Today, Amy Walls and Jag dive into why it feels like everyone around us has more money, more freedom, or more upgrades than we do — and why that perception is often just that: perception. Social media plays a huge role in this feeling. The constant exposure to curated highlight reels makes it easy to believe others are winning financially, while we’re falling behind. Amy points out that what we see online is rarely the whole picture. People share the new boat or vacation, not the credit card debt, parental help, or stress behind the scenes.

We also talk about how older stats around side hustles — like claims that 50% of people have them — still influence how we think today, despite more accurate 2025 data showing only 25% of adults actually have one. And affluence is often funded by invisible resources like family wealth or debt, which makes comparisons misleading and self-defeating.

Psychologically, we’re wired for social comparison, but our brains focus upward. We look at those doing better, rarely at those with less. That creates ever-shifting benchmarks for “enough,” raising the bar as others share their wins. On top of that, algorithms feed us more of what we engage with — usually success stories — which can skew our sense of what’s normal.

Amy walks us through the reality: the national savings rate is low (4–5%), emergency funds are thin (1 in 5 adults can’t handle a $100 surprise), and credit card debt is at an all-time high in 2025. Even those who look like they have it all together might be stretched thin.

Why does this all sting so much? Because we’ve tied our identity to our finances. Falling behind feels like failure. It hits at our self-worth and creates a stress loop: we feel behind, we spend to catch up, and that spending adds more stress. It’s emotional and financial burnout.

So how do we break the cycle? First, redefine goals based on our own needs. Track progress against your own goals — like building savings or reducing debt — not against someone else’s vacation photos. Curate your feeds to remove content that sparks comparison. Write down what “enough” looks like for you in terms of comfort, flexibility, and fun. Celebrate quiet wins like financial stability, and be cautious of lifestyle creep when your income rises.

Lastly, Amy reminds us to stay curious instead of competitive. Learn from others without turning it into a race. Real wealth and well-being come from clarity, control, and peace of mind — not what someone else posts online.

00:00 – Intro
00:35 – Why social media skews our perception
01:30 – Debt and side hustle myths
03:00 – Why we compare ourselves psychologically
04:50 – The illusion of success online
05:50 – What’s really going on financially nationwide
06:50 – Why it hurts to feel behind
07:40 – The emotional and financial cost of comparison
08:45 – How to reset your goals
09:40 – Avoiding lifestyle creep
10:25 – Final takeaways and closing

To get in touch with Amy and her team at Thimbleberry Financial, call 503-610-6510 or visit thimbleberryfinancial.com.

In this episode of ThimbleberryU, we reset the conversation around RSUs—restricted stock units—and bring it back to the basics while adding context relevant to 2025. We start by defining what RSUs are: a form of equity compensation that incentivizes employees to remain at a company and contribute to its long-term success. These units don’t hold any value until they vest, which typically happens over a period of years. Amy compares this to being promised jelly beans in the future—enticing but only valuable once they’re actually in your hands.

We walk through vesting schedules, with one-year cliffs and subsequent payouts over several years being the norm. The concept of “golden handcuffs” comes into play, where employees lose unvested RSUs if they leave a company, adding a layer of retention-driven strategy from employers. We also dig into the tax implications, emphasizing that there’s no tax when RSUs are granted—but they are taxed as ordinary income once they vest. Many people mistakenly assume the company’s withholding covers the full tax liability, but that’s often not the case, especially for high earners.

The conversation gets technical but clear, explaining how the timing of selling RSUs affects how gains are taxed—short-term gains being taxed as ordinary income and long-term gains benefitting from lower capital gains rates. We debunk the myth of “double taxation” with a simple timeline that separates the grant date, vesting date, and eventual sale date, highlighting how only the gain beyond vesting is taxed again.

We then explore the decision of whether to hold or sell RSUs. It depends on individual circumstances, but key factors include overall exposure to the company through salary, stock, and other equity compensation. Concentration risk becomes a big deal, especially if both partners in a household have RSUs at the same company.

Common mistakes include underestimating tax obligations, overconcentration in employer stock, and failing to plan for tax bracket changes due to RSU income. On the opportunity side, we point to strategic uses of appreciated RSUs—such as charitable donations and goal-based selling. With RSUs becoming more common outside of tech and market volatility remaining high, understanding your vesting schedule and strategy has never been more important.

We wrap up by encouraging listeners to treat RSUs as part of a broader financial plan, not just as a bonus or windfall. Intentionality is key, and professional planning can help manage risk and make the most of these powerful compensation tools.

00:00 – Intro & RSU Basics
01:23 – What Are RSUs and Why Do Companies Offer Them?
02:43 – Vesting Schedules Explained
04:11 – Tax Implications at Vesting
07:29 – Capital Gains on RSUs
09:10 – Myth Busting: Are RSUs Double-Taxed?
10:00 – Should You Hold or Sell RSUs?
11:12 – Risk Exposure and Concentration
13:20 – Common Mistakes with RSUs
14:06 – RSU Opportunities and Strategic Planning
14:52 – Why RSUs Matter in 2025
15:39 – Final Takeaways on RSU Strategy
16:31 – How to Contact Thimbleberry Financial

To get in touch with Amy and her team at Thimbleberry Financial, call 503-610-6510 or visit thimbleberryfinancial.com.

In this episode of ThimbleberryU, we dive into the hype and misinformation around Treasury bills (T-bills) that’s been circulating across social media platforms. We’ve all seen the claims: “risk-free,” “better than savings accounts,” “Warren Buffett approved,” and “perfect for retirement.” But are they really that simple? Amy Walls from Thimbleberry Financial breaks down what’s true, what’s misleading, and what actually matters when it comes to investing in T-bills.

We start by clarifying what T-bills actually are—short-term loans to the U.S. government, ranging from four weeks to a year. You buy them at a discount, and the difference between the purchase price and the face value at maturity is the interest you earn. While social media often touts them as risk-free, we explore why that’s only partially true. T-bills carry almost no credit risk, but they do carry inflation risk—if inflation outpaces your return, you're effectively losing money.

Next, we tackle the common claim that T-bills always outperform savings accounts and CDs. In some market conditions, that’s accurate—especially since T-bills are exempt from state and local taxes—but not always. High-yield savings accounts or promotional CDs can sometimes be more competitive. The idea of “guaranteed returns” is also addressed; while T-bills pay a set amount, they don’t roll over automatically, which means you need to be actively involved to maintain any momentum.

We also discuss the often-referenced Warren Buffett angle. Yes, Buffett uses T-bills—but only as a parking lot for cash while waiting on bigger investment opportunities. He doesn’t treat them as a core piece of his long-term strategy, and neither should the average investor without considering context and goals.

When it comes to retirement planning, T-bills can be part of the equation—but they aren’t universally ideal. They work for retirees focused on capital preservation, but younger investors risk missing out on growth if they lean too heavily on T-bills. We emphasize that T-bills are a tool, not a one-size-fits-all solution. Again, diversification of investments is key.

The takeaway is clear: T-bills can serve a purpose—whether as a component of a cash reserve or a conservative bond alternative—but only when used with intention and in alignment with a broader financial strategy. Social media often oversimplifies investments for the sake of attention. We encourage listeners to approach these decisions thoughtfully and critically.

00:00 – Introduction & T-Bill Hype on Social Media
00:47 – What Are T-Bills, Really?
01:46 – Are T-Bills Risk-Free?
03:00 – T-Bills vs. Savings Accounts and CDs
03:53 – “Guaranteed Returns” – Fact or Fiction?
05:08 – The Warren Buffett Argument
06:00 – Are T-Bills Good for Retirement?
07:13 – Using T-Bills Strategically
08:43 – The Real Lesson on Financial Tools
09:25 – How to Connect with Thimbleberry Financial

To get in touch with Amy and her team at Thimbleberry Financial, call 503-610-6510 or visit thimbleberryfinancial.com.