Weekly Rounds: Issue #015

Week of 8/10/2025

Author

Wealth Rounds
August 10, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

Welcome colleagues! 💼 As physicians, we're trained to heal patients, not portfolios. This week, I'm tackling the wealth-building strategies that medical school never taught us. From optimizing charitable giving for tax advantages to evaluating direct indexing opportunities, we'll explore sophisticated financial approaches designed specifically for our high-income bracket. Let's bridge that retirement gap together and make our money work as intelligently as we do. 📊

👴 Optimizing Charitable Giving for Maximum Tax Savings: Why a Taxable Account Can Beat a Roth

Source: WCI
Published: August 8, 2025

Donating appreciated securities from taxable accounts offers superior tax advantages compared to cash or Roth-funded donations. This strategy eliminates capital gains tax while maintaining charitable impact. Strategic giving allows investors to support causes they care about while optimizing their overall financial position.

👨‍⚕️ Direct Indexing vs. ETFs: An Analysis for Physicians

Source: Physician on FIRE
Published: August 7, 2025

Direct indexing offers physicians tax-loss harvesting advantages and customization options beyond traditional ETFs, though it requires higher minimum investments. Tax savings of 1-2% annually can significantly impact long-term wealth accumulation, making it worth consideration for high-income medical professionals with substantial taxable investments.

🏥 How to build true wealth: Giving to charity without jeopardizing your future

Source: Medical Economics
Published: August 9, 2025

Balancing retirement planning with charitable giving requires strategic philanthropy and long-term financial planning. Physicians should incorporate giving into their wealth-building strategy while ensuring financial security. This approach allows medical professionals to make meaningful contributions to causes they value without compromising their future financial stability.

👴 The Hidden Retirement Gap Keeping High-Income Earners Stuck

Source: Debt-Free Doctor
Published: August 7, 2025

Despite earning substantial incomes of $300K-$700K annually, many high-earners experience a hidden retirement gap that prevents financial freedom. This psychological and financial disconnect creates a persistent feeling of being trapped in their careers, making early retirement seem unattainable despite their success.

📈 What private assets in 401(k) plans mean for investors: 'You’re only asking for trouble,' one advisor says

Source: Financial Advisor
Published: August 7, 2025

The Department of Labor's new guidance allows private equity and alternative investments in 401(k) plans. While offering potential diversification benefits, financial advisors warn of significant risks including high fees, illiquidity, and complexity. Investors should carefully evaluate these options before incorporating them into retirement portfolios.

As physicians, our financial journeys require the same precision we bring to medicine. The articles this month highlight a crucial theme: strategic decision-making in wealth building, whether through optimized charitable giving, exploring direct indexing, or understanding retirement obstacles. Remember that true wealth encompasses both financial security and giving back, balanced thoughtfully. 💼