Your financial x-ray is a look at every financial decision you’ve made – good or bad, right or wrong. It’s a financial overview that shows you what you own, what you owe. The difference between the two is considered your net worth.
Many physicians and dentists in training have a negative net worth due to student loans. This is typical and shouldn’t discourage you. The main reason to start understanding your net worth now is to see how it increases or decreases over the years. You can positively affect your Financial X-Ray by either saving money (adding assets) or paying down debt (decreasing liabilities).
You know what to look for in a chest x-ray, but what should you be looking for in your financial x-ray?
You should look at your Financial X-Ray at least once a year. When you look at your financial x-ray you want to determine:
If it increased, did I pay off liabilities? Did I add assets?
If it decreased, did I add liabilities? Did I lose assets?
Can I identify any opportunities to decrease the interest rate of my liabilities?
If your current credit card has a $5,000 balance at a 15% interest rate, your leverage point
could be that you call your credit card company and ask for a lower interest rate. Another
option is to get another credit card with a lower interest rate, but beware of the fine print.
A good rule of thumb is to have at least 3 months of expenses in an emergency fund. This is often challenging for physicians and dentists in training, but it’s important to save something each month and build toward three months of expenses.
Need help examining your Financial X-Ray? Tap into our knowledge with monthly updates.
CRN202005-231302
John Dameron has been a financial planner and partner with Spaugh Dameron Tenny since 2002. With the help of the SDT team, John created a lecture series called Physicians Financial Focus, authored a book entitled The Residents and Fellows Financial Survival Guide, and has coached hundreds of physicians from residency/fellowship into practice. His expertise has also been featured on KevinMD.
There’s no question that the economy is confusing right now. On the one hand, unemployment is low, earnings are up, and our homes are worth more than ...
Read More →As the temperature rises and the signs of spring become more prominent, it seems like everyone is coming down with a case of spring fever. Amidst ...
Read More →Usually, the tax filing deadline is April 15th. However, due to when April 15th falls this year, April 18th is the deadline to file your 2022 tax ...
Read More →For over 50 years, Spaugh Dameron Tenny has provided comprehensive financial planning for physicians and dentists across the U.S. In addition to providing personalized advice, we walk our clients through their options to help maximize finances and maintain financial security.
CRN202504-2210151
4350 Congress Street, Suite 300 Charlotte, NC 28209
Office: (704) 557-9750
Fax: (704) 557-9670
Copyright @ 2022 | Site managed by LAIRE
Securities, investment advisory and financial planning services offered through qualified Registered Representatives of MML Investors Services, LLC. Member SIPC. Supervisory office: 4350 Congress Street, Suite 300, Charlotte, NC 28209, (704) 557-9600. Spaugh Dameron Tenny is not a subsidiary or affiliate of MML Investors Services, LLC or its affiliated companies.
→ Check the background of your financial professional on FINRA'S Broker checkPrivacy Policy
Copyright @ 2021 | Site managed by LAIRE