Fiscal Firehouse

FIREFIGHTER FINANCIAL ACADEMY – PART 3: EVERYTHING ELSE

You've started building a strong financial foundation. You've learned the basics of investing. But what about all the other financial decisions that can impact your future and your family's security?

Welcome back to the Fiscal Firehouse Podcast!

In Part 3 of our Firefighter Financial Academy series, Jon and Louie tackle the important financial topics that don't always get the attention they deserve.

From updating your beneficiaries and creating a will to choosing life insurance, buying your first home, and protecting your income, we're covering the financial loose ends that every firefighter should understand.

🔥 IN THIS EPISODE:

✅ Beneficiaries & Estate Planning – Why keeping your beneficiary designations updated may be one of the most important financial decisions you make.

✅ Wills & Trusts – Understanding how to protect your assets and provide for the people you care about.

✅ Life Insurance – Term life versus whole life insurance, how much coverage you might need, and the importance of protecting your family.

✅ Buying a Home – When purchasing makes sense, renting versus buying, and the hidden costs of homeownership.

✅ Disability Insurance – Understanding your department's benefits and protecting your income if you can no longer work.

✅ Money & Relationships – Why honest financial conversations with your spouse or partner are essential to long-term success.

Whether you're a brand-new firefighter, a veteran approaching retirement, or somewhere in between, this episode will help you identify the financial details that deserve your attention.

YOUR ACTION ITEMS:

1. Review and update your beneficiary designations.
2. Understand the benefits available through your fire department.
3. Create or review your will and estate plan.
4. Have an open conversation about money with your spouse or partner.

Because firefighting is a difficult job. Making sound financial decisions shouldn't be.

⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 – Welcome to the Fiscal Firehouse
02:00 – The Financial Topics We Often Overlook
05:00 – Estate Planning & Beneficiaries
11:00 – Wills, Trusts & Protecting Your Family
20:00 – Life Insurance: What Firefighters Should Know
27:00 – Term Life vs. Whole Life Insurance
33:00 – Buying a Home: Is It the Right Decision?
46:00 – Disability Insurance & Protecting Your Income
48:00 – Money, Marriage & Relationships
53:00 – Your Financial Action Items & Final Thoughts

Chapter times are approximate and should be checked against the final YouTube edit.

🎙️ ABOUT THE FISCAL FIREHOUSE

The Fiscal Firehouse Podcast is dedicated to helping professional firefighters make smarter financial decisions, build long-term wealth, and prepare for retirement.

PLAN | INVEST | GROW | RETIRE

Our mission is simple: Help firefighters retire on their terms.

🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

https://fiscalfirehouse.transistor.fm/

🤝 PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

Colorado's Firefighter Federal Credit Union

https://dfdfcu.com/

Special thanks to Local 1309 for its continued support.
https://www.westmetrofirefighters.org/

Wills for Heros:
https://www.willsforheroes.org/program.html

🔔 JOIN THE FIREHOUSE

If you found this episode helpful, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE it with your crew.

Have a financial question you'd like us to tackle? Drop it in the comments!

Stay Safe & Keep Saving! 🚒💰

⚠️ DISCLAIMER

The Fiscal Firehouse Podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute individualized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Consult qualified professionals regarding your personal circumstances. The opinions expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent their employers or affiliated organizations.

#FiscalFirehouse #FirefighterFinancialAcademy #FirefighterFinance #FinancialLiteracy #EstatePlanning #LifeInsurance #FirefighterRetirement #PersonalFinance #FinancialFreedom

Investing Basics for Firefighters: Stocks, Bonds, Index Funds, and Keeping Fees Low

Jon Beattie and Louis Barela continue their Firefighter Financial Academy series with an investing basics episode aimed at helping firefighters build financial independence by living below their means, staying out of debt, and investing early and often. They explain stocks as ownership and bonds as lending, discuss volatility and risk tolerance, and emphasize broad diversification through low-cost index funds like the S&P 500 and total market funds, including target date funds that automatically rebalance from stocks to bonds over time. They compare traditional versus Roth 457 contributions (tax later vs. tax now), highlight the power of compounding growth, and stress that pensions typically cover 75–80% but may lack cost-of-living adjustments, making supplemental saving critical. They also warn that fees and active management can significantly reduce long-term returns, and suggest transparency and fiduciary, CFP-level guidance when needed

Firefighter Financial Academy – Part 1: Foundations lays the groundwork for building financial independence throughout your fire service career. Jon and Louie break down the three fundamental pillars of personal finance: live below your means, get out and stay out of debt, and invest early and often.

From budgeting around base pay and managing overtime to understanding debt, credit, compound growth, and the importance of starting early, this episode is about making the right financial decisions today so you can retire on your terms tomorrow.

Fiscal Firehouse — Financial education built for firefighters.

Sponsorship:
Colorado's Firefighter Federal Credit Union https://dfdfcu.com

Roth or Traditional 457—which is right for you? In this episode, we break down how 457 plans work alongside a firefighter pension, compare Roth and Traditional contributions, discuss tax and withdrawal considerations, and highlight common mistakes to avoid when planning for retirement.

Sponsorship:
Colorado's Firefighter Federal Credit Union https://dfdfcu.com

In today’s episode, Jon and Louie tackle the world of insurance and why having the right coverage can save your financial future. From life insurance to disability coverage, they break down the policies you actually need without putting you to sleep faster than the annual HIPPA training.

Great Colorado Payback: https://unclaimedproperty.colorado.gov/

FPPA Death and Disability: https://www.fppaco.org/files/789282a21/SWDD-Brochure.pdf

Jon and Louie are diving headfirst into sports betting, prediction markets, and the wild world of risk, reward, and questionable financial decisions. So grab your lucky jersey, trust your gut, and let’s see if today’s picks pay off. 

In this episode of The Fiscal Firehouse, we break down one of the most important tools in your financial toolkit: the emergency fund. We cover what it is, when you should actually use it, and how to steadily build it.  You’ll also learn where to keep your emergency fund so it stays accessible, safe, and working for you.

Site for evaluating high yield savings accounts: https://www.depositaccounts.com/savings/

Jon and Louie dive into why teaching your kids about money early can be one of the most powerful financial decisions you ever make. From 529 plans, Roth IRAs, custodial accounts, and the new Trump Accounts, we’ll walk through practical ways to start investing for your child’s future goals. If you’re building wealth at the firehouse and at home, this episode is for you.

Dave Ramsey Smart Saver Bank for Kids: https://www.amazon.com/Ramsey-Press-Smart-Saver-Bank/dp/1942121938

Money Savvy Piggy Bank: https://www.moneysavvy.com/products/money_savvy_pig.html

Money Scripts book: Mind Over Money: Ted and Brad Klontz: https://www.amazon.com/Mind-over-Money-Overcoming-Disorders/dp/038553101X

529 College Savings Plans: College Invest: https://www.collegeinvest.org/first-step/

Fidelity Youth Brokerage Account: https://www.fidelity.com/go/youth-account/overview?imm_pid=124015078522&immid=100884_SEA&imm_eid=ep1268837510600&utm_source=GOOGLE&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_account_id=5320447233&utm_campaign=YAC&utm_content=124015078522&utm_term=fidelity+youth+account&utm_campaign_id=100884&utm_id=13125989008&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=13125989008&gbraid=0AAAAAD7OUhJxxqJvZscldGAfiQH1eBUPn&gclid=CjwKCAiAwNDMBhBfEiwAd7ti1IdL0tBVTN0WUlIarfhuZSpHQcNgmtil-qe-5RWuOAUMaF4FYB2BmxoCBTIQAvD_BwE

 In today’s episode of Fiscal Firehouse, we’re laying the groundwork for strong financial momentum heading into 2026 by building healthy, sustainable money habits. Drawing inspiration from Atomic Habits by James Clear, we break down how small, consistent actions can lead to big financial wins over time. You’ll learn how to design your environment, simplify your systems, and stay consistent even when motivation fades. If you’re ready to stop relying on willpower and start building habits that actually stick, this episode is for you. 

In this episode of The Fiscal Firehouse, Jon and Louie dive into a topic firefighters ask about all the time: taxable brokerage accounts. They break down what a brokerage account is, how it compares to retirement accounts like the 457, and when it actually makes sense to use one. From tax treatment and flexibility to common mistakes and real-world examples, they unpack the pros and cons in plain language. If you’ve ever wondered where a brokerage account fits into your overall financial plan, this episode brings clarity without the jargon.