With Tax Day right around the corner, Laura and Kevin take a hard look at a question a lot of high earners quietly avoid: if you’re making great money in tech, why aren’t you actually on track to retire?

Haley Gray, CFP®, joins the pod to break down the gap between income and real wealth. She explains how strong salaries can create a false sense of security, especially when taxes, lifestyle creep, and equity compensation complicate the picture more than people expect. The conversation digs into how rapid income growth subtly reshapes spending habits, often locking people into a higher cost of living before they’ve built a solid financial foundation. Haley also unpacks the realities of equity comp, from RSUs to stock options, and why having too much tied up in one company can create risk that’s easy to overlook when things are going well. With a practical, no-nonsense approach, Haley walks through what “retirement readiness” actually means, how often people should be checking in on their progress, and the moment of truth many face when they finally run the numbers.

The big takeaway: making good money isn’t the same as building wealth. But with a few smart moves, starting now, it’s possible to get on track faster than most people think.

Haley Gray is a CFP® professional and Financial Advisor at Stellarix Group, where she works with professionals in technology and other fast-paced industries to navigate complex financial decisions with clarity and confidence. Her work focuses on retirement planning, tax strategy, and long-term wealth building, with an emphasis on areas that are especially relevant for tech professionals, such as equity compensation, variable income, and concentrated stock positions. Haley brings a modern, practical perspective to financial planning, helping clients simplify complexity and make smarter decisions with their money over time. She is known for her practical, education-first approach, helping clients focus on what actually matters and make confident financial decisions without unnecessary complexity. Her goal is to help clients build strong financial foundations that support both their careers and their long-term goals.

Haley Gray is a registered representative of and offers securities and investment advisory services through qualified MML Investors Services, LLC. Member SIPC. OSJ: 2000 S Colorado Blvd, Tower 2, Ste 800, Denver, CO, 80222-7952, (303) 692-8183. The Stellarix Group is not a subsidiary or affiliate of MML Investors Services, LLC or its affiliated companies. CA Insurance License #4087390