MoneyWiseRN

In this enlightening episode of the Money Wise RN Podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with Sophia, a seasoned traveling nurse practitioner with a profound journey towards financial independence. Sophia shared her experiences and strategies that have allowed her to not only excel in her career but also achieve remarkable financial milestones.Key Points Discussed:Career and Financial Independence: Sophia detailed her career trajectory, starting as an LPN and eventually becoming a traveling nurse practitioner. She reached financial independence in her early 30s, highlighting her strategic financial decisions, such as refinancing student loans and living minimally to maximize savings.Investment Strategies: Sophia emphasized the importance of investing early, particularly in 401(k)s and index funds. She shared how she transitioned from high-fee funds to more cost-effective solutions, boosting her investment returns.Real Estate Ventures: Sophia also delved into her real estate investments, a critical component of her financial strategy. She discussed purchasing properties below market value, managing them effectively, and leveraging them for additional income and tax benefits.Lifestyle and Savings: Living as a traveling nurse practitioner has afforded Sophia unique opportunities to save a significant portion of her income. By having housing and transportation provided by her employer, she maintains a high savings rate, which has been crucial in her journey towards financial independence.The FIRE Movement: Sophia is an avid follower of the Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement. She shared insights into different FIRE strategies, such as "Fat FIRE," and discussed how reaching different financial milestones has influenced her personal and professional life choices.Advice for Financial Independence: For nurses looking to embark on a similar path, Sophia recommended starting with simple steps like maximizing 401(k) contributions, setting up an emergency fund, and gradually moving towards more sophisticated investments.Sophia's story is not just inspiring but also instructional for anyone in the nursing profession aiming to achieve financial independence. Her practical tips on savings, investment, and lifestyle adjustments prove that with the right strategies, financial freedom is within reach.Listeners can find more about Sophia and her financial insights on her blog linked in the show notes, and follow her journey on Instagram at @traveling_np and @wealthy_np. For those interested in personalized guidance, Sophia is now offering financial coaching to help other nurses start their journey towards financial independence.LINKS:Sophia's Blog: The Traveling NP

Welcome to the MoneyWiseRN Podcast, where host Pamela Miller unravels the financial intricacies of nursing education and careers. In this episode, Pamela is joined by a seasoned financial consultant who specializes in helping nurses navigate the complex world of student loans. Our expert shares valuable insights on student loan forgiveness, common misconceptions, and practical advice for managing significant debt.With the upcoming changes in student loan forgiveness and the SAVE plan in 2024, managing student debt has become more complicated than ever before. That's why the MoneyWiseRN Podcast has partnered with Student Loan Planner, a team of experts who provide personalized consultations to help you navigate the intricacies of student loan debt. As an affiliate of Student Loan Planner, the MoneyWiseRN Podcast is excited to offer listeners $100 off a consult, so don't forget to check out the link in our show notes below!Whether you're a nursing student, a new grad, or a seasoned nurse, this episode is packed with valuable information that will help you make informed decisions and thrive in your career. Tune in now to nurse your finances back to health with Pamela and her expert guest and learn how Student Loan Planner can help you navigate the complexities of student loan debt and the upcoming changes in student loan forgiveness.LINKS:Hire a Student Loan Advisor for Your Custom Plan | Student Loan PlannerSam's Article on SLP: Financial Planning for Nurses

In the latest episode of Money Wise RN, host Pamela Miller continued her series on retirement planning, specifically targeting nurses and their financial preparedness for the future. She stressed the personalized nature of retirement planning, comparing it to the complexity of medical prescriptions that consider various patient-specific factors.Pamela highlighted alarming statistics about the average retirement savings in American households and the even more modest savings among those under 35. She pointed out that nurses have the potential to save more, given their average annual salary of around $85,000. The discussion also touched on the political relevance of the retirement crisis, with suggestions such as raising the retirement age being debated.The episode covered the differences between traditional 401(k) plans and Roth 401(k)s, including the tax implications and penalties associated with early withdrawals. Pamela advised listeners to save at least 15% of their income, though she noted that some financial experts recommend saving up to 30% to ensure a comfortable retirement.She introduced the concept of saving 25 times one's annual expenses to retire comfortably and the necessity of accounting for inflation and healthcare costs in retirement planning. Pamela encouraged listeners to start saving early, take advantage of employer matching, and use retirement calculators to estimate their needs.Tools like Acorns were recommended for visualizing savings growth, and the importance of automated contributions was emphasized. Pamela also shared resources in the show notes, such as a Social Security calculator and a sign-up link for Acorns with a $5 bonus.The episode concluded with a reminder that retirement planning is a long-term endeavor, and nurses should equip themselves with financial knowledge to navigate their way to a secure retirement. Pamela assured her listeners that with the right approach, they could achieve financial wellness long before retirement.LINKS:Social Security Quick CalculatorAcorns Compound Interest Calculator: See how your money grows over time with compounding magic1.Sign up for Acorns! Achieving Financial Independence and Living Your Best Life with Kathy Retardo

Today on Money Wise RN, host Pamela Miller discusses the fundamental pillars of retirement planning for nurses, focusing on setting up proper retirement accounts. She covers various options available to nurses such as IRAs, 401k plans, and pension plans, emphasizing the importance of understanding different retirement plans regardless of age. With a study revealing that 59% of nurses lack knowledge about retirement planning, Pamela stresses the significance of financial education in maximizing investment opportunities for nurses at all career stages.

In this captivating episode of "Money Wise RN," the spotlight shines on the financial savvy and entrepreneurial spirit of Janine Kelbach. Once a dedicated OB nurse, Kelbach has brilliantly transformed her career path into that of a freelance writing virtuoso, becoming the driving force behind the successful Savvy Nurse Writer brand.Listeners are in for a treat as Kelbach recounts her extraordinary transition from nursing to the written word, serving as a beacon of hope for those yearning to change careers without jeopardizing their economic well-being.Delving into Kelbach's narrative, the audience will discover invaluable insights into making a career shift through a financial prism. She generously shares her secrets on assembling an impressive portfolio that showcases one's skills, effectively shedding the "newbie" tag and opening doors to abundant opportunities.Kelbach's expertise extends to the nitty-gritty of freelance finances. She educates on the pivotal aspects of monetary management that are crucial for freelancers, including how to attract and maintain a consistent client base and the importance of meticulous income tracking. Her advice is transformative for anyone eager to flourish in the dynamic gig economy.Beyond the numbers, Kelbach addresses the emotional complexities of career transformation. She candidly discusses the challenges of identity and the emotional highs and lows that come with stepping away from a long-held professional role. Additionally, she offers strategies for combating the loneliness that can sometimes shadow the entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of staying connected within the community.As the episode draws to a close, Kelbach doesn't leave the audience without support. She presents a treasure chest of resources tailored for nurses who are curious about the realm of freelance writing. Regardless of one's experience in nursing, Kelbach stands ready to guide listeners in finding their unique writing voice.Prepare to be inspired and financially enlightened as "Money Wise RN" welcomes the exceptional Janine Kelbach. Join us to learn how you can script your own tale of success, ensuring your financial health remains as robust as your newfound career ambitions.Savvy Nurse Writer Program:Janine's Podcast: Free Website Guys: they will build aspiring entrepreneurs a free professional website you can use as a nurse writer. There is not catch- just that they hope to work with you in further design when the money starts coming in!

In this episode, host Pamela Miller introduces special guest Kathy Retardo, an RN specializing in pediatrics with over 25 years of experience. Kathy shares her journey to achieving Coast Fi status, which allows for financial independence without necessarily retiring early. She discusses her passion for both healthcare and financial well-being and how she discovered the FIRE movement. Kathy also highlights her love for travel and volunteering in various countries. Tune in to gain insights and inspiration on achieving financial wellness as a nurse.Read Kathy's article on Coast Fi here. You can check out her podcast, the Global Nurse, and find her on Instagram.

In this episode of Money Wise RN, I discuss the topic of side hustles for nurses. I start by acknowledging that many nursing blogs recommend picking up extra shifts as a side hustle, but I question whether that truly qualifies as a side hustle or just working more at the same job.I then dive into six side hustle options that nurses can consider.Freelance Writing: Nurses can leverage their healthcare experience to write for healthcare blogs, magazines, websites, and academic journals. The average hourly wage for healthcare writers is $46.Online Tutoring: Nurses can tutor nursing students or students in other healthcare-related fields. They can also tutor high school or college students in subjects like microbiology. The national hourly wage for nursing tutors is approximately $27.CPR Instructor: Nurses can work as CPR instructors for businesses, communities, social groups, and events. They can complete the CPR certification process through the American Red Cross, with an average hourly pay of $37.Medical Transcription: Nurses with experience in medical terminology can transcribe medical reports or dictations into digital documents. The average hourly wage for medical transcriptionists is $18.20.Immunization Nurse: The demand for immunization nurses has increased during the pandemic. Nurses can administer vaccines in patients' homes, workplaces, businesses, or clinics. The national average hourly wage for immunization nurses is approximately $39.Ear Piercing: Nurses can work from home or at companies like Rowan or Blow Mall USA, offering ear piercing services. The average hourly pay is $28 plus tips.I also briefly mention my personal experience with running an Etsy store, where I sell study guides and practice exams for nursing students. While it requires time and effort, it has provided me with passive income.I highlight the benefits of having a side hustle, such as financial security, flexibility, and the opportunity to use skills in new and creative ways. However, I also caution against overextending oneself and risking burnout.In conclusion, I encourage nurses to explore side hustles that align with their skills, interests, and schedules. With creativity and hard work, nurses can find a side hustle that brings both financial security and personal fulfillment.

In this season finale episode, Pamela Miller discusses important year-end tax considerations for nurses to optimize their financial health. She highlights the importance of maximizing FSA and HSA benefits, maximizing retirement contributions, and strategic charitable giving for tax deductions. Pamela also emphasizes the need to keep track of nursing-specific deductions, such as uniforms and training costs, and to review and confirm all forms for discrepancies. She recommends working with a tax advisor or CPA to navigate the complexities of tax deductions and offers helpful resources in the show notes. Overall, Pamela aims to provide nurses with valuable insights to improve their financial well-being for the year's end.Episode Links:Tax Deduction Worksheet for NursesSign up for Acorns: Get $5 to start!Student Loan Repayment Guide for RNs and APRNs