The Shield Finance
Financial Insights for First Responders
Practical money guidance built around the realities of a first responder career.
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When Two People Share a Life But Not a Financial Plan
Most couples argue about money without realizing the real issue is having no shared plan. The SHIELD Financial Coaching Framework…
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Are We on the Same Page? — A Couples Finance Discussion
Money is one of the most intimate conversations a couple can have — and one of the most avoided. A…
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The Hardest Words to Say: “I Need Help With My Money”
On overcoming the fear of asking for financial help — and what changes when you do.
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You Have $0 Saved for Retirement. Here’s Exactly What to Do First.
Starting from zero isn’t a character flaw. It’s a starting point. Here’s a practical, step-by-step path to building retirement savings…
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The 3 Financial Mistakes Officers Make in Their First 5 Years
The first five years of a law enforcement career set the financial tone for everything that follows. Here are the…
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What a Financial Coach Does That a Financial Advisor Doesn’t
Financial coaching and financial advising are not the same thing — and understanding the difference matters for officers who want…
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Top 5 Things Officers Can Do Right Now to Stabilize Their Finances
Financial instability isn’t a character flaw. For most officers, it’s a system problem — or more accurately, the absence of…
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Saving for Your First Home: A Game Plan Built for Officers
Most officers I talk to want to own a home. They want the stability. They want something to show for…
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Where Does Your Paycheck Actually Go?
Most first responders know exactly how much they make. Almost none of them can tell me where it goes. Here’s…
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IU retirement plan
A plain-English guide to how Indiana University’s retirement benefits actually work — and what IU staff should be doing with…