Shows
The Optometry Money Podcast5 Key Tax Planning Levers Optometrists Need to KnowQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast! We'll answer your question on the show.Tax planning is more than just finding deductions—it’s about pulling the right financial levers at the right time. In this episode, Evon Mendrin, CFP®, walks through the five key areas of a tax return that optometrists and practice owners should focus on when working with their financial and tax professionals. By understanding these levers, you can reduce surprises at tax time and unlock smarter planning opportunities for both your practice and your personal finances.What...
2025-09-1726 min
The Optometry Money PodcastFour Common Investment Mistakes Optometrists Should AvoidQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast! We'll answer your question on the show.Episode 146 – Four Common Investment Mistakes Optometrists Should AvoidAs an optometrist and practice owner, you’ve got enough on your plate running a household, practice, and career - but what about your investments?In this episode of the Optometry Money Podcast, Evon Mendrin, CFP®, CSLP®, walks through the four most common investment mistakes he sees optometrists make when they come to his firm - mistakes that can quietly cost you over your career...
2025-08-2123 min
The Optometry Money PodcastHow the Final One Big Beautiful Bill Act Impacts Optometrists - Taxes, Student Loans, and More!Questions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast! We'll answer your question on the show.In this packed episode, Evon Mendrin, CFP® and host of The Optometry Money Podcast, breaks down the biggest tax and student loan law changes optometrists need to know from the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).Evon discusses what’s changing—and what’s not—for individual and business tax rules, estate taxes, 529 plans, and the massive shift in student loan repayment plans. Whether you're a private practice owner, associate OD, or optometry student, this episode will give...
2025-07-0945 min
The Optometry Money PodcastAre Individual Bonds Safer Than Bond Funds? What Optometrists Need to KnowQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast! We'll answer your question on the show.Are individual bonds better than bond funds? What’s the actual difference between the two—and why does it matter for your investment strategy?In this episode, Evon Mendrin, CFP®, CSLP®, dives into the key distinctions between individual bonds and bond funds, and what private practice optometrists need to consider when deciding between them. Whether you're aiming for stability, income, or long-term growth in your portfolio, understanding how these investment tools work can guide better financial decisi...
2025-06-2728 min
The Optometry Money PodcastWhat Most Investors Get Wrong About Dividend InvestingQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast! We'll answer your question on the show.Dividend investing is one of the most passionately followed strategies online - yet much of the enthusiasm is driven by misunderstandings of how dividends work. In this episode, Evon Mendrin, CFP®, CSLP® of Optometry Wealth Advisors, dives deep into how dividends actually work, why they aren’t “free money,” and what ODs need to understand before chasing high-dividend stocks or funds - especially in taxable accounts. He also explores when, despite all of this, a dividend-focused approach might still be...
2025-06-1332 min
The Optometry Money PodcastBeyond Indexing: An Optometrist's Guide to Factor-Based InvestingQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast! We'll answer your question on the show.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...
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! We'll answer your question on the show.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 av...
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! We'll answer your question on the show.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 m...
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! We'll answer your question on the show.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% d...
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! We'll answer your question on the show.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 d...
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! We'll answer your question on the show.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 ch...
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! We'll answer your question on the show.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. H...
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! We'll answer your question on the show.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 futur...
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! We'll answer your question on the show.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...
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! We'll answer your question on the show.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 IR...
2025-01-0930 min
The Optometry Money PodcastCritical Year-End Financial Moves for OptometristsQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast! We'll answer your question on the show.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....
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! We'll answer your question on the show.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...
2024-11-2135 min
The Optometry Money PodcastInvesting At Stock Market All-Time HighsQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast! We'll answer your question on the show.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...
2024-05-0813 minThe Optometry Money Podcast(Rewind) An Optometrist's Guide to Business EntitiesQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast! We'll answer your question on the show.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 b...
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! We'll answer your question on the show.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...
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! We'll answer your question on the show.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...
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! We'll answer your question on the show.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...
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! We'll answer your question on the show.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...
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! We'll answer your question on the show.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 s...
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! We'll answer your question on the show.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...
2024-01-1049 minThe Optometry Money Podcast2024 Financial Updates Optometrists Need to KnowQuestions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast! We'll answer your question on the show.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...
2024-01-0532 min