A Good Problem to Have

Buying a new construction home can come with some attractive incentives. Lower interest rates, closing cost credits, upgrades, and other perks can make the builder's preferred lender seem like the obvious choice. But are you actually getting the best deal?

In this episode, I sit down with interventional radiologist Dr. Shamit Desai to discuss one of the most confusing parts of a physician's career: compensation. We cover RVUs, guaranteed salaries, productivity-based pay, contract negotiations, and why understanding your value matters long before you sign your first employment agreement.

We explore how high-income physicians often approach tax planning, why many doctors end up paying significantly more in taxes than other professionals with similar incomes, and the opportunities that can come from understanding the rules of the tax code. If you've ever wondered whether you're leaving opportunities on the table, this episode is worth a listen.

In this episode, Noah shares the story behind KaufCare, a direct acute care practice designed to bridge the gap between urgent care and the emergency room. We discuss what it takes to launch a medical business, how he evaluated the financial viability of the idea, and the realities of stepping away from traditional employment. We also talk about risk, liability, burnout, and the type of physician...

A lot of physicians are facing the same thing right now: waiting on PSLF buyback while trying to decide what comes next. Do you keep making payments as a hedge against uncertainty? Or do you stop paying, preserve cash flow, and trust that your buyback request will ultimately be approved? In this episode, I walk through both approaches, explain the factors worth considering, and share what I've...

In this episode, I break down the mechanics of reasonable salary decisions, how retirement contributions affect business profits, and the ethical side of aggressive tax planning. If you’ve ever wondered whether an S-Corp is truly saving you money or just adding another layer of administration and stress, this episode is for you. Financial advice for quality of life-focused physicians: www.olsonfp....

In this episode, I break down the three most common ways financial advisors get paid: commissions, AUM fees, and flat fees. Learn why compensation structures matter, where conflicts can show up, and why the “best” fee model is rarely as simple as the internet makes it sound. But more importantly, I explain what actually matters when choosing someone to trust with your financial life.

In this episode, I talk about why emergency medicine doctors face a unique financial challenge after training, why “can I afford it?” is the wrong question to ask, and how to think about spending in a way that protects your future flexibility. We cover intentional spending, avoiding overcommitment, and how to create a lifestyle that gets better without trapping you into needing maximum income fore...

In this episode, I walk through the pros and cons of 1099 income for doctors, including retirement planning opportunities, solo 401(k)s, tax considerations, malpractice insurance, health insurance, and how to properly compare a 1099 offer to a traditional W-2 role. If you’re considering consulting income, moonlighting, or a transition away from a W-2 job, this episode should help you think through...

Today, I’m sitting down with Dylan and Cambra, a couple navigating residency life, a growing family, and the constant tension between saving for the future and actually enjoying life right now. They’re doing a lot right. They’re saving, investing, tracking their spending, and making intentional decisions. But like a lot of people in training, it still doesn’t feel like enough. For Cambra: 35:38

In this episode, I walk through why having a will & power of attorney in place matters, even if you’re just starting out and don’t feel like you have much to protect. We also talk about how to get this done quickly and affordably, so it doesn’t sit on your to-do list forever. It’s not complicated, but it is important.

If you’re in residency, investing is not about maximizing returns or building massive wealth. It’s about creating the habit. Future you is going to have a lot more income to work with. This phase is about making sure you’re ready for it.

In this episode, I walk through why an emergency fund matters, how to approach it on a resident salary, and where to actually keep the money so it’s working for you but still accessible when you need it. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about building a little bit of stability, one step at a time.

Most new doctors don’t have a money problem. They have a visibility problem. If you don’t know what’s coming in, and you don’t know where it’s going, it’s really easy to end up saving nothing… or worse, building debt without realizing it. This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being aware. Because the habits you build now are the ones that scale when your income does.

In this episode we’re talking about employer benefits. You’re going to get that packet. That PDF. And your first instinct might be to ignore it. Don’t. There’s real value in there. Health insurance decisions, HSAs vs FSAs, group disability, life insurance, retirement matching, PTO… all things that can meaningfully impact your finances right out of the gate. Take an hour or two, get this right, and...

In this episode, we’re diving into insurance for new doctors, with a focus on disability insurance. Even though your resident salary might be modest, protecting your ability to earn an income over the long term is incredibly important. If you’re transitioning from medical school into intern year, this is one decision process you’ll want to understand early.

In part two of this eight-episode post-Match series, we’re talking about private student loans. Unlike federal loans, private loans don’t come with the same protections or forgiveness programs, which means the strategy during residency looks very different. The key takeaway : during residency, your goal isn’t to crush the debt immediately. It’s to manage cash flow, understand your loan terms, and...

In this first episode I walk through one of the most important financial steps you can take right now: managing your federal student loans before residency begins. We talk about why e-filing your tax return matters, how to potentially qualify for $0 payments, when consolidation might make sense, and how these decisions can affect Public Service Loan Forgiveness down the road. If you’re about to st...

In this episode, I sit down with Joe and Josie, a healthcare couple I’ve known anonymously for years, to talk through a decision that sounds simple on paper and gets way more interesting in real life. We dig into how they built serious momentum, why they’re leaning toward paying down a low-rate mortgage anyway, and how to think about the tradeoff between maximizing dollars and minimizing stress.

In this episode, Ronnie and I dig into one of the most common and most misunderstood questions in personal finance: "How much should you actually be saving?" You’ve probably heard the rule - save 20%. If you’re not, you’re behind. If you can’t, you’re doing something wrong. But is that really true?

Going from a trainee salary to an attending income is one of the biggest financial inflection points in a physician’s life. In this episode, I share two mistakes I see early-career physicians make and how to avoid them. We discuss why the “I deserve it now” mindset can quietly create long-term pressure, and why focusing on the so-called boring fundamentals gives you the freedom to spend and invest...

Financial planning is often framed as numbers, projections, and optimization, but those are only part of the picture. In this episode, I discuss AI in financial advice and explain why experienced judgment still plays an essential role in helping people identify priorities, uncover blind spots, and make decisions that truly align with their values. Whether you’re a DIY investor, someone who uses AI...

In this episode of A Good Problem to Have , I walk through how your tax choices can directly impact your student loan payments, especially if you’re pursuing PSLF. Whether you’re in training or already an attending, decisions like filing jointly versus separately, filing on time versus filing an extension, and even which repayment plan you’re on can change your monthly payment by thousands of doll...

In this episode, I talk about relocation expenses and why they consistently catch physicians off guard, even though we all know the moves are coming. The challenge is not just the cost. It's the timing, the repetition, and the fact that it shows up alongside student loans, low income, and already tight cash flow. Even if saving is limited, or debt is unavoidable, knowing what's coming can...

In this episode, I’m joined again by my friend and colleague Tyrone Ross. This isn’t about hype, predictions, or telling anyone what they should or shouldn’t invest in. It’s about understanding what’s actually happening in the background and why this technology keeps showing up in the financial system whether we like it or not. We talk about the real world utility of blockchain, why it's still...