Financially Free Dentists

We unpack the journey to achieving millionaire status as a dentist, the true impact of that milestone, and important mindsets to adopt on the path to financial freedom. We introduce a new segment, "The Root of It," providing a timely analysis of news affecting financial decisions in dentistry, starting with the latest developments in AI and how they might influence investing and the dental profession.

Key moments:

(04:51) Potential future of AI models

(07:42) Discussing AI market dynamics and how it affects dentists

(16:09) Reflecting on financial milestones

(24:22) Balancing spending and financial goals

Managing your finances doesn’t need to be painful. Book a free intro call today. Just browsing? Learn more about us at SLP Wealth.

Like the show? There are several ways you can help!

• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts
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If you're a dentist juggling a high income, a big student loan balance, and the constant pull to chase the next hot stock, this one is for you. We break down the two mistakes we see most often: concentrating your wealth in a handful of tech or crypto stocks, and buying VTI or VTSAX without a plan for the taxes that come with it. We get into how to grow your net worth intentionally, what most dentists get wrong with single-stock investing, and how to use tax-smart strategies that move the needle. I’ll also share my own story about buying a house, and why things aren’t always as affordable as they look on paper.

Key moments:

(02:29) How burnout leads dentists to risky investment decisions

(08:14) Why single-stock bets can derail your long-term wealth

(12:59) Understanding price-to-earnings ratios

(18:52) Building a globally diversified, low cost index portfolio

(26:04) How tax loss harvesting works and why it pays off at a practice sale

Managing your finances doesn’t need to be painful. Book a free intro call today. Just browsing? Learn more about us at SLP Wealth.

Like the show? There are several ways you can help!

• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts
• Follow us on YouTube at Financially Free Dentists

Five student loan rules changed this year, and if you're a dentist carrying six figures of debt, most of the generic coverage you've seen doesn't tell you what actually matters for your situation. We’ll walk you through all five. You'll learn which changes hit practicing dentists, which ones don't, and how to tell whether you're still a good candidate for forgiveness or better off refinancing.

Key moments:

(07:07) PAYE sunsets in 2028, how to know if you should switch or refinance

(16:24) Why RAP is usually a non-starter for dentists, and when it isn't

(19:48) New federal borrowing caps on dental school and residency

(24:10) SAVE forbearance ends, and the 90-day window you actually get

(29:05) The temporary 1% autopay discount, and how it changes refinance math

Managing your finances doesn’t need to be painful. Book a free intro call today. Just browsing? Learn more about us at SLP Wealth.

Like the show? There are several ways you can help!

• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts
• Follow us on YouTube at Financially Free Dentists

Tune in to the new show, Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth, discover the biggest misconceptions people have about being "financially free," the various forms of FIRE ("Financial Independence, Retire Early"), and more.

We're excited to launch this new podcast and hope you subscribe on your favorite podcast app!

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Life insurance isn't the most exciting topic — but it can be an important one, especially as your career and family grow. We sit down with Ben Lacomis, CSLP®, a financial planner here at SLP Wealth, who started his career at one of the big Fortune 100 mutual insurance companies. Now, as a fiduciary advisor, he brings a balanced perspective on how to think through your options.

We talk about when life insurance makes sense, how your needs change over time, and what to know about term vs. permanent policies. You'll also hear some offbeat real-life examples (yes, people really do insure their hair) and learn how to think through your own situation, whether it's paying off debt or leaving something behind for the people you love. No pressure. No sales pitch. Just a clear conversation to help you figure out what fits your life and goals.

Key moments:

(06:18) Why life insurance is often a must-have early in your career — especially for young professionals (14:09) The big differences between term and whole life insurance, and how each works (20:01) Understanding the "three G's" of life insurance (30:50) What to know about cash value and why some policies take longer to build it up (37:51) The 4% retirement rule and how to make your retirement spending feel more flexible

Managing your finances doesn't need to be painful. Book a free intro call today. Just browsing? Learn more about us at SLP Wealth.

Like the show? There are several ways you can help!

• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts
• YouTube at Financially Free Dentists

What career decisions would you reconsider with the wisdom of hindsight? Dr. Cole Smith, DDS, shares the career move he'd revise if given a second chance, and why he might suggest skipping a general residency program. Learn how this Austin-area dentist transitioned to practice ownership without a down payment, discover tips to manage practice profits, and get an inside look at how he's redefined work-life balance. Recent graduates and associates eyeing practice ownership — prepare for an honest conversation that might just save you years of trial and error on your own dental journey.

Key moments:

(04:16) Dr. Smith shares his perspective on AEGD/GPR value versus direct experience (09:57) How Dr. Smith purchased his practice without a down payment (16:03) The profit problem no one talks about: What to do when your practice is generating too much cash (20:37) How targeted CE can accelerate your career trajectory (25:02) Creating a schedule that prioritizes both family and practice success

Managing your finances doesn't need to be painful. Book a free intro call today. Just browsing? Learn more about us at SLP Wealth.

Like the show? There are several ways you can help!

• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts
• YouTube at Financially Free Dentists

So many dentists we work with are literally throwing money away at retirement — we're talking tens of thousands in unnecessary taxes. But a completely legal, under-the-radar approach lets dental practice owners slash their tax bills both now and in retirement. We reveal our "financial smoothie" approach and how the "three bucket strategy" creates the perfect blend to drop your tax rate. Learn exactly which accounts to blend together, in what proportions, and the precise timing that makes this work. After years of building your practice, make sure you — not the IRS — enjoy the rewards.

Key moments:

(03:33) The three bucket strategy explained, and how one lowers your student loan payments (08:16) The overlooked advantages of standard brokerage accounts (14:14) Reverse rollovers are a headache to deal with, but provide long-term benefits (20:06) How to access Roth IRA funds before retirement age without penalties (29:17) Common mistakes about the pro-rata rule

Managing your finances doesn't need to be painful. Book a free intro call today. Just browsing? Learn more about us at SLP Wealth.

Like the show? There are several ways you can help!

• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts
• YouTube at Financially Free Dentists

Ever wondered what it really takes to build a dental practice from the ground up in one of America's most saturated markets? Join us as we chat with Dr. John Oganesyan, DDS, about his journey from USC endodontic residency to establishing a successful dental practice in the competitive Los Angeles market. He shares how he pivoted from larger dental corporations to private practice ownership, including candid stories about building a patient base, managing insurance transitions, and the decisions that ultimately led to his growing success.

Key moments:

(06:17) Your first dental job is rarely your dream position (14:58) Sometimes the practice that doesn't check all your boxes is exactly the right one (20:50) Making the space your own: managing office updates and insurance changes (26:14) Why referral patterns fluctuate and how specialists can create a more consistent patient flow

Managing your finances doesn't need to be painful. Book a free intro call today. Just browsing? Learn more about us at SLP Wealth.

Like the show? There are several ways you can help!

• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts
• YouTube at Financially Free Dentists

At first glance, investing seems simple — put money in, watch it grow. But just like a night at the casino, emotions, overconfidence, and bad bets can wreck your long-term success. Learn the biggest investment mistakes we see dentists make and how to avoid them. Through personal stories of financial missteps, we'll unpack the dangers of both overly complex and overly simplistic strategies. Plus, we'll explain why aligning risk with your comfort level and timeline is key, and share insights on diversification, tax-smart investing, and building a portfolio that works for you.

Key moments:

(04:44) Cashing out your chips and leaving the table too early can cost you

(11:15) S&P 500 historical investment odds prove it's a long game

(15:01) Setting up your portfolio for shorter term goals (less than 10 years)

(22:33) VTSAX and chill? Not so fast

(30:19) The tax impact of your investment decisions

Managing your finances doesn't need to be painful. Book a free intro call today. Just browsing? Learn more about us at SLP Wealth.

Like the show? There are several ways you can help!

• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts
• YouTube at Financially Free Dentists

Starting a family is a huge milestone, but how do you make it work financially as a dentist? Whether you're in dental school, working as an associate, or running your own practice, family planning comes with big decisions — both personal and financial.

SLP Wealth partner and financial planner Sim Terwilliger, CFP®, CSLP® joins us to break down the real considerations dentists face when growing their families. We'll cover everything from timing your family plans around your career to managing parental leave, childcare costs, and practice ownership. If you're wondering when the right time is to have kids or how to prepare financially, this episode has practical advice to help you navigate it all with confidence.

Key moments:

(03:34) The time commitment of having a baby: what to expect and how to prepare (08:29) Why being a 1099 associate adds extra stress to family planning (11:34) A guide to prepping for kids, from disability and life insurance to diapers and formula (18:12) How to handle medical expenses and use FSAs/HSAs for big tax savings (24:56) Keeping your practice running while setting boundaries for family life

Managing your finances doesn't need to be painful. Book a free intro call today. Just browsing? Learn more about us at SLP Wealth.

Like the show? There are several ways you can help!

• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts
• YouTube at Financially Free Dentists