How to Save Your First $100,000

Among personal finance milestones, few are more empowering than saving your first $100,000. It’s a number that signals meaningful progress, and the annual compounding yields on a six-figure investment can really start to stand out and keep us motivated.  But for veterinarians early in their careers, reaching that point can feel overwhelming. Between student loans, developing a clientele, and the cost of catching up on life milestones, the goal can seem distant. 

And yet, thousands of professionals just like you—often with similar debt and incomes—make it happen. The difference usually isn’t salary. It’s intentionality, consistency, and a strategy that allows time and compound growth to do the heavy lifting. 

Build Habits, Not Hype 

One of the most common missteps early-career professionals make is waiting to “feel ready” to start investing. But compounding doesn't wait. Time is your biggest advantage, and every year you delay is a year of missed growth. Even modest contributions can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars later, thanks to compound interest. 

This isn’t hypothetical. Investing just $300 a month from age 27 to 37 - and then stopping contributions entirely - would leave you with more money at retirement than someone who starts at 37 and contributes that same amount with the same rate of return for 30 straight years. The secret isn't how much you invest. It's how early you start. 

This is why automation matters. The easier you make it, the more likely you are to stick with it. And the earlier those dollars go to work, the more they compound without extra effort from you. 

Save Smarter, Not Smaller 

Saving more doesn’t always mean cutting back. Often, the smartest financial moves don’t touch your day-to-day lifestyle at all—they just clean up inefficiencies. 

Start by reviewing your insurance policies. Many veterinarians take out coverage for disability or life insurance during or just after school (which is wise), but never revisit it. You may qualify for lower premiums, better features, or professional discounts now that your health, income, or practice role has changed. Re-shopping policies—or simply aligning coverage to your actual needs—can free up meaningful dollars each month. 

Other areas worth examining: unused subscription services, inflated car insurance premiums, and loyalty to a checking account that pays you nothing. Even an extra $50 or $100 a month redirected into an investment account can add up quickly, particularly when it grows untouched for decades. 

Stay Intentional With Income Growth 

The early years of practice often come with a welcome increase in income. After years of deferring gratification, it’s natural to want to upgrade everything at once. But lifestyle inflation, if left unchecked, is a silent killer of financial momentum. 

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy your success—just that each raise or bonus is an opportunity to accelerate your goals. If your income goes up, increase your savings rate before expanding your spending. Redirect half of your next raise to a Roth IRA or your investment account, then enjoy the rest guilt-free. With enough of those decisions, your money starts working harder than you do. 

Progress Isn’t Always Linear—But It Is Powerful 

No journey to $100,000 is perfectly smooth. Markets fluctuate. Emergencies pop up. Some months, your bank account will feel stagnant (or maybe worse!). But that’s normal. 

The longer you stay in the game, the more you’ll see progress compound—not just financially, but behaviorally. You’ll get better at navigating decisions, better at avoiding distractions, and more confident in your ability to manage risk and uncertainty. 

Your first $100,000 isn’t about perfection. It’s about building habits that can carry you to $1,000,000 and beyond. And as a young veterinarian—with a stable career, above-average education, and a community of support—you’re better positioned than you think. 

You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to begin!