Financial Health Check for Doctors

Are doctors different? Do they require some specific kind of financial planning? These are the first few questions that were asked to me while I was addressing a group of doctors on different money issues and financial planning for doctors

My reply was Yes and No. Since doctors are also human beings, so they also behave like their patients in most of the cases which is one of the reasons they should look out for a structured approach to money management. Yes, there are some specific challenges in doctor’s life so they need specific attention.

Doctors in general start earning in the late 20s. Unlike other professions such as engineering, or CAs, doctors start earning late. Acquiring doctor’s degree is the result of years of hard work in academics, many years of training and spending huge sum of money.

Peak earning age

The peak earning age band for doctors is 35-55, and more or less the life goes smoothly for them, at least as per their assumption. Here the story starts. Their smooth and regular cash flows expose them to many financial risks, which makes them commit many financial mistakes.

Cash flows

The cash flow of doctors, with least risk of job loss or practice, slow down, makes them the first choice for the lenders. They are lured with many credit cards with high credit limits, car loans and home loans with less documentation, which further makes them the preferred choice for the property sellers. This result in them going in high on real estate and other loans.

(This article is published in The Tribune 11.09.2017)

When having most of the earnings in cash, real estate becomes the only asset where one can invest into. They do not realize the risks of going overboard on a single asset class and also the risks of health and life, which can further aggravate the issue.

Due to time constraints in their life, they are exposed to many MIS sellers. Many doctors have a lot of insurance policies with them but still, they are under insured. Many have a lot of mutual funds with no targeted goals.

I find it quite amusing that doctors recommend patients to consult only professionals for medical help, and get advice from registered doctors only, but when it comes to their own financial health they themselves take advice from sellers and unregistered distributors and agents.

The two major diagnostic tests in a financial health check are the cash flow analysis and net worth analysis.

Cash flow analysis

Cash flow analysis is just like a lipid profile which lets a planner diagnose the liquidity issues, loans, and savings situation in a profile and figure out how the investible surplus to be used to improve the overall financial health.

Net worth analysis

Net worth analysis lets diagnose the financial assets and liabilities structure, the investment asset allocation and how well a person is able to survive the crises situation.

Risk profiling

Risk profiling is another diagnostic test which results in the sensitivity of doctors to different financial risks and manages the expectations on returns.

Asset allocation

Your asset allocation should be as per your risk profile and also have adequate liquidity to manage the financial and emergency requirements.

Goal-based investment

Goal-based investments give a clear idea on the investment horizon which further helps in selection of suitable products. A proper financial planning structure helps manage money better. Life and health are uncertain so the target should be to generate a comfortable passive income and not just to collect illiquid assets.

(This article Financial health check for doctors was originally published in the Tribune 11.09.2017)