Teachers often feel stuck between limited income and growing financial pressure—but this episode proves that intentional frugality and clear priorities can change everything.

In this episode of The Teacher Money Show, I sit down with Justin Brown-Woods to unpack his journey of paying off $132,000 of debt in just 18 months—on teacher incomes—after facing over $220,000 in total debt. His story is honest, practical, and deeply relatable for educators trying to balance life, money, and values.

Justin reframes frugality not as deprivation, but as the freedom to confidently say yes to what matters and no to what doesn’t. Together, they share the specific habits, mindset shifts, and budgeting systems that helped him regain peace, strengthen his marriage, and take control of his finances.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

-Why frugality is about values and contentment, not being cheap

-The exact spending categories they cut to accelerate debt payoff

-How renting instead of owning lowered stress during their financial reset

-Why budgeting and tracking are essential for teachers with capped incomes

-How accountability and consistent money conversations drive progress

-Why teachers must prioritize their own financial security before spending on their classrooms

If you’re a teacher feeling overwhelmed by debt, lifestyle creep, or financial stress, this conversation will show you that progress is possible—without sacrificing what truly matters.

~Subscribe for more teacher-focused personal finance conversations

~Share this episode with a colleague who needs encouragement on their money journey

Explore show notes and resources:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/show105

Become a guest on the show:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/guest

Leave a voicemail question:

https://www.speakpipe.com/teachermoneyshow

Bring Shaun to your school for personal finance PD:

https://www.shaunkmorgan.com

#TeacherMoneyShow #DebtFreeTeachers #FrugalLiving #TeacherFinance #BudgetingForTeachers #PersonalFinance #DebtPayoffJourney #FinancialFreedom

In this episode of The Teacher Money Show, I sit down with Scott Fritz, elementary teacher and co-author of the TL;DR Pennsylvania Pension Series, to explore the behavioral side of personal finance—why we manage money the way we do, how our “money story” shapes our habits, and what teachers can do to build financial confidence.

Scott brings a powerful mix of classroom experience, pension expertise, and behavioral finance insights that every educator needs to hear.

Key Behavioral Finance Takeaways for Teachers

-Your money story explains your money behavior—name it to change it.

-Automation beats motivation every time.

-Diversification gives you freedom and flexibility later.

-Understanding your pension is essential to long-term planning.

-You don’t need to “obsess” over money—just build the right systems.

Explore the show notes at:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/show104

Become a guest on the show:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/guest

Leave a voicemail question:

https://www.speakpipe.com/teachermoneyshow

Need help? Get Coaching

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/coaching

About The Teacher Money Show

Hosted by financial coach and educator Shaun Morgan, The Teacher Money Show helps educators build a richer wallet, classroom, and life through smarter money habits, better benefits decisions, and intentional living.

Are student loans really the biggest financial trap of our generation? In this episode of The Teacher Money Show, I sit down with Jason Brown, author of Margin Matters and It Is Possible: How I Earned Two Debt-Free Degrees and How You Can Too, to talk about the skyrocketing cost of college—and what teachers, parents, and students can do to avoid student loan debt altogether.

Jason breaks down the shocking reality of the student loan crisis, why 42+ million Americans are struggling, and how he completed two degrees with zero debt (and even made money in the process). His story is full of actionable advice for teachers going back for a master’s, parents preparing kids for college, and anyone looking to approach higher education without sacrificing their financial future.

✨ Key Takeaways for Getting a Debt-Free Degree

-Plan ahead—don’t rush into a degree.

-Work while you study to avoid borrowing.

-Apply for every scholarship you can find (especially the small ones).

-Choose colleges and programs with strong return on investment.

-Use tuition assistance, employer reimbursement, and dual enrollment whenever possible.

Explore the show notes at:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/show103

Become a guest on the show:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/guest

Leave a voicemail question:

https://www.speakpipe.com/teachermoneyshow

Need help? Get Coaching

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/coaching

🎙️ About The Teacher Money Show

Hosted by educator and financial coach Shaun Morgan, The Teacher Money Show helps teachers navigate personal finance, build wealth, and unlock their financial superpowers—so their wallet, classroom, and life can thrive.

Want to cut your food bill without feeling deprived? In this episode of The Teacher Money Show, I break down practical, teacher-friendly strategies to spend less on groceries, cook smarter, and keep more money in your pocket.

Food is one of the biggest budget categories for teachers—and it’s also one of the easiest places to save money without sacrificing quality or joy. So here 11 simple, repeatable habits that can dramatically lower your monthly spending, helping you create the margin you need for saving, investing, and reaching your financial goals.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

-How to meal-plan the frugal way using “backward meal planning”

-The power of bulk cooking + freezing to avoid last-minute takeout

-Why generic brands and store loyalty matter for real savings

-The “half-meat rule” and how to lower grocery costs with cheaper protein

-Why packing your teacher lunch beats cafeteria or fast food—every time

-How to break the drink habit and save hundreds on coffee, sodas, and bottled water

-Affordable breakfast ideas that actually taste good

-Teacher discounts and perks most educators forget to use

-How to eat out intentionally without blowing your budget

-Why intentional food spending is a foundational frugality skill

If you're a teacher looking to stretch your paycheck, reduce financial stress, and build long-term wealth, this food-focused episode will give you practical steps you can implement this week.

👉 Subscribe for more personal finance tips made for teachers!

Explore the show notes at:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com

Become a guest on the show:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/guest

Leave a voicemail question:

https://www.speakpipe.com/teachermoneyshow

Bring Shaun to your school for a personal finance workshop:

https://www.shaunkmorgan.com

#TeacherMoneyShow #Frugality #TeacherBudget #SaveMoneyOnFood #GroceryBudgeting #TeacherFinance #PersonalFinanceForTeachers #FrugalLiving #MealPlanning #FinancialFreedomForTeachers

Learn to save money on a teacher's salary: https://teachermoneyshow.com/save

Housing is one of the biggest expenses teachers face — but what if you could lower your rent without moving districts or sacrificing your quality of life?

In this episode of The Teacher Money Show, I sit down with Justin Pogue, author of Rental Secrets, to reveal practical strategies teachers can use to negotiate cheaper rent, reduce housing costs, and make smarter rental decisions—no matter where you live.

Justin breaks down how renters can use negotiation, timing, and creative housing solutions to significantly cut your monthly expenses. These approaches work whether you're a first-year teacher, a veteran educator, or living in a high-cost-of-living area.

🔥 What you’ll learn in this episode:

-How landlords think — and why teachers have more bargaining power than they realize

-Smart ways to negotiate your rent by showing you’re a low-risk tenant

-How offering to sign a longer lease can score you a discount

-Why landlords care so much about avoiding turnover costs (and how you can use this to your advantage)

-Affordable housing alternatives for teachers, including renting from older homeowners

-Whether roommates make sense — and how to avoid common pitfalls

If you’re a teacher looking to save money on housing, stretch your paycheck, and build financial freedom, this episode gives you the exact playbook to cut costs without feeling deprived.

👉 Want more teacher-focused money strategies? Subscribe to the channel for new episodes every week!

Explore the show notes:

🌐 https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/show101

Become a guest on the show:

🎤 https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/guest

Leave a voicemail question:

💬 https://www.speakpipe.com/teachermoneyshow

Bring Shaun to your school for a personal finance workshop:

🎓 https://www.shaunkmorgan.com

#TeacherMoneyShow #RentalSecrets #JustinPogue #TeacherHousing #LowerYourRent #TeacherFinance #FrugalLiving #BudgetingForTeachers #FinancialFreedomForTeachers

Sign up for my upcoming webinar:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/webinar

After 100 episodes of The Teacher Money Show, we've heard some amazing tips from 67 incredible guests — all focused on helping teachers live with a richer wallet, classroom, and life.

To make sure we've internalized this wisdom, I review these top tips shared over the past two and a half seasons and organizes them into 8 key steps every teacher can use to achieve financial freedom.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

💰 How to know where you stand financially by understanding your numbers, benefits, and credit

🎯 Why having a clear plan and intentional goals is essential to wealth and peace of mind

📈 The importance of starting early and taking action with investing

🧾 How to master the basics of budgeting and cash flow control

🌿 The power of frugality and contentment to avoid lifestyle creep

💼 Smart ways to grow your income through side hustles and teacher-focused opportunities

⚖️ How to maintain balance between work, life, and purpose

🧠 Why your money mindset determines everything

This episode is the ultimate teacher’s guide to financial success — practical, hopeful, and built from the real experiences of teachers across the country. Whether you’re brand new to personal finance or looking to level up your plan, this episode gives you the roadmap to build lasting wealth and freedom.

📘 Interested in one-on-one financial coaching?

Book a 30-minute discovery call!

👉 Get started here: https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/coaching

🔔 Subscribe for more weekly episodes on teacher finance, investing, and living a richer life.

Explore the show notes:

🌐 https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/show100

Become a guest:

🎤 https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/guest

Leave a voicemail question:

💬 https://www.speakpipe.com/teachermoneyshow

#TeacherMoneyShow #FinancialFreedomForTeachers #PersonalFinanceForTeachers #InvestingForTeachers #TeacherFinance #FinancialCoaching #ShaunMorgan #MoneyMindset #Frugality #BudgetingForTeachers

Can teachers really become millionaires? Gerry Born — also known as The Millionaire Educator — says absolutely. In this episode of The Teacher Money Show, I sit down with Gerry to explore how living frugally (not cheaply!) helped him and his wife build multi-million-dollar wealth on teacher salaries.

Get my short ebook: How to Save Money on a Teacher's Salary https://teachermoneyshow.com/save

Gerry shares his journey from frugal habits to full financial freedom, including how he’s now completing a $4,000 doctorate in Mexico while living comfortably on just $2,000 a month. He explains why frugality isn’t about deprivation — it’s about value, freedom, and control over your financial life.

Here are some highlights:

-The difference between cheap and frugal — and why it matters.

-How to master the “Big Three” teacher expenses: housing, transportation, and food.

-Gerry’s Seven Pillars of Wealth that any teacher can follow.

-How to use frugality to increase flexibility and peace of mind.

-Why financial independence starts with a plan — not a high income.

If you’re a teacher who wants to live better, save more, and stop feeling broke, this conversation will show you how frugal living can be your greatest wealth-building superpower.

👉 Subscribe for more personal finance tips for teachers!

Explore the show notes at:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/show99

Become a guest on the show:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/guest

Leave a voicemail question:

https://www.speakpipe.com/teachermoneyshow

Bring me to your school to talk teacher finance:

https://www.shaunkmorgan.com

#TeacherMoneyShow #Frugality #MillionaireEducator #TeacherFinance #FinancialFreedom #PersonalFinanceForTeachers #WealthBuilding #FrugalLiving

Open enrollment season is here — but do you really know what you’re signing up for? In this episode of The Teacher Money Show, Shaun Morgan sits down with Jeff Venables to help teachers make smarter, more confident decisions during open enrollment.

They break down how to choose the right health insurance plan, when dental and vision insurance actually make sense, and how to think strategically about life insurance, disability coverage, and retirement contributions. This episode gives teachers a step-by-step guide to make the most of this important annual financial checkup.

Here are some highlights:

-How to choose between HMO, PPO, and high-deductible health plans (HDHPs)

-The difference between FSAs and HSAs — and which one saves teachers more money

-Why long-term disability insurance may be more valuable than short-term

-When to buy extra term life insurance (and skip whole life)

-How to use open enrollment to review your retirement contributions and investments

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by open enrollment forms or unsure about your benefit options, this episode will help you take control and make confident, informed decisions for the year ahead.

👉 Subscribe for more teacher-focused personal finance tips!

Explore the show notes at:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/show98

Become a guest on the show:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/guest

Leave a voicemail question:

https://www.speakpipe.com/teachermoneyshow

Bring me to your school to talk personal finance for teachers!

https://www.shaunkmorgan.com

#TeacherMoneyShow #OpenEnrollment #TeacherBenefits #FinancialWellness #TeacherFinance #PersonalFinanceForTeachers #JeffVenables