Travis, Can I Have This?

In this episode, I’m reflecting on a major milestone: five years since COVID-19 upended our lives, especially in dentistry.

While it might feel like too soon to talk about, I can’t shake the memories of those chaotic first months. So today, I’m sharing five real stories from the early days of COVID—from a client who saw it coming to a new practice owner who had the worst timing ever. We’ll also dive into what we learned about banking relationships, tax credits, and financial behavior.

What You’ll Learn:

• How unpredictable the world can be—and why preparation beats prediction.
• The importance of banking relationships (looking at you, Wells Fargo).
• How the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) turned into the Wild West of accounting.
• Why “free money” didn’t change bad spending habits.

Got a COVID story? Drop it in the YouTube comments—I’d love to hear it. Thanks for tuning in!

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It’s that time of year—dentists everywhere are opening their tax returns and saying, “Wait… I owe HOW much?!” If you’re in tax shock, don’t panic just yet. While planning ahead is ideal, there are still seven strategies you can use before April 15th (or even later if you file an extension) to reduce your tax bill for last year.

In this episode, we cover:
 ✅ Maxing out your HSA – If you have an eligible plan, you can still contribute and lower your taxable income.
 ✅ Funding your IRA – Traditional, Roth, or backdoor Roth? We break down the options.
 ✅ Maximizing your 401(k) profit sharing – Should you go with the minimum or max?
 ✅ Considering a SEP IRA or Defined Benefit Plan – Huge tax savings for high earners.
 ✅ Taking the Home Office Deduction – A must-know for sole proprietors.
 ✅ Optimizing Depreciation – Bonus depreciation vs. Section 179

Don’t let tax season catch you off guard—listen now and learn what you can still do to save money!

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Cash is king—so how much of it should you keep in your practice? In this episode, we break down how to determine the right cash reserve for your dental business. Whether you're running on empty or sitting on too much, we’ll help you find your ideal cash number so you can avoid financial stress and put your money to better use.

What You’ll Learn:
  💰 Why practice owners rely on their bank balance to make financial decisions
  📊 The two-month rule for determining your cash reserve
  ⚖️ How to calculate the minimum and maximum cash you should keep
  🧠 The psychological side of money and why it’s more than just numbers
  🏦 A high-yield savings account that could earn you $3,000–$7,000 this year

Resources & Mentions:
  📖 The Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel
  🏦Flourish Cash (not sponsored, just a great tool! DM me if you need an invite)

Join the Conversation!

 Share your cash strategies in the YouTube comments or reach out if you need help finding your number.

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We love spending money on our credit cards, right?! In this episode, we’re diving deep into how dentists can maximize credit card rewards and whether traditional credit cards or newer spend-control cards (like Ramp, Divvy, and Brex) are the better fit for your practice.

 We’ll cover:
 💳 Traditional vs. Spend-Control Credit Cards – Which one fits your dental practice?
 💰 Cash Back or Points? – Is guilt-free travel worth the complexity?
 ⚠️ Why Financing on a Credit Card is a Slippery Slope (Hint: Dave Ramsey would not approve.)
 📊 How the Right Card Can Save You Thousands – A real-life example of how a simple limit on a Divvy card helped avoid unnecessary spending.

 If you want better rewards, more control, and fewer financial headaches, this episode is for you!

 Plus, drop by our YouTube channel to share your credit card experiences. Let’s milk this rewards train together! 

LINK TO COLIN STROUD

linkedin.com/in/gosomewhere 

gosomewhere.world/ 

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Merchant fees can quietly eat away at your bottom line—but how much do you really know about what you're paying and why? In this episode, we're diving deep into merchant processing fees so you can take control and stop wasting money on unnecessary costs.

Here’s what we’re covering:

• The two philosophies of merchant processing: convenience vs. cost
• Interchange-plus, tiered, and flat-rate pricing—which one actually saves you money?
• The hidden fees that show up on your statements (and how to avoid them)
• Why insurance companies love sending virtual credit cards (hint: it’s not for your benefit)
• The one quick calculation that will tell you if you’re overpaying (if you're paying over 3%, you need to listen!)
• How merchant processors slowly raise your rates over time—without you even noticing

If you haven’t looked at your credit card processing fees in years, there’s a good chance you’re overpaying. This episode is your insider’s guide to understanding merchant fees, spotting red flags, and making sure you're getting the best deal possible. Let’s break it all down! 

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In this episode of Travis, Can I Have This?, we explore whether renovating your dental practice is the right move. If you’re tired of outdated decor or believe a renovation will bring in more patients, this episode is for you. Travis breaks down key financial considerations before committing to a remodel.

Key Takeaways:

• Know Your Why: Are you renovating for aesthetics or functionality? Patient perception may not change as much as you think.
• Financial Impact: Unless adding operatories, a renovation won't bring an immediate ROI. Debt from renovations will reduce your take-home pay.
• Two Approaches: A gradual approach allows for small, cash-paid upgrades, while a big bang approach requires financing but delivers a full transformation.
• Debt-to-Income Ratio Matters: Keep debt below 80% of revenue and ensure strong cash flow before committing.
• Best Use of Funds: Prioritize revenue growth over aesthetics to strengthen long-term financial health.

Renovations can be beneficial but should be strategically timed to avoid financial strain. 

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It’s January, which means it’s officially… 1099 season! This is the time of year when dental practices both give and receive a lot of 1099s. But here’s the big question: do you really understand what’s happening behind the scenes?
 
Even if you have an accountant handling the nuts and bolts, a lot of this information still flows through your hands as the business owner. And if you don’t fully understand it, you could end up making a bad judgment call—or just feeling that uncomfortable uncertainty about what’s going on in your business.
 
In this episode, we’re covering:

• What 1099s are and why they matter for your dental practice
  
  
• Common pitfalls to avoid during 1099 season
  
  
• How to lift the “cloud of uncertainty” and feel confident in your role as a business owner
  
  

 
If you’re not 100% sure how 1099s work, this episode is your crash course in Business 101. Let’s clear up any confusion, so you can head into the year feeling lighter, clearer, and more in control.

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What financial goals do you have for your dental practice this year? If your answer is “none” or “I’m not sure,” you’re not alone. Most dental practice owners don’t set formal projections or budgets for their business—but why not?
 
Here’s the thing: any successful business with a legit finance team sets goals, monitors them, and ensures they’re reaching their full potential. There’s no reason you can’t do the same. Whether your goal is to make more money, free up more time, or both, the first step is mapping it all out financially.
 
In this episode, we’re diving into:

• Why every dental practice should have financial projections and goals
  
  
• How to map out your financial year step by step
  
  
• A simple worksheet to help you set and track your own goals
  
  

 
If you’re ready to stop leaving your practice’s financial future to chance, this episode will give you the tools and mindset to set meaningful goals and work toward achieving them. Let’s make this the year you maximize your practice’s potential!

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION

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Politics and taxes—everyone’s two favorite topics, right? Okay, maybe not. Even as a tax accountant, I’ll admit these subjects can be a little painful. But with President Trump officially back in the Oval Office, we can’t ignore the tax changes that could be coming your way—especially when taxes are your single largest expense as a dentist.

In this episode, we’re diving into:

• The bold promises Trump has made about tax reform
  
  
• What changes to expect with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) back in the spotlight
  
  
• How these potential changes could impact your dental practice
  
  
• The reality of what it takes to get a tax bill passed
  
  

We’ll also take a look back at what happened the last time Trump faced a similar situation and break down how it might play out this time. Whether you’re optimistic, skeptical, or just curious about what’s next, this episode will help you prepare for what’s ahead in the tax world.

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If you own a dental practice, answering the question, “How much money do I make?” can feel surprisingly complicated. It seems like it should be a simple answer, but it’s not. That’s why, in this episode, we’re unpacking the resources and insights you need to finally figure it out.

Here’s the twist: the answer depends on who’s asking. We'll break down how to answer this question for:

• Colleagues
• Investors
• The IRS and Banks
• Your Spouse (gulp)
• Your Future Self

You’ll also get access to a handy Excel worksheet to help you dig deeper into this question and find clarity. Spoiler: the answer could range anywhere from $0 to $500,000 (or more!). But at the end of the day, we’ll help you uncover a version of the answer that truly speaks to you.

ACCESS THE WORKSHEET TO CALCULATE YOUR INCOME

https://uluruadvisors.com/resources/

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