Veterinary Financial Podcast

Hosted by Meredith Jones DVM, CSLP®, AFC®

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Jul 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

July 30, 202625 min

Your Recertification Questions Answered

Confused about student loan recertification? You're not alone. In this episode, Meredith answers the most frequently asked questions she's hearing from veterinarians and shares some of the biggest mistakes to avoid so you can approach the process with confidence.Key topics:How to know whether you need to recertify and when your deadline isWhether you should use your current income or last year's tax returnWhat to expect if you're on SAVEWhy payment estimates can sometimes look incorrectThe biggest recertification mistakes we’re seeing and how to avoid themNeed help with your student loans? Helping veterinarians navigate student loan decisions is exactly what we do at Vet Debt Experts.Learn more or schedule a student loan consult: https://www.vetdebtexperts.com

July 16, 202614 min

Student Loan Problems We're Seeing Right Now - And What To Do

Meredith discusses the biggest student loan issues we’re seeing right now as borrowers begin receiving SAVE deadlines and recertification notices. The new RAP plan is now available as well, but borrowers should understand the tradeoffs before signing up.Key topics:SAVE transition notices and deadlinesRAP vs. IBR considerationsIDR processing errors and incorrect payment estimatesAdvice for May 2026 graduates entering repaymentHelping veterinarians navigate student loan decisions is exactly what we do at Vet Debt Experts.You can learn more or schedule a student loan consult here: https://vetdebtexperts.com

July 2, 202636 min

092: From Survival Mode to Sustainable Success - Dr. Amelia Knight Pinkston

Meredith sits down with veterinarian, integrative health and life coach Amelia Knight Pinkston, founder of Life Boost with Amelia, to discuss burnout, nervous system regulation, boundaries, and redefining success in veterinary medicine.Together, they explore hustle culture, burnout, and the pressure many veterinarians feel to postpone happiness until “someday” - along with practical ways to build a more sustainable and fulfilling life both inside and outside of practice.Key Topics:The five different types of wealthSigns your nervous system may be stuck in survival modeWhy veterinarians often struggle to rest or say noThe OPAL framework for recognizing and responding to stressWhy asking for schedule changes and boundaries is often more possible than we thinkConnect with Amelia:Website: https://www.lifeboost.todayInstagram: @lifeboostwithameliaPodcast: Life Boost with Amelia

June 18, 202630 min

091: All About the New Student Loan Rules

Meredith and Joe discuss the Department of Education’s newly finalized student loan repayment regulations set to take effect July 1, 2026, including the new RAP repayment plan, the tiered standard plan, and several important issues vets should understand before making changes to their loans.Key Topics:How the new RAP repayment plan worksWhy consolidating loans after July 1, 2026 could be a costly mistakeImportant considerations for borrowers on SAVEErrors showing up on the online IDR applicationWhen a paper IDR application may make more senseBook a student loan consult with Vet Debt Experts: https://calendly.com/vetdebtexperts/1-hr-consult-discount

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