Episodes

  • 071: Financial Planning Parallels Every Vet Will Recognize
    Sep 11 2025

    Veterinary medicine and financial planning share a common framework: history-taking, diagnostics, treatment or action plans, and progress exams. Recognizing these parallels can help make money conversations less intimidating and much more familiar for veterinarians.

    Key Topics:

    • How financial planning and veterinary medicine share the same step-by-step process
    • Working up a case in vet med mirrors working up a case in financial planning
    • The role of history-taking and information gathering in both fields
    • How treatment plans compare to financial action plans
    • Why progress exams and financial check-ins serve the same purpose
    • How my clinical background shapes my financial advice


    Interested in vet-specific financial planning?

    Schedule a free intro call or email meredith@allvetfinancial.com


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    8 mins
  • 070: AI Scribes - Saving Time and Sanity in Veterinary Practice
    Aug 28 2025

    Medical records have historically been one of the biggest time drains and stressors in veterinary practice. AI notetakers, also called scribes or transcription tools, are changing that.

    I share stories from my ER career and financial planning work, along with insights from veterinarians in the Debt-Free Vets Facebook group, on how these tools save time, improve accuracy, and reduce late-night record writing. You’ll also hear strategies that can help when AI isn’t an option.

    Veterinarians describe how AI notetakers have transformed their daily workflow—helping them juggle multiple cases, keep up with busy shifts, and finally stop staying late just to finish records.

    Highlights include:

    • The challenges of managing medical records in busy clinical settings
    • How AI notetakers can save time, reduce errors, and boost efficiency
    • What veterinarians are saying about their favorite tools
    • The cost of an AI notetaker - and why it may be worth paying for yourself if your hospital won’t
    • Other efficiency tools, including human scribes and TextExpander

    Whether you’re curious about AI notetakers, overwhelmed by incomplete records, or just looking for ways to reclaim your time, this conversation offers real-world insights into how these tools are changing veterinary practice.

    Links and Resources:

    • Debt-Free Vets Facebook group
    • Thread in Debt-Free Vets on AI notetakers

    Interested in vet-specific financial planning?

    Schedule a free intro call or email meredith@allvetfinancial.com

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    16 mins
  • 069: Progress Beats Perfection - Dr. Jason Balara
    Aug 14 2025

    Perfectionism might have helped you get into vet school, but it could be holding you back financially. Dr. Jason Balara joins Meredith to talk about how an “all or nothing” mindset can sabotage your financial goals and delay meaningful progress. Jason is a board-certified veterinary surgeon and founder of Lark Capital, a real estate investment firm.

    They explore:

    • Why striving for excellence beats chasing perfection
    • How perfectionism shows up in investing, budgeting, and student loan strategies
    • Why it’s better to start small than wait for the “perfect” financial plan
    • How Jason restructured his career to prioritize time and autonomy

    Whether you’re working toward loan forgiveness, thinking about launching a side business, or feeling stuck because you don’t have all the answers—this episode will help you take action without waiting for perfect conditions.

    Links and Resources:

    • Contact Jason Balara at jason@larkcapital.com or on LinkedIn
    • Check out the Know Your Why Podcast with Dr. Jason Balara

    Interested in vet-specific financial planning?

    Schedule a free intro call or check out allvetfinancial.com

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    45 mins
  • 068: What the New Student Loan Bill Means for Vet Students
    Jul 31 2025

    In this episode, I walk through what the student loan changes in the Big Beautiful Bill mean for current and future veterinary students.

    If you’re already in repayment, be sure to check out the previous episode, which covers what these changes mean for veterinarians who have already graduated.

    Most of the updates won’t take effect until July 1, 2026, but they’re important to understand now—whether you’re a student or someone who mentors future vet students.

    Key topics include:

    • Who is and isn’t affected by the new $200k federal student loan cap
    • When the changes take effect and which class years are impacted
    • Grad PLUS loans are going away—and what that means for vet students
    • What we know about the new RAP (Repayment Assistance Plan) so far
    • How consolidation strategy may shift next year
    • How this bill may affect access to the profession going forward


    I also share practical advice for current students, future students, and anyone advising future applicants—as well as my thoughts on how these changes could reshape the veterinary profession.

    Interested in vet-specific financial planning?

    Schedule a free intro call or email meredith@allvetfinancial.com


    Like the show? There are several ways you can help!

    • Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
    • Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts

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    21 mins
  • 067: What the New Student Loan Bill Means for Veterinarians
    Jul 17 2025

    In early July, the Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law, bringing sweeping changes to student loans. In this episode of the Veterinary Financial Podcast, I’m breaking down what the bill means for veterinarians who have already graduated and are already in repayment.

    Key topics include:

    • What happens if you're on IBR, PAYE, or SAVE
    • A closer look at the new 30-year RAP (Repayment Assistance Plan)
    • What happens if you don’t make a new plan selection by 2028
    • Important tax and spousal income considerations
    • A couple of bright spots—like employer benefits and servicer funding

    I also answer top questions from the Debt-Free Vets Facebook group and share what vets should be thinking about now to stay ahead of the changes.

    Stay tuned for the next episode where I’ll focus on how the bill impacts current and future vet students.

    Mentioned in this episode:

    • Debt-Free Vets Facebook Group

    Interested in vet-specific financial planning?

    Schedule a free intro call or email meredith@allvetfinancial.com


    Like the show? There are several ways you can help!

    • Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
    • Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts

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    13 mins
  • 066: Allvet Financial - Built for Vets, by a Vet
    Jul 3 2025

    I’m thrilled to announce the launch of Allvet Financial - a virtual, fee-only financial planning firm serving veterinarians and their partners nationwide.

    In this episode, I share the story behind starting my own firm, my path from ER vet to financial planner, and why I believe vet-specific financial planning matters.

    You’ll hear about:

    • Why I launched a firm built just for veterinarians

    • My transition from ER vet to financial planner

    • How I help clients navigate student loans, income shifts, and big decisions

    • The challenges vets face that most planners don’t understand

    • What it’s like to work with me at Allvet Financial


    If you’re interested in working together, I’d love to connect!

    Interested in vet-specific financial planning?

    Schedule a free intro call or email meredith@allvetfinancial.com


    Like the show? There are several ways you can help!

    • Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
    • Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts

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    8 mins
  • 065: Self-Employed Relief Vets: Your Top Financial Questions Answered
    Jun 19 2025

    Are you working relief shifts as a self-employed vet—or thinking about it? In this Q&A episode, I answer some of the most common questions that came up when I recently asked the Debt-Free Vets Facebook group: “Self-employed relief vets—what financial questions do you have?” From choosing the right business structure to navigating taxes, retirement savings, and health insurance, we cover the essentials (and the often-overlooked details) that can make or break your financial confidence as a relief vet.

    Key topics:
    • Do you need an LLC or PLLC to do relief work?
    • Why getting an EIN can protect your privacy
    • How to separate business and personal finances (and why it matters)
    • Pros and cons of a Solo 401(k) vs. SEP IRA
    • Navigating quarterly taxes
    • Common tax write-offs for relief vets

    Mentioned in this episode:
    • Contact Meredith: meredith@allvetfinancial.com
    • Debt-Free Vets Facebook Group
    • Episode 59: Perfectionist Traps That Are Costing You Money

    Interested in vet-specific financial planning?

    Schedule a free intro call or email meredith@allvetfinancial.com


    Like the show? There are several ways you can help!

    • Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
    • Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts

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    26 mins
  • 064: Student Loan Chaos: What You Need to Know
    Jun 5 2025

    Student loans are still in a state of chaos, and Meredith Jones, DVM, CSLP®, AFC® is here to help you make sense of it all. From court rulings to sweeping legislative proposals, borrowers are facing a confusing and rapidly evolving landscape. Whether you're pursuing forgiveness, considering switching repayment plans, or just trying to keep your head above water, this episode helps you understand what’s happening now, what could be coming, and what actions (if any) veterinarians and vet students should take.

    Key topics:

    • The status of the SAVE plan and what borrowers should consider if switching to IBR

    • What’s actually in the House reconciliation bill—aka the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

    • How the proposed RAP plan could impact veterinarians specifically

    • What changes might be coming to PSLF, Grad PLUS, and borrowing limits for future vet students

    • Why panicking (or refinancing) is not the move right now

    • One overlooked benefit in the bill that could help borrowers long term

    Links mentioned in this episode:

    • Debt-Free Vets Facebook Group
    • Adam Minsky – Student Loan Updates on Forbes

    Interested in vet-specific financial planning?

    Schedule a free intro call or email meredith@allvetfinancial.com


    Like the show? There are several ways you can help!

    • Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
    • Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts

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    16 mins