December 1st paid/wrote my last check on student loans. In 2013 paid $23,333 (37% of our income), since Jan 2011 $42,970 total. I tackled this monster and avoided paying 13,344 future interest payments (15 year planned payoff period originally). And now for 2014 I am planning a 24% savings rate (on 1 income currently). And all this while owning 2 houses (trying to rent 1 out), a horse, 2 dogs, and a recent move across the country.