What can I expect during my first meeting with you?

During our first meeting, we’ll have a relaxed and open conversation about your financial situation, goals, and any concerns you might have. I’ll explain how I work, what you can expect from the process, and answer any questions you have. This meeting is all about understanding your needs and seeing if we’re a good fit to work together. It’s a no-pressure environment, focused on your financial well-being.

How do you tailor your financial advice to my specific needs?

I take the time to understand your unique financial situation, goals, and values. Based on this understanding, I create a personalized financial plan that includes specific recommendations tailored to your needs. In this plan, I’ll explain what each recommendation is, why it’s in your best interest, and how it can help you get ahead financially. My goal is to ensure you have a clear path toward achieving your life goals with confidence.

What is the cost of your financial planning services, and what does it include?

The cost of my financial planning services varies depending on the complexity of your needs, but I provide a clear breakdown of fees upfront. Typically, the service includes an initial consultation, a comprehensive financial plan tailored to your goals, and the implementation of the plan. I also offer ongoing support to ensure your plan stays on track as your life changes. The specific costs and services will be outlined in detail before we begin, so there are no surprises.

How do you help me save on taxes and grow my wealth?

I analyze your financial situation to identify opportunities for tax savings and wealth growth. By optimizing your investments, structuring your income efficiently, and leveraging tax-effective strategies, I help you reduce your tax burden and maximize your returns. My goal is to ensure that your money works harder for you, helping you grow your wealth over time while minimizing unnecessary costs.

What types of clients do you work with?

I work with a diverse range of clients, including professionals, families, and retirees who are serious about achieving their financial goals. Whether you’re looking to grow your wealth, plan for retirement, or manage your super, I tailor my services to meet your unique needs. My clients value personalized advice and a clear, actionable plan to help them navigate their financial journey with confidence.

How do you ensure my financial plan aligns with my long-term goals?

I start by understanding your long-term goals through detailed conversations and fact-finding. From there, I design a financial plan that’s specifically aligned with those goals, whether it’s superannuation planning, investment management, or retirement planning. I also regularly review and adjust your plan to ensure it stays on track as your circumstances and goals evolve. My focus is on creating a plan that not only meets your current needs but also adapts to your future aspirations.

What is your approach to managing investment risk?

I take a balanced approach to managing investment risk by first understanding your risk tolerance through a detailed assessment. Based on this, I recommend a diversified portfolio that aligns with your comfort level and financial goals. I provide examples of both high-growth and low-growth investments, explaining their potential risks and returns over the short and long term. My goal is to help you make informed decisions that balance risk with the potential for growth, ensuring your investments are aligned with your long-term objectives.

How often will we review my financial plan?

We will review your financial plan at least once a year to ensure it remains aligned with your goals and any changes in your circumstances. However, if there are significant life changes or market shifts, we can schedule additional reviews as needed. Regular reviews help us make necessary adjustments to keep your plan on track, so you can feel confident that your financial future is well-managed.

What makes My Wealth Choice different from other financial planning services?

At My Wealth Choice, I focus on providing personalized, unbiased advice that’s tailored to your unique needs and goals. Unlike some advisers who may push products for commission, I’m completely free from bias and do not take commissions, ensuring that my recommendations are solely in your best interest. I work closely with you to develop a plan that truly reflects your financial aspirations, and I prioritize building a relationship based on trust and transparency, so you always feel confident in the decisions we make together.

How do you stay up-to-date with changes in the financial landscape?

Staying up-to-date is a team effort at My Wealth Choice. I’m supported by a large, multi-experienced team from various aspects of financial planning, who all contribute to ensuring we are on top of the latest market trends, regulatory changes, and best practices. We regularly attend industry seminars, complete ongoing professional education, and collaborate to share insights. This collective expertise allows us to provide you with the most current and well-rounded advice, keeping your financial plan effective and aligned with your goals.

Will you receive any commissions from the products you recommend?

No, I do not receive any commissions from the products I recommend. My advice is completely unbiased, and my only focus is on what’s best for you and your financial goals. This approach ensures that the recommendations I make are solely in your best interest, without any influence from product providers. My commitment is to transparency and trust, so you can feel confident in the advice you receive.

How does My Wealth Choice handle my personal information and privacy?

At My Wealth Choice, your privacy is a top priority. We handle your personal information with the utmost care, using strict confidentiality protocols and advanced security measures to protect your data. We comply with all relevant privacy laws, and only share your information with third parties when necessary and with your consent. For full details on how we protect your privacy, please refer to our Privacy Policy available on our website.

What happens if my financial situation changes after we’ve created a plan?

If your financial situation changes, we can revisit and adjust your financial plan to ensure it still aligns with your goals and circumstances. Life is dynamic, and your financial plan needs to be flexible enough to adapt to any significant changes, whether it’s a new job, a major purchase, or changes in your financial priorities. I’m here to support you through these changes and ensure your plan continues to work for you.

Do you offer ongoing support after the financial plan is implemented?

Yes, I offer ongoing support to ensure your financial plan stays on track even after it’s implemented. We’ll regularly review your plan together, making adjustments as needed to keep up with any changes in your life or the financial landscape. My goal is to provide continuous guidance, so you can feel confident that your financial future is well-managed and aligned with your goals.

How do I get started with My Wealth Choice?

Getting started is simple! Just reach out to me via the contact form on my website or book your Financial Clarity Meeting to schedule an initial consultation. During this meeting, we’ll discuss your financial goals, current situation, and how I can help you. This first step is all about getting to know each other and determining if we’re a good fit to work together. From there, we’ll move forward with creating a personalized financial plan tailored to your needs.

What if I don't have time for a financial plan?

If you don’t have time for a financial plan, that’s exactly why you should hire me. You might be crushing it at work, making good money, and even managing a couple of investment properties, but I can help you take it to the next level. While you focus on your career and family, I’ll handle the complex financial details, ensuring that your wealth continues to grow and your financial goals are met. My goal is to free up your schedule by taking care of the research, planning, and implementation. This way, your finances are well-managed, and you can continue doing what you do best without worrying about the details.

What value can I expect from financial planning if I’m unsure about its benefits?

Financial planning provides you with a clear roadmap to achieve your financial goals, offering peace of mind and a sense of control over your future. It helps you make informed decisions about saving, investing, and managing your money more effectively. By working together, I can help you optimize your finances, reduce unnecessary costs, and position yourself for long-term success. Even if you’re unsure about the benefits, the clarity and confidence you gain from a well-crafted plan can be invaluable. Many clients find that the insights and strategies we develop together are worth far more than the initial investment.

Case Study: How a Sydney Tech Professional Saved $40,000 in RSU Tax

Mo Shouman
3 days ago
4 min read

By Mo, Founder and Principal Adviser – My Wealth Choice, Sydney

Retirement planning for comfortable future

Introduction

For many professionals in Australia’s technology sector, Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) have become a key component of total compensation. While they offer a powerful way to build wealth, they can also create substantial and often unexpected tax liabilities.

At My Wealth Choice, we recently worked with a Sydney-based software engineer whose RSU package, though lucrative, resulted in a complex tax situation. Through structured planning and timing, we helped her legally save over $40,000 in tax and transformed her RSUs into a core component of her long-term wealth strategy.

The Client Background

“Liz” (name changed for privacy) is a senior engineer at a global technology company

Headquartered in Sydney.

Her total annual package was approximately $200,000, including an annual RSU grant of 2,000 shares that vest in quarterly tranches.

When Sarah first came to My Wealth Choice, her first vesting event had triggered an unexpected tax bill. Her employer had withheld some shares for PAYG, but the amount wasn’t sufficient to cover the total liability. She was forced to sell additional shares quickly — at a lower price — to cover tax, missing out on both long-term gains and strategic planning opportunities.

The Problem

Liz’s first RSU vesting created a taxable income of $150,000, added to her salary.

Because she hadn’t forecasted this increase, her total taxable income jumped to $350,000, placing her in the highest marginal tax bracket (47%).

She also faced:

Overexposure to her employer’s shares (70% of her investable assets)
No CGT strategy for future sales
No coordination between her financial adviser and tax accountant

Liz’s goal was clear: reduce the tax burden on future RSU vesting events and diversify her portfolio while staying compliant with ATO rules.

The My Wealth Choice Approach

At My Wealth Choice, we take a holistic, structured approach to RSU management.

With Liz, we began by mapping out her full RSU vesting calendar for the next three years. This allowed us to forecast taxable income and plan for each vesting event.

Our RSU planning framework for her included five key steps:

1. Vesting Projection and Tax Forecast

We used historical share prices and company trends to estimate the market value at each vesting date.

This helped identify which financial years would have the heaviest tax burden and where deferral or offset strategies could be applied.

2. Superannuation Integration

Liz had unused concessional contribution caps. We implemented a salary sacrifice plan,

directing part of her pre-tax income to superannuation in the same year her RSUs vested.

Result: her taxable income was reduced by $27,500, saving nearly $12,000 in tax that

year.

3. Automated Sale & Tax Reserve

We established a structured RSU sale plan selling a percentage of vested shares at each vesting event to cover projected tax, rather than waiting for the bill.

This removed stress and prevented panic selling during market dips.

4. CGT Timing and Discount Strategy

We staggered the sale of some shares beyond 12 months from vesting to qualify for the 50% CGT discount.

For her largest vesting, this reduced capital gains tax by approximately $18,000.

5. Diversification and Reinvestment Plan

We built a diversified investment portfolio using proceeds from partial RSU sales balancing global equities, fixed income, and Australian shares for tax efficiency and growth.

The Results

Over the following 18 months, Sarah’s structured plan delivered significant results:

Area	Strategy	Tax Saving / Benefit
Income tax	Super contributions	~$12,000
CGT	Holding 12+ months for discount	~$18,000
Cashflow	Tax reserve sale planning	~$10,000 saved (avoided short-term selling losses)
Total estimated tax savings		$40,000+

In addition, her portfolio became more balanced with employer shares reduced from 70% to 35% of her total investments, reducing concentration risk and volatility.

Key Lessons for Other Tech Professionals

Plan before vesting: Once shares vest, you can’t retroactively reduce that year’s income.
Integrate super: Super contributions can be a powerful, tax-effective tool.
Track vesting events: Use a calendar or adviser dashboard to stay ahead of multiple tranches.
Diversify deliberately: Don’t let loyalty to your employer compromise financial independence.
Coordinate advice: Your accountant and financial adviser should be aligned — one strategy, one plan.

How My Wealth Choice Adds Value

At My Wealth Choice, we specialise in helping tech employees and executives turn complex equity compensation into real, lasting wealth to retire on10-20k per month.

Our RSU advisory framework includes:

Personalised tax forecasting for each vesting year
Diversification and liquidity strategies
Coordination with accountants for tax planning
Ongoing monitoring of vesting events and CGT positions

With 20+ years of financial planning experience, I help clients move from reactive to proactive — building confidence and control over their equity wealth.

Final Thoughts

RSUs can either be a financial burden or a financial breakthrough. The difference lies in timing, structure, and foresight.

By planning ahead of time and coordinating your tax, cashflow, and investment strategies, you can avoid unwanted surprises and unlock the full potential of your equity.