
Student Loan Planner
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.
Latest episodes

Aug 20, 2024 • 14min
What is the Student Loan Opt Out?
The latest on the Biden administration’s student loan cancellation program includes opt-out provisions that have left many scratching their heads. I’ll cover that and explain the legal back-and-forth and endless policy changes of student loan repayment, so you don’t have to feel so alone. In today’s episode: 00:36 The 8th Circuit Court ruling means everything about the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan is going to stay locked down 05:58 Positive outcomes that benefit borrowers 08:16 The reason behind the opt-out provision (hint: it's not about choosing to opt out) 10:26 Stay positive and focus on financial strategies that you can control 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!

Aug 13, 2024 • 36min
How to Switch Jobs with Student Loans
Switching jobs is about more than employee benefits and compensation packages when you’re a student loan borrower. Student loan advisors Connor Pierce and Jake Courtney explore how federal student loans can adapt to income changes, making them less stressful when contemplating career moves or starting a business. In today’s episode: (06:10) Analyze Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) vs. private employer repayment options (13:29) Calculate hourly pay rate to assess commuting worth (20:27) Before you switch, check your vesting schedule (27:36) COBRA coverage and why it might be better than an ACA plan 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

Aug 6, 2024 • 14min
Why Pre-COVID Student Loan Rules Are Back (For Now)
The labyrinth of pre-COVID student loan rules are making a dramatic return. I’ll explore the Biden administration's key regulations impacting Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and income-driven repayment (IDR) plans, the legal battles putting these changes on ice, and what it means for borrowers caught in the middle. In today’s episode: 01:50 Revival of Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) plans 04:45 PSLF borrowers have less to worry about, plus the “buyback provision” 08:03 Borrowers going for 20 and 25 year forgiveness could switch plans 12:46 The silver lining of choosing to do nothing 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!

Jul 30, 2024 • 36min
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Disability Insurance
Dennis Hornsby, licensed insurance agent, joins me to discuss the critical role of disability insurance in protecting your income and lifestyle. He shares his expertise on the advantages of purchasing coverage early to secure lower rates and the ethics of choosing the right broker. If you're a high-income professional or have student debt, you won't want to miss this. In today’s episode: 05:19 Employer-provided group policy vs. one you purchase yourself 12:46 Residency and fellowship disability insurance discounts 19:24 An honest agent will sacrifice commissions to help you save on policy costs 24:36 Every year you wait to buy a policy, your rates can go up $10 to $20 per month Link mentioned: SLP Insurance disability policy quote 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!

Jul 23, 2024 • 1h 3min
Independent Multi-Practice Veterinarian on Conquering Ownership Fears
I had an inspiring conversation with Dr. Mike Walker, a veterinary practice owner. Listen is as he shares his journey from graduating vet school in 2017 with significant student loan debt to owning Apollo Vet, a clinic worth between $4 to $5 million today. In today’s episode: 04:46 Preparing financially before starting a business 16:51 Fear of the unknown, business opportunities and financial projections 30:43 The role of mentors in starting a business 40:24 You don't need to be an expert to launch a startup Links mentioned:Find Dr. Mike Walker on Instagram 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!

Jul 19, 2024 • 10min
Emergency Pod: SAVE Plan Blocked
The Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan is being temporarily blocked by an appeals court, and the whole plan could be in jeopardy. No new sign ups are allowed, but this is not the final word. Here’s what you need to know.

Jul 16, 2024 • 30min
SAVE Plan Could be Toast
The Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan faces legal heat. Two separate lawsuits, one in Missouri and another in Kansas, each attacking the plan from a different angle. Is the SAVE plan in danger of disappearing? I’ll explain what the lawsuits mean for student loan borrowers and why they’re a risk to the SAVE plan, so you know exactly what’s going on. In today’s episode: 02:04 The Missouri and Kansas lawsuits could go all the way to the Supreme Court 07:17 Progressive groups advocate freezing the student loan system 17:54 My advice for borrowers caught in the middle 24:03 Tax-free forgiveness for borrowers in the private sector expires in 2026 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!

Jul 9, 2024 • 21min
PSLF on Pause
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) has been on pause since May while servicing transitions away from MOHELA, causing waves. Student Loan Advisors Sim Terwilliger and Sam Silberstein dissect what these shifts mean for borrowers. Learn the new processes for submitting and tracking PSLF forms through StudentAid.gov, the impacts of administrative forbearance, and the long-term outlook for PSLF. In today’s episode: 06:23 How the pause in submissions during May and June affect processing 08:43 When forbearance counts for PSLF forgiveness, and when it doesn’t 14:50 Avoid complications by submitting employment certification annually 20:15 Borrowers can audit student loan payment counts Links mentioned: PSLF Help Tool StudentAid.gov 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!

Jun 27, 2024 • 35min
SAVE Plan Injunction: What It Means For Student Loan Borrowers
The student loan world continues to change. Looming deadlines are approaching and there is an injunction to the Saving on A Valuable Education (SAVE) plan. Listen in as student loan experts Kathleen Boyd, CFP®, CSLP® and Lauryn Williams, CFP®, CSLP®, AFC® answer your burning questions. Including factors and considerations for the SAVE plan injunction, Pay As You Earn plan, Income Contingent Repayment plan and IDR waiver. SAVE injunction news SAVE risk tolerance Pay As You Earn final call FAQs: When will forgiveness happen? Why is there an injunction? Should I stay on my student loan repayment plan? Income Contingent Repayment final call ICR and Parent PLUS Borrowers considerations IDR waiver consolidation considerations When will there be more student loan updates? Student loan deadlines to be aware of 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!

Jun 25, 2024 • 32min
Last Call for PAYE, ICR and the IDR Waiver
A looming June 30, 2024, deadline means big changes for student loan borrowers. Student loan experts Lauryn Williams and Connor Pierce explain why this is the last call for the IDR waiver, Pay As You Earn (PAYE) plan and Income Contingent Repayment (ICR) plan. Learn what’s at stake with these benefits phasing out and how to avoid costly mistakes. In today’s episode: 03:58 Last chance for Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and why it’s crucial for professions with escalating incomes 13:30 Income Contingent Repayment (ICR) is going away for borrowers who don’t have Parent PLUS loans 20:24 IDR waiver benefits before they expire and why you might need to consolidate your loans before June 30, 2024 30:19 Undergrad borrowers on Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) could see their payments drop July 1, 2024 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!
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