Smarter Vet Financial Podcast

Send us Fan MailYour salary is only part of the story.Many veterinarians and veterinary professionals focus on compensation while overlooking valuable benefits that can significantly impact their financial well-being. From retirement plans and employer matching contributions to health savings accounts, disability coverage, life insurance, and continuing education benefits, understanding what's available can help you make more informed financial decisions.In this episode, Tom Seeko and CJ Burnett discuss common employee benefits found in veterinary practices, why many professionals fail to take advantage of them, and how to evaluate whether your current benefits package is working in your favor.You'll learn:• Why employer retirement matches shouldn't be ignored• The difference between workplace and individual insurance coverage• How HSAs and FSAs can create tax advantages• What to consider before switching from W-2 to 1099 work• A simple three-step process for maximizing your benefitsWhether you're an associate veterinarian, support team member, relief veterinarian, or practice owner, this episode can help you better understand the benefits that may already be available to you.Listen now and discover whether you're leaving valuable opportunities on the table.Listen to more episodes: https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/

Send us Fan MailMany veterinarians enter the profession because they're passionate about helping animals. But somewhere along the way, financial obligations, lifestyle expectations, student debt, and a lack of financial flexibility can make it feel difficult to pivot, reduce hours, pursue a new opportunity, or make a career change.In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, Tom Seeko and CJ Burnett explore the connection between financial flexibility and career freedom. They discuss how spending habits, savings strategies, debt management, and intentional financial planning can create more choices and reduce the feeling of being "stuck."You'll learn: Why higher income doesn't always create financial freedomHow lifestyle creep can limit career opportunitiesThe role liquidity and accessible savings play in career flexibilityWhy intentional spending matters more than income alonePractical ways to create more freedom in your financial lifeIf your finances are keeping you from making the changes you want, this episode will help you think differently about your money and your future.🎯 Take the Personal Financial IQ Assessment: https://flvetadvisors.com/test-my-personal-financial-iq/🎙 Smarter Vet Financial Podcast: https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/📚 Unleash the Financial Clarity Every Veterinarian Needs: https://amzn.to/3M2wQkASchedule a Time to Chat With Us: https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/contactInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/flvetadvisors/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flvetadvisors LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/florida-veterinary-advisors/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FloridaVeterinaryAdvisors

Send us Fan MailMany veterinary practice owners find themselves overwhelmed, constantly putting out fires, and struggling to create a team that can operate independently.In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, Tom Seeko sits down with executive coach and Ignite With Purpose founder Brianne Spiersch to discuss the difference between managing tasks and leading people. Brianne shares practical strategies for delegation, accountability, leadership development, and creating stronger team cultures.They discuss:• The difference between managing a practice and leading a team • Why practice owners often become the bottleneck in their businesses • How delegation builds confidence and accountability • The danger of avoiding difficult conversations • Why leadership requires developing people, not just managing tasks • Simple habits that can improve leadership effectiveness over timeWhether you're a practice owner, manager, or aspiring leader, this conversation offers actionable insights to help you develop stronger teams and healthier workplace cultures.Learn more about Brianne and Ignite With Purpose at https://ignitewithpurpose.coListen now and start building the leadership skills your practice needs to thrive.Smarter Vet Podcast-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/Watch the no cost 5-part video course to review your finances and see where you could be doing better in your finances:5 Foundational Steps to Financial Balance Video Course-http://series.flvetadvisors.com/Find out what you could be overlooking within your practice by taking our brief assessment:Test My Personal Financial IQ-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/personal-test/Sign up for a complimentary phone call to talk about how to get better use of all the cash inside your practice:Schedule a time-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/contact-usInstagram-https://www.instagram.com/flveterinaryadvisors/Facebook-https://facebook.com/flvetadvisorsLinkedIn-https://linkedin.com/company/flvetadvisorsYouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@floridaveterinaryadvisors7665

Send us Fan MailYou may own multiple investments, accounts, and mutual funds, but does that automatically mean you're diversified?In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, CJ Burnett and Tom Seeko take a broader look at diversification and why simply owning more investments may not tell the whole story.They explore how correlation can cause seemingly different investments to react similarly to changing markets, while also discussing other dimensions of a financial plan, including taxes, liquidity, protection, growth, and predictability.You'll hear why diversification can be less about the number of accounts you own and more about understanding the different roles your assets play within your overall financial plan.If you've ever wondered how your finances might respond when markets, taxes, opportunities, or life circumstances change, this conversation offers a different way to think about the bigger picture.Smarter Vet Podcast: https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/Watch the no-cost 5-part video course to review your finances and see where you could be doing better in your finances. 5 Foundational Steps to Financial Balance Video Course: http://series.flvetadvisors.com/Find out what you could be overlooking within your practice by taking our brief assessment. Test My Personal Financial IQ: https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/personal-test/Sign up for a complimentary phone call to talk about how to get better use of all the cash inside your practice. Schedule a Time: https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/contact-usInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/flveterinaryadvisors/Facebook: https://facebook.com/flvetadvisorsLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/flvetadvisorsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@floridaveterinaryadvisors7665

Send us Fan MailMost people believe building wealth comes down to earning higher investment returns.But what if your financial plan doesn't actually need the return you're chasing?In this episode, Tom and CJ unpack one of the most common misconceptions in financial planning: the belief that investment performance is the primary driver of financial success. They explain the critical difference between wanting higher returns and needing higher returns, and why relying too heavily on your portfolio can introduce unnecessary risk into your future.You'll learn why savings habits, cash flow management, risk management, and intentional financial decisions often have a much greater impact on long-term outcomes than trying to outperform the market.Whether you're accumulating wealth, planning for retirement, or simply trying to gain more clarity around your financial future, this episode offers a different way of thinking about what really drives financial independence.Listen now and discover the factors that may matter more than your investment returns.Smarter Vet Podcast-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/Watch the no cost 5-part video course to review your finances and see where you could be doing better in your finances:5 Foundational Steps to Financial Balance Video Course-http://series.flvetadvisors.com/Find out what you could be overlooking within your practice by taking our brief assessment:Test My Personal Financial IQ-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/personal-test/Sign up for a complimentary phone call to talk about how to get better use of all the cash inside your practice:Schedule a time-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/contact-usInstagram-https://www.instagram.com/flveterinaryadvisors/Facebook-https://facebook.com/flvetadvisorsLinkedIn-https://linkedin.com/company/flvetadvisorsYouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@floridaveterinaryadvisors7665

Send us Fan MailMany veterinarians believe that once their estate planning documents are completed, the job is done.Unfortunately, that is often where problems begin.In this episode of the Smarter Vet Podcast, CJ Burnett and Tom Seeko discuss why estate planning is more than simply having a will or trust in place. They explore how beneficiaries, account ownership, trusts, business interests, and life insurance all need to be coordinated with your broader financial plan.They also explain common mistakes they see among veterinary professionals, including outdated documents, uncoordinated accounts, and assumptions that tax laws will never change.Whether you've never created an estate plan or haven't reviewed yours in years, this episode offers practical insights to help ensure your wishes, your family, and your legacy are properly protected.Listen now to learn:• Why estate planning documents alone may not be enough• How trusts, beneficiaries, and account ownership work together• The role life insurance can play in estate planning• Why practice owners have additional estate planning considerations• Three action steps to review your plan todaySmarter Vet Podcast-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/Watch the no cost 5-part video course to review your finances and see where you could be doing better in your finances:5 Foundational Steps to Financial Balance Video Course-http://series.flvetadvisors.com/Find out what you could be overlooking within your practice by taking our brief assessment:Test My Personal Financial IQ-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/personal-test/Sign up for a complimentary phone call to talk about how to get better use of all the cash inside your practice:Schedule a time-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/contact-usInstagram-https://www.instagram.com/flveterinaryadvisors/Facebook-https://facebook.com/flvetadvisorsLinkedIn-https://linkedin.com/company/flvetadvisorsYouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@floridaveterinaryadvisors7665

Send us Fan MailMany financial decisions feel easier to postpone."I'll save after my student loans are gone.""I'll plan later.""I'll start when things settle down."In this episode, Tom Seeko and CJ Burnett explore the hidden costs of waiting and why delaying action may be costing more than you realize.They discuss common reasons veterinarians postpone important financial decisions, including student loans, home purchases, practice ownership, retirement planning, and insurance coverage. They also walk through a real-world example showing how delaying savings by just five years could create a significant difference in long-term wealth accumulation.Whether you're early in your career, building a practice, or thinking about your future transition strategy, this conversation highlights why progress often starts with a single intentional step.🎯 Take the Personal Financial IQ Assessment: https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/client-assessment/Smarter Vet Podcast-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/Watch the no cost 5-part video course to review your finances and see where you could be doing better in your finances:5 Foundational Steps to Financial Balance Video Course-http://series.flvetadvisors.com/Find out what you could be overlooking within your practice by taking our brief assessment:Test My Personal Financial IQ-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/personal-test/Sign up for a complimentary phone call to talk about how to get better use of all the cash inside your practice:Schedule a time-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/contact-usInstagram-https://www.instagram.com/flveterinaryadvisors/Facebook-https://facebook.com/flvetadvisorsLinkedIn-https://linkedin.com/company/flvetadvisorsYouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@floridaveterinaryadvisors7665

Send us Fan MailWhat does it take to go from practicing veterinary medicine to building and scaling a successful business?In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, Tom Seeko sits down with Dr. John Younker, DVM, MBA, veterinarian, entrepreneur, consultant, and founder of Vet Launch.Dr. Younker shares his journey from emergency medicine to practice ownership, including how he helped grow a veterinary hospital, opened his own clinics, scaled to multiple locations, and ultimately navigated a successful practice sale. Along the way, he discusses leadership, systems, business growth, and what veterinarians should consider when exploring ownership opportunities.Topics discussed include:• Transitioning from clinician to entrepreneur • Building systems that support growth • Leadership lessons from scaling a team • Practice ownership realities and challenges • Preparing a business for long-term flexibility and value • Why veterinarians should understand the financial side of their practicesWhether you're considering ownership, currently running a practice, or simply curious about the business side of veterinary medicine, this conversation offers valuable insights from someone who has experienced the journey firsthand.Learn more about Dr. John Younker and Vet Launch:LinkedIn: Dr. John Younker, DVM, MBA - https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-younker-dvm-mba/ Vet Launch Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts - https://www.youtube.com/@thevetlaunch Smarter Vet Podcast-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/Watch the no cost 5-part video course to review your finances and see where you could be doing better in your finances:5 Foundational Steps to Financial Balance Video Course-http://series.flvetadvisors.com/Find out what you could be overlooking within your practice by taking our brief assessment:Test My Personal Financial IQ-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/personal-test/Sign up for a complimentary phone call to talk about how to get better use of all the cash inside your practice:Schedule a time-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/contact-usInstagram-https://www.instagram.com/flveterinaryadvisors/Facebook-https://facebook.com/flvetadvisorsLinkedIn-https://linkedin.com/company/flvetadvisorsYouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@floridaveterinaryadvisors7665

Send us Fan MailWhat happens to your veterinary practice if you're unable to work?Many practice owners focus on personal disability insurance, but often overlook how a disability could impact their practice, employees, business partners, and long-term business value.In this episode, Florida Veterinary Advisors co-founders Tom Seeko and CJ Burnett discuss the three areas of disability planning practice owners should understand:• Individual Disability Insurance (IDI) • Business Overhead Expense (BOE) Insurance • Business Buyout (BBO) InsuranceThey explain how each type of coverage works, common gaps they see among practice owners, and why reviewing existing coverage may be one of the most important conversations a business owner can have.Whether you're a solo owner or have partners, this episode highlights practical considerations that can help protect your practice when the unexpected happens.Smarter Vet Podcast-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/Watch the no cost 5-part video course to review your finances and see where you could be doing better in your finances:5 Foundational Steps to Financial Balance Video Course-http://series.flvetadvisors.com/Find out what you could be overlooking within your practice by taking our brief assessment:Test My Personal Financial IQ-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/personal-test/Sign up for a complimentary phone call to talk about how to get better use of all the cash inside your practice:Schedule a time-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/contact-usInstagram-https://www.instagram.com/flveterinaryadvisors/Facebook-https://facebook.com/flvetadvisorsLinkedIn-https://linkedin.com/company/flvetadvisorsYouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@floridaveterinaryadvisors7665

Send us Fan MailVeterinarian salaries have increased significantly over the last decade. Production bonuses, signing bonuses, relief work opportunities, and practice ownership distributions are creating more earning potential than ever before.So why do so many veterinarians still feel stuck financially?In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, Tom Seeko and CJ Burnett discuss the "Gross Income Trap" and why focusing solely on your salary can create a false sense of financial progress. They break down the difference between gross income and spendable income, explore how lifestyle creep impacts financial decision making, and discuss practical ways to become more intentional with your cash flow.You'll learn:• Why gross income does not equal spendable income • How lifestyle creep affects financial progress • Common mistakes made with raises, bonuses, and additional income • Why veterinarians earning more may still feel financially stressed • How intentional cash flow planning can help create financial flexibilityIf your income has increased but your financial life hasn't changed as much as you expected, this episode offers an important perspective.Take the Personal Financial IQ Assessment: https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/personal-test/ Smarter Vet Podcast-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/Watch the no cost 5-part video course to review your finances and see where you could be doing better in your finances:5 Foundational Steps to Financial Balance Video Course-http://series.flvetadvisors.com/Find out what you could be overlooking within your practice by taking our brief assessment:Test My Personal Financial IQ-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/personal-test/Sign up for a complimentary phone call to talk about how to get better use of all the cash inside your practice:Schedule a time-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/contact-usInstagram-https://www.instagram.com/flveterinaryadvisors/Facebook-https://facebook.com/flvetadvisorsLinkedIn-https://linkedin.com/company/flvetadvisorsYouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@floridaveterinaryadvisors7665