PA the FI Way

Karen Calcaño, PA-C, is our lovely guest on today's episode, which is Part 1 of a two part series. Karen shares her amazing and moving story of resilience as she became a first gen PA, then struggled with burnout in our broken healthcare system, and now is focused on building both wealth and a life she loves. The best part is that she has incredible resources to help you on her blog, www.scalpelandheart.com , and she also just opened her Personal Statement Mastery course to help pre-PA students with their personal statements. Be sure to tune in again next week for Part 2 of our discussion!

Resources mentioned in the show: 

Karen's post on burnout and recovery - BURNOUT IN HEALTHCARE: 3 PILLARS OF RECOVERY 

Your Money or Your Life (book) 

Follow Karen on Instagram! @kcalcano 

Show Sponsor: StudentLoanAdvice.com/PAFI

Enjoy the show? You can now support the PA the FI Way podcast through Buy Me a Coffee! Thank you for all of your support! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pathefiway 

Follow along on Instagram: @pathefiway   https://www.instagram.com/pathefiway/

Join the private Facebook group created for current and future PAs on their journey to financial independence: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pathefiway 

Like the Facebook page to follow along for updates: https://www.facebook.com/pathefiway

Website to read blog posts: pathefiway.com

Prefer to pin the posts that you found informative? Follow along on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pathefiway 

If you're a practicing physician assistant / physician associate or a PA student, consider joining both the national PA society (AAPA) as well as your state PA society. These organizations have many benefits for both you as an individual as well as for the PA profession as a whole. Some of the benefits include the following: advocacy for legislative changes, promotion of the profession, access to free CME, networking amongst colleagues and new friends, and even AAPA member discounts for various services and products. If you're not a member, consider joining today! 

Show Sponsored by StudentLoanAdvice.com/PAFI

Enjoy the show? You can now support the PA the FI Way podcast through Buy Me a Coffee! Thank you for all of your support! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pathefiway 

Follow along on Instagram: @pathefiway   https://www.instagram.com/pathefiway/

Join the private Facebook group created for current and future PAs on their journey to financial independence: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pathefiway 

Like the Facebook page to follow along for updates: https://www.facebook.com/pathefiway

Website to read blog posts: pathefiway.com

Prefer to pin the posts that you found informative? Follow along on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pathefiway 

Depending on how much income you or you and your spouse earn, you may end up being required to pay a large amount of taxes. The amount of federal and state taxes that you pay will also very likely increase over the years as your income grows as a practicing physician assistant / physician associate. But did you know that there are various ways that you can actually reduce your tax burden, and some of these suggestions can help you build more wealth with time? And of course, these are completely legal things for you to consider without including anything shady or sketchy as we are not about any funny business or tax fraud. 

***Not actual tax advice. Please consult with your CPA / tax professional with any concerns or questions. 

Enjoy the show? You can now support the PA the FI Way podcast through Buy Me a Coffee! Thank you for all of your support! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pathefiway 

Follow along on Instagram: @pathefiway   https://www.instagram.com/pathefiway/

Join the private Facebook group created for current and future PAs on their journey to financial independence: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pathefiway 

Like the Facebook page to follow along for updates: https://www.facebook.com/pathefiway

Website to read blog posts: pathefiway.com

Prefer to pin the posts that you found informative? Follow along on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pathefiway 

Have you ever considered finding a locum tenens assignment either in your own state or throughout the country as a travel PA? Many physician assistants / physician associates who work locums gigs are 1099 independence contractors instead of W2 employees. As a 1099, you're both the "business" and the "employee". But what does all of this mean? Take a listen to hear Caroline continue to discuss these topics in Part 2 of our conversation! In this episode, she also shares why she thinks that working as a locum tenens PA is great for the PAs who are pursuing financial independence. 

Interested in learning more? Join the Facebook group that Caroline has created: APP Networking for Locums Newbies 

Resources Mentioned in the Parts 1 & 2: 

Sponsor: StudentLoanAdvice.com

The Simple Path to Wealth (book by J.L. Collins)

Sonder

Travel Rewards to Earn Free Travel 

Enjoy the show? You can now support the PA the FI Way podcast through Buy Me a Coffee! Thank you for all of your support! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pathefiway

Follow PA the FI Way along on Instagram: @pathefiway https://www.instagram.com/pathefiway/

Join the private Facebook group created for current and future PAs on their journey to financial independence: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pathefiway

Like the Facebook page to follow along for updates: https://www.facebook.com/pathefiway

Website to read blog posts: pathefiway.com

Prefer to pin the posts that you found informative? Follow along on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pathefiway

Have you ever considered finding a locum tenens assignment either in your own state or throughout the country as a travel PA? Many physician assistants / physician associates who work locums gigs are 1099 independence contractors instead of W2 employees. As a 1099, you're both the "business" and the "employee". But what does all of this mean? Caroline dives into these topics in detail over a two part series on the show, so make sure to come back next week for part 2!

Interested in learning more? Join the Facebook group that Caroline has created: APP Networking for Locums Newbies 

Resources Mentioned in the Parts 1 & 2: 

Sponsor: StudentLoanAdvice.com

The Simple Path to Wealth (book by J.L. Collins)

Sonder

Travel Rewards to Earn Free Travel 

Enjoy the show? You can now support the PA the FI Way podcast through Buy Me a Coffee! Thank you for all of your support! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pathefiway 

Follow PA the FI Way along on Instagram: @pathefiway   https://www.instagram.com/pathefiway/

Join the private Facebook group created for current and future PAs on their journey to financial independence: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pathefiway 

Like the Facebook page to follow along for updates: https://www.facebook.com/pathefiway

Website to read blog posts: pathefiway.com

Prefer to pin the posts that you found informative? Follow along on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pathefiway 

If you're trying to learn more about personal finance, Dave Ramsey and his 7 baby steps have likely come up in your research. Dave's personal finance suggestions have helped countless individuals and couples get out of debt. But how many of his 7 baby steps and  other teachings and recommendations are sound advice through the lens of those pursuing financial independence? 

Enjoy the show? You can now support the PA the FI Way podcast through Buy Me a Coffee! Thank you for all of your support! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pathefiway 

Follow along on Instagram: @pathefiway   https://www.instagram.com/pathefiway/

Join the private Facebook group created for current and future PAs on their journey to financial independence: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pathefiway 

Like the Facebook page to follow along for updates: https://www.facebook.com/pathefiway

Website to read blog posts: pathefiway.com

Prefer to pin the posts that you found informative? Follow along on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pathefiway 

Are you a current or future physician assistant / physician associate and have wondered how to get a better handle on your finances to become more financially literate? Have you wondered how in the world are you going to pay off your astronomically high student loan debt? Or have you ever experienced burnout and have asked yourself, “Do I really need to work until the traditional retirement age of 65?” 

Pursuing financial independence as a PA can be the solution to help you take control of both your finances and your family’s finances, pay off your debt while investing for your future, avoid the temptation to spend on flashy luxuries, and enjoy your life now instead of completely delaying gratification until you hopefully can retire in the later years of your life. 

Take a listen to hear the many reasons why it is essential that all PAs consider pursuing financial independence! 

Resources mentioned: 

StudentLoanAdvice.com to come up with your personalized student loan repayment plan

Compound interest calculator 

Enjoy the show? You can now support the PA the FI Way podcast through Buy Me a Coffee! Thank you for all of your support! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pathefiway 

Follow along on Instagram: @pathefiway   https://www.instagram.com/pathefiway/

Join the private Facebook group created for current and future PAs on their journey to financial independence: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pathefiway 

Like the Facebook page to follow along for updates: https://www.facebook.com/pathefiway

Website to read blog posts: pathefiway.com

Prefer to pin the posts that you found informative? Follow along on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pathefiway 

Take a listen to hear Ludi's story of how she came to the United States from Haiti as an older teenager, went to undergrad, started working, and eventually went to PA school! She worked hard and took guidance from others to take the leap to become a PA. Ludi also shares how she graduated without having to take out any student loan debt. She is working on a few projects including a future children's finance book, and check out her 2022 Gratitude Journal that she has released! 

Follow Truly Ludi on Instagram: @trulyludi

Check out her blog: trulyludi.com 

Enjoy the show? You can now support PA the FI Way podcast through Buy Me a Coffee! Thank you for all of your support! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pathefiway 

Follow along on Instagram: @pathefiway   https://www.instagram.com/pathefiway/

Join the private Facebook group created for current and future PAs on their journey to financial independence: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pathefiway 

Like the Facebook page to follow along for updates: https://www.facebook.com/pathefiway

Website to read blog posts: pathefiway.com

Prefer to pin the posts that you found informative? Follow along on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pathefiway 

Want to be inspired today? Take a listen to hear Alpha share his amazing story of how he and his wife are on the path to financial independence to create freedom for their family. In addition to working as a pediatric physician assistant / physician associate, he has been working on various side hustles to earn extra income and increase monthly cash flow. We discuss owning ATM machines, crowdfunding, medical surveys, and dive into the topic of real estate investing! 

Resources mentioned: 

Rich Dad Poor Dad 

BiggerPockets 

Coach Carson

Financial Independence Book Recommendations for PAs

Passive Income M.D.

White Coat Investor 

avail.co 

Connect with Alpha: 

Facebook: Alpha Berger 

Instagram: @the_fipa 

Medical Surveys: 

https://app.zoomrx.com/#/user/signup?code=alphaj

http://m3gr.io/YBBTZU/6013916 

Connect with Kat, PA-C, founder of PA the FI Way: 

You can now support the show through Buy Me a Coffee! Thank you for all of your support! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pathefiway 

Follow along on Instagram: @pathefiway   https://www.instagram.com/pathefiway/

Join the private Facebook group created for current and future PAs on their journey to financial independence: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pathefiway 

Like the Facebook page to follow along for updates: https://www.facebook.com/pathefiway

Website to read blog posts: pathefiway.com

Prefer to pin the posts that you found informative? Follow along on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pathefiway 

The creators behind Prescriptions and Paychecks join me on the show for this fun and informative conversation! Stephanie works as a dermatology PA-C, and her husband, Santiago, works as a PharmD. They are pursing FIRE with three young kiddos (raccoons), and they share how using an Au Pair (Bro Pair) has been helpful for childcare. They are currently enjoying their jobs so much that they are not tempted to retire early anytime soon; however, they are still pursing financial independence to allow for freedom and flexibility in their future. They also discuss how they have been working on paying off their large student loan debts while investing for the future, as well as what their plan is to actually be able to access their money to live on in early retirement! 

Resources mentioned: 

StudentLoanAdvice.com as the sponsor 

The blog post by the Mad Fientist: How to Access Retirement Funds Early

Connect with Stephanie and Santiago!

www.prescriptionsandpaychecks.com

Prescriptions and Paychecks on Instagram: @prescriptionsandpaychecks

Love Mullets and NFTs? Follow Santiago on Twitter: @mulletsandNFTs

Connect with Kat, PA-C, Host of PA the FI Way: 

You can now support the show through Buy Me a Coffee! Thank you for all of your support! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pathefiway 

Follow along on Instagram: @pathefiway   https://www.instagram.com/pathefiway/

Join the private Facebook group created for current and future PAs on their journey to financial independence: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pathefiway 

Like the Facebook page to follow along for updates: https://www.facebook.com/pathefiway

Website to read blog posts: pathefiway.com

Prefer to pin the posts that you found informative? Follow along on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pathefiway