fbpx

Money Meets Medicine Podcast

MMM 89: Personal Finance Masochism & Physician Self-Compassion

Have you ever felt the tension between needing to save more money (or pay down debt) and the human need to enjoy today? There is a phenomenon that happens in both coaching and personal finance, people learn the tools and then use the tools against themselves. So today we are discussing why you should make that big purchase you have been depriving yourself of and how to make sure you do it in a financially smart way. 

Larry Keller

Today I want to talk about that Porsche 981 Cayman S, house, or that expensive vacation you want, and how to get it. Learn how you can save for tomorrow while you also enjoying today. 

Personal Finance Vs. Physician Self-Compassion

There is a phenomenon that happens in both coaching and personal finance. Once physicians, doctors (and really anyone) learns the tools they need to better themselves (or finances), they then use the tools against themselves.

Both Ryan and I see it all the time in the personal finance and coaching world. 

That is exactly what inspired this show actually. 

I was on a recent coaching call with one of our clients in the Alpha Coaching Experience (ACE). This doctor in ACE was beating herself up for having an expensive apartment in a big northeastern city.

Because she had a good understanding of personal finance, she was scrutinizing the dollars she was spending that could have been building wealth instead. She was telling herself that she should move to a less expensive apartment because it was the “right” thing to do.

But is it really? That’s the question I want to answer and discuss today. 

Personal Finance And Physician Guilt 

Is there a purchase you’ve been thinking about?

Maybe a Porsche 981 Cayman S like me? Or maybe you are thinking about buying a bigger, nicer home? Or as travel is finally open again, you might be looking at an expensive vacation for the family?

Or maybe you are like this doctor in ACE and have thought about getting rid of something you currently spend money on because you feel that money could be building wealth?

However, there is one big obstacle in your way – guilt. Because you are a part of the physician finance community, you feel guilty or bad about those decisions.

The answer isn’t all or nothing. You need to learn to find that balance between saving for tomorrow while also using money as the tool that it is to enjoy today. Let’s get into how. 

Money is a TOOL 

Did you ever watch the show Ducktails growing up? (Might be aging myself there). In the show, Scrooge swims in his gold coins often. That is NOT what life is about. That is not why we save or make smart financial decisions. 

Money is not the end itself. It is not the goal. Money is a tool that allows you to reach maximum happiness. It is the means to an end, not the end itself.

What makes you happy? Those things are your goals and that is what you are using your money for. What you are saving for. Why you are investing. It might be something in the short term that makes you happy or something in the long term. 

You need to build a plan that will allow you to reach your financial goals when you want.

Dial down in the areas that don’t matter as much to you, so you can dial up on the things that do. 

Spend Money Without Guilt 

Once you are meeting your financial goals, you should spend money without guilt and regret.

Ryan had a client saving $15,000 a month based on the changes she made in her life in terms of personal finance. And even though she was doing really well, she felt like she couldn’t have a cup of Starbucks coffee because of the tools she learned in personal finance. She was hitting her finance goals, but she couldn’t separate the rules of personal finance from the things she really wants and can afford. 

For me, it’s a car. And I use to think, “I teach physician finance to students every day, how can I have a really nice and expensive car?” But it’s because I was also able to meet the other financial goals Kristen and I had. So why think, “I can’t have this,” when I am meeting my financial goals. 

Personal Finance is Personal 

Numbers in personal finance are completely arbitrary in nature. What you think you should be saving or making is all made up. You can base it on others and what they say you should be saving, but again that is completely arbitrary.

I always ask, “who gets to decide what is enough or a little?” The answer is YOU. There is always more money you can make and more you can save. But at what cost? 

You need to approach your personal finance with compassion for yourself. Whenever you find yourself putting the would “should” into your statement, you are already bringing self-judgment into the conversation with yourself. Judgment is not going to serve you.  

Get More Physician Finance Support 

If you need and want more guidance on how to use the tools you are learning in the personal finance space in a compassionate way for yourself, I recommend checking out Ryan’s podcast episode on his Personal Finance Rules here and checking out my episode on my personal finance rules. 

In these two episodes, we discuss things like The 10% Rule, The 50% Raise, and suggest amounts of money to save as a barometer. These episodes will give you a good foundation for reach your personal finance goals. Just remember that these goals should be based on what makes you happy and not an arbitrary number. And as you move forward, do it with compassion for yourself. Don’t use these tools against yourself, only to move you forward. 

What is one thing you can take away from this? Do you find yourself using the personal finance tools you learn against yourself? 

 

    2 Comments

    1. TDZ

      Nice read, mid 30s and we struggle with this balance as well. We save 40-50% of gross and are supposed to be able to spend the rest guilty free. The problem is it still seems extravagant to do expensive activities or buy expensive things even though we clearly can afford it. We are getting better, slowly. Did you get the Cayman? Last year, after much mental debating and seeing that we would meet our savings goals, I purchased a 993 911 Carrera 4S (in cash) to better enjoy the now while still saving for the future. It’s my weekend car and totally unnecessary but it makes me happy and is a keeper. No regrets.

      Reply
      • Jimmy Turner, MD

        I have not gotten the Caymen, yet. Still chewing on it, but as prices soar, it is a hard time to bite that bullet. Maybe in a year or so once things calm down.

        The 911 is a sweet ride, and have thought about that, too, since I have 3 kids and 2 that are still small enough to go in the backseat for a Sunday drive. Enjoy it!

        Reply

    Submit a Comment

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You might also be interested in…

    Show Me the Money (In the Financial Industry)

    Show Me the Money (In the Financial Industry)

    The personal finance industry is meant to help you manage your assets, but particularly for doctors, many questions remain around what that kind of support actually means.

    Does your financial advisor have your best interest at heart? Do you know how they get paid? Are they transparent in their disclosures about how their company actually works? Where are the conflicts of interest?

    Because you can rest assured there are conflicts of interest. It’s just a matter of how they show up. And once you can say “Show me the money” and find them, that’s when you can make intentional, informed decisions regarding your personal finance.
    In tackling this topic, we wanted to acknowledge the two main reasons you may be considering your options for charitable giving, especially as a high-earning physician.

    One is that you may have religious convictions that make you feel more inclined to give. Even if you don’t hold to the same belief system that we do – specifically around tithing and the historical background of that concept – giving to your community is very valuable. Not just for the recipient, but for you, the giver.

    This leads us into reason two, which is that giving money (or other valuable resources) and helping others has been shown to increase long-term satisfaction and fulfillment in your life.

    There’s also a practical side of financial charitable giving to consider, which are the tax advantages you can use to create the most bang for your buck – literally.

    Charitable Giving for Physicians

    Charitable Giving for Physicians

    Does tithing or charitable giving play a part in your personal finances? Should it? As usual, we’re not shying away from taking a deep dive into a very personal topic. Personal finance is personal, maybe never more so than when it comes to deciding how you want to give back.

    In tackling this topic, we wanted to acknowledge the two main reasons you may be considering your options for charitable giving, especially as a high-earning physician.

    One is that you may have religious convictions that make you feel more inclined to give. Even if you don’t hold to the same belief system that we do – specifically around tithing and the historical background of that concept – giving to your community is very valuable. Not just for the recipient, but for you, the giver.

    This leads us into reason two, which is that giving money (or other valuable resources) and helping others has been shown to increase long-term satisfaction and fulfillment in your life.

    There’s also a practical side of financial charitable giving to consider, which are the tax advantages you can use to create the most bang for your buck – literally.

    Making the Most of Your Paycheck

    Making the Most of Your Paycheck

    You’ve done it – your training is complete and now you’re finally getting a paycheck fit for an attending physician. You think, “I’ve arrived! I’m going to start making so much more money.”

    Famous last words. If you’re not prepared, that is.

    Seemingly unassuming, everyday expenses still have the potential to wreck your new paycheck and your budget. I’ve seen it many times over the years: you try to be careful, but you (understandably) want to enjoy your hard-earned money. Costs creep up on you, things snowball. Suddenly, your post-tax paycheck is no different than it was in residency.

    You thought you knew how to spend money wisely, but now you wonder, “What was the point of all my hard work to get here?”

    Don’t worry. You can still enjoy the money you make while being aware of five main money traps that a high-income earner like you could be susceptible to if you’re not paying attention.

    Are you ready to live a life you love?