🔍 The Scouting Report

I spend hours every day reading articles, listening to podcasts, and watching videos about personal finance, investing, and retirement planning. When I find something that I think every teacher needs to hear, it goes right here.

Think of this as your curated playbook — I’ve already done the scouting, so you get the highlights without sorting through the noise. Each pick includes a quick take on why it matters for educators and a direct link to the source.

Check back often. New picks added regularly.

This course teaches you how to build your nest egg. This calculator answers the next question: how long will it actually last? Plug in your savings balance, monthly withdrawal amount, and expected return — and it shows you how many years your money survives. It’s the flip side of everything we cover in Module 10. If the 4% rule feels abstract, this tool makes it real. Bookmark it for when you’re getting close to retirement and want to stress-test your numbers.

Paying $75+/month for cable or live TV streaming? Money expert Clark Howard breaks down how a simple antenna and a few free apps (Pluto TV, Tubi, Roku Channel) can get you potentially hundreds of channels — news, sports, movies, and series — without spending a dime. Clark himself gets 120 free over-the-air channels in his area. This is a classic Module 3 move: finding money you are already spending and redirecting it toward your 403(b) or 457(b). Even cutting a $75 streaming bill puts $900/year back in your pocket — that is real contribution money.

If you’re a CTA member, you might be sitting on one of the best-kept secrets in salary advancement. The CTA University Credit Program lets active members earn up to 6 free units during the school year and another 6 over summer — all through CSU Chico. You can attend conferences in person or stream on-demand workshops through the CTA Virtual Pass. That’s 12 free units a year that could move you across your salary schedule — and potentially increase your pension.

Not in California? Check with your state or local union — many offer similar programs. The units are out there if you know where to look.