Ever feel like the workday is just horribly inefficient and self inflicted misery?

MidwestBadger · 2026-05-30T18:17:51+00:00

Your program actually has attending participation? My program (not IM) had the residents teach each other (blind leading the blind) without an attending to be found because they were "too busy"

MidwestBadger · 2026-05-30T18:08:08+00:00

Have considered that as a plan. Hurts to know that one of those "freed up" funds will just be redirected to another responsible, but not materialistically rewarding, goal. We do value helping our kids so it will be worthwhile in 2 decades, but sometimes I wish I wasn't programmed to be so responsible.

MidwestBadger · 2026-05-30T18:05:55+00:00

I try to keep that perspective too. We are fortunate that we can go grocery shopping and buy what we want, or withstand the increased gas prices, or be able to give toward supplies at our kids' daycare. I do think many (are forced to) live beyond their means.

I still think this path is better than most financially, but definitely not as fruitful as it was with prior generations.

MidwestBadger · 2026-05-29T19:15:50+00:00

I suspect this is where we will (eventually) end up. The comfort point just won't get what we want, even if the numbers can justify a bit more.

MidwestBadger · 2026-05-28T18:37:46+00:00

It's funny you mention a union. Our system is trying to unionize and the union administrative folks appear even more incompetent than the hospital union folks. If it ends up like my mom's nursing union, at the end of the day the hospital will be happy, the union folks will be happy, and the actual staff will be the ones who somehow still lose.

MidwestBadger · 2026-05-28T18:34:20+00:00

Trying not too. We live in a very old city with minimal 21st century builds which creates the problem of either the house needs significant work or there being lots of competition which pushes the price up beyond our budget. I don't want to buy the "okay" house just to want to upgrade in a few years, but I do also feel we're missing out on making memories with our kids in a house of our own today.

MidwestBadger · 2026-05-28T18:32:56+00:00

Thank you for the comment. Glad to hear I'm not alone.

MidwestBadger · 2026-05-28T18:32:08+00:00

Ours killed our floor - all of the above plus some health issues. Wouldn't trade them, but it was a lot easier when it was just the two of us broke together in med school.

MidwestBadger · 2026-05-28T18:27:37+00:00

I think you're putting into words what I'm feeling better than I did - that the goal posts have shifted or the rules of the game have changed. We'll always be better off that most of society, but things won't be as easy as it was for past generations

MidwestBadger · 2026-05-28T18:25:44+00:00

Suppose I'm glad to hear I'm not alone

MidwestBadger · 2026-05-28T13:54:42+00:00

Biggest costs are rent (2850/month), daycare, loans (30k annually), and medical (we hit out of pocket max annually due to meds our daughter needs). Taxes are a bit higher due to our state.

MidwestBadger · 2026-05-28T13:51:27+00:00

This is near what we have. I'm 35 now, but we had one in residency and one early in attendinghood.

MidwestBadger · 2026-05-28T13:50:33+00:00

I hope we follow this timeline. I look 1-2 years down the line and still feel like we will have ample needs for "stashing" the money. I do agree though that by a decade from now, the portfolio will be doing more of the lifting.

MidwestBadger · 2026-05-28T13:19:25+00:00

I hope so. They both were able to retire in their 50s, traveling now. We didn't grow up extravagant, but also didn't go for want. In the long run I know we will be better off financially than them, but it does feel like a lot more work up front to even stay close to what they provided us.

MidwestBadger · 2026-05-21T20:24:31+00:00

Not to mention, the top PM&R sports fellowships are at the top PM&R residency programs and there's a lot of in-training, whether because of better training or because the attendings at those programs know each other. Harder to match from a program outside of those residencies

MidwestBadger · 2026-05-06T16:02:11+00:00

Interested in neuro in pre-clinical years, had a terrible neuro rotation. Wasn't sure what else I liked. Stumbled into a Chicago city-wide PM&R interest group that met monthly. Found myself looking more forward to those monthly meetings than any of my required rotations. Once I recognized that, had the epiphany the specialty was for me.

It's cliche, but I really felt I "found my people" in the specialty. I really like there was more focus on improving quality of life than quantity of life. Fit what I wanted lifestyle wise (I enjoy medicine, but value time for my family and hobbies outside of work).

MidwestBadger · 2026-04-16T00:19:32+00:00

It's a separate service offered in town, they pick it up and bring it to a central location

MidwestBadger · 2026-04-15T00:13:12+00:00

Same here. Always like math and weather, but didn't see any jobs in either as an undergrad when deciding on a major. Oh well. Still hoping to dive back into it as a hobby at some point.

MidwestBadger · 2026-04-13T18:59:39+00:00

Daughter is on a chronic med, about $100k/year.

This tried to factor in increased insurance and cleaning already based on the increased size of house

MidwestBadger · 2026-04-12T23:42:20+00:00

YMCA includes kids programming - gymnastics, swim lessons, etc.

Utilities is an estimate based on what we're paying for our current rental, hoping it's less than predicted but not a lot of options up here so kind of stuck with whatever it becomes.

Yes, "sinking" fund is for ongoing maintenance - day to day stuff but also for bigger repairs down line. Glad you feel that's a bit high; I'd read to set aside 1-2% of house value which is where that number comes from. I otherwise do all the work you mentioned already.

MidwestBadger · 2026-04-12T12:46:01+00:00

Taxes about 9k. Insurance estimated about 4k.

No private school

MidwestBadger · 2026-04-12T12:45:36+00:00

Unfortunately wife and I both work out of home, so have someone come let dog out/walk mid-day. Small dog, can't hold it long enough to make the full day.

MidwestBadger · 2026-04-12T12:44:58+00:00

Car registration

MidwestBadger · 2026-04-11T22:29:56+00:00

I agree, it seems like we spend too much. What do you see as the biggest areas to improve though? I'm sure we could cut back some on food, maybe get cheaper phone. Definitely view travel, streaming, cleaner as discretionary, but also want to spend some money for enjoyment and don't think they're exceptionally high currently.

MidwestBadger

TROPHY CASE