Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors

Tax Planning: It Deserves Your Attention This Tax Season When we think about our most significant expenses, what typically comes to mind? For most, it's housing, education, healthcare, or retirement. Yet one expense surpasses them all, and it’s taxes. The Most Overlooked Lifetime Expense The average American will pay more taxes throughout their lifetime than they will spend on housing, automobiles, and education combined. Recent estimates suggest that federal, state, and local taxes can consume 30-50% of a person's lifetime income, depending on their tax bracket and state. However, tax planning often receives only a fraction of people's attention compared to other financial matters. Many approach taxes as an unavoidable burden, something to address once a year during tax season, rather than as a critical component of their overall wealth strategy. Why is this? → Our tax code is complex and constantly changing → Most taxes are withheld automatically from paychecks → Most think they are simply unavoidable The Tax Planning Difference What many don't realize is that while taxes are indeed inevitable, the amount you pay is often negotiable with proper planning. The difference between a reactive and proactive approach to taxes can mean hundreds of thousands of dollars over a lifetime. Consider this: A household earning $150,000 annually might pay over $2 million in taxes over a 40-year career. Reducing that by 10% with better planning would save $200,000. Strategic Options to Consider Effective tax planning isn't about aggressive loopholes or schemes. It's about understanding the tax code and making informed decisions that align with your financial goals. → Retirement account optimization → Investment tax efficiency → Income timing strategies → Charitable giving approaches This is where working with a comprehensive wealth advisor becomes invaluable. At Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors, we view tax planning not as a standalone service but as a fundamental component of your overall financial strategy. Unlike once-a-year tax return preparers who typically focus on compliance and past events, our approach integrates tax considerations into every aspect of your financial life – from career decisions to estate planning. If you have questions regarding financial planning or wealth management, please don’t hesitate to contact Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors.

Tax Planning: It Deserves Your Attention This Tax Season When we think about our most significant expenses, what typically comes to mind? For most, it's housing, education, healthcare, or retirement. Yet one expense surpasses them all, and it’s taxes. The Most Overlooked Lifetime Expense The average American will pay more taxes throughout their lifetime than they will spend on housing, automobiles, and education combined. Recent estimates suggest that federal, state, and local taxes can consume 30-50% of a person's lifetime income, depending on their tax bracket and state. However, tax planning often receives only a fraction of people's attention compared to other financial matters. Many approach taxes as an unavoidable burden, something to address once a year during tax season, rather than as a critical component of their overall wealth strategy. Why is this? → Our tax code is complex and constantly changing → Most taxes are withheld automatically from paychecks → Most think they are simply unavoidable The Tax Planning Difference What many don't realize is that while taxes are indeed inevitable, the amount you pay is often negotiable with proper planning. The difference between a reactive and proactive approach to taxes can mean hundreds of thousands of dollars over a lifetime. Consider this: A household earning $150,000 annually might pay over $2 million in taxes over a 40-year career. Reducing that by 10% with better planning would save $200,000. Strategic Options to Consider Effective tax planning isn't about aggressive loopholes or schemes. It's about understanding the tax code and making informed decisions that align with your financial goals. → Retirement account optimization → Investment tax efficiency → Income timing strategies → Charitable giving approaches This is where working with a comprehensive wealth advisor becomes invaluable. At Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors, we view tax planning not as a standalone service but as a fundamental component of your overall financial strategy. Unlike once-a-year tax return preparers who typically focus on compliance and past events, our approach integrates tax considerations into every aspect of your financial life – from career decisions to estate planning. If you have questions regarding financial planning or wealth management, please don’t hesitate to contact Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors.

The Hidden Edge: Financial Habits of Top Silicon Valley Execs We've had the privilege of working with many successful Silicon Valley executives. Over time, we've noticed clear patterns among those who achieve the best financial outcomes. What we've discovered is that the most financially successful tech leaders develop subtle habits that build up significant advantages over time. Here are the hidden patterns that lead to their extraordinary results: 1. They Build Smart Networks, Not Just Professional Contacts While most executives network broadly, elite performers strategically target three key types of connections: information connectors who hear about opportunities first, cross-industry experts who bridge technology with other sectors, and seasoned veterans who've weathered multiple market cycles. This deliberate approach consistently uncovers hidden opportunities and creates valuable timing advantages. 2. They Think Beyond a Paycheck While many chase the biggest current package, elite performers focus on equity structure and vesting schedules, not just grant size. They select roles that build future value rather than just high salaries, and develop portable skills instead of company-specific advantages. By prioritizing future potential over immediate gains, they position themselves for greater long-term opportunities. 3.?They Build a Team of Advisors Early Unlike most executives who seek financial expertise only when needed, elite performers build key relationships years in advance. They connect with tax experts before liquidity events, establish relationships with savvy wealth managers early in their careers, and know investment professionals before having capital to deploy. This foresight ensures they have trusted advisors who understand their situation when opportunities or challenges arise. 4. They Are Opportunistic Elite executives know how to be at the right place at the right time. Sometimes, this also means they stay at the right place for the right amount of time. They say yes or no to career and/or investment opportunities intentionally. They understand that risk is necessary to have meaningful outcomes and they are keenly aware that not taking risks is a risk in itself. 5. Small Advantages Compound The power of these patterns lies in their compounding nature. While none produce dramatic overnight results, precisely why most overlook them, together they create a formidable advantage leading to exceptional long-term outcomes. What's most striking is that these approaches don't require privileged access or insider connections. These invisible advantages stem from perspective shifts and behavioral disciplines that anyone can adopt, regardless of their starting point.

Do chocolate cookies in your house disappear faster than healthy snacks? That's not a willpower problem – it's an access problem. Having healthy food in your house while keeping unhealthy options out makes nutritious choices almost automatic. Similarly, setting up your finances to automatically increase savings with each raise ensures you're effortlessly building your future wealth. At Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors, this philosophy is embedded in everything we do. We've designed our wealth planning approach to be as frictionless as possible, removing barriers that might prevent you from making optimal financial decisions. 1. We Make Good Financial Decisions Easy with Scheduled Check-ins We proactively schedule regular meetings to review your financial situation, creating accountability and removing the burden from you to make time for these essential discussions. During these sessions, we tackle things like: - The "I'll get to it tomorrow" beneficiary designation that's been on your mental to-do list for months - Your hard-earned bonus collecting dust and losing value to inflation in a low-yield account - The forgotten 401(k) from three jobs ago that's been quietly sitting with investment options you'd never choose today - Those RSUs that keep piling up in a single stock position while you repeatedly miss open trading windows to diversify - The "someday in the future" estate plan that leaves your family's future to chance rather than your careful intentions - The tax-loss harvesting opportunities that slip by each December while you're focused on holiday shopping - The college savings plan for your kids that gets a contribution "whenever you remember" instead of systematically 2. Timely Financial Planning Reminders Most financial opportunities and requirements follow predictable cycles. We schedule targeted reminders throughout the year for relevant planning topics exactly when you need them: - Benefits enrollment optimization in the fall - Tax planning strategies before year-end - Required Minimum Distribution deadlines for retirement accounts - Exercise windows for stock options 3. Streamlined Implementation Once decisions are made, we handle most of the execution. No more procrastinating on paperwork or complex account transfers. We coordinate with other professionals and institutions to ensure your financial plan is actually implemented. The Power of Reducing Friction Everything we do at TPWA is viewed through the lens of "how do we make this the easiest for our clients?" Because when good financial decisions become the path of least resistance, achieving your long-term wealth goals becomes not just possible, but the default. - - - - If you have questions regarding financial planning or wealth management, please don’t hesitate to contact Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors.

"Have you tried turning your financial plan off and on again?" Traditional financial advice often feels like generic IT support - the equivalent of being told to simply 'restart your computer' for your wealth-building goals. Just as successful tech products aren't built by randomly adding features, meaningful wealth isn't built by randomly following financial advice. By applying the same strategic thinking that drives tech success to your personal finances, you can create a clear, executable path to your financial goals. At Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors, we apply this same strategic thinking to building your wealth. Here's our 5-step framework for building lasting wealth: 1. Set the Vision Just as tech executives must envision their organization's future state, financial planning begins with understanding what success looks like for you. This might mean retiring early, starting a business, or leaving a legacy for your family. Define your end state with the same clarity you'd use for a product roadmap – what does "done" look like for your financial goals? 2. Align Goals with Values Your financial goals should reflect what truly matters to you. A good financial planner helps you articulate these values and ensures your financial strategy supports them, just as tech leaders align their team's objectives with company values and mission. Think of this as your personal OKRs for wealth building – they should cascade from your core values to your daily financial decisions. 3. Reverse Engineer Once the destination is clear, both tech leaders and financial planners work backwards to create a roadmap. This means breaking down long-term goals into smaller, manageable steps and identifying the resources and capabilities needed along the way. Just like planning a major system migration, you need clear milestones and dependencies mapped out. 4. Get Granular Details matter in both domains. Tech executives must consider infrastructure, talent, and technical dependencies, while financial planners look at investment vehicles, tax strategies, and risk management tools. This is where high-level vision transforms into actionable plans. Consider this your system architecture for wealth – every component needs to be carefully designed and integrated. 5. Get Started The final step is execution. Both fields recognize that perfect plans are less valuable than implemented ones. Tech leaders launch MVPs and iterate based on feedback, while financial planners help clients take those crucial first steps in their financial journey, adjusting as circumstances change. Remember: shipped is better than perfect, in code and in financial planning. The Power of Strategic Planning At Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities that tech professionals face. Our advisors are experienced in working with tech industry leaders and professionals, helping them apply their strategic thinking skills to personal wealth building.?

If you had a $4 million dollar home and made $1.7 million a year, would you say you were doing well? I think many would say, “Yes.” But if all your neighbors had more expensive houses, flew private, and your kids went to school with families worth 9 figures or more... does the answer change? Logic dictates it should not. But human nature may dictate otherwise. Theodore Roosevelt once observed that "comparison is the thief of joy." And I believe he was right. Even the people who, on the surface, may appear to have it all still have anxiety about keeping up the Joneses. This is why it’s important to occasionally take a moment and reflect on just how lucky we are. We live in the most prosperous time in human history. In the wealthiest country in human history. With access to the best healthcare and technology in human history. Think about this:? - Countless “routine” medical procedures today would have once been a death sentence. - A journey that once took months by ship now takes hours by plane. - We can have food or a driver at our house in minutes with the click of a button. - Video calls with family across the world are free and instant. - Most of the world’s books and knowledge are easily accessed online. The average person today leads a life even royalty couldn't fathom a century ago. In 1900, the average American lived to just 47 years old. Today? It’s nearly 80. Plus, when you consider the quality of those years? It’s even more striking. Most Americans in 1900 worked 60-hour weeks doing manual labor. They had no air conditioning, radio, refrigeration, washing machine, or vacuum, and even the humble band-aid wasn’t invented until 1920. The world we live in today is beyond incredible if you stop to think about it. Now, I am not saying that you should want less out of life. Ambition, hard work, and a strong desire to provide the best you can for your family is admirable. But the next time you catch yourself in the comparison trap, zoom out. Your great-grandparents would think your “average” day was nothing short of miraculous. The real question isn't whether you're keeping up, it's what you'll create with the extraordinary opportunities you already have.

The key AI investment themes of 2025 are not LLMs (Large Language Models) or hot Chinese AI startups like DeepSeek. It’s something bigger. It's in the massive infrastructure buildout happening behind the scenes. Some are even calling the scale of the build a second industrial revolution. It may sound like hyperbole, but it's not. The long-term opportunity is enormous as AI looks like it will be a component of nearly all software going forward. Here, we explore the three key investment themes for people interested in the space. → Infrastructure and AI tech platforms? Companies building the integrated systems needed to deploy AI at scale are leading the charge. This includes everything from specialized data centers to the software that manages them. There are winners up and down the tech stack. → Energy delivery and innovation? The massive power demands of AI are driving a new wave of energy technology. Investment opportunities span nuclear, renewable integration, and next-generation power distribution. Focus on companies delivering reliable, sustainable power at scale that will thrive in this environment. → Raw materials and the supply chain Those who control the critical components of AI infrastructure will capture outsized value. From chip fabrication to raw materials for batteries, companies with key positions in the supply chain are positioned for growth. Strategic control of these resources becomes increasingly valuable. Investing in AI infrastructure requires thoughtful strategic thinking. While public markets provide exposure through established companies, significant opportunities exist in private markets across the growth spectrum. For most investors, a diversified approach through professional management makes sense. Work with a registered investment advisor who understands both the opportunities and risks. They can help structure appropriate exposure through various vehicles - from ETFs to private market access - while managing risk. The key is finding the right balance between capturing this transformative opportunity and maintaining a sound investment strategy. Professional guidance helps ensure you participate in the AI infrastructure buildout while still sleeping soundly at night. - - - - If you have questions regarding financial planning or wealth management, please don’t hesitate to contact Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors.

We are thrilled to share that Stephen Nguyen has joined the firm as our newest Private Wealth Advisor. Stephen's passion for helping people find financial freedom is why we know he will be a great fit at Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors. Welcome, Stephen! We are so excited to have you on board.

What can psychological research tell us about leading a fulfilling life? The science of happiness isn't what you might expect. After decades of studying what makes people thrive, psychologists have discovered that well-being is more complex than just feeling good. Dr. Martin Seligman, the "father of positive psychology," discovered five key elements that create a fulfilling life, which he called the PERMA framework. Each component contributes to well-being and is pursued for its own sake. Together, they form the primary elements necessary to lead a fulfilling life. Here's how to build each element into your daily life: P is for Positive Emotion: Build Joy Into Your Day The brain responds to experiences that bring joy, optimism, and satisfaction. These emotions build resilience and expand our capacity to learn and grow. Research shows that people who experience positive emotions cope with challenges and build stronger connections with others. E is for Engagement: Create Flow Experiences This describes the state where time stops and we immerse ourselves in what we do. Athletes call it "the zone," while psychologists call it "flow." These moments occur when our skills match our challenges, creating experiences that enrich our lives. R is for Relationships: Strengthen Your Connections Humans need connection. The strength of our relationships predicts our health, longevity, and life satisfaction. The key lies in the quality of these bonds - the trust, support, and understanding we share with others. M is for Meaning: Connect to Purpose People need a purpose beyond themselves. Whether through work, family, beliefs, or causes, meaning gives life direction. It transforms tasks into missions and jobs into callings. A is for Accomplishment: Track Your Progress Achievement matters. Not for status but for the sense of progress and growth it brings. Setting and reaching goals, developing skills, and working toward mastery feed our need to grow and improve. Understanding these elements can help us make more intentional choices about how we spend our time and energy, including at work. To put this into practice consider the following: → Which elements feel strong in your life?? → Which needs attention?? → What changes could strengthen each area? Small shifts in how we spend our time and energy can enhance these elements:? → Build positive moments into each day → Seek activities that create flow Invest in key relationships → Connect work to larger purposes → Set clear goals and celebrate progress The PERMA framework suggests that fulfillment comes not from pursuing happiness but from building a life rich in these five elements. From my experience, I know that well-being emerges from how we engage with life, not from what life gives us.

Hey Chime employees, we?are hosting a complimentary IPO Strategy & Planning webinar on Tuesday, January 21st at 5 pm PST. This webinar is appropriate for you if you are trying to answer questions like: - What should I do when stock is high/low? - How does this affect my taxes? How can I minimize taxes on stock sales? - Do I need to set up a Trust or multiple Trusts? What are the benefits? - How much stock should I sell and when? - How should I diversify my investments? …and more! Click here to register: https://lnkd.in/gA_C-xas If you did try to register and seats are full, please email [email protected], and we can send you the details/link for the next webinar.