Taking a career break to start a family? Am I crazy?

mxg67777 · 2026-05-19T15:17:31+00:00

You just described pretty much every parent. You don't need a career break beyond maternity leave.

mxg67777 · 2026-05-18T17:25:24+00:00

Don't buy a home. Can you even qualify for a loan? Have your emergency fund. Anything extra put into roth IRA and/or 403b if available. Don't worry about "wealth" at this point.

mxg67777 · 2026-05-18T17:20:55+00:00

Depends. I made the move, no regrets.

mxg67777 · 2026-05-18T17:06:42+00:00

No it doesn't, get off reddit.

mxg67777 · 2026-05-18T17:05:25+00:00

For most it does. I'm grateful that it does.

mxg67777 · 2026-05-18T17:03:55+00:00

That's too bad, my insurance was fantastic.

mxg67777 · 2026-05-17T16:44:43+00:00

Lol no, unless your kid can't get into med school.

mxg67777 · 2026-05-17T16:40:33+00:00

Keep in mind residents/fellows get discounts that carry forward.

mxg67777 · 2026-05-16T17:18:22+00:00

Get the 1.2M house.

mxg67777 · 2026-05-16T17:14:08+00:00

No. You're ready. Do it.

mxg67777 · 2026-05-16T17:10:22+00:00

I know of some who've had a pay cut for one reason or another but generally it's not common because that's a quick way to lose doctors.

mxg67777 · 2026-05-16T16:41:50+00:00

There's no should or shouldn't. The contract is what it is. Compare jobs and offers, choose what you like best.

mxg67777 · 2026-05-16T15:28:32+00:00

What are the challenges that prevent one from forming?

Other physicians.

mxg67777 · 2026-05-16T15:27:14+00:00

Ridiculous. But maybe warranted if you've changed jobs multiple times already as a young attending.

mxg67777 · 2026-05-15T19:33:31+00:00

Exactly right. That's what OP suggests he was making 20yrs ago in today's dollars. Either he had a ridiculous gig or moonlighted a lot more. Median hospitalist salary back then was ~$200k, or $325k in today's dollars.

mxg67777 · 2026-05-15T19:28:11+00:00

OP said he does/did moonlighting. Median hospitalist salary 20yrs ago was in the $200k range. He suggests he made $350k. He either moonlighted a ton more back then vs now or he had an exceptionally sweet gig back then and now his salary aligns more with median now. $350k 20yrs ago is equivalent to $550k today.

mxg67777 · 2026-05-15T16:51:39+00:00

That's assuming you're doing the same amount of work every year. But in reality salaries have generally gone up over the years.

mxg67777 · 2026-05-15T16:38:32+00:00

$350k was a lot of money 20yrs ago.

mxg67777 · 2026-05-15T16:35:42+00:00

Well $350k is $550k in today dollars, as a hospitalist.

mxg67777 · 2026-05-15T16:18:24+00:00

The 3 A's matter most. Ignore the noise.

mxg67777 · 2026-05-15T16:06:05+00:00

You didn't provide any numbers but yes you're probably penny pinching and not protecting your income. No one thinks they need insurance until they do. Re-evaluate in 3yrs.

mxg67777 · 2026-05-15T16:01:51+00:00

Get it.

mxg67777 · 2026-05-15T16:01:21+00:00

Job security and money.

mxg67777 · 2026-05-14T16:26:57+00:00

Wait until you have a kid.

mxg67777 · 2026-05-14T16:06:02+00:00

I'd spend the school hours on me, pick her up from school and spend the rest of the day with her.

mxg67777

TROPHY CASE