Financial Wellness for First Responders: Expert Insights on Managing Money, and Retirement

Hosts:

Dr. Ashlee Gethner, LCSW – Child of a Police Officer

Jennifer Woosley Saylor, LPCC S – Child of a Police Officer

Guest:

Brian Box CFS, Retired US Army & Police Sergeant

Episode Overview:

In this enlightening episode, Ashlee and Jennifer welcome Brian Box—former army officer, police sergeant, and now financial advisor—to unpack the unique financial challenges and opportunities faced by first responders. The conversation weaves Brian’s personal journey from military to law enforcement and eventually into financial planning, illustrating firsthand how these careers impact financial wellness, family life, and long-term stability.

 

Key Topics Covered

Brian’s Journey: Brian shares his background from Texas A&M to the U.S. Army, his years as a police officer, and ultimately the career pivots and financial planning that led him into advising other first responders.

Unique Financial Challenges for First Responders: The trio discusses overtime as a built-in option for many first responders, the trap of “lifestyle creep” with higher base pay, and the stress of balancing multiple roles at home and work.

Financial Wellness & Family Impact: How money stress contributes to marital strain and higher-than-average divorce rates among first responders, and practical tips for healthy budgeting.

Budgeting & Debt: Brian dives into why a budget is your top wealth-building tool, the debt snowball method, and how to break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle common in 80% of U.S. households.

Retirement & Pensions: Explanation of first responder pension systems, their limits, and what planning for retirement really looks like—especially for those entering the field later in life.

Teaching & Resources: Details about the financial education classes Brian and his team provide to academies and departments, plus online resources like their “Legacy Go Bag” for organizing wills and vital documents.

Success Stories & Impact: Brian shares small but important victories—helping first responders pay off debt, retire with confidence, and break destructive financial cycles for good.

 

If this episode resonated with you or if you have stories to share about living with a first responder, reach out to Ashlee and Jennifer on their social media platforms!

 

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