Physician Family Finances Podcast

After years of building your private practice, the time has come to sell. The business you have poured your time, energy, and money into is being bought by private equity. Should you take the payout in PE shares or cash? Nate Reineke delves into some key considerations that docs like you should know when faced with this situation. We break down how shares could benefit you in the long run and how cash could help keep you d...

After years of studying, tests, and residency, you’ve finally moved up and the job offer comes with a forgivable loan they’re calling a signing bonus. Nate Reineke and Chelsea Jones look at one case where the numbers are huge, meaning a job change for this physician could cost them huge. We break down why saving these bonuses could save you in the long run and some way’s we’ve seen doctors navigate these loans. We also ans...

New year, new interest rates? It’s a strong maybe. That isn’t the most helpful answer, but if you are close to closing on a new house, should you wait to see if they drop or lock in now? Nate Reineke and Chelsea Jones discuss some factors to consider when deciding whether to wait or not. We also look at how a change might already be factored into the rate you’re getting. 

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As we all reflect on 2025 and move into the first week of 2026, we wanted to reflect on some ideas that still hold true to this day. Money won’t buy you happiness. You have all heard this before, and by and large, everyone agrees with this statement, yet for many physicians, your actions say otherwise. Enjoy this re-release of an episode from the early days, where Nate Reineke lays out how working with hundreds of physicia...

It’s New Year’s Eve! We hope that you have had a wonderful 2025. As we look ahead to 2026, you may be making resolutions or setting goals for yourself. This is a time we all reflect on what changes we’d like to make. As we ponder these changes, it is important to note that things are changing in the finance world, too, and that there are some changes regarding 401K catch-up contributions. Nate Reineke and Kyle Hoelzle brea...

The holiday season brings many fun traditions, like going to see the lights, opening Advent calendars, baking, or shopping for the perfect gift. Since the holidays also signal the end of the year, it can be a time to think about taxes, too. Nate Reineke and Chelsea Jones break down some of the tax breaks doctors like you can try to catch at the last second, like maxing out contributions. We also look at some tax breaks tha...

That benefits packet you skimmed might hide a major opportunity. When it comes to saving for retirement, it can seem like there are a million account types, and it is becoming more common for employers to offer even more options. While that flexibility can be great, it can also be confusing, especially when a plan includes the Mega Backdoor Roth. In this episode, Nate Reineke and Chelsea Jones break down what the Meg...

If we had a crystal ball, we’d all like to know what the housing market will do. However, we do know that rates have dropped in the last 8 to 12 months, in some cases saving people a whole percent! Nate Reineke and Chelsea Jones break down why it may be beneficial to refinance even if you bought within the last year or if you have an ARM. We also discuss when it may be smart to move to a 15-year mortgage or buy points up f...

If you are on track for retirement, college, have an emergency fund, have bought all your cars in cash, and check all the other planning boxes, but find yourself with extra cash, where is the best place to put it? It may seem like a simple math problem to decide if investing is a better option than paying down your mortgage, but the math isn’t actually that easy. Nate Reineke and Kyle Hoelzle break down why it’s not an eas...

The seasons have changed, and fall is coming to an end, which means the holidays are here! While Nate may not be the biggest fan of Thanksgiving food, he and Chelsea take some time to reflect on life and money lessons they are thankful to have learned, often around a dinner table. Nate Reineke and Chelsea Jones break down some of the valuable lessons they learned when they were young, like “don’t spend money you don’t have...

If you get a distribution from your 457, it may feel like income that you can do whatever with. This time of year, it may be tempting to spend it on a Christmas retreat or a New Year’s reset, but is that going to steal your retirement nest egg? Nate Reineke and Chelsea Jones break down how that distribution can be used to bolster your retirement plans and how for Physician Family clients, it is already factored into their ...

CAUTION: Tax season is quickly approaching. We know that it can be shocking to see a huge or unexpected tax bill, and this time of year, it seems like everyone is advertising a way to save. How can physicians like you know if these methods are legit or a good idea? Nate Reineke and Chelsea Jones break down some of the ways you may be able to save on taxes throughout the year and what accounts could offer you tax savings. W...

The market is always moving, and it can be tempting to try to rebalance when you’d have to pay the least capital gains taxes. Tax savings are great, but is this really the best way to decide when to rebalance? Nate Reineke and Kyle Hoelzle break down how the market may play into rebalancing and what doctors like you should consider when deciding to rebalance. We also discuss why it is worth paying some taxes in order to ma...

It is Halloween! The kids are out trick-or-treating, and the air is a little crisper as the seasons change. A change in jobs or open enrollment can lead to the spooky decision of what retirement plan is best: a defined benefit plan or a defined contribution plan? Nate Reineke and Chelsea Jones break down what each plan means and the benefits that come with each. We also discuss some key things you should consider when deci...

Life insurance is becoming a standard benefit for employers to offer, but is the group policy enough for a doctor like you? Nate Reineke is joined by Brian Leet, who helps families across the country navigate life and disability insurance. We discuss what to consider when calculating a life insurance policy, and when group life insurance through an employer isn’t enough. We also break down when a permanent policy may make ...

As a young doc, it can seem like everyone has something to sell you. Many physicians can end up with a whole life policy that they don’t actually need, and that policy can have a loan against it without you really knowing what’s happening. Nate Reineke and Chelsea Jones break down why these policies are often sold in the first place, how the loans work, and how you can get out of them. They also give some suggestions on wh...

Have you ever been told to keep municipal bonds, instead of corporate bonds, in your brokerage account? You may think that there isn’t that big of a difference… after all, they’re both bonds. Nate Reineke and Kyle Hoelzle break down the advantages municipal bonds may provide for doctors like you and why they can help your diversification. We also answer your colleagues’ questions. A vascular surgeon in Oregon says, 'My son...

Starting a new job always brings changes and new opportunities. For some docs, it may bring the question if being a 1099 contractor will create tax savings or a headache? Nate Reineke breaks down what you should consider if you are deciding between being a W-2 employee or a 1099 contractor. We discuss how things like benefits and employer costs should factor into the decision. Be sure to listen to the end to hear what you ...

Old IBR, New IBR, PAYE, REPAYE, RAP, it may seem like a fruit salad of letters. In reality, these are just some of the payment plans doctors have used on their quest to PSLF. It can be confusing, especially in recent years, to understand what plan is best for you. Listen in as Nate Reineke breaks down the history of PSLF, the chaos and uncertainty in recent years, and where the program stands now. We also discuss recent ch...