Saving money for a child’s education can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. The WA529 program allows families to set money aside where it will grow tax-free. Find out who can put money into the plan and how a child can use the money for a variety of educational expenses after high school. Some uses might surprise you such as books, housing and even rolling over funds to a Roth IRA.
We welcome our guests Luke and Jackie from the Washington Student Achievement Council.

For most plans, you need to work at least 5 years as a state employee to qualify for a retirement plan. But what if you leave state service before then? Or leave, and return a few years later? In this episode, you’ll learn the different options you have for the money in your retirement account. We also look at the details of restoring service credit if you do decide to come back to work.
 
Our guest on the show is Nitia who works for DRS. She helps people navigate these important choices.

Having a financial advisor can help you plan for your future, especially after a major life event such as a marriage, divorce or birth of a child. Learn the difference between a financial advisor and a money manager, and find out what questions you need to ask.
 
Our guest on the show is Bruce, who’s had a long career as a financial advisor and now works for DRS.

As a new employee, you get to choose what type of retirement account you’d like. You have 90 days to decide between Plan 2 and 3. In this episode, you’ll learn the key differences between these two plans.  
 
Our guest on the show is Kimm who works for DRS. She talks to people every day who are trying to make this important decision.
 
This choice applies to those who are starting employment in Washington state in: Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), Teachers' Retirement System (TRS), or the School Employees' Retirement System (SERS).  

Unclaimed Property is a program that reunites owners with their lost or missing money. This can be in the form of an old pay stub or an overpaid utility bill.
 
Our guest on the show is Joe from the Unclaimed Property division at the Washington State Department of Revenue. He explains how the program works and how you can quickly and safely find your missing money at ClaimYourCash.org

You can use automatic transfers and payments to help you manage your budget and make life easier, but there are a few things to be aware of before you automate all your bills. We look at different strategies for saving and paying bills on time — so you can create a system that works for you.

The Deferred Compensation Program (DCP) is similar to a 401K and can help you save more for retirement. In this episode you’ll learn how taxes are applied, the importance of contributing with a percentage of your income and tools for maximizing your investment.

We’ve received some great questions from our listeners asking how they can improve their finances. We jump into answering your questions:
0:23 - Is there any advantage to waiting past age 65 to start taking my pension?  
3:38 - With inflation so high, do you have any tips on saving for retirement? 
9:03 - What's the rule of 85? Does it apply in Washington state? 

Some public employees separate from work at age 55 and choose to start collecting their pension at age 65. We look at the pros and cons of this approach to retirement.
If you’re under 40 and thinking about this path, learn what factors you need to consider and how to plan.

Financial independence means a lot of things to different people. For some, it means you stop working and begin new adventures. For others, it means you’ve paid off your loans and can put that money towards other goals. Discover the steps you can take today to move towards this milestone.

Net worth is a popular term these days. But how do you figure out what your net worth is? And what if your net worth is a negative number?Our hosts discuss the two factors of new worth: what you owe - liabilities - and what you have - assets. Hint: you may have some valuable assets hiding in your garage.

If you want to save more for retirement, it might be time to look at where and how you’re saving. A supplemental account such as the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP) or a Roth IRA can boost your savings. We examine some of the best options for your retirement savings — including specific recommendations if you work in a school district.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by debt, you may have some questions about where to start. How do you decide which debt to pay first? Does the interest rate matter? What is APR? We look at some of the best tools and strategies for paying down your debt and what do after it’s paid off.

There are so many “What ifs” when it comes to managing your money. What if your car breaks down? What if you need to go to the hospital?
An emergency fund can help you prepare for the unexpected. So, how much should you save and where do you start? We offer some tips on how to master this crucial piece of budgeting.

When most people think about budgeting, they examine their spending. But it’s also important to look at your income. We take a peek at different ways to think about income including changing your tax withholdings, side hustles and how to estimate your retirement income.