Student Loan Planner

If you're married, there’s a lot to consider in the latest student loan reform proposals. Discover what the changes being debated in Congress could mean for married borrowers, including the potential loss of “married filing separately” as a repayment strategy and how the new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) might affect your monthly payments. If you’re single or engaged, this still matters — we’ll cover what you need to know before tying the knot, plus smart moves you can make now to avoid future headaches. Key moments: (03:07) New rules could make marriage costly for borrowers with high student debt (10:54) RAP plan offers fewer deductions than IBR, especially for families with multiple children (16:36) Capping federal loan limits could push students toward private lenders with strict requirements (25:02) Borrowers with high debt-to-income ratios may benefit from sticking with forgiveness, despite uncertainty Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

The Senate just dropped its version of the student loan reform bill, and let’s just say… it’s not great. In fact, it’s worse than expected, especially if you have six-figure student debt, Parent PLUS loans, or are a future student. Learn what’s at stake, how it could completely reshape repayment options, and who (besides private lenders) might come out ahead. More importantly, you’ll learn what you can do now to protect yourself if the bill moves forward. If student debt is part of your financial life, don’t miss this one. Key moments: (00:52) SAVE and new IBR borrowers could be forced into old IBR under the Senate bill (02:18) New rules could turn marriage into a major cost for student loan borrowers (02:48) Parent PLUS borrowers face the harshest penalties under this proposed legislation (07:14) Future borrowers need a plan before taking loans after July 2026 under the new rules (09:18) There's still a whole lot that you can do if you're an existing borrower Links mentioned: StudentAid.gov - The official federal site for consolidating student loans Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

If the GOP reform bill moves forward, lowering your adjusted gross income (AGI) won’t just be helpful, it’ll be more important than ever for student loan borrowers. We explore what could change, who’s most at risk, and what steps you can take to protect your paycheck. From maxing out pre-tax retirement contributions and HSAs to leveraging self-employment and smarter tax planning, we’ll walk you through practical ways to lower your AGI — and why it might be the biggest factor in your student loan repayment. Key moments: (04:18) Business owners may gain an edge with deductions if the GOP bill becomes law (07:53) Many haven’t felt the full weight of student loan payments in a while — that may soon change (13:55) If this bill passes, 1099 or self-employed work might offer major financial advantages (16:05) Expect to lose 50–60% of your income to loans and taxes unless you lower your AGI Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

Get real answers to real questions student loan borrowers are asking about PSLF processing delays, confusing buyback calculations, switching repayment plans, and trying to understand how recent legislation might affect their loans. You’ll get the latest updates on what’s happening behind the scenes and what those changes could mean for you. We also cover practical, actionable steps, like how to time your income recertification, what to consider if you’ve had a long forbearance period, and a lesser-known deferment option for borrowers undergoing cancer treatment. Key moments: (02:58) PSLF buyback uses the lower payment: before or after forbearance, whichever is smaller (13:30) Forgiveness is likely best when student debt is double your income or more (19:59) SAVE plan delays create confusion; should you switch IDR plans or wait it out? (31:29) Moving abroad may lower your AGI and help secure smaller payments toward forgiveness (35:45) FMLA and income recertification: what to know before submitting updated income documentation Links mentioned: Apply for income-driven repayment (IDR) plans Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

Student loan reform just cleared the House in what’s officially called the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill.” If it becomes law, it could overhaul repayment into just two plans: the Old IBR plan and a new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) that scales payments between 1% and 10% of income over 30 years. But nothing is final. The next step is the Senate, where the path forward is less certain. We explore what the House bill includes, what changes could mean for current and future borrowers, and the broader implications for repayment, forgiveness, and access to education. Learn about key policy details, potential legal challenges, and what you should watch as the conversation continues in the weeks ahead. Key moments: (05:41) If courts strike down SAVE, it could force a rewrite of the student loan section of the bill (07:55) Changing voter turnout patterns could reshape midterm election outcomes in unexpected ways (11:35) Future students may lose PSLF eligibility for residency programs (14:44) Proposed changes could hit universities hard, leading to major job losses across higher education (17:16) Estimate your RAP payment to see what’s affordable and compare your repayment options Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

The Repayment Assistance Plan, aka RAP, is another student loan overhaul, and people have a lot of questions. Learn what this plan actually is, why it matters right now, and the real chances of it becoming law. If you're wondering when or if you could switch to this plan, we've got you covered. The RAP might completely change how student loan repayment works. We're unpacking all the details and what you might want to keep in mind if you’ve got loans. Key moments: (03:55) If you’re close to forgiveness, sticking with IBR will probably make more sense (05:16) This administration is rushing student loan changes before finalizing regulatory details (09:59) There’s still a long way to go, and some Senators just want to bring back REPAYE (13:08) Graduate professions would lose diversity if only students from wealthy families could afford them Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

The Republican student loan bill is gaining steam and could seriously impact your repayment strategy. Let me break it down for you: undergrads might actually see some benefits here, but if you've got grad school debt? You might want to sit down for this one. Current borrowers won't get hit as hard as future ones, but painful changes could be on the horizon. Get insights into the legislative process, the strategy behind budget reconciliation that's pushing this bill forward, and practical ways to think ahead while the details are still in flux. Key moments: (05:30) PSLF could be eliminated through reconciliation with a simple majority vote (06:45) A look at the proposals currently being considered in the bill (09:13) The bill slightly helps undergrads while potentially devastating graduate borrowers (14:48) Loan limits could restrict first-generation students from accessing medical, dental, and veterinary programs (18:30) This "Big Beautiful Bill" will likely reach the President by September Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

Guess what? We are moving this Friday episode over to the new Financially Free Era podcast! It is the next step to your financial planning journey after your student loan plan has been tackled with us here at Student Loan Planner. We hope this new show will answer your questions of: What else do I need to do? What else can I do to optimize my savings? How can I start saving for that goal that I have?" SLP Wealth was born to be that next step. So naturally, we need to start separating from our initial starting point, which is Student Loan Planner. So we have created a whole new show: Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth.

Can “save more” be bad advice? We’re pulling back the curtain on something financial advisors rarely discuss: how saving too much can harm your quality of life. We'll unpack the uncomfortable truth about how all professions, including my own, handle potential conflicts of interest. This isn't about vilifying financial planning — it's about making sure the help you get is truly in your best interest, and not just serving someone else’s bottom line. Key moments: (01:31) When financial planners pressure clients to invest bonuses rather than enjoy them (04:36) Fee structure matters less than the value received for the financial advice given (08:12) Most people overspend on things they don’t even like (15:50) Bad advice often comes from people who don’t understand your situation Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

Want to keep more money in the family? Hiring family members in your business can translate into some big tax savings — and set your kids up to get ahead with their own savings. Fresh off tax season, we explore the ins and outs of putting kids and spouses on the payroll, weighing the pros and cons, and sharing actionable tips for business owners looking to leverage this strategy. You’ll also learn compliance essentials, common pitfalls, and the legal frameworks you need to keep in mind, whether you're running a dental practice, a family restaurant, or thinking about getting started as an entrepreneur. Key moments: (07:04) Practical tasks your child can do legitimately in your business (12:15) How hiring family can help you qualify for valuable QBI tax deductions (14:40) Choosing the right business structure impacts family employment tax advantages (22:06) Guidelines for staying compliant with federal child labor laws (34:50) Balancing your child's income to optimize college financial aid eligibility Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

House GOP has proposed a new bill that would radically reshape student loans for years to come. But it would also impact existing borrowers too if were to pass.

Got student loan questions weighing on you? You're definitely not alone. This week, we're opening up the Student Loan Planner mailbag to tackle some of the most pressing issues borrowers are facing. Should you switch IDR plans? Is Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) buyback the right move? We also address the very real frustrations with federal loan servicers — the long hold times, the inconsistent information, and the impact of staffing shortages. Beyond that, we'll cover practical tax filing strategies that could lead to significant savings, how to identify potential calculation errors in your loan details, and offer an update on the ongoing delays with forgiveness applications. If you’re ready for clarity on your student loans, this episode delivers the answers you need in 2025. Key moments: (04:37) Stressing about interest accrual could be counterproductive on your path to loan forgiveness (07:45) The PSLF buyback steps, and remember your qualifying payments don't need to be consecutive (16:53) Despite common talk of "old" and "new" IBR, there is technically only one Income-Based Repayment plan (26:07) A payoff strategy for a high-income physician facing loans without PSLF (43:33) Military families face unique PSLF considerations, with state residency affecting community property rules Links mentioned: Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Plan RequestPSLF Help ToolCompare refinancing lenders Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

Tax season might be in the rearview mirror, but if you're self-employed or earn income outside of a regular paycheck, quarterly estimated taxes are still very much on your radar. We’re showing you how it all fits together — what they are, who needs to pay them, and how to calculate what you owe. Learn key dates to remember, simple ways to estimate your payments, how to use the IRS’s “safe harbor” rule to avoid any unexpected penalties, and simple strategies to avoid underpaying and giving the government an interest-free loan. It’s all about staying ahead without stressing out — or paying more than you have to. Key moments: (01:15) W-2 employees have taxes automatically deducted, while 1099 workers must save and plan on their own (06:28) Simple ways to estimate your tax bill without getting lost in spreadsheets or complicated calculations (17:21) The four big tax due dates to circle on your 2025 calendar right now (20:18) The IRS safe harbor rule helps you avoid penalties, even if your estimates aren’t perfect Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

The Department of Education dropped a bombshell announcement that would've killed a loophole strategy many of you use to keep your student loan payments manageable, only for the agency to quickly walk it back after public outcry. What actually happened? Was this ED deliberately trying to break the law and eliminate the married filing separate option, or was it just an honest mistake? You’ll hear the latest on how advocacy, lawsuits, and a fair bit of confusion among government officials have shaped repayment, and what it means for your student loan strategy (spoiler: the loophole lives... for now). Key moments: (01:58) The income-based repayment (IBR) married filing separate rule is actually written into federal law (05:08) Department of Ed issued a corrective statement claiming the announcement was a mistake (07:15) Recertification dates extended, creating confusion around timeline requirements (09:57) Despite complications, there are positive developments worth highlighting for borrowers (10:58) House GOP advances budget reconciliation bill that could impact student loan programs Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

Last week, the market went on a wild ride, and it all started with steep tariff hikes — especially on imports from China. The market’s reaction was fast and furious, with sharp drops and an even quicker rebound. So, what’s the deal with tariffs, and why do they send markets into a frenzy? Learn the basics of tariffs, why uncertainty can send investors into a panic, and how fear, headlines, and knee-jerk reactions fuel market chaos. But it’s not all doom and gloom. We also explore practical strategies for keeping your cool, sticking to your long-term plan, and even turning market dips into opportunities. Listen in for the tools to confidently ride out market storms, make smart decisions, and protect your financial future. Key moments: (01:48) What are tariffs and how did they change last week? (06:07) The impact of tariffs on your investments and what it means for your portfolio (11:20) Don’t let a down market scare you — think of it as a sale if you're investing regularly (13:56) Three common ways people react to market dips and why they matter (20:51) We can’t control the market, but we can control how we protect ourselves from it. Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

The Department of Education just dropped a negotiated rulemaking announcement, and while it might sound like dry policy talk, this one’s worth your attention — especially if you’re pursuing Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), on Pay As You Earn (PAYE), or using Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR). Learn what negotiated rulemaking actually means, why it matters, and what kinds of changes could be on the horizon for federal student loan repayment. We’ll also walk through the strategy behind these proposed updates, what the timeline might look like, and the political and legal dynamics that could affect how this all plays out. Key moments: (03:20) My initial take: borrowers don’t need to panic just yet — and here’s why (05:35) What these changes could actually mean for PSLF borrowers (06:59) PAYE and ICR might be affected, but IBR is protected by statute (10:49) The GOP proposal targets nonprofit hospitals, but I don’t think it’ll go anywhere (12:34) With 2026 elections in sight, student loan overhauls will probably stay pretty modest Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) don’t always get the spotlight, but they should. They’re one of the most flexible and tax-friendly tools out there — and we’re digging into why. We’re joined by Kathleen Boyd, CFP®, for a practical conversation about how HSAs work. Learn how much you can contribute based on your health plan, how things change once Medicare enters the picture, and how to use an HSA as a long-term savings strategy (not just a place to park cash for doctor’s visits). You’ll walk away with real-world tips and a clearer idea of how to actually use your HSA. Key moments: (03:41) Who can contribute to an HSA? Individual vs. family contributions (10:20) HSA catch-up contributions once you reach a certain age (13:46) Overlooked strategies for funding HSAs (24:16) Life circumstances and changes dictate how much you can contribute to your HSA (39:08) Why you might want to move pretax money from an IRA to an HSA Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

The Trump administration recently pushed out income-driven repayment (IDR) recertification dates — some all the way to 2027. (I'm not even kidding.) But can you actually count on these extensions? We’re breaking down who should trust these announcements and who might want to proceed with caution. We'll also talk about the bizarre game of musical chairs happening between government departments. One minute it's the Department of Education handling things, then suddenly it's the Small Business Administration, and now the Treasury Department's involved? It's like watching a bureaucratic shell game in real time. Listen in as we try to make sense of what’s going on, what you can trust, and what steps you should take to protect yourself. Key moments: (00:51) President plans to move student loans to Small Business Administration despite questionable legality and no operational details (04:05) Trump White House surprisingly ordered an extension of borrower recertification dates to no sooner than February 2026 (07:14) Court decisions that finally put an end to the SAVE plan could force millions of borrowers into disruptive repayment plan changes (15:05) Maintain your peace of mind by focusing on what you can control in your financial life Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

Retirement isn’t just about stepping away from your job — it’s about building a life you actually enjoy and knowing how your finances will hold up when the paychecks stop. A lot of people think they’re ready… until they realize they’re not. We’re walking through five warning signs that could throw your retirement off track. From skipping over withdrawal strategies to carrying debt into retirement — and maybe the biggest one? Not having a plan for what your days will look like once work is off the table. We’ll break each one down with real examples, why it matters, and offer practical ways to course-correct — so you can head into retirement with confidence, not guesswork. Key moments: (02:13) Most retirees underestimate their early retirement spending — and it adds up fast (06:55) Without an inflation plan, retiring today at 60 could cut your purchasing power nearly in half by 80 (8:57) A smart withdrawal plan accounts for taxes, market downturns, and required minimum distributions (15:42) Carrying debt into retirement means high fixed costs that drag down your freedom (19:11) Retirement’s not a finish line, it’s a new chapter — think about how you’ll spend your time Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

Student loans are a mess. They've been a mess for as long as we’ve been doing this, but right now? It’s like someone took that mess, threw it in a blender, and hit "puree." We’re answering a whole heap of listener questions. This episode is dropping on April Fool’s Day, but no jokes or pranks here — just straight-up answers. Let’s face it: the real joke is how convoluted this whole system has become. But we’re tackling the questions head-on. And if you're one of the folks who sent in questions, thanks for trusting us with your financial headaches. We've got your back. Key moments: (04:34) The trap that will mean big trouble for borrowers if ICR gets repealed (12:06) No “processing shortcuts” exist — everyone’s in the same slow-moving line (21:20) Inexperienced customer service representatives giving you the wrong answers (34:06) Why you might want to file a tax extension to see how student loan policies might shift (45:24) Financial windfall? Where to direct your cash for maximum impact Links mentioned: StudentAid.gov IDR plan request Certify employment for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!