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

Are you a teacher dreaming of early retirement? In this episode of The Teacher Money Show, Shaun Morgan sits down with Rachel (@teachertomillionaire), a veteran middle school math teacher and passionate financial educator, to talk about how taxable brokerage accounts can play a key role in your early retirement plan.

Explore the show notes at:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/show80

Become a guest on the show:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/guest

Leave a voicemail question:

https://www.speakpipe.com/teachermoneyshow

The brokerage I recommend is Fidelity (Referral link)

https://fidelity.app.link/e/oCNKRWIuoNb

In this episode we discuss early retirement and how retirement accounts like the IRA and 457 are great, but can't beat taxable accounts for flexibility, no contribution limits, and even the possibility of 0% capital gains tax in early retirement.

💰 Rachel shares her simple, effective three-fund portfolio strategy

📉 How she escaped a high-fee 403(b) vendor (saving nearly $1M!)

🚀 Why automating your investments is key to long-term success

🧠 How to mentally treat your taxable account as a retirement vehicle

🎯 Rachel offers a free "How to get out of a high fee vendor" and "Ticker symbol cheat sheet". You can find them in the show notes!

#financialindependence #teachersidehustle #taxablebrokerage #earlyretirement #teacherfinance #403b #investingforteachers #financialliteracy #fi #teachermoneyshow

Financial education doesn’t have to be boring! In this episode of The Teacher Money Show, I sit down with Susan Meredith, inventor of Mentomorph Money, to explore how game-based learning can revolutionize financial literacy education.

Explore the show notes at:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/show79

Become a guest on the show:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/guest

Leave a voicemail question:

https://www.speakpipe.com/teachermoneyshow

Attend the Free Menta Morph Power Hour (Code MMFriend)

http://bit.ly/mentagift1hr

In this episode we dive into:

🎮 How games help students and adults practice financial decision-making in a low-risk environment

💡 The difference between game-based learning and gamification (and why it matters)

📈 How focusing on net worth beyond just money shifts financial mindsets

🤯 The emotional barriers to learning about money and how games can break them

🛠️ Practical ways educators and financial coaches can use games to teach real financial skills

For more great ideas to help you have a richer wallet, classroom, and life, subscribe to the channel!

💬 What are your thoughts on game-based financial education? Comment below! 👇

#FinancialEducation #GameBasedLearning #TeacherMoneyShow #MoneyMindset #FinancialLiteracy #MentomorphMoney #MoneyGames #MoneyCoaching #Teachers #PersonalFinance

In this episode, Shaun Morgan shares his real-world experiences — the good, the bad, and the stressful — of investing in real estate as a teacher. From a risky wholesale deal helping a friend facing foreclosure to buying a triplex in a high-crime area, Shaun breaks down the *true* challenges behind the dream of passive income.

Explore the show notes at:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/show78

Become a guest on the show:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/guest

Leave a voicemail question:

https://www.speakpipe.com/teachermoneyshow

Invite me to your school to speak about money!

https://www.shaunkmorgan.com

In this episode you'll learn:

✅ The hidden risks of real estate investing

✅ Why teachers need to approach property investing with caution

✅ The emotional toll of tenant evictions

✅ How inaccurate property valuations can cost you BIG

✅ The critical importance of an emergency fund

✅ Tips for building strong tenant relationships

✅ How to assess if real estate investing is right for you

The point of this episode is not to scare you away from real estate but to give you an accurate view of the downside of real estate. If you proceed with appropriate caution you'll do great!

🎧 **Listen on the go:**

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music | YouTube

#RealEstateInvesting #TeacherMoney #PassiveIncome #RealEstateRisks #FinancialEducation #Teachers #MoneyMindset #FinancialFreedom #PropertyInvesting #WealthBuilding #TeacherFinance #PersonalFinance #FinancialLiteracy

In this episode, I’m joined by **Yanely Espinal**, Director of Educational Outreach at **Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF)** and creator of @MissBeHelpful, to discuss the critical need for **personal finance education in schools**. Yanely shares her journey from teacher to financial literacy advocate and offers actionable steps for educators to **advocate for personal finance as a required high school course**. We cover how grassroots efforts can drive change, why a **full-semester course is necessary**, and how NGPF provides **free, high-quality curriculum** for teachers. Explore the show notes at:https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/show77Become a guest on the show:https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/guestLeave a voicemail question:https://www.speakpipe.com/teachermoneyshowBring Financial Literacy to your Classroom/Life with Yanely's Book, Mind Your Money (Affiliate Link):https://amzn.to/3DXMHwX🎯 **Key Topics:** ✅ Why personal finance must be a graduation requirement ✅ How teachers can **start advocacy efforts** at the school and district level ✅ Tips for reviewing and supporting **state-level legislation** ✅ How to ensure flexibility in **teacher qualifications and course implementation** ✅ Leveraging **automation** to save time and improve financial habits If you’re passionate about helping students build lifelong money skills, this episode is for you! Learn how to **start local, advocate for change**, and bring financial literacy to every classroom. #FinancialLiteracy #TeacherMoney #PersonalFinanceForStudents #NGPF #AdvocateForEducation #MoneySkills #FinancialEducation #TeachersMatter #MissBeHelpful

Did you know your earliest money experiences could be **holding you back financially**? In this episode, **Becca Andrews**, a former teacher turned personal finance coach, breaks down how our **mindset and money-defining moments** impact financial decisions—and how to change them for the better.

Explore the show notes at:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/show76

Become a guest on the show:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/guest

Leave a voicemail question:

https://www.speakpipe.com/teachermoneyshow

Recommendation (affiliate link) for fiduciary financial advice:

https://hellonectarine.com/r/teachermoney

🔹 **Topics Covered:**

✅ How **early childhood experiences** shape lifelong money beliefs

✅ Why emotions—not logic—**drive financial decisions**

✅ Common **limiting beliefs teachers** hold about money

✅ How to **overcome negative financial thought patterns**

✅ Simple **first steps to break unhealthy money cycles**

✅ Why small, consistent changes **lead to lasting financial success**

💡 **Want to transform your money mindset and take control of your finances?** Learn how small shifts in thinking can **create massive financial progress** over time!

#MoneyMindset #FinancialFreedom #TeachersMoney #MindsetShift #WealthBuilding #MoneyBeliefs #FinancialIndependence #BudgetingForTeachers

Want to make smarter financial choices and boost your life satisfaction? In this episode, **Andrew Hallam** shares powerful insights on how teachers can manage money efficiently, avoid financial pitfalls, and maximize their happiness through intentional spending. Explore the show notes at:https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/show75Become a guest on the show:https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/guestLeave a voicemail question:https://www.speakpipe.com/teachermoneyshowNeed help? Get Coachinghttps://www.teachermoneyshow.com/coaching🔹 **Topics Covered:** ✅ The **simplicity of building wealth** as a teacher.✅ Why **buying a new car** is a financial mistake & how to avoid depreciation ✅ How **behavioral science** proves that experiences—not material things—boost happiness ✅ Why **teachers are the most financially efficient** professionals ✅ The hidden **million-dollar value of teacher pensions** ✅ How to **prevent burnout** and optimize life satisfaction ✅ Practical tips on spending, investing, and building long-term wealth Andrew’s research-backed strategies will help you make **smarter financial decisions**, focus on what truly matters, and build a secure financial future. 🎧 **Listen in to learn how to align your money with your values!** #FinancialFreedom #TeachersMoney #SmartSpending #FinancialIndependence #MoneyMindset #TeacherPensions #FrugalLiving #InvestingForTeachers