Author: econteach

Summer Budget Busters or: How I’m Learning To Stop Worrying and Love (Some) Spending

econteach

This year is almost halfway over and I’m delighted to announce that my personal spending is lower than last year in every category of my budget. And without the worry of paying off my private student loan (I bid them good riddance in December!), the balances in my savings and investment accounts are higher also.… Continue reading Summer Budget Busters or: How I’m Learning To Stop Worrying and Love (Some) Spending

Money Narratives: Power Systems and Individual Actions

econteach

More than one thing can be true at once, but what is the weight we give truths when we tell our stories? American and “World” History classes dominated my teaching schedule for the first few years of my career (I put World History in quotation marks because of the prominence of Western European events and… Continue reading Money Narratives: Power Systems and Individual Actions

How To Pack For A 2 Week Vacation…In Just a Carry-on

econteach

I’ve been known to be a light traveler for most of my adult life. I actually do not even own a full-sized suitcase--all of my luggage can fit in the overhead bin. In the same way I try to be more mindful of my budget, I'm also more deliberate about my packing choices. At a… Continue reading How To Pack For A 2 Week Vacation…In Just a Carry-on

Reflections of a First Year Econ Teacher

econteach

In some ways, my tenth year teaching felt like my first. Reading a textbook at home. Googling terms I didn’t know. Obsessively trying to anticipate every possible student question. Combing though files upon files from other teachers. The technology was a little different--i.e. flash drives vs. Google Drive--but the process and goals stayed the same.… Continue reading Reflections of a First Year Econ Teacher

Why I Didn’t Want an Engagement Ring: A Lesson in Opportunity Costs

econteach

Despite the confused looks, I'm 100% happy with my decisions to forgo an engagement ring. When my fiancé and I met with the wedding coordinator at our venue she immediately exclaimed, “let me see the ring!” I involuntarily and sheepishly showed her my empty left ring finger and endured the awkward pause that occurs when… Continue reading Why I Didn’t Want an Engagement Ring: A Lesson in Opportunity Costs

Should Teenagers Get Credit Cards?

econteach

Credit cards can be a powerful tools for consumers but, as viewers learn in Spider-Man, with great power comes great responsibility. And the words “responsible” and “teenager” do not usually go hand-in-hand. After working with high school students for ten years, I’ve come to appreciate how creative, hilarious, kind, insightful, and, yes, mature teenagers can… Continue reading Should Teenagers Get Credit Cards?

For me, FIRE is a moving target 🔥

econteach

I’m still relatively new to the whole FIRE concept. My parents, both in their early 60s, are still working and most of my friends have never even mentioned the word “retirement.” The thought of retiring earlier than when my pension is “fully funded” never occured to me until a year ago. For those who are… Continue reading For me, FIRE is a moving target 🔥