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Nicki Rao, MD

Things I use

What I actually use

The tools, products, and services I actually use - for work, for writing, and for getting my own affairs in order.

None of this is medical, legal, or financial advice. These are things I use myself. Anything involving money, property, or legal documents is worth checking against your own circumstances and your own state's rules.

For getting your affairs in order

Nothing here is financial advice - just what I use and the offers I know about.

  • Trust & Will (opens in a new tab)

    A very easy platform for getting your affairs in order - it's like TurboTax for your wishes. Every plan includes an advance healthcare directive, a living will, a HIPAA authorization, and power of attorney. The Trust plan includes a will as well, so you are not choosing between the two.

    Have them mail you the printed set - it comes in a folio that is worth having, and the people who may need to act on it will be looking for paper. Then get it signed: notarized, or in some states in front of two witnesses. None of it is in effect until that last step is done.

    One thing no platform does for you: a trust only works if you actually move your property into it. An unfunded trust will not keep anything out of probate. Every state has its own procedure for this - which documents, which forms, where they get filed - so look up what yours requires before you start. It did not take us long once we knew what we were doing, but you do have to know.

    Chase Sapphire Reserve and Preferred cardholders: activate the Trust & Will offer in your Chase account before you buy. It's a $199 statement credit on $199 of spend - enough to cover a Will plan outright, or to take $199 off a Trust. Because it needs the full $199 to trigger, use the credit instead of the 20% off on a Will; the discount would drop you under the threshold. On a Trust the two stack. It's a targeted offer, so not every cardholder has it.

    20% off any product

  • Chase Sapphire Reserve (opens in a new tab)

    The card behind the Trust & Will credit above. That offer runs until 5 October 2026. If you were going to open one anyway, this is my referral link.

For focus and creating

  • Brick (opens in a new tab)

    A physical device that blocks social media - and any other apps you choose - from your phone. So when you're at work or with your family, those are what you're actually focused on.

    10% offCode: NICKI62209

  • Canva Shortcut System (opens in a new tab)

    Create with Kristina

    How I make all my carousels look the way they do. You don't need Canva Pro for it.

My Amazon storefront

Books I recommend, along with other things I use, gathered in one place.

Browse the storefront (opens in a new tab)

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.