MtoM #293: $250K Net Worth During Residency

How does a third-year orthopedic surgery resident, a stage where most physicians carry significant debt, end up with a net worth north of $250,000? In this Milestones to Millionaire episode, Aaron shares how a combination of early habits and a few candid, less conventional decisions got him here. He started his first IRA at 18 with money saved from a summer job, married a spouse who had been financially aligned with him from the start, and took advantage of in-state tuition rules that cut his medical school costs nearly in half. He is also honest about the role a $100,000 inheritance from his grandfather played in paying down his highest-interest loans, and about a concentrated bet on a gold mining stock early in the pandemic that worked out well, while acknowledging it is not advice he would give to everyone. He also discusses their decision to continue renting through residency rather than buying a home, weighing the flexibility and reduced risk against the potential upside of homeownership. Getting off to a disciplined financial start early, even with some good fortune mixed in, can put a resident years ahead of where most physicians find themselves at the same stage. Since April 2021, more than 650 physicians in the White Coat community have invested over $300 million with DLP Capital, a 12-time Inc. 5000 honoree that offers four private real estate investment funds—one of my favorite ways to invest in real estate. If you're eager to achieve success as a private real estate investor, DLP's impact-focused sponsored funds offer the potential to earn double-digit returns while making an impact on America's affordable housing crisis. Interested in learning more? Head to https://whitecoatinvestor.com/dlp today. Celebrating your stories of success along the journey to financial freedom! Tune in every Monday to the Milestones to Millionaire Podcast, where we celebrate the financial achievements of our listeners and share practical tips for reaching your own milestones. We want to celebrate your milestones—no matter how big or small—and help inspire others to follow your lead. Every week, these episodes feature one listener who has recently achieved a milestone they are proud of and want to celebrate, and they give any advice they have for those who want to follow their example. Make sure to listen every Monday to be inspired by your fellow white coat investors. Celebrate YOUR Milestone on the Milestones to Millionaire Podcast: https://whitecoatinvestor.com/milestones  Website: https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com  YouTube: https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/youtube  Student Loan Advice: https://studentloanadvice.com  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewhitecoatinvestor  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewhitecoatinvestor  Twitter: https://twitter.com/WCInvestor  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhitecoatinvestor  Subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/whitecoatinvestor  Online Courses: https://whitecoatinvestor.teachable.com  Newsletter: https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/free-monthly-newsletter