What We Spend: Episode Summary - "Getting by as a Teacher's Assistant"
Release Date: May 14, 2025
Host: Audacy
Episode Title: Getting by as a Teacher's Assistant
Introduction
In the episode titled "Getting by as a Teacher's Assistant," host Courtney Harrell delves into the financial realities faced by Victoria, a 30-year-old preschool teacher's assistant from New Jersey. Through a blend of interviews and Victoria's personal audio diaries, the podcast paints a vivid picture of the challenges and sacrifices involved in maintaining financial stability on a modest income.
Background: Victoria's Financial Situation
Victoria shares her journey from a modestly paid office manager to her current role as a teacher's assistant. Despite her passion for working with children, Victoria grapples with financial instability, highlighted by her annual income of $35,000, which dwindles to approximately $29,000 after taxes. This figure excludes essential expenses like health and dental insurance, placing her in a precarious financial position.
Notable Quote:
"For Victoria, the biggest challenge is the salary. It's no secret that teachers don't make a lot of money in the US, but Victoria makes even less because she's still working towards her teacher's license."
[02:39]
Daily Expenses Breakdown
The podcast provides an in-depth look at Victoria's monthly expenses, revealing how her limited income is stretched thin across various necessities:
- Housing and Utilities: $1,340
- Phone Bill: $125 (includes Netflix)
- Transportation: $100 (gas and tolls)
- Groceries: $400
- WiFi: $120
- Gym Membership: $50
- Entertainment and Subscriptions:
- Crunchyroll (Anime Streaming): $12
- Turtle Care: $20
- Debt Payments:
- Student Debt: $525
- Credit Card Debt: $300
- Medical Debt: $125
- Insurance:
- Dental Insurance: $9.70
- Health Insurance: Subsidized from $599 to $125.22
Notable Quote:
"How much wiggle room do you have?"
[11:05]
"Like, no wiggle room. I didn't realize how much, how fast I would use into the savings that I had as an office manager."
[11:14]
Challenges and Emotional Impact
Victoria candidly discusses the emotional toll her financial struggles have taken on her life. The stress of making ends meet affects her personal relationships and mental well-being. She feels isolated, especially when her friends are more financially stable, leading to feelings of shame and guilt.
Notable Quote:
"I'm stressed that I found love, but I cannot afford marriage or children. It's a massive sacrifice, everything."
[23:50]
Additionally, Victoria highlights the difficulty of maintaining a balanced life, juggling her demanding job with minimal financial resources. The exhaustion from work often leaves her unable to monitor her finances effectively, exacerbating her debt situation.
Financial Struggles and Debts
Victoria's debt is a significant barrier to financial stability. With $525 monthly payments for student debt, $300 for credit cards, and $125 for medical debt, her obligations consume a large portion of her income. These debts limit her ability to save and invest in her future, such as obtaining her teaching license.
Notable Quote:
"I used up like 20k in the past 3 years."
[12:19]
"I have nothing. I really feel like I should just continue with the license and not get distracted, but it is very, very scary. Like just the financial aspect. I have so much debt already."
[12:53]
Insurance Issues
Navigating insurance has been another complex aspect of Victoria's financial landscape. While she secured dental insurance, it does not cover adult orthodontics, which is essential for her oral health. The limited coverage options and waiting periods present additional financial strain.
Notable Quote:
"The worst thing that I found out with all these insurance companies was that the only one Delta Dental, it takes like a year of having it, and only then adult orthodontics coverage kicks in."
[22:05]
"Why do you not cover adult orthodontics? And I'm like, why?"
[22:19]
Plans for Improvement
Despite her current hardships, Victoria remains determined to improve her financial situation. The primary avenue for change is obtaining her teaching license, which promises a substantial salary increase—from $35,000 to potentially $65,000 annually. However, the path to certification is fraught with challenges, including the significant costs (estimated between $10,000 to $30,000) and the time required to complete the necessary coursework alongside her job.
Notable Quote:
"If you got your license, the insane jump is 35 to 65,000 a year. I would be making like double than what I'm making now."
[30:11]
Victoria acknowledges the financial burden of pursuing her license but views it as a necessary investment for long-term stability and the ability to pay off existing debts.
Conclusion
"Getting by as a Teacher's Assistant" offers a poignant exploration of the financial and emotional challenges faced by individuals working in low-wage educational support roles. Victoria's story underscores the broader issues of income disparity, debt management, and the quest for professional advancement in achieving financial security. Through her candid disclosures and detailed expense tracking, the episode sheds light on the often-overlooked struggles of those striving to balance passion with economic viability.
Final Thoughts:
"Between day one and day seven, I ended up spending $2,300.94. How much does it cost to get your teacher's license? Between 10 and 30,000, and how long will that take you to have that done?"
[29:46]
"It would be nice to have like the 10 or the 20,000 in my account for emergencies. But now I have like nothing."
[12:24]
Through Victoria's narrative, "What We Spend" invites listeners to reflect on the financial pressures faced by educators and the systemic challenges that hinder their professional and personal growth.
Credits:
Written and hosted by Courtney Harrell.
Produced by Margo Gray and Kristen Torres.
Edited by Jonathan Menhivar.
Executive Producers: Mari Sprunkheiser and Leah Rhys Dennis.
Theme Music by Matt McGinley.
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