The age-old question of renting versus buying takes center stage in this episode as we explore whether the American dream of homeownership lives up to the hype. Jake Courtney, CFP®, CSLP®, a financial planner with the SLP Wealth dental team, joins us for a lively debate as we dig into the financial and lifestyle factors that go into this decision, bust some common myths, and help you weigh what’s right for your situation. In the end, we’ll help you decide if buying a home is truly all it’s cracked up to be. Key moments: (07:07) The costs of homeownership go beyond the mortgage and include “phantom” expenses you might not expect (13:30) Using the price-to-rent ratio to decide if buying or renting is the smarter financial move (17:08) Why renting isn’t always “throwing money away” — key factors to consider before deciding (26:21) Renting might be your best option if you’ve just bought a business or can’t yet qualify for a mortgage Links mentioned: Rent vs. Buy Calculator for Residency/Fellowship Financially Free Dentists podcast   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  Subscribe to the newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!  

With a new administration on the rise, the future of student loans hangs in the balance. The GOP’s budget reconciliation bill could significantly affect borrowers nationwide. There's a proposal to end time-based forgiveness, pushing for full repayment of both principal and interest. Coupled with potential spending cuts, the landscape of student debt is set for a shakeup. Key uncertainties linger around whether the Biden administration’s income-driven repayment adjustments can withstand this political shift.

What’s next for student loan borrowers in a world of shifting repayment plans and interest rates? Financial planner Sim Terwilliger, CFP®, CSLP®, joins us to break down the potential repeal of the SAVE plan and how it could reshape repayment strategies. We explore why PAYE or IBR might take center stage, when refinancing could make sense, and why it’s always a case-by-case decision. If you’re PSLF-eligible or unsure how these changes impact your financial future, this episode has the answers you need. Key moments: (01:51) PAYE might be the go-to repayment plan if SAVE is repealed (and we think it will be) (07:04) Refinancing your loans could make sense, but it isn’t for everyone (16:08) The trade-offs of refinancing, including losing federal protections (22:30) Why refinancing is a no-go if you’re PSLF-eligible 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  Subscribe to the newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!  

Looking to boost your finances in 2025? Discover top strategies for growing your wealth, from smart investments to essential insurance tips. Get insights on tracking spending to uncover financial truths and understand cost basis to avoid tax pitfalls. Learn how to balance gratitude with preparation in tough times. Plus, explore the intersection of mental health and money, emphasizing well-being while managing finances. This discussion is packed with practical advice to simplify your financial life and enhance future prosperity.

What’s the real difference between being a 1099 contractor and a W2 employee? And who actually decides which one you are — your employer or state law? Financial planner Kathleen Boyd, CFP®, CSLP®, CBDA, joins us to unpack the distinctions between these classifications and what they mean for your career, finances, and legal obligations. You’ll learn the IRS guidelines that determine your status, the pros and cons of each, and how being 1099 or W-2 impacts your retirement savings, tax planning, and benefits like Social Security and Medicare. Plus, we’ll discuss unique situations like earning both W-2 and 1099 income from locum tenens work. Key moments: (04:43) Key differences between 1099 contractor income and W-2 employee income (11:16) How IRS rules determine if you’re a 1099 contractor or should be classified as W-2 (17:21) The pros and cons of 1099 vs. W-2 status and how they impact your taxes, retirement, and benefits (30:56) What happens when you earn both W-2 and 1099 income as a locum tenens worker? Link mentioned:  Worker Classification 101: employee or independent contractor  

We’ll look ahead at major changes in student loan repayments under the new Trump administration, with potential IDR recertification deadlines and implications of the 8th Circuit's decisions. Plus, I’ll share a personal story about an investment mistake that cost me thousands and tips so that it doesn’t happen to you.   Key moments:   (01:28) Student loan collections are restarting: what it means for your credit and forbearance (03:49) What cost basis is (and a personal story about how ignoring it cost me thousands) (09:49) Are AUM fees worth it? Breaking down the math (15:06) Understanding technical investing strategies can give you an edge in wealth-building 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  Subscribe to the newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!  

Is it possible to buy a home without a credit score? We’re joined by special guest Steve Stewart, podcast editor, who shares how he moved his family to Colorado and secured a mortgage without a traditional credit score. Steve, who hasn’t opened a credit account since 2008, reveals tools and strategies for documenting payment history, navigating homeownership as a single-income household, and overcoming challenges as a self-employed borrower. We also discuss why the credit scoring system prioritizes debt, how professionals with unconventional financial profiles can still secure a mortgage, and how to handle tax reporting, 1099 forms, and business structuring for freelancers and entrepreneurs.   Key moments:   (05:29) The myth that a credit card is safer than a debit card (09:19) Strategies to get a mortgage without a traditional credit score or manual underwriting (21:36) What living without credit means for missing out on card perks (27:13) Simplifying 1099 income reporting and third-party processor confusion     Links mentioned:    eCredable Experian Boost   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  Subscribe to the newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!  

Student loan repayment plans are in chaos. From the PAYE and ICR confusion to the ongoing servicer challenges, borrowers face an overwhelming mess. We break down what’s happening, what changes might be coming, and how to stay ahead in an unpredictable system. On the investing side, we’re tackling the dominance of U.S. stocks since 2008, asking whether their reign is coming to an end. We’ll explore the rise of cryptocurrencies, the risks of betting too heavily on any one market, and why diversification remains critical to long-term financial success. Key moments: (01:23) How reopening the ICR plan lets high-income borrowers qualify for forgiveness and PSLF (03:16) U.S. stocks have outperformed international markets by 3.5x since 2008 (07:23) Bitcoin’s wild swings, why it mirrors U.S. stocks but amplifies market moves (11:45) Why investors tend to chase risky stocks and overlook safer opportunities (15:40) The importance of a diversified portfolio for professionals, no matter your student loan debt (16:49) Key investment strategies to prioritize as 2025 approaches   Links mentioned:  Department of Education Announces Borrowers Can Now Apply for Additional Income-Driven Repayment Plans WSJ: Young Men Are Making Risky Bets on Crypto and Politics—and Raking It In Right Now   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  Subscribe to the newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!  

The clock is ticking on the double consolidation loophole for Parent PLUS Loans, which closes in July 2025. Learn what this change means, why borrowers must act quickly, and how to make the most of the remaining time. We’ll tackle the big questions: Should you file taxes jointly or separately? How do Medicare penalties and student loan repayments overlap? And what strategies can help you maximize income-driven repayment (IDR) plans before the loophole disappears? Jared Costigan, CFP®, CSLP®, a financial planner with the SLP Wealth team, shares expert advice on preserving retirement savings, aligning Social Security with loan repayment, and leveraging Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Key moments: (05:16) Parent PLUS debt surged 63% from 2015 to 2022 as the cost of college climbs (9:19)  The double consolidation loophole could save you from paying 20% of your retirement income (19:38) Who benefits most from a double consolidation? Borrowers with balances nearing or exceeding their income (27:56) Income planning ties Social Security and loans to retirement timing — don’t overlook it (37:32) Filing taxes separately can lower loan payments but may raise Medicare costs Links mentioned:    Financially Free Physicians podcast Department of Education Parent PLUS Loans Parent PLUS Double Consolidation Loophole Guide for 2025   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  Subscribe to the newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!  

This episode is packed with answers to listener questions about student loans. From Public Service Loan Forgiveness rules to spousal consolidation loans, we’re covering real-life scenarios that borrowers face every day. Wondering how family size changes affect payments or what to make of new repayment plans? We’ve got you. Tune in for practical advice, expert tips, and answers to the questions you didn’t even know you had. Let’s get into it!   Key moments:   (04:07) Tackling spousal consolidation loan headaches and finding a way forward (06:44) Why claiming dependents can impact your loan forgiveness taxes (15:41) Nearing forgiveness? Here’s what to know about IBR qualification (18:37) Forbearance confusion: Does processing or administrative forbearance count for PSLF?   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  Subscribe to the newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!