James M. Dahle, MD, FACEP

Almost nobody is naturally good at all five of these lifetime money matters.

Creating a plan and sticking to it is the key to investment success

Almost nobody is naturally good at all five of the lifetime money activities

For the past four years, the US stock market has been up more than the international stock market. Here's what that means as far as your investments go.

Financial independence is typically defined as not having to work for money. A financially independent doctor may still continue to work, but would be able to live and support her family for the rest of their lives off of savings and completely passive income sources.

While there are no hard boundaries to early-, mid-, and late-career, let’s consider a late-career doctor someone who anticipates retirement in the next three to eight years, so typically age 50 to 65.

There are plenty of financial articles out there for doctors who are just getting started with their investing careers. However, for those in between these two stages (mostly 40 to 50 years old), there is an absolute dearth of information available on the internet and in bookstores.

We are now about seven and a half years into a bull market – not counting that very brief blip in 2011 that you probably didn’t even notice. It is well-known that the further we go into a bull market, the more frequently we will hear the question, “Why not just invest 100% of my portfolio in stocks?”

In early career, a physician typically has a high income, a low net worth, a high tax bill, and significant liability concerns. Large contributions to tax-deferred retirement accounts are the perfect solution. Don’t say the government never did anything for you.

Many physicians feel fed up with the burdens of modern medicine and are looking for a way to start fresh in a new career. It's not as easy as one might hope, but there are a number of ways physicians can start over.

Increasing one's ability to tolerate investment risks can allow the investor to successfully take more compensated risk for which he will likely be rewarded with higher long-term returns. Here are six strategies to build risk tolerance.

Most Americans have a financial goal to have a paid-for house. Many would even like to pay the house off in less than a standard 15-30-year time period. That's not the right move for everyone, but it's a good idea for the rich. Here's why.

Unfortunately, doctors commonly fall prey to financial scams. Here are six reasons why, along with three tips to help you avoid scams.

The wealthy, and those destined to become that way, simply think differently from the majority of their peers in six distinct ways.

If the recent market correction has you spooked, channel that anxiety into something productive. Here are six smart actions you can take as the bears reign supreme on Wall Street.

The Fed’s recent announcement that it will increase the Federal Funds Rate is a good opportunity to evaluate your investments and financial position. But it’s no time to panic.

Passive investing through index funds has become a popular investing approach. However, since 2004 there have been a growing number of "fundamental index funds" seeking to capitalize on the popularity of more traditional index funds.

Many beginning investors wonder if they should be investing in traditional mutual funds (TMF) or exchange traded funds (ETF). There are some subtle differences between the two that may help you to decide which one to use in your circumstances.

In personal finance, it is well-known that success comes from winning the big battles, rather than amassing thousands of minor triumphs. Psychologically, it is hard to deny yourself over and over and over again. So use your limited willpower where it will make the biggest difference – on the big expenses of your life.

Higher returns are often correlated with higher risk when it comes to investing, but there are several ways to boost your investing returns without increasing risk in the short or long term.

There is a natural hesitancy to having a variable rate loan, because it creates uncertainty in the future. However, it is still often the correct choice in many situations.

The typical image that the lay public has of the financial situation of a physician is one of abounding wealth. Yet, despite their high salaries, many physicians are far from wealthy. Here's why.

A Health Savings Account is a great way to reduce your taxes and decrease the after-tax cost of your healthcare. Follow these 7 principles to ensuring you're optimizing your use of your HSA.

Many investors are aware of the benefits of a Roth conversion. However, a lesser-known strategy that can boost the value of your conversion.

A collector is someone who sees something they like, buys it, and places it on a shelf where it can be admired. That mindset might be a great way to fill up a closet, but it's a bad idea for an investment strategy.

For most physicians most of what you need to know to avoid the real pitfalls in personal finance is encapsulated in a single phrase: One House, One Spouse, One Job.

Those of us who have been managing our own portfolios for years sometimes forget just how overwhelming and complicated it can seem in the beginning. If you are an investor who has recently been inspired to start saving for retirement, here are 5 steps you should follow to get started off on the right foot.

Many physicians have found that having a hobby that will actually pay them can be very beneficial.

Some investors and advisors advocate using individual municipal bonds rather than a good municipal bond mutual fund. Here are 4 reasons that might not be a good idea.

The number of physicians with an "estate tax problem" is lower than it used to be. For those with such a problem, one option to reduce their estate tax bite is giving away their primary residence prior to death. This is done using a Qualified Personal Residence Trust (QPRT).