Episode 502: How to Talk About Money Without Shame, in the Classroom and at Home w/ Diana Isern

Diana Isern's "new" clothes came out of donated garbage bags, and the money message she grew up with was: we don't have it. In this episode, I sit down with Diana, a former New York City assistant principal and author of Money Talks: An Educator's Guide to Teaching Financial Empowerment.

Diana started teaching at 21 with student loans, no savings, and a habit of leaving bar tabs open. A two-week no-spend challenge and an honest look at her statements turned things around, and soon teachers, students, and parents were bringing her their money questions.

That led to finance courses teens signed up for on repeat, a girls investing club, a book, and the decision to walk away from a secure pension job. Her message for parents and educators is that you don't need to be a money expert to start the conversation.

You just need to show up curious. In this episode, Diana Isern shares: How growing up with a deficit mindset around money shaped her, and what helped her shift it The no spend challenge and spending review that got her finances on track The 403(b), TDA, and 457 options teachers can use on top of their pensions How educators and parents can teach money with curiosity instead of expertise What's New in the Paperback Edition of Your Journey to Financial Freedom: A bonus chapter: When Life Happens: Staying on the Path to Financial Freedom Through Setbacks, Shifts, and Uncertainty A book club and discussion guide with prompts, exercises, and action steps Updated corrections from the original hardcover Exclusive bonuses when you purchase the paperback, including: The Fire Starter Course The Find Your FIRE Number Worksheet Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Money Talks: An Educator's Guide to Teaching Financial Empowerment: 403bwise: Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF): Get a Financial Life NYC: Banzai: Jump$tart Coalition: Intuit for Education: education.

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