The Shield Finance Blog

Career & Income

Financial education, coaching insights, and real talk about money for first responders.

Plan for the Destination and the Journey
Career & Income
Plan for the Destination and the Journey

Most people think about their finances the way they think about a destination. Retirement. A paid-off house. A number that means they’ve arrived. That’s the landing. And it…

Jun 21, 2026 · Ryan Skaggs
Coaching → Planning → Investment Management: Planning Your Money for the Long Term
Career & Income
Coaching → Planning → Investment Management: Planning Your Money for the Long Term

There’s a path to getting your financial life right — and it isn’t the same for everyone, and it doesn’t start in the same place for everyone. But…

May 28, 2026 · Ryan Skaggs
The Two-Account System That Changed How I Manage Money on Shift
Career & Income
The Two-Account System That Changed How I Manage Money on Shift

The Two-Account System That Changed How I Manage Money on Shift I’m not a morning person. After a night shift — especially after a stretch of them —…

May 12, 2026 · Ryan Skaggs
It’s Here.
Career & Income
It’s Here.

Today is May 11th. Financial Survival for Law Enforcement is out. The hardcover is available now. The paperback follows tomorrow. The Kindle edition is also live for anyone…

May 11, 2026 · Ryan Skaggs
Financial Survival for Law Enforcement — It’s Almost Here
Career & Income
Financial Survival for Law Enforcement — It’s Almost Here

I’ve always been a reader. I’ve always wanted to write a book. I’ve had two books that I work on on vacations or in my free time, but…

May 5, 2026 · Ryan Skaggs
Spring Cleaning Your Finances
Career & Income
Spring Cleaning Your Finances

Spring Cleaning Your Finances Every spring, people attack their closets. They pull out everything that’s been sitting in the back corners since October, throw away what doesn’t fit,…

Apr 29, 2026 · Ryan Skaggs
Registered.
Career & Income
Registered.

Registered. The Indiana Securities Division approved The Shield Finance as a registered investment advisory firm. I’m going to let that sit for a second. This has been in…

Apr 23, 2026 · Ryan Skaggs
What I Learned in My First Month as a Financial Coach
Career & Income
What I Learned in My First Month as a Financial Coach

I went into month one with a clear framework and a lot of conviction. Here’s what I came out with — and what I’d do differently.

Apr 22, 2026 · Ryan Skaggs
Who We Serve
Career & Income
Who We Serve

Our natural niche is law enforcement and first responders — but the financial principles apply to anyone. Here’s who we work with and what we’re really here to do.

Apr 18, 2026 · Ryan Skaggs
What Actually Happens in Your First Few Sessions With a Financial Coach
Career & Income
What Actually Happens in Your First Few Sessions With a Financial Coach

Not sure what to expect from working with a financial coach? Here’s exactly what the first four sessions look like — what we cover, what you leave with, and what it definitely doesn’t feel like.

Apr 15, 2026 · Ryan Skaggs
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