Shows
Financially Free DentistsLife Insurance for Dentists: When It Matters, What to Buy, and Common MistakesLife insurance isn’t the most exciting topic — but it can be an important one, especially as your career and family grow. We sit down with Ben Lacomis, CSLP®, a financial planner here at SLP Wealth, who started his career at one of the big Fortune 100 mutual insurance companies. Now, as a fiduciary advisor, he brings a balanced perspective on how to think through your options. We talk about when life insurance makes sense, how your needs change over time, and what to know about term vs. permanent policies. You’ll also hear some offbeat real-life examples (yes, pe...2025-05-0845 min
Financially Free DentistsFrom Patients to Pacifiers: How Dentists Can Prepare for ParenthoodStarting a family is a huge milestone, but how do you make it work financially as a dentist? Whether you’re in dental school, working as an associate, or running your own practice, family planning comes with big decisions — both personal and financial. SLP Wealth partner and financial planner Sim Terwilliger, CFP®, CSLP® joins us to break down the real considerations dentists face when growing their families. We’ll cover everything from timing your family plans around your career to managing parental leave, childcare costs, and practice ownership. If you’re wondering when the right time is to have ki...2025-02-2731 min
Financially Free Dentists1099 or W-2? Tax and Financial Impacts for DentistsLearn how employment classification can make or break your financial plan as we explore the key differences between 1099 independent contractor roles and W-2 employee positions. Special guest Kathleen Boyd, CFP®, CSLP®, CBDA, from the SLP Wealth dental planning team, joins us and shares expert insights on how each option affects your taxes, benefits, legal protections, and long-term financial goals. If you’re an associate evaluating job offers or a practice owner deciding how to structure your team, tune in to discover how to choose the path that sets you up for success, both in your practice and your...2025-01-3027 min
The Optometry Money PodcastSavings Rate: The Ultimate Indicator of Future Financial SuccessQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!In this episode, your host, Evon Mendrin, CFP®, CSLP®, owner of Optometry Wealth Advisors, dives into the critical importance of your Savings Rate as a foundation for financial independence. We explore how incremental improvements—or marginal gains—can lead to exceptional results.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The Story of Marginal Gains: How Sir Dave Brailsford’s focus on 1% improvements led the British cycling team to Olympic gold and what that means for your financial habits.The Role of Sy...2025-01-1719 min
The Optometry Money PodcastKey 2025 Financial and Tax Updates Every Optometrist Should KnowQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!In this episode, your host, Evon Mendrin, CFP®, CSLP®, owner of Optometry Wealth Advisors, dives into the critical financial and tax updates optometrists need to know as we head into 2025. Whether you're an associate OD, a private practice owner, or planning to start your own practice, these updates are vital to helping you make informed financial decisions.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Retirement Account Contribution Limits for 2025:Updates for 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, HSA, and IRA contribution limits, and ho...2025-01-0930 min
Financially Free DentistsFinancial Fitness for Dentists: Your 2025 Gym Membership Plan Still recovering from December's spending spree? If your finances could use a reset, we’ve got you covered. Enter "financial hibernation" — our go-to strategy for bouncing back after the holidays. Instead of vague New Year’s resolutions, we’re focusing on what really works for dental professionals who want to build wealth in 2024. Join Conor Mahlmann, CFP®, CSLP®, and Jake Courtney, CFP®, CSLP®, to explore 401(k) retirement options for practice owners and 1099 associates, tools like Monarch Money to make tracking your finances actually enjoyable (yes, really), and the "Financially Wrapped" approach to revamp your money habits. Plus, get the latest on re...2025-01-0235 min
Financially Free DentistsSmart Ways to Buy and Depreciate Practice Equipment Depreciation isn’t just what happens quickly to your new Cybertruck — it’s a strategy that could save you thousands. Logan Foltz, MD, EA, tax manager at SLP Wealth and former physician, joins Conor Mahlmann, CFP®, CSLP®, and Jake Courtney, CFP®, CSLP®, to break down equipment depreciation and tax planning tips for dental practices and 1099 associates. You’ll learn from real-world examples like depreciating an $80,000 CBCT machine, vehicle expense deductions, business vs. personal use, and airtight expense tracking for tax compliance. We’ll explore surprising things you might be able to depreciate, how to time purchases for m...2024-12-1935 min
Financially Free DentistsYou’re a Practice Owner, Now What? You’ve taken the leap and bought your own dental practice — congratulations! Owning a practice is a huge milestone, but it also comes with a big question: what’s next? Conor Mahlmann, CFP®, CSLP®, and Jake Courtney, CFP®, CSLP®, walk you through the key steps that will help you build a successful practice and keep your finances on track. But it’s not just about the numbers. Great leadership and a strong vision are just as important as a solid financial foundation, and we cover that, too. Key moments: (05:35) The must-know basics of bookkeeping...2024-12-0541 min
Financially Free DentistsNavigating Post-Election Uncertainty for DentistsThe election sparked uncertainty and possible changes, leaving many dentists wondering how to protect their financial future. Join financial planners Conor Mahlmann, CFP®, CSLP®, and Jake Courtney, CFP®, CSLP®, as well as special guest Travis Hornsby, CFA®, CFP®, to explore how the election could affect your personal finances. Key moments: (03:04) Self-care routines we use to recover from burning the candle at both ends (05:46) Why dentists need this podcast to help grow wealth (10:28) Get clarity on whether your student loan strategy needs to change post-election (15:14) What a second Trump term could mean for dentis...2024-11-2129 min
Financially Free DentistsSurprising Reasons NOT to Buy a Dental PracticeBuying or starting a dental practice is a major financial and professional commitment — and one of the best ways to grow your net worth while gaining work flexibility. But is it always the right move? Join financial planners Conor Mahlmann, CFP®, CSLP®, and Jake Courtney, CFP®, CSLP®, as they explore the top reasons not to buy a practice. While we're strong advocates for dental practice ownership, we also know that the “perfect” practice on paper can sometimes turn into financial regret. Discover the common pitfalls and misconceptions that lead dentists to buy for the wrong reasons, and make sure y...2024-11-0731 min
Financially Free DentistsWelcome to Financially Free DentistsJoin me Conor Mahlmann, CFP®, CSLP® and my co-host Jake Courtney, CFP®, CSLP® on a journey for dentists eager to take control of their financial futures—without the pain of a dental drill! Each episode explores the unique challenges and opportunities in dentistry, offering insightful tips and plenty of laughs (because finance doesn’t have to be boring). From managing debt to smart investing to practice management, we cover everything essential and outrageous. Because financial health for a dentist is about crafting a career and lifestyle that makes you and your patients smile. Whether you’re an asso...2024-11-0400 min
The Optometry Money Podcast(Rewind) An Optometrist's Guide to The Qualified Business Income DeductionQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!In this replay of a popular 2023 episode, Evon revisits an important tax planning topic for optometry practice owners and independent contractors - the Qualified Business Income Deduction!He dives into what the deduction is, how it's calculated, its limitations and phase outs, how it works differently in different business types, and planning considerations to keep in mind.Have questions on anything discussed or want to have topics or questions featured on the show? Send Evon an email at evon@optometrywealth.com....2024-04-1830 minThe Optometry Money PodcastFinancial Planning for Optometrists: Part Two (Guest Appearance on The Four Eyes Optometry Podcast)Questions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!This episode plays Part 2 of Evon's recent guest appearance on the Four Eyes Optometry Podcast. Evon joins Lainey Bokhaut, CPA in Canada, as a guest to talk about foundational financial decisions optometrists need to make - especially as they transition from school to practice.We dive into the basics of different business entities for practices and independent contractors, the importance of disability and other types of insurance, what professionals should be involved in your life and when you should start working with them, and so m...2024-02-2947 minThe Optometry Money PodcastFinancial Planning for Optometrists: Part One (Guest Appearance on The Four Eyes Optometry Podcast)Questions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!This episode plays Evon's recent guest appearance on the Four Eyes Optometry Podcast. In Part 1 of 2, Evon joins Lainey Bokhaut, CPA in Canada, as a guest to talk about foundational financial decisions optometrists need to make - especially as they transition from school to practice. We dive into debt decisions and how to tackle student loans, we talk about differences between retirement accounts and how to decide between them, we talk tradeoffs between investing and debt payments, and so much more!Huge thanks...2024-01-1049 minThe Optometry Money PodcastBest of 2023: Financial Planning Considerations for Owners of Established Optometry PracticesQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!As we approach year-end, it's time to rewind to a popular 2023 episode! In Part 3 of a 3 part series, Evon dove into the many financial planning considerations optometrists need to think about when you own a more established, mature private optometry practice - both inside the business and in the household.A few of the planning topics practice owners should think about are:Maintaining your vision for the ideal practice and ownership lifeBuilding guardrails around your practice based on your ideal lifestyleCreate a s...2023-12-2026 minThe Optometry Money PodcastBest of 2023: Financial Planning Considerations for the Early Years of Practice OwnershipQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!As we approach year-end, it's time to rewind to a popular 2023 episode! In Part 2 of a 3 part series, Evon dives into the many financial planning considerations optometrists need to think about in the early years of owning a private optometry practice - both inside the business and in the household.Once doors are open and for the first few years, you should think about:It's quite the busy time, learning and adjusting to owning the practice and managing employees.Getting familiar with t...2023-12-1540 minThe Optometry Money PodcastYear-End Financial Planning Checklist for OptometristsQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!It's almost the end of the year, and Evon dives into a year-end checklist for financial planning actions that every optometrist needs to keep in mind. He talks about retirement plan contributions, important student loan deadlines, tax and business planning considerations to review before the year ends and into early next year. Have questions on anything discussed or want to have topics or questions featured on the show? Send Evon an email at evon@optometrywealth.com.Check out www.optometrywealth.com...2023-12-0741 minThe Optometry Money Podcast(Holiday Rewind) Tax Planning For Charitable GivingQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!In this Thanksgiving holiday rewind, we wanted to replay a popular 2022 episode on an important end-of-year topic: charitable giving. Evon dives into the tax benefits of charitable giving and tax planning strategies optometrists should consider to make the most of your charitable donations. He talks about how charitable deductions work, bunching your donations, donor advised funds, and more!Have questions on anything discussed or want to have topics or questions featured on the show? Send Evon an email at evon@optometrywealth.com.2023-11-2327 minThe Optometry Money Podcast(Rewind) 5 Levers to Control Capital Gains on Your Tax ReturnQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!As we get into the holiday seasons and end of the year, it's time for a rewind of a popular 2022 episode on managing taxes through capital gains! Evon continues the year-end tax planning theme and talks all about how investment income and capital gains impact your tax return.He dives into how your investment account creates income, how it's taxed, and 5 levers you can pull to control capital gains on your tax return. This episode is a great example of how all the...2023-11-1642 minThe Optometry Money PodcastHow to Protect Your Assets From Liability with Levi BarlaviQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!To wrap up the series on risk management, Evon is joined by Levi Barlavi, attorney and owner of Pacific Health Law Group, to provide and introduction to asset protection for optometrist.Levi dives into what asset protection means, and the liability risks optometrists face in and out of practice. He talks about ways to protect yourself, from exempted assets and insurance to legal entities. He also dives into how optometrists can properly maintain the legal entities to make sure they provide the protection they're created...2023-11-0151 minThe Optometry Money PodcastAn Optometrist's Guide to Estate Planning with Ali Oromchian, J.D., LL.M.Questions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!Ali Oromchian, J.D., LL.M. of Dental & Medical Counsel joins the podcast to provide an optometrist's guide to estate planning.Ali and Evon dive into the purpose and important - but often difficult - considerations of estate planning, when optometrists should consider creating and reviewing an estate plan, the tools and legal documents used in an estate plan, trusts vs. wills, how practice owners should incorporate their practice ownership, and so much more. This is such an important part of any optometrist's...2023-10-2559 minThe Optometry Money PodcastIntro to Optometry Practice Valuations with Erich MatteiQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!What's the value of your optometry practice? What goes into a practice valuation?Erich Mattei of Akrinos joins the podcast to provide an introduction to optometry practice valuations. Erich dives into his work with valuations, three general approaches to valuating businesses, and when practice owners should start considering their practice's value. Lastly, he discusses how valuations can be improved and ways current valuation methods and recent high valuations are creating roadblocks for the successful transition of independent practices from owner optometrist...2023-10-1832 minThe Optometry Money PodcastPartnering With an Independent Lab and Maintaining Independence with Ben Collier and Dan KorolevQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!Do the partners and vendors in your practice have the same values of independence as you?Ben Collier and Dan Korolev of Collier Optical Lab join the podcast to talk all about the benefits of independent optometry practices working with an independent optical lab. They dive into what being "independent" means, and how independent labs operate differently. They also talk about the importance of your lab relationship to the patient experience, internal processes, and profitability to the practice. It was a fascinating conversation...2023-10-1343 minThe Optometry Money PodcastSeparating Fact From Fiction of Indexed Universal Life Insurance with Andy Panko, CFP®, RICP®, EAQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!Fellow financial advisor Andy Panko, CFP®, RICP®, EA joins Evon on the podcast to dive into the ins and outs of Indexed Universal Life (IUL) Insurance. In a recent explosion of marketing and sales on the internet, this highly complex insurance product is often touted as "THE" product you should own above all others.Andy and Evon provide an objective review of this type of life insurance, diving into how the product works, how it's different from other types of life insurance, ways th...2023-10-041h 10The Optometry Money PodcastIns and Outs of Permanent Life Insurance with Broc BucklesQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!To continue September's life insurance theme, Evon is joined by Broc Buckles - co-founder of BC-Brokerage - to dive into permanent type life insurance. They talk about the ins and outs of how permanent life insurance policies work, when they're appropriate for optometrists' insurance planning, some ways they're used inappropriately, and ways to adjust or get out of a policy. Hopefully this episode helps optometrists make more educated decisions around what can be a complicated insurance product. Have questions on anything...2023-09-2843 minThe Optometry Money PodcastAn Optometrist's Guide to Life InsuranceQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!It's September, which means it's Life Insurance Awareness Month! In light of the theme, Evon provides an optometrist's guide to life insurance.Life insurance coverage is a core, important piece to managing the big financial risks in the life of an optometrist. Evon dives into the purpose and uses of life insurance, the different types of life insurance policies - from term life to whole life and universal life, how to decide how much coverage you should get, things to watch out for in insurance...2023-09-2135 min