Student Loan Planner

What’s the real difference between being a 1099 contractor and a W2 employee? And who actually decides which one you are — your employer or state law? Financial planner Kathleen Boyd, CFP®, CSLP®, CBDA, joins us to unpack the distinctions between these classifications and what they mean for your career, finances, and legal obligations. You’ll learn the IRS guidelines that determine your status, the pros and cons of each, and how being 1099 or W-2 impacts your retirement savings, tax planning, and benefits like Social Security and Medicare. Plus, we’ll discuss unique situations like earning both W-2 and 1099 income from locum tenens work. Key moments: (04:43) Key differences between 1099 contractor income and W-2 employee income (11:16) How IRS rules determine if you’re a 1099 contractor or should be classified as W-2 (17:21) The pros and cons of 1099 vs. W-2 status and how they impact your taxes, retirement, and benefits (30:56) What happens when you earn both W-2 and 1099 income as a locum tenens worker? Link mentioned:  Worker Classification 101: employee or independent contractor  

We’ll look ahead at major changes in student loan repayments under the new Trump administration, with potential IDR recertification deadlines and implications of the 8th Circuit's decisions. Plus, I’ll share a personal story about an investment mistake that cost me thousands and tips so that it doesn’t happen to you.   Key moments:   (01:28) Student loan collections are restarting: what it means for your credit and forbearance (03:49) What cost basis is (and a personal story about how ignoring it cost me thousands) (09:49) Are AUM fees worth it? Breaking down the math (15:06) Understanding technical investing strategies can give you an edge in wealth-building 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!  

Is it possible to buy a home without a credit score? We’re joined by special guest Steve Stewart, podcast editor, who shares how he moved his family to Colorado and secured a mortgage without a traditional credit score. Steve, who hasn’t opened a credit account since 2008, reveals tools and strategies for documenting payment history, navigating homeownership as a single-income household, and overcoming challenges as a self-employed borrower. We also discuss why the credit scoring system prioritizes debt, how professionals with unconventional financial profiles can still secure a mortgage, and how to handle tax reporting, 1099 forms, and business structuring for freelancers and entrepreneurs.   Key moments:   (05:29) The myth that a credit card is safer than a debit card (09:19) Strategies to get a mortgage without a traditional credit score or manual underwriting (21:36) What living without credit means for missing out on card perks (27:13) Simplifying 1099 income reporting and third-party processor confusion     Links mentioned:    eCredable Experian Boost   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 repayment plans are in chaos. From the PAYE and ICR confusion to the ongoing servicer challenges, borrowers face an overwhelming mess. We break down what’s happening, what changes might be coming, and how to stay ahead in an unpredictable system. On the investing side, we’re tackling the dominance of U.S. stocks since 2008, asking whether their reign is coming to an end. We’ll explore the rise of cryptocurrencies, the risks of betting too heavily on any one market, and why diversification remains critical to long-term financial success. Key moments: (01:23) How reopening the ICR plan lets high-income borrowers qualify for forgiveness and PSLF (03:16) U.S. stocks have outperformed international markets by 3.5x since 2008 (07:23) Bitcoin’s wild swings, why it mirrors U.S. stocks but amplifies market moves (11:45) Why investors tend to chase risky stocks and overlook safer opportunities (15:40) The importance of a diversified portfolio for professionals, no matter your student loan debt (16:49) Key investment strategies to prioritize as 2025 approaches   Links mentioned:  Department of Education Announces Borrowers Can Now Apply for Additional Income-Driven Repayment Plans WSJ: Young Men Are Making Risky Bets on Crypto and Politics—and Raking It In Right Now   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 clock is ticking on the double consolidation loophole for Parent PLUS Loans, which closes in July 2025. Learn what this change means, why borrowers must act quickly, and how to make the most of the remaining time. We’ll tackle the big questions: Should you file taxes jointly or separately? How do Medicare penalties and student loan repayments overlap? And what strategies can help you maximize income-driven repayment (IDR) plans before the loophole disappears? Jared Costigan, CFP®, CSLP®, a financial planner with the SLP Wealth team, shares expert advice on preserving retirement savings, aligning Social Security with loan repayment, and leveraging Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Key moments: (05:16) Parent PLUS debt surged 63% from 2015 to 2022 as the cost of college climbs (9:19)  The double consolidation loophole could save you from paying 20% of your retirement income (19:38) Who benefits most from a double consolidation? Borrowers with balances nearing or exceeding their income (27:56) Income planning ties Social Security and loans to retirement timing — don’t overlook it (37:32) Filing taxes separately can lower loan payments but may raise Medicare costs Links mentioned:    Financially Free Physicians podcast Department of Education Parent PLUS Loans Parent PLUS Double Consolidation Loophole Guide for 2025   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!  

This episode is packed with answers to listener questions about student loans. From Public Service Loan Forgiveness rules to spousal consolidation loans, we’re covering real-life scenarios that borrowers face every day. Wondering how family size changes affect payments or what to make of new repayment plans? We’ve got you. Tune in for practical advice, expert tips, and answers to the questions you didn’t even know you had. Let’s get into it!   Key moments:   (04:07) Tackling spousal consolidation loan headaches and finding a way forward (06:44) Why claiming dependents can impact your loan forgiveness taxes (15:41) Nearing forgiveness? Here’s what to know about IBR qualification (18:37) Forbearance confusion: Does processing or administrative forbearance count for PSLF?   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 shocking murder of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO is a tragic story that highlights deeper issues within the health insurance industry — wealth, greed, inequality, and power dynamics — and raises important questions about the prioritization of profits over patient care. We’re taking a closer look at the broader implications of this event and its ties to the systemic challenges healthcare professionals already know too well. Sim Terwilliger, CFP®, CSLP®, joins us and shares a personal connection to the story. We explore the emotions and frustrations it brings up, especially for those working in a system often criticized for putting profit before people. Key moments: (04:35) Unpacking the growing anger toward health insurance companies (10:36) Insurance companies overriding physicians leads to worse outcomes for patients (13:00) A recap of what happened, the manifesto, and the controversial sympathy for the alleged shooter’s motives (21:07) Fear and frustration leave many wondering if change in healthcare is even possible   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 PSLF buyback program could be the key to reaching forgiveness faster, but there’s a catch. You must use exact language in your reconsideration request, or it won’t count. Without it, your request might be dismissed as just an inquiry — seriously. We break down everything you need to know about PSLF buyback, including the steps to get your application right the first time, how this program came to be, and why it’s still available despite the SAVE plan injunction. Plus, we'll touch on the importance of keeping an eye on refinancing rates and what to expect if policies shift under a new administration. If you’re worried about PSLF or wondering how things might change under a different political landscape, this episode has the answers to help calm your nerves. Key moments: (01:51) The exact steps and language needed to apply for PSLF buyback (05:32) How PSLF buyback could save borrowers a ton of money 07:34) Potential impacts if a Trump administration repeals PSLF buyback or the SAVE plan (11:02) How falling refinancing rates could create new opportunities for borrowers   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!  

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!