In this spirited episode of "Finding Financial Freedom with The Frugal Physician," Dr. Disha reconnects with her former ER supervising resident and multifaceted maverick, Dr. Jedidiah Ballard.

Fresh off his adventures ranging from grueling Ranger school to romantic escapades on ABC's The Bachelorette, Dr. Jed shares the scoop on balancing the highs and lows of his medical career with his unexpected fame. With tales of stolen food in childhood to sprinting for love on national television, Dr. Jed offers an unfiltered look at how he navigates life's wild swings with humor, humility, and a healthy dose of fitness. Tune in to discover how one doctor manages to stitch up his varied passions into a cohesive, fulfilling life.

Dr. Jedidiah Ballard is an emergency medicine physician known for his unique blend of medical expertise and media presence. An Army Ranger veteran and a former contestant on ABC's The Bachelorette, Dr. Ballard advocates for a balanced life, emphasizing the importance of fitness and wellness alongside a demanding medical career. He is a regular on morning news segments, sharing health tips with the public, and is currently working on a book about practical fitness.

• From Montana to the Military [00:01:50-00:03:30]

• Dr. Jed shares his rugged beginnings in rural Montana, leading to his decision to join the Army Rangers.

• Medical School to Army Ranger [00:04:00-00:06:00]

• Insight into how Dr. Jed balanced rigorous medical training with the intense demands of Ranger School.

• Reality TV Stardom [00:07:15-00:08:45]

• Dr. Jed discusses his leap from the emergency room to the glitzy world of reality television on ABC's The Bachelorette.

• Fitness Philosophy [00:10:30-00:12:00]

• A dive into Dr. Jed’s approach to maintaining peak physical fitness amidst a demanding career.

• Balancing Media and Medicine [00:14:20-00:15:50]

• How Dr. Jed manages his roles as both a media personality and a dedicated emergency medicine doctor.

• Financial Wisdom and Frugality [00:17:40-00:19:10]

• Dr. Jed relates lessons from his various life experiences to financial habits and maintaining economic discipline.

• Upcoming Book Teaser [00:20:45-00:22:00]

• A sneak peek into Dr. Jed’s forthcoming book, focusing on practical fitness and wellness strategies.

• Advice for Young Doctors [00:23:30-00:25:00]

• Dr. Jed offers advice to up-and-coming doctors on how to navigate the complexities of a medical career with personal life and aspirations.

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👋 This episode is sponsored by PearsonRavitz – helping physicians safeguard their most valuable assets.

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👋 Also sponsored by Equity Multiple - EquityMultiple brings you streamlined access to transformative real estate, starting with just $5k. Get started at equitymultiple.com.

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If you enjoyed the show, find and follow Dr. Disha everywhere else:

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Website

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The Frugal Physician’s Facebook Group

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Please note: The content shared on the podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered individualized financial advice. It is essential to consult with professionals such as accountants, financial advisors, or attorneys to receive personalized guidance based on your specific needs.

The SAVE plan is a newer repayment option for federal student loans that offers unique advantages, such as preventing interest capitalization if the monthly payments are made on time. However, unlike older plans, it does not cap monthly payments based on income, which can be a potential downside for high-income earners.

Who benefits most: Joy discussed how this plan might be a better fit for early-career physicians or those with more modest incomes who can benefit from the lower payments and interest benefits without the risk of escalating payments.

More on Joy Sorensen Navarre:

Joy Sorensen Navarre is a nationally recognized expert in student loan management and the founder of Navigate LLC, a consultancy specializing in student loan advice for physicians and healthcare professionals. With a career spanning over a decade in financial advising, Joy discovered a niche need among her clients for specialized student loan guidance. This realization prompted her to pivot her career towards helping medical professionals navigate the complex terrain of student loans

[00:01:00] Joy's introduction and the importance of reliable student loan management advice.

[00:03:00] Insight into how Joy started focusing on student loans due to a lack of trustworthy services.

[00:07:00] Overview of the new SAVE plan and its impact on physicians.

[00:15:00] Discussion on common misconceptions and errors in managing student loans among physicians.

[00:25:00] Strategic advice on loan repayment and pursuing forgiveness, including tax considerations.

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👋 This episode is sponsored by PearsonRavitz – helping physicians safeguard their most valuable assets.

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👋 Also sponsored by Resolve – Physician contract review and compensation data at your fingertips! For 10% off, add FRUGAL10 when signing up as a new client!

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If you enjoyed the show, find and follow Dr. Disha everywhere else:

Twitter

Website

Facebook

The Frugal Physician’s Facebook Group

YouTube

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Please note: The content shared on the podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered individualized financial advice. It is essential to consult with professionals such as accountants, financial advisors, or attorneys to receive personalized guidance based on your specific needs.

After her family's victory lap of paying off debts and diving into investments, they looked into DAFs for some smart, tax-savvy giving. Dr. Disha breaks down the hows and whys of DAFs, showing us how to make our charitable dollars do some heavy lifting while still snagging those tax breaks.

Top 5 Key Show Highlights

Financial Milestones and Philanthropy [00:01:00-00:02:00]
Dr. Disha shares her personal journey of paying off $208,000 in student loans and growing her investments, which led her to explore more meaningful ways to give back, highlighting the seamless connection between personal financial health and philanthropic goals.

Tax Optimization with DAFs [00:04:00-00:05:00]
DAFs allow for strategic tax planning, enabling donors to make large contributions in a single year—potentially offsetting higher income years—while distributing funds to charities over time. This method can optimize tax deductions under current tax laws.

Investment Growth within DAFs [00:03:00-00:04:00]
Contributions to DAFs can be invested and grow tax-free, increasing the potential impact of the initial donation. This feature allows donors to amplify their charitable giving without additional out-of-pocket expenses.

Simplicity and Flexibility [00:07:00-00:08:00]
Dr. Disha emphasizes the ease and flexibility of using DAFs, which streamline the donation process by consolidating tax receipts and allowing donors to plan their charitable giving without the hassle of managing multiple transactions and paperwork.

Comparing DAF Providers [00:12:00-00:17:00]
The episode provides a detailed comparison of different DAF providers, such as Vanguard Charitable, Fidelity Charitable, and newer entrants like DAFI. Dr. Disha discusses various factors like minimum contributions, fee structures, and investment options, helping listeners choose the best provider to suit their charitable and financial strategies.

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👋 This episode is sponsored by PearsonRavitz – helping physicians safeguard their most valuable assets.

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👋 Also sponsored by Resolve – Physician contract review and compensation data at your fingertips! For 10% off, add FRUGAL10 when signing up as a new client!

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If you enjoyed the show, find and follow Dr. Disha everywhere else:

Twitter

Website

Facebook

The Frugal Physician’s Facebook Group

YouTube

-----------

Please note: The content shared on the podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered individualized financial advice. It is essential to consult with professionals such as accountants, financial advisors, or attorneys to receive personalized guidance based on your specific needs.