Happy Thursday! Here is your WealthKeel Weekly, or what we like to call "news you can use!"
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​What we read this week:

​Federal Appeals Court Orders End to SAVE Plan Used by Millions of Student Loan Borrowers​
​A federal appeals court has officially ordered an end to the SAVE income‑driven repayment plan, reversing a previous dismissal and ruling in favor of a Republican‑led legal challenge. The SAVE plan, launched in 2023 as the most affordable repayment option, had promised significantly lower monthly payments for millions of borrowers. Although a lower court’s February decision briefly raised hopes that SAVE might continue temporarily, this new ruling shuts the door on that possibility. More than 7 million borrowers were enrolled as of the fourth quarter, and the plan was already scheduled to sunset by July 1, 2028, under existing legislation.

The decision comes as some borrowers are simultaneously suing the Department of Education, arguing that it must implement SAVE immediately and deliver the lower payments and loan forgiveness promised under the program. The appeals court ruling, however, means the program is effectively over, even as legal and administrative battles continue. One lawsuit highlights how delays have hurt borrowers, including one plaintiff who borrowed $12,000 decades ago but now owes over $93,000 despite making more than the required number of payments for forgiveness. With the appeals court’s order, borrowers now face increased uncertainty and will likely need to shift to alternative repayment options as federal policy continues to evolve.

Source: CNBC.com

​Physician Employment Contract Deadline: What to Do When They “Need a Decision This Week”
​Employers often pressure physicians by claiming they “need a decision this week,” but these contract deadlines are usually artificial and meant to secure commitment rather than signal a real expiration. In most cases, the offer will still be available beyond the stated deadline, and the urgency is often used to discourage negotiation or to make the physician believe the contract terms are fixed. Because employers invest significant time and money in recruitment, a physician who receives an offer is typically the preferred candidate, not someone at risk of losing the opportunity if they ask for time.

Physicians are encouraged to communicate enthusiasm for the role while making it clear they intend to have the contract reviewed properly, even if their attorney cannot meet the imposed timeline. This approach reinforces that the physician is serious about the position while still protecting them from rushed decisions that could lead to long‑term financial or professional consequences. Taking the necessary time to review and negotiate ensures that the agreement is fair and aligns with the physician’s career goals.

Source: PAhealthlaw.com

​The 1 Ingredient a Neurologist Wants You to Add to Your Coffee to Boost Brain Health
​Coffee already supports brain health because caffeine boosts alertness, concentration, and short‑term memory, while the drink’s antioxidants help protect brain cells from oxidative stress and may lower the risk of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Some research also links regular coffee consumption to a reduced risk of stroke, making it a simple daily habit that may support long‑term cognitive resilience.

Adding cinnamon may further enhance these benefits. Cinnamon contains antioxidants and anti‑inflammatory compounds that may help maintain stable blood sugar levels, supporting more consistent cognitive function throughout the day. Its neuroprotective properties may also contribute to better long‑term brain health, making the combination of coffee and cinnamon a potentially beneficial pairing for both flavor and cognitive support.

Source: theskimm.com
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NEW ADDITION TO WEALTHKEEL WEEKLY: WORDLE! A shout-out to Matt from our team, who came up with this idea. Funny enough, I am horrible at these types of games, but I know MANY of you love them, so we are going to give it a run. Have fun!

🧩 The WealthKeel Wordle! Click here → WK Wordle to play.

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A random note or thought for the week:
Anyone have motion sickness yet?!? 🎢

The stock market this week (through Wednesday morning) has shown some resilience amid ongoing geopolitical jitters from the U.S.-Iran conflict, volatile oil prices, and last week’s hangover from a disappointing jobs report.

Markets kicked off the week on Monday, with a classic rollercoaster ride: early heavy selling (Dow down nearly 900 points at one point) as oil spiked toward $120/barrel on fresh escalation fears, only to stage a sharp rebound after President Trump signaled the conflict was “very complete” and nearing an end. Oil prices retreated toward $90, and stocks closed solidly in the green—S&P 500 +0.8% (to ~6,796), Dow +0.5% (to ~47,741), Nasdaq +1.4% (to ~22,696). Healthcare, industrials, and tech led the recovery, while energy lagged.

Tuesday saw more choppy, range-bound trading with the Iran situation still in focus. The S&P 500 dipped slightly (-0.2% to ~6,781), the Dow was roughly flat to modestly lower (-0.07%), and the Nasdaq eked out a tiny gain (+0.01%). Volatility remained elevated (VIX hovering around recent highs), but no major breakdowns.

As of Wednesday morning (as I type this), the major indices were mixed to slightly lower, with oil ticking higher again but no dramatic moves yet. The Dow was down modestly, S&P 500 near flat, and Nasdaq showing slight gains in some updates—overall holding onto much of Monday’s bounce.

This follows last week’s broader pullback (S&P 500 -2%, Dow -3%, Nasdaq -1.2% or so), driven by the initial Iran flare-up, surging energy costs, and a surprise February jobs loss (-92k) that bumped unemployment to 4.4%. Broader sentiment reflects classic “markets hate uncertainty” but historically shrug off short-lived geopolitical shocks—especially with U.S. energy independence cushioning the blow and expectations of a quick resolution.

Stay steady, folks. Markets are doing what they do best—testing nerves before reminding us why long-term compounding still wins. The underlying U.S. economy isn’t screaming recession (some things to keep an eye on), leadership is broadening beyond mega-tech, and sharp dips like these have a habit of becoming buying opportunities when fear peaks. Keep your keel even (see what I did there 😉), eyes on the horizon, and let’s navigate this together—no panic selling required. ⛵

While we’ve seen a small pullback amid the headlines and oil swings, the ‘on sale’ signs still aren’t flashing brightly. As I always say—and I know it’s easier said than done—when markets do pull back meaningfully, do your best to buy when things are genuinely on sale. We can’t predict the exact bottom or when the turn will come, but your future self (5, 10, 15+ years from now) will thank you for staying steady and adding thoughtfully during these tested moments.

Tyler and I have been thrilled with the response to some of our recent Physician Cents podcast episodes. Our three-part series on Financial Independence was a massive hit—landing as our top three most-downloaded episodes ever! (Physicians are clearly hungry for practical steps to fast-track freedom.)

We’re now rolling out another three-part deep dive: 18 Common Tax Mistakes Physicians Make (and how to avoid them). Episode 1 is live now—covering the subtle errors that quietly inflate tax bills—and Episode 2 drops this Sunday morning. If you’re like most high-earning docs, this series could save you thousands (or more) come tax time.

Check them out on your favorite platform—Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube. ⬇️

👉 12 Steps to Financial Independence; Parts 1-3, #43-45​

👉 18 Common Tax Mistakes Physicians Make (Part 1): The Quiet Errors That Create Massive Tax Bills, #48 —Parts 2 & 3 are up next!

👉 Unlocking the Power of Mega Backdoor Roth IRAs, #39​

👉 Taxes and Student Loans with Adam Markowitz, Ep #46​

👉 The Disability Insurance Crossfire: Planners vs. Brokers and the Must-Knows for Docs with Michael Relvas, #47​
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Special Offers from Physician Cents:

• Need your Contract reviewed? Contact our good friend Kyle Claussen at Resolve. Use the code “PhysicianCents10” for 10% off!
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🎥 Do you have a question(s) for our “Answer It Live!” section of the WealthKeel Weekly? SUBMIT THEM HERE (Anonymously!)
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​New “All-In-One” Card for WealthKeel: Socials Links, Icebreaker Calls, WealthKeel Weekly, and More!
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Have a great day,
Your WealthKeel Team

​Disclosures​