It’s been an exciting time around our house this week. My daughter started Kindergarten which is one of those life events I don’t think I’ll ever forget as a parent. In fact, you typically don’t forget it as a child either. I think most people remember their Kindergarten teacher no matter how old they are today. Elementary teachers, in general, can have a tremendous positive impact on a child’s life. They are heroes, in my opinion.
I recently learned about one of these heroes, Danny Kofke (special education teacher), who not only is making a difference for our children, he is helping teachers manage their money wisely. He wrote a book (How To Survive (and perhaps thrive) On A Teacher’s Salary) about surviving on a teacher’s salary which has helpful tips for teachers and anyone else who needs to know how to manage money wisely on a modest income.
This month, in honor of all elementary teachers and the great work Danny is doing, I’m giving away a copy of his book (details to enter the random drawing below). Danny provided an overview of his book as well as some links to some of the media which featured him and his tips.
Take it away, Danny…
Book Overview
According to a recent 2010 report by PayScale.com, elementary education is listed as the second worst paying college degree. My goal is to show others that one can do well financially even if they don’t make a large salary.
My name is Danny Kofke and I am currently a special education teacher in Georgia. I am an elementary education major and taught kindergarten and first grade before moving into special education. I have done something to show others how they can do well despite earning a modest income.
I have written the book “How To Survive (and perhaps thrive) On A Teacher’s Salary.” I’ve been a teacher for almost ten years and am proud to say that passion for the craft keeps me in the classroom but smart savings and basic understanding of financial principles have kept my wife (willingly!) at home with our children.
Many find it hard to believe that one teacher can support a family of four, but “How to Survive” explains the steps necessary for others to follow suit and save for life’s journeys.
In my book I show others how to:
- Retire with a sizable nest egg
- Teach in a foreign country
- Own all of their possessions – including their cars and houses
- Invest in Roth IRAs and 403bs
- Establish a weekly budget
- Live a financially secure life on a modest salary!
I have been been featured in a number of publications including USA Weekend, PARADE, Instructor Magazine, CBS MoneyWatch.com, FoxBusiness.com, The Wall Street Journal, ABCNews.com, Consumer’s Digest, Bottom Line Personal, Your Family Today and The Huffington Post. I have also been interviewed on over 150 radio shows and on numerous television shows.
Media:
- Interviewed on The 700 Club by Pat Robertson.
- Featured on the Fox News morning show Fox & Friends.
- Interviewed on CNN’s Newsroom.
- Interviewed on MSNBC Live.
- Featured on Fox Atlanta’s morning show Good Day Atlanta.
- Featured on Fox Atlanta’s morning show Good Day Xtra discussing how to teach kids
about finances and how Danny pays his 5 year-old daughter for her chores (about 50 seconds into the video). - Interviewed on The Daily Buzz television show (this clip says unable to reach the server but just hit play and it will run).
- Featured on Atlanta’s 11 Alive news (this clip says unable to reach the server but just hit play and it will run).
- Featured on Atlanta’s 11Alive Way$ To $ave.
- CNN.com
- Featured on Laura Rowley’s Money and Happiness columnon YahooFinance.
- Featured in The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Up Close business profile section.
- Featured in an article on Bankrate.com.
- Crown’s MoneyLife radio show.
- Profiled on AOL.com’s homepage in a story about credit scores.
A lot of people think that figuring out financial matters and investing are difficult and are intimidated by it. I want to show others that if this 34 year-old school teacher can figure it out then they can too.
How do you enter the contest?
You can enter the random drawing by doing any of the following free activities:
- Subscribe to OMD’s RSS feed
- Subscribe to the monthly newsletter via email.
- Subscribe to daily email updates
Leave a comment on this post by 9 PM CT August 31st letting us know you’ve completed one of the above activities. Winners will be announced on this post and Twitter September 1st.
Post Roundup:
And here are some articles submitted by other bloggers for this week’s personal finance roundup:
Omar from Online Accounting Degree submitted 12 Must-Have iPhone Apps for Serious Bargain Shoppers, and says,” if you love a bargain, you will happy to know that your iPhone can help you become a savvy shopper. Whether you love using coupons and store discount cards but hate carrying them, or simply have to find the best price available while out shopping, there is an app for you.”
Kristia from Family Balance Sheet submitted Perform Your Own Home Energy Audit To Help You Trim Your Utility Expenses, and says, “after a wallk around our home, we had a list of ideas to help trim our utility bills.”
Little House from Little House in the Valley submitted Run Down Towns: A Tale of Two Cities, and says, “a comparison of two cities that sit side by side and how one is deteriorating and the other is flourishing. A look at the economics behind them.”
Craig from Free From Broke submitted What Is A Secured Credit Card?, and says, “a secured credit card is a special case card for those with no credit or a bad credit history who are unable to get a standard credit card.”
Andrew from Money Crashers submitted How to Appeal the Property Tax Assessment On Your Home, and says, ”an inside look including some tips on the steps involved when trying to appeal the property tax assessment on your home.”
Crystal from Budgeting in the Fun Stuff submitted 10 Money Saving Tips to Save $1000 for the Holidays, and says, “here’s a few ways to easily save some money for whatever purpose.”
Nicole fromRainy-Day Saver submitted Is Graduate School Worth the Cost?, and says, “when to go for an advanced career, and when not to.”
MR from Money Reasons submitted Living With Your Parents While Being Young, Successful And Married, and says, ”a very successful young couple I knew were living in their rich parent’s basement, saving for a million dollar house.”
Thanks toOnlineCollege.org for featuring OMD in 100 blog posts every college senior should read!
Blog Carnivals
Here are some recent blog carnivals in which you’ll find articles from OMD. Thanks to the hosts and sorry for the delaying linking back to some of you!
- Carnival of Personal Finance: My Journey to Millions, Funny About Money, NerdWallet, Ultimate Money Blog, Miss Thrifty, Provident Planning
- Best of Money Carnival: Budgets are Sexy, PT Money
About Jason Price