Student Loan Planner

After navigating the system and successfully applying for financial aid, New York Times columnist, personal finance expert and author, Ron Lieber made it his life's mission to demystify the complexity and help students and their families discover smart ways that they can "beat the system" to get the best value at a reasonable cost. We also discuss his book, The Price You Pay for College, that was...

It's no secret that student loan debt affects people's lives — and not in a good way. The ever-increasing student loan debt is a major cause of frustration and stress for many college graduates in America. Why is that? Who benefits from student loan complexity? Join me as I discuss why you need to know the complexity behind student loans and who are the biggest beneficiaries. In today's episode, y...

2020 was a strange and unprecedented year for the entire world. But especially for the United States, it seemed like everything that could go wrong went wrong in 2020. And though we have been thoroughly tested, we remain hopeful for a better future. So how can we invest wisely and create wealth despite the commotion in the world around us? In today's episode, you'll find out: If you would have kno...

More than half of college attendees in the US take out student loans. Imagine saving your kids from the financial burden of student loans without being super-rich. It's possible with a 529 plan. In this episode, I talk about 529 plans, how they work and why they're a smart way to save for you kids' college education. In today's episode, you'll find out: What a 529 plan is The two types of 529 plan...

We've created over 5,000 custom student loan repayment strategies for clients. In this episode, I'm sharing the best repayment tips by occupation. Find out what most borrowers in your profession do with their student loans and how best to pay them off. In today's episode, you'll find out: The one repayment strategy people don't talk about The best student loan tip for physicians How filing taxes c...

One of the most critical decisions you have to make as a student loan borrower is where to live and work. Join me as I talk about how the location you choose greatly influences your income, your costs and the opportunities available to you for paying back your student loans. The key is to optimize your loan plan for what you want and design your student loans around your life goals. In today's epi...

It doesn't matter how good you are with the sword if you are up against an artillery of guns and other munitions. In the same way, you cannot approach your student loan debt the same way your 60-year-old uncle or your parents approached it. Here's how to take advantage of the new weapons in the war on student loan debt. In today's episode, you'll find out: How WWI compares to student loan debt tod...

Lots of topics to cover in this episode - I answer reader questions about student loan repayment and the best strategies for dental specialists. We also dive into what I think about the chance of Biden forgiving student loan debt and what that could mean for your taxes, and we have an interview with Justin Sloan, CFA, CFP, about asset allocation and the best way to save for retirement. In today's...

Your student loan balance at the end of your program can balloon more than you thought you'd end up with. Find out how that happens, why I think America's first $700,000 dental degree is worth it and why your student loan debt doesn't matter as much as you think. In today's episode, you'll find out: The hidden cost of higher education How tuition inflation impacts students How much accrued interes...

If you're facing a potential salary decrease due to decreasing insurance reimbursement rates, you can start to worry about paying your student loans. In this episode, I talk about steps to take to mitigate the impact and what you can do if you're in this situation. I also cover lessons you can learn about managing your student loans from Trump's finances. Find out how to lower your tax liability a...

Each state is working to certify the official election results, but we have an apparent winner in President-Elect Joe Biden. Given the history of Obama-Biden student loan policies, it's likely that we'll see some progressive changes that could affect the future of student loans. Here are seven things that a Biden administration may try to achieve, and my thoughts on how that could affect the treat...

People love retirement accounts. If I had a dollar for every time someone got excited about contributing to their backdoor Roth IRA, I would probably be a millionaire. While it's great energy to have, it's not that important to your long-term financial future. In this episode, I share my thoughts on why your retirement accounts don't matter nearly as much as you think. In today's episode, you'll f...

With the election looming, we're all anxious about what might happen. And with that, a public service announcement: If you haven't voted, please go vote! Regardless of who wins, there are risks to your finances post-election. I'm sharing the five biggest risks that you should pay attention to - and how to overcome them - once the election season is over. In today's episode, you'll find out: How ca...

For this milestone 100th episode, I'm joined by all four consultants. Because we're just one week away from the election, I'm talking with them about the election and what we expect could happen to your student loans regardless of who wins the 2020 presidential election. In this episode, you'll find out: A recap of Travis' paternity leave Travis' preferred brand of diapers for his new baby The dif...

Justin Harvey, CFP®, and Rob Bertman, CFA, CFP®, explore income-driven repayment (IDR) plans, how each can affect your financial future, and strategies to help you maximize your student loan repayment and keep more money in your pocket. In today's episode, you'll find out: What the IDR payment cap is and what plans have one Which IDR plans are best for physicians and other high-earning professiona...

Is there anything scarier than student loans? With Halloween just around the corner, student loan experts Lauryn Williams and Meagan Landress share scary updates from 2020 and terrifying student loan stories. In today's episode, you'll find out: An update on student loan changes so far this year If student loan payments will be suspended after December 31 Should you recertify your income-driven pl...

We have seen a lot of changes to the student loan system over the last few months. The Student Loan Planner team of consultants - Meagan Landress, Lauryn Williams, Justin Harvey, and Rob Bertman - are following the changes to keep you up to date. In this episode, they're answering your questions to give you the low-down on student loans. In today's episode, you'll find out: How your payments are c...

Student Loan Planner consultants Rob Bertman and Meagan Landress share their best tips to find balance with budgeting, saving, investing, and paying off debt without sacrificing your quality of life. In today's episode, you'll find out: The right balance between paying off debt and saving for the future The one thing you need to set yourself up for financial independence Why Landress thinks zero-b...

Physicians often ignore their student loan debt because so much of their brain space and emotional energy is dedicated to their vocation of medicine. In this episode, Student Loan Planner consultants Lauryn Williams and Justin Harvey explore unique student loan considerations and strategies for physicians. In today's episode, you'll find out: An inside look at Justin and Lauryn's personal lives Ho...

With Travis on paternity leave, the consultants are taking over the Student Loan Planner Podcast. All four consultants come together to share the good, the bad, and the ugly about student loans and your personal finances. In today's episode, you'll find out: Who are the Student Loan Planner consultants How to make a career change when you have student loans How bad advice from a friend cheated a c...

If you're frustrated with your job and dreaming about making a change, this episode is for you. I'll show you the 3 traits you need to learn to love your job. And if you can't? That's okay because we'll talk about the steps you can take to leave your job and do something you love. In today's episode, you'll find out: How to boost your happiness long term instead of just temporarily How to find gra...

The pandemic has brought a significant amount of stress into our lives. For borrowers already feeling pressure because of high student debt balances, this might be the breaking point. Which professions regret their career the most? And is it because of the pandemic or because of student loan debt? I reveal what our listeners say are the best and worst jobs during the pandemic. In today's episode,...

From the perspective of what you'll have to pay on your student loans, the worst that can happen isn't any different than being a resident of California or New York City. Student loans aren't a debt sentence. If you have a plan in place, life can be pretty good with student loans. I explain why student loans are like a tax, and also answer a few listener questions about student loans. In today's e...

In addition to Joe Biden announcing Kamala Harris as his running mate, President Trump issued a student loan order. Trump's order extended some of the relief of the CARES Act but it also comes with some confusion. In this episode, I'm giving a rundown of the impact it could have and what the order means for you. In today's episode, you'll find out: Overview of recent events in Washington, DC What...

Knowing how to handle your student loans is only part of the equation. You must also know how to invest so that, one day, you'll have so much net worth that having student loans is irrelevant. Join me as I go through several listener-submitted questions about how to invest with student loans, and how the pandemic recession might impact your strategy. In today's episode, you'll find out: What to do...