Shows
The Optometry Money PodcastRewind: Financial Planning Considerations for Owners of Established Optometry PracticesQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!Enjoy this rewind of a popular episode! In Part 3 of a 3 part series, Evon dives 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 separation between your practice and p...2025-06-1926 min
The Optometry Money PodcastBeyond Indexing: An Optometrist's Guide to Factor-Based InvestingQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!How can optometrists improve their portfolios beyond basic index funds, without risky trading? Evon Mendrin provides an OD's guide to Factor-Based Investing.Evon discusses:What factors are and their role in investment returns.Five criteria to identify reliable investment factors.Key factors: Market, Small, Value, Profitability, Investment, and Momentum.Why factors exist, explained through risk and behavioral finance.Common misconceptions around factor investing.Practical tips for implementing factors in your...2025-05-0142 min
The Optometry Money PodcastThe Case for Index Funds: Why Optometrists Should Embrace Passive InvestingQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!How should optometrists approach investing their hard-earned money? With thousands of mutual funds and countless investment strategies, deciding can feel overwhelming. In this episode, Evon dives deep into index investing—explaining clearly why passive investing through broad market index funds consistently outperforms active management.He explores the fascinating history of index funds, the robust academic research behind them, and exactly why an evidence-based, passive approach makes sense for optometrists. Evon also breaks down common misconceptions around "settling for average" and explains how choosing simplicity, lower co...2025-04-2440 min
The Optometry Money PodcastFresh Student Loan News and Tradeoffs ODs Choose When Using IDR Plans Toward ForgivenessQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!In this episode, Evon Mendrin, CFP® dives into the latest twists in the federal student loan landscape—and what they mean for optometrists using income-driven repayment (IDR) plans. There’s big news on SAVE plan court rulings, loan consolidations, and IDR recertifications. But more than that, Evon explores the deeper question: What are the tradeoffs you accept when choosing an IDR path toward forgiveness?Whether you’re a recent graduate figuring out your repayment plan or a practice owner managing loans alongside business goals, this episode...2025-03-2820 min
The Optometry Money PodcastAre Stock Market Declines Normal? What History Tells Us and What ODs Should Do About ItQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!Welcome back to The Optometry Money Podcast! In this episode, host Evon Mendrin, CFP®, dives into the topic of stock market declines—a reality for every long-term investor. With headlines buzzing about economic concerns, tariffs, and policy changes, market volatility can feel unsettling. But how common are market declines really? And what should optometrists do when they happen?What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ How often stock market declines occur—historical data on 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% drops ✅ What happens after market declines—ave...2025-03-1928 min
The Optometry Money PodcastCold Start vs. Practice Purchase: Most Common Questions & Misconceptions with Dr. Jennifer Stewart and Dr. Aaron NeufeldQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!In this episode of The Optometry Money Podcast, Evon Mendrin, CFP®, sits down with Dr. Jennifer Stewart and Dr. Aaron Neufeld to dive into one of the biggest career decisions optometrists face: Should you cold start a practice or buy an existing one?Dr. Stewart and Dr. Neufeld bring their expertise as practice owners and consultants to break down the most common misconceptions around both options, the biggest mistakes new owners make, and how to make the right decision for your career and financial future.2025-02-2657 min
The Optometry Money PodcastScaling an Optometry Practice and Embracing Family Entrepreneurship with Tony and Kim TurinQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!In this episode of The Optometry Money Podcast, Evon Mendrin sits down with Dr. Tony Turin and his wife, Kim Turin, to discuss how they intentionally built and scaled their optometry practice from a cold start to three thriving locations. As a husband-and-wife power team, they share the lessons they've learned along the way—balancing business and family, maintaining culture across multiple locations, and making strategic financial decisions that fueled their growth.Tony and Kim talk about the challenges and rewards of practice ownership, how th...2025-02-191h 02
The Optometry Money PodcastLessons from Expansion: Growth, Hiring, and Refocusing the Practice with Dr. Nick LillieQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!In this episode of The Optometry Money Podcast, host Evon Mendrin, CFP® sits down with Dr. Nick Lillie to discuss his journey of expanding his practice, hiring an associate OD, and restructuring his business to align with his lifestyle and personal values.Dr. Lillie shares his insights on practice expansion, the importance of focusing on core services, and how financial and operational planning has helped him build a thriving practice that serves both his patients and his family. He also dives into how he approaches s...2025-02-1248 min
The Optometry Money PodcastScaling and Freedom: When, Why, and How to Add an Associate Optometrist with Erich MatteiQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!In this episode of The Optometry Money Podcast, Evon Mendrin, CFP®, hosts Erich Mattei of Akrinos to dive deep into a pivotal question for many private practice optometry owners: when, why, and how should you hire an associate optometrist?Together, Evon and Erich discuss:The key motivations behind hiring an associate doctor – from scaling your practice for growth to creating more personal freedom.The role of associates in succession planning and de-risking your practice’s future.Critical financial and operational indicators that signa...2025-01-291h 03
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
The Optometry Money PodcastCritical Year-End Financial Moves for OptometristsQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to review your finances and ensure you’re ending the year on a strong note. In this episode of The Optometry Money Podcast, Evon Mendrin, CFP®, walks through a comprehensive year-end financial checklist tailored specifically for optometrists. Whether you’re an associate OD or a private practice owner, you’ll find actionable tips to optimize your finances, make tax-smart decisions, and set yourself up for a successful new year.What You’ll Learn:2024-12-1239 min
The Optometry Money PodcastAdding Private Label to Improve Margins Without Compromising Quality with Dr. Chad FlemingQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!In this episode of The Optometry Money Podcast, host Evon Mendrin welcomes back Dr. Chad Fleming to dive into a strategy for private practice optometrists: private label products.Dr. Fleming shares his insights into how practice owners can introduce private label lenses, frames, and other products to their offerings. They discuss the financial and operational benefits, including improved margins, reduced costs, and increased flexibility, while still delivering top-quality care to patients.You'll learn:What private label products are and why they're gaining...2024-11-2135 minThe Optometry Money Podcast(Rewind) An Optometrist's Guide to How Income Taxes WorkQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!In this episode, we rewind back to a popular 2023 episode. How do income taxes work? How do tax rates work? How are your taxes calculated?As tax filing deadlines approach, Evon dives into a basic guide for optometrists to how US federal income taxes work.He dives into how marginal tax rates work, how taxes are calculated, withholdings and estimated tax payments, filing deadlines, and different tax planning concepts to keep in mind when making financial decisions.Have questions on anything...2024-08-1443 minThe Optometry Money PodcastInvesting At Stock Market All-Time HighsQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!With a new stock market all-time high earlier this year (2024), Evon provides perspective from history to put new record highs into proper context. While it's often thought that you should avoid investing at all-time highs do to some inevitable crash, ultimately, all-time highs are more common than you think. And the performance of stocks (on average) after new record highs would surprise you. Evon ends with the importance of keeping a long-term investing perspective while planning for a long-term investment goal - financial independence. 2024-05-0813 minThe Optometry Money Podcast(Rewind) An Optometrist's Guide to Business EntitiesQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!In this replay of a popular 2023 episode, Evon revisits an important topic for optometry practice owners and independent contractors - the differences between different business entities!How do the different business entities work? How are they taxed? How are they different?In this episode, Evon provides a basic guide to the differences between:Sole ProprietorshipsPartnerships Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)S-CorporationsCorporationsIf you own an optometry practice or are an independent contractor, hopefully this episode brings some clarity around how the different t...2024-04-2435 minThe 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 PodcastAvoiding Capital Gains When Selling Your Home with the Home Sale ExclusionQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!In today's episode, Evon dives into the tax considerations when selling your primary residence.Homes tends to make up a considerable portion of optometrists' net worth, and fortunately the IRS provides an exclusion for capital gains from selling your home. Evon dives into the Section 121 home sale exclusion, the two tests you need to meet to qualify, certain exceptions to keep in mind, and planning considerations when selling a home that you've used as a rental property.Have questions on anything...2024-04-1122 min
The Optometry Money PodcastTackling Conflict Head-On To Improve Your Optometry Practice with Dr. Bethany FishbeinQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!On today’s episode, Evon is joined once again by Dr. Bethany Fishbein to talk all about how to push through conflict and confrontation to improve your optometry practice and your career.Ultimately as business owners and professionals, or just when working in a team, there’s going to be a time where conflict comes up or uncomfortable conversations need to be had - with team members, managers, patients, or vendors. And avoiding that conflict can lead to issues with patient care, profitability, the c...2024-03-2737 minThe Optometry Money Podcast100th Episode! What You Should Expect From Working With a Financial AdvisorQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!In the show's 100th episode, Evon talks about what optometrists should expect and experience from working with a financial advisory firm. There has been historically poor business models in financial services that fall short of providing advice optometrists need, in their best interest. There also appears to not be a great public awareness of what good financial advisors actually do for clientsEvon aims to help optometrists understand what exactly financial planning is, and what they should be receiving from working with a...2024-03-2018 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 Podcast2024 Financial Updates Optometrists Need to KnowQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!Happy New Year! It's time to dive into the many 2024 financial updates, rule changes, and deadlines optometrists need to know about.Evon discusses:SECURE Act 2.0 rule changes in effect in 2024, including positive adjustments to SIMPLE IRAs and 401(k)s. Increases in contribution maximums for 401(k)s, SIMPLE IRAs, Health Savings Accounts, and IRAs. Two important federal student loan deadlines this year.Beneficial Owner Information reporting from the Corporate Transparency ActAnd more! Have questions on anything discussed or want to have topics or questions fea...2024-01-0532 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 min