Financial Clarity for Doctors

Finity Group

Corey Janoff and Rachelle Vanderzanden of Finity Group discuss pertinent financial planning topics affecting doctors and other medical professionals.

  1. Aug 31

    Hidden Expenses

    In this episode, hosts Corey Janoff and Rachelle Vanderzanden walk through the hidden expenses that can derail your financial plan. While meticulous budgeting is not necessary for most high-income individuals, it can be helpful to “expect the unexpected”. Hidden or Unexpected Expenses Can Include: Large inflation-related adjustments to things like property taxes and insurance. Deferred home maintenance that hits all at once. Sometimes it’s challenging to be prepared for large costs that only hit once a decade. Supporting children as they get older. Sometimes this is by choice, but sometimes it feels necessary! Could range from continued education, helping with grandkids, to paying for the entire family to go on vacation. Divorce… Not something you plan for, but certainly has a huge financial impact for all parties. Lifestyle creep in early retirement. Increased healthcare expenses with age. Especially as you plan for retirement, make sure to build some buffer into your expected income needs!  If you think you may need $15,000 per month for regular expenses, be prepared to need more periodically for the big things that only happen occasionally.  Listen to the full episode to hear more. For more financial planning tips from Corey and Rachelle, find them on social media! LinkedIn: @CoreyJanoff; Instagram: @CoreyJanoff and @VanderzandenRachelle; and Twitter: @CoreyJanoffCFP Discussions in this show should not be construed as specific recommendations or investment advice. Always consult with your investment professional before making important investment decisions. Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC.  Finity Group, LLC is a separate entity from LPL Financial.  Finity Group and LPL Financial do not provide legal advice or tax services.  Please consult your legal advisor or tax advisor regarding your specific situation. This material is for general information and educational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Finity Group and LPL Financial do not provide legal advice or tax services. Please consult your legal advisor or tax advisor regarding your specific situation.   Citations: Employee Benefits Security Administration.  “Top 10 Ways to Prepare for Retirement.” U.S. Department of Labor.  https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/about-ebsa/our-activities/resource-center/publications/top-10-ways-to-prepare-for-retirement   Hughes, Carol R., Ph.D. LMFT, and Bruce R. Fredenburg, M.S., LMFT.  “Why the Divorce Rate for Older Couples Continues to Rise.”  Psychology Today. January 21, 2026.  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/home-will-never-be-the-same-again/202108/why-the-divorce-rate-for-older-couples-continues-to   Ochieng, Nancy, Juliette Cubanski, Tricia Neuman, and Anthony Damico.  “Health Costs Consume a Large Portion of Income for Millions of People with Medicare.” KFF.  August 21, 2025. https://www.kff.org/medicare/health-costs-consume-a-large-portion-of-income-for-millions-of-people-with-medicare/   Palasciano, Adam.  “How Much to Budget for Home Maintenance”.  Investopedia.  May 22, 2025.  https://www.investopedia.com/home-maintenance-budget-8608913   Strange, William.  “How much should high earners save for retirement each year?”  Milliman.  November 13, 2025.  https://www.milliman.com/en/insight/how-much-should-high-earners-save-retirement

  2. Aug 17

    529 vs Trump Accts vs UTMA vs Other

    With the rollout of additional long-term savings vehicles for kids, the hosts of Financial Clarity for Doctors wanted to unpack a few of the different options out there!  In this episode, hosts Corey Janoff and Rachelle Vanderzanden unpack the purpose and pros and cons of different vehicles designed to save funds for kids.  When you are building a savings plan for your kids:  Consider your goals first!  Do you want to help them pay for school?  Make sure they have some extra funds to “get started” as young adults?  Kickstart their retirement savings?  The new 530a (Trump Accounts) allow you to set aside funds for retirement for kids, and they can take some funds out without penalty for other purposes.  529 college savings accounts are designed as tax-advantaged vehicles for educational costs, but you can also potentially convert some unused funds into a Roth IRA for their benefit.  UGMA/UTMA (custodial) accounts allow you to save in a more flexible way, but realized gains are taxed and those dollars belong to the beneficiary when they reach the age of majority.  Listen to the full episode to hear more detailed pros and cons of each account.  As with everything in financial planning, what makes the most sense for you and your family depends on your individual circumstances.  For more financial planning tips from Corey and Rachelle, find them on social media!  LinkedIn: @CoreyJanoff; Instagram: @CoreyJanoff and @VanderzandenRachelle; and Twitter: @CoreyJanoffCFP   Discussions in this show should not be construed as specific recommendations or investment advice. Always consult with your investment professional before making important investment decisions.   Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC.  Finity Group, LLC is a separate entity from LPL Financial.    Finity Group and LPL Financial do not provide legal advice or tax services.  Please consult your legal advisor or tax advisor regarding your specific situation.   This material is for general information and educational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Investing involves risk including the loss of principal. There is no assurance that the views or strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or will yield positive outcomes. This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or investment advice. Please consult a qualified tax professional regarding your individual circumstances. Prior to investing in a 529 Plan investors should consider whether the investor's or designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program. Withdrawals used for qualified expenses are federally tax free. Tax treatment at the state level may vary. Please consult with your tax advisor before investing.​ Trump Accounts offer tax deferred growth on earnings. Family contributions are made with after tax dollars, and eligible employer contributions may be excluded from the employee’s taxable income. A one-time $1,000 federal contribution may be available for eligible children born between 2025 and 2028. Distributions are generally prohibited during the child's growth period and, once permitted, are taxable as ordinary income and may be subject to a 10% IRS early distribution penalty if taken before age 59½. Contribution limits and other restrictions apply, and some rules remain subject to future Treasury and IRS guidance.​ Finity Group and LPL Financial do not provide legal advice or tax services. Please consult your legal advisor or tax advisor regarding your specific situation.    Citations:  Internal Revenue Service.  Topic no. 553, Tax on a child's investment and other unearned income (kiddie tax).  https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc553.  Segal, Troy. Investopedia. UGMA Accounts: Understanding Custodial Gifts for Minors.  https://www.investopedia.com/terms/u/ugma.asp.   Trump Accounts. https://trumpaccounts.gov/.   US Bank. Using 529 plans for K-12 education.  https://www.usbank.com/wealth-management/financial-perspectives/financial-planning/using-529-plans-for-k-12.html.

  3. Aug 3

    Summer Planning Checklist

    It’s summer!  Time for fun in the sun and extra time with friends and family, which can have an impact on the finances!  In this episode of Financial Clarity for Doctors, hosts Corey Janoff and Rachelle Vanderzanden walk through a few things that can be helpful during a mid-year financial planning check. Ideas for Summer Planning: Take a moment to review your spending and reflect on whether it matches up with those goals! Spent a lot of money on eating on travel, but travel is important to you? That might be just fine!  Everyone is different. Review progress toward making maximum retirement contributions (if you are able). Are you on track to make the maximum employee deferral contribution of $24,500 to your employer plan? Review your cash on hand to see if you have anything “extra” that can be put toward long-term goals. Can potentially add funds to 529 college savings accounts, 530A (Trump Accounts), or other investment accounts, depending on your goals. Go through your workplace benefits to ensure you are using them! Unused vacation days that may expire? Flexible Spending Account balances that need to be used? Potentially make some strategic tax planning moves depending on your circumstances. Example: Roth conversions add funds to your taxable income in the year converted, but then funds can grow tax free if used for qualified retirement withdrawals. Do a quick risk review – For example do you have adequate insurance and an estate plan drafted? You can review your finances any time of year, but the summer can be a great mid-year reset.  Sit back and relax on your deck with a cold beverage and lots of numbers!  Sounds like fun to us! For more financial planning tips from Corey and Rachelle, find them on social media! LinkedIn: @CoreyJanoff; Instagram: @CoreyJanoff and @VanderzandenRachelle; and Twitter: @CoreyJanoffCFP Discussions in this show should not be construed as specific recommendations or investment advice. Always consult with your investment professional before making important investment decisions. Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC.  Finity Group, LLC is a separate entity from LPL Financial.  Finity Group and LPL Financial do not provide legal advice or tax services.  Please consult your legal advisor or tax advisor regarding your specific situation. This material is for general information and educational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Investing involves risk including the loss of principal. There is no assurance that the views or strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or will yield positive outcomes. A Roth IRA conversion—sometimes called a backdoor Roth strategy—is a way to contribute to a Roth IRA when income exceeds standard limits. The converted amount is treated as taxable income and may affect your tax bracket. Federal, state, and local taxes may apply. If you’re required to take a minimum distribution in the year of conversion, it must be completed before converting. To qualify for tax-free withdrawals, you must generally be age 59½ and hold the converted funds in the Roth IRA for at least five years. Each conversion has its own five-year period, and early withdrawals may be subject to a 10% penalty unless an exception applies. Income limits still apply for future direct Roth IRA contributions. This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or investment advice. Please consult a qualified tax professional regarding your individual circumstances. Prior to investing in a 529 Plan investors should consider whether the investor's or designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program. Withdrawals used for qualified expenses are federally tax free. Tax treatment at the state level may vary. Please consult with your tax advisor before investing.​ Trump Accounts offer tax deferred growth on earnings. Family contributions are made with after tax dollars, and eligible employer contributions may be excluded from the employee’s taxable income. A one time $1,000 federal contribution may be available for eligible children born between 2025 and 2028. Distributions are generally prohibited during the child's growth period and, once permitted, are taxable as ordinary income and may be subject to a 10% IRS early distribution penalty if taken before age 59½. Contribution limits and other restrictions apply, and some rules remain subject to future Treasury and IRS guidance. Consult a qualified tax advisor or financial professional before making decisions. Rebalancing a portfolio may cause investors to incur tax liabilities and/or transaction costs and does not assure a profit or protect against a loss.​ Finity Group and LPL Financial do not provide legal advice or tax services. Please consult your legal advisor or tax advisor regarding your specific situation. Citations: Internal Revenue Service.  Frequently asked questions on gift taxes. https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/frequently-asked-questions-on-gift-taxes. Internal Revenue Service.  Charitable contribution deductions.. https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/charitable-contribution-deductions. Trump Accounts. https://trumpaccounts.gov/. Bart, Susan T. and Connie T Eyster.  What is a Trump Account? Rules, Taxes, and How They Work for Families. https://www.actec.org/resource-center/video/trump-accounts-explained/. 2026. The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.

  4. Jul 20

    The Trick is Not Minding That it Hurts

    In this episode of Financial Clarity for Doctors, hosts Corey Janoff and Rachelle Vanderzanden talk through some scenarios where it is helpful to have thick skin! With finances (and especially investing), it won’t always be fun. Investing Challenges and Suggestions: · Investment accounts will very likely go down in value at some point and may stay down for a while. BUT to date, have grown substantially over time. o $1,000 invested in the S&P 500 in 1960 would be worth close to $127,000 today. Without dividends reinvested and without taking into consideration inflation. · This is uncomfortable! But the discomfort is part of it. · Mentally prepare yourself for the rough patches. · Try not to make knee-jerk reactions or make decisions emotionally. · Diversification can potentially lessen some of the bumps in the road. Investing is not for the faint of heart! Celebrate the wins but accept the likelihood that investment returns will not always be rosy. For more financial planning tips from Corey and Rachelle, find them on social media! LinkedIn: @CoreyJanoff; Instagram: @CoreyJanoff and @VanderzandenRachelle; and Twitter: @CoreyJanoffCFP Discussions in this show should not be construed as specific recommendations or investment advice. Always consult with your investment professional before making important investment decisions. Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. Finity Group, LLC is a separate entity from LPL Financial. Finity Group and LPL Financial do not provide legal advice or tax services. Please consult your legal advisor or tax advisor regarding your specific situation. This material is for general information and educational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Investing involves risk including the loss of principal. There is no assurance that the views or strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or will yield positive outcomes. Finity Group and LPL Financial do not provide legal advice or tax services. Please consult your legal advisor or tax advisor regarding your specific situation. There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns or outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification does not protect against market risk. Citations: Lawrence of Arabia. Directed by David Lean, Columbia Pictures, 1962. MacroMicro. MSCI Global Stock Market Index 12-month Returns (USD). https://en.macromicro.me/charts/93437/MSCI-Global-Stock-Market-Index-12month-Returns-USD. Webster, Ian. Official Data Foundation. S&P 500: $100 in 1960 → $82,419.64 in 2026. https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/state/estate-inheritance-taxes/. WSJ Markets. US & Americas Stock Index. https://www.wsj.com/market-data/stocks/us/indexes. Yahoo. S&P 500. Historical Data. https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/%5EGSPC/history/?period1=-599875200&period2=31881600&interval=1wk&filter=history&frequency=1wk&includeAdjustedClose=trueS&P.

  5. Jul 6

    You Won the Lottery...Now What?

    Sometimes it’s fun to daydream a bit!  In this episode of Financial Clarity for Doctors, Rachelle Vanderzanden and Corey Janoff unpack the potential uses of those unexpected windfalls.  The lottery is a great example, although a long shot – especially if you don’t play!  Selling a business or receiving a large inheritance is much more likely for some of you.  Below are some practical (and not so practical) ideas. Practical matters first: There will be tax considerations for any windfall and consulting a tax professional and/or financial planning professional will be very helpful. They can help you consider: Lump sum vs annuity payments Timing of business ownership transfer and payments Taxation on various inherited assets and the timing of withdrawals and sales Then, assess where you are with your goals! Can ensure you are on track for retirement, college savings, debt repayment, and so many other things. Last – the fun stuff! With large windfalls, maybe you get to do that pie in the sky dream splurge? Golf simulator? Vacation house? Large chunks of money can potentially have larger tax implications depending on their source. Consulting a tax planning professional can be very helpful in these circumstances. And with these windfalls, consider what’s really important to you, tackle that first, then maybe you’ll have extra for a splurge! For more financial planning tips from Corey and Rachelle, find them on social media! LinkedIn: @CoreyJanoff; Instagram: @CoreyJanoff and @VanderzandenRachelle; and Twitter: @CoreyJanoffCFP Discussions in this show should not be construed as specific recommendations or investment advice. Always consult with your investment professional before making important investment decisions. Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC.  Finity Group, LLC is a separate entity from LPL Financial.  Finity Group and LPL Financial do not provide legal advice or tax services.  Please consult your legal advisor or tax advisor regarding your specific situation. This material is for general information and educational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Investing involves risk including the loss of principal. There is no assurance that the views or strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or will yield positive outcomes. Finity Group and LPL Financial do not provide legal advice or tax services. Please consult your legal advisor or tax advisor regarding your specific situation. There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns or outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification does not protect against market risk. ETFs trade like stocks, are subject to investment risk, fluctuate in market value, and may trade at prices above or below the ETF's net asset value (NAV). Upon redemption, the value of fund shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. ETFs carry additional risks such as not being diversified, possible trading halts, and index tracking errors. Fixed and Variable annuities are suitable for long-term investing, such as retirement investing. Gains from tax-deferred investments are taxable as ordinary income upon withdrawal. Guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the issuing company. Withdrawals made prior to age 59 ½ are subject to a 10% IRS penalty tax and surrender charges may apply. Variable annuities are subject to market risk and may lose value. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. A Roth IRA offers tax deferral on any earnings in the account. Qualified withdrawals of earnings from the account are tax-free. Withdrawals of earnings prior to age 59 ½ or prior to the account being opened for 5 years, whichever is later, may result in a 10% IRS penalty tax. Limitations and restrictions may apply Citations: Loughead, Katherin.  Estate and Inheritance Taxes by State, 2025.  Tax Foundation. October 28, 2025. Bonus Depreciation for Short-Term Rentals: The Complete Guide (2026).  https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/state/estate-inheritance-taxes/ Powerball. FAQS.  https://www.powerball.com/faqs

  6. Jun 22

    It's Not Just About Tax Minimization

    In this episode of Financial Clarity for Doctors, Rachelle Vanderzanden and Corey Janoff discuss some benefits of tax minimization for high income earners, but also the need to look beyond and keep things simple sometimes.  When you are constantly chasing tax savings, you can end up using strategies that are time consuming, potentially expensive, and sometimes overly complicated. More complicated tax minimization strategies can include: Real estate ventures Commercial solar investments Strategic use of permanent life insurance Simpler tax planning can include: Maxing out your tax-advantaged retirement plans Using tax loss harvesting, when possible, in taxable investment accounts Potentially holding municipal bonds in taxable accounts Direct indexing in taxable accounts Being strategic about the timing of taxable distributions in retirement – potentially converting some pre-tax dollars to Roth before required minimum distributions kick in, etc. There are some people who really enjoy exploring and executing complicated new strategies.  For many people, the best idea is to keep things relatively simple.  Financial professionals can help you with many of these strategies, but it’s important to have a good understanding of what’s happening with your money.  You get to decide how much time and energy you want to put into that. For more financial planning tips from Corey and Rachelle, find them on social media! LinkedIn: @CoreyJanoff; Instagram: @CoreyJanoff and @VanderzandenRachelle; and Twitter: @CoreyJanoffCFP Discussions in this show should not be construed as specific recommendations or investment advice. Always consult with your investment professional before making important investment decisions. Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC.  Finity Group, LLC is a separate entity from LPL Financial.  Finity Group  and LPL Financial do not provide legal advice or tax services.  Please consult your legal advisor or tax advisor regarding your specific situation. Traditional IRA account owners have considerations to make before performing a Roth IRA conversion. These primarily include income tax consequences on the converted amount in the year of conversion, withdrawal limitations from a Roth IRA, and income limitations for future contributions to a Roth IRA. In addition, if you are required to take a required minimum distribution (RMD) in the year you convert, you must do so before converting to a Roth IRA Citations: Amir Ali, Kamran.  Bonus Depreciation for Short-Term Rentals: The Complete Guide (2026).  Guest Manual.  April 17, 2026. https://www.guestmanual.com/articles/bonus-depreciation-short-term-rental   Watson, Jason.  Selling Your Rental Property – Cost Basis and Recapture.  WCG.  March 31, 2026. https://wcginc.com/kb-rental-property/selling-your-rental-property-cost-basis-and-recapture/

  7. Jun 8

    The Stock Market Will Not Do What You Expect

    In this episode of Financial Clarity for Doctors, hosts Corey Janoff and Rachelle Vanderzanden talk through some stock market noise.  It’s hard to know when to listen to headlines and what information to heed.  What we listen to as investors and what the movers and shakers listen to may be very different. Discussion in this episode include: The focus of retail investors, including local news, conflicts, prices close to home, and talking heads like Ray Dalio. For individual investors, it’s hard to look past the noise to see if the fundamentals are sound for investing. The focus of institutional investors including earnings/profits, interest rates, and taxes. Generally, if companies are making money, big investors are happy to hold stock in those companies despite other happenings in the world. Our expectation of how the stock market will perform and how it does perform are often very different. As always, focus on your long-term strategy!  Trying to use information in the short-term to make decisions about your long-term investments can often be counterproductive.  You can end up selling due to fear and then missing out on gains.  No ones wants that! For more financial planning tips from Corey and Rachelle, find them on social media! LinkedIn: @CoreyJanoff; Instagram: @CoreyJanoff and @VanderzandenRachelle; and Twitter: @CoreyJanoffCFP Discussions in this show should not be construed as specific recommendations or investment advice. Always consult with your investment professional before making important investment decisions. Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC.  Finity Group, LLC is a separate entity from LPL Financial.  Citations: Dalio, Ray.  New York Times. A Legendary Investor on How to Prevent America’s Coming ‘Heart Attack’. Published May 7, 2026. Earnings reports pulled from Google AI Overview.

  8. May 25

    Don't Even Try to Keep Up with the Doctors on TV

    In so many ways, television and movies can be unrealistic. Some things fly under the radar most of the time!  In this episode of Financial Clarity for Doctors, hosts Rachelle Vanderzanden and Corey Janoff walk through some examples of shows with characters living inflated lives.  Does it make sense given their profession and age?  Probably not.  They often have nicer homes and nicer things and a lot more free time than their counterparts in real life. Shows featuring medical professionals living inflated lifestyles include: Shrinking is a great example! Jimmy is a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist in Southern California in a beautiful home and he barely seems to work.  How? Shows featuring trainees seem to do a better job (sometimes). The Pitt, Grey’s Anatomy, ER – all seemed to discuss at one point or other the struggle to make ends meet as an Intern, Resident, or Fellow. Many classic sitcoms feature regular people with a variety of jobs in absolutely gorgeous homes in California. Modern Family and Full House are great examples.  Or a rent-controlled apartment in New York! “Keeping up with the Jones” is hard enough.  Do not try to keep up with their counterparts on television!  You never know the resources people may have, but lifestyle and income alone rarely match up on screen. For more financial planning tips from Corey and Rachelle, find them on social media! LinkedIn: @CoreyJanoff; Instagram: @CoreyJanoff and @VanderzandenRachelle; and Twitter: @CoreyJanoffCFP Discussions in this show should not be construed as specific recommendations or investment advice. Always consult with your investment professional before making important investment decisions. Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC.  Finity Group, LLC is a separate entity from LPL Financial.  Citations: Redfin and Zillow were used to find comparables for houses in specific areas.

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Corey Janoff and Rachelle Vanderzanden of Finity Group discuss pertinent financial planning topics affecting doctors and other medical professionals.

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