In response to items 2 and 3 on your list, Greg, I would say "don't forego opportunities already provided by your current employer". I finished my career in school administration leading the Human Resources department for a large school district. Each year, my staff and I would meet with our new teachers to review compensation, benefits, the employment contract, staff handbook essentials, etc. When talking with them about compensation, I would always ask "how many of you have had a job prior this one?" Very few had not previously been employed. My followup question was "how many of you got to determine your own level of pay?", to which none could say "yes". I would then explain the salary schedule and how it provided financial incentives for both years of experience and also pursuit of advanced degrees, both of which were largely based on the teacher's ability and initiative. In our case, experience provided a 4% bump in salary and gaining 9 hours towards an advanced degree was worth a 5% increase. Doing this the right way would provide 9% increases for those who stuck around and pursued additional education. The only caveat was that a person needed to achieve 9 hours toward the advanced degree within 5 years, or they would be bottomed out in that column and lose out on the experience-based salary increase. It always surprised me when teachers who had not pursued advanced degrees suddenly became concerned that their salary increase was not what it had been in their earlier years. I would try to gently remind them of the need to work toward advanced degrees to avoid being "bottomed out" in the early columns of the salary schedule. For most, that got them moving towards advanced education. Others chose to look for another school district or different type of employment.
Great article, and I will definitely follow the link you provided to read more. "Affordable" is certainly a subjective word with varying meanings as you have noted. You're even getting thumbs up!
Elaine: I began reading Humble Dollar and Jonathan's posts in 2018, and have followed it avidly since then. All that information has been instrumental in our family finances both prior to and now in retirement. Jonathan's vision with Humble Dollar has been extremely important to us. I will be ordering a copy of his book ASAP!
I wish I could have financial conversations with my wife, but she is "hands-off" with our financial stuff. I occasionally share financial information with my children, primarily that our income is greater than our expenses and that our travel bug is our way of spending down their inheritance. No specific figures. They both say "we don't need your money". I do have a "time's up" document for wife and kids to access and manage the financial stuff. Because those closest to me respond in those ways, I have no inclination to share financial info with friends. Will this change as I age???
Comments
Sometimes the smallest/simplest things are best! Merry Christmas!
Post: Humble Christmas and Holiday Message
Link to comment from December 20, 2025
In response to items 2 and 3 on your list, Greg, I would say "don't forego opportunities already provided by your current employer". I finished my career in school administration leading the Human Resources department for a large school district. Each year, my staff and I would meet with our new teachers to review compensation, benefits, the employment contract, staff handbook essentials, etc. When talking with them about compensation, I would always ask "how many of you have had a job prior this one?" Very few had not previously been employed. My followup question was "how many of you got to determine your own level of pay?", to which none could say "yes". I would then explain the salary schedule and how it provided financial incentives for both years of experience and also pursuit of advanced degrees, both of which were largely based on the teacher's ability and initiative. In our case, experience provided a 4% bump in salary and gaining 9 hours towards an advanced degree was worth a 5% increase. Doing this the right way would provide 9% increases for those who stuck around and pursued additional education. The only caveat was that a person needed to achieve 9 hours toward the advanced degree within 5 years, or they would be bottomed out in that column and lose out on the experience-based salary increase. It always surprised me when teachers who had not pursued advanced degrees suddenly became concerned that their salary increase was not what it had been in their earlier years. I would try to gently remind them of the need to work toward advanced degrees to avoid being "bottomed out" in the early columns of the salary schedule. For most, that got them moving towards advanced education. Others chose to look for another school district or different type of employment.
Post: Six Ways to Grow Income
Link to comment from December 19, 2025
Agreed! Education, healthcare, law enforcement, military are all going to be continually needed occupations.
Post: Six Ways to Grow Income
Link to comment from December 19, 2025
Great article, and I will definitely follow the link you provided to read more. "Affordable" is certainly a subjective word with varying meanings as you have noted. You're even getting thumbs up!
Post: Affordable is an interesting word – especially related to healthcare
Link to comment from December 16, 2025
Happy anniversary! Keep those articles and rants coming!
Post: Fifty-seven years and counting and it’s snowing…again.
Link to comment from December 14, 2025
Elaine: I began reading Humble Dollar and Jonathan's posts in 2018, and have followed it avidly since then. All that information has been instrumental in our family finances both prior to and now in retirement. Jonathan's vision with Humble Dollar has been extremely important to us. I will be ordering a copy of his book ASAP!
Post: One Last Book
Link to comment from December 13, 2025
Same here.
Post: What do you DESERVE?
Link to comment from December 1, 2025
How about a nice glass of dry red wine?
Post: What do you DESERVE?
Link to comment from December 1, 2025
I resemble that!
Post: What do you DESERVE?
Link to comment from December 1, 2025
I wish I could have financial conversations with my wife, but she is "hands-off" with our financial stuff. I occasionally share financial information with my children, primarily that our income is greater than our expenses and that our travel bug is our way of spending down their inheritance. No specific figures. They both say "we don't need your money". I do have a "time's up" document for wife and kids to access and manage the financial stuff. Because those closest to me respond in those ways, I have no inclination to share financial info with friends. Will this change as I age???
Post: Discussing money matters with friends- a slippery slope
Link to comment from November 30, 2025