Drew Keever

Most households need 3-6 months of essential expenses in cash, with single-income households or those with variable income closer to 6-12 months. Keep it in high-yield savings (4-5% APY in 2026), separate from checking, and replenish it before any other financial goal.

Recession preparedness comes down to four moves: build 6-12 months of essential expenses in cash, audit and reduce variable debt, secure your income (skill-building, side income), and avoid panic-selling investments. Most recession damage to households is behavioral, not market-driven.

Software developers often have unique financial situations: high cash income, equity compensation (RSUs, ISOs, NQSOs), and concentration in tech. Effective planning coordinates vesting events, tax-efficient diversification, and disciplined savings before lifestyle creep absorbs the income.

If a former employer's 403(b) issued an incorrect distribution, correction goes through the IRS's SCP, VCP, or Audit CAP programs. Tax penalties can usually be reversed if caught within statute-of-limitations windows. The plan administrator typically initiates the correction, not the participant.

A CFP (Certified Financial Planner) is a credential covering coursework in financial planning, taxes, insurance, retirement, and estate. CFPs commit to a fiduciary standard when providing personal financial advice. The credential signals breadth, not necessarily depth in any single area.