Student Loan Planner – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Graduate and professional school just got a lot trickier to finance. With the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act slashing federal loan limits in 2026, figuring out how much you should borrow and whether private loans make sense is a whole different ballgame.

We examine old vs. new borrowing math, which degrees might justify taking out private loans, where the ROI completely falls apart, and how the profession you choose could make or break your financial future.

Key moments:

(01:13) Why borrowing used to function like a 10% “income tax”

(04:50) Who benefits from the old system vs. new 2026 rules

(06:40) Careers where high borrowing still makes financial sense

(10:08) Professions where private loans require careful planning

(22:02) Fields where private loans can seriously hurt your finances

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
• Join SLP Insiders for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member community

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!

Mentioned in this episode:

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Starting to think beyond your student loans? Check out our other show, Financially Free Era. It's about what comes next, investing, building wealth, and designing a life you actually want. Find "Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth" in your podcast app.

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We're bringing you a grab-bag of student loan updates you need to know about. Borrower defense letters are finally going out, long-term forgiveness is being processed (sometimes for borrowers who technically shouldn't qualify yet), and the Department of Education is quietly breaking its own IDR recertification timelines. We walk through what's actually happening, what to do if you're affected, and how to stay in control of your payment when the system isn't cooperating.

Key moments:

(03:16) PSLF buyback and why SAVE calculations are off the table

(06:02) Long-term forgiveness is processing, including some surprising cases three years early

(13:14) How to revoke tax return consent and take back control of your recertification date

(16:52) What to expect when your payment changes after leaving SAVE

(20:29) When your loans are incorrectly coded as Parent PLUS and the workaround to get the right payment 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
• Join SLP Insiders for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member community

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!

Mentioned in this episode:

Free Student Loan newsletter

If you are not already getting our weekly newsletter every Thursday, you are missing out. We break down studio loan news, updates, money tips, all in one helpful newsletter. Sign up for free at https://studentloanplanner.com/newsletter

The SLP YouTube Channel

If you're more of a visual learner or you like seeing charts, breakdowns, and exploring other topics, check out https://youtube.com/studentloanplanner

Fall 2026 is shaping up to be a financial aid cliff. If you're a grad student, parent of a college student, or a current professional school attendee, the shifts in borrowing limits, repayment plans, and the fate of Grad PLUS loans could seriously affect your finances and your future. Listen in as I answer listener questions and then pivot to the big question: what happens if you (or your kid) take out even one new federal loan after July 2026?

Key moments:

(00:42) PSLF Buyback: Which tax years might determine your payment?

(05:48) The tax-extension strategy to keep a lower IDR payment for another year

(11:53) Taking out just one loan after July 2026 blocks you from everything but the RAP plan

(15:18) Parents borrowing on behalf of a child face especially bad news

(18:23) Should you gamble your financial future? The "retire with defaulted Parent PLUS loans" strategy

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
• Join SLP Insiders for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member community

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 last few weeks have been a lot — election chaos, tensions running high, and now Thanksgiving is knocking on the door. If the thought of sitting at the table with family members who have very different opinions makes you cringe, you're not alone. We've brainstormed tons of fun and unconventional methods to sidestep political tension, avoid unnecessary drama, and maybe even have a little fun. Plus, we'll explore the power of gratitude, the tactical use of distraction, and even a few spicy clap-back comebacks for when things get a bit too heated. Think of it as your guide to surviving the holidays without losing your cool (or your plate of pie).

Key moments:

(03:16) Turn the table into a stage with over-the-top campaign speeches for the best side dish (05:28) How to keep stressful conversations in check without drawing attention (13:05) Push boundaries with a bold clap-back (or stick to the nod-and-smile technique for a drama-free approach) (20:06) Two ways to handle conspiracy theories: a smooth exit or playful engagement (23:12) A low-key hack for escaping post-meal chaos while earning brownie points Turkey, Tension, and Dodging Drama

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!

It's an unlikely scenario, but the possibility of President Trump abolishing the Department of Education in his second term is a hot topic that's sparked questions and concerns among student loan borrowers. We'll explore what that might mean, unpack the fears and anxieties expressed by our listeners, and provide context around the policy implications. Plus, stick around for our "listener mailbag," where we tackle specific questions and worries that have been pouring into our inboxes.

Key moments:

04:31 Republicans' plan is not actually to eliminate the Department of Ed 10:21 How to handle income recertification for IDR plans during job gaps 16:04 Will the discontinued PAYE plan return amid changes? 22:37 Timing actions around the 0% interest period for student loans

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!

Ready to turn up the heat on your finances before 2024 comes to a close? We've packed this episode with 15 savvy, high-impact financial moves to help you finish the year on top. From maxing out retirement contributions and exploring tax loss harvesting to utilizing backdoor Roth strategies and refinancing high-interest debt, we're covering it all. We'll also discuss year-end must-dos like reviewing your insurance, managing FSA funds, and checking your credit report. Tune in to make the most of the final stretch of 2024 and set yourself up for a strong start in 2025.

Key moments:

04:05 Tax-loss harvesting and backdoor Roth IRA can help trim your tax liability 09:47 A personal story on listing income sources to stay in the clear with the IRS 13:40 With interest rates coming down, now might be the perfect time to refinance student loans or your mortgage 17:42 Important tips on updating insurance coverages and taking advantage of open enrollment benefits

Links mentioned:

• The Next 4 Years of Student Loans: Major Changes Are Coming
• Check Student Loan Refinance Interest Rates
• IRS Tax Withholding Estimator

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!

With Trump's unexpected victory in the popular vote and key swing states, and a likely Republican majority in Congress, significant changes to student loan policies may be on the horizon. We'll look at possible shifts in Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) that could make it harder to qualify, and the potential elimination of the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan. We'll discuss recent court rulings that could reshape repayment strategies, like the 8th Circuit Court decision on the Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) statute. We'll also touch on political dynamics influencing these changes, including Republican and Democratic strategies, the implications of past proposals like the Prosper Act, and what borrowers need to consider moving forward.

Key moments:

04:18 Likely elimination of the SAVE plan — when should you consider switching to a different repayment option? 08:27 Republicans are making their own IDR plan and how past proposals threatened borrowers 18:42 Loan forgiveness potential might be more generous than we think 24:22 Potential for major policy changes under Trump's second term

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!

Could your tax filing status save you thousands on student loan payments? You're about to find out. We're discussing how choosing to file jointly or separately can impact your student loan repayment strategy. You'll hear about real-world scenarios, from high-income couples evaluating their tax implications to the strategic benefits of filing separately in community property states. Plus, we'll explore how recent legislative scrutiny on loan repayment plans could affect your financial planning.

From navigating recertification dates to leveraging tax extensions, you'll gain practical insights that could reshape the way you manage your taxes and student loans.

Key moments:

• 05:18 Should a dual-dentist household file taxes separately? A real case study

• 18:00 Myths vs. reality of tax filing extensions

• 22:13 How filing taxes separately changes everything in a community property state

• 26:42 A physician-teacher couple cashes in on the breadwinner loophole

• 35:31 Reclaim your money by amending your MFS tax return

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!

Have you ever wished you could give your debt — and even your degree — back? The weight of student loans is no joke, but returning it won't improve your life. The truth? You're underestimating the position you're in. A professional degree offers more job security, higher income potential, and better protection during economic downturns. Stop beating yourself up and start recognizing the smart financial decisions you've made.

In today's episode:

05:04 Your career choice might not impact your happiness as much as you think 10:22 Feeling stress and shame? You're in a better position than you think 12:26 Prioritizing happiness and setting healthy financial boundaries

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!

Bringing a child into the world is one of life's greatest joys — and one of its biggest financial commitments. With so much to consider, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Learn real-life insights, personal stories, expert advice and practical tips to help make this transition as smooth as possible.

Key moments:

09:13 Health insurance coverage, costs, co-pays and coinsurance explained 14:44 How to take parental leave without going broke 20:12 Hidden advantages of pregnancy on your student loan payments 29:18 Balancing life insurance, estate planning and retirement goals

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!