#144 Invest or Reduce A Mortgage: What’s the Best Option for Docs With Extra Cash

#144 Invest or Reduce A Mortgage: What’s the Best Option for Docs With Extra Cash

Author: Nate Reineke December 3, 2025 Duration: 33:53

If you are on track for retirement, college, have an emergency fund, have bought all your cars in cash, and check all the other planning boxes, but find yourself with extra cash, where is the best place to put it? It may seem like a simple math problem to decide if investing is a better option than paying down your mortgage, but the math isn’t actually that easy. Nate Reineke and Kyle Hoelzle break down why it’s not an easy question to answer and the caveats that complicate the math. We also discuss how paying off your mortgage faster helps reduce risk as you head into retirement. We also answer your colleagues’ questions. An ENT in New York says, “If my employer updates the plan’s default investment option, does that change how my current retirement account is invested?” A Critical Care Doctor in Ohio asks, “My oldest child is in college, and we have some of his tuition money in a high-yield savings account. Should we move it to his 529?” An ENT in Oregon wonders, “How should investors think about owning broad index funds when they disagree with the practices of some of the companies inside them?” Are you ready to turn worries about taxes and investing into all the money you need for college and retirement? It’s time to make a plan and get on track. To find out if we’re a match visit physicianfamily.com and click get started or, you can ask a question of your own by emailing podcast@physicianfamily.com. See marketing disclosures at physicianfamily.com/disclosures


Finding a clear path through financial planning feels uniquely challenging when your career is in medicine and your heart is at home with family. The Physician Family Finances Podcast exists in that specific, demanding space. Host Nate Reineke, alongside co-host Chelsea Jones, brings their experience as Certified Financial Planner™ professionals directly to conversations with physician parents. They understand the dual pressures of managing a practice, caring for kids, and making smart long-term decisions with your earnings. Each episode moves beyond generic advice to tackle the real questions you face, from navigating student loan strategies and investment options tailored to a physician's timeline to planning for retirement without sacrificing your family's present. This isn't about quick tips; it's about building a sustainable framework that aligns with your values and goals. Tune in for a candid, practical discussion that makes complex topics like tax laws and wealth building accessible, so you can gain confidence and clarity with your finances. The entire podcast is built on the principle that securing your future should feel like an achievable part of your life's work, not an overwhelming distraction from it.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Physician Family Finances Podcast
Podcast Episodes
#154 Doctor Dilemma: Pension Plan or Higher Compensation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:28
Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and love is in the air! If there’s one thing most people love, it’s receiving a great job offer. Even better is when you get more than one. But job offers aren’t always as simp…
#152 A Physician's PE Dilemma: Cross the Finish Line or Another Lap? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:53
After years of building your private practice, the time has come to sell. The business you have poured your time, energy, and money into is being bought by private equity. Should you take the payout in PE shares or cash?…
#150 Should Doctors Wait to Close on a New House? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:42
New year, new interest rates? It’s a strong maybe. That isn’t the most helpful answer, but if you are close to closing on a new house, should you wait to see if they drop or lock in now? Nate Reineke and Chelsea Jones di…
#148 New Year, New 401K Catch-Up Contribution Rules for Doctors [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:58
It’s New Year’s Eve! We hope that you have had a wonderful 2025. As we look ahead to 2026, you may be making resolutions or setting goals for yourself. This is a time we all reflect on what changes we’d like to make. As…
#147 What End-of-Year Tax Breaks Should Physicians Utilize? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:35
The holiday season brings many fun traditions, like going to see the lights, opening Advent calendars, baking, or shopping for the perfect gift. Since the holidays also signal the end of the year, it can be a time to thi…
#146 Are Mega Backdoor Roths Mega Awesome for Doctors? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:03
That benefits packet you skimmed might hide a major opportunity. When it comes to saving for retirement, it can seem like there are a million account types, and it is becoming more common for employers to offer even more…