Lawyer here. I fall into the 'disgruntled, probably shouldn't have been a lawyer' lawyer. I do litigation, Small law coming from 2 years in midlaw. Not at 100K (I'm never sure if people here mean gross, net, or net after 401k withholdings when they give salary numbers) but close enough net. I won't complainypants the career choice-a whole other topic, but have basically come to the realization that if I had not had my LSAT study year, 3 years of law school, and 5 years of all monies going to paying off 125K in debt, and had followed the principals in this blog, I probably would be looking pretty good 9 years in. Obviously the intansubjective factors come into play here-I didn't have a tangible career like engineering to start me at a salary where I am now, and likely would have had a grass is greener view if I hadn't gone, but still...
That being said, 100 of 125 debt is paid off, with a condo purchase in the interim. Most of that comes from a remarkably sustainable side business I have going on (adding to the law regret). That 25K is still at 6.25%, but I'm far enough into the debt that the declining interest is worth just paying off the loan over time now, and putting that 25K in an investment-real estate, ETF., what have you. I hate debt, but at this point the money is best invested for 5 years down the road instead of 1 year of no more law debt.
That being said, Jan. 1 was the date that my mint.com liquid assets v. student debts finally went green, into the positive. Its nice knowing that I could, if need be, pay off all debts and only have the mortgage to take care of. I'd love to get a rental to try that out, but I live in a high property tax city, and have major expenses coming up-SO is getting more "S" and my truck, while lovingly maintained, has at best a 3 year life cycle on it.
Would love to get out-I have two great business ideas, but currently I am doing well enough to where 4-5 more years of lawyering and successful side business should set me up nicely by age 40 moving forward. Plus, it isn't that bad, if I can get away from the crazy clients!