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What Should You Do With Your Stock Portfolio?

Are you emotionally attached to your stocks? While it may seem silly, we place strong emotional ties to our investments. Eventually, this can lead to an accumulation of stocks that do little to bring you closer to financial freedom. This week, Scott Frank, founder of Stone Steps Financial, and Meg Bartelt, founder of Flow Financial Planning, LLC, help listeners break free from their horde of stocks and provide a guide for making their money work for them. 


The conversation begins with a deep dive into managing a large amount of company stock. Many employees collect stock through RSUs or ESPPs, which, if not managed wisely, can lead to a significant concentration in a single company’s stock. This concentration can be a double-edged sword. There is a possibility for significant gain, but there is also a possibility for disastrous failure. 


People can form emotional attachments to their investments, especially when the stocks have seen significant growth. They share stories and examples to show how holding onto stocks due to emotional bias can be risky. Scott shares the stories of Kodak and Motorola, showing how putting your eggs in one basket can lead to financial ruin. They stress the importance of selling stocks to protect your financial future and balancing growth with financial safety.


man using phone and laptop to check stock performance

Scott and Meg explain the tax rules for vested RSUs, clarifying that they are taxed as regular income when they vest—not as capital gains. This straightforward fact can help you decide to sell them right away. They also discuss how some companies offer automatic sale programs, making the process easier for employees. This streamlines the process, allowing you to allocate the funds towards emergency funds, paying off debts, or other activities. 


When you take the risk of selling your stocks, you open yourself up to new opportunities. You don’t need to run and sell all your stock today—a gradual cutdown eases the emotional burden and allows you to see the potential firsthand. Trust us, it’ll be hard to stop once you start slimming down. 


 

Key Take Aways: 


  • Diversify Your Stock Portfolio: Holding a large concentration of company stock can be risky. Balance your investments to protect against the possibility of significant losses.


  • Manage Emotional Attachment: Avoid holding onto stocks due to emotional connections. Even if stocks have seen growth, staying objective and considering your long-term financial goals is important.


  • Understand Tax Implications: Learn the tax rules for vested RSUs, which are taxed as regular income when they vest. Knowing this can help you decide whether to sell them immediately.


  • Take Gradual Steps: Selling some of your stocks gradually reduces emotional stress and opens up new financial opportunities. Allocating funds toward other financial goals, like emergency funds or paying off debt, can improve your overall financial health.


 


Ready to learn more? 

Scott Frank on LinkedIn 

Meg Bartelt on LinkedIn 

Stone Steps Financial 


Money can be confusing—but it doesn’t have to be. When you’re able to understand the complexities, you can make better decisions to improve your daily life. Are you ready to align your money with your ideal life? Connect with us at Stone Steps Financial


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