#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
Physicians ask, "What if Trump…?" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:09
Episode Summary: In this episode, Nate Reineke and Ben Utley discuss the potential financial implications for physicians in light of recent political changes, particularly focusing on the questions surrounding government…
What Physicians Should Think About Funding Their 529 plan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:45
Episode Summary: In this episode, Nate Reineke and Ben Utley discuss important considerations for physicians when funding their 529 plans. The hosts share insights from personal experiences, highlight the significance of…
Turning Quarterly Physician Bonuses Into Monthly Savings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:02
Episode Summary: In this episode, Nate Reineke and Ben Utley explore strategies for turning quarterly physician bonuses into effective monthly savings. They share insights into managing unexpected income and address list…
What is the best college savings goal for doctors ? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:51
Episode Summary: In this episode, Nate Reineke and Ben Utley explore the best college savings goals for doctors. They discuss strategies for saving effectively for education expenses and address listener questions about…
Can Donor Advised Funds Cut Doctors Taxes Twice ? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:20
Summary: In this episode, Nate Reineke and Ben Utley explore how donor advised funds (DAFs) can provide significant tax benefits for physicians. They return from their holiday break to answer important listener questions…
What will the biggest physician financial question be for 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:22
Episode Summary: In this episode, Nate Reineke and Ben Utley explore what the biggest physician financial question will be for 2025. They kick off the new year by addressing listener questions about financial planning st…
Cracking The Purpose Code with Jordan Grumet MD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:13
Episode Summary: Join Nate Reineke and Ben Utley as they welcome Jordan Grumet, also known as Doc G, author of The Purpose Code and host of the Earn and Invest podcast. They discuss the vital connection between purpose a…
Interest Rates: What doctors need to know now [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:20
Episode Overview: In this episode, Ben Utley and Nate Reineke address the important topic of interest rates and how they might affect your financial decisions as a healthcare professional. They explore the potential impa…
How Much Crypto Should Doctors Own? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:26
Episode Overview: In this episode, Ben Utley and Nate Reineke tackle the question of how much cryptocurrency is appropriate for doctors to own. They cover important considerations, such as the lack of inherent value in c…
Can Physicians with Chronic Conditions Benefit from HSA? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:14
Episode Overview: In this episode, Ben Utley and Nate Reineke address the question: Can Physicians with Chronic Conditions Benefit from HSAs? They tackle various financial inquiries from listeners, offering insights and…