Serving 85+ Households Nationwide · Fiduciary Financial Advisor
A Financial Plan Built for Software Engineers
Software engineering in Michigan is growing fast: Ford, GM, and Stellantis tech divisions, Amazon in Grand Rapids, and automotive tech startups are all hiring. Starting salaries of $75,000 to $100,000 in your mid-20s give software engineers an early advantage, but CS degree debt is common and most engineers never build a system around their income before lifestyle inflation absorbs it.
The Financial Challenges Software Engineers Face
These are not generic financial planning issues. They are specific to your profession, your income structure, and the decisions you are likely facing right now.
401(k) optimization: contribution, Roth vs. pre-tax, and fund selection
Most software engineers at Michigan tech employers have a 401(k) with a company match, sometimes up to 6% of salary. The common mistake is contributing just enough to get the match and stopping there, leaving thousands in tax-advantaged space on the table. We work through the pre-tax vs. Roth decision, the right contribution rate, and which funds to use inside the plan based on your actual income and tax situation.
ESPP decisions: participate, hold, or sell immediately
Employee Stock Purchase Plans at automotive and tech companies typically offer a 10% to 15% discount on company stock. That discount is essentially a guaranteed return, which makes participation almost always worthwhile. The decision that matters more is what to do after purchase: holding concentrated company stock introduces risk that most engineers underestimate. We build a strategy for participating and systematically selling around your specific plan terms.
Student debt strategy for CS graduates
CS bachelor's degrees often come with $40,000 to $80,000 in federal student loans. On a software engineering salary, aggressive payoff is often viable, but the right strategy depends on your interest rates. Loans below 5% to 6% often make more sense to carry while investing the difference; loans above 7% are worth eliminating fast. We model your specific loan rates and income to identify the optimal path.
Income growth planning in your 20s
Software engineers often see their income jump from $80,000 to $120,000 or more within five years of starting. Each raise is an opportunity to raise your savings rate before spending adjusts upward. Engineers who automate savings increases with each income jump build significantly more wealth than those who spend up to each new salary. A system for capturing income growth before it disappears is part of the plan from the start.
A financial advisor who makes sure you're actually building the life you want.
Chris started Villaire Financial because the financial services industry has largely overlooked people in their 20s and 30s for decades. He built this firm specifically for young professionals to give them clarity and direction with their finances.
Meet ChrisWhat a Financial Plan for Software Engineers Covers
Villaire Financial is a fee-only, fiduciary financial planning firm built for young professionals. No asset minimums. No commissions. A real plan built around your actual situation.
What clients say about working with Chris
"I'm so glad I started working with Chris early on in my career. He worked with me to create a plan that's unique to my financial goals and helped me get started with investing and planning for retirement."
"Chris has always been on top of his work and has helped me better my financial future. He truly cares about his clients and is continually trying to improve. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for financial growth and guidance."
"Working with Villaire Financial has been great. I wouldn't have started investing my money if it wasn't for Chris, and I'm glad I did. Chris is easy to communicate with and really understands how to help Gen Z put their money in the right places."
Testimonials from current clients of Villaire Financial, LLC. No compensation was provided. Individual experiences and results will vary.
Common Questions from Software Engineers
Should I participate in my company ESPP?
In most cases, yes. A 10% to 15% purchase discount is an immediate guaranteed return before any stock price movement. The standard approach: participate fully, then sell the shares immediately upon purchase or vesting to avoid holding concentrated single-stock risk. If your company stock has appreciated significantly since purchase, there may be tax reasons to hold briefly, but for most W2 engineers the sell-immediately approach is cleanest.
How do I balance student loan payoff and investing?
First, always contribute enough to your 401(k) to capture the full employer match. That is a 50% to 100% immediate return that beats any loan interest rate. After that, compare your loan interest rates to expected investment returns. Federal student loans at 5% to 6%: reasonable to invest while making minimum payments. Loans above 7%: prioritize payoff. Private loans above 8%: pay those down aggressively before investing beyond the match.
Roth vs. pre-tax 401(k) for a software engineer?
At $80,000 to $100,000 in income, many software engineers are in the 22% federal bracket. Pre-tax contributions reduce your current taxable income and often make more sense at this level. As income grows toward $130,000 and above, the Roth option becomes more competitive, especially if you expect strong income growth and will be in a high bracket throughout your career. We run the analysis with your specific numbers.
What should I do after maxing my 401(k)?
The sequence after the 401(k) is maxed: open a Roth IRA and contribute $7,000 per year if your income qualifies. If your income exceeds the Roth IRA limit ($161,000 single in 2024), use the backdoor Roth conversion. After that, a taxable brokerage account invested in low-cost index funds is the standard next step. An HSA is also worth using if you have a qualifying high-deductible health plan.
Is there a minimum to work with Villaire Financial?
No. There are no asset minimums. The one-time onboarding fee is $250 and covers your full financial plan. Ongoing planning is $75 per month. A software engineer in their first job with $20,000 in a 401(k) and student loans is the right time to build a plan.
Book a Free 30-Minute Intro Call
No sales pitch, no obligation. Just an honest conversation about your financial situation and what working together would look like. The call is free and there is no pressure to move forward.
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