

Student Loan Planner
Travis Hornsby
Travis helps you navigate the insane world of student loans, especially if you owe $20,000 to $1 million. If you've ever spent too much time on the phone with your loan servicer, this is the show for you. Every week we share tips on loan forgiveness, investing, crushing debt, and how to get to financial freedom when you owe more than most people's mortgage.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 21, 2023 • 24min
How the Silicon Valley Bank Collapse Impacts Student Loans
Hold onto your hats folks, because we're diving headfirst into the Silicon Valley Bank failure. I will explain why the government intervened when they did and what they did to combat the rising panic in the banking industry. I’ll also explore the potential implications of this failure on interest rates for mortgages and student loans, and why it’s important for you to stay informed. Additionally, I will share my analysis of the government's potential strategy on student loan forgiveness, and the reasons behind the denial of some Parent PLUS consolidation applications. So sit back, relax, and join me as we dive in. In today’s episode, you'll find out: What is the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and why is it important Why SVB failed What a “bank run” is and why it’s bad What can cause a bank to fail What the government can do to help a failing bank Why the government stepped in when it did during the SVB failing How SVB failing can affect you as a consumer How the failure of SVB can lead to changes in interest rates and affect loans and mortgages Why the federal government may put a longer pause on student loan repayments Why Parent PLUS consolidation applications may be getting denied more often What the Parent PLUS consolidation loophole is Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts Follow on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn 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 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!

Mar 14, 2023 • 22min
Sofi Sues To End The Student Loan Pause
On Friday, March 3rd 2023, private student loan company SoFi filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education, hoping to overturn the most recent payment pause extension. SoFi, a private student loan company known for its partnership with the LA Rams stadium, has seen a drastic 90% drop in revenue due to the COVID pause, and they’ve decided to take action against it now. What does this mean for you? Check out this episode as I discuss this controversial topic and what you can do now to prepare for the upcoming weeks. In today’s episode, you'll find out: A disclosure statement about SoFi and MOHELA Why SoFi is suing now over the Heroes Act SoFi’s recent quarterly results A possible reason for the actions of the Heroes Act legal team How this lawsuit will affect you Will this affect the new student loan repayment plan SoFi’s motivation and one way the Biden administration could respond Why we need the IDR Waiver FAQ now How to prepare for the next six weeks Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts Follow on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn 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 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!

Mar 7, 2023 • 28min
Avoid the Siren Songs of Student Loans
Student loans are a huge source of anxiety for many borrowers. Wondering how you’ll pay them off can feel like a weight that you have to carry around, which has led to lots of folks making unsound or unnecessary financial decisions. It’s what I call the “siren songs of student loans.” When you think back to Greek mythology, there were sirens that lured sailors to their death with their beautiful songs. Student loans can also have “siren songs” that can lure us into making big mistakes that impact our future wealth growth. In this week’s episode, I’m talking about how you can avoid the seven most common siren songs of the student loan world and why student loans shouldn't stop you from living your best life. In today’s episode, you'll find out: Why focusing on the interest rate above all else is a mistake How to avoid only seeking out PSLF-eligible jobs You don’t need to fixate on student loan repayment assistance How to take on additional debt for school – the right way Why NOT to pay for school with cash The “false idol” of debt-free hustle culture Why you should consider leaving a job you hate, even if you still have loans Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts Follow on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn 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 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!

Mar 2, 2023 • 24min
Emergency Pod on the Supreme Court Case
Breaking news on the Supreme Court Case

Feb 28, 2023 • 46min
What Comes After the Student Loan Cancellation Lawsuit
Listen in as Meagan McGuire, CSLP®, and Dan Rooker, CFP®, CSLP®, share the results of the Supreme Court case on cancellation… just kidding. While we'd love to dive into how the case plays out, we recorded this episode prior to the verdict. But don't worry, we've got plenty of other valuable insights to share. We’re taking a closer look at the new Revised Pay As You Earn plan, commonly referred to as the "new REPAYE," and assessing whether it's a good fit for you. Plus, over the past few years, student loan freezes have influenced how people file taxes. How does the situation you’re in now impact how you should file for 2022? Things will continue to change with the results of the most recent Supreme Court case coming out, but there are still plenty of ways to plan how you’re going to file for this year. Then, we’ll discuss some of the nuances that are affecting student loan borrowers right now, loan consolidation, and as always, we'll be sharing some intriguing stories from our email inbox. In today’s episode, you'll find out: The results of the Supreme Court case on cancellation…jk jk If new REPAYE is a good plan for you 1098-E tax form nuances with consolidations Whether married couples should file 2022 taxes together or separately Impacts of filing separately for income-driven repayment The tax deduction for federal student loan interest during the freeze Delays on loan forgiveness with the PSLF waiver Information on consolidating your loans How address changes impact your double consolidation paperwork Consolidation with respect to the LDR waiver Email inbox storytime Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts Follow on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn 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 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!

Feb 21, 2023 • 41min
Intentional Budgeting: Spend Sustainably Without Sacrificing Your Dream Life
Student loans payments will likely kick back in sometime in 2023, so now is the time to reevaluate your spending and saving habits. Are you truly living the life you want to live? How do YOU define your own success? Today, Meagan McGuire, CSLP®, and Lauryn Williams, CFP®, CSLP®, discuss how to change your budget so that it’s working for you. And no, they aren’t going to tell you to quit eating at restaurants or supporting your local coffee shop! This episode is all about how you can adjust your life right now to spend your money on the things that actually matter and bring you joy. No matter what your goals are, it’s always the right time to invest in you. So let’s dive in! In today’s episode, you'll find out: Intentional spending and budgeting How to align your spending with your values How to prioritize your spending How to say “no” to things that aren’t aligned with your goals The importance of supporting small businesses Different ways to support small business owners The differences in how you feel when you use credit or debit cards, or cash How to invest in a socially responsible way How to donate your time or money to important causes without sacrificing your needs Questions to ask yourself before making a budget Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts Follow on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn 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 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!

Feb 14, 2023 • 45min
Free College for Everyone with New IDR
Keeping up with how student debt is changing in this country can be a headache. That’s why I want to help you figure out how to use the existing system to your benefit right now in ways that could be life-changing. Today, I’m answering quite a few listener questions — lots of our listeners had Parent PLUS Loans on their minds, and maybe you do, too. Then, I dive into the Biden Plan for “free public college,” which may not be exactly what it sounds like, but you could still massively benefit if you set up a plan that uses your current situation to your benefit. In today’s episode, you'll find out: What is the double consolidation loophole Advice on Parent PLUS Loans for parents Does the advice apply to private student loans If you should continue with the loophole method How to navigate student loan repayment as things continue to change Whether you should file your taxes separately or joint-file How much the new tax plan could cost Biden’s plan for “free public college” and how to use it to your advantage How to provide an inheritance to your kids How to pay back your student loans Links mentioned: Got a student loan question? Leave me a voicemail Parent PLUS Loan double consolidation loophole Get a student loan plan StudentAid.gov Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts Follow on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn 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 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!

Feb 7, 2023 • 44min
Grab Bag Q&A: Navigating the Student Loan Repayment Maze
Join student loan consultants Lauryn Williams, CFP®, CSLP®, and Meagan McGuire, CSLP®, as they answer questions from clients about student loans. Learn about the revamped REPAYE plan, forgiveness timeline for undergraduate and graduate loans, and discretionary income guidelines for repayment. They also dive into the tax implications of loan forgiveness, the difference between FFEL and Direct Loans, when the long-term benefits of federally held loans outweigh the advantages of refinancing, and more. In today’s episode, you'll find out: Questions about the new repayment plan The forgiveness timeline of the new REPAYE plan When to save up for the tax liability to get ahead of the game How the option of married-filing-separately could be impacted Why you don’t need to have a tax return to calculate your payment What you need to know if you feel like you're the only one making student loan payments How to get help with student debt Why you may need a student loan consultation even if you think you don't How do you go about the double consolidation on timing When can you start preparing for the double consolidation What to do if you’ve been laid off How to get your money back if you’ve been making student loan payments during the payment pause Link mentioned: StudentAid.gov Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts Follow on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn 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 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!

Jan 31, 2023 • 55min
Optimizing Your Finances: Do's and Don'ts for Reaching Financial Goals
You can optimize your finances in many ways. To reach your goals, there are some things you need to do, but others you should avoid. If you don’t want to look back at the end of the year and say, “I wish I would have done that…”, this podcast is for you. Join Lauryn Williams, CFP®, CSLP®, and Meagan McGuire, CSLP®, as they talk about how to ditch misconceptions that can mess up your whole year, the right moves to overcome challenges and how to make 2023 your best financial year. In today’s episode, you'll find out: Why you should book a consultation even if you don’t think you need it What is the new Pay As You Earn plan Why you might need to enroll in PAYE right now Why budgeting isn’t the ‘big bad B word’ How to budget your expenses to save more and maximize your paycheck When you should never leave a balance on your credit card The first line of defense when dealing with or avoiding debt How a budget can help you avoid identity theft or credit card fraud The biggest mistake people make in 2023 The importance of estate planning documents Why you need life insurance and disability insurance to protect your family and finances Why you should add money to your 401(k) even if your employer doesn’t match it The top retirement and investing mistakes to avoid How retirement saving can lower your student loan payments Link mentioned: Find a doctor mortgage lender Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts Follow on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn 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 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!

Jan 24, 2023 • 24min
New REPAYE Plan: What it Means and Why it's a Game Changer for Borrowers
Exciting news for student loan borrowers! The new REPAYE plan proposed by President Biden aims to simplify the existing plan and offer more benefits to borrowers. It’s an earth-shattering moment in higher education. A few highlights include being able to file separately for taxes (if you’re married), qualifying for interest subsidies of 100%, and getting a 225% poverty line deduction to lower student loan payments. I’m diving into the nitty gritty details to help you understand how this plan may impact you. In today’s episode, you'll find out: What is the new repayment plan The ins and outs of the family size deduction Who can access the new income-based repayment plan Why the new repayment plan is vital for borrowers Why you need to figure out if PAYE is right for you right now How the Biden Administration modifies the income-driven plan The impact of the changes on student loan borrowers How many borrowers could pay $100 or less on their student loans How we’ll serve this new group of borrowers who needs our advice Will the IDR plan be implemented What to do if you need to apply for a student loan forgiveness waiver What to expect next from student loans Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts Follow on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn 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 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!