Podcast
Financially Independent Teachers
Hosted by Dave Fleischer · EN
Welcome to the Financially Independent Teachers Podcast- where educators come together to discuss their journey on the road to financial independence. Each week, Dave and Brandon interview teachers who are winning with money and welcome financial industry experts like JL Collins, Andy Hill, Andrew Hallam (Millionaire Teacher) and Rachel Cruze (daughter of Dave Ramsey). There are plenty of voices in the teachers' lounge telling you that you can't build wealth on an educator income, let FIT provide hope that you CAN!
29episodes
Episodes
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EP 266-Long Island Music Teacher Transitions to Motivational Speaker
6d ago00:45:36Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailKevin is a former Long Island music teacher AND a very high level musician himself. Having understood the classroom, the students, and the demands of teaching, he ultimately made the decision to leave the classroom and start his own business doing speaking engagements to students across the country. At one point, he went to pick up a $20 pizza, but knew he only had $17 to his name. Credit cards were maxed out, nothing in checking or savings. All of these experiences led him to where he is today as a successful speaker and businessman. Kevin talks about how to get out of debt and some interesting things to consider with the advent of AI and how it can help teachers in a variety of areas.
Transcribe →EP 265-21 day Money Challenge! Do this BEFORE summer!
2w ago00:36:06Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailFor many teachers, we only have 20-25 school days left in the 25-26 academic year! In honor of counting down to summer, Dave issues a 21-day money challenge. Whether you want to start NOW and finish the challenge before summer, or you decide to launch at the beginning of summer, this challenge will give you the frame work to reach new financial heights! The challenge for each day should usually take you less than 5 minutes. Stacking these little daily challenges over the 3 week time period will change your finances FOREVERRRR! Tune in to see how many of the challenges you already do.
Transcribe →EP 264-Recently Retired Math Teacher (CA) on Financial Independence and Money Mind Games
3w ago00:47:17Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailGary taught high level math for almost 20 years in California, but is now enjoying the FIRE lifestyle and early retirement. Although he won't receive his CA pension until 55, he has enough investments working behind the scenes to provide a nice retirement in the future. His wife is still working for a handful of years, so he doesn't have to worry about the health insurance piece, but before they are both 50, they want to be retired together. In his downtime, Gary offers free financial services for educators and shares some of the biggest roadblocks teachers face. In addition, he will share insight on "how much do I need invested to retire". Run your numbers and see how close you are!
Transcribe →EP 263-Jermaine NC TA Case Study Update Phase I and II
4w ago00:58:23Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailJermaine was a guest on FIT back on Episode 249 in early January. On that episode, Jermaine shared how he was making almost 2k per month moonlighting as a DoorDash delivery man. After learning Jermaine's story, he looked in the mirror and said it is time for a change. As a husband and father of three, 45-year old Jermaine, realized he is essentially starting from nothing...enough money to pay the monthly bills BUT...-Zero in savings-Debt on a Jeep-No investments -Nothing for retirement As co-workers and new-found friends, I offered Jermaine some FREE FIT financial coaching. We got started on January 15th and he is back to give us his first update, just months later. During this time period, a car broke down, wife saw 30% in reduced hours, mother was diagnosed with cancer, and DoorDash was shut down by the biggest winter storm ENC has faced since the 80's. Did Jermaine meet his goals? Where is he now? This episode will address Phase I and II of Jermaine's story...Phase I-Jan 15 to Feb 1Phase II-Feb 1 to April 15Listen in as we try to take Jermaine from just scraping by, to a life of future abundance and security!
Transcribe →EP 262-3 Bucket Investing and Roth Conversions with David Gourley
Apr 1200:59:01Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailTraditional, Pre-Tax, Roth, Post-Tax, Brokerage Accounts...these investment accounts can be so confusing, especially to newbies. Do you want to pay taxes now or later? Is there a better time to convert funds during a particular time of life?I've talked to many teachers who don't know the difference between Roth and Traditional accounts. Some have tens of thousands of dollars in a traditional 403(b) or 401(k) accounts, but didn't find out about a Roth (tax free growth) until it is "too late". Good news...former HS math teacher (turned Financial planner), David Gourley is back on the FIT podcast to share how you can move funds from one investment account.
Transcribe →EP 261-California Speech Therapist Learns True Meaning of ER Fund
Apr 500:48:37Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailRachel has had a lot of financial ups and downs, but finally got serious about her money three years ago. A speech therapist, Rachel didn't get started in her career until 31, so she felt like she felt like she had a late to start making "adult money". Rachel lives in a very high cost of living area and she works full time in the local public schools, while also work a side job doing telehealth to support her financial goals. Life changed when her son was diagnosed with leukemia in 2024 and Rachel has learned the true meaning of an emergency fund and preparing for a rainy day. Currently raising her 3 kids solo, she continues to learn and grow in her financial education. Learning more about her finances makes her feel hopeful for the future!
Transcribe →EP 260-NJ Teacher Couple Maxes Out 457b/403b/Roth IRA's---140k Combined Income
Mar 2900:47:49Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailNJ high school teacher is married to NJ high school EC teacher. Before having their first child, they caught the FIRE bug in their early to mid twenties. They didn't do it forever, but they lived on a very modest 40k per year in annual spending for a handful of years while investing around 80K each year (combined). This early maximization caused them to become teacher millionaires before the age of 35. After having a daughter and moving from being renters to homeowners, they no longer invest at such a high rate, but they don't have to. They are now COAST FI. Projection LabNectarine
Transcribe →EP 259-Millionaire Math Teacher--- Net Worth Trap?
Mar 2200:45:51Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailThere is a big difference between being high net worth and income producing assets. Sure, a paid for house is GREAT...BUT, it is not going to make you any money (unless you house hack). Good intentions can lead to a BAD retirement. The Millionaire Math Teacher is here to discuss all the things you might not think of when it comes to planning for the future...whether retirement is 20 years away or a few years away.
Transcribe →EP 258-CA Math Teacher Transforms Approach on Saving and Investing for Retirement
Mar 1500:49:06Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailLouis is a soon to be retired California middle school math teacher, and he is thankful to have started investing as a young teacher, however, he was setup by the classic "sharp dressed man" in the teachers lounge...high fees, subpar investment options. In addition, Louis didn't fully understand investing, so he went the ultra conservative route..2%-3% growth. Through trial and error, he went from conservative investor to single stocks...now, he has settled on target date funds and low cost index funds. How much does he make in CA? When did he hit millionaire status? How does he view cars? Will he be able to flip the switch from frugal saver to a more loose spending style in retirement? All of these questions and more are answered on this episode!
Transcribe →EP 257-KY Middle School Teacher Planning on Retiring at 47...How?
Mar 800:55:31Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailBrandon is a 27-year old teacher from KY...although current pension rules are different, he falls under their old pension rule, which will enable Brandon will to able to retire with a full pension after 27 years of Kentucky service. Because he started teaching at the ripe age of 21, he will start collecting a $60,000 per year pension at 47...with non contributory healthcare until 65 In addition to his pension, he has rental property and anticipates 10k per month from his rental portfolio. He is projecting a retirement of 15k a month at 47.
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