Social media is overflowing with flashy trends and hyped-up advice, making it easy to feel like you’re missing out. From “get rich quick” schemes to so-called success shortcuts, the constant FOMO can lead to bad financial habits and second-guessing your decisions. We’re exposing the trends that claim to help but actually hold you back. Discover how harmful financial behaviors and misleading investment advice can keep you stuck — and learn how to avoid these traps. Tune in for practical tips to cut through the noise and focus on building real, sustainable financial success. Key moments: (01:39) Influencers say “do this,” but their success doesn’t mean it’ll work for you (10:07) Are you falling behind, or is social media making you feel that way? (22:47) Unqualified influencers sell dreams, but they rarely deliver real results (29:53) Hustle culture glamorizes nonstop work but keeps you from what really matters   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!  

Over the past four years, student loans have been at the center of some of the most dramatic changes we’ve ever seen — both good and bad. We’ll explore the Biden administration’s legislative and executive actions, such as making student loan forgiveness tax-free through the American Rescue Plan, the PSLF waiver, and the introduction of the SAVE plan. Along the way, we’ll unpack the political pressures Biden faced, comparisons to FDR, and the influence of key players like Senator Warren and Richard Cordray. In addition, we’ll examine the political ramifications and speculate about the future of student loan policies under a Republican-controlled government.   Key moments: (06:13) Misrepresented loan repayments paved the way for executive actions (11:01) A once-in-a-generation opportunity to rewrite the social contract (17:57) Why Republicans saw an opening to sue over student loan cancellation (21:13) The SAVE plan’s billion-dollar promise — and why it was never realistic (26:08) Are plans in motion to roll back Biden’s student loan reforms? What we’re hearing 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!  

Roth IRAs are a fantastic tool for building tax-free retirement wealth, but they’re not without their pitfalls. Uncover common Roth IRA mistakes, like contributing too much, missing key deadlines, or triggering taxes you didn’t expect — and how to avoid them. Already made a misstep? Don’t worry. We’ll walk you through how to fix these mistakes, from recharacterizing contributions and correcting excess contributions to handling IRS notices.   Key moments:   (04:35) Why a Backdoor Roth IRA might be right for you (and the new 2025 phase-out limits) (10:01) The five steps to completing a Backdoor Roth IRA (16:32) Common Roth IRA mistakes and how to fix them (19:27) The Pro Rata Rule and its potential tax consequences (24:57) Strategies to avoid taxable conversions 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!  

If you're counting down your final PSLF payments and feeling like you're losing your mind with all the uncertainty, this episode is for you. We'll tackle what's actually worth worrying about when you're close to forgiveness, explore strategies for navigating the final stretch, dig into the PSLF buyback situation, and cover what you need to know about potential new repayment plans and legislative changes on the horizon. Key moments: (01:19) Misinformation about applying for PSLF buyback: What’s real and what’s noise (08:31) Court rulings, tax changes, and what they mean for forgiveness programs (15:14) What to do while waiting for IBR application processing (16:07) New Republican proposal to reset student loan interest rates 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!  

Stuck in holiday traffic? Make the most of your travel time with our curated collection of student loan resources perfect for your commute. We'll explore the latest Pay As You Earn (PAYE) rumors, tackle tricky PSLF payment count challenges, and share a simple yet effective tool to estimate your IDR forgiveness progress while we wait for the Department of Education’s much-anticipated tracker. Key moments: 02:41 New resources you’ll love: Podcasts for dentists, physicians, and veterinarians 05:36 How to pinpoint your payment count if you’re curious where you stand on forgiveness 14:11 Nearing 120 payments? Don’t miss this step-by-step guide we’ve been sharing with our clients 28:23 PAYE might be making a comeback: The pros, cons, and what it could mean for you 
Links mentioned:  PSLF payment tracker through StudentAid.gov https://studentaid.gov/app/api/nslds/payment-counter/summary Financially Free Dentists podcast Financially Free Physicians podcast   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!  

The last few weeks have been a lot — election chaos, tensions running high, and now Thanksgiving is knocking on the door. If the thought of sitting at the table with family members who have very different opinions makes you cringe, you’re not alone. We've brainstormed tons of fun and unconventional methods to sidestep political tension, avoid unnecessary drama, and maybe even have a little fun. Plus, we'll explore the power of gratitude, the tactical use of distraction, and even a few spicy clap-back comebacks for when things get a bit too heated. Think of it as your guide to surviving the holidays without losing your cool (or your plate of pie). Key moments: (03:16) Turn the table into a stage with over-the-top campaign speeches for the best side dish (05:28) How to keep stressful conversations in check without drawing attention (13:05) Push boundaries with a bold clap-back (or stick to the nod-and-smile technique for a drama-free approach) (20:06) Two ways to handle conspiracy theories: a smooth exit or playful engagement (23:12) A low-key hack for escaping post-meal chaos while earning brownie points Turkey, Tension, and Dodging Drama 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!  

It’s an unlikely scenario, but the possibility of President Trump abolishing the Department of Education in his second term is a hot topic that’s sparked questions and concerns among student loan borrowers. We’ll explore what that might mean, unpack the fears and anxieties expressed by our listeners, and provide context around the policy implications. Plus, stick around for our “listener mailbag,” where we tackle specific questions and worries that have been pouring into our inboxes.  Key moments: 04:31 Republicans' plan is not actually to eliminate the Department of Ed 10:21 How to handle income recertification for IDR plans during job gaps 16:04 Will the discontinued PAYE plan return amid changes? 22:37 Timing actions around the 0% interest period for student loans 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!

Ready to turn up the heat on your finances before 2024 comes to a close? We’ve packed this episode with 15 savvy, high-impact financial moves to help you finish the year on top. From maxing out retirement contributions and exploring tax loss harvesting to utilizing backdoor Roth strategies and refinancing high-interest debt, we’re covering it all. We’ll also discuss year-end must-dos like reviewing your insurance, managing FSA funds, and checking your credit report. Tune in to make the most of the final stretch of 2024 and set yourself up for a strong start in 2025. Key moments: 04:05 Tax-loss harvesting and backdoor Roth IRA can help trim your tax liability 09:47 A personal story on listing income sources to stay in the clear with the IRS 13:40 With interest rates coming down, now might be the perfect time to refinance student loans or your mortgage 17:42 Important tips on updating insurance coverages and taking advantage of open enrollment benefits Links mentioned:  The Next 4 Years of Student Loans: Major Changes Are Coming Check Student Loan Refinance Interest Rates IRS Tax Withholding Estimator   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!

With Trump’s unexpected victory in the popular vote and key swing states, and a likely Republican majority in Congress, significant changes to student loan policies may be on the horizon. We’ll look at possible shifts in Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) that could make it harder to qualify, and the potential elimination of the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan. We’ll discuss recent court rulings that could reshape repayment strategies, like the 8th Circuit Court decision on the Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) statute. We'll also touch on political dynamics influencing these changes, including Republican and Democratic strategies, the implications of past proposals like the Prosper Act, and what borrowers need to consider moving forward. Key moments: 04:18 Likely elimination of the SAVE plan — when should you consider switching to a different repayment option? 08:27 Republicans are making their own IDR plan and how past proposals threatened borrowers 18:42 Loan forgiveness potential might be more generous than we think 24:22 Potential for major policy changes under Trump’s second term   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!