Caring for Patients vs. Planning for Your Future
You entered medicine to help children thrive — not to master tax codes, balance sheets, or student loan servicer phone trees. Yet your financial health plays a huge role in how confidently you can practice, provide for your family, and pursue the life you envision.
As a pediatrician, your career is both rewarding and demanding. You work long hours, carry significant student loan debt, and face compensation structures that can be anything but simple. It’s no wonder financial planning often feels overwhelming.
That’s where a financial planner comes in — not just to manage investments, but to create peace of mind. A trusted planner helps you make confident money decisions so you can stay focused on what you do best: caring for kids and leading your family well.
Here are three reasons why working with a financial planner can make a meaningful difference in your life and career…
1. Student Loan Repayment Strategies for Pediatricians
Most pediatricians graduate training with six-figure student loans — yet their compensation often lags behind other specialties. That reality makes your repayment strategy even more critical.
Should you pursue Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)? Stick with an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan? Or refinance for a lower rate? These aren’t just financial choices — they shape your long-term stability and flexibility.
A financial planner can help you:
Evaluate PSLF vs. refinancing based on your career path
Avoid costly mistakes that delay forgiveness
Balance loan repayment with other goals like retirement or home buying
2. Managing W-2 and 1099 Income as a Pediatrician
Even if your primary job is as a W-2 employee, many pediatricians supplement income with 1099 work — moonlighting, consulting, or side practices. While rewarding, this added income creates new complexities in tax planning and retirement savings.
Key questions include:
What expenses are tax-deductible?
Should you open a Solo 401(k) or SEP IRA?
How does 1099 income fit with your hospital benefits?
How do you prepare for quarterly tax payments?
A financial planner helps you minimize taxes, maximize retirement savings, and design a strategy that adapts as your income evolves.
3. Financial Planning for Pediatricians with Busy Lives
Your financial goals may include:
Buying your forever home
Saving for your children’s education
Reducing clinical hours in the future
Building a flexible retirement plan
But between patient care, night shifts, and family responsibilities, financial planning often gets pushed aside. Without a plan, those goals stay stuck in the “someday” category — which adds stress instead of reducing it.
A financial planner helps you:
Prioritize and structure goals
Create a step-by-step financial roadmap
Stay accountable so you see real progress
Every day, you care for children and families with dedication and expertise. But your own financial wellbeing deserves the same level of care.
Working with a financial planner isn’t just about investment returns. It’s about:
Reducing financial stress
Gaining clarity in decision-making
Having a trusted partner to guide you through your career and beyond
👉 I specialize in helping pediatricians build financial plans that align with their values, families, and long-term goals. 📅 Schedule a free consultation
