156: Is Practice Ownership The Only Way To Build Wealth? The Vet’s Guide To Student Debt, Saving, And Financial Sanity. With Eric Miller

Ever check your payslip… your student debt… your mortgage… and wonder if you’re just treading water? You’re not alone, and you’re not stuck. In this episode we revisit one of the most neglected topics in the profession: money . Hubert sits down with US-based financial adviser Eric Miller to break down the decisions that can actually move the money-needle for employed vets: from budgeting and debt to investing, insurance, and increasing your income. (We do global principles with US specifics) No jargon. No guilt. Just a clear starting point for vets who know they should have a plan… but haven’t begun yet. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why practice ownership isn’t the only route to financial security The one habit that underpins every solid financial plan A simple 70/20/10 framework for spending, investing, and enjoying your money How to handle student debt without letting it control your life Whether to prioritise debt repayment, investing- or both The difference between good debt and bad debt (and why it matters) How automation quietly builds wealth in the background What young vets need to know about insurance, income growth, and lifestyle creep And perhaps most importantly: A more grounded, reassuring view of the profession itself. Yes, financial pressure is real. But Eric will convince you that veterinary medicine is still a strong, high-potential career - IF you do it right. ⁠ ⁠thevetvault.com⁠ for show notes, access to our clinical continuing education content and to sign up for our weekly 'best of the Vet Vault' newsletter, or join us in person at one of our phenomenal Vets On Tour conferences. Topics and Time Stamps 04:24 Biggest Financial Mistakes 05:42 Budgeting & The 70/20/10 Rule 14:41 Retirement Planning & 401k 24:09 Student Debt & How to Tackle It 26:22 Loan Forgiveness 28:58 Pay Off Debt vs. Invest 31:53 The Debt Snowball Method (it's a good thing!) 33:55 Increasing Your Income 37:44 Constructive vs. Destructive Debt 41:35 Insurance & Health Coverage 44:06 Looking Ahead: The Veterinary Industry 49:45 One Financial Habit for Ne w Grads We love to hear from you. If you have a question for us or you’d like to give us some feedback please get in touch via our contact or catch up with us on ⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠ . And if you like what you hear, please share the love by clicking on the share button wherever you’re listening and sending a link to someone who you think should hear this.

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156: Is Practice Ownership The Only Way To Build Wealth? The Vet’s Guide To Student Debt, Saving, And Financial Sanity. With Eric Miller is an episode from The Vet Vault by Dr. Hubert Hiemstra.

This episode is 00:52:54 long.

This episode was published on Mar 18, 2026.

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