Money Myths
FMB examines popular claims about taxes, compensation, lifestyle, investing, and major decisions.
See the evidence, assumptions, and tradeoffs before you act.
Explore by Topic
Financial advice changes depending on your income, taxes, goals, household, and timeline. Choose a topic to explore the claims most relevant to you.
Salary, bonuses, RSUs, stock options, equity compensation, and benefits.
Withholding, retirement accounts, Roth decisions, deductions, and tax strategy.
Emergency funds, spending, debt, lifestyle creep, and keeping more of what you earn.
Joint finances, unequal incomes, shared goals, and making money decisions together.
Home buying, moving, childcare, career changes, insurance, and major purchases.
Investing, retirement planning, brokerage accounts, and building long-term wealth.
Featured Myth of the Week
We test the claim, surface the assumptions, and show what could change the answer.
The Myth
“When RSUs vest as shares, holding them is the default.”
FMB Verdict
It Depends.
A decision framework for withholding mechanics, cost basis, concentration risk, goals and trading rules.
What to know
01RSU value is generally compensation when shares or cash are delivered under the plan.
02Withholding is not final tax liability.
03Cost-basis reconciliation matters because broker reporting may not reflect compensation already included in wages.
Latest Money Myths
Recent breakdowns of the advice, assumptions, and tradeoffs shaping everyday financial decisions.
Compensation
Federal withholding and estimated payments are treated differently when the underpayment penalty is calculated. That difference can determine what a W-2 household can still fix before year-end.
Read analysis →
Tax Optimization
The 2026 employee contribution limit is $24,500. That is a tax-code ceiling, not a personalized retirement target.…
Worth a Second Look
As income and financial complexity grow, simple rules of thumb can leave meaningful dollars on the table.
Shares vesting does not automatically make holding them the right call. This CPA-led framework separates the compensation-tax layer from the investment decision that starts…
Federal withholding and estimated payments are treated differently when the underpayment penalty is calculated. That difference can determine what a W-2 household can still…
The 2026 employee contribution limit is $24,500. That is a tax-code ceiling, not a personalized retirement target. See the savings-rate math and two worked…
Put the Myth to the Test
Rules of thumb are a starting point. Use FMB calculators and decision tools to test the assumptions against your own inputs.
Get a clear snapshot of your financial health across cash flow, emergency reserves, debt, insurance, retirement, taxes, and other key priorities—all in one…
Start My CheckupFind out whether your federal withholding is on track for safe harbor — and estimate what additional withholding may still be needed before…
Check My WithholdingBuild a practical emergency reserve range around your essential expenses, income stability, household obligations, and financial risks.
Calculate My TargetHow We Evaluate a Claim
The goal is not to replace one rule of thumb with another. It is to make the assumptions and tradeoffs visible.
Define exactly what is being recommended and what assumptions sit underneath it.
Review credible research, government guidance, tax rules, datasets, and primary sources where available.
Look at the circumstances that can change the answer: income, taxes, timing, risk, goals, and opportunity cost.
Usually True. Usually Not. It Depends. The verdict explains when the rule works and when it may not.
Evidence Over Opinion
We use reputable primary sources, regulatory guidance, research, and established financial institutions so you can verify the facts behind what you read.
