All Posts

Introduction Med reps in their forties often find themselves juggling never-ending travel schedules, meeting relentless quarterly targets, and playing catch-up with family responsibilities. You might wonder if stepping away from that pressure by age 50 is even possible. The short answer: yes, it can be done—but it’s not for the faint of heart. The income you earn in medical sales puts you in a powerful position to fund an early exit. Yet, without proper strategy, the volatili

It’s tough to ignore the steady stream of news headlines about cutbacks among Big Pharma and large health insurers. Medical sales professionals, especially those in mid-career, are feeling the tension rise. From ways to buffer your monthly cash flow to negotiating better severance, preparing for layoffs in medical sales financially can make the difference between scrambling under pressure and calmly steering your career to the next stage. I’ve witnessed how even top-performin

If you’re a mid-career professional in medical sales, you likely know firsthand that it’s not easy to keep all your financial plates spinning: commissions, travel, taxes, family obligations, and that ever-present dream of making work optional. The truth is, unless Congress acts, the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) individual provisions expire at the end of 2025. And when the calendar flips to January 2026, much of what you’re used to about your take-home pay could change in

If you’ve spent years hitting quotas, racing to airports, and juggling territory demands, you might be starting to wonder how long you can keep up the pace. Early mornings in the OR, late dinners entertaining clients, and the pressure to hit ever-increasing numbers can wreak havoc on your family time and sanity. It’s no surprise many MedTech professionals dream of an earlier off-ramp—well before the traditional retirement age. Fortunately, with strategic planning, that dream

Introduction to Georgia’s Tax Landscape When you’re a medical sales professional in the prime of your career—earning high commissions and juggling relentless quotas—the idea of an early retirement can feel both tempting and daunting. Georgia’s generous tax policies might make that transition a lot smoother. While other states nickel-and-dime retirees, Georgia extends a friendly hand through its Retirement Income Exclusion (RIE). If you’re 62 to 64, you can exclude up to $35,0

If you’re a mid-career medical device salesperson, you already know the nonstop travel, demanding quotas, and tough competition can take a toll—no matter how rewarding the successes may be. But there’s a bright side too: your field can offer some of the most lucrative sales positions in the healthcare world, which means early retirement could be closer than you think. The key is knowing how to harness that high earning potential and turn it into a plan that lets you retire (o

The 2026 Disconnect: Your Industry Is Booming, But Is the Broader Economy a Threat to Your Work-Optional Plan? Introduction – Why 2026 Matters to Medical Sales Pros Medical sales can often feel like a story of two worlds colliding. If you’re mid-career in this field, you’ve likely seen your industry’s capacity for growth, driven by demographic shifts and constant innovation. It’s no surprise to read healthy projections about everything from medical devices to AI-driven care,

If constant travel, monthly quotas, and the thrill of closing deals have left you dreaming of a comfortable exit from medical sales, you’re not alone. Many of the mid-career professionals I’ve worked with are determined to make work optional by age 50. It’s an appealing target: early enough to enjoy your prime years outside of corporate stress but late enough to have built a robust financial strategy. The good news? Retiring at 50 can be possible with intentional planning, th

Tax-Deductible Expenses for Traveling Medical Device Reps If you’re a medical device sales professional, you probably know the life of airports, hospital corridors, and high-pressure quotas all too well. Traveling from city to city can bring in substantial commissions, but it also creates a tax challenge if you’re not careful. Many reps leave savings on the table—especially when it comes to deducting business expenses they rack up on the road. Understanding which costs qualif

The Phantom Signal: Why November’s “Good” Inflation News Could Mislead Your Work-Optional Plan Picture this: you’re finally catching your breath after crisscrossing the country to meet sales quotas, running on coffee and grit. You flip on the news and see a seemingly upbeat headline—November 2025 inflation came in at just 2.7%. The markets cheer, analysts talk about “easing price pressures,” and a wave of relief washes over you. “Great,” you might think, “this means my retire

Lump-Sum Commission: Should You Invest or Pay Off Your Mortgage? Picture this: You just closed a blockbuster deal that triggered a fat lump-sum commission. Maybe you’re a mid-career medical sales rep, juggling life on the road and ambitious sales quotas, or perhaps you’re transitioning into a new device territory with huge signing bonuses. The question hitting your mind is straightforward but loaded with implications: “Should I put this big check toward crushing my mortgage—o

The Great 2026 Divide: S&P 8,000 vs. Global Slowdown—Is Your Work-Optional Plan Ready? Picture this: you’re racing through airport terminals three days a week, juggling hospital visits, and meeting aggressive sales targets—only to discover that the financial future you’re yearning for is tangled in global economic forecasts. As a mid-career medical sales professional, you’ve likely heard arguments that the S&P 500 could hit levels as high as 7,800 or even 8,000 by 2026. At th

When a booming stock market coexists with plunging consumer confidence—especially for professionals under relentless sales pressure—the result can be downright disorienting. November 2025 brought exactly this puzzle. The major indices soared during a brisk Thanksgiving week, yet consumer sentiment took a dramatic nose-dive. If you’re juggling six different quotas while plotting a future where work is, at most, optional, it’s easy to worry. Are the markets on a misguided sugar

If you’re in medical sales, you already know how quickly those big commission checks can disappear once taxes get taken out—especially if you’re earning in the $200k–$350k range and constantly on the go to meet quotas. I know it can feel frustrating to see a large chunk withheld right as you’re juggling airport security lines, last-minute hotel bookings, and never-ending client calls. But there are ways to strategize those taxes down so you keep more of your income in your po

Introduction – Why Bonus Commissions Matter for Passive Income Welcome to the wild and often unpredictable world of medical sales, where variable commissions and lump-sum bonuses can be both thrilling and nerve-wracking. I’m David Dedman, ChFC®, AWMA® , and I’ve been working with professionals in the trenches of this industry for over three decades. While it’s exhilarating to see that quarterly bonus hit your bank account, it can also bring the question: “Now what?” Bonus com

Understanding the Spike in Record Car Repossessions Have you noticed more repossession trucks on the road than usual? According to the latest data, 1.73 million vehicles were repossessed in 2024, a level not seen since the Great Recession. Forecasts suggest 2025 could see as many as nearly 3 million repossessions. These eye-opening numbers reflect the lingering effects of pandemic-era relief programs ending, persistent inflation, and rising interest rates that make auto finan

Introduction: A Tense Holiday Paradox Holiday 2025 is poised to break the trillion-dollar mark in U.S. retail sales for the first time, according to the National Retail Federation . On the surface, that sounds like pure economic euphoria. But if the figures have you picturing a nation dancing through shopping malls without a care, think again. Consumer confidence indexes are struggling, more than three-quarters of shoppers expect higher prices this season, and nearly one-fift

The Fed Hits Pause: Is Your “Work-Optional” Plan Ready? If you’ve been grinding away in medical sales, juggling sales quotas, field tours, and airport lounges, you’ve probably dreamed of having true control over your time. Perhaps you’d like to scale back your hours, pivot to consulting, or just spend more time with family—and do all those things without worrying about running out of money. That’s exactly what a “work-optional” lifestyle is about. And with the Federal Reserve

Beyond the Ballot Box: Safeguarding Your ‘Work-Optional’ Plan Post-Election Introduction: Election Aftershocks vs. Long-Term Vision Few events stir the emotional pot of American life quite like a presidential election. For those of us in the high-pressure realm of medical sales, election results can feel especially meaningful—especially if you’re pushing hard to reach a “work-optional” lifestyle where your day job becomes a choice rather than a necessity. Every new administra

Introduction Turning 40 in medical sales can feel a lot like reaching base camp on a mountain climb. You’re proud of the progress so far—sizable commissions, recognition from peers, and a standard of living that surpasses many of your friends. But more and more, you may be eyeing the summit: a future where you don’t have to jump on a plane every week or grind through high-pressure quotas. You’re not alone. Many mid-career medical sales professionals earning in the $200,000 to