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Leif Dahleen on Muck Rack

Leif Dahleen

Michigan
As seen in: MSN Canada, Wealth of Geeks, Bluefield Daily Telegraph, MediaFeed.org, Radical FIRE, TimesDaily, Decatur Daily, KDOW-AM (Palo Alto, CA), Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce, Wealthy Nickel and
Covers:  financial independence early retirement investing taxes charitable giving travel parenting
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Leif Dahleen’s Biography

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Anesthesiologist turned FIRE blogger. Retired from medicine in 2019 at age 43. Married father of two with a penchant for travel.

Leif Dahleen’s Journalist Portfolio

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Backdoor Roth IRA 2020: A Step by Step Guide with Vanguard

Backdoor Roth IRA 2020: A Step by Step Guide with Vanguard

In 2020, I made my eighth pair of " Backdoor Roth " IRA contributions with Vanguard. If you've heard of the B…

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Medical Surveys that Pay Cash: Earn 1099 Income in Your Spare Time

Medical Surveys that Pay Cash: Earn 1099 Income in Your Spare Time

Answer medical surveys, get paid in cash or, if you'd prefer, in gift certificates. It won't make you rich, b…

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Locum Tenens Pros & Cons

Locum Tenens Pros & Cons

Locum Tenens is simply a fancy Latin way of saying temporary work. Just like curriculum vitae is a fancy Lati…

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Taxes on a Million Dollars of Earned Income

Taxes on a Million Dollars of Earned Income

Recently, we've delved into the consequences of winning the lottery and how a high income can become one's ow…

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The Doctor Loan: My Experiences Buying and Building with Physician Mortgage Loans

The Doctor Loan: My Experiences Buying and Building with Physician Mortgage Loans

I was finally a doctor. A real doctor! The year was 2002 and I had just graduated from medical school. After …

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Student Loan Planner Reviews: Honest Opinions from Three Former Clients

Student Loan Planner Reviews: Honest Opinions from Three Former Clients

I see many physicians with questions about what to do with their student loans. Are we in the right repayment…

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Articles

The Sunday Best (08/17/2025)

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By Jorge Sanchez, Jorge Sánchez, Leif Dahleen
| physicianonfire.com
The Department of Education has released proposed rules that could bar certain nonprofits and public employers from PSLF eligibility starting in 2026. The rules give the Secretary of Education wide discretion to determine which employers are excluded based on a “substantial illegal purpose.” When it comes to developing good financial habits — budgeting, saving, investing, etc. — it takes time and you have to work at it. The same thing applies to splurging and enjoying your money.
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The Sunday Best (07/06/2025)

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By Jorge Sanchez, Jorge Sánchez, Leif Dahleen
| physicianonfire.com
Private Equity has outperformed global stock markets over the past 25 years, although that’s not a guide to the future. However, until recently, it was strictly off-limits to private investors unless you had tens of millions to spare. Fortunately, that’s changing. Everyone wants to be Warren Buffett. Or at least, own Berkshire Hathaway and sit back while it compounds quietly into retirement. But here’s the trillion-dollar question: can you engineer Buffett-like returns without the Buffett brain?
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The Sunday Best 03/30/2025

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By Jorge Sanchez, Jorge Sánchez, MDBefore retiring, Leif Dahleen
| physicianonfire.com
Not everyone ties their identity to being a physician. Some people pick a lane, and stick in it forever, and build a career and stay there forever. That works for them. Others evolve. They let curiosity lead. They step into new spaces even when they don’t have the credentials. Its not flakiness. Its expansion. Side gigs have always been part of physician culture through “moonlighting.” Beyond extra income, these pursuits can help us test alternative careers.
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Interview

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What was your first job as a journalist?

Blogging

Have you ever used a typewriter?

Yes. I was born in 1975.

How is social media changing news?

Anyone can journal anything and be seen by the masses.