When I first started learning about personal finance, I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I thought finding help was simple — ask around, get a referral, and trust the person with the right certifications.

But what I didn't realize back then — and what so many physicians still don’t realize — is that not all financial advisors are built the same. Some are required by law to put your best interests first. Others just have to sell you something that’s “good enough.”

In today’s episode, I open up about the two very different standards that advisors can be held to — fiduciary vs. suitability — and why understanding the difference can mean everything for your financial future.

I’ll walk you through real questions to ask yourself before hiring help, a simple way to check an advisor’s background online, and a hard but necessary reflection: are you truly prepared to DIY your financial future, or is it time to build a team you can trust?

This isn’t just theory — it’s the roadmap I wish someone had handed me when I was starting out.

Top 3 Key Takeaways

1. Before Hiring, Look Within: Are you prepared — emotionally, financially, and timewise — to take full ownership of your money journey? If not, it's okay to ask for help. But find the right kind.
   
2. Fiduciary vs. Suitable Is More Than Just Jargon: Fiduciaries are legally required to act in your best interest. Suitable advisors? Not necessarily. And in those small cracks, a lot of your wealth can slip away.
   
3. Trust, but Verify: It’s easier than ever to vet a financial advisor. I’ll show you how to check someone’s real history in under 5 minutes — before you ever hand over a dollar.

Resources & Next Steps:

• Download the PSLF Hacks Checklist
• Join the waitlist for a free financial wellness session with James
• Get access to exclusive physician financial tools at www.imwealth.com
• 1% of IM Wealth’s revenue is dedicated to providing scholarship funds to medical students. Learn more about the Meaningful Journeys Scholarship and how you can join the fight here.
• Learn more about the impact IM Wealth is making in the lives of physicians here.
• Gain FREE immediate access to all of IM Wealth’s exclusive physician financial wellness resources here.

About the Show:

This isn’t just another finance podcast—it’s a movement. We’re challenging the status quo, cutting through the noise, and giving physicians real strategies to take control of their money and their future.

Because true wealth isn’t just about numbers—it’s about freedom.

Find and follow the show on YouTube.

About James Nutter:

James Nutter is on a mission to help physicians reclaim their financial power. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges doctors face, he provides real-world strategies that cut through the noise and lead to lasting financial freedom.

Follow James on Instagram.

A Physician’s Guide to Wealth Podcast — Brought to you by IM Wealth: Helping physicians take control of their money so they can live a purposeful life.

For more resources, visit IMWealth.com.

Advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, a Registered Investment Adviser.