Resources

Resources

The Happy Meter Podcast

Welcome to The Happy Meter podcast, where Kevin and Justin, two full-time teachers and best friends, discuss strategies to balance financial wellness and personal happiness. We have different passions, interests, spending habits, and financial burdens, but purposeful thinking, intentional budgeting, travel hacks, and a clear sense of what moves our individual “Happy Meters” has put us on a path to achieve the impossible: Retire on a humble salary after living our lives to the fullest!

LISTEN TO MORE EPISODES HERE

We’ve also been featured on:

Financially Independent Teachers podcast:

On this episode, Justin does a deep dive with us regarding open enrollment, health benefits and options for teachers to store their money and legally hide money from the IRS.  According to Justin, “Part of why America’s wealth gap is widening is because our financial system is not set up to support middle class Americans. It infuriates me that selfless and dedicated educators  are kept from the high-quality, unbiased, affordable financial services often reserved for those contributing far less to society. So-called “financial professionals” who earn commission by selling you expensive life insurance plans or unnecessary 403b products do not deserve your trust or investment! I am tired of seeing my fellow overworked, underappreciated, service-minded Americans have their financial futures taken out from under them, unable to live the life of their dreams. Educators, young professionals, healthcare heroes, and first responders deserve better.”

October 2023

LISTEN HERE

Teach and Retire Rich podcast:

Teacher-turned planner, Justin Garritt goes deep on student loans including sharing an important deadline (December 31, 2023) for those looking to get maximum value out of PSLF (Public Service Loan Forgiveness).

October 2023

LISTEN HERE

Financially Independent Teachers podcast:

Dave and Brandon welcome back a great friend to the show, Justin Garritt.  Justin joined us last season for a fun and inspiring episode on next level credit card rewards hacking.  Part I  of this episode shares the story of Justin going from Baltimore teacher to being a financial planner who helps teachers get on track with their money.  Part II is Dave, Brandon and Justin having a little fun with the audience and quizzing the listeners on some personal finance knowledge.   Listen in and see how well you score!

December 2022

LISTEN HERE

Financially Independent Teachers podcast:

Free flights, free lodging and discounted rental cars sound good to you? You don’t want to miss our repeat guests discuss credit cards and travel rewards in our second to last episode of season #1!

December 2021

LISTEN HERE

Financially Independent Teachers podcast:

Listen to Justin interviewed about his own personal financial journey as a teacher and financial advisor. This also includes basic investment information and financial strategies that can benefit everyone, especially educators.

May 2021

LISTEN HERE

Teach and Retire Rich podcast:

Listen to Justin interviewed about his travel optimization strategies on the Teach and Retire Rich Podcast.

April 2021

YOU CAN ALSO LISTEN HERE

Radical Civility podcast:

Listen to Justin discuss the start of Garritt Financial Solutions, overall savings strategies, and his optimistic view on the current state of the economy.

Mid-Covid 2020

CHECK IT OUT HERE

Teach and Retire Rich podcast:

Listen to Justin recently interviewed about his financial journey, road blocks, and creation of Garritt Financial Solutions LLC.

2019

YOU CAN ALSO LISTEN HERE

403(b) WISE

“As a Middle School Math Teacher, Justin (on right) teaches math to 110 6th grade students in Baltimore, MD. He infuses instruction with personal finance topics. Additionally, he serves as the grade level chairperson, leads the mentoring team, and and coaches the school’s baseball team.”

Read more of Justin’s short interview on 403(b) wise.

READ HERE

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Let's get your
future plan
started today. . .

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complimentary meeting

Anne Claire Tejtel Nornhold
Registered Investment Advisor

Anne Claire joined Teach for America, a program that helps staff under-resourced school districts, in 2000 and taught in Baltimore City for 11 years before moving to a central office role.  She has been passionate about personal finance and teaching it to others ever since she started investing at the age of 22.  In 2021 she began an apprenticeship with Garritt Financial Solutions and loved it so much that she began studying for the Uniform Investment Advisor Law Examination, which she passed in June of 2022.  She joined Garritt Financial Solutions in 2023 as an Investment Advisor Representative.

Anne Claire is passionate about empowering clients to pay off debt, build wealth, and develop the financial confidence and mastery that leads to a fulfilling and financially stress-free life.  She is the recipient of the Kinder Award for Excellence in Teaching, a two-time finalist for Baltimore City Teacher of the Year, and a former Teaching Ambassador Fellow with the U.S. Department of Education. She has two young children and loves to read, play sports, and spend time outdoors.

Justin Garritt
Founder and Registered Investment Advisor

Justin joined Teach for America in 2011 and worked as a middle school math teacher and baseball coach in Baltimore City. He earned a Master of Arts in Education in 2013 while teaching full-time, and subsequently earned an Education Administration Certificate at Johns Hopkins University in 2014.

In 2015 Justin completed the rigorous Baltimore City Model Teacher Pathway portfolio process. In 2018, he took a yearlong sabbatical to travel and complete Financial Planning coursework at Boston University. In 2019, he successfully passed the Uniform Investment Advisor Law Examination, the licensing test required to provide investing and general financial advice to clients, and filed Garritt Financial Solutions LLC with the State of Maryland.

In 2020, Justin was officially registered as an Investment Advisor Representative and began serving clients. In 2021, Justin was awarded the prestigious Harriet Ball Award for Excellence in Teaching because of his impact on his students. Justin left teaching in 2022 to pursue his passion of changing more lives through financial planning.  He currently works with over 100 clients.  Justin loves spending time with family and friends, traveling, being outdoors, and living an adventurous life.

Anne Claire Tejtel Nornhold
Registered Investment Advisor

Anne Claire joined Teach for America, a program that helps staff under-resourced school districts, in 2000 and taught in Baltimore City for 11 years before moving to a central office role.  She has been passionate about personal finance and teaching it to others ever since she started investing at the age of 22.  In 2021 she began an apprenticeship with Garritt Financial Solutions and loved it so much that she began studying for the Uniform Investment Advisor Law Examination, which she passed in June of 2022.  She joined Garritt Financial Solutions in 2023 as an Investment Advisor Representative.

Anne Claire is passionate about empowering clients to pay off debt, build wealth, and develop the financial confidence and mastery that leads to a fulfilling and financially stress-free life.  She is the recipient of the Kinder Award for Excellence in Teaching, a two-time finalist for Baltimore City Teacher of the Year, and a former Teaching Ambassador Fellow with the U.S. Department of Education. She has two young children and loves to read, play sports, and spend time outdoors.

Justin Garritt
Founder and Registered Investment Advisor

Justin joined Teach for America in 2011 and worked as a middle school math teacher and baseball coach in Baltimore City. He earned a Master of Arts in Education in 2013 while teaching full-time, and subsequently earned an Education Administration Certificate at Johns Hopkins University in 2014.

In 2015 Justin completed the rigorous Baltimore City Model Teacher Pathway portfolio process. In 2018, he took a yearlong sabbatical to travel and complete Financial Planning coursework at Boston University. In 2019, he successfully passed the Uniform Investment Advisor Law Examination, the licensing test required to provide investing and general financial advice to clients, and filed Garritt Financial Solutions LLC with the State of Maryland.

In 2020, Justin was officially registered as an Investment Advisor Representative and began serving clients. In 2021, Justin was awarded the prestigious Harriet Ball Award for Excellence in Teaching because of his impact on his students. Justin left teaching in 2022 to pursue his passion of changing more lives through financial planning.  He currently works with over 100 clients.  Justin loves spending time with family and friends, traveling, being outdoors, and living an adventurous life.