they shouldn't be taken out lightly. In this episode, I cover the basic rules of a 401(k) loan, the pros, and the cons.
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The Ebbs and Flows of Being a Startup Founder with Josiah Haswell
Josiah Haswell, in addition to being a good friend, is the CoFounder of Sunshower. IO. The first comprehensive, provider-agnostic cloud management platform. In this episode, you will hear how Josiah shifted from corporate tech to being an employee at Startups and ultimately starting up his own...
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Spending After the Pandemic
If you are anything like my family, your spending habits have changed significantly during the pandemic. If you managed to maintain employment throughout this whole period, then you may have found that your savings accounts actually increased. Or maybe you are a stress shopper and managed to find...
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Making Smart Money Moves in 2021
Make SMART Financial Moves in 2021 We made it to 2021! A year like 2020 stretched us thin in many aspects of our lives and that may have included your finances. If you feel you can improve on your finances in 2021 and want to make it a priority, I want to provide you a framework to get started in...
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Redefining Happiness with Michael Liendo
Michael Liendo recorded a live stream with me for this episode. Michael is a self-taught developer who is currently a senior software engineer and AWS community builder. In this episode, Michael shares his career journey and how his family has been a massive motivation in not only breaking into...
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It's a Wonderful Life (10 Money Lessons)
Sorry for any spoilers, but this movie came out in 1946 so…. A few reasons why this movie has been one of my favorites for most of my adulthood is because I worked at a community bank, similar to the Bailey Bros Building and Loan & when I was 20 one of my close childhood friends passed away. Not…
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Replacing Foreign Languages With Coding Languages with Joe Previte
Joe Previte is a developer, a teacher, and creator of Vim for VSCode. In his spare time, he enjoys creating videos for egghead, writing articles relating to coding, and participating in an online meditation study group. Joe shares the details of his journey from his decision to drop out of grad...
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How Much Should I Have Saved in Retirement?
Have you seen the rough estimates that you should have saved at various ages? These rough targets are useful, but may not be entirely accurate to you and your unique circumstances. I cover the importance of at least being aware of targets for the amount of money you should have saved in…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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 stori
HOSTED BY
Lucas Casarez CFP®
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Techie Personal Finance Bootcamp have?
Techie Personal Finance Bootcamp currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Techie Personal Finance Bootcamp about?
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...
How often does Techie Personal Finance Bootcamp release new episodes?
Techie Personal Finance Bootcamp has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Techie Personal Finance Bootcamp?
You can listen to Techie Personal Finance Bootcamp on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Techie Personal Finance Bootcamp?
Techie Personal Finance Bootcamp is created and hosted by Lucas Casarez CFP®.
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