{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Optometrists make good money. So why aren\u2019t they wealthier?","description":"Optometrists earn good incomes\u2014so why does the profession\u2019s median net worth tell a very different story? &amp;nbsp; In this episode of 20\/20 Money: The Business of Optometry, I\u2019m joined again by Dr. Chris Lopez to unpack findings from the latest ODs on Finance financial survey, which gathered responses from nearly 2,000 optometrists. &amp;nbsp; We dig into the numbers behind OD income, student loan debt, net worth, and practice ownership\u2014and, more importantly, what those numbers actually mean for the financial decisions optometrists make throughout their careers. &amp;nbsp; Chris and I discuss why a strong income doesn\u2019t automatically translate into wealth, the long-term ripple effects of graduating with $300,000+ of student loan debt, and the significant income and net-worth differences the survey found between associates and the highest-earning practice owners. &amp;nbsp; But the data also raises an important question: just because ownership offers greater financial upside, does that mean every optometrist should own a practice? &amp;nbsp; We talk candidly about the parts of ownership that don\u2019t show up in the income statistics\u2014the stress, leadership responsibilities, late nights, personnel decisions, and loss of simplicity that come with running a business. Sometimes being a highly compensated associate with more control over your time may actually be the better outcome. &amp;nbsp; Our NBS: What gets measured gets managed, and what gets managed improves. Identify the financial outcome you\u2019re trying to change, define what success actually looks like, and determine the lever you can pull to move in that direction. And if you don\u2019t know how to pull that lever yourself, find the person, community, or resource that can help you do it. &amp;nbsp; Listen in for a data-driven\u2014and very human\u2014conversation about what it really means to build a successful financial life in optometry. &amp;nbsp; Have a podcast-related question? Contact our team here! &amp;nbsp; Resources:    ODsonF 2026 Income Report    Book a Triage call with Adam   Download the Practice Owner's Financial Toolkit   20\/20 Money Ultimate Financial Success Masterclass   OD Mastermind Interest Form   Check out Adam's book: How to Buy an Optometry Practice    \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014 Please rate and subscribe to 20\/20 Money on these platforms  Apple Podcasts  Spotify \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014 For past episodes of 20\/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our&amp;nbsp;episode archive here! &amp;nbsp; Check out Adam's other podcast! The Optometry Success Podcast&amp;nbsp; Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:&amp;nbsp;https:\/\/bit.ly\/4tttng6 Subscribe on Spotify:&amp;nbsp;https:\/\/bit.ly\/4tuf0YM&amp;nbsp;  ","author_name":"20\/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry","author_url":"https:\/\/www.integratedpwm.com\/","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/43591724\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/item\/43591724"}