Meredith and Joe discuss the Department of Education’s newly finalized student loan repayment regulations set to take effect July 1, 2026, including the new RAP repayment plan, the tiered standard plan, and several important issues vets should understand before making changes to their loans.

Key Topics:

• How the new RAP repayment plan works
• Why consolidating loans after July 1, 2026 could be a costly mistake
• Important considerations for borrowers on SAVE
• Errors showing up on the online IDR application
• When a paper IDR application may make more sense

Book a student loan consult with Vet Debt Experts: https://calendly.com/vetdebtexperts/1-hr-consult-discount

Meredith and Joe talk through major student loan rule changes that significantly impact 2026 veterinary graduates, along with advice to help set yourself up for success with student loan repayment.

• Why consolidation used to make sense for some borrowers
• The new rule limiting loans disbursed after July 1, 2026 to RAP or Standard repayment
• Why 2026 graduates should avoid consolidating
• What new graduates should do instead, including waiting out the grace period and carefully evaluating repayment options
• The long-term difference between RAP and New IBR, and why plan selection matters early

If you’d like help with a repayment strategy tailored to your specific situation, you can book a student loan consult with Vet Debt Experts: https://calendly.com/vetdebtexperts/1-hr-consult-discount

Meredith talks about three financial patterns she commonly sees with veterinarians: perfectionism around money, letting student loans drive career decisions, and evaluating compensation too narrowly.

These are often decisions that feel reasonable in the moment, but over time can quietly contribute to stress, burnout, and financial stagnation.

Key Topics:

• Why perfectionism can delay financial progress
• The cost of waiting for the “perfect” financial decision
• How student loans can influence career choices
• Burnout, income pressure, and fear-based decision-making
• Why compensation is much bigger than salary alone
• How to evaluate veterinary job offers more thoughtfully

Interested in financial planning built for veterinarians?

Learn more or book a free intro call at allvetfinancial.com

It’s easy to get stuck thinking your debt is limiting your options, but your career decisions can still be built around the life and work you want. Meredith and Joe talk about how veterinarians can make career choices that align with their goals and values rather than feeling trapped by student loans.

• Why the highest-paying job is not always the best fit
• How income-driven repayment plans can create more flexibility
• Navigating student loans with lower-paying career paths
• Burnout, toxic jobs, and the hidden cost of staying somewhere just for the paycheck
• Why your student loan strategy should support your life, not the other way around

Interested in financial planning built for veterinarians?

Learn more or book a free intro call at allvetfinancial.com

Relief work has grown quickly in veterinary medicine, and this episode dives into why more vets are choosing it, where burnout can show up, and how to build a sustainable path if relief is on your radar. Meredith and Joe talk with Dr. Andrew Ciccolini of Colorado State University and Serenity Vet.

• More veterinarians are choosing relief work than in years past
• Why vets are drawn to relief: flexibility, autonomy, variety, and higher pay potential
• Common burnout drivers: overcommitting shifts, unpredictable income, taxes/admin work, and isolation
• Why a financial plan matters before going full-time relief
• Tips for success: boundaries, skill-building, and knowing your numbers
• Andrew’s best advice: be okay with being okay

Resources:

• Burnout in Relief Veterinary Practice whitepaper: https://serenity.vet/burnout-study-among-relief-locum-veterinarians
• Andrew Ciccolini on Instagram: @okay_vet
• Andrew Ciccolini on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ac-dvm
• Serenity.vet: https://serenity.vet

Interested in financial planning built for veterinarians?

Learn more or book a free intro call at allvetfinancial.com

Quick update for SAVE borrowers. Meredith and Joe break down what the end of SAVE means and how to plan your next steps.

• Notices start July 1 with a 90-day window to choose a new plan
• If no plan is selected, loans may move to Standard repayment
• You can switch now. PAYE and IBR are available and forgiveness progress carries over
• Make sure your contact info is up to date so you don’t miss your notice

If you’d like help clarifying your next steps, schedule a student loan consult with our team at Vet Debt Experts: https://calendly.com/vetdebtexperts

Meredith and Joe talk with Dr. Jason Szumski about how mentorship, business ownership, and AI are shaping modern veterinary careers.

• What new grads should look for in mentorship and how to evaluate a first job
• How practice owners can better support and recruit early-career veterinarians
• Jason’s path into business ownership and how he found mentors along the way
• Balancing clinical work with building something outside of practice
• Where AI notetakers fit into veterinary workflows and what to know right now

Resources mentioned:

Jason Szumski on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonszumski

VetSOAP - PetSmart Charities study: https://www.vetsoap.ai/psc

Article: Cost of Care Continues to Strain Veterinary Care Access: https://petsmartcharities.org/press-releases/cost-of-care-continues-to-strain-veterinary-care-access

If you'd like help creating a financial plan that supports your life and career, learn more or schedule a free intro call at allvetfinancial.com

Self-care gets talked about a lot in veterinary medicine, but what does it actually look like for veterinarians in real life? Meredith shares results from a Debt-Free Vets poll about what vets actually spend money on to make this career more sustainable.

• Poll results: time off and experiences, physical care, therapy, and more
• What vets are actually spending money on (horses, massages, hobbies, travel, and house cleaners)
• Why flexibility and reducing workload came up repeatedly in the comments
• The idea of “buying back your time” and why it matters for long-term career sustainability

If you'd like help creating a financial plan that supports your life and career, learn more or schedule a free intro call at allvetfinancial.com