Perfectionism might have helped you get into vet school, but it could be holding you back financially. Dr. Jason Balara joins Meredith to talk about how an “all or nothing” mindset can sabotage your financial goals and delay meaningful progress. Jason is a board-certified veterinary surgeon and founder of Lark Capital, a real estate investment firm.

They explore:

• Why striving for excellence beats chasing perfection
• How perfectionism shows up in investing, budgeting, and student loan strategies
• Why it’s better to start small than wait for the “perfect” financial plan
• How Jason restructured his career to prioritize time and autonomy

Whether you’re working toward loan forgiveness, thinking about launching a side business, or feeling stuck because you don’t have all the answers—this episode will help you take action without waiting for perfect conditions.

Links and Resources:

• Contact Jason Balara at [email protected] or on LinkedIn
• Check out the Know Your Why Podcast with Dr. Jason Balara

Interested in vet-specific financial planning?

Schedule a free intro call or check out allvetfinancial.com

In this episode, I walk through what the student loan changes in the Big Beautiful Bill mean for current and future veterinary students.

If you’re already in repayment, be sure to check out the previous episode, which covers what these changes mean for veterinarians who have already graduated.

Most of the updates won’t take effect until July 1, 2026, but they’re important to understand now—whether you’re a student or someone who mentors future vet students.

Key topics include:

• Who is and isn’t affected by the new $200k federal student loan cap
• When the changes take effect and which class years are impacted
• Grad PLUS loans are going away—and what that means for vet students
• What we know about the new RAP (Repayment Assistance Plan) so far
• How consolidation strategy may shift next year
• How this bill may affect access to the profession going forward

I also share practical advice for current students, future students, and anyone advising future applicants—as well as my thoughts on how these changes could reshape the veterinary profession.

Interested in vet-specific financial planning?

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In early July, the Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law, bringing sweeping changes to student loans. In this episode of the Veterinary Financial Podcast, I’m breaking down what the bill means for veterinarians who have already graduated and are already in repayment.

Key topics include:

• What happens if you're on IBR, PAYE, or SAVE
• A closer look at the new 30-year RAP (Repayment Assistance Plan)
• What happens if you don’t make a new plan selection by 2028
• Important tax and spousal income considerations
• A couple of bright spots—like employer benefits and servicer funding

I also answer top questions from the Debt-Free Vets Facebook group and share what vets should be thinking about now to stay ahead of the changes.

Stay tuned for the next episode where I’ll focus on how the bill impacts current and future vet students.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Debt-Free Vets Facebook Group

Interested in vet-specific financial planning?

Schedule a free intro call or email [email protected]

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• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
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I’m thrilled to announce the launch of Allvet Financial - a virtual, fee-only financial planning firm serving veterinarians and their partners nationwide.

In this episode, I share the story behind starting my own firm, my path from ER vet to financial planner, and why I believe vet-specific financial planning matters.

You’ll hear about:

• Why I launched a firm built just for veterinarians

• My transition from ER vet to financial planner

• How I help clients navigate student loans, income shifts, and big decisions

• The challenges vets face that most planners don’t understand

• What it’s like to work with me at Allvet Financial


If you’re interested in working together, I’d love to connect!

Interested in vet-specific financial planning?

Schedule a free intro call or email [email protected]

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• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts 

Are you working relief shifts as a self-employed vet—or thinking about it? In this Q&A episode, I answer some of the most common questions that came up when I recently asked the Debt-Free Vets Facebook group: “Self-employed relief vets—what financial questions do you have?” From choosing the right business structure to navigating taxes, retirement savings, and health insurance, we cover the essentials (and the often-overlooked details) that can make or break your financial confidence as a relief vet.

• Do you need an LLC or PLLC to do relief work?
• Why getting an EIN can protect your privacy
• How to separate business and personal finances (and why it matters)
• Pros and cons of a Solo 401(k) vs. SEP IRA
• Navigating quarterly taxes
• Common tax write-offs for relief vets

• Contact Meredith: [email protected]
• Debt-Free Vets Facebook Group
• Episode 59: Perfectionist Traps That Are Costing You Money

Interested in vet-specific financial planning?

Schedule a free intro call or email [email protected]

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• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts 

Student loans are still in a state of chaos, and Meredith Jones, DVM, CSLP®, AFC® is here to help you make sense of it all. From court rulings to sweeping legislative proposals, borrowers are facing a confusing and rapidly evolving landscape. Whether you're pursuing forgiveness, considering switching repayment plans, or just trying to keep your head above water, this episode helps you understand what’s happening now, what could be coming, and what actions (if any) veterinarians and vet students should take.

Key topics:

• The status of the SAVE plan and what borrowers should consider if switching to IBR

• What’s actually in the House reconciliation bill—aka the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

• How the proposed RAP plan could impact veterinarians specifically

• What changes might be coming to PSLF, Grad PLUS, and borrowing limits for future vet students

• Why panicking (or refinancing) is not the move right now

• One overlooked benefit in the bill that could help borrowers long term

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Debt-Free Vets Facebook Group
• Adam Minsky – Student Loan Updates on Forbes

Interested in vet-specific financial planning?

Schedule a free intro call or email [email protected]

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• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts 

A lot of well-meaning advice says to put money into a Traditional IRA to lower your tax bill. But for most veterinarians, that move can backfire. We’ve seen it again and again: smart, hardworking vets unknowingly setting themselves up for a bigger tax hit down the road. We’re breaking down why that happens, who should be using Traditional IRAs, and where your money might be better off instead. It’s not about scaring you off IRAs completely, it’s about showing you how to make smarter, more tax-efficient choices.

Key moments:

(03:47) Traditional IRA income limits are lower than you think, and many vets can’t get the tax deduction

(10:43) Smarter places to put your money if a Traditional IRA isn’t the right fit

(12:02) Backdoor Roths get messy if you’ve already contributed to a Traditional IRA

(17:41) Locking up your money with no tax benefit can hurt you more than help long-term

Interested in vet-specific financial planning?

Schedule a free intro call or email [email protected]

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• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts 

Student loan benefits at work sound great on paper, but understanding the details requires asking the right questions. The tax-free $5,250 benefit established under the American Rescue Plan Act sunsets after 2025, which changes the long-term value proposition. We're breaking down crucial questions to ask: Does this payment count toward forgiveness program requirements? What about private loans? We'll also discuss that eye-catching $60k benefit being marketed to vet students by a major hospital group and explore alternatives worth considering during negotiations.

Key moments:

(04:20) Tax-free student loan benefits expire after 2025 (and it could cost you money)

(10:34) Directly negotiating a higher salary may be better than complex student loan benefits

(12:55) Benefits paid across several years assume longer employment than a vet may maintain with that employer

(15:05) Employer loan benefits don't always reduce monthly payments

(18:01) Career path alignment matters more than student loan benefit packages

Link mentioned in this episode:

• Employer Student Loan Repayment Benefit: Amazing for Some, Unhelpful for Most

Interested in vet-specific financial planning?

Schedule a free intro call or email [email protected]

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• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts 

Ever noticed how veterinarians give each other the most conflicting financial advice? We've spotted some truly head-scratching tips being shared across vet med forums and Facebook groups. We're breaking down some popular but problematic mantras like "everyone should pay off their loans ASAP" or "always choose a Roth 401(k)” and tackling the biggest misunderstandings around tax filing status and production pay. Your finances deserve the same nuanced approach you give your patients — let's talk about finding YOUR path to financial success, not someone else's oversimplified version of it.

Key moments:

(04:06) The Roth 401(k) debate — what's right depends on your individual financial situation

(10:49) Marriage tax filing status should reflect your student loan repayment strategy

(17:11) Are your production bonuses really taxed more? The truth behind the withholding

(21:03) The math proves it: bigger paychecks win even with income-driven repayment

Link mentioned in this episode:

• 2025 AVMA Economic State of the Profession Report

Interested in vet-specific financial planning?

Schedule a free intro call or email [email protected]

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• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts 

When a San Diego couple found a mortgage lender advertising a lower interest rate than competitors, they thought they'd made a smart financial decision — until just before closing day and a sudden ultimatum nearly cost them their dream home.

We’re unpacking what went wrong and sharing what questions to ask, red flags to watch for, and strategies to balance competitive rates with quality service. For vets, this is the straight talk on what actually matters when you're making probably the biggest purchase of your life.

Key moments:

(02:28) Working with several lenders is normal during the home-buying process

(08:06) Surprise revelation

(14:36) How veterinarians can avoid mortgage lending pitfalls when buying homes

(18:25) Interview multiple loan officers, but remember that the lowest rate isn't always the best deal

(21:42) The realtor matters more than their company — prioritize individual fit over agency name

Interested in vet-specific financial planning?

Schedule a free intro call or email [email protected]

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