Smarter Vet Financial Podcast

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You may own multiple investments, accounts, and mutual funds, but does that automatically mean you're diversified?

In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, CJ Burnett and Tom Seeko take a broader look at diversification and why simply owning more investments may not tell the whole story.

They explore how correlation can cause seemingly different investments to react similarly to changing markets, while also discussing other dimensions of a financial plan, including taxes, liquidity, protection, growth, and predictability.

You'll hear why diversification can be less about the number of accounts you own and more about understanding the different roles your assets play within your overall financial plan.

If you've ever wondered how your finances might respond when markets, taxes, opportunities, or life circumstances change, this conversation offers a different way to think about the bigger picture.

Smarter Vet Podcast:
https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/

Watch the no-cost 5-part video course to review your finances and see where you could be doing better in your finances. 5 Foundational Steps to Financial Balance Video Course: http://series.flvetadvisors.com/

Find out what you could be overlooking within your practice by taking our brief assessment. Test My Personal Financial IQ: https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/personal-test/

Sign up for a complimentary phone call to talk about how to get better use of all the cash inside your practice. Schedule a Time: https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/contact-us

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flveterinaryadvisors/
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@floridaveterinaryadvisors7665

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Most people believe building wealth comes down to earning higher investment returns.

But what if your financial plan doesn't actually need the return you're chasing?

In this episode, Tom and CJ unpack one of the most common misconceptions in financial planning: the belief that investment performance is the primary driver of financial success. They explain the critical difference between wanting higher returns and needing higher returns, and why relying too heavily on your portfolio can introduce unnecessary risk into your future.

You'll learn why savings habits, cash flow management, risk management, and intentional financial decisions often have a much greater impact on long-term outcomes than trying to outperform the market.

Whether you're accumulating wealth, planning for retirement, or simply trying to gain more clarity around your financial future, this episode offers a different way of thinking about what really drives financial independence.

Listen now and discover the factors that may matter more than your investment returns.

Smarter Vet Podcast-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/

Watch the no cost 5-part video course to review your finances and see where you could be doing better in your finances:
5 Foundational Steps to Financial Balance Video Course-http://series.flvetadvisors.com/

Find out what you could be overlooking within your practice by taking our brief assessment:
Test My Personal Financial IQ-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/personal-test/

Sign up for a complimentary phone call to talk about how to get better use of all the cash inside your practice:
Schedule a time-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/contact-us

Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/flveterinaryadvisors/
Facebook-https://facebook.com/flvetadvisors
LinkedIn-https://linkedin.com/company/flvetadvisors
YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@floridaveterinaryadvisors7665

Send us Fan Mail

Many veterinarians believe that once their estate planning documents are completed, the job is done.

Unfortunately, that is often where problems begin.

In this episode of the Smarter Vet Podcast, CJ Burnett and Tom Seeko discuss why estate planning is more than simply having a will or trust in place. They explore how beneficiaries, account ownership, trusts, business interests, and life insurance all need to be coordinated with your broader financial plan.

They also explain common mistakes they see among veterinary professionals, including outdated documents, uncoordinated accounts, and assumptions that tax laws will never change.

Whether you've never created an estate plan or haven't reviewed yours in years, this episode offers practical insights to help ensure your wishes, your family, and your legacy are properly protected.

Listen now to learn:

• Why estate planning documents alone may not be enough
• How trusts, beneficiaries, and account ownership work together
• The role life insurance can play in estate planning
• Why practice owners have additional estate planning considerations
• Three action steps to review your plan today

Smarter Vet Podcast-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/

Watch the no cost 5-part video course to review your finances and see where you could be doing better in your finances:
5 Foundational Steps to Financial Balance Video Course-http://series.flvetadvisors.com/

Find out what you could be overlooking within your practice by taking our brief assessment:
Test My Personal Financial IQ-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/personal-test/

Sign up for a complimentary phone call to talk about how to get better use of all the cash inside your practice:
Schedule a time-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/contact-us

Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/flveterinaryadvisors/
Facebook-https://facebook.com/flvetadvisors
LinkedIn-https://linkedin.com/company/flvetadvisors
YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@floridaveterinaryadvisors7665

Send us Fan Mail

Many financial decisions feel easier to postpone.

"I'll save after my student loans are gone."

"I'll plan later."

"I'll start when things settle down."

In this episode, Tom Seeko and CJ Burnett explore the hidden costs of waiting and why delaying action may be costing more than you realize.

They discuss common reasons veterinarians postpone important financial decisions, including student loans, home purchases, practice ownership, retirement planning, and insurance coverage. They also walk through a real-world example showing how delaying savings by just five years could create a significant difference in long-term wealth accumulation.

Whether you're early in your career, building a practice, or thinking about your future transition strategy, this conversation highlights why progress often starts with a single intentional step.

🎯 Take the Personal Financial IQ Assessment: https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/client-assessment/

Smarter Vet Podcast-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/

Watch the no cost 5-part video course to review your finances and see where you could be doing better in your finances:
5 Foundational Steps to Financial Balance Video Course-http://series.flvetadvisors.com/

Find out what you could be overlooking within your practice by taking our brief assessment:
Test My Personal Financial IQ-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/personal-test/

Sign up for a complimentary phone call to talk about how to get better use of all the cash inside your practice:
Schedule a time-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/contact-us

Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/flveterinaryadvisors/
Facebook-https://facebook.com/flvetadvisors
LinkedIn-https://linkedin.com/company/flvetadvisors
YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@floridaveterinaryadvisors7665

Send us Fan Mail

What does it take to go from practicing veterinary medicine to building and scaling a successful business?

In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, Tom Seeko sits down with Dr. John Younker, DVM, MBA, veterinarian, entrepreneur, consultant, and founder of Vet Launch.

Dr. Younker shares his journey from emergency medicine to practice ownership, including how he helped grow a veterinary hospital, opened his own clinics, scaled to multiple locations, and ultimately navigated a successful practice sale. Along the way, he discusses leadership, systems, business growth, and what veterinarians should consider when exploring ownership opportunities.

Topics discussed include:

• Transitioning from clinician to entrepreneur
 • Building systems that support growth
 • Leadership lessons from scaling a team
 • Practice ownership realities and challenges
 • Preparing a business for long-term flexibility and value
 • Why veterinarians should understand the financial side of their practices

Whether you're considering ownership, currently running a practice, or simply curious about the business side of veterinary medicine, this conversation offers valuable insights from someone who has experienced the journey firsthand.

Learn more about Dr. John Younker and Vet Launch:

• LinkedIn: Dr. John Younker, DVM, MBA - https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-younker-dvm-mba/ 
• Vet Launch Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts - https://www.youtube.com/@thevetlaunch 

Smarter Vet Podcast-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/

Watch the no cost 5-part video course to review your finances and see where you could be doing better in your finances:
5 Foundational Steps to Financial Balance Video Course-http://series.flvetadvisors.com/

Find out what you could be overlooking within your practice by taking our brief assessment:
Test My Personal Financial IQ-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/personal-test/

Sign up for a complimentary phone call to talk about how to get better use of all the cash inside your practice:
Schedule a time-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/contact-us

Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/flveterinaryadvisors/
Facebook-https://facebook.com/flvetadvisors
LinkedIn-https://linkedin.com/company/flvetadvisors
YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@floridaveterinaryadvisors7665

Send us Fan Mail

What happens to your veterinary practice if you're unable to work?

Many practice owners focus on personal disability insurance, but often overlook how a disability could impact their practice, employees, business partners, and long-term business value.

In this episode, Florida Veterinary Advisors co-founders Tom Seeko and CJ Burnett discuss the three areas of disability planning practice owners should understand:

• Individual Disability Insurance (IDI)
 • Business Overhead Expense (BOE) Insurance
 • Business Buyout (BBO) Insurance

They explain how each type of coverage works, common gaps they see among practice owners, and why reviewing existing coverage may be one of the most important conversations a business owner can have.

Whether you're a solo owner or have partners, this episode highlights practical considerations that can help protect your practice when the unexpected happens.

Smarter Vet Podcast-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/

Watch the no cost 5-part video course to review your finances and see where you could be doing better in your finances:
5 Foundational Steps to Financial Balance Video Course-http://series.flvetadvisors.com/

Find out what you could be overlooking within your practice by taking our brief assessment:
Test My Personal Financial IQ-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/personal-test/

Sign up for a complimentary phone call to talk about how to get better use of all the cash inside your practice:
Schedule a time-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/contact-us

Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/flveterinaryadvisors/
Facebook-https://facebook.com/flvetadvisors
LinkedIn-https://linkedin.com/company/flvetadvisors
YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@floridaveterinaryadvisors7665

Send us Fan Mail

Veterinarian salaries have increased significantly over the last decade. Production bonuses, signing bonuses, relief work opportunities, and practice ownership distributions are creating more earning potential than ever before.

So why do so many veterinarians still feel stuck financially?

In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, Tom Seeko and CJ Burnett discuss the "Gross Income Trap" and why focusing solely on your salary can create a false sense of financial progress. They break down the difference between gross income and spendable income, explore how lifestyle creep impacts financial decision making, and discuss practical ways to become more intentional with your cash flow.

You'll learn:

• Why gross income does not equal spendable income
 • How lifestyle creep affects financial progress
 • Common mistakes made with raises, bonuses, and additional income
 • Why veterinarians earning more may still feel financially stressed
 • How intentional cash flow planning can help create financial flexibility

If your income has increased but your financial life hasn't changed as much as you expected, this episode offers an important perspective.

Take the Personal Financial IQ Assessment: https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/personal-test/ 

Smarter Vet Podcast-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/

Watch the no cost 5-part video course to review your finances and see where you could be doing better in your finances:
5 Foundational Steps to Financial Balance Video Course-http://series.flvetadvisors.com/

Find out what you could be overlooking within your practice by taking our brief assessment:
Test My Personal Financial IQ-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/personal-test/

Sign up for a complimentary phone call to talk about how to get better use of all the cash inside your practice:
Schedule a time-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/contact-us

Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/flveterinaryadvisors/
Facebook-https://facebook.com/flvetadvisors
LinkedIn-https://linkedin.com/company/flvetadvisors
YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@floridaveterinaryadvisors7665

Send us Fan Mail

Many veterinarians earn a good income but still wonder where their money is going.

In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, Tom Seeko and CJ Burnett discuss lifestyle creep, the hidden cost of convenience, and why earning more money does not automatically create more financial freedom.

They explore practical ways to become more intentional with spending, establish healthier savings habits, prioritize financial protection, and build a financial life that supports long-term goals without sacrificing today's enjoyment.

If you've ever questioned whether you're saving enough, spending too much, or simply trying to find the right balance, this episode offers a thoughtful framework for making more intentional financial decisions. 

Watch the no cost 5-part video course to review your finances and see where you could be doing better in your finances:
5 Foundational Steps to Financial Balance Video Course-http://series.flvetadvisors.com/

Find out what you could be overlooking within your practice by taking our brief assessment:
Test My Personal Financial IQ-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/personal-test/

Sign up for a complimentary phone call to talk about how to get better use of all the cash inside your practice:
Schedule a time-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/contact-us

Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/flveterinaryadvisors/
Facebook-https://facebook.com/flvetadvisors
LinkedIn-https://linkedin.com/company/flvetadvisors
YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@floridaveterinaryadvisors7665

Send us Fan Mail

Burnout continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing veterinary professionals. But what if the solution isn't solely about working less?

In this episode, Tom Seeko sits down with veterinarian, entrepreneur, and Galaxy Vets founder Dr. Ivan Zak to discuss his personal experience with burnout, the six organizational triggers that often contribute to it, and how veterinary leaders can create healthier workplace cultures.

Dr. Zak also shares insights from building veterinary software, leading innovative organizations, and why fostering an ownership mindset can help teams become more engaged and efficient. The conversation concludes with a look at emerging AI technologies and how they may influence veterinary practices in the years ahead.

Whether you're a practice owner, leader, or veterinary professional looking to improve your workplace, this episode offers practical perspectives on leadership, culture, and the future of veterinary medicine.

Found out more about Serenity Vets https://serenity.vet/ and Galaxy Vets https://galaxyvets.com/. Connect with Dr. Zak: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-ivan-zak/

Smarter Vet Podcast-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/

Watch the no cost 5-part video course to review your finances and see where you could be doing better in your finances:
5 Foundational Steps to Financial Balance Video Course-http://series.flvetadvisors.com/

Find out what you could be overlooking within your practice by taking our brief assessment:
Test My Personal Financial IQ-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/personal-test/

Sign up for a complimentary phone call to talk about how to get better use of all the cash inside your practice:
Schedule a time-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/contact-us

Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/flveterinaryadvisors/
Facebook-https://facebook.com/flvetadvisors
LinkedIn-https://linkedin.com/company/flvetadvisors
YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@floridaveterinaryadvisors7665

Send us Fan Mail

Most veterinarians think about compensation in terms of salary. But the true value of a veterinary position often extends far beyond a paycheck.

In this episode, Tom Seeko and CJ Burnett discuss how associates and practice owners can evaluate the full compensation package, including benefits, retirement plans, PTO, workplace culture, education, and long-term career opportunities.

They also explore why understanding the difference between value and price matters when making hiring decisions, negotiating compensation, or choosing an employer.

Whether you're building a practice team, evaluating a job offer, or planning your financial future, this episode provides a broader perspective on how compensation can support both personal and professional goals.

Listen now and discover what your veterinary job may really be worth.

Smarter Vet Podcast-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/

Watch the no cost 5-part video course to review your finances and see where you could be doing better in your finances:
5 Foundational Steps to Financial Balance Video Course-http://series.flvetadvisors.com/

Find out what you could be overlooking within your practice by taking our brief assessment:
Test My Personal Financial IQ-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/personal-test/

Sign up for a complimentary phone call to talk about how to get better use of all the cash inside your practice:
Schedule a time-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/contact-us

Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/flveterinaryadvisors/
Facebook-https://facebook.com/flvetadvisors
LinkedIn-https://linkedin.com/company/flvetadvisors
YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@floridaveterinaryadvisors7665