MtoM #285: This Orthopedic Fellow Reached a $0 Net Worth Before Becoming an Attending

How do you finish medical training with $300,000 in student loans and still reach a net worth of zero before your first attending paycheck?

In this episode of Milestones to Millionaire, an orthopedic surgery fellow shares how he and his family accumulated nearly $300,000 in investments while carrying roughly the same amount in federal student loans. Despite raising three children on a resident salary with a stay-at-home spouse, they consistently invested in retirement accounts, kept expenses low, benefited from a favorable housing market, and let long-term investing do much of the heavy lifting.

We discuss why they chose a simple total stock market investing strategy, how market growth accelerated their progress, and why having a written financial plan before becoming an attending is one of the biggest advantages a new physician can have. Alek also shares his plan to refinance and eliminate his student loans in less than two years, the philosophy behind his family's "Buy When Rich" list, and the simple 10% rule they use to balance enjoying life while building wealth.

The conversation closes with practical advice for residents and medical students on preparing financially before the larger paychecks arrive, including why fourth year of medical school may be the best time to begin learning personal finance.

Financial success rarely begins with an attending salary. It begins with habits, planning, and making intentional decisions long before the income changes.

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Celebrating your stories of success along the journey to financial freedom! Tune in every Monday to the Milestones to Millionaire Podcast, where we celebrate the financial achievements of our listeners and share practical tips for reaching your own milestones. We want to celebrate your milestones—no matter how big or small—and help inspire others to follow your lead. Every week, these episodes feature one listener who has recently achieved a milestone they are proud of and want to celebrate, and they give any advice they have for those who want to follow their example. Make sure to listen every Monday to be inspired by your fellow white coat investors.

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