Dan and Scott discusses Dan's medical scare and market volatility. From Soft Landing to Emergency Landing? by Cullen Roche Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.orgBy Daniel Otter, PhD and Scott Dauenhauer, CFP®

Dan shares some of his financial mistakes. He also takes a quick trip down his journalism career memory lane. Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.orgBy Daniel Otter, PhD and Scott Dauenhauer, CFP®

Episode 1 of the 5-part series Learned by Being Burned the short pod series where teachers share how they were sold high-cost annuity products, the barriers they face to getting better, lower-cost investment choices, and the growing advocacy movement working to fix the K-12 403(b). Note: This episode previously ran two years ago. We thought our gro…

Scott and Dan get a little personal before talking about NTSA’s so-called Elite Advisor Awards. Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.orgBy Daniel Otter, PhD and Scott Dauenhauer, CFP®

Greta Tinaglia, Deputy Chief Financial Officer at Fulton County Schools in Georgia, describes the process of moving their 403(b) plan to one low-cost vendor. The result? Less confusion, bureaucracy, and an 80% fee drop. Fulton County Public Schools 403(b) Plan Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to…

The 403(b)ill of Rights is one of the first 403(b) blog posts Dan ever wrote. It first appeared around July 4, 2000. Over the years we have made incremental improvements to it. What follows is a refresh. The new Amendment 12 may be considered radical. Frankly, it's radical that it is even needed. 403(b)ill of Rights Refreshed Learned by Being Burne…

After a career at IBM, Lucretia Ryan founded Financial Freedom for Women, an organization whose goal is to help women gain financial independence. In addition to writing about financial issues, she puts on free retirement optimization workshops for women. After helping her late mother navigate healthcare in retirement, Lucretia warns about the dang…

Teacher and podcast host Shaun Morgan talks saving for retirement. The Teacher Money Show Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certif…

We talk journalism, 403(b), and the personal finance beat with Anne Tergesen, reporter for The Wall Street Journal. Anne Tergesen Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. …

Maggie Mason is a retired English teacher from Santa Barbara who put on a highly successfully free financial seminar to benefit her colleagues. Santa Barbara Education Foundation Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed…

Illinois educator-turned state legislator Karina Villa — who was once sold an unsuitable, high-cost 403(b) — proposed a K-12 403(b) reform bill that would have ended front-end and back-end loads. It would have capped advisor fees and administration fees at 0.50% respectively, and it would have required vendors to offer low-cost index funds and low-…

Teachers-turned fiduciary advisors Emily Maretsky and Andrew Katz-Moses, CFP® share their journey from the classroom to full-time planners in this live 403bwise Event. Emily Maretsky Teacher Financial Planner Katz-Moses Financial The Externship (deadline May 24, 2024) Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got…

Scott refutes National Tax-Deferred Savings Association research claim, among other things, that the multi-vendor environment leads to more enrollment than single vendor. Debunking the NTSA’s 2018 "Improving Retirement Savings for America's Public Educators" study NTSA "Study" 403bwise Zoom Event on May 21: Curious About Becoming a Fiduciary Adviso…

We check in with fiduciary advisor Andrew Katz-Moses CFP® five years after the big move to full time advisor. Katz-Moses Financial 403bwise Zoom Event: Curious About Becoming a Fiduciary Advisor? Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing prese…

Well that was quick. As is this pod. Something called — perversely, I might add — the Federation of Americans for Consumer Choice, Inc. (“FACC”) has filed a lawsuit to stop the new Fiduciary Rule even before it goes into effect on September 23, 2024. New DOL Fiduciary Rule Fact Sheet New Fiduciary Rule Not All Bad for K-12 403(b) Participants FACC …

Does the new Fiduciary Rule have teeth? Does it apply to the 403(b)? We also discuss our May 21 event for those curious about becoming a fiduciary advisor. New DOL Fiduciary Rule Fact Sheet 403bwise Zoom Event: Curious About Becoming a Fiduciary Advisor? Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 4…

Former teacher and NGPF alum, Brian Page, shares his new endeavor designed to help couples have better conversations and make better decisions around money and the sharing of family responsibilities. Modern Husbands Brian Page Money Magazine Money Hero ngpf.org Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise t…

We address anti-union charges leveled at 403bwise.org Shark Attack NEA Valubilder Expose Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certifi…

Rachel is a middle school math teacher from Western, NY. She paid off student loan debt in one year. At age 33 she has a Roth IRA, a 403(b), a 457(b) and a brokerage account. Oh, and she was born on 4.03b day — April 3rd. Instagram: @teachertomillionaire Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 4…

Dan and Scott talk discuss their keynote address to the Association of Teacher Educators. ATE 403bwise Enlists Teacher Educators in Fight to Fix K-12 403(b) Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as…

To celebrate hitting 15,000 Facebook Group members we ask and answer 10 recent questions posted in this vibrant community. Bad Vendors Who Have Good Plans How to Get Out of a Bad 403(b) How to Get Out of AXA/Equitable Working with a Financial Professional Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the …

Veteran educator and 403(b) advocate Rose Mendonca of Lowell, Massachusetts is on her way to becoming a CFP®. She talks teaching, helping colleagues, and her next career act. Teachers Talk Money Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presen…

Grab bag of topics: Illinois single vendor 403(b) legislation (AB 2568); Scott banned (again); IPX transitioning to Aspire; LAUSD adds Vanguard and the 403bwise Facebook Group is very close to hitting a milestone. Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise…

Jeremy Schneider talks selling a tech company, getting wise to financial literacy issues, and starting Nectarine, which aims to offer low-cost fiduciary advice. Nectarine @personafinanceclub Personal Finance Club Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.…

Hockey playing (soon to be!) New York math teacher Sarah Peterson helps colleagues get wise to the 403(b) and the 457(b). Peekskill City School District Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as inv…

Wyoming 8th grade physical science teacher talks teaching, mountain guiding, and recovering from a house fire. He also discusses the excellent financial guide for teachers he has created (available below). Trevor Deighton Retirement Planning Resource Black Diamond Presents: Safety First Photos of Cirque of the Unclimbables/Lotus Flower Tower Photos…

The former personal finance columnist for The Wall Street Journal and current editor of the excellent HumbleDollar.com talks career, money lessons, and how he's approaching the next phase of his work life. The Money Pit Things I Have Picked Up Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Merid…

Liz Weston CFP®, longtime personal finance writer, jumps off the retirement cliff. Retiring Wasn’t Easy Even After Years of Writing About It Investing for Retirement: Why You Might Want to Reconsider That 403(b) Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.o…

A retired educator and administrator who used F.I.R.E. principles to retire early talks about earning her CFP®, passing the exam, and working with clients. Mary Ann Sullivan Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is t…

School custodian turned-accountant describes how the mentorship of Jeff York, who listeners to the podcast might better know as the Wealthy Custodian, helped set her on a path to financial stability. The Wealthy Custodian The Wealthy Custodian Retires (pt. 1) The Wealthy Custodian Retires (pt. 2) Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how…

Indiana middle school teacher Thomas Ferguson cares as much about his colleagues retirement savings as he does his own. Not only does he help educate them on saving, he also runs the engaging Instagram account @IndianafinLit Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Manageme…

Did a Southern California benefits consortium fail to act in the best interests of educators? Normally we drop our pods on Friday morning. But this is a time-sensitive episode because of a meeting that will occur Friday, January 12th at 11am PST. In our opinion a Southern California consortium has failed to act in the best interests of educators. W…

Annual beginning of the year check-in with Barb O’Neill, CFP, AFC (Accredited Financial Counselor), and owner/CEO of Money Talk: Financial Planning Seminars and Publications, and a regular contributor to 403bwise. She shares what 403(b) participants need to know in 2024. 2024 Changes Affecting 403(b) Participants Secure Act 2.0 (pt 1) Secure Act 2.…

Happy Valley, PA Elementary teacher, Scott Fritz, is the co-author of a Fin Lit book for Pennsylvania teachers. He's also the go-to fin lit person at his school and district. TL: DR: Financial Literacy for Employees of Pennsylvania Public Schools Scott Fritz Website Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got w…

The nation’s largest teachers union has been promoting high-fee retirement plans to its members that have underperformed, teachers and experts tell The Lever. The products are sold by a private equity-owned insurance company accused of fraud and mismanagement — and as part of the arrangement, the union’s benefit arm gets millions from the firm. Tho…

California high school teacher Matt Raleigh, and retired Colorado teacher and prolific author, Karl Fisch, share their experience teaching a college level personal finance course for educators. They also discuss how you can design and teach a similar course Financial Literacy for California Public School Teachers Karl’s Course Information A Not So …

North Carolina high school educators Dave Fleisher and Brandon Speece educate colleagues about saving for retirement, host the Financial Independent Teachers Podcast, and are authors of the new book The FIT Position. Financially Independent Teachers Dave and Brandon 2022 Podcast Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burn…

We speak with Julia Brotherton, educator and president of the Beverly, MA Teachers Association about her dual roles, and how she helps colleagues get wise to saving for retirement. Beverly 403(b) Plan Episode 5 of Learned by Being Burned - School benefits official explains how he took a school district single vendor. Meridian Wealth Management 403b…

In part 2 of our annual catch-up with one of the wisest financial minds we know, Cullen Roche, we talk the national debt, the value of international investing, possible role of A.I. in investing, and Cullen reveals a new project he is working on. Cullen Roche Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed …

It's our annual catch-up with one of the wisest financial minds we know, Cullen Roche, an economist, author, and founder and chief investment officer of the Discipline Funds, a low-fee advisory firm. We talk inflation, what the Fed might do next, fixed income, residential real estate and deflationary credit events. Cullen Roche Meridian Wealth Mana…

We love a quality, bidded, single-vendor 403(b) plan. Fiduciary planner Mychal Eagleson CFP® shares three examples where school districts did single vendor very wrong. Teach Plan Retire Episode 5 of Learned by Being Burned - School benefits official explains how he took a school district single vendor (the right way). Meridian Wealth Management 403…

James Lange is a CPA, an attorney, and an author. His most recent book, Retire Secure for Professors and TIAA Participants was released this month. Scott describes the book as a Master Class in estate and retirement planning. Link for listeners to get a free electronic copy of book: https://faculty-advisor.com/teach/ note: Once you click link, fill…

Bree Lee is a Bay Area math teacher who runs an impressive fin lit Instagram account (@ritual_finance) where she posts the basics, the more complex, the workings of the CalSTRS pension and her own paycheck breakdown, monthly budget, and growing net worth. Ritual Finance on Instagram Bree's Money Guide for CalSTRS Members Quit Like a Millionaire Arb…

Teacher-turned planner, Justin Garritt goes deep on student loans including sharing an important deadline (December 31, 2023) for those looking to get maximum value out of PSLF (Public Service Loan Forgiveness). Garritt Financial Solutions Teacher/Travel Hacker Turned Fiduciary Happy Travel Hacker Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing pre…

Scott talks TIPS (Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities), and the dramatic rise in their real rate of return. TIPS Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).…

403bwise Facebook Group reaches a Taylor Swift-like milestone. New Jersey school district throws teachers under the bus. 403bwise Facebook Group New Jersey District Throws Teachers Under the Bus Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Ce…

Lily Katz of Redfin News discusses the recent story she co-wrote with her colleague Sheharyar Bokhari, Redfin Senior Economist, called: The Typical Teacher Can Afford Just 12% of Homes for Sale Near Their School, Down From 30% in 2019 The Typical Teacher Can Afford Just 12% of Homes for Sale Near Their School, Down From 30% in 2019 The Price of 403…

Scott reveals the dirty little secret about K-12 403(b) enrollment: it's a loss leader which incentivizes agents to upsell. The Price of 403(b) Enrollment School Benefits Official Who Did the Right Thing (from the Learned by Being Burned pod series) Transcript for pod about School Benefits Official Who Did the Right Thing Meridian Wealth Management…

Dan and 403bwise community honored by InvestmentNews. We tell the 403bwise origin story. How a Former Teacher is Educating the World About 403(b)s An Annuity for the Teacher — and the Broker (New York Times) 403bwise in 2000 Paying for College with Ron Lieber (podcast) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org…

NYC teacher and financial coach Emily Maretsky, who has more than 16k Instagram followers (@teacherfinancialcoach), talks family and moving from the classroom to full time financial coaching. teacherfinancialcoach.com @teacherfinancialcoach Learned by Being Burned — teachers share how they were burned by sales agents and "trusted" advisors and how …