What is the Student Loan Refi Ladder Strategy?
Student Loan Planner
The student loan refi ladder is a clever strategy that’ll help you tackle your debt without wrecking your cash flow. We haven’t talked about this much in recent years because of student loan payment and interest pauses, but with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act stripping protections from federal student loan borrowers, now is the time to decide between loan forgiveness and refinancing. This episode will help you decide if refinancing — and the refi ladder — is right for you, or if forgiveness is the better path. Key moments: (07:55) Who should consider refinancing (and who shouldn’t)...
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The Unfortunate Reason Why Your Salary Will Probably Go up a Lot This Decade
Student Loan Planner
Big shifts are coming to student loans starting July 2026. If you’re carrying six figures of debt or even thinking about grad school, you’ll definitely want to hear this one. Unlimited loans are out, so pricey grad programs might not be as easy to join. Sounds scary, right? But this shift could actually work in your favor. Fewer students funneled into certain careers could mean bigger salaries and steadier job security for those who do make it through. Learn what these changes could look like for you, your school, and your paychecks down the road. Key moments: (02:49) Loan borrowing...
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How Much Do Big Ticket Items Cost When You’re Doing Forgiveness?
Student Loan Planner
Ever stop and think about how much that new car, kitchen remodel, or shiny toy really costs you — not just in dollars, but in hours, days, or even months of your life? We’re digging into what big-ticket spending looks like when you’re on an income-driven repayment plan that’s already taking 10–15% of your paycheck. We’ll show you how to reframe those purchases, so instead of just seeing the sticker price, you see the true impact on your time and future. We’ll talk about ways to cut back smartly, snag tax deductions where you can, and still enjoy the things that make you happy…...
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Mega Listener Mailbag Q&A
Student Loan Planner
Over the past few weeks, we’ve been collecting your questions, and wow… you did not hold back. We’re answering as many as we can fit in one episode, covering topics like forgiveness deadlines, confusing recertification rules, and loan servicers who seem to speak in riddles. You’ll hear from people on the brink of PSLF forgiveness, parents in the middle of tricky Parent PLUS double consolidations, and grads wondering if they should act now or wait. If you’ve been wondering what to do next with your loans, there’s a good chance we’ll hit on something that helps you figure it out....
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Existing Borrowers are Okay. Future Ones I’m Worried About
Student Loan Planner
After months of student loan chaos, there’s clarity: If you’re already borrowing, you’ll probably be okay, though keep an eye out for some plan changes. But for anyone planning to borrow after July 2026, the picture gets a lot murkier. Higher payments, tighter loan limits, and longer repayment terms could reshape graduate and professional education in ways we haven’t seen before. Learn why most current borrowers can breathe a little easier, what changes are coming for Parent PLUS and grad school loans, and why future students may need to rethink their strategies altogether. We also...
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Reflections on the SAVE Forbearance Ending
Student Loan Planner
The SAVE plan’s payment forbearance is supposed to stick around through 2028, but that’s looking unlikely. Here’s why we think the clock’s ticking on SAVE, what the latest lawsuit could mean for the plan’s future, and how new legislation is tightening the rules on forbearance across the board. You’ll find out what this shift means if you’re currently on SAVE, what counts (and what doesn’t) during this forbearance period, and what you need to know now to help you avoid surprises later. It’s a confusing time for borrowers, but this episode gives you a clearer path forward. Key...
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What We Think Comes Next for Borrowers (with Special Guest Stanley Tate)
Student Loan Planner
Student loan lawyer Stanley Tate joins us to tackle the big question we’re all asking: what’s actually happening with student loans right now? We’re exploring the latest legislative changes, what they mean for your repayment strategy, and why Parent PLUS borrowers are especially freaking out. We talk through everything from the COVID payment chaos we all lived through to the potential collapse of graduate programs and the emotional toll of student debt policy. What you’ll walk away with is information you can use, not just more anxiety. Whether you’re strategizing payments or just...
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End of the SAVE Forbearance
Student Loan Planner
If you’ve been riding the SAVE Plan forbearance wave, a big shift is headed your way. The Department of Education announced that the SAVE forbearance will officially end on August 1, 2025. That means interest starts ticking again, and borrowers will be pushed to switch repayment plans. Most will be steered toward the old Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plan, especially with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act set to overhaul everything in July 2026. But you’ve still got options. Find out what the end of SAVE forbearance means for your loans, what the government is recommending (and why), and how...
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What the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Means for You
Student Loan Planner
Some parts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act are pretty rough for borrowers, but believe it or not, it could’ve been way worse — you can thank the Senate parliamentarian for blocking the worst of it. We’ll walk you through what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and what you need to start planning for now. This is your clear, practical guide to understanding how the bill will affect your wallet and the conversations you’ll need to have with your partner, financial planner, or school’s aid office. Key moments: (03:40) The math of student loans becomes very complicated for...
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Senate Parliamentarian Drops a Bombshell Ruling
Student Loan Planner
“Senate parliamentarian” isn’t exactly a household name, but her latest ruling is huge news for anyone with student debt. Learn what her surprise decision means for the Big Beautiful Bill Act and how it could shape repayment plans and forgiveness programs. You’ll find the specifics of what this means if you’re a Parent PLUS borrower, in dental and medical school, or just worried about how these policy shifts could affect your financial future. We’ll take you beyond the political noise and cut through the confusion to give you actionable info you can use. Key moments: (02:32)...
info_outlineThe student loan refi ladder is a clever strategy that’ll help you tackle your debt without wrecking your cash flow. We haven’t talked about this much in recent years because of student loan payment and interest pauses, but with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act stripping protections from federal student loan borrowers, now is the time to decide between loan forgiveness and refinancing.
This episode will help you decide if refinancing — and the refi ladder — is right for you, or if forgiveness is the better path.
Key moments:
(07:55) Who should consider refinancing (and who shouldn’t)
(15:14) If you’re convinced that paying off your student loans is best, here’s what to do first
(17:27) Why the refi ladder strategy helps
(25:42) Overly aggressive payments may hurt your chances for a mortgage or other big purchases
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