#240 – From The Classroom to Financial Freedom Lessons with Danny Kofke

Welcome back to the money boss parent Podcast. Today, I'm thrilled to have Danny Kofke, the author of Wealthy Teacher joins us to share his insights on achieving financial freedom while living on a teacher's salary. After being an elementary school teacher for 18 years, Danny recently left the classroom to work with mentor a financial education company. His love of teaching and personal finance led him to write five personal finance books, including The wealthy teacher lessons for prospering on a school teacher salary. Danny will discuss the central strategies such as building an emergency fund, investing early, paying off debt and setting clear financial goals for your family and with your significant other. We also talk about how do we start teaching money to our kids while we're living our own financial life, to tune in for practical, actionable tips to help you and your family achieve financial success. Welcome to the show. I'm excited money boss parents to connect with you today. conversation that I think we should be having with ourselves and our friends and our family. And more often, my guest today is is Danny who is going to share with us how making daily changes in our lives, changing our habits or behaviors can help us really step onto that financial freedom journey that we all are looking for. And if that's a little intriguing for you, so bear with me. But first of all, Danny, welcome to the show.

Hey, thanks so much for having me on. Excited to Yeah, to share. Sure, I guess kind of my life experience and how my wife and I have achieved that as parents.

Yeah, no, I'm very excited as well. So let's dive into it. Without further ado, yeah, please tell us like how did you start on your financial journey? I know you've you had, if I may say like a career change along the

way? Yes. Yeah. A few. So yeah, I started off, I was a schoolteacher, elementary ed major. So I taught kindergarten, first grade, second grade, and special education as well. My wife's a teacher. So we both met as teachers. I was a student teacher when I met her. So got married fast engagement, we actually taught overseas for two years, we moved to Poland, taught there for two years, came back home, and then talked for years, and then Tracy became pregnant. And at that time, I mean, I'll say that I was making about 42 grand a year. So as a first grade teacher, and we felt strongly about Tracy, being able to stay home, we wanted her to be able to do that. Raise your kids. And then honestly, at the time, when you look at it, the cost of daycare and the cost and how much he was making as a teacher, like, yes, we lost some, but it really wasn't that big of a difference when you take everything else into consideration. So we decided, okay, yeah, we'll have you stay home. And we thought just maybe one year, and then see what what happened. One year turned into eight years. And then we want another kid teachers like kids, I mean, he but we had another daughter. So two kids lived on 42 grand a year for eight years. And despite that, here, we sit now we have no debt except our mortgage. We're on track to reach our retirement goals. We have a one year emergency fund in place. But you know, most importantly, I think, you know, we like to show others that we have options, right? We live wealthy lives, on moderate incomes. And it's because we took control of our financial journey from the beginning. And the cool thing is, and I think, you know, if this former school teacher can do it, others can as well.

Ya know, I love it. And you mentioned kindergarten, so my five year old son, Liam is just about to start kindergarten. So you would definitely appreciate that. But my I had another conversation earlier today about you know, teaching kids, especially like starting like, right this age, all the financial literacy things that, you know, most of us, like you said, don't ever get to learn or experience and then here we are, end up, you know, having to make these decisions that we didn't know how to. So talk a little bit more about, like, how did you guys do that? Like, what changes that you have to make in your life and your behavior and like what you bought, in order to be able to live on that one salary that you had, but also, you know, save for the future. Enjoy life, because I hear that a lot from from parents, and I'm a parent myself, and I feel like, I just don't want to miss out on these like golden years, right? It's not, I mean, the golden thing is like the concept are you talking about like in retirement? No, like, now is the time while the kids are growing? So tell us how you did it. Sure.

I mean, yes, I hear that a lot, too. It's like it's navigating the hero now and with our future, and I understand that completely. You know, for us. So I mentioned we taught for two years overseas in Poland. And we visited at that time we did 11 countries. So we've lived it up and the two years were there, our honeymoon we counted is in Venice on a gondola. So like, we did have experiences, I didn't look back at our journals. And we had a budget for every trip we went on. Because we knew when we were going to come home after two years, signed a two year contract, that we wanted money in the bank, to be able to put a down payment on a house, to be able to have a car, things like that. So we still we had a plan. And I think that's the most important thing for a lot of people is you have to have a plan. I mean, if you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time. So I think that's a big thing is like, we have to have goals and plan in place. And then with knowing that when we add children, we want to Tracy at least you know time one kid, we wanted her to be able to stay at home, all of our financial decisions centered around that. So we had one car for four years, I sometimes drove a rode my bike to school, I was the only teacher parked at the bike back, because we knew if we were going to live on 42 grand a year, we couldn't have a car payment. We couldn't have a huge mortgage. Our first home was a true starter home, two bedroom, one bathroom. I think it was $89,000. And I know right now, that's very tough. I get but I mean, I mean, that was what it was. But we managed to we had that plan in place of okay, we can't have a lot of debt. Because if we did, we're not going to be able to live off a teacher salary. And you know, I'm like anyone Tracey's like anyone, I mean, someone pulls up next to me at BMW, of course, I want it. But I would tell myself at that time, I could have this, but something's gonna have to give me they're gonna have to get out of teaching and get a better paying job. B have to get a second job and ever see my family were See, Tracy is going to have to go back to work. And we're going to, you know, have to do something else with the kids. And at that point in our lives, no materialistic thing meant more to us than the life we were living. So, you know, that's the thing. We just had our priorities of what we thought was important. And you know, if for some people, it is important to go on fancy vacations every year, how about it? I mean, that's completely fine. We just did what was right for us. And I think that's where a lot of people end up, we get into it with keeping up with the Joneses that used to be announced whoever we want to keep up with, and social media has made it so much more difficult. But you know, we did what what was right for us, we didn't do we didn't care what our neighbor did, we didn't care what our brother in law did. It was like this is right for our family. And I think a lot of people get away from that. So for us, I think especially as a couple, it's that open line of communication. Hey, what are the goals that are important to us as a couple, and let's work together to achieve them.

I like that a lot. Because it feels like it's a it's a really good premise for anyone's financial life is like, what is it really? What is what is so important to you that you're trying to work so hard for? Are you saving that just because you have to have an emergency fund or you have to have a 401k? I really like that. Why? Because it's gonna help you really stick around.

Right? Yes. Why it's a big thing. The why is the thing that drives you. I mean, it's nice to get out of debt. Why do you want to get out of debt? It's nice to save for retirement. Why do you want to save for retirement? So it it just, it basically put paints a picture for you. And it makes it more, I think more achievable? Because it's a tangible object. It's not just some pie in the sky thing. It's like, this is what I'm working towards.

Yeah. So And how old are you kids now?

So my oldest will be 20. And my youngest will be 17. They both have birthdays. So yeah, so oldest, this sophomore year just finished a UGA. So yeah. And then in another year, my my youngest will be off to college.

So So you guys are kind of like when that, you know, other side of the spectrum of where the kids are. I have grown and now they're finishing colleges and going on with their life. So how I'm curious, like, what, because you guys have like really figured this out early on for yourself? How have you been able to teach and transfer the same, you know, lessons and values to kids? Sure.

It's hard. And I will say the oldest one is a little better with money than the younger one is, um, she's getting there. But the oldest one was very driven, had a job at 16 at Starbucks worked. I mean, she, and even out in college has a job. She actually wrote a book herself a financial book when she was in fifth grade. So I'm done. We taught lessons. I mean, with her along the way. And elbow, the youngest one. I mean, she does I mean, like she's applying right now turned 16 Last year, so applying for jobs just started driving on. You know, and I think and this is where, you know, as parents, I think, for me, the kids learn the most from what you do, it's really not always what you say. They don't want to be I mean, just like us, we don't wanna be lectured to. We don't want to be, you know, talk down to, but they see how we live, they see our actions and even it's really interesting. Now my for Mother's Day to 19 year old came home this weekend and like, she did talk with my wife, she's like, you know, thank you, you and dad really laid a good foundation that they don't realize it until a little bit older and they get out of the nest and they're like, oh, yeah, it wasn't so bad at home and they kind of see those things that we don't see as parents immediately. But I think you know, for us just know that like they're watching every step we make Watching how we interact and the things we do. And I think those are the most important lessons is we? We just we practice what we preach. And I think that's important.

Yes, you kind of have to remind yourself as a parent, being in the, you know, in the weeds of it every day, like, Okay, well, you better act accordingly because they're watching.

Right? Well, I remember that happened 10 years, like, I don't remember it, but it's a memory that stuck in their head certain things we didn't like, okay, that's really interesting. So yes, I would say, for those that do have younger children, I mean, they are watching and the things that they remember and things that like, it's a blip, and you're danger and won't think about it, but like, for whatever reason, it's fixed. So, for sure,

were you guys like really active in terms of making sure that the kids had good money skills? And like, you know, because some families sort of do less, and others do more? Like, how did you approach it?

I mean, they had basic chores. And we talked about, you know, we always did like, 10% giveaway, like we did the jars 10%, save, or giveaway, 25% savings, the rest you could spend on whatever you want. So little things like that. But, you know, it's just, I look at both of my girls and how different they are. And I'm like, you're raised in the same household and everything. So I think there's a lot of his personality now that I'm on, you know, this end of it. It's like, gosh, we're how are they so different sometimes. But I do think we're born with certain personality traits as well. But But I do, I think, to me, I think what we did, well, Tracy, my wife and I is like that open line of communication. A lot of parents people look at money as this taboo topic, and they don't talk about it. Whereas we were very open. I mean, honestly, as a school teacher, I mean, my job is, I mean, it was you could look up my salary, because it's a government job if you wanted to dig deep enough. So like, there was no hiding it. So like, we were just, you know, we would tell the girls, hey, this is how much we make. So this is these are the decisions that we're making. And they noticed that obviously, when they got into school, it was a little bit more apparent to them that some of their friends lived in nicer homes drove nicer cars had more toys. So we would explain at that time, well, this is the decision, these are the decisions we have made, because this is what we feel is right for our family. So I think just that communication.

I love that. Okay, so on this on this journey, at what point did you actually make the shift into like, Alright, I am done being a teacher, I'm gonna go in really explore the financial side of things. And like, really focus on it. I know you've written some books, and I want to get to them too. But it's just kind of want to hear that tradition.

Yes, I agree. Well, so I it's actually a really good point to transition into the book. I'm not sure if this is correct me if I'm wrong. I'm not sure if this is your first book, but the wealthy teacher lessons for prospering school teacher salaries that your original

book was my fourth book. So that was my best. I feel like that's the best books.

Awesome. Well, can we talk about some of these lessons? Because I think you've mentioned them along the way. But let's highlight maybe a few because I'm sure our listeners are kind of wondering what what are those? Sure,

Yeah, I agree with you. And we were chatting about this right before we hit Record button. It's that like it does, send them around your behavior, right and so in living in the moment too, right like it's, it's It's it's like a picture in my head that sort of scale, right? That kind of like tilt one way or the other. And maybe if you are having a crappy day at work, you're like, I'll forget about that retirement, I want to get out of here. Right. And whatever money I have, right, I guess for that.

No therapy's a thing too. I mean, people will buy stuff to mask that unhappiness. So because we're enhanced, you spend more than you normally would, because you're trying to mask something. Yeah. I mean, once again, and we talked for, I think it's like, money problems, or like 90%, I think stem from behavior. Like I think the numbers are pretty easy. Most of us can see. I mean, the basics of finance is spend less than you earn very simple on paper, but then that thing called life gets in the way.

That's right, right. It's right, you were mentioning something like in you know, earlier when you were starting on this path. And life is different now, because of technology, internet, and all kinds of ways people can make money, right? So if you are unhappy, you know what the job or whatever it is that you're doing, you could start earning extra money, right, as a side hustle as a hobby, I mean, all kinds of things on social media. So there are options for you write so that you can go back and then apply these principles that Danny just shared. So there's, I feel like it existed in the past to what you said, you can get a second job, right? Or you can go be a waiter, whatever, right? But I feel like it's a lot more available now for this generation than it was years ago.

I don't think there's ever been a better time to have a side gig. I mean, even right now, like, as an Uber driver, you're basically self employed. I mean, you are, you're controlling your own business, in a way, I mean, Uber, but like you set the time, hey, I want to drive between here and here. So yes, DoorDash, all those things that are, I think for a lot of people, you can earn that extra income to boost it. And you know, once again, you don't want to do it forever. And I get that it's like, oh, I got it, but it's just to set yourself up, you know, maybe say I'm gonna do it for a couple of months and build that financial margin, and then I don't have to do it anymore. But I think you do have to have the, you know, the goal in place of okay, this is what I want to achieve. But yes, if you're in a pinch, and you need extra money, I mean, yeah, there's really that there's a lot of opportunities out there.

Do you think your experience working as a teacher had something to do with like you being so good with money and kind of like laying this path for yourself? Like, how do you is there a connection? You

know, it's interesting, you ask that. So I just heard, you know, and I know, there's different opinions on Dave Ramsey's approach. And, you know, I don't always agree, especially with the investment approach, but he did a study, I think of like those millionaires across America a couple of years ago. And they did like the five top professions that turned out to be millionaires. And surprisingly enough, teacher was one of the top five, it wasn't a doctor wasn't a lawyer, teacher. And they explained that times teachers especially like, when you're teaching a lesson plan, there are like, there steps to follow. Like, when you teach, you gotta, you know, introducing you to, and investing, it's very simple. There's like, for a lot of people, you start young, you invest a set amount, you increase it as you go over. So it's very systematic. And I do think, teachers, there is something to be said, for that of that systematic approach that we would have to do in the classroom. I think it can apply a lot to the way teachers invest. So yes, I do think there's a benefit. I know, the salaries in many areas aren't that high. But I think once again, when you go back to building the habit to starting the foundation of it, I think that's a big huge thing. And I know there are studies that show you know, if you start investing at 25, and you invest a set amount, you stop at 35. And your friend starts at 35, and does the same thing. Usually, you know, depending on how much interest but a lot of times the person that starts at 25 will have more even though they invested like 30 years less because of compound interest and the magic of that and how it can work wonders for you.

Yes, you'd be you'd be maybe you know, this is also all this information is public, but just not too long ago, we received an A mail, oh pamphlet that talked about our school district and you know, in town in a little town we live and there's I guess two sub districts and they were comparing teacher salaries. And I mean, I've never really inquired about it, but like this information was one of my eyes. I'm like, I'm gonna look. And so you'll be surprised to hear that in this area. And I live in Northern California cost of living is really high, but you wouldn't think alike. You know, everybody knows that teachers don't make a ton of money. But these these districts pay them. One is a little little over six figures. So somebody's making $100,000 As a teacher, but think about I mean, it sounds like oh my gosh, it's a it's a lot of money. Yes, true. But think about housing cost here, through the roof, like all of that. So going back to your salary that you made, however, 20 years ago, right and comparing it to now it's It's it's like it's all the same. Because if you stick to the principles that you're talking about, it works. You can make a million dollars and be broke. I

mean, that is the key. I mean, you look at there are famous celebrities, we've heard all the stories of people that made a lot of money that ended up broke out bankruptcy, we have lottery winners, musicians, I mean, it because that's the cool thing I think about money is like the principle holds true. No matter what color you are, what sex you are, what job you have, like, there are principles that work. So like it really, you know, it doesn't discriminate. And I think that is the beauty of it, that you have to follow certain rules in order to achieve success financially. And, yes, obviously, if you make more, it's easier 100%. But once again, a lot of people when you make more than a lifestyle, creep happens. And then like you're buying the nicer house, and you gotta buy the nicer car, because you live in this neighborhood and all your neighbors driving, you gotta send your kid to the private school because everyone, like it just can add up. So I think it just one of those. Going back to the basics again, you just, you know, have to have goals for you and yourself and your family of what's most important to you. And not what's important to everyone else.

Yeah. Have you ever I know you said that at the beginning. But have you ever struggled with the with the thoughts of like, wow, we're really missing out? Because, you know, because we earn a certain amount of income, or we just kind of seeing other families living differently has I mean, I'm sure that has crossed your mind. But then you probably came back to like, what are the values of my family? What are the goals? Like, how do you like how do you sort of balance that talk in your head? Because it's all around you.

You know, I've been very fortunate. And with my wife and I went, she went back to work, and she's moved up into the school district. So I would say compared to when we first started, and she was a stay at home mom of I mean, we've probably at least tripled if not quadruple what we've made at one point like we've made. But we were so good. And I look back at that I'm like, we're be here, we're there, we're doing this, we're going to net and like the most content I was. And Tracy as well was when like our girls were young, and she stayed home with them. Like, I mean, all this stuff, don't get me wrong, it's nice. But like, it comes and goes, like it's great to take vacations and family trips, we've done some amazing family vacations. It's nice to drive nicer cars than we had before. Things are but they don't last, like the feeling of contentment every day, like when I would go home from school and Tracy was there. And it just that was like it was an easier time. Like, our life was a lot easier than you know, it's funny, like I recently had a friend had me and I hadn't had watched the baby guide. So Ella is almost 17. So since she was a baby, but they needed help watching their son and he was like nine months old, oh my gosh, how am I going to do this? But after like a couple of hours, it kind of comes back. But then like, even home now. I mean, I don't want my kids to have, you know, I don't wanna be a grandfather for a while. But then I thought like, Oh, cool. Will it be one day, like, if my sole job is just to be a grandfather? Like, it just I don't know, it just felt like so. You know, and that's not once again, that isn't for everyone. But I think it's just a lot of times I think we we work to accumulate more. And then we're gonna say, Oh, I'm happy when blank and then that happens. And guess what, we're happy for a couple days. But then we got to have something else. And then I'm happy for and I gotta have something else. So I think it does go back to just prioritizing what truly is important. And you know, once again, if it's important for people to take trips to Hawaii every year. That's fine. If that's what it mean, it brings value to you. I'm very big on that values based spending, you have to find what is valuable to you and your family. And then work on that. And the rest of it, you can eliminate. And I'm a big but I make fun of people at work. Sometimes they'll buy, you know, the Starbucks and five bucks everyday for a latte. And I'm like, do you know if you invested that $5 You know, and I kind of do the compound interest and just show them. But that cup of coffee brings in a lot of enjoyment in the here and now. So I'm like, that's, that's fine. That's what is important to you. But you may not be able to go out to dinner tonight because of your doing this or whatever it may be most of us we can't have it all. And I think that's what we just have to analyze when it comes to spending Hey, how are we spending our money and to make sure it aligns with our values, and then also sets us up for financial success in the future?

Yeah, I agree on the coffee thing. I don't quite like the Starbucks. I'm happy to bring my own. Yes. But that's, that's another advantage. Right?

Right. And some people especially after COVID I mean, that was one of those things of mental health thing to get out and I get it. So I would never you know, that's fine. It brings you enjoyment right here. Now, for some people, it's going out for drinks with whatever it may be. But I think for a lot of us, we just have to realize, you know, unless unless we're Jeff Bezos, where we have this unlimited amount of money, most of us can't have it all. So we just have to prioritize what truly is important.

I love that I love I feel like it's a more freeing approach versus like, yeah. versus the other way. It just gives you choices that you can make right versus somebody, somebody else making choices for

you. We'll see. And that's what happened if you're in a bad situation, and I'm good. I mean, once again, having two daughters. And you know, you go back five years, when the whole me to movement started, and women were there were some women that were in really, really horrible situations, because they did not feel they had a way out. Because financially, they needed a salary. So they knew bad stuff, they should not have put up with stuff that they were putting up with. But they had no options, or at least they thought they didn't have options. So you know, that's big for me, I kind of tell my daughters, I'm like, Look, you need to have I call it like go to hell money, you have someone that does something that you know, is not right. If you have money, opportunity, say Go to hell, and you leave, whether it's a bad relationship, a bad boss, whatever it may be, it just gives you options.

I love that, too. So what are you into these days? Danny, in terms of continuing to write books, and I know you mentioned you work for a really awesome financial wellness company. Yeah.

So I switch gears and I work for the company is called mentor Oh, so me and to our Oh, you can visit my mentor.com We have a free version sign up where we have all sorts of great bite sized learning courses. Calculate I mean, just all sorts of great things. We have money, mentors, you can meet with them to help you. So you know, basically, now what I'm trying to do is show others and teach them my lessons. So when I came around, you know, 20 years ago, wrote my first book, I didn't have anyone to look towards I kind of self taught myself read some books, you know, back then YouTube wasn't a fake. So like, didn't even watch videos. So just now. Yeah. I've ever read books and things like that. So now it's just like, hey, trying to show others and make the path a little bit easier for them and just show them some ways that they can do it and meet them where they are. Not everyone, you know, and that's the thing was like, not everyone, you're in a different situation than I am you have younger kids. So you're worried about here, here, I have one in college, another one getting ready to go to college. So my worries are a little bit different. So I think that's the benefit of what we do at mentors, we meet people where they are, a lot of financial wellness companies are like that one size check. One box checks all, we're not that way we try to meet people where they are because you know, what a 25 year old needs. It's a lot different than what 55 year old date. So just trying to meet people exactly where they are. So yeah, scikit learn more, go to my mentor.com. And you can learn a lot more about us and sign up.

Yes, totally. And we can include the the links in the show notes, and then mentioned the name of the book.

I mean, I think that one yes, the wealthy teacher lessons for prospering on the school teacher salary. So kind of goes over some of my story, what I've just shared today, but also some practical steps. And I tried to do it very once again, as a teacher very systematically in order. But um, but ways to kind of achieve that financial success and like steps to take I'm a very, I like following steps, it helps me so. So just some steps that you can take to achieve financial wellness.

Awesome. Okay, well, happy to include that as well. Before we close any last minute thoughts?

Yeah, um, you know, you know, my main mission, I mean, really is, is just to give others hope. I mean, we read in the news, we know that inflation is what it is, and housing prices are what they are. And I know, you know, it's hard, bad news sells. We all know that. But I think a lot of people then give up, they read this bad news. And it's like, oh, I'm never gonna be able to do good with money. The man's against me. It's just stacked against. And you know, yes, it can be tough. I'm not saying it isn't. But I think you know, hopefully, with my message, I just want to show you that you can take control of your finances. And yeah, you may not drive the fanciest car live in the biggest house. But when you feel like every day, hey, I'm doing something you know, that I felt called on earth to do. So when you have a job that you feel good about. But then you can also do some fun things with your family, do extra things, save for retirement? It just makes you feel like hey, I'm on the right path. And that's kind of what I want to show and give others hope and show them you know, this former school teacher can do well, they can as well.

Awesome. Okay. Well, I appreciate you coming on today. Thank you so much.