Veterinary Financial Podcast
Business & Finance
About
The Veterinary Financial Podcast helps veterinarians take control of their finances and build lives they love. Hosted by Dr. Meredith Jones, a veterinarian turned financial planner, the show blends real-world clinical experience with practical financial guidance tailored to the profession. We cover student loans, investing, entrepreneurship, practice management, side gigs, and more. Our goal is to give you clear, actionable advice so your money supports the career and lifestyle you want. Whether you’re brand new to personal finance or already a money nerd, you’ll find tools and insights to help you move forward with confidence. Follow or subscribe for new episodes every other week.
Episodes
- 088: Don’t Let Student Loans Dictate Your Career Decisions
This episode of the Veterinary Financial Podcast explores how veterinarians can make career decisions that align with their personal goals and values, even when facing student loan debt. Topics include income-driven repayment plans, naviga…
- 087: Relief Veterinarians: Freedom, Burnout, and Boundaries - Dr. Andrew Ciccolini
This episode of the Veterinary Financial Podcast features Dr. Andrew Ciccolini discussing the rise of relief veterinary work. It covers the reasons vets choose relief, such as flexibility and pay, identifies burnout drivers like overcommit…
- 086: SAVE Deadline Announced
The Veterinary Financial Podcast episode announces the deadline for the SAVE student loan plan. Borrowers have a 90-day window after July 1 to select a new plan or risk Standard repayment. Previous progress on PAYE and IBR plans carries ov…
- 085: Mentorship, Business, and AI in Veterinary Medicine - Dr. Jason Szumski
Dr. Jason Szumski discusses mentorship, business ownership, and AI in veterinary medicine with Meredith and Joe. They cover new graduate mentorship, supporting early-career veterinarians, and the role of AI notetakers in practice.
- 084: What Vets Actually Spend Money On for Self-Care
This episode discusses what veterinarians actually spend on self-care, drawing from a Debt-Free Vets poll. Results indicate spending on time off, experiences, physical well-being, and therapy, with themes of flexibility and workload reduct…
- 083: Top 5 Ways to Lower Your AGI
Joe and Meredith discuss five key strategies for veterinarians to reduce their Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), a crucial factor for lowering taxes and income-driven student loan payments. Topics include pre-tax retirement contributions, Solo…
- 082: Personal Finance Tips for Relief Vets & Techs
This episode of the Veterinary Financial Podcast provides essential financial advice for relief vets and techs, covering organization, quarterly taxes for 1099 income, retirement options like Solo 401k and SEP IRA, and student loan strateg…
- 081: Preparing for the Student Loan Tax Bomb
Episode 081 discusses the potential tax implications of student loan forgiveness, often called a 'tax bomb,' especially for veterinarians. It covers when forgiveness is taxable, strategies for long-term preparation like investing, and cons…
- 080: Top 5 Ways to Take Control of Your Finances This Year
In episode 080, Dr. Meredith Jones and Joe Warner outline five financial resolutions for veterinarians, focusing on budgeting, student loan strategies, retirement savings, intentional spending, and the specifics of veterinarian-focused fin…
- 079: Burnout-Proofing Your Finances
This episode discusses how to create a burnout-proof financial plan for veterinarians, addressing the unique challenges of the profession. It covers topics like emergency funds as mental health tools, automation to reduce decision fatigue,…
- 078: The End of the SAVE Plan: Next Steps for Your Student Loans
The Department of Education has announced the end of the SAVE plan. This episode discusses the implications for those on SAVE forbearance, potential repayment plan switches, and the importance of proactive planning regarding income recerti…
- 077: What Happens in a Student Loan Consult
Joe Warner and Dr. Meredith Jones explain the student loan consultation process for veterinarians, covering repayment rules, forgiveness, and tax implications. They discuss preparing for the consult, comparing repayment plans, and the pote…
- 076: Inside the Realities of Vet Med - Dr. Marie Holowaychuk
Dr. Marie Holowaychuk shares insights from her book 'A Compassionate Calling,' covering her journey in veterinary medicine, the emotional complexities of the profession, and advocating for mental health resources.
- 075: Grocery Hacks That Actually Work
Meredith offers practical grocery hacks to save money, reduce waste, and make meal planning easier. The episode covers strategies like using a dry-erase board for planning, checking the pantry before shopping, comparing price per ounce, an…
- 074: How a Sabbatical Can Reset Your Life – Dr. Anna Foster
Dr. Anna Foster shares insights on her three-month sabbatical from emergency veterinary medicine, detailing her planning process, the emotional aspects of her career, and lessons learned about presence and technology.
- 073: Five Steps to Prepare for the Jump in Student Loan Payments
This episode of the Veterinary Financial Podcast outlines five steps for veterinarians to prepare for increased student loan payments. It advises understanding payment plan options, budgeting, building financial flexibility, optimizing com…
- 072: How Vet Practice Owners can Thrive in Life and Business - Dr. Christine Staten
Dr. Christine Staten, a vet practice owner for over 20 years, discusses her experiences and offers advice on managing teams, using data, and finding community to combat isolation. She also shares insights on achieving a sustainable work-li…
- 071: Financial Planning Parallels Every Vet Will Recognize
This episode draws parallels between veterinary medicine and financial planning, highlighting how shared processes like history-taking, diagnostics, treatment plans, and progress exams can make financial discussions more familiar and less…
- 070: AI Scribes - Saving Time and Sanity in Veterinary Practice
This episode of the Veterinary Financial Podcast explores how AI notetakers, or scribes, are revolutionizing veterinary practice by saving significant time and reducing stress associated with medical records. It includes insights from vete…
- 069: Progress Beats Perfection - Dr. Jason Balara
Dr. Jason Balara discusses how perfectionism can negatively impact financial goals for veterinarians. The episode explores why striving for excellence is more beneficial than chasing perfection, particularly in areas like investing, budget…
- 068: What the New Student Loan Bill Means for Vet Students
Episode 068 of the Veterinary Financial Podcast discusses the new student loan bill's effects on veterinary students, covering the federal loan cap, upcoming changes to Grad PLUS loans, and the new Repayment Assistance Plan. The episode pr…
- 067: What the New Student Loan Bill Means for Veterinarians
This episode of the Veterinary Financial Podcast explains the implications of the new student loan bill for veterinarians, discussing repayment plans, tax considerations, and employer benefits. It addresses questions from the Debt-Free Vet…
- 066: Allvet Financial - Built for Vets, by a Vet
This episode announces the launch of Allvet Financial, a virtual, fee-only financial planning firm catering to veterinarians. The founder discusses their journey from ER vet to financial planner, emphasizing the unique financial challenges…
- 065: Self-Employed Relief Vets: Your Top Financial Questions Answered
This Q&A episode of the Veterinary Financial Podcast addresses frequently asked financial questions from self-employed relief veterinarians. Topics include business structures like LLCs, obtaining an EIN, managing finances, retirement savi…
- 064: Student Loan Chaos: What You Need to Know
Episode 064 of the Veterinary Financial Podcast features Meredith Jones discussing the ongoing chaos surrounding student loans for veterinarians and vet students. The episode covers the SAVE plan, legislative changes, and potential impacts…
- 063: IRA Oopsies: A Tax Trap for Vets
This episode of the Veterinary Financial Podcast discusses how Traditional IRAs can be a tax trap for veterinarians due to lower-than-expected income limits for deductions. It explores alternative investment options and clarifies the compl…
- 062: When an Employer Offers a Student Loan Benefit: What To Ask
This episode of the Veterinary Financial Podcast discusses employer-provided student loan benefits. It highlights key questions veterinarians should ask, such as how benefits impact loan forgiveness and private loan payments, and explores…
- 061: The Worst Financial Advice Vets Give Each Other
This episode of the Veterinary Financial Podcast examines common, yet often detrimental, financial advice shared among veterinarians. It addresses misconceptions about Roth 401(k)s, marriage tax filing status, and production pay, offering…
- 060: Choosing the “Cheapest” Mortgage Lender - What Could Go Wrong?
This episode discusses a couple's experience with a seemingly cheap mortgage lender that nearly cost them their home. It offers advice for veterinarians on avoiding pitfalls, emphasizing that the lowest rate isn't always the best deal and…
- 059: Perfectionist Traps That Are Costing You Money
This episode explores how a perfectionist mindset, while beneficial in veterinary medicine, can negatively impact finances. It discusses decision fatigue, analysis paralysis, and offers strategies for making sound financial choices, includ…
- 058: The 3 Worst Ways to Save for the Tax Bomb
This episode of the Veterinary Financial Podcast discusses strategies for veterinarians to save for the tax bomb associated with student loan forgiveness. It covers the downsides of using retirement accounts, the limitations of Roth IRA wi…
- 057: Court Ruling Puts Student Loans in Limbo (Again): Here’s What Vets Should Do
Episode 057 of the Veterinary Financial Podcast addresses recent court rulings impacting federal student loans for veterinarians. The hosts break down repayment strategies, including the SAVE plan, PAYE, and ICR, and discuss how financial…
- 056: The Weird World of Vet Compensation
This episode of the Veterinary Financial Podcast discusses the complex and often unusual world of veterinarian compensation. It breaks down common pay structures like ProSal and production-based pay, highlighting potential pitfalls and mis…
- 055: The 3 Worst Things to Do with Your Sign-On Bonus
This episode of the Veterinary Financial Podcast discusses the top three mistakes veterinarians make when using their sign-on bonuses. It covers avoiding wasted money on student loans for forgiveness, not jeopardizing home purchases with c…
- 054: How Non-Competes Affect Your Veterinary Career
Financial planner Sim Terwilliger discusses the impact of non-compete agreements on veterinary careers, the FTC ruling, AVMA
- 053: Veterinarians Are Treated Horribly Under Student Loan Rules
This episode features Travis Hornsby discussing the unfair student loan rules affecting veterinarians, exacerbated by limited lobbying power. Despite potential salary increases due to pet ownership trends, Hornsby explains the systemic iss…
- 052: Working More Than Expected: Unpacking New Grad Data
This episode unpacks data on new graduate veterinarians working an average of five extra hours per week, totaling six additional weeks annually. Hosts Meredith Jones and David Aizuss discuss findings from the AVMA Business and Economic For…
- 051: Mistakes Vets Make with Roth IRAs
Veterinarians Meredith Jones and David Aizuss discuss frequent errors vets make with Roth IRAs, such as issues with earning limits and backdoor contributions. They cover situations where Roth IRAs may not be optimal and offer guidance on m…
- 050: Top 5 Questions on Investing from Veterinarians
This episode addresses the top 5 investing questions veterinarians have, sourced from the Debt Free Vets Facebook group. Financial planners Meredith Jones and David Aizuss discuss retirement savings, student loan tax bombs, pretax vs. Roth…
- 049: Vet-Specific Financial Planning Can Transform Your Career (and Life)
This episode of the Veterinary Financial Podcast features financial planners Meredith Jones and David Aizuss, who offer strategies tailored to veterinarians, addressing specific financial challenges like ProSal, production bonuses, and stu…
- 048: Helping Veterinarians Achieve Their Financial Goals
David Aizuss rejoins the Veterinary Financial Podcast to announce future plans and discuss key financial topics for veterinarians, including practice ownership, financial freedom, and managing student loans with financial planners. The epi…
- 047: Trends and Forecasts From a Business Insider - Chris Kelly
Chris Kelly, Managing Partner for Antelligence and Editor-in-Chief for Veterinary Advantage Magazine, shares insights on recent trends in veterinary medicine, pet ownership, and the impact on independent practices. The discussion covers th…
- 046: Home Buying: Closing the Deal - David Aizuss
David Aizuss, a financial planner and mortgage loan officer, shares insights on mortgage strategies, closing costs, and financial planning for veterinarians purchasing homes.
- 045: Home Buying: Setting Yourself Up for Success - David Aizuss
David Aizuss, a financial planner, student loan consultant, and mortgage loan officer, shares advice on preparing to buy a home. He covers finding a mortgage, understanding pre-approval, common pitfalls, and how debt-to-income affects the…
- 044: Take Charge of Your Money with a Cash Flow Plan
Episode 044 of the Veterinary Financial Podcast focuses on creating a cash flow plan for effective budgeting. The discussion covers the importance of budgeting, recommended apps, tips for sticking to a budget, identifying financial trends,…
- 043: Financial Resources for Veterinarians
This episode of the Veterinary Financial Podcast explores financial resources for vet professionals. It covers personal finance and business ownership, mentioning favorite books, blogs, podcasts, calculators, and courses, along with specif…
- 042: Finding AI’s Role in Modern Vet Med - Sebastian Gabor
Sebastian Gabor, Co-Founder of Digitail, joins the Veterinary Financial Podcast to explore the use of AI in veterinary medicine. The discussion covers AI's accuracy, potential concerns, and its application in improving practice finances an…
- 041: Financial Advice For Your Younger Self
This episode of the Veterinary Financial Podcast expands on financial advice for veterinarians, drawing from a blog by Dr. Phil Zeltzman. Topics include saving strategies, building credit, investing options like Roth IRA and 401(k), managi…
- 040: COGS - The Second Largest Cost in a P&L - Emmitt Nantz
In episode 040, Emmitt Nantz of Inventory Ally explains inventory cost factors, COGS calculation, and inventory management within veterinary practices. The discussion covers who should manage inventory, common errors, and the benefits of I…
- 039 Retaining Talent Through Financial Empowerment - Michael Natale
Michael Natale, a licensed veterinary technician and talent acquisition manager, shares insights on personal finance, saving, and staff retention within the veterinary field. He addresses common financial concerns for support staff and off…