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We shall explore 6 strategies to payoff student loan debt. Student loan debt is weighing down folks to achieve financial independence. The average outstanding balance is about $35,000 with over $1.4 trillion in total outstanding debt. Student loan debt is growing among older Americans in the 51 to 62 and older than 62. With the increase in 2019 for this group up 10% and 17% respectfully.
 

# 1 The most effective method

  By far the most direct and effective method to pay off your student loan debt is to make extra principle payments. It is essential that any extra payments are applied to principle and not prepaid interest. I do realize that this is obvious and easier said than done. How can you accomplish this? Let’s begin with a simple strategy, set a budget, yes I said it that dirty word a budget. If you need help getting a budget in place see our post on 10 Easy Steps to Creating a Budget that will put you on the path to Financial Independence. For even more assistance grab the best FREE budget tools available! Most folks see a budget as a restriction I will tell you that it actually frees you. It gives you permission to spend. Yes if it is not in the budget you do not spend it. If you really and I mean really want to make that purchase then you budget for it and you have permission to spend. Just keep in mind that your goal is to eliminate your student debt! Get rid of the anchor!
 

#2 Prolong the poor student lifestyle

If you have just graduated and have gotten your first job you are on your way. Instead of living up to your new found wealth continue to live like a broke college student. Guess what you are broke because you have this student debt. Let’s attack it and get it out of your life. The sooner the better. Continue to live like a broke student. May be you could live at home, I know difficult but you want to be debt free from these loans as quickly as possible. Do what’s necessary, eliminate this debt. Free up as much of your budget as you can to pay off the debt. Focus become intense. You do not need to keep this around. Say good bye to it! Oh and by the way the government is not going to save you. This is your debt and you must pay it off.  

#3 Get a side hustle

A nice side business or a second job can help you accelerate getting this paid off. Don’t go out and start a business that will require you to invest capital you do not have. Deliver pizzas, drive Uber, if you are a teacher you could tutor. If you have some other skills you could moon light. Way back when I was young I did tax returns on the side for extra money. The plus side of working an extra job of some sort is that you will not have time to spend money and you can reduce you budget even more. Get this debt paid quickly.
 

#4 Refinance

  I will caution you on this one since you are going to be paying off your debt as quickly as you can it may not make any sense. The interest rate is not the problem the debt itself is the problem. If you decide to refinance make sure you don’t have to pay loan origination fees or any fees at all. You will want the new interest rate to be at least 1% less than your current rate. So on a $35,000 outstanding loan a 1% interest rate reduction will save you $350. Do your homework, how much sooner will this debt be paid if I save $350? Each situation is different, I will not tell you not to refinance but I will tell you do the calculation and understand what an interest rate reduction will save you and how much sooner you will be debt free.    

#5 Seek loan forgiveness programs

  Let’s begin this discussion with the reality that most programs are not worth your time. Often they require you to work in an underserved area that may or may not be safe. They also require you to work for three to five years and as an added incentive you are paid less than market for the work you do. Do your homework get all the facts and make an educated decision. If you want to give back to an inner city and make less while doing it and be debt free in five years then go for it. Be careful here in that some may require you to pay back if you don’t fore fill the entire time period. You may not get any of the forgiveness until after you have fore filled the five years which means you will need to make payments for the five years. Understand what you are getting into and what the pros and cons are if you decide to go in this direction.  

#6 Ask your boss for help

  Well not your boss directly but the company you work for. Many companies may have some sort of student loan debt help. It most likely will require you to stay for a period of time. For example they may pay $5,000 per year but you may need to stay two years beyond the last payment. You need to decide if you are going to stay at this company. If you like your job and the folks you work with this may not be a big deal. It is an individual decision. If you leave sooner you may be required to repay the money you received to pay off the debt. To make sure you do not hand cuff yourself you may want to have this amount set aside. If your company advances you $5,000 and you use it to pay off your debt you may still owe it but to your employer. Unless of course you stay for the required period of time. If you do and don’t have to repay the money given to you, you will have some extra money. Not so bad. Create yourself this little insurance policy.

Additional Thoughts and information

 

Standard repayment is 10 years

  Most student loans have a repayment schedule of 10 years. Really do you want to have this around that long. Get rid of it as quick as you can! Two years is enough reduce the pain? If you can do it quicker the sooner you can get on with the rest of your life.  

Know the details about your loan

  It is important that you know the terms of your loan and the interest rate you are paying. Make certain you will be able to prepay your principle.  

Stay focused

  Getting the loans paid is a process it will take time. As you have worked your way through this process and have determined how much you will pay each month you will know how long it will take. You have a plan stick to it. Think about what you will do with the extra money you will have when this is paid. You will be able to begin saving for something exciting! A nice vacation or a new purchase of some sort. I have laid out the pros and cons of different strategies to eliminate your student loan debt. My goal for you is to find what will work for you and get it out of your life!

Do it now! Become free!

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