Navigating Student Loan Debt

Managing a substantial student loan debt of nearly $300,000 requires a strategic approach, especially for graduates entering high-salary professions like medicine. The importance of aligning debt levels with potential earnings is emphasized, with a recommendation that total student loan debt should not exceed the first-year salary. For graduates with high initial salaries, it's crucial to avoid lifestyle inflation after school to facilitate faster debt repayment while also investing adequately for future financial goals. This situation illustrates the need for financial discipline and the application of a structured financial order of operations to effectively manage debt while building wealth.