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

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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

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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

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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

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Your perfectionist mindset (the one that makes you an amazing doctor) might not be doing your finances any favors. Here’s what we mean: You’re making countless decisions every single day — from complex medical calls to juggling client conversations to managing your packed schedule. By the time you get to your finances, your brain is fried. So you either overthink everything or just avoid money decisions completely. Learn how perfectionism can show up in your financial life and explore practical strategies to make financial decisions when you're already dealing with decision fatigue.

Key moments:

(04:41) Overcoming analysis paralysis with the “dart method”

(07:09) Set up your 401(k) now — the “worst” investment choice beats waiting for the perfect option later

(11:01) Perfectionism about investing for your student loan tax bomb is actually costing you thousands

(14:39) You're smart enough to do anything, but that doesn't mean you should do everything yourself

(17:08) The one mindset shift that will dramatically improve your finances as a veterinarian

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Veterinarians are no strangers to financial stress, especially when it comes to student loans. But what happens when those forgiven loans turn into a massive tax bill? Discover what you need to know about the looming tax bomb with student loan forgiveness and how to avoid the costly mistakes vets make when trying to save for it.

Key moments:

(03:20) Using retirement accounts for the tax bomb isn’t the best idea

(04:36) The Roth IRA’s “break glass” option lets you withdraw contributions penalty-free, but there’s a catch

(09:27) Declaring insolvency as a last resort

(17:48) How much should you actually save for the tax bomb?

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Recent court rulings and policy shifts have created confusion, leaving borrowers wondering what to do next. Should you stay on SAVE, switch plans, or wait it out? We break down what’s happening, why PAYE and ICR are back in the spotlight, and whether sticking with SAVE or switching plans is the smarter strategy.

We’ll also cover key financial factors that could affect your repayment plan, like credit card debt, maternity leave, and tax filing choices. If you’re unsure what this means for you, tune in for insights and next steps to keep your student loan strategy on track.

Key moments:

(03:38) When sticking with SAVE is the smartest financial move

(06:19) Ditching SAVE could fast-track PSLF loan forgiveness

(10:24) Your tax filing status could be the key to lowering your student loan payments

(16:09) If you borrowed federal loans between October 2007 and July 2014, PAYE might be a golden opportunity

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Veterinarian pay structures can be surprisingly complex — and sometimes, just plain weird. We’re breaking down the most common ways vets get paid, the misconceptions many have about their own compensation, and the hidden pitfalls in different pay structures. Learn about ProSal, production-based pay, and other models and how each impacts your income. If you’re navigating a new contract or trying to make sense of your paycheck, this conversation will give you fresh insights and might even help you earn more.

Key moments:

(02:05) The three ways vets get paid, and why ProSal isn’t as straightforward as it seems

(09:48) Vet pay structures leave plenty of room for errors (and lost income)

(14:26) Salary plus production sounds stable until you realize you’re actually working on commission

(22:01) Emergency vets: Shift pay makes compensation even more complicated

Links mentioned in this episode:

• A Prescription for Change

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Sign-on bonuses are more common than ever in veterinary medicine, but not every use of that bonus sets you up for financial success. We’re breaking down the top three mistakes we see veterinarians make with their sign-on bonuses, how to avoid them, and what to do instead.

Key moments:

(05:07) Don’t use your sign-on bonus to pay student loans if you’re going for forgiveness — it’s wasted money

(05:56) Using your bonus for a more expensive car can jeopardize your ability to buy the right home

(08:29) Avoid “YOLO investing” in trends like crypto or single stocks

(11:29) Sign-on bonuses can come with strings, here’s how to handle the money to avoid feeling stuck in your job

(16:17) Use this checklist to turn your sign-on bonus into a fast track to wealth

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Non-compete agreements are creating waves in the veterinary profession, thanks to the FTC’s recent ruling. Financial planner Sim Terwilliger, CFP®, CSLP®, joins us to discuss how these agreements shape your career, why the AVMA is weighing in, and what the potential ban on non-competes could mean for veterinarians everywhere. You’ll learn which states have already banned non-competes, what alternatives employers might use, and how veterinarians can advocate for contracts that work in their favor.

Key moments:

(01:14) What’s inside a typical non-compete agreement for veterinarians

(06:16) How the AVMA is responding to the FTC’s recent ruling on non-competes

(08:33) A firsthand look at how non-competes limit career options

(15:32) States that have banned non-compete agreements — and what it means for vets

(16:38) Practical ways veterinarians can advocate against restrictive contracts

Link mentioned in this episode:

• FTC Announces Rule Banning Noncompetes

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