Student Loan Planner

If the GOP reform bill moves forward, lowering your adjusted gross income (AGI) won’t just be helpful, it’ll be more important than ever for student loan borrowers. We explore what could change, who’s most at risk, and what steps you can take to protect your paycheck. From maxing out pre-tax retirement contributions and HSAs to leveraging self-employment and smarter tax planning, we’ll walk you through practical ways to lower your AGI — and why it might be the biggest factor in your student loan repayment. Key moments: (04:18) Business owners may gain an edge with deductions if the GOP bill becomes law (07:53) Many haven’t felt the full weight of student loan payments in a while — that may soon change (13:55) If this bill passes, 1099 or self-employed work might offer major financial advantages (16:05) Expect to lose 50–60% of your income to loans and taxes unless you lower your AGI Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Subscribe to the newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!  

Get real answers to real questions student loan borrowers are asking about PSLF processing delays, confusing buyback calculations, switching repayment plans, and trying to understand how recent legislation might affect their loans. You’ll get the latest updates on what’s happening behind the scenes and what those changes could mean for you. We also cover practical, actionable steps, like how to time your income recertification, what to consider if you’ve had a long forbearance period, and a lesser-known deferment option for borrowers undergoing cancer treatment. Key moments: (02:58) PSLF buyback uses the lower payment: before or after forbearance, whichever is smaller (13:30) Forgiveness is likely best when student debt is double your income or more (19:59) SAVE plan delays create confusion; should you switch IDR plans or wait it out? (31:29) Moving abroad may lower your AGI and help secure smaller payments toward forgiveness (35:45) FMLA and income recertification: what to know before submitting updated income documentation Links mentioned:  Apply for income-driven repayment (IDR) plans Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Subscribe to the newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!  

Student loan reform just cleared the House in what’s officially called the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill.” If it becomes law, it could overhaul repayment into just two plans: the Old IBR plan and a new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) that scales payments between 1% and 10% of income over 30 years. But nothing is final. The next step is the Senate, where the path forward is less certain. We explore what the House bill includes, what changes could mean for current and future borrowers, and the broader implications for repayment, forgiveness, and access to education. Learn about key policy details, potential legal challenges, and what you should watch as the conversation continues in the weeks ahead. Key moments: (05:41) If courts strike down SAVE, it could force a rewrite of the student loan section of the bill (07:55) Changing voter turnout patterns could reshape midterm election outcomes in unexpected ways (11:35) Future students may lose PSLF eligibility for residency programs (14:44) Proposed changes could hit universities hard, leading to major job losses across higher education (17:16)  Estimate your RAP payment to see what’s affordable and compare your repayment options Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Subscribe to the newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

Unpack the intricacies of the Repayment Assistance Plan and why it could reshape student loan repayment. Dive into the uncertainties surrounding its implementation and the political backdrop influencing the movement. Consider the potential inequality in graduate professions as affluent students might dominate if changes occur. Also, explore the proposed tax on endowments and how it may alter the landscape of educational borrowing and financial aid. This conversation is packed with insights that could impact borrowers profoundly.

The proposed Republican student loan bill is shaking up repayment strategies. While undergraduates may benefit, graduate borrowers face potential devastation. Key changes could include eliminating PSLF and imposing strict loan limits that might hinder first-generation students pursuing advanced degrees. The intricate legislative process could see this bill reaching the President soon. Detailed insights into these shifts and practical foresight for borrowers are discussed, making it essential listening for anyone with student loans.

Exciting changes are on the horizon! The show is evolving into a new podcast focused on advanced financial planning. Listeners will discover how to optimize savings and tackle new financial goals after managing their student loans. This transition marks the beginning of a fresh chapter in financial freedom, making it easier to navigate the next steps in personal finance.

Can saving too much actually be detrimental? Discover how financial planners may push clients to invest instead of enjoying their bonuses. Dive into the hidden conflicts of interest in financial advising that compromise personal goals for profit. The discussion reveals that many overspend on things they don’t truly value. Learn about the vital importance of tailored advice and ethical guidance, ensuring that financial decisions genuinely prioritize your well-being rather than merely serving someone else's interests.

Want to keep more money in the family? Hiring family members in your business can translate into some big tax savings — and set your kids up to get ahead with their own savings. Fresh off tax season, we explore the ins and outs of putting kids and spouses on the payroll, weighing the pros and cons, and sharing actionable tips for business owners looking to leverage this strategy. You’ll also learn compliance essentials, common pitfalls, and the legal frameworks you need to keep in mind, whether you're running a dental practice, a family restaurant, or thinking about getting started as an entrepreneur. Key moments: (07:04) Practical tasks your child can do legitimately in your business (12:15) How hiring family can help you qualify for valuable QBI tax deductions (14:40) Choosing the right business structure impacts family employment tax advantages (22:06) Guidelines for staying compliant with federal child labor laws (34:50) Balancing your child's income to optimize college financial aid eligibility Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Subscribe to the newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!  

House GOP has proposed a new bill that would radically reshape student loans for years to come. But it would also impact existing borrowers too if were to pass.

Got student loan questions weighing on you? You're definitely not alone. This week, we're opening up the Student Loan Planner mailbag to tackle some of the most pressing issues borrowers are facing. Should you switch IDR plans? Is Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) buyback the right move? We also address the very real frustrations with federal loan servicers — the long hold times, the inconsistent information, and the impact of staffing shortages. Beyond that, we'll cover practical tax filing strategies that could lead to significant savings, how to identify potential calculation errors in your loan details, and offer an update on the ongoing delays with forgiveness applications. If you’re ready for clarity on your student loans, this episode delivers the answers you need in 2025. Key moments: (04:37) Stressing about interest accrual could be counterproductive on your path to loan forgiveness (07:45)  The PSLF buyback steps, and remember your qualifying payments don't need to be consecutive (16:53) Despite common talk of "old" and "new" IBR, there is technically only one Income-Based Repayment plan (26:07) A payoff strategy for a high-income physician facing loans without PSLF (43:33) Military families face unique PSLF considerations, with state residency affecting community property rules Links mentioned:  Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Plan Request PSLF Help Tool Compare refinancing lenders   Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Subscribe to the newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!