

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

Nov 3, 2020 • 37min
5 Biggest Risks To Your Finances Post-Election
With the election looming, we’re all anxious about what might happen. And with that, a public service announcement: If you haven’t voted, please go vote! Regardless of who wins, there are risks to your finances post-election. I’m sharing the five biggest risks that you should pay attention to - and how to overcome them - once the election season is over. In today’s episode, you'll find out: How candidate policy changes could impact your finances Why you shouldn’t worry about finishing your education How going back to school can help you financially How professional credentials can boost your career Why getting more education is key to financial success Why inflation might not be a bad thing How to know if now is a good time to buy a house How to use low inflation to your advantage as a renter What might be coming down the pipe for student loan reform Why I think the tax bomb will go away in the next four years When to refinance no matter what happens with the election Why financial setbacks won’t matter that much in 2021 How to make better decisions to minimize the financial impact of political leaders Full show notes at: http://studentloanplanner.com/101 Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Subscribe 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

Oct 27, 2020 • 41min
What Will Happen to Student Loans After the Election?
For this milestone 100th episode, I’m joined by all four consultants. Because we’re just one week away from the election, I’m talking with them about the election and what we expect could happen to your student loans regardless of who wins the 2020 presidential election. In this episode, you'll find out: A recap of Travis’ paternity leave Travis’ preferred brand of diapers for his new baby The difference between a “trip” and “vacation” when you’re a parent The probability of there being a “blue sweep” How the Biden plan could impact student loans going forward Bipartisan support that we’ve seen during stimulus discussions How long we think the payment and interest freeze can last Will the consultants get a COVID vaccine when it’s released The impact of inflation of your financial life and spending plans The role of gambling and trading cards in the pandemic Full show notes at: http://studentloanplanner.com/100 Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Subscribe 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

Oct 20, 2020 • 38min
Back to Basics: What You Need to Know About IDR Plans
Justin Harvey, CFP®, and Rob Bertman, CFA, CFP®, explore income-driven repayment (IDR) plans, how each can affect your financial future, and strategies to help you maximize your student loan repayment and keep more money in your pocket. In today’s episode, you'll find out: What the IDR payment cap is and what plans have one Which IDR plans are best for physicians and other high-earning professionals How the Standard Repayment Plan can factor into your IDR plan Which plan is best if you expect a big jump in income The two main strategies you need to pay off student loans When it makes sense to refinance When it’s okay for your student loan balance to grow over time When you should - and shouldn’t - pay extra on your loans What percentage of income each IDR plan uses for their monthly payment How long taxable forgiveness takes The impact of spousal income on student loan payments Full show notes at: http://studentloanplanner.com/99 Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Subscribe 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

Oct 13, 2020 • 40min
Scary Student Loan Stories
Is there anything scarier than student loans? With Halloween just around the corner, student loan experts Lauryn Williams and Meagan Landress share scary updates from 2020 and terrifying student loan stories. In today’s episode, you'll find out: An update on student loan changes so far this year If student loan payments will be suspended after December 31 Should you recertify your income-driven plan before the end of the year Why recertifying your income now could be a smart strategy What to do if your mortgage broker won’t qualify you for a mortgage How to handle student loans if you think bankruptcy is your only choice What happens if you pass away with a student loan balance Can disabled veterans have student debt discharged What to do if you have FFEL loans and want to qualify for PSLF How to figure out how long you’ve been in an income-driven plan Full show notes at http://studentloanplanner.com/98 Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Subscribe 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

Oct 6, 2020 • 42min
Your Student Loan Questions Answered
We have seen a lot of changes to the student loan system over the last few months. The Student Loan Planner team of consultants - Meagan Landress, Lauryn Williams, Justin Harvey, and Rob Bertman - are following the changes to keep you up to date. In this episode, they’re answering your questions to give you the low-down on student loans. In today’s episode, you'll find out: How your payments are calculated if your income goes up How a partial financial hardship factors into your payments Can your servicer kick you off an income-driven repayment plan Pros and cons of employer student loan benefit packages Whether student loans can be discharged in bankruptcy How to take advantage of student loan relief Should you consolidate your FFEL loans How to lower your student loan payments if you’re struggling to pay Will schools lower tuition because of virtual classes Full show notes at http://studentloanplanner.com/97 Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Subscribe 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

Sep 29, 2020 • 56min
Best Tips for Financial Planning: How to Balance Saving, Investing, and Paying off Debt with Student Loans
Student Loan Planner consultants Rob Bertman and Meagan Landress share their best tips to find balance with budgeting, saving, investing, and paying off debt without sacrificing your quality of life. In today’s episode, you'll find out: The right balance between paying off debt and saving for the future The one thing you need to set yourself up for financial independence Why Landress thinks zero-based budgeting is exhausting and what she does instead Bertman’s 3-step process to setting up the perfect budget Strategies to realistically reduce how much you spend each month Why experimenting with budgeting methods can help you long-term How to find balance with your finances as a couple Should you take savings out of the bank to pay off your credit card debt How to prioritize your private student loans with income-driven repayment options Full show notes at: http://studentloanplanner.com/96 Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Subscribe 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

Sep 22, 2020 • 42min
Unique Student Loan Considerations for Physicians
Physicians often ignore their student loan debt because so much of their brain space and emotional energy is dedicated to their vocation of medicine. In this episode, Student Loan Planner consultants Lauryn Williams and Justin Harvey explore unique student loan considerations and strategies for physicians. In today’s episode, you'll find out: An inside look at Justin and Lauryn’s personal lives How Justin and Lauryn each met their spouses Mental health challenges and compartmentalization physicians face Why it’s bad advice to ignore student loan debt during residency Specific strategies to get in front of student loan debt during residency How a student loan consult during residency saved one physician $80k Considerations anesthesiologists must face when choosing employment When working at a hospital might not qualify an anesthesiologist for PSLF Why it might make sense to refinance your physician student loans Why mental health matters in your student loan repayment plan The importance of “following the money” for financial advice Full show notes at: http://studentloanplanner.com/95 Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Subscribe 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

Sep 15, 2020 • 44min
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly About Student Loans and Your Personal Finances
With Travis on paternity leave, the consultants are taking over the Student Loan Planner Podcast. All four consultants come together to share the good, the bad, and the ugly about student loans and your personal finances. In today’s episode, you'll find out: Who are the Student Loan Planner consultants How to make a career change when you have student loans How bad advice from a friend cheated a client out of qualifying for PSLF Sometimes letting your balance grow over time makes sense How to pivot your student loan plan as your life changes The importance of keeping your options open Why every married couple in a community property state needs a consult Why you need to invest in yourself to accomplish financial goals How living abroad can erase your monthly student loan payment Full show notes at: http://studentloanplanner.com/94 Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Subscribe 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

Sep 8, 2020 • 44min
How to Love Your Job (Or Leave It) - Despite your Debt
If you’re frustrated with your job and dreaming about making a change, this episode is for you. I’ll show you the 3 traits you need to learn to love your job. And if you can’t? That’s okay because we’ll talk about the steps you can take to leave your job and do something you love. In today’s episode, you'll find out: How to boost your happiness long term instead of just temporarily How to find gratitude despite student loan debt Why comparison is the thief of joy Why you shouldn’t worry about imposter syndrome How to feel capable of achieving your goals despite your loans Why I left my job in corporate America Steps you need to take to make a change in your career Why you need money even though it can’t make you happy Why it’s okay to go back to school and get a different degree Why you can pursue your passion when you have student loan debt Full show notes at: http://studentloanplanner.com/93 Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Subscribe 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

Sep 1, 2020 • 51min
Best and Worst Jobs During the Pandemic
The pandemic has brought a significant amount of stress into our lives. For borrowers already feeling pressure because of high student debt balances, this might be the breaking point. Which professions regret their career the most? And is it because of the pandemic or because of student loan debt? I reveal what our listeners say are the best and worst jobs during the pandemic. In today’s episode, you'll find out: “Career regret” survey results from 3,000 professionals Why 3x as many people regret their career because of student loan debt Who has the biggest career regret because of coronavirus The best jobs to have during the pandemic Which profession wishes they could get a “do over” because of student loans The key factors that make careers more pleasant during the pandemic The best profession for not worrying about student debt Religious workers can now qualify for PSLF Real quotes from listeners about job satisfaction Why PTs aren’t respected as being a doctor The 2 clear paths to student loan repayment for physicians What to do if you’re unhappy in your career Full show notes at: http://studentloanplanner.com/92 Links mentioned: Leave me a voicemail and your question could be featured on our show Faith leaders now eligible for PSLF Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Subscribe 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