White Coat Investor Podcast: Milestones to Millionaire #266

$850K Net Worth as an Anesthesia Assistant

Host: Dr. Jim Dahle
Guest: Shabelli (Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant, locums practitioner)
Date: March 16, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of the Milestones to Millionaire series spotlights Shabelli, a certified anesthesiologist assistant (AA) who has amassed an $850,000 net worth in under five years post-graduation, working predominantly as a locum tenens contractor. The conversation explores Shabelli’s journey through different states, strategic financial decisions, student loan payoff, investing tactics, and advice for medical professionals seeking long-term financial independence. The episode is rich with actionable insights, personal anecdotes, and listener-focused encouragement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background and Career Path

(04:11 - 05:41)

• Shabelli’s Role: Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (AA), working locums across Missouri, Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, and Michigan (04:11).
• Difference Between AA & CRNA:
  • AA pathway is direct from undergrad with a pre-med background and includes didactic and clinical components, always working under anesthesiologist supervision.
  • CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) can work independently in some settings.

  “There’s also slight legislative differences and there’s also differences in the practices that we can do. I always work with an anesthesiologist under their supervision or direction…” – Shabelli (05:14)

2. Reaching Major Financial Milestones

(06:10 - 07:23)

• Net Worth Progression:
  • Reached $500K net worth upon applying for the show; now at $850K, not including emergency funds (06:10).
  • Investments are mainly in the S&P 500 via taxable brokerage, solo 401(k), and IRAs.
  • Solo 401(k) set up through Vanguard and Fidelity.

3. Locum Tenens Lifestyle & Income

(07:23 - 08:16)

• Earnings: Averaged $300,000 annually over the last 4.5 years (07:23).
• Housing: No primary home ownership; rotates through Airbnbs and leases, with possessions mostly in storage. New York serves as home base due to family ties.
• No home equity calculated in net worth.

4. Choosing Mobility over Homeownership

(08:16 - 09:34)

• Shabelli used locums as an opportunity to experience different states before settling.
• Points out state legislative restrictions on AA practice.
• Favors the Southwest for long-term settlement, but unsure about committing to homeownership.

  “…It’s been good to move around and kind of experience different environments and see where I would like to live.” – Shabelli (09:11)

5. Accelerated Wealth Building

(10:02 - 10:10; 10:29 - 11:20)

• High Savings Rate: Despite being heavily taxed as a single earner, able to retain most of earnings through frugal living.
• Strategies:
  • Detailed budgeting began before graduation.
  • Lived with roommates and partner, kept expenses low.
  • Aggressive investing strategy—in some cases investing the emergency fund and then rebuilding it.

  “A big part of it was I budgeted from before I left school. I had a plan for paying off my loans, and I lived with roommates for a little over two years after school…” – Shabelli (10:29)

6. Personal Finance Inspiration & Education

(11:20 - 12:41)

• Grew up in a low-income household; parents taught early lessons through allowance and saving.
• Became financially literate through YouTube channels (notably “Millennial Money”) during and after undergrad.
• Enjoys sharing her story for the benefit of others.

7. Student Loan Repayment Approach

(12:41 - 13:12)

• Paid off loans aggressively during the COVID pause, zeroing out $100K in student debt.
• Made lump sum payments, capitalizing on interest-free period.

  “I would just try to throw as much as I can at my student loans. And thankfully there was a pause on the interest. So that…was a momentum to save up and pay off my student loans immediately.” – Shabelli (12:53)

8. ‘Live Like a Resident’ Philosophy & Looking Ahead

(13:21 - 14:33)

• Anticipates reaching millionaire status soon, plans to scale back to part-time for better work-life balance.
• Feels extremely light and empowered by early financial sacrifices.
• Advocates breaking big goals into smaller, manageable steps:

  “Just make it a stepwise process and soon enough when you look back, you’ll be shocked at how far you have gone in five years or four years or whatever the time is.” – Shabelli (14:27)

9. Biggest Financial Mistake & Lessons Learned

(15:46 - 17:16)

• Admits to not negotiating harder for a sign-on bonus in early contracts.

  “I just signed the paperwork within an hour and sent it back. And then later on, I talked to some of my CA work colleagues...if I had been a little more patient, I could have gotten a little bit more out of it.” – Shabelli (16:34)

• Overall, few financial missteps due to strong financial education and preparedness.

10. Advice to Peers

(17:16 - 18:32)

• Prioritize budgeting and forward planning.
• Always think a step or two ahead—budget during school, plan for repayment and investing immediately upon earning.
• Accept small setbacks but stay committed to larger goals.

  “...Foresight is so powerful... When you’re prepared for the larger picture, I think it’ll all come together.” – Shabelli (17:47)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On financial discipline:

  “I’m shocked at how fast wealth can accumulate when you front load it...just take it one step at a time...” – Shabelli (14:33)

• On her biggest 'mistake':

  “I just signed the paperwork within an hour and sent it back. And then later on, I talked to some of my CA work colleagues and they told me that they had another, you know, double that sign on bonus. And I realized if I had been a little more patient, I could have gotten a little bit more...” – Shabelli (16:34)

• On what listeners can do:

  “Budgeting and organizing is key...keep in mind that foresight is so powerful and there’s still mistakes...but keep in mind your larger goal. I think it’ll all work out in the end.” – Shabelli (17:47)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | |------------|--------------------------------------------------------| | 04:11 | Shabelli’s career/AA vs. CRNA explained | | 06:10 | Net worth milestone and composition | | 07:23 | Locums work mechanics and salary disclosure | | 08:16 | Housing situation and homeownership philosophy | | 10:29 | Savings tactics: budgeting, living below means | | 11:38 | Financial literacy journey and family background | | 12:45 | Student loan payoff strategy | | 13:21 | Feelings about impending millionaire status | | 14:33 | Front-loading financial sacrifices and advice | | 16:34 | Biggest financial mistake: not negotiating bonus | | 17:47 | Final advice: budgeting, planning, accepting setbacks |

Summary & Takeaways

• Disciplined Saving & Investing: Shabelli’s rapid wealth accumulation is rooted in strict budgeting, delayed gratification, shared housing, and aggressive investing—with a focus on common index funds.
• Early Action on Debt: Swift payoff of student loans during interest-free periods paid immense dividends.
• Lifestyle Choices & Flexibility: Shabelli’s locum lifestyle provided both career exploration and financial benefits, underlining that homeownership isn’t necessary for wealth-building, especially early on.
• Value of Negotiation: Even with great preparation, failing to negotiate initial contracts was a missed opportunity—advice for all entering a new role.
• Inspirational Mindset: Listeners are encouraged to “front-load” effort early, break large ambitions into small steps, and maintain foresight, knowing that attaining financial independence is possible within a few short years after training.

Final Message

Dr. Dahle closes by affirming that most people make mistakes along the way but stresses how preparation, literacy, and living below one’s means are powerful multipliers for wealth-building. Shabelli’s journey is presented as a motivational example for all early-career medical professionals seeking financial freedom.

For listeners inspired by this episode:
You can share your own financial milestone journey at whitecoatinvestor.com/milestones to inspire your peers and contribute to the community’s growing knowledge base.