April 01, 2025

You've Been Matched with a Residency, Now What? Ep #26

31 minutes

You've matched—congrats! But now what? As you transition from med school to residency, financial decisions are about to get real, and the steps you take now can make a huge difference in your financial future.

Many new residents don't realize how much financial planning matters at this stage—things like student loans, budgeting, and even insurance may seem like details you can handle later, but getting ahead now can save you serious money (and stress) down the road.

Federal student loans, private refinancing, and income-driven repayment plans all come with deadlines and fine print that can affect how much you pay long-term. Credit card debt and budgeting also need attention, especially with the gap between your last med school disbursement and your first residency paycheck. Employer benefits like 403(b) contributions and disability insurance can offer protection, but knowing which options to choose makes all the difference.

By the time residency starts, the goal is to have a plan in place so financial worries don't pile up on top of patient care. Small moves now can put you in a stronger position for the years ahead. The transition from med student to resident is big, but getting organized financially can make it a whole lot easier.

Looking for help with Disability Insurance, Physician Banking, Student Loan Refinancing, Physician Mortgages, Contract Reviews, and more? Check out our "Best of the Best" sponsors page to find a list of the professionals Chad & Tyler team up with for their clients.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

(0:00) Matched, Now What?!
(2:30) Student loans
(13:20) Credit cards & budgeting
(23:10) Employer benefits
(24:45) Disability insurance
(27:50) Final thoughts

The best of the best list is a paid sponsorship, but these are professionals/companies that Tyler and Chad collaborate with within their own practices or have been vetted to earn a spot on this list. By supporting our sponsors, it allows Chad & Tyler to dedicate more time to you and the Physician Cents community. If you ever have a question (or not a great experience, which we don't expect!) about a sponsor, please let us know. We call it the "best of the best" for a reason, and we will maintain that standard for our listeners & viewers.

Resources & People Mentioned