Should Physicians Invest in Bonds?

In this episode of Money Meets Medicine, Justin Harvey and Dr. Jimmy Turner tackle a classic investing question: do high-earning physicians really need bonds in their portfolio?

They break down:

Why Jimmy avoids bonds (less than 5% of his portfolio) and instead leans heavily on diversified index funds.

When bonds can make sense, such as reducing volatility for investors nearing retirement or with specific cash needs.

How bonds actually work: creditworthiness, yields, coupons, and the role of interest rate sensitivity (a.k.a. duration).

The risks of “safe” bonds, including how inflation and rising interest rates can erode returns and undermine their role as a portfolio stabilizer.

Practical strategies: bond ladders, TIPS (Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities), short-duration ETFs, and asset location (where bonds belong in taxable vs. retirement accounts).

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