Stepping into medicine changes a lot including your relationship with money. In this episode of Common Curiosities, we rewind to the very beginning of the financial journey for resident physicians and future doctors. From student loan overwhelm to first paychecks, we explore the big questions that show up when debt, income, and long term planning all collide at once.

Topics include:

💭 The two big student loan paths: aggressive payoff vs forgiveness strategies

💭 What Public Service Loan Forgiveness actually requires

💭 Income based repayment and what “qualifying payments” really mean

💭 Nonprofit work rules and why your future employer matters

💭 Federal vs private loans and how refinancing may change your options

💭 The often overlooked tax side of loan forgiveness

💭 Why the right strategy depends on your career path, income trajectory, and family life

If you are in residency, medical school, or planning your future in medicine, this episode is about helping you think more clearly about your options and the tradeoffs behind each choice.

More episodes in this medicine focused series are coming next as we continue unpacking the pros, cons, and long term planning realities.

Stay curious.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞?

We’re here to make retirement planning feel less intimidating by helping people think through their strategies and plans through clear relatable financial topics!

💬 Questions or Want to Connect?

🌐 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞: www.custerfinancialadvisors.com

📧 𝐄𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥: custerfinancialadvisors@lpl.com

Chapters:

00:00 New Physicians Common Questions

01:32 Medical School Loan Payoff Options

02:12 Forgiveness vs Payoff for Med School Loans

04:30 How to Qualify for Student Loan Forgiveness

05:59 Be Careful Refinancing

07:06 How to Qualify

07:43 Tax Implications of Loan Forgiveness

10:20 Deciding the Right Loan Repayment for You

12:15 Youtube Disc. TN & Words.mp4

Disclosures:

Harborfront Financial Group is a Registered Investment Advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training, and the content of this communication has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.

The information contained in this material is intended to provide general information about Harborfront Financial Group and its services. It is not intended to offer investment advice. Investment advice will only be given after a client engages our services by executing the appropriate investment services agreement. Information regarding investment products and services are provided solely to read about our investment philosophy and our strategies. You should not rely on any information provided on our web site in making investment decisions.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Harborfront Financial Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Harborfront Financial Group and Custer Financial Advisors are separate entities from LPL Financial.

This is a hypothetical example and is not representative of any specific situation. Your results will vary. The hypothetical rates of return used do not reflect the deduction of fees and charges inherent to investing. All investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss.

We’re digging into three big questions that involve incentives, trade‑offs, and possible ripple effects few talk about.

𝐓𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞:

💭 A proposed 10% cap on credit card interest rates

💭 Who may benefit and who could lose when credit card rates are limited

💭 How lower interest rates could affect rewards, approvals, spending and stock prices

💭 Why Fannie and Freddie buying mortgages may push rates down

💭 The potential impact on home prices, taxpayers, and mortgage investors

💭 Whether investing in the stock market is pivotal or just one option

💭 Saving versus investing and why fear often comes from unfamiliarity

💭 Alternative ways people invest in themselves outside traditional markets

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞?

We’re here to make retirement planning feel less intimidating by helping people think through their strategies and plans through clear relatable financial topics!

Chapters:

00:00 Michael's Attempt at a Trophy Husband

02:44 10% Credit Card Cap Potential Winners & Losers

07:40 $200 Billion Mortgage Buying Effect Markets?

08:41 How Would Buying Mortgages Reduce Mortgage Rates?

09:55 Who Benefits & Who May Be Hurt?

12:26 Any Concern it Reminds of '08-'09?

12:59 Is it Scary To Invest?

18:21 Is the Stock Market Designed to Go Up?

💬 Questions or Want to Connect?

🌐 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞: www.custerfinancialadvisors.com

📧 𝐄𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥: custerfinancialadvisors@lpl.com

Disclosures:

Harborfront Financial Group is a Registered Investment Advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training, and the content of this communication has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.

The information contained in this material is intended to provide general information about Harborfront Financial Group and its services. It is not intended to offer investment advice. Investment advice will only be given after a client engages our services by executing the appropriate investment services agreement. Information regarding investment products and services are provided solely to read about our investment philosophy and our strategies. You should not rely on any information provided on our web site in making investment decisions.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Harborfront Financial Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Harborfront Financial Group and Custer Financial Advisors are separate entities from LPL Financial.

This is a hypothetical example and is not representative of any specific situation. Your results will vary. The hypothetical rates of return used do not reflect the deduction of fees and charges inherent to investing. All investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss.

Why did my tax bill go up… even though little changed at work?

As interest rates have gone up, a lot of people started earning more on cash sitting at the bank. And at tax time, that surprise can show up in a real way. In this episode, Michael, CFP®, EA walks through one of the most common and overlooked reasons people owe more than expected: ordinary income taxes on savings, CDs, and money markets.

Using a simple whiteboard example, Michael breaks down how bank interest is taxed, why it feels sneaky, and how planning strategies may change as you move closer to retirement. This is about understanding where taxes are coming from and deciding where your money might work more efficiently for you.

𝐓𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞:

💭 How interest from high yield savings and CDs are taxed and at what rate

💭 How higher rates can create hidden tax bills even when spending stays the same

💭 The difference between marginal and effective tax brackets

💭 Why too much cash may quietly become one hefty tax bill for you

💭 Using retirement accounts that can help shield from recurring taxes

💭 When an emergency fund might live outside the bank checking or savings

💭 Asset location vs asset allocation and why where you hold assets matter

💭 Tradeoffs between cash, bonds, municipal bonds, and equities

💭 How tax efficiency may shift depending on age, income, and time horizon

💭 Why owing taxes is not always bad news and what it may actually signal

If you have money sitting at the bank and have ever wondered why April feels a little more painful than expected, this episode is designed to help connect the dots. No scare tactics. Just clarity, context, and planning ideas to consider as rates and life change.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro Compliance

00:13 Surprise Tax Bills?

01:34 Taxes on Cash/HYSA

03:11 Leaving Large Sums at the Bank

05:26 Tax Bill Comes from a CD?

07:41 Emer. Fund in a Retirement Account?!

08:14 Can I Protect Taxes on My Emer. Funds Somehow?

12:13 Trying to Use Large Work Plan Limits in Our Favor

16:54 What if I'm Not 55-60? What Could I Do?

18:33 Does the Gov't Incentivise You to Invest?

21:23 Municipal Bonds for Taxes

23:42 Strategies After 2022 Int. Rate Hikes

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞?

We’re here to make retirement planning feel less intimidating by helping people think through their strategies and plans through clear relatable financial topics!

Disclosures:

Harborfront Financial Group is a Registered Investment Advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training, and the content of this communication has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.

The information contained in this material is intended to provide general information about Harborfront Financial Group and its services. It is not intended to offer investment advice. Investment advice will only be given after a client engages our services by executing the appropriate investment services agreement. Information regarding investment products and services are provided solely to read about our investment philosophy and our strategies. You should not rely on any information provided on our web site in making investment decisions.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Harborfront Financial Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Harborfront Financial Group and Custer Financial Advisors are separate entities from LPL Financial.

This is a hypothetical example and is not representative of any specific situation. Your results will vary. The hypothetical rates of return used do not reflect the deduction of fees and charges inherent to investing. All investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss.