re: #708 SixDegrees

Not to mention that doctors make a great pile of money and are able to consider very early retirement in far more cases than the population at large - for many, it isn’t at all necessary to consider doing anything else, ever, once they’re in their 40s or 50s. It might mean lengthening the trade-in period on their Camaro from one to two years, and other hardships, but many are well able to manage.

Not so much.

4 years college (100-200k). 4 years med school (200k). Internship (work 80 hrs/week at minimum wage; loans deferred, interest piling up). Residency (3 years of work 80 hrs/week, at slightly above minimum wage; loans deferred, interest piling up). A few months studying for the boards. Finally get certified. Find a practice to join.

Age 30 — EARN YOUR FIRST FEE!! Rent an office; buy or rent equipment for your office. Buy malpractice insurance. Hire a nurse who must be present for every exam; hire a full-time billing clerk who knows how to navigate the 14 different kinds of forms and pre-approval protocols for 14 different insurance companies you’ve applied to be an in-network provider for. And start paying off those loans.