Nauma Blog

How American Household Wealth Changed Between 2022 and 2025

An analysis of Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances data, exploring how net worth varies by age and wealth percentile, and what has changed over the past 3 years.

Mon Oct 19 2026

Washington’s 2028 Income Tax Bill Surprising Design Problems

A capital-gains cliff, a marriage penalty, and thresholds that drift apart over time

Wed Sep 23 2026

Startup Tender Offers: How ISO Decisions Can Change Your Tax Bill

Using tax modeling and long-term planning to compare exercise-and-hold versus exercise-and-sell

Sun Sep 13 2026

Why Auto-Selling RSUs Doesn’t Eliminate Stock Exposure

Why RSUs can materially affect your net worth even if you sell every share as soon as it vests.

Fri Sep 04 2026

The Math of CRUTs: Philanthropy vs. Tax Mitigation

Common modeling mistakes that can make CRUTs appear more attractive than they really are.

Tue Aug 11 2026

How Much of a Single Stock Can I Have in My Portfolio?

Why generic rules of thumb fail, and how to stress-test your actual capacity for single-stock risk.

Sun Aug 02 2026

Financial Planning for Families With Special Needs

Coordinating public benefits, trust taxation, and legal protections for a family’s lifelong plan

Thu Jul 16 2026

When Relying on Federal Tax Brackets in a Roth Conversion Optimizer Can Be Misleading

Filling a federal tax bracket is a popular strategy, but for families with interstate moves, expat plans, or complex tax situations, it may reduce projected after-tax wealth instead of improving it.

Wed Jun 24 2026

Exchange Funds and Expected Market Returns

Exchange funds may help diversify without paying taxes today, but the math depends on future market returns.

Sat Jun 13 2026

The Safe Withdrawal Rate: Do You Need Bonds in Retirement?

Stress-testing an equity-only portfolio against a custom glide path in retirement

Thu Jun 04 2026

Understanding Taxes in Long-Term Financial Projections

How cost basis, future contributions, and inflation-adjustments impact tax projections.

Fri May 15 2026

Why Financial Goals Should Come Before Investment Strategy

How goal-based planning helps connect wealth to specific life outcomes, reduce stress, and make better long-term decisions

Fri May 08 2026

“Average” Life Expectancy in Financial Planning

Why relying on national averages creates a longevity risk

Wed Apr 29 2026

Integrating VPFs into a Holistic Financial Plan

Using Monte Carlo analysis to quantify the impact of tax-deferred compounding and the "settlement spike" on portfolio longevity.

Tue Apr 21 2026

Analyzing VPFs as a Leveraged Diversification Tool

We discuss how Variable Prepaid Forwards act as portfolio leverage and the specific conditions under which tax deferral outweighs contract fees.

Fri Apr 03 2026

Using Claude to File Taxes: Does It Save You Time or Money?

Mon Mar 30 2026

ESPP vs. Mega Backdoor Roth: The Problem With “Always Take the Free Money”

Fri Mar 27 2026

The Hidden Risk in “Safe” Investment Portfolios

Understanding duration, rate hikes, and why your bond strategy might not match your timeline.

Fri Mar 20 2026

Updating Your Financial Plan After a Layoff

Updating projections, adjusting goals, and protecting long-term success

Sun Mar 01 2026

CRUT: Turning Concentrated Stock into Lifetime Income

Defer capital gains, generate income, and fund long-term philanthropy without selling everything at once

Fri Feb 20 2026

The Real Cost of Raising Kids in the San Francisco Bay Area

Housing, school, college, and how to plan without over- or under-saving

Tue Feb 03 2026

Starting a Startup at 25, 35, or 45 Is Not the Same Decision

How age, family, and timing quietly change the real cost of entrepreneurship

Thu Jan 22 2026

When Asset Protection Costs $1 Million

Modeling how dynasty trusts and retirement accounts interact under compressed trust tax brackets

Mon Jan 12 2026

Managed Futures: Putting a Price on Lower Volatility

A quantitative look at volatility reduction, fees, and sequence-of-returns risk

Tue Jan 06 2026

Variable Prepaid Forward (VPF) Contracts

The Math, Risks, and Tradeoffs Behind Variable Prepaid Forward Contracts

Sat Dec 27 2025

721 Exchange Funds and 351 ETF Exchanges Explained

Understanding the benefits, risks, and fees of 721 exchange funds and 351 ETF exchanges

Mon Dec 22 2025

Impact of Deferring Capital Gain Taxes

Why wealthy investors focus on delaying capital gains and where people get it wrong

Wed Dec 17 2025

Retire in the Bay Area or Relocate to Florida?

A Side-by-Side Look at Long-Term Net Worth

Wed Dec 03 2025

Buy vs. Rent in San Francisco

Why the Right Answer Isn’t Just About Monthly Payments

Thu Nov 20 2025

Financial Projections: Common Modeling Mistakes

Personal Finance Learning Session - November 7, 2025

Tue Nov 11 2025

Charitable Donations: A Powerful Tool for Smarter Tax Planning

A practical look at how timing, income, and donation type shape your tax savings.

Sun Oct 19 2025

🏠 Buy vs. Rent: Which One Builds More Wealth?

A data-driven look at how mortgage rates, home appreciation, and liquidity shape the rent-versus-buy decision.

Fri Oct 10 2025

Exchange Funds Explained: Diversify Without Paying Capital Gains Tax

Tue Oct 07 2025

How to Balance Risk, Return, and Contributions in Your Financial Plan

Sat Sep 20 2025

Safe Withdrawal Rates Beyond the 4% Rule

A Conversation with Karsten Jeske, Ph.D., CFA

Tue Sep 09 2025

Planning Around RMDs Just Got Easier

We just rolled out Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) support in Nauma. See how it may change your financial projections.

Mon Sep 01 2025

From Quant Research at Goldman Sachs to Machine Learning at Meta — and Then to Startup Founder

Sun Aug 10 2025

What If You Already Have Enough to Stop Working?

Why millions of families are working years longer than needed because they follow outdated financial advice.

Thu Jul 31 2025

Hello!

Tue Jul 22 2025