White Coat Investor Podcast
Episode #425: WCICON25 Columnist Panel
Release Date: June 26, 2025

Introduction to the Columnist Panel

In Episode #425 of the White Coat Investor Podcast, host Megan steps in for Dr. Jim Dahle to present the WCICON25 Columnist Panel. This episode showcases the diverse voices contributing to the White Coat Investor community, offering listeners insights into the financial journeys and expertise of various columnists. The panel aims to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the contributors who enrich the White Coat Investor Blog with their unique perspectives.

Meet the Columnists

Jeannie So
Timestamp: [05:22]
Jeannie, a seasoned radiologist from snowy Canada, has been practicing for 18 years. Recently, she transitioned into financially advocating for physicians, aiming to normalize financial conversations among her peers.

"I write about my ups and downs of my financial journey and how it integrates into my professional and personal life."

Josh Katzowitz
Timestamp: [06:33]
Josh serves as the content director at WCI and brings a blend of sports writing and financial insights to the blog. His columns often add a touch of levity to financial discussions.

"I try to bring a little levity... I just like to bring a little levity."

Julie Alonso
Timestamp: [06:55]
Julie is a child, adult, and forensic psychiatrist based in Austin, Texas. Her writing focuses on physician wellness, mental health, and issues pertinent to women in the medical profession.

"I've been writing about physician wellness, mental health and issues that are relevant to women physicians and professionals."

Adam Safdie
Timestamp: [06:55]
Hailing from Reno, Nevada, Adam explores the intersection of LGBT issues and non-traditional families with finance. His unique perspective adds depth to the financial conversations at WCI.

"I like writing about the intersection of LGBT issues and non-traditional families with finance."

Tyler Scott
Timestamp: [07:15]
Originally a public health dentist in Oregon, Tyler now thrives as a flat-fee financial planner for physicians and dentists in Salt Lake City, Utah. He shares his experiences with career transitions and financial planning.

"I write about my career change, I write about my disability journey, I write about dentistry and family finance."

Spending Extravagantly vs. Thrifty Spending

The panel delves into the delicate balance between spending extravagantly on valued experiences and being thrifty with less important expenses.

Travel as a Priority
Timestamp: [09:35]
Both Jeannie and Julie emphasize the significance of travel in their lives. For Jeannie, transitioning to a satisfying career allowed her to prioritize spending on travel without the guilt of previous financial strains.

Jeannie: "Now that I am in this career that I love and that feels sustainable and joyful, it's given me permission to spend more..."

Julie echoes this sentiment, highlighting the invaluable memories created through travel with her family.

Julie: "You can't put a dollar value on them... if you buy something, stuff, eventually you're going to habituate to it. But a travel experience is something you can never, you know, never lose."

Personal Values Driving Spending Choices
Timestamp: [12:00]
Adam discusses spending in alignment with personal values, such as prioritizing a plant-based diet by investing in vegan food shipments despite the higher costs.

Adam: "I spend extravagantly on shipping my vegan food into Reno. I prioritize my health and my values for that price of convenience."

Functional Extravagance
Timestamp: [12:00]
Dr. Jim Dahle shares his appreciation for a quality vehicle, viewing it as a daily source of joy and personal time.

Jim: "Even coming home after work, it brings a smile to my face to get into my car and just have that Me time between work and home."

Evolving Spending Mindsets Over Careers

The panel reflects on how their attitudes towards spending have transformed as their careers and financial situations have evolved.

Jeannie So
Timestamp: [15:25]
Jeannie candidly admits ongoing challenges with spending but acknowledges growth through financial literacy and supported spending habits.

Jeannie: "I have plenty of people to help me, you know… I am still trying to get better at spending."

Julie Alonso
Timestamp: [15:56]
Julie discusses the duality of maintaining old frugal habits while gradually allowing herself more freedom to enjoy financial gains.

Julie: "If I'm booking a big trip or buying something, like pressing that purchase button is painful... I have to just slowly introduce things a little bit at a time."

Adam Safdie
Timestamp: [18:12]
Adam highlights key financial milestones, such as paying off student loans, which shifted his mindset towards spending with less guilt.

Adam: "When we paid off our student loans... it was like, oh, I have a little bit of permission now."

Implementing Financial Strategies

The columnists share their practical approaches to managing finances, emphasizing structured planning and intentional spending.

Jeannie So on Cash Flow Planning
Timestamp: [25:35]
Jeannie outlines her family's cash flow strategy, which includes paying themselves first, saving for future expenses, automating bill payments, and allocating remaining funds for discretionary spending.

Jeannie: "We set our savings rate first... set money aside for future expenses... and then we get to spend the rest like no questions asked."

Julie Alonso on Squirrel Funds
Timestamp: [43:33]
Julie explains her use of "squirrel funds" with Ally Bank, categorizing savings into various buckets for specific future expenses and automating transfers to streamline financial management.

Julie: "We identify our various episodic expense categories... set up an automatic monthly transfer from my checking account to each of the buckets."

Audience Interaction and Q&A Highlights

The panel engages with the audience through a series of questions, offering personalized advice and insights.

Budgeting with a Partner
Timestamp: [34:46]
Jeannie shares her method of cultivating a guilt-free abundance mindset by discussing spending limits and aligning financial goals with her spouse.

Jeannie: "Totally guilt-free abundance mindset... when it comes to travel and traveling extravagantly, Megan is our travel agent."

Teaching Financial Literacy to Teens
Timestamp: [39:06]
Julie discusses her approach to teaching her teenagers about money management through allowances and interest-bearing accounts, fostering financial responsibility from a young age.

Safe Withdrawal Rates for Early Retirement
Timestamp: [49:30]
Jeannie addresses the implications of the 4% safe withdrawal rate when retiring early, advocating for a more conservative withdrawal rate to ensure long-term financial stability.

Jeannie: "We use a lower safe withdrawal rate calculation because if the money is going to last longer, then you have to take out less of it."

Lightning Round: Quick Takes on Financial Topics

The panel participates in a rapid-fire segment, providing succinct opinions on various financial subjects.

• Bitcoin:

  • Jim Dahle: "No, no, no, no, we don't have any."
  • Tyler Scott: "I love bitcoin... I don't put real money in bitcoin."

• Travel Hacking with Credit Cards:

  • Jeannie So: "I do not do that anymore, though I think it is great for those who enjoy it."
  • Adam Safdie: "I got burned by travel hacking... so no, don't do it anymore."
  • Julie Alonso: "I'd say I'm at an intermediate level... staying at multiple hotels through points."

• Private Equity in Dentistry (DSOs):

  • Jeannie So: "It's concerning... learning to manage this transition is part of our job."
  • Josh Katzowitz: "For people who sell to private equity, it's great, but for the world, it doesn't seem like it's a great thing."

• Ethics of Early Retirement for Physicians/Dentists:

  • All panelists unanimously agree it is ethical, emphasizing personal autonomy in financial decisions.

Conclusion and Takeaways

The WCICON25 Columnist Panel Episode #425 provides a comprehensive look into the financial strategies and philosophies of diverse contributors within the White Coat Investor community. From balancing extravagant spending on meaningful experiences to implementing structured financial plans, the columnists offer valuable insights tailored to high-income professionals in the medical and dental fields. Key takeaways include the importance of aligning spending with personal values, evolving financial mindsets with career progression, and fostering financial literacy within families.

Notable Quotes:

• Jeannie So
  [05:22]: "I write about my ups and downs of my financial journey and how it integrates into my professional and personal life."

• Julie Alonso
  [09:35]: "You can't put a dollar value on [travel experiences]."

• Adam Safdie
  [20:51]: "Even if you're scared of dying old and broke, you still have to YOLO at some time that you have."

• Jeannie So
  [43:33]: "We set our savings rate first... and then we get to spend the rest like no questions asked."

• Jeannie So on Withdrawal Rates
  [49:30]: "We use a lower safe withdrawal rate calculation because if the money is going to last longer, then you have to take out less of it."

This episode underscores the value of community and diverse perspectives in managing personal finances effectively. Whether you're a medical professional navigating student debt or planning for early retirement, the insights shared by the panelists offer actionable strategies to achieve financial well-being.