Find the Money

I Get It—You're Thinking: "Where's the Money Supposed to Come From?"

"Coach, this all sounds great, but I'm living paycheck to paycheck. Where am I supposed to find an extra $200 a month?"

I've heard it a thousand times. And after 31 years in the classroom, I get it. Teacher salary + real life = tight budget.

But here's the truth most teachers miss: Many teachers discover they already have the money — it's just leaking out in places they haven't noticed yet.

I'm not talking about cutting out coffee. I'm not telling you to pick up a second job (though I'll share how I did that too). I'm talking about redirecting what you're already spending so you can invest it instead.

Coach Marty says:

There were years I was living paycheck to paycheck. One year where I walked into the principal's office and said, "I need something for extra money, can you help." Years I showed up at summer school without an assignment and said, "I'm here. I really need the money." After 31 years in the classroom, I've learned something: The money IS out there. But nobody's going to hand it to you. You have to ASK. You have to SHOW UP. You have to be willing to figure it out as you go. This module is about finding money without sacrificing your sanity — and using it to build the retirement you deserve.

Step 1: The Mindset Shift

Before we dive into strategies, here's a mindset shift many educators find helpful: thinking about money as something to redirect, not sacrifice.

This is NOT about:

• Feeling guilty about your spending
• Cutting out everything you enjoy
• Working yourself into the ground

This IS about:

• Being intentional with what you're already spending
• Finding leaks you didn't even know existed
• Redirecting that money toward your future self

Think of it this way: You're not "giving up" money. You're just moving it from one pocket to another. From the "leak" pocket to the "wealth-building" pocket.

Step 2: The Big Wins (Low-Hanging Fruit)

Let's start with the easy stuff — the places where money is leaking out without you even realizing it.

1. The Cell Phone Bill Hack (MVNOs)

This might be the single biggest money hack most teachers don't know about. If you're paying $70, $80, or even $100+/month to Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile — you're overpaying for the exact same service.

What's an MVNO? A Mobile Virtual Network Operator is a wireless carrier that doesn't own the towers — they lease them from the big three. That means you get the exact same network, same coverage, same 5G — just without the massive overhead costs that get passed on to you.

Every major carrier has MVNOs that run on their network:

You keep your same phone, same phone number, same coverage area. The only thing that changes is the bill — dramatically.

Potential Savings: $50–$140/month per line

Coach Marty's MVNO Story:

I switched from Verizon to Visible, and my bill went from roughly $100+/month down to just $30/month. That's about $70 in savings every single month — or over $840/year — for the exact same Verizon network. I still get unlimited talk, text, data, 5G, hotspot, and even smartwatch service. The onboarding process was painless — took less than 30 minutes, and I honestly cannot tell a single difference from when I was with Verizon. This might be the easiest money hack out there. If you do nothing else from this module, at least look up which MVNOs run on your carrier's network. Your future self will thank you.

2. The Subscription Audit

Streaming services, app subscriptions, gym memberships you forgot about, Amazon Prime add-ons — they add up FAST.

Total Potential Savings: $65–$85/month

Coach Marty's Cable Cut:

I ditched cable years ago and switched to YouTube TV. Unlimited DVR recording, watch on any device — phone, tablet, laptop, TV — and it's significantly cheaper than a traditional cable package. I love it. If you're still paying $150+/month for cable, this one switch could save you $50–$100/month instantly.

But YouTube TV isn't the only option — and depending on what you actually watch, another service might save you even more:

YouTube TV — Great all-around cable replacement with unlimited DVR, 100+ channels, sports, and local news. Easy to use on any device.
Hulu + Live TV — Similar channel lineup to YouTube TV, but also includes Hulu's full on-demand library. Good if you already use Hulu for streaming.
Sling TV — The most flexible option. Choose Orange (sports and entertainment), Blue (news, reality, and drama), Orange & Blue combined, or their smaller Select package. Mix and match based on what you actually watch — no paying for channels you never use.

The bottom line: any of these replaces cable at a fraction of the cost. Pick the one that fits your watching habits — and redirect that savings straight to your 403(b).

3. Teacher-Specific Money Leaks

Let's talk about the spending that's unique to teachers:

• Classroom supplies you buy yourself: Set a hard monthly limit. Use DonorsChoose.org to crowdfund supplies instead of paying out-of-pocket.
• Lunch spending at school: Buying lunch every day = $8/day × 180 school days = $1,440/year. Meal prep on Sundays. Even cutting this in half saves you $720/year. I started bringing my own lunch about 10 years into my career — that was a lot of savings over the next 21 years!
• Coffee runs: $5/day × 5 days × 36 weeks = $900/year. Make coffee at home, bring a thermos. Save $750+/year.

Total Potential Savings: $100–$150/month

4. The Insurance Review

When's the last time you shopped around for car insurance? Home insurance? Life insurance?

Spend 30 minutes getting 3 quotes. Many major insurance carriers offer educator discounts — ask every company you quote. Many teachers report saving $50–$150/month just by switching providers.

Not sure where to start? Free comparison tools like PolicyGenius and The Zebra let you enter your information once and compare quotes from multiple carriers side by side — no phone calls required. These are examples of tools many people use; always review any policy carefully before switching.

Potential Savings: $50–$150/month

5. The Internet Bill You Never Question

Here's one most people overlook: your internet bill. You signed up years ago, maybe got a promotional rate that expired, and now you're quietly paying $80, $100, or more per month without ever checking if there's a better option. Sound familiar?

Three ways to cut your internet bill:

• Call your provider and negotiate. Tell them you're considering switching. Many providers will drop your rate $20–$40/month just to keep you. It's a 15-minute phone call that could save you hundreds a year. Sometimes new plans become available that weren't there when you first signed up — this alone is potential money savings.
• Switch to wireless home internet. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home both run around $50/month with no contracts and no equipment fees. Same concept as the MVNO hack — the technology has caught up, and you might not need a traditional cable internet connection anymore.
• Downgrade your speed. This is the big one most people miss. You might be paying for 500 Mbps or even a gigabit plan when you don't need anywhere close to that.

Coach Marty's Internet Hack:

I switched to a 100 Mbps plan and it's totally fine. No streaming disruptions, no buffering — just works perfectly. Unless you have kids at home gaming competitively where speed really matters, 100 Mbps handles everything most people do — browsing, streaming, video calls, all of it. You'd be surprised how much you save each month just by dropping down from a plan you never needed in the first place. Check your current speed, then ask yourself: do I actually need this much? Chances are, the answer is no.

Potential Savings: $20–$60/month

6. The Car Payment Trap

According to recent industry data, the average car payment in America is around $730/month for a new car. That's more than most teachers contribute to their 403(b). And here's the thing — a car starts losing value the moment you drive it off the lot. Meanwhile, that same money invested would be growing.

Coach Marty's Car Story:

I bought a used 2013 Honda Civic in 2015 and drove it for 9 years until 2024. It took me a few years to pay it off, but then I drove it with no payments for about 6 years. It ended up with over 200,000 miles on it, but it was a great car and drove just fine.

It would have been easy to go out and get a new car — start the whole payment process all over again. But by that point, I had a different mindset. I knew that continuing to drive this paid-off car and not taking on a $400 or $500 monthly payment would help me start my investing journey. Every month without a car payment was money I could redirect toward my 403(b) and 457(b). The years I ended up driving the paid-off Civic were some of the most important years of my financial journey.

Potential Savings: $300–$700+/month (by keeping your current car longer)

Step 3: Hidden Paychecks — How I Found Extra Money Right at School

Sometimes cutting expenses isn't enough. Here's how I brought in more income over 31 years — strategies many educators have used too.

📈 The Biggest Hidden Paycheck: Salary Schedule Advancement

Every strategy above — summer school, prep period coverage, after-school programs — puts extra money in your pocket this year. But there's one move that can create a long-term raise that continues for the rest of your career: moving across your salary schedule.

Most teacher salary schedules have two dimensions: steps (years of experience, which happen automatically) and columns (education units, which require action). Steps move you down. Units move you across. And moving across is where the real money lives.

Here's the math that changes everything: A teacher who spends $2,000–$3,000 on coursework to move one column might earn an extra $3,000–$5,000 per year — every year, for the rest of their career. Over 20 years, that single investment could generate $60,000–$100,000+ in additional lifetime earnings, depending on their specific salary schedule and years remaining. In many pension systems, it also increases your final average salary, which could result in a higher monthly pension check.

Yet many teachers never move past their starting column. The most common reasons? "I don't have the time" and "I can't afford the classes." Both are understandable — but when you look at the numbers, many educators find the return far outweighs the cost.

I knew many teachers right in my district who resigned themselves to staying in the same column for their entire career. They told themselves they didn't have the time or the money to take classes, and year after year, they may have missed out on significant additional earnings over their careers. It's worth doing the math for your own situation.

The good news? It's easier and cheaper than ever to earn units. Here are some common paths educators use:

• Online courses: Many accredited programs now offer affordable, self-paced courses specifically designed for teacher salary advancement — often for a fraction of what a traditional university charges
• District-sponsored professional development: Some districts offer free or subsidized coursework that counts toward column movement — check with your HR department
• Community college classes: Often the most affordable per-unit option, and many are available evenings and online
• Master's degree programs: If you're going to accumulate units anyway, consider a program that leads to a degree — you'll earn the column advancement plus a master's stipend
• Summer workshops and conferences: Some qualify for units — it's worth asking before you sign up

Coach Marty says:

Before spending on any class, consider pulling up your district's salary schedule to see how many units you need to reach the next column — and what that column pays. The math is worth reviewing. When you see the return on investment in black and white, it stops feeling like an expense and starts looking like what it really is: one of the best investments you can make in your teaching career.

One more thing: before you pay for any course, check with your HR or payroll department to make sure the units will be accepted for salary advancement. Many districts have a pre-approval process or a specific form to fill out. Taking five minutes to confirm upfront can save you time, money, and frustration down the road.

Income Boosting Strategies You Can Copy

• Summer school: Show up early, express interest, be flexible about what you teach
• Prep period coverage: Let the office know you're available for subs during your free period
• After-school programs: Tutoring, detention, clubs, sports — all paid opportunities
• Propose a program: If you see a need, pitch a solution and ask to be paid to run it
• Online tutoring: Wyzant, Tutor.com, Chegg — work from home on YOUR schedule
• Coaching & officiating: High school and youth sports are always looking for coaches, referees, and umpires. Many teachers earn $2,000–$8,000+ per season coaching a school sport, and officiating weekend games can bring in $50–$100+ per game. You already know the school community — this is a natural fit.
• Curriculum sales: If you create lesson plans or resources, sell them on Teachers Pay Teachers

Coach Marty Says:

Want real stories of teachers earning extra income through side hustles? Check out the Podcast & Episodes section in Module 10 for specific episodes about teachers making $2K–$5K/month on the side. You've got the talent — start small and watch it compound!

The Real Talk:

Some of this extra money helped me get out of debt. Some of it just kept the lights on. But in my later years, when I was in a better place, I invested it. And THAT made all the difference. That's what this course is about — finding the money NOW so you can invest it for LATER.

Step 4: The Teacher Cashflow Calendar

Teachers have a unique challenge: uneven income and predictable expense surges.

The Power of Sinking Funds

Before we get into the teacher cashflow calendar, let's talk about one of the most underrated budgeting tools out there: sinking funds.

A sinking fund is simply a savings account set aside for a specific future expense. Instead of scrambling when a big bill hits — car insurance, back-to-school costs, a vacation — you save a little bit each month so the money is already there when you need it.

The beauty of sinking funds is that you can have as many as you want. Some examples:

• Emergency fund — 3–6 months of expenses for the unexpected
• Taxes — set aside money if you have side income
• September Surge fund — save all summer so back-to-school costs don't wreck your budget
• Vacation fund — save $200/month and you've got $2,400 by summer
• Car repair fund — because something WILL break eventually

Coach Marty's Sinking Fund Setup:

Quick tip on where to keep your sinking funds: Online banks like Capital One 360, Ally, and CIT Bank (mentioned as educational examples, not endorsements) consistently offer much higher interest rates than traditional brick-and-mortar banks. Why? They don't have the overhead of physical branches, tellers, and buildings — so they pass those savings on to you in the form of better rates. While your local bank might offer 0.01–0.10% on savings, online banks are paying 3%+ APY right now.

I personally use Capital One 360 for all my sinking funds, and I love it. You can create as many individual savings accounts as you want — emergency fund, taxes, vacation, whatever you need — and they're all earning interest. As of early 2026, I'm getting 3.30% APY (rates change frequently — check your bank's current rate). This rate follows the Federal Reserve — when the Fed raises rates, your savings earn more. When they cut, your rate drops too. Either way, your money is working for you while it sits there waiting. It's the easiest setup in the world — takes 10 minutes, and suddenly your money has a purpose.

The 10–11 Month vs. 12-Month Pay Decision

If your district offers 12-month pay (spreading your 10 or 11 months of work across the whole year), many educators find it worth considering. Here's why:

• Consistent cashflow: No "summer scramble" to cover bills
• Easier budgeting: Same paycheck every month year-round
• Forces discipline: Can't blow your whole paycheck in summer because you're getting paid less per month

If your district does NOT offer 12-month pay:

• Set up a sinking fund specifically for those unpaid summer months
• This is not a surprise. If you're a 10 or 11-month pay teacher, you know those months are coming every single year — so plan for them

The September Surge

September hits and suddenly you're buying:

• New clothes for work
• Classroom supplies
• School supplies for your own kids
• Back-to-school fees

Solution: Create a "September Fund" in July/August. Set aside $200/month in summer so September doesn't blow your budget.

Step 5: Painless Micro-Hacks

These are the little tweaks that add up over time without feeling like sacrifices.

Grocery Strategies

• Meal prep on Sundays: Cook 3 dinners at once, portion them out. Saves time AND money during the week.
• Shop with a list: Impulse buys add 20–30% to your grocery bill. Stick to the list.
• Generic brands: The store brand cereal is the same cereal. Save 30–40% on groceries just by going generic.

Savings: $100–$150/month

The Teacher Discount Goldmine

You're leaving money on the table if you're not using your teacher ID for discounts:

• Target: 15% off school supplies in July/August
• Apple: Education pricing on laptops/iPads
• AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile: Teacher discounts on phone plans
• Hotels & travel: Many chains offer teacher rates
• Restaurants: Chipotle, Buffalo Wild Wings, and others have teacher appreciation days

Always ask: "Do you have a teacher discount?" Worst case, they say no. Best case, you save 10–20%.

The Coffee Calculation

I'm not telling you to give up coffee. But let's do the math:

Savings: $1,500/year = $125/month

Invest that $125/month for 30 years assuming a hypothetical 7% average annual return? That could grow to approximately $150,000. Is the daily Starbucks run worth that kind of money?

🔥 The MVNO Opportunity Cost — This One's Powerful

Remember that cell phone hack from Step 2? Let's see what happens when you take that $70/month MVNO savings and invest it in your 403(b) or 457(b) assuming a hypothetical 7% average annual return over 20 years:

Monthly investment: $70

Total you contribute: $16,800

Value after 20 years: ~$36,500

You put in $16,800 of your own money. Compound interest more than doubles it. And all you did was switch your cell phone carrier — same network, same service, same everything. That's the power of redirecting savings into your retirement account. One 30-minute decision today could mean $36,500 in your future.

*Assumes a hypothetical 7% average annual return for illustration purposes. Actual returns will vary and are not guaranteed.

The $300 Challenge: Find YOUR Money

Now it's your turn. Let's add it all up and see where YOU can find $300/month (or more).

Here's the reality: Many teachers find $250–$500/month without working a second job. And if you DO need more income, the strategies I shared above can add another $300–$800/month depending on what you're willing to do.

The money is there. You just had to learn how to see it.

You're Ready for the Next Step

Here's what I've covered in this module:

• ✅ The mindset shift: You're not giving up money, you're redirecting it
• ✅ The big wins: Subscriptions, teacher-specific leaks, insurance reviews
• ✅ The teacher cashflow calendar: 10 or 11-month vs 12-month pay, September surge, summer planning
• ✅ Painless micro-hacks: Grocery strategies, teacher discounts, coffee math
• ✅ Income boosters: Real stories and strategies to bring in extra cash
• ✅ The $300 challenge: Your personalized money-finding worksheet

Now that you know the money exists and where to find it, I need to talk to you about what's silently destroying it: fees.

In the next module, I'm going to show you how a "small" 1.5% fee can potentially cost you over $135,000 in retirement — and how to avoid it.

Before You Go:

The educators who see the biggest results aren't the ones who just read — they're the ones who actually run the 30-day money audit and fill out the $300 challenge worksheet. Theory doesn't close the gap. I believe in you. Go find that money.

📝 Knowledge Check