Student loan debt can easily get in the way of financial independence, especially if there’s a high interest rate attached to your loans. But should you pay down this debt at the expense of investing for the future? There are several factors we’re going to explore in today’s episode!

Lauren is a physician assistant with a stable W2 job, a house hack, and a side hustle that provides her with a little “fun” money each month. But as she and her partner work toward their goal of reaching FI in twenty years, they’ve got some money issues to work out—namely, how to tackle the $150,000 in student loans hanging over their heads. Should they pay down this debt, invest in real estate, or both? Should they put their retirement contributions on hold? One day, they hope to travel the world and enjoy their favorite pastime, kitesurfing! But should they fast-track this dream before planning for a family?

Lauren is at a crossroads in her journey to FI, and in today’s episode, Scott and Mindy will provide her with an actionable blueprint she can use to achieve her financial goals, career aspirations, and dream lifestyle. Along the way, you’ll learn when to prioritize aggressive debt paydown, how to strike the perfect investment portfolio mix, and important things to consider before starting a family!

Support today's show sponsor, BAM Capital, your path to generational wealth with premier real estate investment opportunities!

In This Episode We Cover

When to pay down student loan debt rather than invest in real estate

Why buying rental property today will leave you with more cash flow in retirement

How to financially plan for weddings, honeymoons, children, and other BIG expenses

Paying off your primary residence versus buying MORE rental properties

How to improve asset allocation with a mix of rentals and retirement accounts

And So Much More!

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00:00 Intro

01:25 Financial “Wellness”

07:01 Lauren’s Money Snapshot

15:51 MAJOR Career Decisions

22:15 FI in 20 Years (or Fewer!)

27:53 Paying Off $150K Student Loans

36:07 Weddings, Honeymoons, & Kids

44:55 Kitesurfing & Traveling the World!

57:39 Pay Down the Mortgage?

01:02:54 Enjoy Life AND Build Wealth!

Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/money-541

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061: Physical therapist and co-founder of the Institute of Physical Art, Vicky Johnson, PT