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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Veterinarians take on jaw-dropping levels of student debt, often pay longer than other professions, and face repayment rules that seem anything but fair. Travis Hornsby, founder and CEO of Student Loan Planner and SLP Wealth, joins us in unpacking why veterinarians are often left with the short end of the stick under current student loan rules. He shares how he uncovered this systemic issue and the viral article that started a conversation in the vet world. If you’ve ever felt frustrated by student loans or wondered how to navigate them as a vet, this episode gives you actionable insights and a dose of real talk about what’s broken — and what vets can do to get their own loans on track.

Key moments:

(04:19) Limited lobbying power leaves veterinary medicine at a disadvantage compared to human health care when it comes to student loans

(10:50) Pandemic pet adoptions and retirements have boosted salaries in veterinary medicine

(15:27) New vet schools could flood the labor market, potentially driving incomes down due to increased competition

(20:29) Pet owners are treating animals more like family, increasing demand for high-quality care

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Veterinarians Are Treated Horribly Under Student Loan Rules

DVMs deserve financial experts who speak their language. Book a free intro call today. Just browsing? Learn more about us at SLP Wealth.

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• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
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New grad veterinarians are clocking in far more hours than they expected — 5 extra hours a week, to be exact. It may not sound like much, but it adds up to six full weeks of additional work. That’s six weeks of your year gone. Financial planners Meredith Jones, DVM, CSLP®, AFC®, and David Aizuss, CSLP®, unpack surprising findings from the AVMA Business and Economic Forum and explore what’s driving the gap between expectations and reality. They dig into the data, break down the post-pandemic shifts shaping the industry, and ask the big questions about what it means for the future of veterinary medicine.

Key moments:

(03:27) The 40-hour workweek doesn’t line up with today’s veterinary realities

(06:45) Burnout isn’t new, but it’s evolved for vets since 2019

(13:05) A bold take on why most vets can say “yes” to working less

(18:49) Systemic solutions we’re seeing that could reshape veterinary medicine

Links mentioned in this episode:

• AVMA Veterinary Business and Economic Forum
• 2024 AVMA Economic State of the Profession

Roth IRAs are powerful tools, but they can be tricky to navigate. Financial planners Meredith Jones, DVM, CSLP®, AFC®, and David Aizuss, CSLP®, share the top mistakes they’ve seen veterinarians make when it comes to Roth IRAs. From earning limits to backdoor Roths and knowing when a Roth IRA isn’t the best fit, you’ll get clear, practical advice to feel confident about your financial future.

Key moments:

03:31 Roth IRA earning limits and how they impact your ability to contribute

11:21 The biggest mistake vets need to avoid with backdoor Roth IRAs

16:04 The downsides of contributing post-tax money to a traditional IRA

23:30 Filing taxes as married filing separately can block Roth IRA eligibility

28:28 Situations where a Roth IRA isn’t the best fit and better alternatives to consider

DVMs deserve financial experts who speak their language. Book a free intro call today. Just browsing? Learn more about us at SLP Wealth.

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 

Curious about the top investing questions veterinarians are asking? We turned to the Debt Free Vets Facebook group to find out what’s on their minds. From saving for retirement without an employer plan to tackling the student loan tax bomb, these are the biggest concerns vets are discussing. Financial planners Meredith Jones, DVM, CSLP®, AFC®, and David Aizuss, CSLP®, break it down with clear answers and actionable advice.

Key moments:

[01:35] What to know about saving for retirement without an employer plan

[05:15] Smart strategies to invest and prepare for the student loan tax bomb

[13:50] Deciding between pretax and Roth contributions for your financial goals

[17:49] How to approach bonds in your portfolio if retirement is still far away

[24:19] Retiring without maxing out your accounts is possible, but if you do, here’s what comes next

DVMs deserve financial experts who speak their language. Book a free intro call today. Just browsing? Learn more about us at SLP Wealth.

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 

Tired of financial advice that doesn't account for ProSal, production bonuses, or your mountain of student debt? Financial planners Meredith Jones, DVM, CSLP®, AFC®, and David Aizuss, CSLP®, reveal insider strategies that have helped over 200 veterinarians build wealth. You deserve more than one-size-fits-all financial advice — discover how to fast-track your path to financial success with strategies made for DVMs. 

Key moments:

• 07:05 Fluctuating income? How to make the most of every paycheck
• 10:04 Plan ahead for career transitions with a solid financial game plan
• 14:13 Vet med career paths, from practice ownership to exploring new directions
• 14:53 DVM mortgage vs. a conventional loan, plus strategies to save more on taxes

DVMs deserve financial experts who speak their language. Book a free intro call today. Just browsing? Learn more about us at SLP Wealth.

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 

We welcomed David Aizuss back to the podcast with a special announcement about the future of the Veterinary Financial Podcast. Willie talks about the projects he’s been working on with his non-profit and pursuing practice ownership. We also discussed financial freedom for veterinarians, working with financial planners, and student loans. 

• A transition with the Veterinary Financial Podcast
• What projects has Willie been busy with?
• Why did David choose to work with veterinarians?
• What is it like working with Student Loan Planner?
• Why is it important to work with a financial planner who understands student loans?
• What is one of the biggest concerns for vets who first start working with a financial planner?

Get $100 off your consultation with Student Loan Planner: https://bit.ly/4eH4SUw

Ways to connect with Veterinary Financial Summit: 

https://VetFinancialSummit.com

Instagram: @vetfinancialsummit

Willie's Instagram: @willieb

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VetFinancialSummit

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vetfinancialsummit

Email: [email protected]

Meredith: [email protected]

David: [email protected]

We asked Chris Kelly, Managing Partner for Antelligence and Editor-in-Chief for Veterinary Advantage Magazine about trends in veterinary practices over the last few years, the Fountain Report, pet ownership trends, and the future of veterinary medicine.

- What trends has Chris seen in veterinary medicine over the last few years?

- What is the focus of the Veterinary Advantage Magazine?

- What is the Fountain Report?

- What are the most recent pet ownership trends?

- How do these trends impact independent practices and how can they compete with corporate groups?

- What does the future have in store for veterinary medicine?

Download the Veterinary Enterprise Practice Report: https://epr.antelligence.com

Subscribe to the Fountain Report: https://antelligence.com/the-fountain-report/

Ways to connect with Chris: 

Email: [email protected]

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-kelly-7221a2/

Ways to connect with Veterinary Financial Summit: 

VetFinancialSummit.com

Instagram: @vetfinancialsummit

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VetFinancialSummit

Email: [email protected]