Do teachers have to choose between passion in the classroom and financial freedom? In this episode of the Teacher Money Show, Shaun Morgan sits down with Chantal from That Millionaire Teacher to break down how educators can build wealth, achieve financial independence, and design their dream lives—while still teaching if they want to.Chantal shares her journey from “accidentally” becoming a teacher to building financial security and empowering other educators to do the same. Together, we tackle the myth of the “teacher vow of poverty” and prove that teachers can thrive financially without giving up their calling.In this episode, we cover:-How to define your dream lifestyle and calculate what it costs-The truth about teachers’ unique financial advantages (pensions, summers off, PSLF)-How to earn more by monetizing your existing skills-Automating savings and investments to stay consistent-Why financial freedom and teaching don’t have to be mutually exclusiveIf you’re a teacher struggling with money or wondering whether to leave the classroom, this conversation will inspire you to see a new path forward. Financial freedom is possible—and it can start with the paycheck you already have.👉 Watch now and subscribe to the Teacher Money Show for more personal finance strategies made for teachers.Explore the show notes at:https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/show91Become a guest on the show:https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/guestLeave a voicemail question:https://www.speakpipe.com/teachermoneyshowBring me to your school to talk personal finance for teachers!https://www.shaunkmorgan.com#TeacherMoneyShow #TeacherFinance #FinancialFreedomForTeachers #InvestingForTeachers #SideHustlesForTeachers #FinancialIndependence

What would you do if you built a $1.8 million portfolio as a teacher? In this episode of the Teacher Money Show, Shaun Morgan sits down with Christina, a New York City public school teacher earning $150,000 a year, to unpack how she grew her retirement and taxable accounts to $1.8M—and how she’s planning her future.Christina started early, consistently maxing out her Roth IRA, 457b, and investing in a taxable brokerage account. During summers, she actively trades (a very small portion of her portfolio in) stocks and options to accelerate her wealth. Now she’s weighing the tradeoffs of retiring at 50, 53, or 55—balancing her pension benefits with her dream of starting schools and orphanages around the world.We also dive into:-How teachers can maximize retirement accounts (403b, 457b, Roth IRA)-Strategies for minimizing taxes in retirement (Roth conversions, 0% capital gains tax bracket, donor-advised funds)-Why teachers should focus on their bigger “why”—their vision for impact—over obsessing about taxes/optimization in retirement-Practical advice for balancing financial freedom with purposeWhether you’re a teacher just starting out or nearing retirement, Christina’s story shows that teachers can build wealth, retire early, and use their money for a mission bigger than themselves.👉 Watch now and subscribe to the Teacher Money Show for more teacher-focused financial strategies.Explore the show notes at:https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/show91Become a guest on the show:https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/guestLeave a voicemail question:https://www.speakpipe.com/teachermoneyshowBring me to your school to talk personal finance for teachers!https://www.shaunkmorgan.com#TeacherMoneyShow #TeacherFinance #RetirementPlanning #InvestingForTeachers #FinancialIndependence

In this episode of The Teacher Money Show, I sit down with financial planner Mary Ann Sullivan from 395 Financial Planning to dive into Target Date Funds (TDFs) — what they are, when they work well, and how teachers can know when it’s time to move beyond them to optimize their retirement investments.Target Date Funds are often the default option in 403(b) plans, making them a common choice for teachers. They automatically rebalance and adjust risk over time, which is great for simplicity. But are they always the best choice for educators building wealth and preparing for retirement?Mary Ann and I explore:-The benefits of Target Date Funds for teachers just getting started with investing-The limitations of TDFs, especially if you have a pension or want more control over your portfolio-How to know when you’ve outgrown Target Date Funds and are ready to optimize-Strategies like a three-fund portfolio and bond ladders for more flexibility and tax efficiency-Why every teacher needs a comprehensive financial plan to align investments with life goalsWhether you’re a new teacher just starting to invest or a seasoned educator thinking about retirement, this episode will help you decide if a Target Date Fund is the right tool for your situation — or if it’s time to graduate to a more intentional investment strategy.👉 Subscribe to The Teacher Money Show for more teacher-focused conversations on personal finance, investing, and building a secure retirement.Explore the show notes at:https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/show90Become a guest on the show:https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/guestLeave a voicemail question:https://www.speakpipe.com/teachermoneyshowBring me to your school to talk personal finance for teachers!https://www.shaunkmorgan.com#TeacherMoneyShow #TeacherFinance #TargetDateFunds #InvestingForTeachers #TeacherRetirement #403b #FinancialPlanning