We’ve seen it all as teachers, haven’t we? New curriculums, shifting policies, and, of course, political changes that sometimes leave us scratching our heads. Well, buckle up, because with the recent election of Trump, it’s time to start thinking about how the next few years could impact your retirement plans as a NYS educator. Let’s… Read More
As you may know, the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) has been busy lobbying the politicians in Albany to make some tweaks to the tier 6 pension.🐝💼 Those efforts have been bearing some fruit as of late. First up on the chopping block: the vesting period. In 2022, Kathy Hochul and the Legislature waved their… Read More
1) Automate your savings and investing. Make the money come out of your paycheck or checking account automatically, that way you can’t spend it. This is called paying yourself first. 2) Invest Wisely: Explore investment opportunities aligned with your risk tolerance. Smart investment decisions can make your money work as hard as you do. For… Read More
Energy Efficient Home Improvements Credit: $1,200 credit for energy-efficient home improvements! It used to be only $500 and good for only 1 year. The new credit is good year after year as long as you make the improvements of course. If you installed qualifying exterior windows/doors, skylights, insulation materials, and more, or purchased a new… Read More
As the holiday season sparkles its way in, let’s dive into the whimsical world of presents that every educator secretly dreams of! Because, let’s be real, a well-behaved class is priceless, but a little extra sparkle doesn’t hurt! 🎄✨ Coffee, Coffee, and More Coffee ☕☕☕ A never-ending flow of caffeine to keep us energized through… Read More
As you approach the golden gates of retirement, it’s time to unlock the secrets of your pension formula. The following 3 variables are the key to your financial pot of gold. 🌈🎉 1) Pension Factor ✅ This is the magic number based on your years of dedicated service in the retirement system. For our cherished Tier… Read More
6 steps to your estate plan Help protect your family’s financial future Estate planning is the process of designating who will receive your assets after you pass, documenting your health care directives and identifying who will care for your minor children. A Trust, Power of Attorney, and Advance Healthcare Directive are some of the most… Read More
I only work with K-12 public school educators on Long Island. Why, you may ask? These are the people that I know best because I was a public school educator here for 32 years. I grew up in Patchogue and eventually moved to Blue Point in 1993. My kids attend Bayport-Blue Point Schools. Bayport-Blue Point… Read More
🗳️ What’s the most important election when it comes to your finances as a public educator? It’s definitely not the presidential election. 🙅♀️ Believe it or not, economic data from the last 100+ years shows that it doesn’t matter if a Republican or Democrat is in the White House. 🤷♂️ The elections that matter the… Read More
As a financial advisor, I often think about the similarities to my previous profession as a teacher. Both require a dedication to helping others, a desire to make a difference, and a commitment to lifelong learning. But one of the most striking similarities is the importance of planning. In teaching, we plan lessons, activities, and assessments to… Read More
Basically, the number of qualified teachers is declining for the whole country and the vast majority of states for reasons that most teachers already know: 1) Inadequate funding 2) Stagnant compensation 3) Heavier workloads 4) Declining prestige 5) Constant meddling from far-away bureaucrats – this was my addition 6) Polarized political climate of our country… Read More
This might sound a little strange coming from a Financial Advisor but if there is one financial mistake that I made while I was a school teacher, that would be not starting a Roth IRA. I do have a partial excuse and that’s due to my income being a little too high from all the… Read More