Can money buy happiness?  You can have all the money in the world and be completely unhappy.  How can they use money and time to live happier lives.

In this episode of the Finance for Physicians Podcast, Daniel Wrenne talks to Jeff Wenger, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), about the science behind using money and time to attain happiness. In the previous episode, Jeff discussed how physicians can better align time and money management with their values. 

Topics Discussed:

Psychology and the Good Life: Laurie Santos’s scientific research on happiness

Laurie’s Lesson 1: Our minds are really bad at predicting happiness

Tangible vs. Intangible Things: What brings you the greatest happiness?

Laurie’s Lesson 2: Circumstances don’t play as big a role as people think they do

What drives happiness? 50% genes, 10% circumstances, 40% thoughts, actions, and attitudes

Laurie’s Lesson 3: Time versus money, which do you value more?

Spare Time: Spend money on things that save time for best return on happiness

Trade Offs: Delegate to make time and gain back time that brings happiness

Links:

Wrenne Financial Planning

The Science of Happiness and How to Improve Your Happiness (Free Course by Dr. Laurie Santos)

How to Be Happy: A Cheat Sheet

Free Tests to Help Measure Happiness

The Happiness Lab Podcast

The GI Joe Fallacy: knowing is not half the battle

How Much of Your Happiness Is Under Your Control?

The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want

High income improves evaluation of life but not emotional well-being by Daniel Kahneman and Angus Deaton

Fire Your Financial Advisor (WCI Online Course)

Finance for Physicians

You can have all the money in the world and be completely unhappy. Everybody wants to move closer toward living out their version of an ideal life.  Yet, the daily grind we all face tends to push us away from this. 

In this episode of the Finance for Physicians Podcast, Daniel Wrenne talks with his colleague Jeff Wenger, about how physicians can better align time and money management with their values.

Topics Discussed:

Where to begin? Start with a plan to align financial actions with values

Two Mindsets: Auto-pilot thinking versus deliberate thinking

Awareness: Start with gaining awareness of your actions

Time and Money Management Exercise: Find ways to track what you’ve done

Awkward Conversations/Characteristics: Plan for success, write your obituary

Life Planning: Kinder’s 3 questions about living out your ideal life

New Day-to-Day Decisions: Say ‘no’ to things that don’t align with your values

Ideal Calendar: Prioritize values by making time and space on your calendar

Should you stay on auto-pilot? No, do something, take action to help your wealth

Links:

Jeff Wenger on LinkedIn

Wrenne Financial Planning

Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

Toggl

RescueTime

Mint

Moment

Three Questions - George Kinder

Dad Tired Podcast

Using a Values-Based Lens to Identify Financial Blindspots by Daniel Wrenne

Finance for Physicians

Physicians seeking independent financial planning advice at a fair price should find financial advisors who mitigate conflicts of interest that cause more harm than good.

In this episode of the Finance for Physicians Podcast, Daniel Wrenne talks to Donovan Sanchez, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and founder of Skyview Financial Planning. Donovan covers different conflicts of interest that most people are unaware of and the importance of disclosure requirements to find a quality financial advisor.

Topics Discussed:

Financial Advisor Types: Anybody working in the financial services industry

Compensation Models: Pay for services via commission, fee-only, or fee-based

Challenging Conflict: Provide advice in advisor’s and client’s best interest

Teaching/Training: How to make sales and do financial planning to offer advice

Major Manufacturers: Research proprietary products, means of distribution to sell

Learn Language: Talk like a financial advisor to focus on quality or make sales

Clients and Referrals: How many to make sales and create custom plan/advice

Disclosure: Put client’s interests first and disclose/manage conflicts of interest

Space and Stability: Become a good financial advisor before giving advice

Find Financial Advisor: Reach out to identify training, guidance, and get paid

Future of Financial Advice: Take step forward to regulate financial advisor title

Links:

Donovan Sanchez’s Website

Donovan Sanchez’s Articles on Conflicts of Interest:

https://thephysicianphilosopher.com/the-code-conflicts-and-client-interests/

https://www.physicianonfire.com/financial-advisor-confessions/

https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/confessions-of-a-financial-advisor/

Daniel Wrenne’s Article on Transitioning Away from Northwestern Mutual: https://www.kitces.com/blog/one-northwestern-mutual-insurance-brokers-breakaway-to-fee-only-ria-in-just-months/

Northwestern Mutual CFP Disclosure

Dave Ramsey’s The Total Money Makeover

Finance for Physicians

Why do physicians in training fail to focus on their personal finances? Why aren’t they willing to own their mistakes, learn from them, and teach others how to avoid them?

In this episode of the Finance for Physicians Podcast, Daniel Wrenne talks to Dr. Jordan Frey about his financial journey and how he went from burying his head in the sand to gaining full control over his finances.  Along the way, he created the Prudent Plastic Surgeon blog to help increase financial literacy within the profession and help his colleagues avoid the mistakes he made.  Jordan recently completed his plastic surgery residency and fellowship in microsurgery at NYU. Now, he serves as a plastic surgeon at Erie County Medical Center (ECMC).  He also created the Prudent Plastic Surgeon blog where he shares more on his financial journey. 

Topics Discussed:

Financially Clueless: It’s so easy to bury your head in the sand

Financial Well-being: Climb out of the hole and sort out your personal finances

Success: What is wealth? Financial well-being and focusing on what matters

Culture of Consumerism: You are what you buy versus what makes sense

Narcissism? Jordan got into medicine to be a better doctor, not to make money

Financial Failures: Admit to what you don’t know and learn from your mistakes

Time Constraint: Excuse or reality to find time to focus on personal finances

In Training Paychecks: Start small, avoid lifestyle creep, save rather than spend

Personal and Financial Well-being: Establish ‘why’ to make the ‘how’ easier

Lack of Financial Literacy: Physicians are easy targets for non-fiduciary advisors

Financial Metrics: Check bank accounts to stay on budget and track net worth

Financial Literacy Blind Spots: Continue financial education and take action

Links:

Jordan Frey’s Blog

Jordan Frey’s Email

Jordan Frey’s Work Profile

Jordan Frey’s Journey

The Millionaire Next Door - Thomas Stanley

The Millionaire Real Estate Investor - Gary Keller

White Coat Investor

Finance for Physicians Net Worth Tracking Template

Finance for Physicians

What should physicians do with their federal student loans? How does PSLF work? When should you consider private refinance?

In this episode of the Finance for Physicians Podcast, Daniel Wrenne talks to Travis Hornsby, founder of Student Loan Planner—a website, blog, podcast and planning service focused on everything related to student loans.

Topics Discussed: 

Basics of Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF):

How PSLF works

Key strategies to impact bottom line

Student loan mistakes to avoid

Future of student loans

COVID Forbearance and Consolidation: Don’t lose PSLF-qualifying payments due to bad advice

Student Loan Loopholes: Breadwinner, Biden, Double Debt, and Marriage

PSLF Snowball Effect: Spread knowledge to stop skepticism

PSLF Process: Start by completing certification form to certify income and credit

Repayment Plans:

Income-Driven Repayment (IDR)

Pay As You Earn (PAYE)

Revised Pay As You Earn (RePAYE)

Presidents and Predictions: More generous government funded student loans

Student Loans Stipend: Not-for-profit hospitals’ recruitment efforts hurt, not help

Forgiveness: Save for and invest in other goals to live without debt regret

Links:

Student Loan Planner

When RePAYE and PAYE Clash

St Loan flowchart on repayment options

ECF Form Instructions

IDR Plan Information

PSLF Application Instructions

PSLF Data on Forgiveness vs. Approval

Student Loan Planner's Calculator

NHSC Loan Repayment Program

What You Can Do For Your Country Act

Finance for Physicians

Nobody’s perfect. Everyone needs to take care of their mental health, including physicians. Perfectionism in medicine can spill over into physicians’ personal finances.

In this episode of the Finance for Physicians Podcast, Daniel Wrenne talks to Dr. Michael Myers about physician perfectionism. Michael is professor of clinical psychiatry at SUNY-Downstate Medical Center and author of eight books covering everything from physician suicide and mental health to physician marriages.

Topics Discussed:

Tyranny of Perfectionism: Extreme perfection can affect productivity

Good Enough: Strive for excellence, but find and accept balanced portion

Human Humor: Welcome to medical school, you’re (not) the best and brightest

Imposter Syndrome: Message of perfectionism leads to inferiority

Survive and Thrive: Perfectionism is expected, to err is human

Demographics and Diagnoses: Diverse physician and patient population

Signs: Worry too much, stay too late, struggle with competence and confidence?

House of Medicine Stigma: Should doctors ask for or need help?

Physician Personalities and Psychiatry: Self-resolve or seek help with triggers

Money Management: Most physicians are not gifted in economics/business

Marriage and Money: Keeping up with the Joneses linked to perfectionism

Priviledge or Poverty: Physician’s upbringing is pressure to maintain or do better

Married to Doctors: Say and do something in a loving manner; listen and get help

Co-parenting: Compliment and cut back on child’s activities; time is not unlimited

Links:

Michael F. Myers, MD

Tyranny of Perfectionism

American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

Imposter Syndrome

Smart Marriages

Gottman (Research Based Approach to Relationships)

Married to Doctors (Lara McDeep)

What My Shrink Would Say Podcast - Perfectionism

Therapy for Black Girls - Perfectionism

Thomas Curran - TED Talk: Our dangerous obsession with perfectionism is getting worse

Thomas Curran - Perfectionism Is Increasing, and That's Not Good News

JAMA

Psychology Today

Finance for Physicians

If you avoid talking about money with your children, then who pays for it later in life? Whether you know it or not, you’re teaching your children about money every day. Teach them what works and what doesn’t when it comes to finances. 

In this episode of the Finance for Physicians Podcast, Daniel Wrenne talks to Dr. David Weisenhorn about money and parenting. David is a Senior Extension Specialist for Parenting and Child Adolescence Education at the University of Kentucky. 

Topics Discussed: 

What is a family scientist? Mixes psychology and sociology focused on families

Taboo Topic: Money isn’t up for conversation; vulnerabilities around values

Lack of Education: Discussing finances in not covered in traditional curriculum

Effects: Educate children to avoid risk of not using and handling money properly

Mistakes: Avoiding subject of money doesn’t mean kids won’t use/experience it

Proactive Parenting: Daily practice of teaching children how to deal with money

Financial Literacy: Learn jargon and teach simple concepts via currency games 

Money Personalities: Habits and attitudes toward spending and saving 

Sink or Swim? Worth it to learn value of dollar early on to gain knowledge

Allowances/Chores: Required versus going above and beyond to earn money

Intrinsic/Extrinsic Motivators: Monetary incentives and sustainability of actions

Zone of Proximal Development: Allow children to make and learn from mistakes

Goals and Expectations: Smart small, don’t overpay, earn money from hard work  

Links:

Dr. David Weisenhorn

University of Kentucky’s Extension Office

Money Habitudes Game

The Game of LIFE

Monopoly Game

Lev Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development and Scaffolding 

Finance for Physicians

What is your relationship like with money? Are you always trying to keep up with the Joneses? Would you and your partner benefit from financial therapy? Don’t judge, because everybody can benefit from therapy.  

In this episode of the Finance for Physicians Podcast, Daniel Wrenne talks to Ed Coambs, a licensed marriage and family therapist, certified financial planner (CFP), and founder of Charlotte Couples Counseling. Ed shares practical tips to improve your financial behaviors and relationship with money.

Topics Discussed: 

Couples Around Money: Mix of emotion, experiences, and desire to connect    

Why financial therapy? Financial stress due to thoughts, emotions, behaviors 

Pain Points: Spending versus saving is challenging and problematic for couples 

Power Control: What does money mean and represent? What is valued most? 

Equal Partnership? Understand social meaning of professional identity 

Converted Skeptic: Everybody can benefit from therapy with ability to heal

Male Psyche: Character defect or discomfort doesn’t make a narcissist    

Financial Flashpoints: Partner’s experiences and expectations around money

Money Management: Yours, mine, or our money in separate or joint accounts

Money Egg Exercise: Is your relationship with money positive or negative?

Links:

Charlotte Couples Counseling

Healthy Love and Money

Family Money Tree Course 

Ed Coambs on Instagram

Money Egg Exercise

ACES Study 

The Mask You Live In 

Brad Klontz: Financial Flashpoints and Money Scripts 

Dr. Dan Siegel: Neural Integration 

Financial Therapy Association

Physicians are super busy people, but the key is educating them to make the right decisions. What should every physician know about incorporating long-term disability insurance into their financial picture to help them live better lives?  

In this episode of the Finance for Physicians Podcast, Daniel Wrenne talks to Larry Keller, founder of Physician Financial Services. Larry is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and insurance agent who helps physicians secure and maintain life and disability insurance. 

Topics Discussed: 

Basics of Long-term Disability Insurance: 

Best rates and discounts

Finding an agent

Being an educated buyer

Understanding key contract provisions

Comparing insurance companies

What is long term disability insurance?

Types of Disability Coverage: Group, individual, and association 

Special coverage amounts for residents, fellows and new in-practice physicians 

Right Time to Buy: Sooner than later and when you don't think you need it

COVID: Practices shut down, so what happens without income?

Guaranteed standard issue plans and pre-existing medical conditions

Cost range for long term disability insurance for residents and fellows

Unisex/Gender Neutral: Coverage provides blended rates for males and females

Physician and Agent Discounts: Same structure, same policy, but different prices

Own Occupation: Ensures ability/inability to do job duties for medical specialty

Lease w/Option to Buy: Graded premiums or fixed costs where coverage is same

Put in Time Now: Understand what and why you’re getting, paying, and doing

Links:

Larry Keller’s Email

Larry Keller’s Phone: 516-677-6211

Physician Financial Services

Finance for Physicians

What is a physician mortgage? How does it compare to a conventional mortgage? Why is it important to work with a mortgage lender that you trust and that also knows his or her stuff?

In this episode of the Finance for Physicians Podcast, Daniel Wrenne talks to Richard Ricci, a loan officer from Truist (formerly SunTrust Mortgage). Richard graduated with a business degree from the University of Florida and has made mortgage lending and quality of service his passion. Richard specializes in Truist’s industry leading Doctor Loan program. However, he is an expert in all types of mortgage loans, including conventional, VA, FHA, Jumbo, and new construction.

Topics Discussed: 

Basics of Physician Mortgages: 

How qualification works

How credit scores play into loan requirements

Best practices when shopping for lenders and comparing rates

Differences between physician mortgages and conventional loans

What’s with mortgage rates? Lowest they’ve ever been—keep getting lower

Physician Loan Benefits: Lower down payment with no PMI

Debt-to-Income Ratio: Determines maximum loan amounts

Credit Scores: Depends on lender, but higher credit score, better interest rate

All that matters? Don’t be misled by lenders’ interest rates and closing costs 

Compare and Consider: APR and lender fees on good faith/loan estimate 

15- vs. 30-Year Loan Options: Go with 30-year fixed rate, just in case 

Denied?! Gatekeeper cares, limits stress, and knows physician loan guidelines     

Links:

Richard Ricci - Truist Physician and Jumbo Loan Specialist (NMLSR #659699)

Richard Ricci’s Email

Richard Ricci on Facebook

Richard Ricci’s Phone: 855.501.6730

Richard Ricci’s Cell: 904.994.0847

Credit Karma

myFICO

Finance for Physicians