Include financial planning in your wellbeing plan
Between paying off college debt, keeping up-to-date on daily expenses, and trying to set money aside for future retirement, the competing demands we face as veterinarians can challenge us. If your self-care plan includes trying to have a more active social life or take a vacation, that can add to the challenge.
Finances are an important part of wellbeing. This could mean seeking a different job with higher pay, or even a career change into a different area of veterinary medicine or out of the profession altogether. But there are smaller steps that can make a difference as well – from budgeting, to seeking a deferment of your student debt, to running more errands on your bicycle or on foot. Even making a will might give you a sense that you are regaining control in this area.
How AVMA can help
Personal financial planning tool – Build a personalized budget that can help you reach your financial goals. Track your expenses, pay off debt, and plan for your future.
Salary estimator – Evaluate your salary against those of similar veterinarians.
Financial planning resources – Links to other financial tools, including cost-of-living comparisons, buy/rent calculator, credit card calculator, and more.
Repaying your student loans – Information about federal and state loan repayment and scholarship programs available to veterinarians; options for paying off student loans; and tables to help with calculating your loan repayment.
Student financial resources – Managing your educational debt requires organization, common sense and responsibility. We’ve pulled together resources to help you better understand options for repaying and deferring student loan debt; avoiding default; and investigating scholarship, repayment and forgiveness programs.
Career transitions – Explore different career options for veterinarians, assess which might be best for you, and learn how to write a resume that translates your veterinary skills into more universally-understood business language and market yourself to potential employers.
Additional reading
Should I pay off debt or invest?