Inflation is the hot topic of the day. Is it here to stay? And does inflation mean income-driven repayment programs are a bad idea? Listen in as I unpack the inflation conundrum as well as the latest news around the PSLF waiver along with updated guidance from the Department of Education. In today’s episode, you'll find out: How inflation impacts student loan borrowers The gold standard, inflation, and deflation, and what it means A brief history of inflation and how we got to where we are today...
Nov 30, 2021•40 min•Ep. 157
The Department of Education recently forgave around $700 million in student loans in a single day. I talk about how the new PSLF Waiver played into that, what it means for student loan forgiveness, and what it means for you and your finances. I also sit down with Ben Martinek, EA, CSLP®, CFP®, of Student Loan Tax Experts. He shares his experience helping student loan borrowers with their taxes and how you and your spouse may be able to save some cash through amended returns. In today’s episode, ...
Nov 23, 2021•44 min•Ep. 156
We could see a new student loan repayment plan for borrowers. The old IBR and the new IBR have been around for a while — now, the Biden administration is poised to create a new new IBR tentatively called The Expanded Income-Contingent Repayment (EICR) Plan. Confused? You’re not alone. A lot is happening in the world of student loans, and a lot more will continue to happen come 2022 and beyond. Listen in as I cover the ins-and-outs of the EICR Plan, a brief history of how today’s set of IBR progr...
Nov 16, 2021•47 min•Ep. 155
Today, I’m joined by Chad Carson, aka Coach Carson. He’s a husband, father of two, real estate investor, and world traveler. His message is threefold: Invest in real estate. Retire early. Do what matters. Listen in as Chad and I talk about his best practices for building a robust real estate portfolio and achieving financial independence. In today’s episode, you'll find out: Coach Carson’s “unusual” background before becoming a real estate investor What to know before buying your first rental pr...
Nov 09, 2021•51 min•Ep. 154
There’s a lot going on in the world of student loans, from the recent overhaul of the PSLF program to the Federal Reserve’s “tapering” of bond purchases and its impact on interest rates. Travis takes on seven listener questions spanning today’s big issues. He then goes into the latest on the student loan servicer Navient. In today’s episode, you'll find out: How and why to track your PSLF credit for long-term loan forgiveness How to appeal loan consolidations What the PSLF waiver changes are and...
Nov 02, 2021•41 min•Ep. 153
The PSLF expansion took borrowers by surprise. The Biden administration’s big announcement of a total overhaul to the PSLF program is a big deal. For a variety of reasons, many borrowers counting on PSLF had payments or loans that previously did not qualify for forgiveness because they could not meet the stringent requirements. The Department of Education effectively wiped out many of the hurdles through October 2022. Listen in and find out how the PSLF expansion can potentially be a life-changi...
Oct 26, 2021•48 min•Ep. 152
Today’s conversation is for the parents out there who are currently navigating the challenges of paying down student loans all while preparing their own kids’ future. Do you actually have a solid plan to protect your kids from the massive debt burden you left school with? Listen in as our consultants Molly Laughter, MBA CFA, CFP®, and Lauryn Williams, CFP®, CSLP®, offer actionable strategies and tips for debt-straddled moms and dads. In today’s episode, you'll find out... How just $25/month can ...
Oct 19, 2021•40 min•Ep. 151
We’ve all heard the term “new normal” being used to describe life as we move toward life after the pandemic. But what exactly does that mean for you? How ready are you to seize upcoming opportunities to thrive personally and professionally once the world reopens? Listen in as consultants Lauryn Williams, CFP®, CSLP®, and Dan Rooker, CFP®, CSLP®, do a deep dive into measuring your new financial normal, setting goals, and managing your relationships in a post-pandemic world. In today’s episode, yo...
Oct 12, 2021•35 min•Ep. 150
It’s been quite a week for student loans. Navient and FedLoan, two of the biggest student loan servicers have thrown up their hands and said, “We’re out.” Listen in as I explain what’s happening with student loans right now. I’ll also talk about the timeline for the servicer transitions and what it might mean for you. I’m excited about what some of these changes can mean for our clients, but I’m also cautious. So, buckle up and let’s get started. In today’s episode, you'll find out: Why I’m worr...
Oct 05, 2021•47 min•Ep. 149
No one should be forced to keep a job where burnout, stress, and overwork have become the norm. Jessica Medina is a lawyer and Accredited Financial Counselor who helps her clients “build the money habits they need to actually build wealth.” Listen in as Jessica shares her own experience leaving a series of prestigious roles in Big Law that she felt trapped in, and her journey to becoming an advocate for other professionals looking to do the same. In today’s episode, you'll find out: Why Jessica ...
Sep 28, 2021•45 min•Ep. 148
Student loan loopholes aren’t always a good thing. While many loopholes can benefit borrowers by helping them pay less on their student loans, some can end up doing more harm than good. Listen in as I dismantle eight loopholes that actually aren’t loopholes, from rolling your student loan into a mortgage or practice loan to borrowing from your parents to relying on your spouse’s ability to pay for your tuition and living expenses while at school. In today’s episode, you'll find out why these loo...
Sep 21, 2021•46 min•Ep. 147
In this episode’s consultant takeover, Molly Laughter, MBA CFA, CFP®, and Meagan Landress, CSLP®, dive deep into the student loan repayment loopholes that are available for borrowers — depending on certain factors such as family situation and where they live. Molly and Meagan also discuss tax implications, including those for individuals or families who live in a community property state versus those who don’t, as well as for those who live abroad and earn foreign income. In today’s episode, you...
Sep 14, 2021•51 min•Ep. 146
There’s a lot of talk around the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. In the last several months, we saw new developments unfold, and there’s no doubt we’ll see more changes in the years to come. I’m diving in and giving my thoughts on the current state of PSLF and what we could expect come election season in 2024 and beyond. In today’s episode, you'll find out: Why very few borrowers qualified in the beginning of the program Why most people who apply for PSLF are denied Why graduates after ...
Sep 07, 2021•37 min•Ep. 145
Was your decision to take out a student loan the right decision? In this episode, I make the case that student debt isn’t only the right decision, but a fantastic one. It can feel like a burden, but it’s also a massive opportunity to gain access to high-income skills that you can use to maximize your potential and leave a lasting impact. In today’s episode, you'll find out: Why I think student loan debt is a good thing Why you shouldn’t wait to apply for PSLF, despite FedLoan leaving Whether cas...
Aug 31, 2021•50 min•Ep. 144
If you’ve ever been told the average student loan debt for your program or degree, this episode is for you. Join me for a Q&A followed by a discussion on why focusing on median and average student loan debt statistics is a waste of time, and why those statistics cause all kinds of problems when it comes to higher education policy. In today’s episode, you'll find out: Listener questions about recent student loan volatility How part-time hours can qualify you for PSLF How to use strategic refi...
Aug 24, 2021•48 min•Ep. 143
Senior Consultant Rob Bertman, CFA, CFP®, joins me in this episode as we take a deep dive into the current state of the housing market. With so many people on the fence about buying a new home this year, Rob and I tackle the most important things to consider before making that all-important decision. Listen in as we discuss how to navigate unpredictable supply chains and fluctuating material costs when renovating your house, questions to ask yourself in the process of deciding whether to buy a h...
Aug 17, 2021•47 min•Ep. 142
Many people feel like they need to make a higher income or invest more to advance to the next level of the economic ladder… but do you? Is it worth striving to become an upper middle class American? Join me as I discuss the various things you need to do at each income level (lower class through upper middle class) to break through to the next level and achieve financial security and wealth. In today’s episode, you'll find out: Quick tips to adjust your spending and monitor your income The impact...
Aug 10, 2021•37 min•Ep. 141
More important than what kind of student loan plan you have is knowing how to invest. Listen in as I talk to you about investing in this current economy amid red-hot inflation and a booming housing market. I’ll also explain that, while 2021 continues to hold a lot of opportunities, it's also a dangerous time to be investing now that everyone is in the game. Plus, get a discount code for our Six-Figure Debt to Six-Figure Net Worth investing course. In today’s episode, you'll find out: Why investi...
Aug 03, 2021•45 min•Ep. 140
In this episode, I’m joined by Josh Mitchell, a Wall Street Journal reporter and the author of the book The Debt Trap: How Student Loans Became a National Catastrophe to reflect on his observations in the higher education space and how the student crisis came to be. Listen in as Josh explains why the process of taking out a loan is more “opaque” than that of every other credit product and the disruptions that need to take place in order for the current system to change for the better — as well a...
Jul 27, 2021•36 min•Ep. 139
Moving is really stressful. I’d know, having just moved my family and me across the country! Now that the economy is starting to reopen, new opportunities mean that more people are moving to different states. In today’s episode, I discuss the factors that student loan borrowers should consider when making the decision to move states, whether for a job or to buy a house. In today’s episode, you'll find out: What to do if the IRS is slow to process your tax return The EDRP program and when it make...
Jul 20, 2021•41 min•Ep. 138
Jesse Mecham is the founder of YNAB (You Need a Budget). Referring to the business as “an education company that masquerades as a software company,” Jesse created YNAB as a guide to money and an accountability tool that helps its users improve their spending habits, eliminate debt, and save more money. Listen in as Jesse shares his path to success and lessons learned as an entrepreneur. We’ll also talk about his advice on financial planning and buying a house in 2021, saving and building your we...
Jul 13, 2021•44 min•Ep. 137
FedLoan, one of the government's biggest servicers, is ending its contract with the Department of Education in December 2021. What does this mean for you? Travis gives practical advice to get ahead of the problem. We encourage you to send in your questions so we can answer them on the show: https://studentloanplanner.com/voicemail
Jul 08, 2021•7 min•Ep. 136
As investing becomes increasingly popular and accessible, especially with cryptocurrency and NFTs, young adults and students are becoming more interested in making a passive income. But should you really be investing while in school? If so, what are the best ways to invest as a student? Join Rob Bertman, CFA, CFP®, and Molly Laughter, MBA CFA, CFP®, to discuss whether or not investing while in college is a good idea, and how to approach investing, saving, and budgeting the right way. In today’s ...
Jul 06, 2021•50 min•Ep. 136
Side hustles. Why are they getting more popular by the day? Is it worth the extra time, effort, and even money outside your primary job or business to get a side hustle? What’s the best way to start one as the economy opens back up? And how can the right side hustle serve as a great vehicle toward paying down your student loan? Listen in as consultants Molly Laughter, MBA CFA, CFP®, and Dan Rooker, CFP®, CSLP®, answer these questions and more. In today’s episode, you'll find out: What exactly is...
Jun 29, 2021•41 min•Ep. 135
Historically, the American Dream was to simply own your own home. But in this day and age, is getting out of debt the new American Dream? Our consultant takeover continues this week with Meagan Landress and Dan Rooker who unpack that very question. They break down current attitudes—many of which came about as a result of the pandemic—toward purchasing a home, investing, and paying down different kinds of debt. SLP publicist Brittney Lynn makes a guest appearance on the show to discuss how she wa...
Jun 22, 2021•38 min•Ep. 134
With Father’s Day just around the corner, Lauryn Williams sits down with Meagan Landress and Rob Bertman to offer advice to dads who are in the process of helping their kids with their student loans—whether by helping to pay them down or taking on the loan in their name altogether. In today’s episode, you'll find out: When and how to take on a Parent PLUS loan Why you don’t need to pay extra toward your loans if you are going for forgiveness Why it’s more productive to look at your kids’ loans i...
Jun 15, 2021•45 min•Ep. 133
Only a small number of people were approved for PSLF in the first year of eligibility; I expect the 1% acceptance rate for PSLF is the lowest we will ever see and we should look forward to an increase each year. The media has put out quite a few clickbait headlines on PSLF while sharing plenty of inaccurate information. PSLF became a major story in 2018, but I feel despite the backlash that the program is here to stay. Today on the Student Loan Planner® podcast, we will be discussing Public Serv...
Jun 08, 2021•35 min•Ep. 132
Join consultant Lauryn Williams, CFP®, CSLP®, as she addresses the two most common “frequent fails” around handling student loan debt and answers frequently asked questions from clients and podcast listeners. You’ll also learn more about Lauryn, her background, and how she went from Olympic medalist to financial planner. In today’s episode, you'll find out: What our consultants can help you with, aside from issues related to student loans Why you don’t need to pay extra toward your loans if you ...
Jun 01, 2021•39 min•Ep. 131
In celebration of May being Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month, Dan Rooker, CFP®, CSLP®, and Lauryn Williams, CFP®, CSLP®, talk about the “Model Minority” Myth. As they unpack the cultural stereotypes, they dive specifically into how certain long-held beliefs and stigmas among the Asian American community tend to lead to costly education decisions which negatively affect their student loans and career choices, and uncover what we can do as a society to bring awareness to this cru...
May 25, 2021•38 min•Ep. 130
As much as we’re all itching to get back to normalcy in our day-to-day lives, we need to think about how we can ease back into spending on a daily basis without sabotaging the financial goals we’ve set for ourselves throughout the past year, particularly around student loans. In today’s episode, Rob Bertman, CFA, CFP®, sits down with Lauryn Williams, CFP®, CSLP®, and Dan Rooker, CFP®, CSLP®, to discuss five steps to getting ready to spend money again in a post-pandemic world. In today’s episode,...
May 18, 2021•43 min•Ep. 129
