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

Get my free Money Tracker: https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/tracker

Transportation is one of the biggest expenses for teachers (especially if you don't live in the district you teach in)— but it doesn’t have to drain your paycheck. In this episode of The Teacher Money Show, I break down practical ways to save money on your car, gas, insurance, and commute — without sacrificing reliability or convenience.

Cutting your transportation costs is pretty simple, but that doesn't make it easy! But if you're ready to give it a try, let's dive in!

Here’s what you’ll learn:

-How to buy a car wisely — avoid high-interest auto loans and overpriced upgrades.

-Simple maintenance tips to lower vehicle ownership costs and prevent costly repairs.

-Smart ways to save on gas, including carpooling, loyalty apps, and route planning.

-The best strategies to shop around for cheaper auto insurance and maximize educator discounts.

-How to rethink car ownership with biking, walking, or public transit — and why less driving can mean more wealth.

Remember to choose one strategy and just go with it, then move on to the next. Incremental wins are the most permanent.

👉 Subscribe for more teacher-focused financial tips every week!

Explore the show notes:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/show97

Become a guest on the show:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/guest

Leave a voicemail question:

https://www.speakpipe.com/teachermoneyshow

Book Shaun to speak at your school:

https://www.shaunkmorgan.com

#TeacherMoneyShow #TeacherFinance #TransportationSavings #FrugalLiving #TeacherBudget #PersonalFinanceForTeachers #SaveMoney #CarBudget

Credit can feel complicated — but it doesn’t have to be. In this Teacher Money Show “Lunch & Learn” episode, Marc Jenkins (a veteran teacher) and I break down what credit really is, why it matters for teachers, and how to build and protect it for the long term.Your credit score is more than just a number — it’s your financial reputation. Whether you’re applying for a mortgage, refinancing student loans, or opening a new credit card, good credit means lower rates and more opportunities. We also explain the difference between your credit score and your credit report, how to monitor both, and what habits will keep your score healthy for years to come.Here are some highlights:-What credit is and why it’s essential for your financial future-The difference between credit reports and credit scores (and why both matter)-Smart ways to build and maintain excellent credit as a teacher-How to use Credit Karma and free credit reports to track your progress-Why freezing your credit is one of the best ways to protect yourself from identity theftIf you’ve ever felt unsure about how credit works — or how to use it without getting trapped by it — this episode will give you the knowledge and tools you need to confidently take control of your financial reputation.👉 Subscribe for more teacher-focused personal finance lessons!Explore the show notes:https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/show96Become a guest on the show:https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/guestFinancial resources for teachers:https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/recommendationsEmail Shaun: shaun@teachermoneyshow.comBring Shaun to your school to teach financial literacy:https://www.shaunkmorgan.com#TeacherMoneyShow #CreditScore #TeacherFinance #FinancialLiteracy #CreditReport #PersonalFinanceForTeachers #MoneyTipsForTeachers #FinancialFreedom

If Brittany can grow wealth, any teacher can! Get started on your journey with my debt inventory at: https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/debt

Can teachers really build wealth on a modest salary? In this inspiring episode of The Teacher Money Show, Shaun Morgan talks with Brittany Flammer, a certified financial coach, mom of five, and wife of a high school teacher, about how they built over $800,000 in net worth on an average income of just $37,000 a year—all while raising a large family.

Brittany shares how small, consistent steps toward saving and investing—even when money was tight—led to incredible financial peace and freedom. She and her husband avoided debt, prioritized long-term goals, and learned to live frugally without feeling deprived.

Here are some highlights:

-Brittany and her husband built nearly $1M in net worth on a teacher’s income

-She shared simple ways to live frugally and raise money-smart kids

-How to make small investments grow through consistency and employer matching

-Why financial peace matters more than high income for teachers

-Why your worth as a teacher is not defined by your net worth

If you’re a teacher looking to build wealth, create stability, and find contentment—this episode will show you that financial independence is possible, no matter your salary.

👉 Subscribe for more teacher-focused personal finance tips!

Explore the show notes at:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/show95

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 #FinancialIndependence #TeacherFinance #FrugalLiving #PersonalFinanceForTeachers #WealthBuilding #TeacherLife

Get my money tracker at: https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/tracker

Do you hate budgeting? You’re not alone—and financial expert Kim Butler says you don’t actually need one to build wealth and security. In this episode of The Teacher Money Show, Shaun Morgan sits down with Kim to explore a smarter way for teachers to manage money without the stress of a traditional budget.

Kim introduces the powerful concept of the “reservoir account”—a simple system where all income flows into one account before being distributed into your checking account, emergency fund, and investments. This method helps teachers avoid overspending, automatically save more, and gain peace of mind without tracking every expense.

Here are some highlights:

-Why traditional budgets often fail for teachers (hint its not just teachers)

-How to build a $10,000 emergency fund with confidence using your reservoir.

-Savings are to pursue opportunities, not just retirement

-You might want to rethink retirement and to find purpose beyond age 65

If you’re a teacher who struggles with budgeting but still wants to save money, reduce stress, and prepare for financial freedom, this episode will show you a practical alternative that works.

👉 Subscribe for more teacher-focused personal finance tips!

Explore the show notes at:

https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/show94

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 #Budgeting #PersonalFinanceForTeachers #FinancialFreedom #KimButler #TeacherFinance

Learn how you can save money with “5 Steps to Save Money as a Teacher”

Housing is one of the biggest expenses in a teacher’s budget—often taking up 30% or more of monthly income. In this episode of the Teacher Money Show, I share 5 strategies teachers can use to reduce housing costs and free up money for savings, investing, and financial freedom--potentially even living for free!

We explore:

1. Renting vs. buying as a teacher and how to decide what makes sense in your market

2. Downsizing or moving within your city to cut costs without sacrificing quality of life

3. Relocating to a lower-cost state with potentially higher teacher salaries

4. House hacking strategies like renting out a room, Airbnb, or multi-unit properties

5. Extreme savings ideas—living in a tiny home, RV, or as a caretaker

Reducing your housing costs can do more for your financial future than skipping lattes ever will. By lowering your largest expense, you’ll create breathing room in your budget and accelerate your journey to financial independence.

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

📘 Get Shaun’s free ebook “5 Steps to Save Money as a Teacher” at https://www.teachermoneyshow.com/save

👉 Watch now and subscribe to the Teacher Money Show for more teacher-focused personal finance tips!

#TeacherMoneyShow #TeacherFinance #HousingCosts #FrugalLivingForTeachers #TeacherBudget #HouseHacking

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