RSUs vs. Stock Options: Which Equity Compensation Should You Choose?
A job offer with equity, or a promotion that tilts your pay toward company stock, forces a decision most people make with almost no information: take restricted stock units (RSUs), take stock options, or accept whatever split the company puts in front of you. The two look similar on an offer letter and behave very […]
2026 Student Loan Changes: SAVE’s End, RAP Plan, & PSLF
If you have federal student loans, 2026 is the year the ground shifts under your feet. As of July 1, 2026, the government began rolling out a new repayment system: the popular SAVE plan is being wound down, a new income-driven plan called the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) is now available, and the rules around […]
Portfolio Concentration Risk | Is the AI Stock Boom Putting Your Portfolio at Risk?
When AI and chip stocks sold off sharply in June 2026 — with major semiconductor names falling roughly 8–10% over a few sessions — a lot of investors felt it more than they expected to. That surprise is the real story. If your “diversified” index fund and your company stock both lean on the same […]
Home Buying Financial Planning in DC: Your 2026 Guide
If you’ve been waiting for mortgage rates to drop before buying a home in the DMV, 2026 has been a frustrating year. The 30-year fixed rate has hovered around 6.5% for months, and Congress passed the biggest housing-affordability bill in decades, only for the President to let it become law without his signature after refusing […]
The New Roth Catch-Up Rule for High Earners: $150,000 Threshold
If you are over 50, earn a strong income, and have been making “catch-up” contributions to your 401(k) to lower your tax bill, a quiet rule change may have just landed on your paycheck. Starting in 2026, many high earners can no longer make those catch-up contributions on a pre-tax basis. Instead, the extra money […]
How the FERS Pension Is Calculated: A Guide for Federal Employees
For most federal employees, the FERS pension is the foundation of their retirement — but surprisingly few know exactly how it’s calculated or what it will actually pay them each month. District Capital Management is a fee-only, fiduciary financial planning firm based in Washington, DC, founded in 2013 by Alvin Carlos, CFP®, CFA. As a […]
Fee-Only vs. Fee-Based vs. Commission-Based Financial Advisor: What’s the Difference?
When you search for a financial advisor, you’ll encounter three compensation models: fee-only, fee-based, and commission-based. The names sound similar. The differences are significant — and they directly affect whether your advisor’s recommendations are made in your interest or theirs. District Capital Management is a fee-only, fiduciary financial planning firm based in Washington, DC, founded […]
Robo-Advisor vs Financial Advisor: Which One Actually Fits Your Situation?
If you already invest through a robo-advisor and it seems to be working, it is fair to wonder why you would ever pay more for a human. And if you are staring at a robo-advisor sign-up screen for the first time, the opposite worry shows up: is an app really enough for money this important? […]
Investment Management vs Financial Planning: What’s the Difference?
When people think about working with a financial advisor, they often assume the job is simply picking stocks or managing investments. In reality, investment management is only one part of the broader financial picture. Financial planning takes a more comprehensive approach. It looks beyond investments and helps you coordinate taxes, retirement planning, insurance, and long-term […]
How Capital Gains Taxes Quietly Drag on High-Income Portfolios
Many investors focus heavily on investment performance. They compare funds, track market returns, and search for the next opportunity to grow their wealth. But one factor often receives far less attention: taxes. For high-income households, capital gains taxes can quietly reduce portfolio growth over time. Even when investment performance is strong, taxes can significantly affect […]
