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You’ve worked and saved your whole career to have the best retirement possible. Now that you are close to retirement, what actually needs to change? Nate Reineke and Chelsea Jones answer questions from physicians like you, breaking down exactly that. A Gastroenterologist in Washington asks, “As I get closer to retirement, I’m realizing that spending down my investments is very different from building them up. What are the most important things to focus on with retirement right around the corner?” A Neurosurgeon in New York says, “If I am at the top marginal tax bracket now and intend on spending enough in retirement that we keep me at the highest tax bracket then, should I still contribute to a pre-tax 401k?” An Anesthesiologist in California wonders, “When should I take Social Security? I have always assumed age 70, but are there benefits of taking it earlier?” A Dermatologist in Texas asks, “What if we put most of our money in stocks but just keep a few years of cash on the side so we don’t have to sell when the market is down? Does that actually make things safer?” Are you ready to turn worries about taxes and investing into all the money you need for college and retirement? It’s time to make a plan and get on track. To find out if we’re a match visit physicianfamily.com and click get started or, you can ask a question of your own by emailing [email protected]. See marketing disclosures at physicianfamily.com/disclosures

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 diversified. We also look at how taking some of each could offer the best of both worlds. We also answer your colleagues' questions. A Psychiatrist in New Jersey says, “We are financially independent but still working since we are in our mid 40s. We are considering shifting some money out of stocks and into bonds to get to a 60/40 portfolio. Is that a good idea for us?” An Ophthalmologist in Georgia asks, “We have all the money we need to pay for college. Should I take our money out of the stock market?” A Hand surgeon in Florida wonders, “The surrender period if finished on a variable annuity we purchased a while back. We were told that we are only paying 1% in fees on the account. Should we leave the money in the annuity?” Are you ready to turn worries about taxes and investing into all the money you need for college and retirement? It’s time to make a plan and get on track. To find out if we’re a match visit physicianfamily.com and click get started or, you can ask a question of your own by emailing [email protected]. See marketing disclosures at physicianfamily.com/disclosures

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 answer your colleagues questions. A Psychiatrist in Maine asks, “If my kids are likely to have much of their college covered through scholarships and unused GI Bill benefits, how should that change the way I approach college savings?” A Psychiatrist in West Virginia says, “When I did my estate plan, the service that I used suggested that I put age restrictions on distributions. I need more education on why the need to divvy it up, when I assume our children would need access to the funds for support as young adults even prior to the age of 25.” A Psychiatrist in Kentucky wonders, “When it comes to life insurance, my husband and I both have several policies with different terms. If I want my parents to get the payout from one of the policies (with my husband still being contingent if my parents have passed), what is the easiest way to do that? Do I change the beneficiary on the policy itself? Should we change the beneficiary to the trust first and then have instructions for the executor to give my parents the money?” Are you ready to turn worries about taxes and investing into all the money you need for college and retirement? It’s time to make a plan and get on track. To find out if we’re a match visit physicianfamily.com and click get started or, you can ask a question of your own by emailing [email protected]. See marketing disclosures at physicianfamily.com/disclosures

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.    We also answer your colleagues' questions.    A Psychiatrist in Maine says, “My 13-year-old just received a couple hundred bucks at Christmas. He is very interested in investing that money. He doesn’t have any earned income. Is it best to open a UTMA in his name, a 529, or a Roth IRA?” A Double doctor family in Hawaii asks, “My 18-year-old son just committed to a paid internship for this coming summer and will make enough money to fully fund a Roth IRA. What is the best way to set this up?” An Oncologist in Oklahoma is wondering, “I looked at our last paycheque for the year 2025. Based on my calculations, it’s likely that we will not meet the safe harbor rules for 2025. I am not sure how this happened, as we are both W2 employees. I know that we will have to pay some penalties, but should I hire a CPA for taxes this year? Generally, I do the taxes myself, but I am not sure if TurboTax can run this analysis.” Are you ready to turn worries about taxes and investing into all the money you need for college and retirement? It’s time to make a plan and get on track. To find out if we’re a match visit physicianfamily.com and click get started or, you can ask a question of your own by emailing [email protected].    See marketing disclosures at physicianfamily.com/disclosures

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 physician families has shaped his thinking on what living an abundant life really means and how you can shift your perspective about money to actually start living one. Are you ready to turn worries about taxes and investing into all the money you need for college and retirement? It’s time to make a plan and get on track. To find out if we’re a match visit physicianfamily.com and click get started or, you can ask a question of your own by emailing [email protected]. See marketing disclosures at physicianfamily.com/disclosures

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 break down what these changes are and how they may impact physicians like you. We also answer your colleagues’ questions. It's New Year's Eve. What contributions do people still have time for? An Infectious Disease Doctor in NY asks, “Does it make more sense for us to have separate HSA-eligible plans or one family plan?” A Surgeon in Illinois says “I have a new HSA, can I just leave the old where it’s currently at?” A Psychiatrist in New York wonders, “My new employer is letting me choose between being a W-2 employee or a 1099 contractor. Which should I choose?” A Family Medicine Doc in Minnesota asks “When opening a solo 401(k) as a sole proprietor, should we use our SSN or get an EIN?” Are you ready to turn worries about taxes and investing into all the money you need for college and retirement? It’s time to make a plan and get on track. To find out if we’re a match visit physicianfamily.com and click get started or, you can ask a question of your own by emailing [email protected]. See marketing disclosures at physicianfamily.com/disclosures

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 that take a bit more planning, like charitable donations, that you could plan for in 2026. We also answer your colleagues' questions. An Anesthesiologist in Iowa says, “I want to help my son with a home purchase - what is the best way for me to do this?” An Oncologist in Colorado asks, “Do you think a really early retirement is worth pursuing?” A Family Medicine Doc in Texas says, “I’ve heard about this opportunity from a few colleagues to buy into this cash flow business (storage units). The projected return seems really appealing (20-30% over 3 years). What do you think?” Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Are you ready to turn worries about taxes and investing into all the money you need for college and retirement? It’s time to make a plan and get on track. To find out if we’re a match visit physicianfamily.com and click get started or, you can ask a question of your own by emailing [email protected]. See marketing disclosures at physicianfamily.com/disclosures

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 Mega Backdoor Roth is, how it works inside your employer plan, and when doctors like you should consider using it. We also answer your colleagues’ questions. A Pediatrician in California says, “My Morgan Stanley advisor doesn’t want me to buy and hold our index funds. Why do you think that is?” An Emergency Medicine Doc in Arizona asks, “I have been attending for about 18 months now, and everyone is telling me to buy a house, but what is wrong with renting for another year or two?” A Retired Oncologist in Oregon says, “My expenses are sporadic, and when I had a regular monthly withdrawal set up previously, I found that the cash just started to build up. What do you think about me taking withdrawals out in chunks instead of a regular monthly withdrawal?” Are you ready to turn worries about taxes and investing into all the money you need for college and retirement? It’s time to make a plan and get on track. To find out if we’re a match visit physicianfamily.com and click get started or, you can ask a question of your own by emailing [email protected]. See marketing disclosures at physicianfamily.com/disclosures

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 front to have a lower rate. We also answer your colleagues' questions. An oncologist in Oklahoma says, “I received an unexpected bonus from work that we did not work into our original financial plan. I could see us either investing it in our brokerage account or putting it into a 529. What are your thoughts?” An OBGYN in Florida asks, “I know estate planning is something I need to do, and I have heard about a trust, but I don’t know much beyond that. Can you tell me how it works?” A Urologist in Oregon says, “We are retired and want to upgrade our house, but we don’t have the cash, so we would need to take money out of our brokerage account or sell our rental property to buy the new house - should we do it?” Are you ready to turn worries about taxes and investing into all the money you need for college and retirement? It’s time to make a plan and get on track. To find out if we’re a match visit physicianfamily.com and click get started or, you can ask a question of your own by emailing [email protected]. See marketing disclosures at physicianfamily.com/disclosures

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 easy question to answer and the caveats that complicate the math. We also discuss how paying off your mortgage faster helps reduce risk as you head into retirement. We also answer your colleagues’ questions. An ENT in New York says, “If my employer updates the plan’s default investment option, does that change how my current retirement account is invested?” A Critical Care Doctor in Ohio asks, “My oldest child is in college, and we have some of his tuition money in a high-yield savings account. Should we move it to his 529?” An ENT in Oregon wonders, “How should investors think about owning broad index funds when they disagree with the practices of some of the companies inside them?” Are you ready to turn worries about taxes and investing into all the money you need for college and retirement? It’s time to make a plan and get on track. To find out if we’re a match visit physicianfamily.com and click get started or, you can ask a question of your own by emailing [email protected]. See marketing disclosures at physicianfamily.com/disclosures

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 yet,” and Chelsea’s favorite, “pay yourself first.” We also discuss your colleagues' questions. A Neurosurgeon in New York just got a bonus payment and has a large lump sum to invest. Should they do a one-time deposit to their taxable account or dollar cost average? A Cardiologist in Oregon says, “We earn $700k/year and we watch what we spend to some extent, yet at the end of the month, we are out of money. What do you think the problem is?” The wife of a retired General Surgeon in Oregon asks, “My husband is on Medicare, but I am not, and my insurance covers our youngest son. Should I have an HSA?” A Dermatologist in Texas says, ”My in-laws are selling their home and we are thinking about buying it and turning it into a rental property. What do you think?” However you celebrate the upcoming holiday season, we at Physician Family Financial Advisors are thankful for you! Are you ready to turn worries about taxes and investing into all the money you need for college and retirement? It’s time to make a plan and get on track. To find out if we’re a match visit physicianfamily.com and click get started or, you can ask a question of your own by emailing [email protected]. See marketing disclosures at physicianfamily.com/disclosures

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 plan. We also answer your colleagues' questions. A Surgeon in New York says, “We are a little bit ahead on college savings for our 7 and 9 year old children, should we slow down?” Retired Family Medicine Doc in Oregon wants to know if they should do QCDs next year? A Psychiatrist in Chicago asks, “We want to move to a better neighborhood and buy a house that is twice as expensive as our current home. If we can afford the monthly mortgage, why not do it?” A Retired Urologist in Oregon is wondering, “Should we consider taking more than just the RMD in our inherited IRA in order to reduce ballooning during the end of the 10-year period, causing our taxable income to spike?” Are you ready to turn worries about taxes and investing into all the money you need for college and retirement? It’s time to make a plan and get on track. To find out if we’re a match visit physicianfamily.com and click get started or, you can ask a question of your own by emailing [email protected]. See marketing disclosures at physicianfamily.com/disclosures

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. We also talk about ways you could lower your “lifetime tax bill.” We also answer your colleagues' questions. A Cardiologist in Oregon says, “As I approach my retirement date, what should I be doing to optimize my taxes for the near future?” Another cardiologist in Oregon asks, “I am retiring next year, and we plan to downsize. If we have to buy the smaller house before our current house sells, should we liquidate part of our portfolio to pay for it/ have a sizable down payment?” An Orthopedic surgeon in Illinois was just reading a story that, in the future, catch-up contributions to our 401(k) will have to be put into a Roth. They are pretty sure their company does not offer a Roth. In the event that their company does not offer a Roth, can they just put those into my Betterment Roth? A Family Med doctor in California is having trouble with their CPA. They ask, “Should I just do my own taxes, or do I need a tax professional?” Are you ready to turn worries about taxes and investing into all the money you need for college and retirement? It’s time to make a plan and get on track. To find out if we’re a match visit physicianfamily.com and click get started or, you can ask a question of your own by emailing [email protected]. See marketing disclosures at physicianfamily.com/disclosures

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 manage your risk. We also answer your colleagues' questions. A listener emailed in and said, “I’m a 58-year-old surgeon in Pennsylvania and have been practicing for about 25 years, always as an employed physician. Over that time, I’ve built up several retirement accounts — a 401(k) with TIAA, a 457(b) plan from my second job that was frozen when the hospital was acquired in 2011, and my current 401(k) that started in 2011. I also have a cash balance pension plan that appears to be invested in a money market fund. As I start thinking about retirement in the next five to seven years, would it make sense to consolidate these accounts in one place — and if so, when is the best time to do that?” An OBGYN from Maryland got an email offering to put an ACATS Block on their account. They’re curious what that is, and why they would need one? The spouse of an OBGYN in Texas asks, “What is the Pro Rata rule, and how does it affect having/ opening a backdoor Roth?” A family med doc in California owns 2 properties that they use as investments, and they want to get a third so they can leave each child a property. They are three years from retirement and have enough for a down payment, but not enough to buy outright. Is it a good idea to buy? Are you ready to turn worries about taxes and investing into all the money you need for college and retirement? It’s time to make a plan and get on track. To find out if we’re a match visit physicianfamily.com and click get started or, you can ask a question of your own by emailing [email protected]. See marketing disclosures at physicianfamily.com/disclosures

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 deciding. We also answer your colleagues' questions. A Cardiologist in Oregon asks, “Should I own gold?” They also say, “My workplace plan now offers a Roth 403(b). Should I maximize that to get more into my Roth or just continue as normal with the backdoor Roth?” The Spouse of a dermatologist in Virginia says, “We want to retire at 50, but know that we can’t get Medicare until we are 65. What are our options to stop working or dramatically scale back with that in mind?” An Internal Med Doc in Washington just switched jobs. With their new employer, they can elect for the employer match to go into my 401 (k) or take it as a cash balance. Which should they choose? Are you ready to turn worries about taxes and investing into all the money you need for college and retirement? It’s time to make a plan and get on track. To find out if we’re a match visit physicianfamily.com and click get started or, you can ask a question of your own by emailing [email protected]. See marketing disclosures at physicianfamily.com/disclosures