EOTM: Your questions answered - Practice ownership, backdoor Roths, and student loans


Eyes on the Money Newsletter

Helping ODs master their money, career, and practice one email at a time

Your questions answered: Practice ownership, backdoor Roths, and student loans


We just wrapped our first listener Q&A episode, and honestly? These are questions I hear all the time from ODs across the country.

Seven questions covering everything from building wealth as a young practice owner to navigating the backdoor Roth IRA maze to making the call between paying down student loans or saving for practice ownership.

Here's what we covered:

  • What can younger practice owners do to build wealth in the first few years of ownership?
  • How are "backdoor" Roth IRA contributions recorded on your tax return?
  • Why does having a traditional IRA "ruin" the backdoor Roth?
  • Why is a 401(k) plan better for practices than a SIMPLE IRA?
  • Are owner's distributions from S-corp practices taxable?
  • Should you pay down student loans or save for practice ownership?
  • Do PAYE borrowers need to switch plans due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act?

If any of these hit close to home, the full episode breaks down each one in detail.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Listen to Episode 152 hereโ€‹

Got a question for the next Q&A?

Depending on how many questions come in, I'll do these at least once a month. Submit yours here: OptometryWealth.com/podcastquestionโ€‹


Need help running these numbers? We help optometrists navigate exactly these kinds of decisions every tax season. Schedule a conversation to talk through the specific questions you're working through.

Have a great weekend!

Evon Mendrin, CFPยฎ, CSLPยฎ


New From Our Education Hub

Podcast Ep. 151: How Filing Taxes Separately Impacts Student Loan Outcomes

I talk about just how much your tax filing matters for federal student loan planning

Podcast Ep. 150: Four Tax Planning Levers You Can Still Pull for 2025

I dive into four tax planning moves you can still make to impact 2025 taxes.


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Optometry Wealth Advisors LLC

755 E Nees Ave #27482, Fresno, CA 93636
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