In this episode, Priya sits down with AJ Ayers, CEO and co-founder of BrooklynFI, to talk about the money shame that persists even after high earners have built real wealth. They dig into the single most expensive mistake people make with equity compensation, why doing nothing with a windfall is actually a strategy, and the exact savings framework AJ uses with clients who have lumpy or unpredictable income. AJ also shares the thesis behind her new book, Creative Money, and the one chapter she fought to include.

Takeaways:

• Money shame doesn't disappear once you get rich, or even after 10 years with a financial advisor - the goal isn't to eliminate it, it's to stop letting it freeze you.
• The most expensive mistake with equity compensation is doing nothing: waiting to exercise options or sell RSUs almost always costs more in taxes than acting early.
• If you experience a cash windfall, slow down and build the framework, because acting fast is what turns sudden money into a mistake.
• If your income is lumpy, save 50% of every dollar in a high-yield account for at least 15 months; that's the number that keeps a good year from turning into a surprise tax bill.

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Guest Bio:

AJ Ayers is the CEO and co-founder of Brooklyn FI, a national financial advisory firm specializing in equity compensation and tax strategy for tech professionals, founders, and creatives. She co-hosts The Liquidity Event podcast, and her first book, Creative Money: New Financial Rules for Artists, Innovators, and Misfits, is out this fall.

Guest Links:

ajayers.com

Podcast: The Liquidity Event

Instagram: @brooklyn_fi and @ajayersnyc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajayers/

The Stuff Our Lawyers Want Us to Say:

Stash Wealth is a Registered Investment Advisor. Content presented is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to make an offer or solicitation for any specific securities product, service, or strategy. Consult with a qualified investment adviser (that's us) before implementing any strategy. Investing involves risk, including the loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. There…we said it.