Firefighter Families’ Guide to 529 College-Savings Plans
May 29 (5/29) is celebrated as “529 Day” – a reminder to start saving for college. For firefighter families, it’s a great time to consider how the soaring cost of education can impact your future. The price of college has been climbing far above general inflation. For example, the average total cost of attendance (tuition, […]
Mid-Career Financial Moves Firefighters Can’t Afford to Miss
By the time you’re a decade or two into the job, you’ve seen some things. You’ve watched guys blow through overtime cash on shiny trucks and bass boats, and others quietly build nest eggs. If you’re in that 10–20-year sweet spot of your career, now’s the time to get serious about your retirement planning. Why […]
Safe Growth and Lifetime Income: The Power of Indexed Annuities for City of Elizabeth Workers
In the first part of this series, we dug into the nuts and bolts of the new 457(b) plan for Elizabeth city workers—what it is, how it stacks up against other retirement accounts like 401(k)s and 403(b)s, and why it’s such a valuable tool for building your financial future. Toward the end of that article, […]
Second-Job Income: Smart Strategies for Firefighters with Side Hustles
Back in 1736, Benjamin Franklin founded the first volunteer fire department in Philadelphia – and on top of running a print shop, publishing newspapers, and dabbling in electricity, the guy still found time to save buildings from burning down. Ol’ Ben knew the value of a side gig and a long-term plan. Fast forward a […]
Tax Season Prep: Firefighter Tax Hacks
It’s a familiar scene every spring: the firehouse banter shifts from last night’s 3-alarm blaze to that other annual ordeal – tax season. Tax season just hits different when you’re pulling 24-hour shifts and juggling overtime. Between FLSA calculations, specialty pay, and pension contributions, your tax situation isn’t exactly straightforward. But fear not, because just […]
Firefighter Financial Spring Cleaning – Easy Steps to a Stronger Future
Just like you clean your gear after a call, your finances need regular maintenance, too. When was the last time you gave your money situation a thorough scrubdown? Financial spring cleaning isn’t complicated. It’s about checking what you’ve got, tossing what you don’t need, and making sure everything’s working right. A few hours of financial […]