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  • Balancing student loans and other financial goals can feel overwhelming, but it’s absolutely achievable. We’ll guide you through prioritizing your financial goals, from paying off debt to creating a solid foundation with brokerage accounts, retirement planning, and tax strategies for long-term success.

    In today’s episode:

    04:40 Start by building an emergency fund (step 1), making the most of your employer benefits (step 2), and paying off high-interest debt (step 3)

    10:48 Next, invest in a brokerage account (step 4), increase your emergency savings (step 5), and secure disability insurance (step 6)

    21:53 Max out your health savings or flexible spending accounts (step 7), contribute the maximum to your 401(k), 403(b), or 457 (step 8), and ensure you have life insurance (step 9)

    39:56 Finally, contribute the maximum to your Roth IRA, or consider a backdoor Roth IRA if you don’t qualify (step 10), grow your brokerage account (step 11), and plan for long-term goals (step 12)

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    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 [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

  • Payment caps aren’t something most borrowers think about, but they can have a huge impact on anyone using an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan. With ongoing court battles that could reshape repayment options, it's more important than ever to understand what payment caps are, how they work, and why they could mean massive shifts in how borrowers handle their payments and pursue forgiveness.

    In today’s episode:

    01:03 How payment caps work under Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE), Income-Based repayment (IBR) and Pay As You Earn (PAYE)

    06:44 What happens if you can’t get on the income-based repayment plan?

    11:51 Did the Biden administration’s handling of SAVE create more challenges for borrowers?

    13:53 The final outcome hinges on Trump or Harris administration decisions

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    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 [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

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  • Just like physical fitness, financial fitness is key to a healthy life. Discover how personalized financial goals, like a tailored workout plan, can help you build a strong foundation with smart cash flow management, debt control, and a solid emergency savings strategy.

    In today’s episode:

    07:41 Cash flow planning makes it easier to balance your income and expenses
    16:58 A larger emergency fund allows for a higher deductible, which can lower your insurance premiums
    28:30 As life changes, so do your goals, and your savings plan should evolve to keep pace
    38:11 Financial planning is most effective when personalized since everyone’s situation is so different

    Like the show? There are several ways you can help!

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    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 [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

  • Student loan forgiveness has been a political hot potato for years, and recent moves by the Biden administration have reignited fierce debates. I’m breaking down the political chess game behind these battles and where things might go from here.

    In today’s episode:

    09:24 Regulations unintentionally increased debt balances for borrowers
    18:46 The COVID student loan repayment pause triggered a ripple effect
    24:48 Transitioning to executive action after not getting support in Congress
    31:10 Provoked by benefits, costs, and generous terms, Republicans decided to sue

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    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 [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

  • Find out where you stand financially and if you're on track to become a millionaire.

    Financial experts Meagan McGuire and Sim Terwilliger explain how to evaluate savings strategies, balance debt with investments, and avoid overspending. You’ll also learn how understanding opportunity costs can help shape smarter financial decisions.

    In today’s episode:

    06:16 Calculate your current standard of living to estimate retirement expenses

    16:03 Front-load retirement savings early in your career

    21:45 Compare interest rates to prioritize debt repayment or investing

    32:36 Use Investor.gov’s calculator to see where you’re at on your savings journey

    Link mentioned:

    Compound Interest Calculator

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    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 [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

  • Worried about changes to your student loan payments? It could happen if the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan is repealed. Student loan experts Megan McGuire and Sim Terwilliger share how they’re advising clients to rethink their repayment approach.

    In today’s episode:

    05:24 Parent PLUS loan borrowers need a plan B and plan C

    13:44 Fill out a forbearance application to postpone or reduce student loan payments

    24:07 Monthly income-driven repayments (IDR) can spike if you don’t update your income

    31:49 PSLF buyback can give you credit for months that didn’t qualify before

    Link mentioned:

    SAVE Plan Court Actions: Impact on 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 [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

  • Learn how to lower your taxable income and reduce student loan payments by optimizing pretax benefits like 401(k)s, IRAs, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), and more. Financial experts Meagan McGuire and Connor Pierce guide you through these valuable strategies.

    In today’s episode:

    09:18 Strategies for maximizing retirement savings as a sole proprietor

    16:49 How to reimburse medical expenses from previous years tax-free

    26:07 Why a Roth IRA may be a smart choice for a lower-income tax strategy

    34:05 The benefits of filing a tax extension to keep your student loan payment low

    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 [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

  • With recertification deadlines for income-driven repayment (IDR) plans being pushed back repeatedly, there's a growing concern that borrowers may be hit with unexpectedly high payments once these delays finally end. This situation is creating what I call the “IDR recertification time bomb.”

    In today’s episode:

    03:37 Payments could skyrocket to 10 or even 20 times their current amount
    07:03 IDR recertification could lead to chaos if the courts nix the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan
    13:57 Resources for student loan borrowers to prepare themselves

    Like the show? There are several ways you can help!

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    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 [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

  • From mounting credit card and auto loan debt to the less obvious pitfalls of inflation and misguided investment choices, Meagan McGuire and Sim Terwilliger unpack the five financial traps they see student loan borrowers falling into.

    In today’s episode:

    01:41 Credit card debt, average balances by generation, and the best defense against growing balances
    11:02 Car payments, average loan terms, and the pros and cons of buying vs. leasing
    23:14 Unchecked consumerism, the lure of rage-baiting, and the dangers of chasing the status quo
    33:32 Inflation and why investing is crucial to staying ahead
    38:14 Student loans and the high price of not having the right repayment plan in place

    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 [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

  • As legal battles unfold, student loan borrowers face a wave of uncertainty. In this episode, I’ll break down the latest developments from the 8th Circuit Court and explore how their recent rulings could impact the future of student loan forgiveness plans like Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE).

    In today’s episode:

    02:33 The 8th Circuit Court's decision to halt the 400-page SAVE plan
    05:04 My take on why the court may view the Biden administration's actions as illegal
    06:58 Could the court challenge the legality of the ICR statute?
    13:38 Student loan workarounds and strategies from tax filing tips to PSLF buyback

    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 [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

  • Ever wondered how politicians invest? Join me and special guest Meagan McGuire as we discuss the portfolios of Vice President Kamala Harris and other political figures. We'll explore the importance of a balanced portfolio and share our personal experiences on the value of seeking professional advice.

    In today’s episode:

    03:33 Kamala Harris’s portfolio that Meagan calls “vanilla boringness”
    04:58 Senator Clinton's optimized, low-cost, passive investment portfolio
    07:11 Speaker Pelosi’s net worth and a breakdown of direct indexing
    14:54 Trump’s investment portfolio, types of holdings and the value of his real estate
    21:20 Practical takeaways and lessons from their financial strategies

    Link mentioned:
    Coconut tree meme, explained

    Like the show? There are several ways you can help!

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    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 [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

  • 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 [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

  • 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
  • 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 [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

  • 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 [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

  • 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 [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

  • 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.

  • 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 [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

  • 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 [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

  • 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 [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!