TL;DR: Financial Literacy Series of Books
You know you need to learn more about personal finance in order to make financial decisions, but you just find it too overwhelming, too intimidating, and too time consuming. These books were written for you, giving you the basics in an hour or two, and then directing you to further resources (for all the books in the series; for scenario links, see the specific state book below) if you’d like to learn more.
These books aren’t about “getting rich quickly” (not that there’s anything wrong with that), but about gaining knowledge and building your capacity in order to live a good life. What’s a “good life”? I don’t know, everyone’s definition is different. What’s important is that you take the time to define what a good life is for you, and then align your financial decisions with that.
I say “books” because that’s what Amazon calls them, but they are more like really long blog posts. I wrote them because finances and financial decisions are such a huge part of everyone’s life that they should take the time to thoroughly educate themselves. Since many folks won’t do that, these books are an attempt to quickly give them the basics and hopefully encourage them – and give them the confidence – to learn more. All books are available in Kindle and Paperback versions. The great thing about the Kindle version – in addition to the instant download – is that if you have Kindle Unlimited, you can read it for free.
I am not a financial planner. I have taught students mathematics and computer science for over thirty years, but have no formal training in personal finance or investing, and no certifications. I am simply a lifelong learner, constantly curious, and have been interested in personal finance since working in a credit union during high school and college, and continued to be curious and learn more about finance during my career as a public school teacher. Over my years as a teacher, I discovered that not only did my students not know much about personal finance, but neither did my family, friends and colleagues (I often served as a resource for those folks).
Partially as a result of that experience, I see the necessity for a book such as this, as I wanted to do my part to try to help others become financially literate. While it would be nice to make a little bit of money from this, that’s not really my expectation or my goal. This is a passion project for me. I hope folks find it helpful. If you do buy it (or read it for free), it would be helpful if you could leave a review on Amazon and/or email me at karl@fischlearning.com a “testimonial” that I can add to this website.
By the way, I’d humbly suggest that the young adult version is an excellent graduation gift for high school or college students, and the employees of public school version is an excellent gift for any teacher in the respective state.
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for Young (and Not-So-Young) Adults is just the basics, in about 30 pages, and is broadly applicable to almost everyone.
This is an excellent book focusing on essential personal finance decisions. It is particularly helpful to the many young adults (20 somethings) who are just starting out in their adult lives and careers. Being the parent of 2, 23 year olds, I know first hand it contains information they want and need at this important stage in their lives. It is also written in a style that makes it easy and enjoyable to read. 30 pages that could make a huge benefit in the rest of their lives. The information can be found elsewhere but the convenience of having it boiled down to these essentials is wonderful.
– Dianne, Parent, Lexington, Kentucky
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for Alaska Public School Teachers: Optimizing Financial Decisions Based on Your TRS Benefits includes all the content of the young adult book in Part 1, but then adds about 90 more pages in Parts 2-4 specific to public school teachers in Alaska. These pages focus on how to optimize your financial decisions (discussed in Part 1) based on your TRS and school district benefits.
A Must Read for Alaskan Educators. Thank you so much for taking the time to compile this book – as a tier 3 teachers this information is extremely valuable. It was an easy read packed full of practical information! It helped me full understand the different options that are out there, allowing me to take ownership of my financial future. Thanks again!
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for Employees of Arizona Public Schools includes all the content of the young adult book in Part 1, but then adds about 90 more pages in Parts 2-4 specific to employees of public schools in Arizona. These pages focus on how to optimize your financial decisions (discussed in Part 1) based on your ASRS and school district benefits.
Write a review on Amazon or email me your review.
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for California Public School Teachers includes all the content of the young adult book in Part 1, but then adds about 80 more pages in Parts 2-4 specific to public school teachers in California. These pages focus on how to optimize your financial decisions (discussed in Part 1) based on your CalSTRS and school district benefits.
Everything you need to reach your magic retirement number as a California Teacher. This is THE only guide for California teachers to understand their options for retirement. It offers research based advice, clear outlines of components of California educator retirement, and case studies.
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for Employees of Colorado Public Schools includes all the content of the young adult book in Part 1, but then adds about 70 more pages in Parts 2-4 specific to employees of public schools in Colorado. These pages focus on how to optimize your financial decisions (discussed in Part 1) based on your PERA and school district benefits.
Listen to Karl on the Teach and Retire Rich Podcast
Karl created an easy to read and easy to understand retirement planning book for Colorado educators. Previously, I recommended the Simple Path to Wealth for my teacher friends. Now, I will recommend “TL;DR: Financial Literacy for Employees of Colorado Public Schools.” I wish every Colorado teacher would read this book!
– Ben, Teacher, Fort Collins, Colorado
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for District of Columbia Public School Teachers includes all the content of the young adult book in Part 1, but then adds about 70 more pages in Parts 2-4 specific to employees of public schools in the District of Columbia. These pages focus on how to optimize your financial decisions (discussed in Part 1) based on your DCRB and school district benefits.
Write a review on Amazon or email me your review.
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for Florida Public School Teachers: Optimizing Financial Decisions Based on Your FRS Benefits includes all the content of the young adult book in Part 1, but then adds about 80 more pages in Parts 2-4 specific to employees of Florida Public Schools. These pages focus on how to optimize your financial decisions (discussed in Part 1) based on your FRS and school district benefits.
Write a review on Amazon or email me your review.
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for Georgia Public School Teachers: Optimizing Financial Decisions Based on Your TRS Benefits includes all the content of the young adult book in Part 1, but then adds about 60 more pages in Parts 2-4 specific to employees of Georgia Public Schools. These pages focus on how to optimize your financial decisions (discussed in Part 1) based on your TRS and school district benefits.
Write a review on Amazon or email me your review.
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for Illinois Teachers’ Retirement System Members includes all the content of the young adult book in Part 1, but then adds about 90 more pages in Parts 2-4 specific to employees of Illinois public schools. These pages focus on how to optimize your financial decisions (discussed in Part 1) based on your TRS and school district benefits. Watch the book trailer.
Valuable for IL educators. The spreadsheets reference in the book are downright amazing. I would recommend making a copy and then trying out different scenarios. Kudos to Karl and Eric for putting this book together.
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for Indiana Public School Teachers includes all the content of the young adult book in Part 1, but then adds about 80 more pages in Parts 2-4 specific to teachers of Indiana public schools. These pages focus on how to optimize your financial decisions (discussed in Part 1) based on your INPRS and school district benefits.
Write a review on Amazon or email me your review.
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for Employees of Iowa Public Schools includes all the content of the young adult book in Part 1, but then adds about 80 more pages in Parts 2-4 specific to employees of Iowa public schools. These pages focus on how to optimize your financial decisions (discussed in Part 1) based on your IPERS and school district benefits. Watch the book trailer.
This book fills in a massive gap for educators in Iowa. We spend so much time focused on how to be the best teachers we can, we often do not dig deep into how to invest and prepare for retirement. This is a quick read and should become a staple for HR departments to suggest to teachers. It is broken down in easy to follow sections and provides examples for readers to make sense of the content. The investment in the book will be made up quickly with the financial literacy gained by the reader. A must buy!
– Kim, Iowa Educator
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for Teacher Members of MainePERS includes all the content of the young adult book in Part 1, but then adds about 80 more pages in Parts 2-4 specific to employees of Maine public schools. These pages focus on how to optimize your financial decisions (discussed in Part 1) based on your MainePERS and school district benefits.
Write a review on Amazon or email me your review.
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for Massachusetts Public School Teachers includes all the content of the young adult book in Part 1, but then adds about 70 more pages in Parts 2-4 specific to Massachusetts public school teachers who are members of MTRS. These pages focus on how to optimize your financial decisions (discussed in Part 1) based on your MTRS and school district benefits.
Short, Sweet, Worth its weight in gold! One of the best financial literacy books I’ve read this year…This is a must read for anyone serious about teacher retirement in Massachusetts and is on my list for purchases for friends that need to get their financial house in order.
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for Employees of Michigan Public Schools includes all the content of the young adult book in Part 1, but then adds about 90 more pages in Parts 2-4 specific to Michigan public school employees who are members of MPSERS. These pages focus on how to optimize your financial decisions (discussed in Part 1) based on your MPSERS and school district benefits.
The book provides an overview of financial considerations with the pension system under MPSERS. The sections are concise; this provides readers with ample entry points to answer questions about their pension plans. In addition, other personal finance ideas are shared for those just starting out in the profession as well as those who are near making decisions about ending their careers. This would be a great resource for pre-service teachers, new teachers working with an induction program in schools, and those providing financial services to educators at all stages of their careers..
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for Minnesota Public School Teachers includes all the content of the young adult book in Part 1, but then adds about 80 more pages in Parts 2-4 specific to Minnesota public school teachers who are members of TRA. These pages focus on how to optimize your financial decisions (discussed in Part 1) based on your TRA and school district benefits.
Write a review on Amazon or email me your review.
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for Missouri Public School Educators includes all the content of the young adult book in Part 1, but then adds about 90 more pages in Parts 2-4 specific to employees of Missouri public schools. These pages focus on how to optimize your financial decisions (discussed in Part 1) based on your PSRS/PEERS and school district benefits.
Write a review on Amazon or email me your review.
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for Members of Nebraska School Employees Retirement System includes all the content of the young adult book in Part 1, but then adds about 80 more pages in Parts 2-4 specific to employees of Nebraska public schools. These pages focus on how to optimize your financial decisions (discussed in Part 1) based on your NPERS and school district benefits.
Write a review on Amazon or email me your review.
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for New Hampshire Public School Employees includes all the content of the young adult book in Part 1, but then adds about 80 more pages in Parts 2-4 specific to employees of New Hampshire public schools. These pages focus on how to optimize your financial decisions (discussed in Part 1) based on your NHRS and school district benefits.
Link to New Hampshire Scenarios
Write a review on Amazon or email me your review.
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for Employees of New Jersey Public Schools Schools includes all the content of the young adult book in Part 1, but then adds about 90 more pages in Parts 2-4 specific to employees of New Jersey public schools. These pages focus on how to optimize your financial decisions (discussed in Part 1) based on your TPAF/PERS and school district benefits.
Write a review on Amazon or email me your review.
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for New York City Public School Teachers includes all the content of the young adult book in Part 1, but then adds about 90 more pages in Parts 2-4 specific to teachers in New York City public schools. These pages focus on how to optimize your financial decisions (discussed in Part 1) based on your TRSNYC and school district benefits.
This book is essential for every NYC public school teacher! It’s worth the purchase, helped me understand so many things, best $9 investment I’ve made for my future by far.
- – Luisana, New York Educator
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for New York State Public School Teachers includes all the content of the young adult book in Part 1, but then adds about 90 more pages in Parts 2-4 specific to teachers in New York State public schools. These pages focus on how to optimize your financial decisions (discussed in Part 1) based on your NYSTRS and school district benefits.
- Seriously – if you teach in NY you need this book. I learned so much about the NYS benefits and pension that I had no idea about. The chapter on social security was so helpful and I feel like I have such a better understanding of my finances for retirement! Karl does an amazing job of breaking down the info into actionable steps and I really can’t recommend it enough. My colleagues have all borrowed the book and I’m leading a PD this spring using the knowledge I’ve leaned from these chapters. It’s sooo worth the $9 – just do it! Your future self will thank you!
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for Ohio Public School Teachers includes all the content of the young adult book in Part 1, but then adds about 90 more pages in Parts 2-4 specific to teachers in Ohio public schools. These pages focus on how to optimize your financial decisions (discussed in Part 1) based on your Ohio STRS and school district benefits.
Write a review on Amazon or email me your review.
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for Employees of Oregon Public Schools includes all the content of the young adult book in Part 1, but then adds about 90 more pages in Parts 2-4 specific to educators in Oregon public schools. These pages focus on how to optimize your financial decisions (discussed in Part 1) based on your Oregon PERS and school district benefits.
Write a review on Amazon or email me your review.
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for Employees of Pennsylvania Public Schools includes all the content of the young adult book in Part 1, but then adds about 120 more pages in Parts 2-4 specific to employees of Pennsylvania public schools. These pages focus on how to optimize your financial decisions (discussed in Part 1) based on your PSERS and school district benefits.
Great for PA Teachers! This book does an excellent job of providing details and well-constructed examples for PSER’s members. Many new newly hired teachers are completely unaware of the changes to PA teacher retirement and this book does a fantastic job explaining the differences in retirement classifications and benefits.
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for Employees of South Carolina Public Schools includes all the content of the young adult book in Part 1, but then adds about 80 more pages in Parts 2-4 specific to employees of South Carolina public schools. These pages focus on how to optimize your financial decisions (discussed in Part 1) based on your PEBA and school district benefits.
Link to South Carolina Scenarios
Write a review on Amazon or email me your review.
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for Employees of St. Paul Public Schools includes all the content of the young adult book in Part 1, but then adds about 80 more pages in Parts 2-4 specific to employees of St. Paul public schools. These pages focus on how to optimize your financial decisions (discussed in Part 1) based on your SPTRFA and school district benefits.
Write a review on Amazon or email me your review.
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for Employees of Texas Public Schools includes all the content of the young adult book in Part 1, but then adds about 80 more pages in Parts 2-4 specific to employees of Texas public schools. These pages focus on how to optimize your financial decisions (discussed in Part 1) based on your TRS and school district benefits.
Write a review on Amazon or email me your review.
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for Employees of Virginia Public Schools includes all the content of the young adult book in Part 1, but then adds about 80 more pages in Parts 2-4 specific to employees of Virginia public schools. These pages focus on how to optimize your financial decisions (discussed in Part 1) based on your VRS and school district benefits.
Finally! A financial literacy book for the lay person. Easy to read, James Patterson length chapters (i.e. very short), suggested websites for more info, and a path to financial independence in retirement. A MUST read for anyone new to Virginia Public Schools but helpful to anyone in the VRS system at any time in their career.
– Donna, Virginia Educator
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for Employees of Washington Public Schools includes all the content of the young adult book in Part 1, but then adds about 90 more pages in Parts 2-4 specific to employees of Washington public schools. These pages focus on how to optimize your financial decisions (discussed in Part 1) based on your TRS and school district benefits.
Every WA state teacher should have this book! Karl starts out with the basics of financial literacy. Karl writing is easy to read although the subject is difficult for many. There’s a clear explanation of the TRS 2 and 3. The WA state 457 Deferred Compensation Plan is also discussed. This book should be issued to every new WA state public school teacher!
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for Employees in the Wyoming Public Employee Pension Plan includes all the content of the young adult book in Part 1, but then adds about 80 more pages in Parts 2-4 specific to employees of Wyoming public schools. These pages focus on how to optimize your financial decisions (discussed in Part 1) based on your WRS and school district benefits.
If you are part of the Wyoming Retirement System (WRS) purchase this book IMMEDIATELY! This book is a must read for everyone, even if you aren’t part of the Wyoming Public Employees Pension Plan. The authors provide information about financial literacy that is applicable to everyone and guides the reader in optimizing your WRS benefits. Highly Recommended!
– L.W., Wyoming Teacher
An eight-minute video that explains the importance of becoming financially literate - and why you might consider reading one of these books.
If you’ve already purchased and read any of the books, I would really, really, really (did I mention really?) appreciate it if you’d be willing to spend between one and five minutes to give me some constructive feedback. It would also be wonderful if you left a review on Amazon.
Have a question?
Email me
Karl@FischLearning.com