Medical training prepares you to treat complex clinical cases —but often your education does not include financial planning topics. As a resident, you’re navigating the exciting beginning of your career, often alongside long and exhausting hours. With so much on your plate, there’s rarely time to think about managing your limited budget, student loans, or long-term financial goals. As you progress in your career, you may take on leadership positions, teaching responsibilities, or become more involved in your medical community, all of which can add to an already demanding schedule.
That is why laying the groundwork now with simple habits and clear strategies can make all the difference. The earlier you start, the more control and confidence you will have over your financial future. Let’s explore practical ways to build a strong foundation so you can focus on what matters most.
The following three tips will help you take control of your finances and put your income to the best use. Whether you are getting your first paycheck or nearing retirement, these tips apply to you just on varying levels.
- Understand Your Financial Picture
- Invest in Yourself and Your Future
- Protecting Your Future
Understand Your Financial Picture
Start by getting clear on where you stand. Ask yourself:
- How much are you earning versus spending?
- What does your personal balance sheet look like? (Savings/Assets vs. Student Loans/other Debts)
- What are your fixed monthly expenses? (Think housing, utilities, food, transportation, student loan payments, etc.)
A budgeting tool such as Rocket Money or Quicken Simplifi can help track your monthly cash flow. Knowing what is coming in and going out is the first step in building any financial plan.
Once you have a handle on your income and expenses, the next step is to address any major debts. For many physicians, the most significant of these is student loans. On average, physicians entering residency in the U.S. carry about $200,000 to $250,000 in student loan debt. While in residency, you are often allowed to defer your loan repayments.
As you begin to think about repaying your student loans, there are various repayment options, such as the SAVE Plan, which keeps monthly payments low based on your income; this is an income-driven repayment plan. If you work for a nonprofit hospital, you may also qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), which forgives your remaining loan balance after ten years of qualifying payments and service.
Invest in Yourself and Your Future
Financial success is not about perfection. It is about consistency. Set up systems to support your goals. Automate your savings, schedule monthly financial check-ins, and connect with a financial professional who understands the unique path of a medical career.
Starting early gives you more options, greater confidence, and long-term flexibility. You are already building a future that helps others. Now is the time to invest in yourself.
- Develop a stepped savings plan that increases over time. Small contributions can make a lasting impact. Begin with automatic savings to both retirement accounts and outside investment accounts. Establishing this habit early will make it easier to increase your savings as your income grows, helping you build wealth steadily over time.
- Set up automatic savings
The best savings strategy is “out of sight, out of mind.” Open a high-yield savings account and schedule monthly transfers. Even $50 a month adds up over time. - Contribute to retirement accounts
Review your employer benefits packet. Does your employer offer a 401(k), 403(b), or 457 plan? Contribute a portion of your paycheck to that account. If there is an employer match, make sure you are contributing enough to get the full match. This is essentially free money for your future.
- Set up automatic savings
- Avoid lifestyle inflation: As you progress in your career, start increasing your contributions to your savings vehicles as your income increases. Resist the urge to immediately upgrade your car, apartment, or wardrobe. Keeping your expenses stable and living below your means will help you build wealth faster.
- Ensure that your assets are diversified: both in type of assets (investments, real estate, etc.), but also in tax-form. You want to make sure you set up different tax buckets – such as ROTHs, Brokerage Accounts, and then Pre-tax retirement savings – this gets you all 3 tax buckets!
Protect Your Future
Your ability to work and earn is your most valuable asset, and it is something you will want to protect. Protecting your future goes beyond insurance coverage, make sure you have a proper estate plan in place.
Here is what to consider:
- Disability insurance: Look for a policy with own-occupation coverage, which pays benefits if you cannot work in your specific medical specialty, even if you can work in another field.
- Life insurance: If you have dependents or co-signed loans, a term life insurance policy provides peace of mind by ensuring those obligations are covered if something happens to you.
- Estate Planning: It is important to make sure that you have the proper documentation in place in case something were to happen to you. This includes basic estate documents, such as a Will, Power of Attorney, and Health Care Power of Attorney. You will also want to make sure that beneficiaries are listed on all of your investments, retirement accounts, and any life insurance policy.
Your career in medicine is just beginning. By making intentional financial choices now, you are giving yourself the freedom to grow personally, professionally, and financially for years to come. Starting early and staying consistent will empower you to build a strong financial foundation so you can focus on what matters most: your patients, your passions, and your future.
Want to Talk One-on-One?
If you’d like to discuss any of these topics further, contact Emily Promise at Blakely Financial. AMWA members receive a 15% discount on our services. We’re here to help you build a financial plan that supports your career and your life.
Email: emily@blakelyfinancial.com | erin@blakelyfinancial.com
Phone: (336) 885 – 2530
Website: https://blakelyfinancial.com/