🎓 *What does smart investing really look like for teachers?* In this Season 2 wrap-up of *The Teacher Money Show*, I reflect on the biggest lessons learned from a full season dedicated to **investing strategies for educators**.

Explore the show notes at:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/show88

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

Here are some of my thoughts:

* Your **pension is an investment**

* **Index funds** may be the smartest move for most teachers

* There are pros and cons of **dividend investing** and **real estate investing**

* Your **mindset** can make or break your financial success

* It's critical to align your investments with your **financial goals**

📈 I also share how my own investing approach has shifted this year—including:

* Getting my **403(b)** match and maxing out my **HSA**

* Opening a **taxable brokerage account** for flexibility and early retirement

* Using **Worthy Bonds** as part of my emergency fund strategy

💬 I’d love to hear how Season 2 has shaped your financial thinking! Email me with feedback or if you’re interested in being a guest in Season 3—launching this August!

#TeacherInvesting #403b #FinancialWellness #IndexFunds #DividendInvesting #RealEstateInvesting #WorthyBonds #TaxableBrokerage #TeacherMoneyShow #SeasonRecap #PersonalFinanceForTeachers #FinancialIndependence

Can bonds and alternative investments help you build wealth outside the stock market?

In this episode of The Teacher Money Show, I sit down with Dara Albright from Worthy Financial, to talk about how teachers can use bonds, impact investing, and alternative assets to grow income and strengthen their financial foundation.

Explore the show notes at:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/show87

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

Invest in bonds with Worthy (affiliate link)

https://tinyurl.com/teachermoneyshow

In this episode we discuss:

-The difference between public vs. private bonds

-Why private bonds can offer 7-8% annual returns

-When to use bonds in a portfolio with a pension

-The role of self-directed IRAs for investing in real estate, art, bonds and more

-How Worthy Bonds work, including features like round-up investing and senior living revitalization

-Why impact investing doesn’t mean sacrificing performance—it can actually do both: grow your wealth and create positive change

If you're a teacher looking to diversify your investment portfolio beyond the standard 403(b), this episode gives you tools to invest smarter and align your money with your values.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more interviews on teacher investing, side income, and retirement planning.

#TeacherInvesting #WorthyBonds #PassiveIncome #BondInvesting #AlternativeInvestments #SelfDirectedIRA #ImpactInvesting #TeacherMoneyShow #FinancialLiteracy #PersonalFinanceForTeachers #403b #IncomeStrategies

Big changes are here for teachers planning their retirement!

In this episode of The Teacher Money Show, I talk with David Gourley—former high school math teacher turned financial planner for educators—about the recent repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) and what it means for teachers across the country.

These long-standing Social Security provisions have reduced or eliminated benefits for many public school educators. With their repeal, teachers in affected states could now see a significant boost to their retirement income.

Explore the show notes at:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/show86

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 about personal finance for teachers!

https://www.shaunkmorgan.com

In this show, we dive into:

-What the WEP and GPO were, and how they impacted teachers' Social Security benefits.

-What the repeal means for teachers nearing or already in retirement.

-How to earn Social Security credits through side jobs or non-teaching work to maximize your retirement benefit (and if you should!)

-When to take Social Security benefits and how to coordinate them with your pension

-Tools and resources teachers can use to plan smarter for retirement

Whether you're close to retirement or just starting out, this episode helps you understand how these policy changes could impact your financial future—and how to make the most of them.

🎧 Subscribe for more content on teacher retirement, investing, and financial planning.

#TeacherRetirement #WEPRepeal #GPORepeal #SocialSecurityForTeachers #TeacherFinance #TeacherMoneyShow #403b #PensionPlanning #DavidGourley #EducatorFinance #RetirementPlanning #TeacherBenefits

In this episode of The Teacher Money Show, I sit down with Jeff Venables—teacher, financial coach, and personal finance advocate—to talk about smart investing strategies for teachers navigating today’s unpredictable market.

Jeff brings a wealth of experience both from the classroom and the world of personal finance. We dive into how educators can stay grounded in their investment strategies despite market volatility, news cycles, and economic uncertainty. Jeff explains why it's essential to focus on the signal (your financial plan) instead of the noise (market headlines), and how to align your investment decisions with your risk tolerance and risk need.

Explore the show notes at:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/show85

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

Here is some key highlights:

👉There is an emotional side of investing, you must overcome that to avoid common traps

👉Rebalancing your portfolio on a schedule beats reacting to news

👉It is vital to start now by paying yourself first

👉Stay the course!

Whether you're new to investing or looking to fine-tune your approach, this episode offers practical advice tailored specifically to educators.

👉 Subscribe for more content on teacher finance, investing, and retirement planning.

🎙️ Listen to more episodes at www.theteachermoneyshow.com

#TeacherFinance #InvestingForTeachers #FinancialWellness #403b #TeacherMoneyShow #PersonalFinance #InvestingInVolatileMarkets #JeffVenables #FinancialPlanning #TeacherInvesting #LongTermInvesting

Is your Health Savings Account (HSA) just sitting there—or are you using it as a powerful wealth-building tool?

In this episode of The Teacher Money Show, I sit down with financial coach Eric McClarey to explore how teachers can maximize the triple tax advantages of HSAs: tax-free contributions, tax-free growth, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses.

Explore the show notes at:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/show84

Become a guest on the show:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/guest

Leave a voicemail question:

https://www.speakpipe.com/teachermoneyshow

Start your money saving journey today with Ally Bank's High Yield Savings Account (affiliate link):

https://ally.com/referral?code=2M3W3K5F9F

In this episode we discuss:

🏥 HSA vs FSA – What’s the difference and which one is better for teachers?

📈 How to invest your HSA, not just spend it

💰 Why low fees and strong investment options are essential

🧾 Smart strategies for paying out of pocket and saving receipts

📊 How to evaluate if an HSA is the right fit for your current health plan

🛠️ Practical ways to make room in your budget to contribute to an HSA

🧠 Why personal finance is personal—HSAs aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution

Whether you’re brand new to HSAs or looking to get more strategic, this episode will help you turn a health account into a long-term financial asset.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with a teacher who needs to hear this!

#TeacherMoney #HSAInvesting #TeacherFinance #FinancialWellness #HealthSavingsAccount #RetirementPlanning #TeachersAndMoney #PersonalFinanceForTeachers #EducatorWealth #TeacherMoneyShow

Financial stress is quietly pushing great teachers out of the profession—and it's time we talk about it. So let's talk about the often-overlooked pillar of educator wellness: financial wellness. While schools promote mental and physical health, financial stress is a major barrier that impacts teacher performance, retention, and well-being.Explore the show notes at:https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/show83Become a guest on the show:https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/guestLeave a voicemail question:https://www.speakpipe.com/teachermoneyshowNeed help? Get Coachinghttps://www.teachermoneyshow.com/coachingWant me to speak at your school?https://www.shaunkmorgan.comHere's what I talk about:💸 Why financial wellness is just as critical as mental and physical health📉 The real reason current financial “support” in schools often fails teachers📢 How teachers can advocate for real financial education and coaching in their districts🛑 The risk of economic uncertainty and how teachers can protect themselves✅ A roadmap for building financial resilience and staying in the classroom long termIf you’re a teacher tired of feeling financially stuck and you're ready to bring real change to your school, this episode is for you.🎧 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this with a fellow teacher who needs to hear it!#TeacherMoney #FinancialWellness #TeacherRetention #FinancialEducation #TeachersDeserveBetter #PersonalFinanceForTeachers #TeacherMoneyShow #EducatorWellness #BudgetingForTeachers #TeacherAdvocacy

In this episode of The Teacher Money Show, I sit down with financial planner and tax expert Sean Mullaney to break down smart tax planning strategies for teachers. Whether you’re focused on maximizing your retirement accounts, exploring the benefits of an HSA, or building a side hustle, Sean shares practical, actionable tips to help you make the most of your money next tax season.

Explore the show notes at:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/show82

Become a guest on the show:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/guest

Leave a voicemail question:

https://www.speakpipe.com/teachermoneyshow

Get Free Only Financial Planning with Nectarine (affiliate)

https://hellonectarine.com/r/teachermoney

We cover how tax planning has evolved in recent years, especially with the rise of the standard deduction, and what that means for educators trying to lower their tax bill and build long-term wealth.

💡 Topics We Cover:

-How the shift to the standard deduction impacts your tax strategy

-Traditional vs. Roth contributions: what teachers need to consider

-The "compelling three" approach: traditional 403b/401k, Roth IRA, and taxable brokerage

-Hidden power of HSAs (Health Savings Accounts) and how to use them for tax-free retirement income

-Side hustle tax tips: how to use SEP IRAs and Solo 401ks for additional savings

-Real estate investing: what counts as passive income and how to use depreciation

-When it’s time to bring in a tax professional

🎯 Whether you're a veteran educator or new to the classroom, this episode will help you create a tax-efficient strategy that aligns with your goals—without getting overwhelmed by the complexity of the tax code.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with a fellow teacher who needs to hear this!

🎙️ Subscribe to The Teacher Money Show wherever you get your podcasts.

#TeacherFinance #TaxPlanning #FinancialLiteracy #403b #RothIRA #SideHustleTips #HSATaxBenefits #Solo401k #TeacherMoneyShow #SeanMullaney #RetirementPlanning

The discussion is intended to be for general educational purposes and is not tax, legal, or investment advice for any individual. Shaun and the Teacher Money Show podcast do not endorse Sean Mullaney, Mullaney Financial & Tax, Inc. and their services.

If you have federal student loans, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of major changes—and you need to be prepared. In this episode of the Teacher Money Show, I sit down with student loan expert Andrew Paulson to break down the latest updates affecting teachers and anyone with federal student loans.

Explore the show notes at:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/show81

Become a guest on the show:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/guest

Leave a voicemail question:

https://www.speakpipe.com/teachermoneyshow

Contact Andrew to get Student Loan Advice! (Referral link)

https://studentloanadvice.com/tms

We cover:

✅ The future of the SAVE repayment plan

✅ Delays in income certification for IBR, ICR, and PAYE

✅ What the Department of Education shake-up means for you

✅ Why PSLF is likely safe (for now)

✅ Smart strategies for refinancing and backup planning

Whether you’re pursuing Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), enrolled in an IDR plan, or considering refinancing, this conversation gives you the tools to make informed decisions and protect your financial future.

🔗 Key Resources & Action Items:

Download your full loan history from studentaid.gov

Explore alternatives to SAVE (IBR, PAYE, ICR)

Review your budget for potential payment increases

Set up a “side fund” to stay ahead of changes

Consider refinancing if forgiveness isn’t your path

📈 Don’t let student loan changes catch you off guard—hit play to stay informed and stay empowered!

🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on money strategies for teachers!

#StudentLoans #TeacherDebt #PSLF #IDR #SAVEPlan #TeacherFinance #TeacherMoneyShow #FinancialFreedom #StudentLoanForgiveness #AndrewPaulson #TeacherSideHustles #RefinanceStudentLoans