This episode dive into the complex world of Social Security through the lens of a high-earning professional. We move past the "standard" advice of waiting until age 70 to explore the Real Math, including the impact of current 2.7% TIPS real yields and the looming 2032 Trust Fund cliff. If you are in deciding on a claim strategy, this episode provides a framework for political risk management and tax-efficient retirement.

SSA.gov: Log onto or create your "My Social Security" account to view your earnings record and possible benefit.

Please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite Podcasting platform.

Get 12 Financial Mistakes that Keep Physicians from Building Wealth at https://www.growyourwealthymindset.com/12financialmistakes

If you want to start your path to financial freedom, start with the Financial Freedom Workbook. Download your free copy today at https://www.GrowYourWealthyMindset.com/fiworkbook

Dr. Elisa Chiang is a physician and money coach who helps other doctors reach their financial goals by mastering their money mindset through personalized 1:1 coaching .

You can learn more about Elisa at her website or follow her on social media.

Website: https://ww.GrowYourWealthyMindset.com

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/GrowYourWealthyMindset

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ElisaChiang

https://www.facebook.com/GrowYourWealthyMindset

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WealthyMindsetMD

Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/ElisaChiang

Disclaimer: The content provided in the Grow Your Wealthy Mindset Podcast...

In the medical world, perfectionism saves lives. In the financial world, it can cost you a fortune. In this episode, we dive into the "A+ Student Syndrome" and why the traits that make you a world-class physician—attention to detail, risk aversion, and a desire for complexity—are the exact traits that lead to "Analysis Paralysis" in your portfolio.

This episode breaks down why searching for the "perfect" entry point or the "perfect" fund is often just a high-level form of procrastination. Learn why "B-level" work and boring investments actually lead to A-plus results over time.

Please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite Podcasting platform.

Get 12 Financial Mistakes that Keep Physicians from Building Wealth at https://www.growyourwealthymindset.com/12financialmistakes

If you want to start your path to financial freedom, start with the Financial Freedom Workbook. Download your free copy today at https://www.GrowYourWealthyMindset.com/fiworkbook

Dr. Elisa Chiang is a physician and money coach who helps other doctors reach their financial goals by mastering their money mindset through personalized 1:1 coaching .

You can learn more about Elisa at her website or follow her on social media.

Website: https://ww.GrowYourWealthyMindset.com

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/GrowYourWealthyMindset

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ElisaChiang

https://www.facebook.com/GrowYourWealthyMindset

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WealthyMindsetMD

Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/ElisaChiang

Disclaimer: The content provided in the Grow Your Wealthy Mindset Podcast...

In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the U.S. tax system to explore how it specifically impacts high-earning professionals. Inspired by a recent Freakonomics episode and the research of Jessica Riedl (Brookings Institute), we dive into the data-driven reality of tax progressivity, the "Buffett Myth," and why being in the Top 5% of earners changes the way you should approach your retirement strategy. Whether you're a W-2 employee or looking to transition into asset ownership, this episode provides the context you need to grow a wealthy mindset.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

Article: Correcting the Top 10 Tax Myths by Jessica Riedl

https://manhattan.institute/article/correcting-the-top-10-tax-myths

Podcast: Ten Myths About the US Tax System – Freakonomics Radio

https://www.google.com/search?q=https://freakonomics.com/podcast/10-myths-about-the-us-tax-system/

Data: How Much Income Puts You in the Top 1%, 5%, and 10%? – Investopedia

https://www.investopedia.com/personal-finance/how-much-income-puts-you-top-1-5-10/

Report: 2025 Physician Compensation Report – Medscape

https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.medscape.com/slideshow/2025-compensation-overview-6017126

Please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite Podcasting platform.

Get 12 Financial Mistakes that Keep Physicians from Building Wealth at https://www.growyourwealthymindset.com/12financialmistakes

If you want to start your path to financial freedom, start with the Financial Freedom Workbook. Download your free copy today at https://www.GrowYourWealthyMindset.com/fiworkbook

Dr. Elisa Chiang is a physician and money coach who helps other doctors reach their financial goals by mastering their money mindset through personalized 1:1 coaching .

You can learn more about Elisa at her website or follow her on social media.

Website: https://ww.GrowYourWealthyMindset.com

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/GrowYourWealthyMindset

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ElisaChiang

https://www.facebook.com/GrowYourWealthyMindset

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WealthyMindsetMD

Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/ElisaChiang

Disclaimer: The content provided in the Grow Your Wealthy Mindset Podcast...

This week's episode reviews the findings published in Medscape's Physician Compensation Report for 2026.

Key Points

• The Numbers: The average physician salary rose to $356K (+3%), with Specialists ($417K) continuing to outearn PCPs ($298K).
• Top Earners: Orthopedics leads the field at $611K, followed by Cardiology ($575K) and Radiology ($571K); Pediatrics remains at the bottom ($266K).
• The Negotiation Freeze: 27% of physicians reported negotiation wasn't an option, as some consultants now advise employers to adopt a "no-negotiation" philosophy to maintain workplace equity.
• Demographic Gaps: Significant disparities persist, including a 31% gender pay gap and slower compensation growth for Black (2.9%) and Hispanic (3.5%) physicians compared to their White peers (6.1%).
• Productivity & Hours: The average work week dipped to 49 hours, yet 35% of doctors now see their base salary—not just bonuses—tied directly to productivity metrics like RVUs.

https://www.medscape.com/p11/return-normalization-medscape-physician-compensation-report-2026a10009um

Please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite Podcasting platform.

Get 12 Financial Mistakes that Keep Physicians from Building Wealth at https://www.growyourwealthymindset.com/12financialmistakes

If you want to start your path to financial freedom, start with the Financial Freedom Workbook. Download your free copy today at https://www.GrowYourWealthyMindset.com/fiworkbook

Dr. Elisa Chiang is a physician and money coach who helps other doctors reach their financial goals by mastering their money mindset through personalized 1:1 coaching .

You can learn more about Elisa at her website or follow her on social media.

Website: https://ww.GrowYourWealthyMindset.com

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/GrowYourWealthyMindset

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ElisaChiang

https://www.facebook.com/GrowYourWealthyMindset

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WealthyMindsetMD

Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/ElisaChiang

Disclaimer: The content provided in the Grow Your Wealthy Mindset Podcast...

Just as an annual physical catches "silent killers" like hypertension, a financial deep clean identifies "Efficiency Leaks" before they cost you hundreds of thousands in lost growth. This episode provides a 5-point audit to ensure your money and mindset are perfectly aligned while you focus on your practice.

The 5-Point Financial Audit:

• 1. Financial Goals Review: Move beyond vague ideas. Are your goals SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound)? Don’t forget to celebrate your wins—it builds the momentum needed to keep going.
• 2. Lifestyle Creep Calibration: Calculate your Burn Rate. Physicians are prone to "Incremental Creep" where raises disappear into convenience spending. Ensure your outflows reflect your actual values.
• 3. The "Defense" Review:
  • Umbrella Policy: Aim for coverage equal to your net worth (up to $5M).
  • Disability Buy-Up: Check your "increase riders" to protect your growing income.
  • Estate Assets: Ensure new properties are inside your trust and beneficiaries are updated.
• 4. The Subscription Purge: Audit your recurring "SaaS" charges. Call your providers and ask, "Is this the best rate you can offer?" A five-minute call can save $500 a year.
• 5. Portfolio Rebalancing: Don't let a bull market skew your risk profile. Use new cash to buy underweighted assets or rebalance within tax-advantaged accounts (401k/IRA) to "sell high" and stay disciplined.

The 72-Hour Challenge

Don’t try to do all five at once. Pick the easiest task and complete it within the next 3 days.

Please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite Podcasting platform.

Get 12 Financial Mistakes that Keep Physicians from Building Wealth at https://www.growyourwealthymindset.com/12financialmistakes

If you want to start your path to financial freedom, start with the Financial Freedom Workbook. Download your free copy today at https://www.GrowYourWealthyMindset.com/fiworkbook

Dr. Elisa Chiang is a physician and money coach who helps other doctors reach their financial goals by mastering their money mindset through personalized 1:1 coaching .

You can learn more about Elisa at her website or follow her on social media.

Website: https://ww.GrowYourWealthyMindset.com

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/GrowYourWealthyMindset

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ElisaChiang

https://www.facebook.com/GrowYourWealthyMindset

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WealthyMindsetMD

Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/ElisaChiang

Disclaimer: The content provided in the Grow Your Wealthy Mindset Podcast...

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Where should I open a brokerage account?”you’re not alone. This is a common question I see in personal finance groups, and it can feel overwhelming when you’re trying to make the “right” choice.

In this episode, I break down how to choose a brokerage account for investing outside of retirement accounts, or where to open an IRA, without overcomplicating the decision. We’ll walk through the key differences between Vanguard, Fidelity, and Charles Schwab, including fees, investment options, user experience, and account types. I also explain why I generally don’t recommend higher-fee platforms like Merrill Lynch for DIY investors, and why simpler apps like Robinhood may not be ideal if you’re trying to build a long-term, all-in-one investing strategy.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have the clarity and confidence to pick a platform and get started—without getting stuck in analysis paralysis.

Key Takeaway:

Don’t overthink it! Choose a low-cost platform and get started because taking action is how you will build wealth.

Please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite Podcasting platform.

Get 12 Financial Mistakes that Keep Physicians from Building Wealth at https://www.growyourwealthymindset.com/12financialmistakes

If you want to start your path to financial freedom, start with the Financial Freedom Workbook. Download your free copy today at https://www.GrowYourWealthyMindset.com/fiworkbook

Dr. Elisa Chiang is a physician and money coach who helps other doctors reach their financial goals by mastering their money mindset through personalized 1:1 coaching .

You can learn more about Elisa at her website or follow her on social media.

Website: https://ww.GrowYourWealthyMindset.com

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/GrowYourWealthyMindset

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ElisaChiang

https://www.facebook.com/GrowYourWealthyMindset

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WealthyMindsetMD

Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/ElisaChiang

Disclaimer: The content provided in the Grow Your Wealthy Mindset Podcast...

Starting in 2026, new rules will change how charitable tax deductions work. In this episode, we break down key provisions from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and what they mean for your charitable giving strategy.

You’ll learn how the new $1,000 deduction for standard deduction filers ($2,000 for married couples) works, why itemized charitable deductions now have a 0.5% AGI floor, and how a new cap on itemized deductions may affect high-income taxpayers.

We also discuss strategies like bunching donations, donating appreciated assets, and using Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) to give in a more tax-efficient way.

Even though the tax rules are changing, the goal of charitable giving stays the same: supporting causes that matter to you while being intentional about your finances.

Please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite Podcasting platform.

Get 12 Financial Mistakes that Keep Physicians from Building Wealth at https://www.growyourwealthymindset.com/12financialmistakes

If you want to start your path to financial freedom, start with the Financial Freedom Workbook. Download your free copy today at https://www.GrowYourWealthyMindset.com/fiworkbook

Dr. Elisa Chiang is a physician and money coach who helps other doctors reach their financial goals by mastering their money mindset through personalized 1:1 coaching .

You can learn more about Elisa at her website or follow her on social media.

Website: https://ww.GrowYourWealthyMindset.com

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/GrowYourWealthyMindset

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ElisaChiang

https://www.facebook.com/GrowYourWealthyMindset

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WealthyMindsetMD

Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/ElisaChiang

Disclaimer: The content provided in the Grow Your Wealthy Mindset Podcast...

This podcast episode discusses a blog article from the White Coat Investor website written by Dr. Jim Dali, titled "Will Your Retirement Go As Planned.” The article highlighted unexpected challenges faced by retirees, such as early retirement due to job loss, health issues, and the death of a spouse. Elisa shared insights from the article, emphasizing the importance of considering life expectancy and health risks in retirement planning.

The article referenced in the podcast can be found at:

https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/will-your-retirement-go-as-planned/

The Joint Life Expectancy and Mortality Calculator can be found at:

https://www.kitces.com/joint-life-expectancy-and-mortality-calculator/

To generate a graph to show the probably of death and the value of your portfolio, check out:

https://engaging-data.com/will-money-last-retire-early/

Please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite Podcasting platform.

Get 12 Financial Mistakes that Keep Physicians from Building Wealth at https://www.growyourwealthymindset.com/12financialmistakes

If you want to start your path to financial freedom, start with the Financial Freedom Workbook. Download your free copy today at https://www.GrowYourWealthyMindset.com/fiworkbook

Dr. Elisa Chiang is a physician and money coach who helps other doctors reach their financial goals by mastering their money mindset through personalized 1:1 coaching .

You can learn more about Elisa at her website or follow her on social media.

Website: https://ww.GrowYourWealthyMindset.com

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/GrowYourWealthyMindset

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ElisaChiang

https://www.facebook.com/GrowYourWealthyMindset

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WealthyMindsetMD

Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/ElisaChiang

Disclaimer: The content provided in the Grow Your Wealthy Mindset Podcast...