Salary Schedule Lanes: How Much Difference Do They Really Make?

Many school districts have a salary schedule for teachers where your pay increases based on a combination of the number of years you have taught in the district ("steps") and the educational level you attain ("lanes"). While steps are automatic (well, except for the occasional bad budget year where steps are frozen), lanes are dependent … Continue reading Salary Schedule Lanes: How Much Difference Do They Really Make? →

Fees Matter: Vanguard, PERA, TIAA and MetLife Comparison

Inspired by some of the work Ben Johnson has been doing, I decided to revisit two posts I've previously done on the retirement plans (401k/403b/457) available through Littleton Public Schools and Douglas County Public Schools. (Note that the expense ratios are slightly lower now than when I wrote those posts.) It's probably worth reading at … Continue reading Fees Matter: Vanguard, PERA, TIAA and MetLife Comparison →

Free (for Federal Taxes) Alternative to TurboTax

Thanks to Courtney Petros, today I learned about FreeTaxUSA tax preparation software. We were discussing filing taxes and I mentioned that I used to file by hand using the paper forms, but when the IRS stopped mailing them I gave in and switched to TurboTax. At the time, I think it was about $30 and … Continue reading Free (for Federal Taxes) Alternative to TurboTax →

Interviewed on the Teach and Retire Rich Podcast

I was recently interviewed on the Teach and Retire Rich Podcast (also available here). It’s…not horrible (although I do sound like I’m yelling). My books that are mentioned (and resources) If you want to help co-author another state.