There’s nothing wrong with buying secondhand. In fact, some of the best deals you’ll ever find come from thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace, garage sales, and resale shops. I’ve bought used furniture.Used tools.Used sporting equipment.Even used cars. The trick is knowing the difference between a bargain and a future headache. Because while some items age beautifully, others hide problems you won’t discover until after you’ve handed over your money. And by then, it’s usually too late. […]

If you work in tech, there’s a good chance a meaningful portion of your income doesn’t show up in your regular paycheck. It shows up as RSUs. Stock options. ESPPs. Equity that may—or may not—translate into real wealth over time. And that’s where things get complicated. That’s because equity compensation isn’t just “extra income.” It’s a set of financial decisions with real tax implications, real risk, and real opportunity—especially in a place like Seattle, where […]