Financially Independent Teachers

Dave Fleischer
  • 5.0 (124)
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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!

  1. 2D AGO

    EP 268-Why Index Funds? Instructor and Finance Guru Tom Bernard (CA)

    Send us Fan Mail Tom Bernard is in the financial field, married to a public school teacher, and teaches personal finance courses at the City College of San Francisco. His mission? Tom wants to help the average person understand wealth-building and how the S&P 500 actually works. Tom has been there, done that, and got the T-Shirt by trying to BEAT the market with individual stocks....but coming up short of market returns. Now, Tom has become an expert on the S&P and loves the low fees and simplicity of index Funds  This year, Tom released his new book titled "The Index of America" Key Insights from The Index of America Include: The Power of Simplicity: Why broad-based index investing consistently outperforms complex, high-fee trading strategies over the long term.Historical Context: How the index has evolved since 1957 to reflect shifting global influences and technological revolutions.Wealth Compounding: A clear guide for students, new investors, and seasoned professionals on how disciplined participation leads to long-term stability.https://www.amazon.com/INDEX-AMERICA-WORKS-SHOULD-INVEST-ebook/dp/B0GPHQVRTL Be a guest on the show: https://www.financiallyindependentteachers.com/contact-8 Check out our website: https://www.financiallyindependentteachers.com/ Sign up for FIT coaching: https://www.financiallyindependentteachers.com/services-4

    51 min

  2. MAY 17

    EP 267-Recently Retired NC SS Teacher (Durham) Firm Believer Teachers Can Build Wealth

    Send us Fan Mail David Norman retired last school year with 31 years under his belt as a NC HS Social Studies teacher and baseball coach. David is now running Norman Financial Coaching and supports teachers in a variety of ways with their finances. David has a wealth of knowledge about teaching and growing your wealth, we hit on a variety of subjects during this introduction to David Norman to the FIT audience.  Below is a little about David and his thoughts on teachers and the "vow of poverty" we take to go into education.  The Teacher's Myth... You took a vow of poverty when you became an educator.   I have been a teacher all of my life, or so I have been told.  I started getting paid to teach in 1994.  While my career is certainly in the later innings, I have found my 3rd or 4th rejuvenating burst of energy as I transition into full time financial coaching even as I help launch the Economics and Personal Finance curriculum for our State, District, and my School.  As my National Board Certification and almost two decade role as a NB Facilitator for my District has taught me, the single most important element to a child's learning is having a highly qualified and motivated teacher.  Even the most dynamic teachers, however, cannot be at their best if they are stressed, exhausted, or unduly frustrated.  Financial stress can create and compound the above and has made a good many of my colleagues question their career choice, some even leaving the profession as a result. My mission is to show teachers a way to have their cake and eat it too.  We can, and many do, build wealth even as we fully engage our students and make a career out of our calling.  The belief that teachers take a vow of poverty once they commit to a career in education is a myth!  In fact, this myth applies to many middle-class incomes, not just educators.  While "you didn't get into teaching for the money," may be true, it doesn't mean we shouldn't challenge the narrative that teachers are destined to live paycheck to paycheck, holding on for dear life until eligible for their pension.  In fact, if we are intentional with our money, the teaching profession affords us many opportunities to build wealth that others do not have.  Equally as important, the far more valuable commodity of time is more readily available to us than in most professions.  Taken together, time and a new money mindset can be powerful tools to both create a comfortable post-teaching life, as well as a tremendously rich journey throughout our careers.  https://www.normanfinancialcoaching.com/ Be a guest on the show: https://www.financiallyindependentteachers.com/contact-8 Check out our website: https://www.financiallyindependentteachers.com/ Sign up for FIT coaching: https://www.financiallyindependentteachers.com/services-4

    49 min

  3. MAY 10

    EP 266-Long Island Music Teacher Transitions to Motivational Speaker

    Send us Fan Mail Kevin 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.  Be a guest on the show: https://www.financiallyindependentteachers.com/contact-8 Check out our website: https://www.financiallyindependentteachers.com/ Sign up for FIT coaching: https://www.financiallyindependentteachers.com/services-4

    46 min

  4. MAY 3

    EP 265-21 Day Money Challenge! Do this BEFORE summer!

    Send us Fan Mail For 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.  Be a guest on the show: https://www.financiallyindependentteachers.com/contact-8 Check out our website: https://www.financiallyindependentteachers.com/ Sign up for FIT coaching: https://www.financiallyindependentteachers.com/services-4

    36 min

  5. APR 26

    EP 264-Recently Retired Math Teacher (CA) on Financial Independence and Money Mind Games

    Send us Fan Mail Gary 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!  Be a guest on the show: https://www.financiallyindependentteachers.com/contact-8 Check out our website: https://www.financiallyindependentteachers.com/ Sign up for FIT coaching: https://www.financiallyindependentteachers.com/services-4

    47 min

  6. APR 19

    EP 263-Jermaine NC TA Case Study Update Phase I and II

    Send us Fan Mail Jermaine 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 1 Phase II-Feb 1 to April 15 Listen in as we try to take Jermaine from just scraping by, to a life of future abundance and security!  Be a guest on the show: https://www.financiallyindependentteachers.com/contact-8 Check out our website: https://www.financiallyindependentteachers.com/ Sign up for FIT coaching: https://www.financiallyindependentteachers.com/services-4

    58 min

  7. APR 12

    EP 262-3 Bucket Investing and Roth Conversions with David Gourley

    Send us Fan Mail Traditional, 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.

    59 min

  8. APR 5

    EP 261-California Speech Therapist Learns True Meaning of ER Fund

    Send us Fan Mail Rachel 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!

    49 min
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About

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!

Information

  • Creator
    Dave Fleischer
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    268
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Financially Independent Teachers
  • Show Website
    Financially Independent Teachers

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