Making $100,000+ and Still Feeling Broke?
Lucas Casarez, a CFP and founder of Level Up Financial Planning, explains why many tech professionals can make six figures yet still feel broke, citing
Lucas Casarez, CFP®
May 13, 2026
Hi! I'm Lucas and I help tech professionals maximize their high income with personalized financial strategy guides.
Get a personalized financial strategy for employer stock, taxes, investing, and competing goals — from a CFP® who has worked with tech professionals for 10+ years.
Who Level Up Financial Planning Serves
Level Up Financial Planning specializes in serving tech professionals. I understand the importance of finding balance between having an awesome life today and being confident and excited about your future possibilities.
Level Up offers comprehensive financial planning with an educational approach that will help you gain clarity on where you stand today, help prioritize your goals, and create a strategy that allows you to take action and maximize your hard-earned savings and investments
Education
Customized financial education based on your resources and goals. (RSUs, Tax Strategy, Home Purchase, Marriage, Children)
Planning
You are making the most money you have ever made, and you simultaneously have less time to figure out a plan.
Leverage Level Up Financial Planning’s Strategy Guide Process to avoid critical mistakes, have clarity on how to achieve competing goals, and start taking action.
Wealth Management
You’re building wealth, but are not totally sure how it works or how it translates to you reaching your goals. This optional add on service allows you to have confidence that your investments are being optimized for achieving your goals.
Financial Planning is required to have your Wealth Managed
Common Problems I Help Tech Professionals Solve
“I am making more money than I ever dreamed of, but still feel behind.”
“I have no clue what to do with my employer stock.”
“I’m burned out, but don’t know if I can afford to take a break or switch careers.”
“I have a lot of competing goals.”
“I know I need to take action, but I don’t know where to start.”
“I know I’m playing catch-up. Can I ever retire?”
“I like managing my own investments, but I need help with a real plan. Everyone I talk to requires me to have my assets managed.”
Why Level Up Financial Planning
When it comes to your finances and more specifically your life, you deserve someone who will work along side you.
Trust
Trust is the cornerstone of any valuable relationship and the trust that my clients have in me is not taken lightly. It may start initially as a feeling, but throughout the Level Up process, it will be backed up as I work with you to ensure that you are not only on track but Leveling Up as a result of our partnership.
Transparency
Transparency is a critical component of establishing a trusted relationship. As such, I am an open book and provide my pricing directly on my site so you can begin to identify the cost of investing in my services.
Fee-Only Financial Planning
As a fee-only financial planner. I am never paid by an outside party to influence the service you receive. Also, not all financial advisors are financial planners. While financial advisors typically only work with your investments. Financial planners help you plan for your current reality and guide you on how to best achieve your goals.
Expertise That Matters To You
This isn’t general financial advice or rules of thumbs that you can find in a Google search or using the newest AI chatbot. It’s customized to you and your unique background. I’ve exclusively served tech clients for over 10 years, allowing me to develop expertise on your unique experiences and employer benefits—especially employer stock and tax planning.
Fiduciary
A fiduciary standard is the highest level of care for clients. Being a fiduciary requires that your interests are always at the heart of every plan and recommendation. Don’t be fooled by financial advisors who say they are a fiduciary, but in the fine print, it states that their first duty is to their employer and not you.
Collaboration
The collaboration process is ongoing and is what breathes life into your financial strategy guide. Before I can help you optimize a plan that empowers you to live your best life and be excited about your future, we need dig into what really matters to you.
What Does The Complimentary Meeting Look Like?
1. We get to understand your situation.
We’ll discuss your goals and biggest financial questions.
2. Identify opportunities.
You’ll receive key insights and specific actions you can take to improve your financial situation.
3. Determine if we’re a fit.
No sales or pressure.
About Lucas Casarez
Lucas Casarez is a Certified Financial Planner™ and Founder of Level Up Financial Planning, Power Up Tax Planning Services, and the Techie Personal Finance Bootcamp Podcast.
Lucas’s biggest “why” is his family: his wife Brittany, his son Avery & daughters Emma & Eleanor & Adley.
It is because of his family, that he first started to realize that money is not the goal. Wealth is not the goal. Living an amazing life is the goal. This is reflected in the way Lucas approaches financial planning for his clients.
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