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When it comes to finances, we all frequently focus on what we need to do and how best to improve our financial circumstances (and our families’). In this episode of Financial Clarity for Doctors, hosts Rachelle Vanderzanden and Corey Janoff discuss financial milestones where you can sit back and bask in the glow of your successes, big and small!
Financial successes vary widely depending on your stage of life. They can include:
In early stages of life, it can feel like financial success is remote and unattainable. Take the time to celebrate the small stuff when you can and with your kids when they reach those milestones. They are all steps in the right direction. And as you get older, don’t forget to reflect on how far you’ve come.
For more financial planning tips from Corey and Rachelle, find them on social media!
Discussions in this show should not be construed as specific recommendations or investment advice. Always consult with your investment professional before making important investment decisions.
Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. Finity Group, LLC is a separate entity from LPL Financial.
In this episode of Financial Clarity for Doctors, hosts Corey Janoff and Rachelle Vanderzanden discuss the pros and cons of buying versus leasing a car. You make think the answer is clear, but just like with everything in financial planning, it depends!
Considerations discussed in this episode include:
It may seem that buying is automatically the best option. You will likely pay less long-term if you purchase a car and keep it for a long time, ending up with an asset (even if it has depreciated in value) and no monthly payment. But that may not fit your situation! Listen to the full episode to hear more.
For more financial planning tips from Corey and Rachelle, find them on social media!
Discussions in this show should not be construed as specific recommendations or investment advice. Always consult with your investment professional before making important investment decisions.
Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. Finity Group, LLC is a separate entity from LPL Financial.
Finity Group and LPL Financial do not provide legal advice or tax services. Please consult your legal advisor or tax advisor regarding your specific situation.
This material is for general information and educational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Finity Group and LPL Financial do not provide legal advice or tax services. Please consult your legal advisor or tax advisor regarding your specific situation.
Citations:
Auto Lease Calculator (citing Edmunds/Experian Q1 2026 data). Auto Lease Calculator 2026. https://caraffordcalc.com/tools/auto-lease-calculator/
“The Average Car Payment Just Hit a Record $777 a Month. That’s Not Even the Whole Bill.” Flexcar (citing Edmunds Q2 2026 data). July 20, 2026. https://www.flexcar.com/blog/the-average-car-payment-just-hit-a-record
Brozic, Jennifer. “Average Car Payment in 2026.” Experian. July 14, 2026. https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/average-car-payment/
Fitzpatrick, Mark. “Do I Need Gap Insurance on a Used Car in 2026?” MoneyGeek. September 1, 2026. https://www.moneygeek.com/insurance/auto/do-i-need-gap-insurance-on-a-used-car/
Fitzpatrick, Mark. “What Is Gap Insurance?” MoneyGeek. February 25, 2026. https://www.moneygeek.com/insurance/auto/what-is-gap-insurance/
Gunara, Maggie. “Average Car Payment and Auto Loan Statistics: 2026.” LendingTree. June 23, 2026. https://www.lendingtree.com/auto/debt-statistics/
Henry, Jim and Ryan Maxin. “Average Auto Loan Rates in September 2026.” U.S. News. September 8, 2026. https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/advice/average-auto-loan-interest-rates
Howard, Brittany. “Average auto loan interest rates by credit score in 2026.” Yahoo Finance (citing Experian Q1 2026 data). July 31, 2026. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/average-car-loan-interest-rates-212521067.html
Howard, Brittany. “Auto Loan Rates & Financing in 2026.” Bankrate. https://www.bankrate.com/loans/auto-loans/rates/
Lacagnina, Christine. “What Is Gap Insurance? 2026 Cost & How It Works.” InsuredBetter. June 10, 2026. https://www.insuredbetter.com/car-insurance/auto-coverage-types/gap/
Luthi, Beth. “Average Car Loan Interest Rates by Credit Score.” Experian. July 13, 2026. https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/average-car-loan-interest-rates-by-credit-score/
Luthi, Beth. “The Latest Used Car Loan Interest Rates for 2026.” Experian. July 14, 2026. https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/used-car-loan-rates/
Luthi, Beth. “Auto Loan Rates and Financing for 2026.” Experian. July 13, 2026. https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/auto-loan-rates-financing/
S&P Global Mobility (press release). “U.S. Vehicle Age Rises Again to 12.8 Years in 2025.” S&P Global. May 21, 2025. https://press.spglobal.com/2025-05-21-U-S-Vehicle-Age-Rises-Again-to-12-8-Years-in-2025,-According-to-S-P-Global-Mobility
Tretina, Kat. “Average cost of gap insurance in 2026.” Insure.com. June 5, 2026. https://www.insure.com/car-insurance/gap-insurance-cost/
In this episode, hosts Corey Janoff and Rachelle Vanderzanden walk through the hidden expenses that can derail your financial plan. While meticulous budgeting is not necessary for most high-income individuals, it can be helpful to “expect the unexpected”.
Hidden or Unexpected Expenses Can Include:
Especially as you plan for retirement, make sure to build some buffer into your expected income needs! If you think you may need $15,000 per month for regular expenses, be prepared to need more periodically for the big things that only happen occasionally. Listen to the full episode to hear more.
For more financial planning tips from Corey and Rachelle, find them on social media!
Discussions in this show should not be construed as specific recommendations or investment advice. Always consult with your investment professional before making important investment decisions.
Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. Finity Group, LLC is a separate entity from LPL Financial.
Finity Group and LPL Financial do not provide legal advice or tax services. Please consult your legal advisor or tax advisor regarding your specific situation.
This material is for general information and educational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Finity Group and LPL Financial do not provide legal advice or tax services. Please consult your legal advisor or tax advisor regarding your specific situation.
Citations:
Employee Benefits Security Administration. “Top 10 Ways to Prepare for Retirement.” U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/about-ebsa/our-activities/resource-center/publications/top-10-ways-to-prepare-for-retirement
Hughes, Carol R., Ph.D. LMFT, and Bruce R. Fredenburg, M.S., LMFT. “Why the Divorce Rate for Older Couples Continues to Rise.” Psychology Today. January 21, 2026. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/home-will-never-be-the-same-again/202108/why-the-divorce-rate-for-older-couples-continues-to
Ochieng, Nancy, Juliette Cubanski, Tricia Neuman, and Anthony Damico. “Health Costs Consume a Large Portion of Income for Millions of People with Medicare.” KFF. August 21, 2025. https://www.kff.org/medicare/health-costs-consume-a-large-portion-of-income-for-millions-of-people-with-medicare/
Palasciano, Adam. “How Much to Budget for Home Maintenance”. Investopedia. May 22, 2025. https://www.investopedia.com/home-maintenance-budget-8608913
Strange, William. “How much should high earners save for retirement each year?” Milliman. November 13, 2025. https://www.milliman.com/en/insight/how-much-should-high-earners-save-retirement
With the rollout of additional long-term savings vehicles for kids, the hosts of Financial Clarity for Doctors wanted to unpack a few of the different options out there! In this episode, hosts Corey Janoff and Rachelle Vanderzanden unpack the purpose and pros and cons of different vehicles designed to save funds for kids.
When you are building a savings plan for your kids:
Listen to the full episode to hear more detailed pros and cons of each account. As with everything in financial planning, what makes the most sense for you and your family depends on your individual circumstances.
For more financial planning tips from Corey and Rachelle, find them on social media!
Discussions in this show should not be construed as specific recommendations or investment advice. Always consult with your investment professional before making important investment decisions.
Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. Finity Group, LLC is a separate entity from LPL Financial.
Finity Group and LPL Financial do not provide legal advice or tax services. Please consult your legal advisor or tax advisor regarding your specific situation.
This material is for general information and educational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Investing involves risk including the loss of principal. There is no assurance that the views or strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or will yield positive outcomes. This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or investment advice. Please consult a qualified tax professional regarding your individual circumstances. Prior to investing in a 529 Plan investors should consider whether the investor's or designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program. Withdrawals used for qualified expenses are federally tax free. Tax treatment at the state level may vary. Please consult with your tax advisor before investing. Trump Accounts offer tax deferred growth on earnings. Family contributions are made with after tax dollars, and eligible employer contributions may be excluded from the employee’s taxable income. A one-time $1,000 federal contribution may be available for eligible children born between 2025 and 2028. Distributions are generally prohibited during the child's growth period and, once permitted, are taxable as ordinary income and may be subject to a 10% IRS early distribution penalty if taken before age 59½. Contribution limits and other restrictions apply, and some rules remain subject to future Treasury and IRS guidance. Finity Group and LPL Financial do not provide legal advice or tax services. Please consult your legal advisor or tax advisor regarding your specific situation.
Citations:
Internal Revenue Service. Topic no. 553, Tax on a child's investment and other unearned income (kiddie tax). https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc553.
Segal, Troy. Investopedia. UGMA Accounts: Understanding Custodial Gifts for Minors. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/u/ugma.asp.
Trump Accounts. https://trumpaccounts.gov/.
US Bank. Using 529 plans for K-12 education. https://www.usbank.com/wealth-management/financial-perspectives/financial-planning/using-529-plans-for-k-12.html.
It’s summer! Time for fun in the sun and extra time with friends and family, which can have an impact on the finances! In this episode of Financial Clarity for Doctors, hosts Corey Janoff and Rachelle Vanderzanden walk through a few things that can be helpful during a mid-year financial planning check.
Ideas for Summer Planning:
You can review your finances any time of year, but the summer can be a great mid-year reset. Sit back and relax on your deck with a cold beverage and lots of numbers! Sounds like fun to us!
For more financial planning tips from Corey and Rachelle, find them on social media!
Discussions in this show should not be construed as specific recommendations or investment advice. Always consult with your investment professional before making important investment decisions.
Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. Finity Group, LLC is a separate entity from LPL Financial.
Finity Group and LPL Financial do not provide legal advice or tax services. Please consult your legal advisor or tax advisor regarding your specific situation.
This material is for general information and educational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Investing involves risk including the loss of principal. There is no assurance that the views or strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or will yield positive outcomes. A Roth IRA conversion—sometimes called a backdoor Roth strategy—is a way to contribute to a Roth IRA when income exceeds standard limits. The converted amount is treated as taxable income and may affect your tax bracket. Federal, state, and local taxes may apply. If you’re required to take a minimum distribution in the year of conversion, it must be completed before converting. To qualify for tax-free withdrawals, you must generally be age 59½ and hold the converted funds in the Roth IRA for at least five years. Each conversion has its own five-year period, and early withdrawals may be subject to a 10% penalty unless an exception applies. Income limits still apply for future direct Roth IRA contributions. This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or investment advice. Please consult a qualified tax professional regarding your individual circumstances. Prior to investing in a 529 Plan investors should consider whether the investor's or designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program. Withdrawals used for qualified expenses are federally tax free. Tax treatment at the state level may vary. Please consult with your tax advisor before investing. Trump Accounts offer tax deferred growth on earnings. Family contributions are made with after tax dollars, and eligible employer contributions may be excluded from the employee’s taxable income. A one time $1,000 federal contribution may be available for eligible children born between 2025 and 2028. Distributions are generally prohibited during the child's growth period and, once permitted, are taxable as ordinary income and may be subject to a 10% IRS early distribution penalty if taken before age 59½. Contribution limits and other restrictions apply, and some rules remain subject to future Treasury and IRS guidance. Consult a qualified tax advisor or financial professional before making decisions. Rebalancing a portfolio may cause investors to incur tax liabilities and/or transaction costs and does not assure a profit or protect against a loss. Finity Group and LPL Financial do not provide legal advice or tax services. Please consult your legal advisor or tax advisor regarding your specific situation.
Citations:
Internal Revenue Service. Frequently asked questions on gift taxes. https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/frequently-asked-questions-on-gift-taxes.
Internal Revenue Service. Charitable contribution deductions.. https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/charitable-contribution-deductions.
Trump Accounts. https://trumpaccounts.gov/.
Bart, Susan T. and Connie T Eyster. What is a Trump Account? Rules, Taxes, and How They Work for Families. https://www.actec.org/resource-center/video/trump-accounts-explained/. 2026. The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.
In this episode of Financial Clarity for Doctors, hosts Corey Janoff and Rachelle Vanderzanden talk through some scenarios where it is helpful to have thick skin! With finances (and especially investing), it won’t always be fun.
Investing Challenges and Suggestions:
· Investment accounts will very likely go down in value at some point and may stay down for a while. BUT to date, have grown substantially over time.
o $1,000 invested in the S&P 500 in 1960 would be worth close to $127,000 today. Without dividends reinvested and without taking into consideration inflation.
· This is uncomfortable! But the discomfort is part of it.
· Mentally prepare yourself for the rough patches.
· Try not to make knee-jerk reactions or make decisions emotionally.
· Diversification can potentially lessen some of the bumps in the road.
Investing is not for the faint of heart! Celebrate the wins but accept the likelihood that investment returns will not always be rosy.
For more financial planning tips from Corey and Rachelle, find them on social media! LinkedIn: @CoreyJanoff; Instagram: @CoreyJanoff and @VanderzandenRachelle; and Twitter: @CoreyJanoffCFP
Discussions in this show should not be construed as specific recommendations or investment advice. Always consult with your investment professional before making important investment decisions.
Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. Finity Group, LLC is a separate entity from LPL Financial.
Finity Group and LPL Financial do not provide legal advice or tax services. Please consult your legal advisor or tax advisor regarding your specific situation.
This material is for general information and educational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Investing involves risk including the loss of principal. There is no assurance that the views or strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or will yield positive outcomes. Finity Group and LPL Financial do not provide legal advice or tax services. Please consult your legal advisor or tax advisor regarding your specific situation. There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns or outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification does not protect against market risk.
Citations:
Lawrence of Arabia. Directed by David Lean, Columbia Pictures, 1962.
MacroMicro. MSCI Global Stock Market Index 12-month Returns (USD). https://en.macromicro.me/charts/93437/MSCI-Global-Stock-Market-Index-12month-Returns-USD.
Webster, Ian. Official Data Foundation. S&P 500: $100 in 1960 → $82,419.64 in 2026. https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/state/estate-inheritance-taxes/. WSJ Markets. US & Americas Stock Index. https://www.wsj.com/market-data/stocks/us/indexes.
Yahoo. S&P 500. Historical Data.
https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/%5EGSPC/history/?period1=-599875200&period2=31881600&interval=1wk&filter=history&frequency=1wk&includeAdjustedClose=trueS&P.
Sometimes it’s fun to daydream a bit! In this episode of Financial Clarity for Doctors, Rachelle Vanderzanden and Corey Janoff unpack the potential uses of those unexpected windfalls. The lottery is a great example, although a long shot – especially if you don’t play! Selling a business or receiving a large inheritance is much more likely for some of you. Below are some practical (and not so practical) ideas.
Practical matters first:
Large chunks of money can potentially have larger tax implications depending on their source. Consulting a tax planning professional can be very helpful in these circumstances. And with these windfalls, consider what’s really important to you, tackle that first, then maybe you’ll have extra for a splurge!
For more financial planning tips from Corey and Rachelle, find them on social media!
Discussions in this show should not be construed as specific recommendations or investment advice. Always consult with your investment professional before making important investment decisions.
Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. Finity Group, LLC is a separate entity from LPL Financial.
Finity Group and LPL Financial do not provide legal advice or tax services. Please consult your legal advisor or tax advisor regarding your specific situation.
This material is for general information and educational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Investing involves risk including the loss of principal. There is no assurance that the views or strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or will yield positive outcomes. Finity Group and LPL Financial do not provide legal advice or tax services. Please consult your legal advisor or tax advisor regarding your specific situation. There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns or outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification does not protect against market risk. ETFs trade like stocks, are subject to investment risk, fluctuate in market value, and may trade at prices above or below the ETF's net asset value (NAV). Upon redemption, the value of fund shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. ETFs carry additional risks such as not being diversified, possible trading halts, and index tracking errors. Fixed and Variable annuities are suitable for long-term investing, such as retirement investing. Gains from tax-deferred investments are taxable as ordinary income upon withdrawal. Guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the issuing company. Withdrawals made prior to age 59 ½ are subject to a 10% IRS penalty tax and surrender charges may apply. Variable annuities are subject to market risk and may lose value. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. A Roth IRA offers tax deferral on any earnings in the account. Qualified withdrawals of earnings from the account are tax-free. Withdrawals of earnings prior to age 59 ½ or prior to the account being opened for 5 years, whichever is later, may result in a 10% IRS penalty tax. Limitations and restrictions may apply
Citations:
Loughead, Katherin. Estate and Inheritance Taxes by State, 2025. Tax Foundation. October 28, 2025. Bonus Depreciation for Short-Term Rentals: The Complete Guide (2026). https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/state/estate-inheritance-taxes/
Powerball. FAQS. https://www.powerball.com/faqs
In this episode of Financial Clarity for Doctors, Rachelle Vanderzanden and Corey Janoff discuss some benefits of tax minimization for high income earners, but also the need to look beyond and keep things simple sometimes. When you are constantly chasing tax savings, you can end up using strategies that are time consuming, potentially expensive, and sometimes overly complicated.
More complicated tax minimization strategies can include:
Simpler tax planning can include:
There are some people who really enjoy exploring and executing complicated new strategies. For many people, the best idea is to keep things relatively simple. Financial professionals can help you with many of these strategies, but it’s important to have a good understanding of what’s happening with your money. You get to decide how much time and energy you want to put into that.
For more financial planning tips from Corey and Rachelle, find them on social media!
Discussions in this show should not be construed as specific recommendations or investment advice. Always consult with your investment professional before making important investment decisions. Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. Finity Group, LLC is a separate entity from LPL Financial. Finity Group and LPL Financial do not provide legal advice or tax services. Please consult your legal advisor or tax advisor regarding your specific situation. Traditional IRA account owners have considerations to make before performing a Roth IRA conversion. These primarily include income tax consequences on the converted amount in the year of conversion, withdrawal limitations from a Roth IRA, and income limitations for future contributions to a Roth IRA. In addition, if you are required to take a required minimum distribution (RMD) in the year you convert, you must do so before converting to a Roth IRA
Citations:
Amir Ali, Kamran. Bonus Depreciation for Short-Term Rentals: The Complete Guide (2026). Guest Manual. April 17, 2026. https://www.guestmanual.com/articles/bonus-depreciation-short-term-rental
Watson, Jason. Selling Your Rental Property – Cost Basis and Recapture. WCG. March 31, 2026. https://wcginc.com/kb-rental-property/selling-your-rental-property-cost-basis-and-recapture/
In this episode of Financial Clarity for Doctors, hosts Corey Janoff and Rachelle Vanderzanden talk through some stock market noise. It’s hard to know when to listen to headlines and what information to heed. What we listen to as investors and what the movers and shakers listen to may be very different.
Discussion in this episode include:
As always, focus on your long-term strategy! Trying to use information in the short-term to make decisions about your long-term investments can often be counterproductive. You can end up selling due to fear and then missing out on gains. No ones wants that!
For more financial planning tips from Corey and Rachelle, find them on social media!
Discussions in this show should not be construed as specific recommendations or investment advice. Always consult with your investment professional before making important investment decisions. Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. Finity Group, LLC is a separate entity from LPL Financial.
Citations:
Dalio, Ray. New York Times. A Legendary Investor on How to Prevent America’s Coming ‘Heart Attack’. Published May 7, 2026.
Earnings reports pulled from Google AI Overview.
In so many ways, television and movies can be unrealistic. Some things fly under the radar most of the time! In this episode of Financial Clarity for Doctors, hosts Rachelle Vanderzanden and Corey Janoff walk through some examples of shows with characters living inflated lives. Does it make sense given their profession and age? Probably not. They often have nicer homes and nicer things and a lot more free time than their counterparts in real life.
Shows featuring medical professionals living inflated lifestyles include:
“Keeping up with the Jones” is hard enough. Do not try to keep up with their counterparts on television! You never know the resources people may have, but lifestyle and income alone rarely match up on screen.
For more financial planning tips from Corey and Rachelle, find them on social media!
Discussions in this show should not be construed as specific recommendations or investment advice. Always consult with your investment professional before making important investment decisions. Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. Finity Group, LLC is a separate entity from LPL Financial.
Citations:
Redfin and Zillow were used to find comparables for houses in specific areas.
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