Building Financial Security - May 5, 2026

It’s the money roadmap you need now to help you build long-term financial security. We’re sharing five money moves you can make today, what you need to know before switching career paths, and the one student loan deadline that you can’t afford to miss.

For more information, show notes and transcripts visit https://www.ada.org/podcast

Featured Guests:

• Joseph McGrath
• Dani Buschick
• Michael Jerkins

Show Notes

• In this episode, we explore practical ways to take control of your finances and plan for long-term financial security. We’re talking about student loans, what to know when switching careers, and the five money moves you can make right now.

• To help explain what everyone needs to know about student loans, we asked our friend Joseph McGrath from KeyBank to walk us through new details, dates, and updates.

• McGrath shares that big student loan changes are coming, and that July 1, 2026, is the key date to know. He explains that some programs are being phased out, and that federal repayment options may narrow significantly.

• Big changes are underway for income-driven repayment as well, impacting both dentists and residents. With new federal loan caps and fewer repayment options, Mr. McGrath underscores the importance of borrowers understanding their loan structure, exploring available options, and seeking professional guidance to navigate the changes.

• Dani Buschick, financial wellness coach, and host of the podcast Life. Money. You. joins us to break down the five numbers every dentist should know to take control of their financial well-being.

• Ms. Buschick offers actionable tips and an easy-to-follow framework for creating spending plans, automating savings, and building lasting financial stability.

• Small actions can create big impact. Ms. Buschick emphasizes the importance of understanding your debt, building an emergency fund, protecting your credit, automating savings, and using available resources available, like free financial coaching, to create sustainable habits and personalized financial plans.

• Our next guest, Dr. Michael Jerkins, joins us to talk about how to navigate career transitions. Dr. Jerkins is the President and Co-founder of Panacea Financial and is also a practicing physician in Little Rock, AR.

• Dr. Jerkins explores the transition between employee and practice owner roles and highlights the financial and personal considerations involved in these career shifts.

• To prepare for these career transitions, Dr. Jerkins emphasizes the importance of building a trusted advisory team, assessing your financial readiness, and developing a clear plan.

Resources

• Read an ADA News story about how the One Big Beautiful Bill impacts student loans.
• Learn more about ADA Member Advantage partner KeyBank.
• ADA Credit Union is tailored for ADA member dentists, their teams and everyone’s extended families — offering exclusive financial products and personalized coaching that support your goals through every life stage. Visit ADACU.org to learn more.
• Banking Built for Dentists. Not Shareholders. At ADA Credit Union, your money works for you—because you own it. If you’re part of the dental profession, your financial institution should be too. Join ADA Credit Union. Member‑owned. Dentist‑focused. Built for your future.
• At the Credit Union, financial well-being comes first. Life. Money. You.® (LMY) is ADA Credit Union’s holistic financial well-being program, designed to help you achieve financial success through digital tools, one-on-one coaching, and practical resources. Check out the latest episode of the Life. Money. You. Podcast.
• Read more about Panacea Financial and the savings for ADA members.
• Keep learning! Watch another episode on smart finances for dentists.
• Not an ADA member yet? Join the ADA to get access to these resources and more. Visit ADA.org/join to get started.
• Connect with us through ADA on social media! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

Disclosures

• This podcast is produced for information purposes only and is not an offer or solicitation of any product. KeyBank and its affiliates are not providing any financial, economic, legal, accounting or tax advice or recommendations in this podcast. The information contained in this recording may not be current, and KeyBank has no obligation to provide any updates or changes. Neither KeyBank nor any of its affiliates makes any representation or warranty, of any kind, as to the accuracy or completeness of the information in this podcast and expressly disclaims any and all liabilities around such. Key.com/ADA.

• IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Please note that if you refinance qualifying federal student loans, you will no longer be eligible for certain federal benefits or programs and waive your right to future benefits or programs offered on those loans, which may include, but are not limited to, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income-Driven Repayment plans, forbearance, or certain forgiveness options granted to Parent Plus borrowers. Please carefully consider your options when refinancing federal student loans and consult http://www.studentaid.gov for the most current information.