Finance for Physicians

Are your life insurance decisions still aligned with your current lifestyle and financial goals? Life insurance is one of those financial planning topics physicians often set up early in their careers and rarely revisit, even though their income, family needs, assets, and long-term goals may have changed dramatically over time. In this episode, Daniel Wrenne is joined by Ryan Inman of Financial Fe...

Are you worried that you started saving for your child’s college too late? Many physicians don't begin serious college savings until later in their careers, but by then, retirement savings, debt payoff, and buying a home can compete for attention. That's why understanding 529 plans is so important. In this episode, Daniel Wrenne is joined by Ryan Inman, co-author of  Financial Residency  and host...

Are small financial mistakes quietly making it harder for you to practice medicine on your own terms? Physicians often assume that a strong income will naturally lead to financial security, but that’s rarely how it works. In reality, the biggest financial setbacks usually come from avoidable habits and decisions that seem harmless in the moment. In this episode, Daniel Wrenne is joined by Hugh Bak...

Are you missing out on one of the most powerful tax-advantaged ways to save for your kids’ education? Saving for your children’s education can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re balancing student loans, retirement planning, and a busy medical career. Yet one of the most effective tools available to physician families, the 529 plan, is often misunderstood or underused. In this episode, Danie...

Are your student loans quietly changing while you’re focused on tax season? Most physicians know tax season is stressful, but fewer realize that the decisions they make right now (like how they file and when) can directly impact their student loan payments for the next 12 months. In this episode, Daniel Wrenne sits down with Jeff Wenger to break down the latest student loan updates, how AGI affect...

Are you treating taxes like an annual chore instead of a long-term strategy? Taxes are one of the biggest ongoing expenses physicians face, yet most doctors receive little to no formal education on how to manage them strategically. In this episode, Daniel Wrenne sits down with Logan Foltz, founder of TaxSmart MD and a former practicing psychiatrist, to talk about what physicians should really unde...

Buying a home as a physician looks very different than it does for most buyers, especially in today’s uncertain housing and lending market. In this episode, Daniel Wrenne sits down with Doug Crouse, a mortgage specialist at BMO, to discuss the current state of physician mortgages, how the housing market has evolved post-COVID, and what doctors should know when considering a home purchase. Listen i...

Physicians often feel pressure to either manage their finances entirely on their own or hand everything off to an expert. In reality, it's usually best to land somewhere in between. Today, Daniel Wrenne is joined by Heather Lovallo to discuss how to think intentionally about whether to do it yourself, collaborate with a professional, or fully outsource your financial planning. Listen in to hear th...

Every year, we hear the same question from physicians: What should I read or listen to if I want to get better with money without drowning in jargon? In this episode, we step back from tactics and spreadsheets to talk about the personal finance books and podcasts our planning team consistently recommends. Daniel Wrenne is joined by Theresa Scheu to walk through a curated list of books and shows th...

As 2025 comes to a close, let’s sit down for an end-of-year round table to reflect on the themes that shaped the year and what physicians can take forward into 2026. In this conversation, Daniel Wrenne is joined by Hugh Baker and Jackie Griggs to reflect on the recurring themes they saw throughout the year. Listen in as they discuss the uncertainty driven by student loan changes, market volatility...

What questions are actually on the minds of residents when it comes to their finances—and what guidance makes the biggest difference during training? In this episode, Daniel Wrenne and Hugh Baker reveal the most common financial concerns they hear while speaking to residency programs. Student loans, PSLF uncertainty, choosing benefits, understanding retirement accounts, and the pressure of upcomin...

Why is the physician divorce rate lower among the families we work with, even though money is one of the top causes of marital conflict? In this episode, Daniel Wrenne and Jen Quire dig into the surprising reasons behind our incredibly low client divorce rate—and what it reveals about the powerful connection between money, communication, values, and partnership. Listen in as they share the common...

The end of the year is when generosity and tax planning collide, and for physicians, charitable giving can be one of the most powerful ways to support causes you care about while optimizing your financial picture. But most doctors miss valuable tax benefits simply because they don’t know they exist. In this episode, Daniel is joined by Jackie Griggs for a conversation that breaks down practical, o...

Everywhere you look, someone’s promising passive income. Real estate syndications, crypto, private deals — they all sound like the fast track to financial freedom. But what if the real wealth builders are the “boring” investments you already have access to? In this episode, Daniel Wrenne and Hugh Baker break down the difference between chasing trends and building true, lasting wealth. They reveal...

Credit card companies are masters at dangling shiny objects — “100,000 bonus points,” “free flights,” “VIP lounge access.” It’s tempting to believe these offers will save you thousands, but are they really worth it? For most physicians, the answer lies somewhere between ignoring every offer and becoming the person with 75 credit cards. Today's guest, Jeff Wenger, has spent the last six months rese...

When the headlines are full of uncertainty, it’s natural to wonder if you should change your investment strategy. Tariffs, market swings, the allure of real estate… many physicians are asking the same big questions: “How will tariffs affect my investments?” “Should I pause my regular contributions until things calm down?” “Is buying real estate a good way to diversify?” In this episode, Daniel and...

Physicians spend a decade or more training for a career they believe will bring fulfillment and stability. But what happens when the reality doesn’t match the dream? Dr. Brad Bennett followed the traditional path—prestigious training, a promising teleradiology role, and the security of a physician-owned practice—only to find himself exhausted, disconnected from his family, and questioning the futu...

The student loan landscape just got a major overhaul, and we're breaking down everything physicians need to know about the massive changes coming from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Listen in as Daniel and Jeff Wenger walk through the new repayment plan structure, what's happening to SAVE borrowers, and the critical decisions you need to make right now, especially if you're currently in SAVE forb...

We’re back for Part 2 of our deep dive into the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) , this time covering the updates that could open new opportunities for your finances. Listen in as we break down what the bill means for physicians when it comes to QBI deductions, tip and overtime income, Trump/MAGA accounts, expanded 529 plan uses, and new HSA rules. You’ll hear what’s actually worth paying attent...

Big tax law changes are here, and they could have a major impact on your finances. In this episode, we’re breaking down the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and what it means for physicians, starting with the non-student loan changes. We’re joined by Jeff Wenger and Heather Lovallo to explain the updates and what you should pay attention to this tax season. You’ll learn how the new rules affect...

Should you get a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement? Talking about these is not exactly romantic, but it might be one of the smartest financial conversations you’ll ever have. In this episode, we’re joined by Heather Lovallo to break down what prenups and postnups are, when they make sense, and how they can actually strengthen your marriage. You’ll learn why these agreements aren’t just for the u...

Why do so many physicians stumble financially right after residency? In this special 200th episode, we’re joined by Hugh Baker to break down the most common financial mistakes doctors make as they step into full-time practice. Listen in as they talk through rushed home purchases, misunderstood contracts, and the pressure to “catch up” on life after years of training. You’ll learn what to avoid whe...

Is the mega backdoor Roth the ultimate tax shelter—or just a complicated headache? Today we are joined by Jeff Wenger to discuss this lesser-known strategy, breaking down how it works and when it makes sense, especially for high-earning physicians. Listen in as we walk through the four key contribution “buckets” in a 401(k), the pros and cons of using after-tax dollars, and what makes the mega bac...

Is buying a home always the smarter move—or just what we’ve been told to do? In this episode, Jennifer Quire joins me to reveal the real pros and cons of renting vs. buying, especially for physicians facing big financial decisions during major life transitions. Listen in as we dig into how values, lifestyle, flexibility, and unpredictability play just as big a role as the math. You’ll hear about t...

Is diversification overrated or more important than ever in today’s market? In this episode, I’m joined by Jackie Griggs to explain what diversification really means and why it matters now more than ever for physicians managing their own portfolios. Listen in as we break down how mean reversion impacts market cycles and why concentrating on the S&P 500 or individual stocks (like Apple) could l...