Credit Card Mastery: Hacks to Leverage Benefits in Your Favor
Student Loan Planner
Get ready to uncover the myths, master the rewards, and smartly amplify your spending power — all while keeping your finances sharp and your debt strategy on point. Whether you're looking to squeeze every last benefit out of your credit card points, contemplating the right card for your business expenses, or simply looking to use your cards more strategically, this episode is a goldmine. Listen in as Meagan McGuire, ChFC®, CSLP®, and Mary Rush, CFP®, CSLP®, talk tricks, tips, and savvy spending with every swipe. Discover how to make every dollar and every point work harder for you. In...
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What Happens After the IDR Waiver?
Student Loan Planner
A timely discussion of what happens as we face down the expiration of the IDR waiver. Will the administration extend it at the last second? We don't know (as of the time of the recording). But one thing is sure: Borrowers can expect seismic shifts as the IDR waiver ends. It's been key to unlocking the forgiveness gates for many, but its flexible counting of nearly any kind of payment toward forgiveness expires at the end of April. We'll recap the IDR waiver and its benefits and explore what happens after the IDR waiver ends. Get clarity about your next steps and the implications of these...
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Roth IRA Disasters to Avoid
Student Loan Planner
Roth IRAs are a highly recommended retirement savings option but it’s not all smooth sailing. Student loan repayment, income limitations, and tax filing status can lead you to treacherous waters. Learn the missteps to avoid and how to correct mistakes before they escalate into hefty fines and taxes. Join student loan advisors Meagan McGuire, ChFC®, CSLP®, Sim Terwilliger, CFP®, CSLP®, and Sam Silberstein, CFP®, CSLP®, and explore contribution deadlines, the pro-rata rule, form 8606, the impact of being in a community property state, and how dual-income households should strategize...
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Last Call for the IDR Waiver
Student Loan Planner
It's the last call for the IDR waiver (aka IDR account adjustment). If you’ve listened to this podcast, you probably know what it is — but if you're not sure how the IDR waiver could benefit you, or if you have questions about PSLF, loan consolidation, or income recertification, this episode is for you. I’ll take you back to the beginning of the IDR waiver and walk you through it to make sure you get the most benefit before it expires on April 30th. You’ll also hear answers to listener questions about loan forgiveness and repayment plans and get valuable insights into the...
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The Dept of Education Shifts PSLF Processing from MOHELA: The Real Reason and Borrower Impact
Student Loan Planner
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program is undergoing major changes. The government is taking over processing from MOHELA, and a temporary pause is expected in May and June. How will this affect you? First, don’t panic — PSLF isn’t shutting down. The government is simply pausing processing while they transition everything over. But you’ll want to take a few proactive steps to safeguard your payment count before the transition happens. Listen in as I dissect the real reasons behind these changes. Could it be a strategic move in the future student loan management? Find out how...
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Why Most Borrowers Will Get Forgiveness Now (Even Those With Small Balances)
Student Loan Planner
It sounds shocking, but it’s a reality we can’t ignore — and this isn’t just about folks burdened with 6-figure student loan debts. Now, even if you have a smaller loan balance, you have a path to student loan forgiveness. It’s the new SAVE repayment plan that’s making it possible. Listen in as we explore key factors shifting borrowers away from repayment toward forgiveness, from the increase in discretionary income allowances to the potential for accelerated forgiveness. You’ll discover the key moves you should consider and why freeing yourself from student loan debt could...
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MOhela MO Problems
Student Loan Planner
To put it bluntly, MOHELA has student loan borrowers jumping through hoops to get things done, and it’s been extremely frustrating. Countless delays and mistakes being made, hours of being on hold or even being hung up on by servicers… the list goes on! In this episode, hosts Sim Terwilliger, CFP®, CSLP®, Sam Silberstein, CFP®, CSLP®, and Ben Lacomis, CSLP® join forces to shine some light on everything MOHELA is doing wrong. You’ll get tips and tricks to protect yourself from their mistakes. You’re not alone in this, folks! Let’s talk about what you can do to get the forgiveness...
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The Tax Bomb Cliff Is Coming
Student Loan Planner
We’re standing at the edge of a major financial cliff that no one is ready for. Student loan forgiveness is happening at unprecedented rates — $138 billion and counting. Right now, borrowers are enjoying tax-free forgiven student loan debt courtesy of the American Rescue Plan. However, these benefits are set to expire at the end of 2025, leaving borrowers to face a tax cliff with unknown consequences. We’ll explore the legal skirmishes already bubbling, like the Kansas Attorney General’s case against the SAVE plan, and analyzing their impact and preparing for the potential scenarios...
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You Have a New Job. Now What?
Student Loan Planner
For those of you stepping into new roles, congratulations! This milestone comes with a lot of things to think about, from managing lifestyle inflation to understanding the impact of major purchases on your future. We’ll uncover valuable insights on income-based student loan payments, refinancing options, and how to approach big decisions like whether to rent or buy a house. I’ll help you unpack the price-to-rent ratio so you can make a well-informed decision based on financial and personal factors. We'll also discuss contract negotiations, gender disparities, non-compete agreements, and...
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Till Debt Do Us Part
Student Loan Planner
Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on , or Leave an honest review on Subscribe to the Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our Check out our we negotiated Book your Get profession-specific Do you have a question about student loans? or email us at and we might feature it in an upcoming show!
info_outlineAre you ready to strip away the layers of your financial life? We’re unbuttoning the secrets of debt management and financial planning. We cover everything from the impact of inflated car prices on credit and the potential risks and benefits of home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) to debt management strategies and the potential tax implications of forgiven debt. Senior Student Loan Advisors Sim Terwilliger, CFP®, CSLP®, and Meagan McGuire, ChFC®, CSLP®, share expert insights on debt consolidation, budgeting for recurring expenses, and the significance of prioritizing mental health while working towards financial goals. Get ready to shed some light on your financial wardrobe with valuable tips to help you become debt-free and financially empowered.
In today’s episode, you'll find out:
- The difference between the funnel method and the strainer approach for financial goals
- How the pandemic’s inflated car prices are impacting car loans and credit
- What high loan-to-value ratios mean for your credit score
- The role of credit reports for landlords, jobs, and future debt costs
- How car payments can make or break your house hunting journey
- A warning to parents about using HELOCs to pay for children’s college costs
- When to use HELOC vs. double consolidation for student loan debt
- What changes borrowers can expect in student loan forgiveness programs
- Why math-based strategies like debt avalanche or debt snowball aren’t a slam-dunk
- The sneaky language in cosigner agreements and why refinancing is a smart solution
- What types of debt to prioritize before paying off private student loans
- How to get out of default on federal student loans
- The secret to leveraging debt to earn money rather than paying it off
- Options when dealing with IRS debt and how to balance payment options
Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
- Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts
- Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts
- Subscribe to the newsletter
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
- Try our free student loan calculator
- Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated
- Book your custom student loan plan
Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!