RSUs 101: The High Earner’s Guide to Using Company Stock Strategically
A simple, repeatable plan to turn equity into progress without the stress or second-guessing.
You’ve got equity — but it feels more like a question mark than a financial asset.
You're not sure when to sell, how taxes work, or whether you're making the most of it.
Welcome to the world of RSUs: one of the most misunderstood (and underutilized) wealth-building tools for high earners.
Most people treat RSUs like a bonus or lottery ticket. But smart RSU planning can unlock major life goals without risking your financial future.
Today you’ll learn:
→ Why most people mismanage RSUs (and pay for it)
→ The 3 financial risks hiding in your unvested shares
→ A simple system to turn equity into progress
→ How to use RSUs to fund your biggest goals — guilt-free
Let’s get into it ↓
First — What Are RSUs?
RSUs (Restricted Stock Units) are a form of stock-based compensation.
Here’s how they work:
→ Your company grants you shares of stock — but you don’t own them yet
→ Those shares vest over time (typically quarterly or annually)
→ When they vest, the value of those shares is taxed as ordinary income
→ After they vest, you can choose to hold or sell them
RSUs are meant to reward long-term performance and retention.
But most people never get coached on how to actually manage them — so they wing it.
That’s where things go sideways.
The 3 Hidden Financial Risks of RSUs
Let’s break down where things usually go wrong:
1. Surprise taxes:
When RSUs vest, they’re taxed as ordinary income — whether you sell or not. If your withholding is off? You’ll owe in April.
2. Emotional holding:
You tell yourself you’ll sell “when the price goes back up” or “once things settle.” Months pass. Your net worth is tied to one stock.
3. Overexposure:
Your income, bonus, and stock all depend on the same company. That’s not loyalty. That’s concentration risk.
The solution? A system that eliminates emotional guesswork.
Build Your RSU Release Strategy
Here’s what we teach high earners who want to use RSUs intentionally: Create a simple, repeatable plan — before your shares vest.
Start with 3 buckets:
→ Taxes: Automatically sell enough to cover what you owe
→ Goals: Allocate toward big priorities — home, freedom, business
→ Optional hold: Only if it fits your broader portfolio
No guesswork. No gut decisions. No “what if it goes higher?” You already made the responsible decision by setting the system. Let it run.
Use RSUs to Fund Big, Life-Changing Moves
You can turn your RSUs into major financial milestones — without touching your savings.
→ Down payment on a house
→ Starting your own business
→ Pay off student loans
→ Take a sabbatical
→ Invest in index funds and truly diversify
We’ve had clients use RSUs to walk away from golden handcuffs and toward real autonomy. The key is deciding ahead of time what RSUs are for — and letting the system do the rest. Take emotional decision making out of the equation. Have a plan & set it on autopilot.
Selling Doesn’t Mean Disloyalty
One of the biggest mental blocks I see? “I don’t want to sell. It feels like I’m betting against my company.” Let me be clear: You already bet on the company every time you cash a paycheck.
Selling shares = securing the value of what you’ve already earned. It’s not disloyal. It’s responsible. Diversification isn’t a lack of belief. It’s what smart, long-term investors do.
Your 6-Step RSU Action Plan
Know your vesting schedule — put it on your calendar
Estimate your tax hit before vesting
Set a default sell plan for taxes and goals
Automate the sell + transfer process wherever possible
Only hold shares intentionally — never by default
Revisit your RSU plan quarterly (just like you would a budget)
This system removes emotion and builds momentum.
No more second-guessing. Just clean, intentional wealth-building.
The Bottom Line
RSUs aren’t just compensation — they’re a lever. A tool that, when used well, can change your financial trajectory. But only if you stop treating them like a windfall…
And start treating them like part of your strategy. You don’t need a crystal ball, you just need a plan.
That’s it! Hope you enjoyed - thanks for reading, see you next week!
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Opulus, LLC (“Opulus”) is a registered investment advisor in Pennsylvania and other jurisdictions where exempted. Registration as an investment advisor does not imply any specific level of skill or training.
The content of this newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, legal, or accounting advice. It is not an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or investments, nor does it endorse any specific company, security, or investment strategy. Readers should not rely on this content as the sole basis for any investment or financial decisions.
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