Veterinary Financial Podcast

Hosted by Meredith Jones DVM, CSLP®, AFC®

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Jun 2026

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About the show

The Veterinary Financial Podcast helps veterinarians take control of their finances and build lives they love. Hosted by Dr. Meredith Jones, a veterinarian turned financial planner, the show blends real-world clinical experience with practical financial guidance tailored to the profession. We cover student loans, investing, entrepreneurship, practice management, side gigs, and more. Our goal is to give you clear, actionable advice so your money supports the career and lifestyle you want. Whether you’re brand new to personal finance or already a money nerd, you’ll find tools and insights to help you move forward with confidence. Follow or subscribe for new episodes every other week.

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60 recent

June 4, 202626 min

090: Wait! Don't Consolidate: Advice for 2026 Grads

Meredith and Joe talk through major student loan rule changes that significantly impact 2026 veterinary graduates, along with advice to help set yourself up for success with student loan repayment.Why consolidation used to make sense for some borrowersThe new rule limiting loans disbursed after July 1, 2026 to RAP or Standard repaymentWhy 2026 graduates should avoid consolidatingWhat new graduates should do instead, including waiting out the grace period and carefully evaluating repayment optionsThe long-term difference between RAP and New IBR, and why plan selection matters earlyIf you’d like help with a repayment strategy tailored to your specific situation, you can book a student loan consult with Vet Debt Experts: https://calendly.com/vetdebtexperts/1-hr-consult-discount

May 21, 202618 min

089: The Top 3 Money Mistakes Vets Make - and How to Avoid Them

Meredith talks about three financial patterns she commonly sees with veterinarians: perfectionism around money, letting student loans drive career decisions, and evaluating compensation too narrowly.These are often decisions that feel reasonable in the moment, but over time can quietly contribute to stress, burnout, and financial stagnation.Key Topics:Why perfectionism can delay financial progressThe cost of waiting for the “perfect” financial decisionHow student loans can influence career choicesBurnout, income pressure, and fear-based decision-makingWhy compensation is much bigger than salary aloneHow to evaluate veterinary job offers more thoughtfullyInterested in financial planning built for veterinarians?Learn more or book a free intro call at allvetfinancial.com

May 7, 202626 min

088: Don’t Let Student Loans Dictate Your Career Decisions

It’s easy to get stuck thinking your debt is limiting your options, but your career decisions can still be built around the life and work you want. Meredith and Joe talk about how veterinarians can make career choices that align with their goals and values rather than feeling trapped by student loans.Why the highest-paying job is not always the best fitHow income-driven repayment plans can create more flexibilityNavigating student loans with lower-paying career pathsBurnout, toxic jobs, and the hidden cost of staying somewhere just for the paycheckWhy your student loan strategy should support your life, not the other way aroundInterested in financial planning built for veterinarians?Learn more or book a free intro call at allvetfinancial.com

April 23, 202623 min

087: Relief Veterinarians: Freedom, Burnout, and Boundaries - Dr. Andrew Ciccolini

Relief work has grown quickly in veterinary medicine, and this episode dives into why more vets are choosing it, where burnout can show up, and how to build a sustainable path if relief is on your radar. Meredith and Joe talk with Dr. Andrew Ciccolini of Colorado State University and Serenity Vet.More veterinarians are choosing relief work than in years pastWhy vets are drawn to relief: flexibility, autonomy, variety, and higher pay potentialCommon burnout drivers: overcommitting shifts, unpredictable income, taxes/admin work, and isolationWhy a financial plan matters before going full-time reliefTips for success: boundaries, skill-building, and knowing your numbersAndrew’s best advice: be okay with being okayResources:Burnout in Relief Veterinary Practice whitepaper: https://serenity.vet/burnout-study-among-relief-locum-veterinariansAndrew Ciccolini on Instagram: @okay_vet Andrew Ciccolini on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ac-dvmSerenity.vet: https://serenity.vetInterested in financial planning built for veterinarians?Learn more or book a free intro call at allvetfinancial.com

April 9, 202610 min

086: SAVE Deadline Announced

Quick update for SAVE borrowers. Meredith and Joe break down what the end of SAVE means and how to plan your next steps.Notices start July 1 with a 90-day window to choose a new planIf no plan is selected, loans may move to Standard repaymentYou can switch now. PAYE and IBR are available and forgiveness progress carries overMake sure your contact info is up to date so you don’t miss your noticeIf you’d like help clarifying your next steps, schedule a student loan consult with our team at Vet Debt Experts: https://calendly.com/vetdebtexperts

March 26, 202647 min

085: Mentorship, Business, and AI in Veterinary Medicine - Dr. Jason Szumski

Meredith and Joe talk with Dr. Jason Szumski about how mentorship, business ownership, and AI are shaping modern veterinary careers.What new grads should look for in mentorship and how to evaluate a first jobHow practice owners can better support and recruit early-career veterinariansJason’s path into business ownership and how he found mentors along the wayBalancing clinical work with building something outside of practiceWhere AI notetakers fit into veterinary workflows and what to know right nowResources mentioned: Jason Szumski on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonszumskiVetSOAP - PetSmart Charities study: https://www.vetsoap.ai/pscArticle: Cost of Care Continues to Strain Veterinary Care Access: https://petsmartcharities.org/press-releases/cost-of-care-continues-to-strain-veterinary-care-accessIf you'd like help creating a financial plan that supports your life and career, learn more or schedule a free intro call at allvetfinancial.com

March 12, 202610 min

084: What Vets Actually Spend Money On for Self-Care

Self-care gets talked about a lot in veterinary medicine, but what does it actually look like for veterinarians in real life? Meredith shares results from a Debt-Free Vets poll about what vets actually spend money on to make this career more sustainable.Poll results: time off and experiences, physical care, therapy, and moreWhat vets are actually spending money on (horses, massages, hobbies, travel, and house cleaners)Why flexibility and reducing workload came up repeatedly in the commentsThe idea of “buying back your time” and why it matters for long-term career sustainabilityIf you'd like help creating a financial plan that supports your life and career, learn more or schedule a free intro call at allvetfinancial.com

February 26, 202612 min

083: Top 5 Ways to Lower Your AGI

If you’re trying to lower your taxes and your income-driven student loan payment, your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is the number that drives both. Joe and Meredith walk through the most common ways vets can bring that number down.Key Topics:Making pre-tax retirement contributions and why Roth doesn’t lower AGIUsing a Solo 401k with 1099 relief incomeContributing to an HSA if you’re on a qualifying high-deductible planTaking advantage of Health Care or Dependent Care FSAs through your employerMaking sure legitimate Schedule C business expenses are reducing your net profit if you’re self-employedInterested in financial planning built for veterinarians?Learn more or book a free intro call at allvetfinancial.com

February 12, 202622 min

082: Personal Finance Tips for Relief Vets & Techs

Relief work offers flexibility and higher earning potential, but it comes with unique financial considerations. In this episode, Meredith covers the core money basics relief vets and techs should have in place.Organizing your finances as a relief vet or techPlanning for quarterly taxes for 1099 incomeRetirement options for self-employed relief vets and techs (Solo 401k, SEP IRA)Using relief work to support sabbaticals and flexibilityStudent loan strategy basics, including reducing adjusted gross incomeInterested in financial planning built for veterinarians?Learn more or book a free intro call at allvetfinancial.com

January 29, 202616 min

081: Preparing for the Student Loan Tax Bomb

Student loan forgiveness can come with a tax bill, and recent changes to repayment plans have prompted many veterinarians to revisit how they’re preparing for it.Meredith walks through the most common questions we get about the student loan tax bomb, how it works, what’s changed, and what to review as part of a long-term plan.Key topics:When student loan forgiveness is taxable and when it isn’tHow to think about preparing for the tax bomb over timeWhy investing, rather than saving, for the tax bomb often makes senseWhat happens if you’re not prepared when forgiveness occursInterested in financial planning built for veterinarians?Learn more or book a free intro call at allvetfinancial.com