What if you're saving more than you need to — and burning out in the process? In this episode, Jimmy shares how sitting down and doing the math changed his entire career trajectory, going from 1.3 FTE and antidepressants to part-time at 40 with a $2.1M net worth. Jimmy and Justin break down new research from Bill Bengen on safe withdrawal rates (spoiler: it may be higher than 4%), how to figure out what you actually need to retire, and why your future expenses are probably lower than you think. Plus, Justin shares the advisor's perspective on conservative assumptions, spending flexibility, and the risk of becoming a miser. Whether you're a DIY investor or working with an advisor, this episode will help you figure out your real number — and what to do once you know it.

Download the financial freedom calculator: https://moneymeetsmedicine.com/FIRE

Check out Medical Degree Financial University: https://moneymeetsmedicine.com/MDFU

Every doctor needs own-occupation disability insurance. Get it from a source you can trust: https://moneymeetsmedicine.com/disability

Want a free copy of The Physician Philosopher’s Guide to Personal Finance? Snag your copy here: https://moneymeetsmedicine.com/freebook

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In this episode of "Money Meets Medicine," Dr. Jimmy Turner and physician contract attorney Michael Johnson break down physician compensation models, exploring the complexities beyond base salary and signing bonuses. They discuss work RVUs, volume expectations, bonus structures, and the impact of practice setting, geography, and payer mix on total compensation. The hosts share real-world examples, highlight common pitfalls in contract negotiations, and stress the importance of understanding data sources like MGMA. They also emphasize the critical need for disability insurance during training, offering practical advice for early-career physicians evaluating job offers.

Get $100 off a physician contract review with Michael Johnson Legal: https://moneymeetsmedicine.com/negotiate

Check out Medical Degree Financial University: https://moneymeetsmedicine.com/MDFU

Every doctor needs own-occupation disability insurance. Get it from a source you can trust: https://moneymeetsmedicine.com/disability

Want a free copy of The Physician Philosopher’s Guide to Personal Finance? Snag your copy here: https://moneymeetsmedicine.com/freebook

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Should physicians trade their time for money — or is that equation fundamentally broken? In this episode, we unpack why so many doctors save too much for too long, sacrificing their best years to build a nest egg they struggle to spend. Drawing from Vicki Robin's Your Money or Your Life, Morgan Housel's Psychology of Money, and Bill Perkins' Die With Zero, we explore a healthier framework for thinking about time, money, and financial independence as a physician.

Jimmy also shares a major personal update — after nearly twenty years at Wake Forest, he's making a career change that trades income for autonomy. No more nights, weekends, or holidays, but it comes at a real financial cost. It's the perfect case study for everything we discuss in this episode.

We break down the three stages of a doctor's financial life — from residency where you have neither time nor money, to mid-career where you finally have income but no time, to financial independence where you get both back. The problem? Most physicians get stuck in the middle stage far longer than they need to because of identity inertia, golden handcuffs, lifestyle lock-in, and the fear of earning less.

If you've ever wondered whether you should work less, take the pay cut, or keep grinding toward a number — this one's for you.

Don't forget to:

• Check out Medical Degree Financial University at moneymeetsmedicine.com/MDFU
• Grab a free copy of The Physician Philosopher's Guide to Personal Finance at moneymeetsmedicine.com/freebook or
• Get an own-occupation disability insurance quote from a source you can trust at moneymeetsmedicine.com/disability

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.