Hey there,

Over the past few years, after working with hundreds of people in tech, I’ve seen a pattern: there are some really stubborn money myths that just won’t die — and trust me, these are sneaky because they sound kind of true. But believing them can quietly derail your financial plans.

Let's dive right in.

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Myth #1: Who’s in Office Will Make or Break the Stock Market

 

Election season rolls around and suddenly everyone’s a market expert. “You have to sell if X wins!” Or “You have to buy more if Y wins!”
 

Here’s the truth: political parties don’t drive the market over the long haul — businesses do.
 

If you had invested $1,000 in the Australian stock market in 1950 and left it untouched:

 

• Invested only during Coalition governments: Your investment would have grown to approximately $1.2 million.

• Invested only during Labor governments: Your investment would have grown to approximately $800,000.

• Stayed invested regardless of the governing party: Your investment would have grown to approximately $2.5 million[i].
   

 

Yeah. That’s not a typo.
 

You’re not investing in politicians. You’re investing in the resilience of the biggest companies in the world.
 

What to do: Stay invested. Don’t be cute. Timing the market based on elections will cost you—big time.

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Myth #2: My Company Stock Is the Best Investment I Can Make

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You might love your job. You might even love your company. But here’s the harsh reality: most stocks underperform.
 

 

• 4 out of 7 stocks have underperformed cash since 1926.

• Only 4% of stocks have accounted for all the market’s gains.
   

 

Odds are, your company is probably not one of those magical 4%.
 

What to do: Be smart. Have a plan for your company stock. Holding some? Fine. But don’t bet your whole future on one name — even if you wear the hoodie every day.
 

Myth #3: If I Sell My Company Stock, I’ll Miss the Big Upside

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I hear this one all the time: “But what if it takes off after I sell?”

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Totally fair fear. But here’s what people forget:
 

 

• You’ll likely still benefit because of your unvested RSUs.

• If you’re in an ESPP with a discount? Still winning.

• If you’ve got stock options? More upside there.

• And unless you sell every last share, the ones you keep will still rise.
   

 

What to do: Don't let FOMO paralyse you. Selling some stock doesn't mean you're out of the game — it means you’re protecting the life you're working so hard to build.

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Myth #4: My Company Already Withheld Enough Taxes on My RSUs

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Spoiler: They probably didn’t.
 

Most companies don’t hold enough taxes on your behalf. If you’re a high earner (and if you’re in tech, you probably are), your real tax rate could be 47% or more.
 

Translation: Big tax bill next July if you’re not paying attention.
 

What to do: Talk to your accountant. Run projections. Set aside extra cash now, so you’re not scrambling later.

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Myth #5: I’m Young and Healthy — I Don’t Need Insurance or an Estate Plan

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I get it. You’re in your 30s or 40s, crushing it. Insurance and estate planning sound like problems for "future you."
 

Here’s the thing though: Bad stuff doesn’t send calendar invites.
 

• If you get sick or worse, insurance protects your family and your finances.

• If you’re unconscious or worse, a solid estate plan protects your choices.

What to do: Get basic insurance. Draft a will. Set up powers of attorney. It’s not sexy. It’s just smart. (And you’ll sleep better at night.)
 

The Big Picture: Winning Is As Much About Avoiding Big Mistakes

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A few years back, one of my best friends lost his car — not because of an accident, but because he forgot to renew his insurance.
 

One small slip. One missed renewal. Thousands of dollars gone, just like that.
 

It’s the same with money: You don’t have to make every perfect investment move. You just have to avoid the big, obvious mistakes.
 

Avoiding these myths? That’s half the battle.
 

Whenever you're ready, here are a few ways I can help:​​​