Student Loan Planner

House GOP has proposed a new bill that would radically reshape student loans for years to come. But it would also impact existing borrowers too if were to pass.

Got student loan questions weighing on you? You're definitely not alone. This week, we're opening up the Student Loan Planner mailbag to tackle some of the most pressing issues borrowers are facing. Should you switch IDR plans? Is Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) buyback the right move? We also address the very real frustrations with federal loan servicers — the long hold times, the inconsistent information, and the impact of staffing shortages. Beyond that, we'll cover practical tax filing strategies that could lead to significant savings, how to identify potential calculation errors in your loan details, and offer an update on the ongoing delays with forgiveness applications. If you’re ready for clarity on your student loans, this episode delivers the answers you need in 2025. Key moments: (04:37) Stressing about interest accrual could be counterproductive on your path to loan forgiveness (07:45)  The PSLF buyback steps, and remember your qualifying payments don't need to be consecutive (16:53) Despite common talk of "old" and "new" IBR, there is technically only one Income-Based Repayment plan (26:07) A payoff strategy for a high-income physician facing loans without PSLF (43:33) Military families face unique PSLF considerations, with state residency affecting community property rules Links mentioned:  * Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Plan Request [https://studentaid.gov/idr/] * PSLF Help Tool [https://studentaid.gov/pslf/] * Compare refinancing lenders [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/refinance-student-loans/]   Like the show? There are several ways you can help! * Follow on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/student-loan-planner/id1446453497?mt=2&ls=1], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6w2qdUPNMEFYr0JzGXNgT1] or Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d675bc81-d6f6-4d5a-b354-864b5008fed7/student-loan-planner] * Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/student-loan-planner/id1446453497?mt=2&ls=1]  * Subscribe to the newsletter [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/podcast-landing/] Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? * Try our free student loan calculator [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/free-student-loan-calculator/] * Check out our refinancing bonuses [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/refinance-student-loans/] we negotiated * Book your custom student loan plan [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/hire-student-loan-help/] * Get profession-specific financial planning [https://slpwealth.com/] Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here [http://studentloanplanner.com/voicemail] or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com [help@studentloanplanner.com] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

Tax season might be in the rearview mirror, but if you're self-employed or earn income outside of a regular paycheck, quarterly estimated taxes are still very much on your radar. We’re showing you how it all fits together — what they are, who needs to pay them, and how to calculate what you owe. Learn key dates to remember, simple ways to estimate your payments, how to use the IRS’s “safe harbor” rule to avoid any unexpected penalties, and simple strategies to avoid underpaying and giving the government an interest-free loan. It’s all about staying ahead without stressing out — or paying more than you have to. Key moments: (01:15) W-2 employees have taxes automatically deducted, while 1099 workers must save and plan on their own (06:28) Simple ways to estimate your tax bill without getting lost in spreadsheets or complicated calculations (17:21) The four big tax due dates to circle on your 2025 calendar right now (20:18) The IRS safe harbor rule helps you avoid penalties, even if your estimates aren’t perfect Like the show? There are several ways you can help! * Follow on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/student-loan-planner/id1446453497?mt=2&ls=1], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6w2qdUPNMEFYr0JzGXNgT1] or Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d675bc81-d6f6-4d5a-b354-864b5008fed7/student-loan-planner] * Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/student-loan-planner/id1446453497?mt=2&ls=1]  * Subscribe to the newsletter [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/podcast-landing/] Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? * Try our free student loan calculator [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/free-student-loan-calculator/] * Check out our refinancing bonuses [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/refinance-student-loans/] we negotiated * Book your custom student loan plan [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/hire-student-loan-help/] * Get profession-specific financial planning [https://slpwealth.com/] Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here [http://studentloanplanner.com/voicemail] or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com [help@studentloanplanner.com] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

The Department of Education dropped a bombshell announcement that would've killed a loophole strategy many of you use to keep your student loan payments manageable, only for the agency to quickly walk it back after public outcry. What actually happened? Was this ED deliberately trying to break the law and eliminate the married filing separate option, or was it just an honest mistake? You’ll hear the latest on how advocacy, lawsuits, and a fair bit of confusion among government officials have shaped repayment, and what it means for your student loan strategy (spoiler: the loophole lives... for now).   Key moments:   (01:58) The income-based repayment (IBR) married filing separate rule is actually written into federal law (05:08) Department of Ed issued a corrective statement claiming the announcement was a mistake (07:15) Recertification dates extended, creating confusion around timeline requirements (09:57) Despite complications, there are positive developments worth highlighting for borrowers (10:58) House GOP advances budget reconciliation bill that could impact student loan programs     Like the show? There are several ways you can help! * Follow on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/student-loan-planner/id1446453497?mt=2&ls=1], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6w2qdUPNMEFYr0JzGXNgT1] or Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d675bc81-d6f6-4d5a-b354-864b5008fed7/student-loan-planner] * Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/student-loan-planner/id1446453497?mt=2&ls=1]  * Subscribe to the newsletter [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/podcast-landing/] Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? * Try our free student loan calculator [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/free-student-loan-calculator/] * Check out our refinancing bonuses [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/refinance-student-loans/] we negotiated * Book your custom student loan plan [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/hire-student-loan-help/] * Get profession-specific financial planning [https://slpwealth.com/] Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here [http://studentloanplanner.com/voicemail] or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com [help@studentloanplanner.com] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

Last week, the market went on a wild ride, and it all started with steep tariff hikes — especially on imports from China. The market’s reaction was fast and furious, with sharp drops and an even quicker rebound. So, what’s the deal with tariffs, and why do they send markets into a frenzy? Learn the basics of tariffs, why uncertainty can send investors into a panic, and how fear, headlines, and knee-jerk reactions fuel market chaos. But it’s not all doom and gloom. We also explore practical strategies for keeping your cool, sticking to your long-term plan, and even turning market dips into opportunities. Listen in for the tools to confidently ride out market storms, make smart decisions, and protect your financial future. Key moments: (01:48) What are tariffs and how did they change last week? (06:07) The impact of tariffs on your investments and what it means for your portfolio (11:20) Don’t let a down market scare you — think of it as a sale if you're investing regularly (13:56) Three common ways people react to market dips and why they matter (20:51) We can’t control the market, but we can control how we protect ourselves from it. Like the show? There are several ways you can help! * Follow on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/student-loan-planner/id1446453497?mt=2&ls=1], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6w2qdUPNMEFYr0JzGXNgT1] or Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d675bc81-d6f6-4d5a-b354-864b5008fed7/student-loan-planner] * Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/student-loan-planner/id1446453497?mt=2&ls=1]  * Subscribe to the newsletter [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/podcast-landing/] Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? * Try our free student loan calculator [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/free-student-loan-calculator/] * Check out our refinancing bonuses [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/refinance-student-loans/] we negotiated * Book your custom student loan plan [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/hire-student-loan-help/] * Get profession-specific financial planning [https://slpwealth.com/] Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here [http://studentloanplanner.com/voicemail] or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com [help@studentloanplanner.com] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!