Nourishing Your Body and Bank Account: Recipes for Busy Healthcare Professionals


As healthcare professionals, you know that staying healthy is more than just the occasional workout or salad—it’s about consistent habits that lead to long-term well-being. The same is true for managing your finances. Whether investing for retirement or planning your meals for the week, both areas require thoughtful strategies that can compound into significant benefits and savings over time.

Just like a balanced diet, a well-rounded financial plan helps you build resilience and stability. Think of budgeting as meal planning: you wouldn’t eat junk food every day and expect to feel great and wouldn’t spend impulsively without considering how it affects your financial future. Both require discipline and foresight.

In both finances and health, consistency is key. Saving a portion of your income each month may seem small at first, but over time, those savings can grow through compound interest. Similarly, making healthier food choices daily—like adding more vegetables or reducing processed foods— can compound into a healthier you. The smarter choices you make today, the more you set yourself up for success tomorrow.

I’m excited to have partnered with Bre Bock on this blog post. She has provided 10 simple suggestions on how to easily add additional nutritional value to recipes you may already be making for you and your family.

She is a Registered Dietitian and owner of Revived Nutrition Counseling. Her focuses are gut health, heart health, and general health management for her clients. She is also an HAES aligned dietitian and approaches sessions with her clients within an intuitive eating framework.

If you have been thinking about meeting with a Registered Dietitian feel free to schedule a meeting with her or follow her on Instagram @revivednutritionrd.

Let me know what your favorite recipe tip is, I know I plan on trying all of them.


1. Cowboy Caviar

A nutritional vegetarian powerhouse with legumes, bell peppers, cilantro, canned corn, and red onion - add a few seasonings like cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, and lime juice for a very quick, and inexpensive meal.

I like to pair mine with a whole grain tortilla chip for some crunch and usually will serve with diced avocado, and a side of fresh fruit. 

2. Mac & Cheese 3 Ways

What kid (us big kids too) doesn't love cheesy mac? This easy staple can be improved upon with several quick and easy add-ons. 

-Tuna & peas (canned tuna in water and frozen peas work great here!) I usually steam the peas separately. You can also boil them with the noodles to save time. Stir in the tuna after the mac is made. 

-Add in a steamable bag of broccoli or California blend.

-Switch it up with a box of white cheddar mac and add in pre-shelled frozen edamame. You can throw the edamame in about halfway through boiling the noodles as they only need about 4 min to cook from frozen. Edamame is a great way to amp up your fiber and protein intake! 

3. Red Beans & Rice

This is a meal that makes great leftovers and there is always plenty to share! This is my own version below. 

Directions

1. Start by steaming brown rice on stove top or rice cooker according to directions on packaging. 

2. In a large skillet, start by heating oil over medium heat. 

3. Add in onion and cook until translucent, then add garlic and cook for another 1 minute. 

4. Add in bell peppers and saute until peppers start to soften. 

5. Add in the kidney beans and stir together, cook for about 5 minutes. 

5. add in the seasonings (chili powder, smoked paprika, and cumin) and mix to incorporate. 

6. Add in the brown rice once cooked and stir in the salsa and lime juice. 

7. Turn off the heat and mix in the cheese. 

8. Serve with diced avocado and/or sour cream if desired.

Ingredients

1 cup brown rice

1 can red kidney beans (rinsed and drained) 

1 Tbsp avocado oil 

1/2 large onion, diced

1/2 cup yellow bell pepper, diced

1/2 cup green bell pepper diced

2 Tbsp minced garlic 

1/2 cup jarred salsa 

1 cup cheddar or monterey jack cheese

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp cumin 

2 Tbsp lime juice

1 avocado, diced

4. Salmon Patties with Sweet Potato and Cauliflower Rice

This is a great option if you're short on time and are willing to use your microwave. You can use a frozen steam bag of cauliflower rice which cooks in about 4.5 minutes. You can also cook a sweet potato/regular potato (or multiple) in the microwave in a bowl for about 8 minutes with a few inches of water, just pierce the potato with a fork a few times. The salmon patties go in the skillet cooking for about 10-12 minutes while the potato and cauliflower cook in the microwave - so you've got the whole meal done in about 15 minutes.

If you want to make your salmon patties from scratch vs picking up frozen ones, that does take a bit longer, but if you're OK with using a frozen option (the ones from Aldi (Fremont Wild Caught Salmon Burgers) are $1.32 a patty - which feels pretty reasonable to me).

5. Protein Pancakes

The Kodiak pancake mix is a great choice as it's whole grain (high fiber) and high protein. You can increase the protein count by adding an egg and/or swapping milk for water. I like to add in a little cinnamon and applesauce to increase the nutrient factor. Adding in blueberries or peaches are also favorites, for a fruity pancake. Serve with turkey or chicken breakfast sausage. 

6. Egg Bites with Veggies

This is an easy recipe to bulk prep. It also allows you to make several varieties at a time. The basics are 6 eggs, a little black pepper, and 3/4 cup of cottage cheese - put it in a blender and blend until smooth.

To boost nutrient value, add whatever vegetables (spinach, peppers, onion, mushroom, etc) you'd like. Saute the veggies and add a little on the bottom of 12 muffin cups, pour your egg evenly over the cups. Finish by adding a little more of the veggies on top. Feel free to sprinkle with a little cheese as well! Bake for 18-22 minutes.

7. One-Pan Zucchini Skillet

This is an oldie but a goodie (a childhood favorite!) Very easy and quick! :)

Directions

1. Place avocado oil in a skillet and heat over medium. 

2. Add onion and cook for 1-2 minutes. 

3. Add ground turkey. 

4. Add steak seasoning and cook meat until brown. 

4. Drain any excess fat if needed. 

5. Add zucchini and cook until softened. 

6. Mix in cheese and serve with whole grain bread or over brown rice/quinoa (bonus points if you’ve cooked extra rice or quinoa from another meal!)

Ingredients

1 Tbsp avocado oil

1/2 onion, diced 

1 lb ground turkey

1 Tbsp Steak Seasoning (low sodium steak seasoning) 

1 large zucchini, sliced into 1" pieces 

1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese


8. Warm Salad Kits

This next one may sound weird, but hear me out! Take a salad kit, perhaps a Thai or Asian-inspired option, saute with a little olive oil, and add some diced chicken breast/ground turkey/or shrimp. You can use the salad dressing as a sauce. Consider adding extras like cashews, slivered almonds, or canned (in their own juice) mandarin oranges. Serve it over a carb like brown rice, quinoa, or a brown rice noodle.

9. Sausage and Veggie One-Pan Meal

This is a great way to clean out your fridge, no one likes to waste money throwing produce away! Whatever leftover vegetables you may have lurking around (onion, sweet potato, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, carrots), toss with 1-2 Tbsp avocado oil. Slice and add a package of chicken sausage (I love the apple chicken sausage from Aldi or Costco).

Roast at 400 for 20-30 minutes depending on what vegetables you end up using - you'll need more time for things like carrots/potatoes and less time for things like onions, cherry tomatoes, and broccoli. 

10. Marinara Chicken Bake

Take a few fresh chicken breasts and spread some marinara or pesto sauce over top, add a slice of mozzarella cheese and sliced tomato on top, and bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes or until internal temp reaches 165 degrees. Broil for 2 minutes so the cheese is nice and bubbly/golden. If you’re short on time, serve with a steamable bag of green beans/red potatoes (Birds Eye has a good option).


Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third-party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.

MarketWatch Feature: Before your teen starts a summer job, have ‘the talk’ about taxes

Ben Lex was recently featured in a MarketWatch article titled “Before your teen starts a summer job, have ‘the talk’ about taxes”.

In it, he dives into ways to teach your kids about personal finance. Check out Ben’s insights - they’re golden nuggets for teaching your kids the foundations of personal finance.

Financial Planning Feature: Americans' top 5 financial regrets - and how to avoid them

Ben Lex was recently featured in a Financial Planning article titled “Americans' top 5 financial regrets — and how to avoid them”.

In it, he dives into retirement savings and the high interest rates of 2023. Check out Ben’s insights - they’re golden nuggets for leveling up financially.

Cruisin' or Bruisin'? Why I'm Pumping the Brakes on an Electric Whip...for now


To Buy or Not to Buy an Electric Vehicle

If you're here due to the catchy title, a big shout-out to Chat GPT for helping me craft it. Electric vehicles (EVs) have stolen the spotlight in recent years, with increasing popularity, advancing technology, extended range, and expanding infrastructure. While the perks of owning an EV have grown, let me share why I'm holding off on buying one for now.

The Charging Conundrum

Charging a vehicle differs from a quick gas fill-up. Though I have an attached garage for convenient overnight charging, Michigan needs more charging stations for me to feel at ease. I prefer a quick stop for gas; waiting 30 minutes for a full charge doesn't align with my lifestyle. As a single, one-car family, my decision becomes more nuanced. With two vehicles, an EV for local trips and a gas-powered one for longer journeys might be a consideration.

Solid-State Battery Technology on the Horizon

Current EVs boast a range of 200-400 miles, but Toyota's upcoming solid-state battery tech, expected by 2028, promises a staggering 745-mile range. While 200-400 miles may seem like a lot, weather conditions can significantly impact the range of EVs. Consumer Reports notes that cold weather can sap 25% of the range, and warm weather can sap 31%. (Source: Consumer Reports; link below)

Living in Michigan, where winters are harsh, a 25% drop would mean a range of only 150-300 miles. With future solid-state battery technology, a 25% decrease would still offer a substantial 559-mile range. The new technology is expected to improve performance in cold/warm temperatures and have faster charging capabilities.

Financial Implications

As a financial advisor, numbers matter. In July 2023, the average price of a new EV was $53,469, compared to $48,334 for a gas-powered vehicle. (Source: Kelley Blue Book; link below) The $5,135 difference could cover a lot of gas at $3.00/gallon—1,712 gallons, to be precise. Factoring in electricity costs, the payoff might not kick in until after 4.28 years, assuming you currently drive 10,000 miles a year at 25mpg.

Anticipating a potential drop in used EV prices when the new solid-state battery technology arrives, concerns arise about the long-term value of today's EVs. Battery replacement costs and additional tire wear are also negative factors; the absence of an engine, no oil changes, and fewer moving parts are positives when comparing EVs to traditional vehicles.

Reliability

Reliability is a crucial factor when I am choosing a vehicle. According to Consumer Reports, EVs have shown 79% more problems than gas vehicles, while plug-in hybrids have 146% more issues.

In contrast, hybrids have had 26% fewer problems than gas vehicles over the last three model years. (Source: Consumer Reports; link below) Better reliability gives me hope for less time and money getting things fixed in the future.


Hybrid Appeal

I currently drive a hybrid with an impressive 45-50 mpg, I find it to be the sweet spot between EVs and traditional gas vehicles. Slightly pricier than gas-powered vehicles, hybrids offer superior gas mileage, fewer gas station visits, better reliability, and no range anxiety. Their smaller, lighter, and less expensive batteries add to their appeal.

While EVs have made strides, a massive leap forward is anticipated in the next four years. From a financial perspective, sticking to a regular or hybrid vehicle for now, and re-evaluating the EV landscape when the new battery technology becomes available seems like a sensible choice.



Heath Biller

Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third-party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.

YahooFinance Feature: 13 Key Signs You’ll Always Be Middle Class

Ben Lex recently got a shout-out in a Yahoo! Finance article titled “13 Key Signs You’ll Always Be Middle Class”.

In it, he dives into the major signals holding people back from growing their wealth. Check out Ben’s insights - they’re golden nuggets for leveling up financially.

Mastering Your Money: Budgeting Essentials and When You Need Them


The findings of a recent survey done by The Harris Poll found that 74% of Americans have a monthly budget. It’s a significant number, and one might assume that budgeting is the key to financial well-being. However, it raises questions about why consumer debt remains on the rise despite so many people budgeting. It’s a fair question to ask. Let’s explore the purpose of a budget, how to create it, and find out if everyone should be following one.

Why Budget?

A budget is a strategic plan to evaluate your income and expenses. People create budgets for various reasons, but they all boil down to effective money management. You might be saving for a vacation, working to pay off debt, or hoping to gain a better understanding of where your money is going. All of these are great outcomes we see from budgeting, and easier said than done. If we had to boil it down to one main reason, I’d say that you work too hard for your money to be unintentional with where your money goes.

How to Budget?

Budgeting can take shape in multiple ways, and there are a few steps to take regardless of your preferred method.

  1. Collect your spending and income: Ideally, your income would exceed your spending. If this is not the case, now is the time to find areas where you can cut expenses to make sure you are living within your means. You can create your budget in a spreadsheet where you are in charge of tracking each expense or utilize an app that tracks everything for you.

  2. Include goals: Once you have a good handle on your baseline budget, integrate any goals you have such as debt pay down, saving for large expenses, or retirement.

  3. Track and Adjust: Your budget should be fluid, and will likely change every month. Give yourself the flexibility to make these changes as unforeseen expenses arise.  

  4. Stay Consistent: The true benefit of budgeting comes when you stay consistent over the long haul. Find an approach that suits you, and stick with it. As one goal is accomplished, start on your next one.

Do I Need to Budget?

While the benefits of budgeting are evident, not everyone will choose to implement one. If you're not going to budget, at the very least, consider tracking your income, expenses, and investments every month. For your financial health, it is necessary to know that your income is more than your expenses and that you are investing in your retirement.

Final Thoughts

In the second quarter of 2023, we saw credit card balances grow by $45 billion, consumer loans increased by $15 billion, and auto loans by $20 billion according to the Center for Microeconomic Data. The persistently growing consumer debt underscores the importance of budgeting for each household. While implementing a budget may not lead to overnight transformation, it can set you on a path to a better financial future and provide increased peace of mind.


Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.

Inflation Is MUCH Lower Than You Think

Inflation Is MUCH Lower Than You Think

The media and the average person misunderstand and misinterpret inflation for two important reasons:

  1. They focus on the ANNUAL reported inflation number which tells you what has happened over the past year but not where inflation is headed.

  2. The SHELTER component of inflation which measures rents and home prices makes up about one third of overall inflation but lags real-time housing data by up to 12 months.

The most recent inflation report that was published on 12/13/2022 makes an excellent illustration of these two points. Understanding the nuance of inflation reports and where we are headed rather than where we have been is key for setting expectations for how much further and how quickly the Fed will continue to raise interest rates as well as how long rates will remain elevated.

Read More

How Travel Nurses Qualify for a Mortgage

Advice From A Mortgage Loan Officer

Macatawa Bank’s Mortgage team welcomed Alex to the team in 2016. Before joining the Mortgage team she served as a Commercial Credit Analyst. Prior to her work at Macatawa Bank, Merz was a Customer Service Representative at Chemical Bank. Alex holds her Bachelor's degree from Davenport University, where she double majored in Marketing and Finance, and played both basketball and golf. When she’s not fitting her customers with the perfect mortgage, Alex cheers on the Detroit Lions, no matter how bad they might be playing.

616.502.8044 akiel@macatawabank.com Website


H: I’ve heard travel nurses say they haven’t been able to get approved for a mortgage loan. What is a bank looking for to qualify travel nurses to obtain a mortgage?

A: Ideally, an underwriter is looking for a 2+ year history of being a traveling nurse with back-to-back contracts. If the potential borrowers are able to save up for a down payment during this time and build their credit, they will end up most likely with a better interest rate and lower monthly payments once they do qualify.

H: What if the travel nurse is looking to buy a house before that 2+ year limit? Does the amount of time they worked as a full-time employee at a hospital before they started travel nursing count at all?

A: If they are not able to wait 2 years to buy, they could consider a co-borrower and then refinance the loan into their own name solely once they have the two-year history. A bank may consider an income exception if the borrower has excellent credit, a good down payment, and a low debt-to-income ratio. They would need to see at least a one-year history of income being a traveling nurse though. This is not guaranteed, but the borrowers could apply for a pre-qualification after at least one year of income and have the bank take a look at the application. The exceptions would be on a case-by-case basis, and a strong co-borrower usually helps.

H: You mentioned back-to-back contracts. It can be hard to start another travel contract the very next week so a lot of nurses take a few weeks off in-between contracts. Would that still count as back-to-back? Any recommendations in the timeframe between contracts if someone is looking to obtain a mortgage?

A: A few weeks off would likely still be considered back-to-back. It’s understood that the industry norm could have a week or two in between contracts. Once a nurse starts approaching a month between each contract, there may be an explanation required for the gap in employment. Since the time in between each contract could vary, that’s another reason a two-year history is helpful to see the average income and the average amount of time worked year over year.

H: A decent chunk of travel nurse income comes in the form of tax-free stipends for housing and food. Does the bank consider this when evaluating the debt-to-income ratio?

A: The stipend would have to be documented and consistent to be considered income. The structure of income needs to remain the same year over year to be calculated as an average. If not every contract has a stipend, it may be difficult to consider it as income. However, when calculating the debt-to-income ratio, items like food expenses are not necessarily counted against the borrower. For example, the total debt considered in that ratio are items like loans from the credit report, property taxes, homeowners insurance, the proposed new loan, and HOA payments if applicable. Items like food expenses, gas, utilities, etc. are not counted as a debt payment each month. So the stipend portion of payment could go towards personal expenses and not necessarily considered to help with the loan repayment.

H: What percent would you recommend for a down payment?

A: Most of our loan options require at least a 5% down payment. If you don’t have 20% down, that is okay, but there will be PMI payments required. PMI stands for private mortgage insurance and is an extra portion of the monthly payment that does not go toward the principal balance of the loan. The more one puts down, the lower the PMI payment will be. I would never recommend someone use all of their liquid funds towards the down payment in case a large expense comes up unexpectedly. If someone can’t come up with 20% down, it shouldn’t necessarily stop them from buying a home.

H: I’ve heard it is not good to take out a new credit card or loan before applying to get a mortgage. Any other things that nurses should try not to do?

A: That is true, if the loan can wait, don’t apply for it until after the home purchase. Also, don’t apply for these things during the loan process either. If one does, the new loans have to be counted in the debt-to-income ratio on the mortgage application. Try not to save your down payment in cash under your bed. We cannot accept funds for a mortgage in cash because we have to source where those funds came from. Have the funds deposited in a savings, checking, or money-market account.

H: How soon would you recommend a travel nurse start talking with a mortgage broker when they want to start the process of getting a home mortgage loan?

Each scenario is different for each person. If someone is serious about trying to buy a home in the future, they can truly reach out to a mortgage lender at any time. The lender can explain if they couldn’t get approval now, what it would take to get approval and what the borrower should be working on. The lender could also go through options that would involve a co-borrower if the income of the traveling nurse can’t be considered at that time. They can also review how much income would be required based on the purchase price desired.

Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.

How to Beat Inflation

What is Inflation?

Recently inflation has been a hot topic, but what exactly is inflation and why does it matter so much? Inflation is the rate of increase in prices over a given period of time caused by an increase in the money supply. Since this causes more money to chase after the same amount of goods and services in our economy, prices increase. Our money then has less purchasing power because we end up paying more for things than before. Inflation is not a new phenomenon but hasn’t been a big issue since the early 1980s.

If we look at the M2 money supply data below, which is how the Federal Reserve broadly measures the money supply, you will notice the large increase that happened during the COVID pandemic to try and help stimulate the economy. People can debate back and forth if that was the right or wrong thing for politicians and the Federal Reserve to do. I would like to instead focus on some practical tips to help weather the “inflation storm” and potentially come out on the other side unscathed or even better than before!

Have an Emergency Fund!

Having money sitting in an emergency fund is not the most exciting tip, and inflation will indeed decrease that purchasing power. However, the purpose of an emergency fund is not to make a high return. It is to have a liquid supply of money available in an emergency. Going without one could lead to more serious financial issues if something unexpected happens and you don’t have enough cash to cover it. Since the Federal Reserve has started to increase interest rates, we should see that translate into higher yields on savings accounts soon!  

Typically, I’d recommend 3-6 months of living expenses in your emergency fund, but you may want more or less depending on your situation.

  • Are you single? 

  • Do you have children? 

  • Are you a one-income or two-income household? 

  • Is your job in a high-demand sector?

  • Could you easily find another job quickly if needed?

These are some questions you should consider when deciding how much money you should keep in your emergency fund. 

Own Assets!

Owning assets that produce income could help during high inflation and protect your purchasing power. As inflation increases, these income-producing assets should be able to increase their rates to help soften the blow felt by inflation. Real estate properties can command higher rents as inflation increases. If you can’t afford to purchase an entire property then REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) are the other potential option to gain access to that asset class with smaller capital amounts. 

Owning businesses is similar. The money the business receives as income may become less valuable due to inflation. If the business can increase the prices charged for goods and services, then the greater amount of income could offset the money being worth less. If you can’t afford to purchase an entire business, then consider owning parts of businesses through stocks, mutual funds, or index funds.

Own Debt?

I wouldn’t encourage anyone to go out and accumulate more debt. If you already have a fixed low-interest debt such as a mortgage, it may make sense to delay paying it off early. If inflation remains high, the money you use to pay back that debt will be worth a lot less in the future than the money you originally received. Using that money to invest in other assets could be a much better option.

Review Your Expenses

With inflation running high it’s the perfect time to look at your expenses. Review what you are spending your money on to figure out if it aligns with your long-term goals. Do you need five different streaming services? Is it time to stop eating out as often and start cooking more at home? Is it time to start carpooling to save on gas prices? Incorporating some of these ideas to help reduce your expenses is another potential way to decrease the effect felt by high inflation.

Invest in Yourself

I saved the best for last! Investing in yourself is one of the best ways to deal with inflation. Learn a new skill, read a new book, take a new class/certification program, and grow your knowledge base. By making yourself more marketable to your current/future employer and providing more value for them, you should be able to command a higher salary. That can help make inflation not sting quite as much. Even though things will cost you more, earning more money to help offset those costs can be a difference-maker. 

James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits, shared a powerful principle: a 1% improvement every day leads to you being 37x better at the end of the year. And I’m confident you can get 1% better at something every day! Inflation does not prevent you from improving yourself.

Whatever abilities you have can’t be taken away from you. They can’t actually be inflated away from you. The best investment by far is anything that develops yourself, and it’s not taxed at all.
— Warren Buffett

Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.

Michigan's NEW First Time Home Buyer Savings Account

Have you heard about Michigan's NEW First Time Home Buyer Savings Account???

 If you haven't, you'll for sure want to be in the know. In February of this year, Governor Whitmer signed a bill allowing first time home buyers to save and grow their savings TAX-FREE (if used for a qualifying expense)!

 You can learn all the deets below. This is an amazing opportunity if you and your spouse are saving for a home or will be in the upcoming years. 


The Current Housing Market & What To Know

Get a pulse on the market from local real estate agents, Aubree Boerman & Jim Lambert with the Heart in Home Group, and I'll share some financial tips to take with you as you start this process.

You can sign up for our First Time Home Buyer Workshop here!

We are teaming up with Madison B, Massage Therapist to give you a chance to win a $100 gift card toward her services!