Author Topic: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)  (Read 41032 times)

Cezil

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #150 on: October 16, 2017, 10:24:17 AM »
1/2016:
Loan 1: $0 (paid off 9/30/2014, started at $8,500 @ 6.8%)
Loan 2: $3,008 (1.95%, original amount: $13,000)
Loan 3: $6,213 (2.5%, original amount: $13,500)

3/2016:
Loan 1: $0 (paid off 9/30/2014, started at $8,500 @ 6.8%)
Loan 2: $942 (2.20%, original amount: $13,000)
Loan 3: $6,091 (2.75%, original amount: $13,500)

12/2016:
Loan 1: $0 (paid off 9/30/2014, started at $8,500 @ 6.8%)
Loan 2: $0 (paid off 4/7/2016, started at $13,000 @ variable rate, from 8% at start and 2.2% at end)
Loan 3: $5,537 (2.75%, original amount: $13,500)

2/2017:
Loan 1: $0 (paid off 9/30/2014, started at $8,500 @ 6.8%)
Loan 2: $0 (paid off 4/7/2016, started at $13,000 @ variable rate, 2.2% at end)
Loan 3: $5,427 (3.00%, original amount: $13,500)

5/2017:
Loan 1: $0 (paid off 9/30/2014, started at $8,500 @ 6.8%)
Loan 2: $0 (paid off 4/7/2016, started at $13,000 @ variable rate, 2.2% at end)
Loan 3: $3,401 (3.25%, original amount: $13,500)

9/2017:
Loan 1: $0 (paid off 9/30/2014, started at $8,500 @ 6.8%)
Loan 2: $0 (paid off 4/7/2016, started at $13,000 @ variable rate, 2.2% at end)
Loan 3: $1,644 (3.50%, original amount: $13,500) -->OMG just be gone already you ball & chain!


10/16/2017:
Loan 1: $0 (paid off 9/30/2014, started at $8,500 @ 6.8%)
Loan 2: $0 (paid off 4/7/2016, started at $13,000 @ variable rate, 2.2% at end)
Loan 3: $149.40 (3.50%, original amount: $13,500) I can't believe it's going to be gone by month end.  I paid $1,500 this month, and oh my god I'm almost there..

eightyeighttoone

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #151 on: October 16, 2017, 10:35:00 PM »
January Balance: 47,356 
June Balance:     39,812
July Balance:    36,450
Sept. Balance: 31,636
Oct Balance:   29,968

It feels good to be in the 20s!

tanzee

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #152 on: October 18, 2017, 11:24:34 AM »
Alright, it's a little late in the year to join, but I need some structure and motivation, so I'm going to stop lurking on this thread and actually partake.  I've made a lot of progress on my loans, but I'm back in school at the moment.  I have continued to make extra payments, despite living on a meager graduate stipend and some fairly low paying part-time work.  Lately, due to some unexpected expenses and an unwise purchase, I haven't been able to pay on these loans and it has been eating away at me. 

The situation:

The loans are in deferment because I'm in school.  Moreover, the government pays half of my interest for the time being (so the listed interest rates aren't what I'm paying at the moment).  I would ideally like to have them paid off by the end of 2018, but that really depends on some outside factors related to work, in addition to my spending choices. 

Loan 1: 4217.12  @  5.16%
Loan 2: 1804.94  @  5.16%
Loan 3: 10163.95  @  5.31%

Total: 16,186.01

recklesslysober

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #153 on: October 20, 2017, 06:05:42 PM »
$101,800 August
$99,700 September
$94,900 October

Aiming to be at around $87k by the end of the year which would be over $31,000 principal paid (about $35,000 total). Hopefully just 2 more years left and I can start 2020 by giving myself a MASSIVE raise from no longer needing to make these student loan payments.

appleseed

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #154 on: October 23, 2017, 09:05:58 PM »
I know we are winding up 2017, but I wanted to jump in here and join. You all are inspiring and motivating me!

This summer I started using personal capital to track our accounts, and I am really obsessing over my husband's student loans. Any extra income has been going to his SEP account (around 75%) and the remainder to these loans.

Here's what we have:

DB1 - 2.5% - $6,506.81 (monthly payment - $181.98)
DB2 - 2.5% - $6,937.92 (monthly payment - $194.03)
N1 - 2.625% - $7,130.70 (monthly payment - $91.08) *
N2 - 2.625%  - $6,230.26 (monthly payment - $79.59) *

Current total - $26,805.69 (Minimum monthly payment - $546.68)
* extra payment is split between these two loans

My plan is an additional $500/month, and I'd like to start 2018 at $23,XXX. With this plan, it looks like we'll have them all paid off by November 2019 at the latest, and hopefully I will get be able to snowball some more funds toward the loans as the balances get even lower.

JanetJackson

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #155 on: October 24, 2017, 06:17:59 AM »
Ok, I want to jump on board for the last few months of 2017, and go into 2018.

Here's my sitch:
  
Student Loan #1 = $11,000 at 1.9%
Student Loan #2 = $3,200 at 2.3%

Min. combined payment $152.

TOTAL: 14200


Net worth: $7.00, I have $14207 in savings and investments.

I THINK I can put an extra $100 each month toward my loans through 2018, which would chip away an additional $1500.00.  I know that's not much, but it's a doable reality for me.
 
I make ABOUT 35k/yr if I add the day job to all of my side jobs.  I can very comfortably live off of ABOUT 20-22k.  I can strain a smidge to 15-17k or so, bare-bones.
 
I'm STILL in school, but paying cash and have 9 (might be able to fight to get it to 7) classes left to finish my stupid undergrad- it'll cost be about 10-12k for the rest of my schooling, not counting books, etc and I am NON STOP almost talking myself out of even finishing... but a Bachelors is treated like a High School diploma these days and MINIMUM for a decent job in my field (non-profit work).

Cezil

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #156 on: October 24, 2017, 09:51:45 AM »
1/2016:
Loan 1: $0 (paid off 9/30/2014, started at $8,500 @ 6.8%)
Loan 2: $3,008 (1.95%, original amount: $13,000)
Loan 3: $6,213 (2.5%, original amount: $13,500)

3/2016:
Loan 1: $0 (paid off 9/30/2014, started at $8,500 @ 6.8%)
Loan 2: $942 (2.20%, original amount: $13,000)
Loan 3: $6,091 (2.75%, original amount: $13,500)

12/2016:
Loan 1: $0 (paid off 9/30/2014, started at $8,500 @ 6.8%)
Loan 2: $0 (paid off 4/7/2016, started at $13,000 @ variable rate, from 8% at start and 2.2% at end)
Loan 3: $5,537 (2.75%, original amount: $13,500)

2/2017:
Loan 1: $0 (paid off 9/30/2014, started at $8,500 @ 6.8%)
Loan 2: $0 (paid off 4/7/2016, started at $13,000 @ variable rate, 2.2% at end)
Loan 3: $5,427 (3.00%, original amount: $13,500)

5/2017:
Loan 1: $0 (paid off 9/30/2014, started at $8,500 @ 6.8%)
Loan 2: $0 (paid off 4/7/2016, started at $13,000 @ variable rate, 2.2% at end)
Loan 3: $3,401 (3.25%, original amount: $13,500)

9/2017:
Loan 1: $0 (paid off 9/30/2014, started at $8,500 @ 6.8%)
Loan 2: $0 (paid off 4/7/2016, started at $13,000 @ variable rate, 2.2% at end)
Loan 3: $1,644 (3.50%, original amount: $13,500) -->OMG just be gone already you ball & chain!

10/16/2017:
Loan 1: $0 (paid off 9/30/2014, started at $8,500 @ 6.8%)
Loan 2: $0 (paid off 4/7/2016, started at $13,000 @ variable rate, 2.2% at end)
Loan 3: $149.40 (3.50%, original amount: $13,500) I can't believe it's going to be gone by month end.  I paid $1,500 this month, and oh my god I'm almost there..

10/20/2017:
Loan 1: $0 (paid off 9/30/2014, started at $8,500 @ 6.8%)
Loan 2: $0 (paid off 4/7/2016, started at $13,000 @ variable rate, 2.2% at end)
Loan 3: $0 (paid off 10/20/2017, started at $13,500 @ variable rate, 3.50% at end)

I'm done with my student debt!!  Woohoo!  Thank you for the group support in this thread to get my butt moving!  :D  I'm still in disbelief.  Once that letter arrives in the mail, I'm framing the dang thing!

appleseed

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #157 on: October 24, 2017, 06:13:23 PM »
1/2016:

I'm done with my student debt!!  Woohoo!  Thank you for the group support in this thread to get my butt moving!  :D  I'm still in disbelief.  Once that letter arrives in the mail, I'm framing the dang thing!

Fantastic! I am not sure what we'll do to celebrate, but I am thinking about how I can invest the money I'm currently sending to the student loan companies!

Jim Fiction

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #158 on: October 24, 2017, 08:30:09 PM »
1/2016:
Loan 1: $0 (paid off 9/30/2014, started at $8,500 @ 6.8%)
Loan 2: $3,008 (1.95%, original amount: $13,000)
Loan 3: $6,213 (2.5%, original amount: $13,500)

3/2016:
Loan 1: $0 (paid off 9/30/2014, started at $8,500 @ 6.8%)
Loan 2: $942 (2.20%, original amount: $13,000)
Loan 3: $6,091 (2.75%, original amount: $13,500)

12/2016:
Loan 1: $0 (paid off 9/30/2014, started at $8,500 @ 6.8%)
Loan 2: $0 (paid off 4/7/2016, started at $13,000 @ variable rate, from 8% at start and 2.2% at end)
Loan 3: $5,537 (2.75%, original amount: $13,500)

2/2017:
Loan 1: $0 (paid off 9/30/2014, started at $8,500 @ 6.8%)
Loan 2: $0 (paid off 4/7/2016, started at $13,000 @ variable rate, 2.2% at end)
Loan 3: $5,427 (3.00%, original amount: $13,500)

5/2017:
Loan 1: $0 (paid off 9/30/2014, started at $8,500 @ 6.8%)
Loan 2: $0 (paid off 4/7/2016, started at $13,000 @ variable rate, 2.2% at end)
Loan 3: $3,401 (3.25%, original amount: $13,500)

9/2017:
Loan 1: $0 (paid off 9/30/2014, started at $8,500 @ 6.8%)
Loan 2: $0 (paid off 4/7/2016, started at $13,000 @ variable rate, 2.2% at end)
Loan 3: $1,644 (3.50%, original amount: $13,500) -->OMG just be gone already you ball & chain!

10/16/2017:
Loan 1: $0 (paid off 9/30/2014, started at $8,500 @ 6.8%)
Loan 2: $0 (paid off 4/7/2016, started at $13,000 @ variable rate, 2.2% at end)
Loan 3: $149.40 (3.50%, original amount: $13,500) I can't believe it's going to be gone by month end.  I paid $1,500 this month, and oh my god I'm almost there..

10/20/2017:
Loan 1: $0 (paid off 9/30/2014, started at $8,500 @ 6.8%)
Loan 2: $0 (paid off 4/7/2016, started at $13,000 @ variable rate, 2.2% at end)
Loan 3: $0 (paid off 10/20/2017, started at $13,500 @ variable rate, 3.50% at end)

I'm done with my student debt!!  Woohoo!  Thank you for the group support in this thread to get my butt moving!  :D  I'm still in disbelief.  Once that letter arrives in the mail, I'm framing the dang thing!

Congrats!

K-12FI

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #159 on: October 25, 2017, 08:33:55 PM »
In the process of training for new teacher certification; if all goes well, I'll destroy my commute and be able to walk (currently 30 mi), get a $5k increase, and be eligible for an additional 17.5K forgiven.

Math test, here I come!


So I did certify for math; however, I switched districts, and left the Math behind to return to High School English... which meant I can only get 5.5K forgiven.

However, this month I just made my last out of pocket loan payment! So long as I teach one more year, all my outstanding loans will be forgiven May 2019!!!

Starting Balance: $32,271.47 (Dec 2014)
Original Payments: $346.21
Extra Payments started: ~12 months ago.
Extra Payments total (11/16-10/17): $17,465
Original Payments (11/16-10/17): $4154.52



10/20/2017   Payment   $1,650.00   $4,699.50 -  Current Outstanding Balance to be forgiven
10/17/2017   Payment   $1,025.00   $6,345.87
10/16/2017   Payment   $840.00   $7,364.85
10/06/2017   Payment   $600.00   $8,203.46
10/01/2017   Payment   $108.64   $8,776.78
09/14/2017   Payment   $411.26   $8,776.78
09/05/2017   Payment   $3,665.26   $9,184.30   
08/21/2017   Payment   $2,889.63   $12,814.54
07/17/2017   Payment   $1,799.08   $15,676.33
07/11/2017   Payment   $38.70   $17,473.72
06/01/2017   Payment   $62.31   $17,436.44
04/20/2017   Payment   $5.00   $17,438.49
04/17/2017   Payment   $1,025.00   $17,442.62
04/14/2017   Payment   $0.25   $18,453.12
04/14/2017   Payment   $1,948.53   $18,453.12
03/15/2017   Payment   $346.21   $20,391.25
03/15/2017   Payment   $40.64   $20,656.98
03/15/2017   Payment   $1,438.89   $20,693.30
02/10/2017   Payment   $264.11   $22,123.16
02/08/2017   Payment   $1,127.00   $22,328.62
01/15/2017   Payment   $346.21   $23,437.65
01/13/2017   Payment   $785.00   $23,694.77
12/15/2016   Payment   $346.21   $24,472.53
12/09/2016   Payment   $661.78   $24,728.36
12/09/2016   Payment   $68.22   $25,390.14
11/15/2016   Payment   $346.21   $25,451.27
11/07/2016   Payment   $619.20   $25,700.40
11/07/2016   Payment   $110.80   $26,319.60

« Last Edit: October 25, 2017, 08:38:34 PM by TMInsall »

Jim Fiction

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #160 on: October 28, 2017, 10:21:29 AM »
I'll be jumping in on the challenge this year.

Loan 1: $1,050 @ 0.40%
Loan 2: $3,900 @ 2.15%
Loan 3: $13,225 @ 4.50%
Loan 4: $15,050 @ 4.78%

Total: $33,225

Loan 4 must die in 2017. Should I finish early (doubtful), I will start working on loan 3.

Best of luck to everyone!

Update to post SEPTEMBER Payments:

Loan 1: $600 $560 @ 0.40%
Loan 2: $3,100 $3,033 @ 2.15%
Loan 3: $12,875 $12,861 @ 4.50%
Loan 4: $3,400 $1,651 @ 4.99%

Total: $19,975 $18,105


October payments are in the books. I really considered paying off loan 4 entirely this month, however it would have put a larger dent into my savings than I felt comfortable with. Plus I do have to a little year end tax planning soon, so I need to retain some flexibility. Still, one month to go!

JustGettingStarted1980

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #161 on: October 28, 2017, 02:27:56 PM »
1/1/16 -$83265.16 in loans (his and hers combined)
4/1/16 -$75413.33
6/9/16 -$68071.59
9/5/16 -$43756.91 (DW loans entirely paid off)
10/28/17 -$18202.15 ->slow and steady, with a 7.5 K bonus payment this month. Stretch goal is paid off by May 2018

JGS

GetItRight

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #162 on: October 29, 2017, 03:21:53 PM »
1$04.99%
2$06.00%
3$04.75%
4$63,830.744.50%
401k$4,210.144.25%
Total: $68,040.88
Paid since 11/10/2016: $9,274.70
$/day since 11/10/2016: $27.69

I had a bad year. Some externalities (government) forced me to spend about $30k elsewhere this year. I have about another $10k to go before that is over, but should have that done by the end of the year. That means next year I should have at least an additional $40k or so to put towards student loans if I really want to. Realistically I'll split it between student loans and building the war chest back up.

1$04.99%
2$06.00%
3$04.75%
4$63,456.754.55%
401k$3,920.064.25%
Total: $67,376.81
Paid since 10/10/2017: $752.09
$/day since 10/10/2017: $37.60

Not much progress directly on the student loans, but I'm getting into a better position. That other $10k I paid off, $10,771.27 since 10/10. I'm not happy with the bank I have the big student loan with so I'm looking at refi options. Hoping to have it done in the next week or two and under 3%.

appleseed

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #163 on: November 01, 2017, 10:51:51 AM »
Here's what we have:

DB1 - 2.5% - $6,506.81 (monthly payment - $181.98)
DB2 - 2.5% - $6,937.92 (monthly payment - $194.03)
N1 - 2.625% - $7,130.70 (monthly payment - $91.08) *
N2 - 2.625%  - $6,230.26 (monthly payment - $79.59) *

Current total - $26,805.69 (Minimum monthly payment - $546.68)
* extra payment is split between these two loans

Goal - start 2018 at $23,XXX (all paid off by November 2019)

Rest of October updates (extra $250 plus regular payment)

DB1 - 2.5% - $6,329.44 (monthly payment - $181.98)
DB2 - 2.5% - $6,748.80 (monthly payment - $194.03)
N1 - 2.625% - $6,910.72 (monthly payment - $91.08)
N2 - 2.625%  - $6,038.44 (monthly payment - $79.59

November starting total - $26,027

I might send  an extra $50 over just to get the starting at $25k. Psychologically I think it encourages me!



tanzee

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #164 on: November 01, 2017, 12:44:54 PM »
In the process of training for new teacher certification; if all goes well, I'll destroy my commute and be able to walk (currently 30 mi), get a $5k increase, and be eligible for an additional 17.5K forgiven.

Math test, here I come!


So I did certify for math; however, I switched districts, and left the Math behind to return to High School English... which meant I can only get 5.5K forgiven.

However, this month I just made my last out of pocket loan payment! So long as I teach one more year, all my outstanding loans will be forgiven May 2019!!!

Starting Balance: $32,271.47 (Dec 2014)
Original Payments: $346.21
Extra Payments started: ~12 months ago.
Extra Payments total (11/16-10/17): $17,465
Original Payments (11/16-10/17): $4154.52



10/20/2017   Payment   $1,650.00   $4,699.50 -  Current Outstanding Balance to be forgiven
10/17/2017   Payment   $1,025.00   $6,345.87
10/16/2017   Payment   $840.00   $7,364.85
10/06/2017   Payment   $600.00   $8,203.46
10/01/2017   Payment   $108.64   $8,776.78
09/14/2017   Payment   $411.26   $8,776.78
09/05/2017   Payment   $3,665.26   $9,184.30   
08/21/2017   Payment   $2,889.63   $12,814.54
07/17/2017   Payment   $1,799.08   $15,676.33
07/11/2017   Payment   $38.70   $17,473.72
06/01/2017   Payment   $62.31   $17,436.44
04/20/2017   Payment   $5.00   $17,438.49
04/17/2017   Payment   $1,025.00   $17,442.62
04/14/2017   Payment   $0.25   $18,453.12
04/14/2017   Payment   $1,948.53   $18,453.12
03/15/2017   Payment   $346.21   $20,391.25
03/15/2017   Payment   $40.64   $20,656.98
03/15/2017   Payment   $1,438.89   $20,693.30
02/10/2017   Payment   $264.11   $22,123.16
02/08/2017   Payment   $1,127.00   $22,328.62
01/15/2017   Payment   $346.21   $23,437.65
01/13/2017   Payment   $785.00   $23,694.77
12/15/2016   Payment   $346.21   $24,472.53
12/09/2016   Payment   $661.78   $24,728.36
12/09/2016   Payment   $68.22   $25,390.14
11/15/2016   Payment   $346.21   $25,451.27
11/07/2016   Payment   $619.20   $25,700.40
11/07/2016   Payment   $110.80   $26,319.60

Can I kindly ask what motivated to you make a payment of 25 cents in April?  Just curious. 

Slow&Steady

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #165 on: November 03, 2017, 12:34:53 PM »
I am currently taking graduate classes on a "life paced" basis so when I am taking a class my loan is in deferment (0% interest).  For every 3-4 months there is usually 1 month in there that the loan is not in deferment.  My interest rate when not in deferment is 7.5%.

Total: 2/18/16 = $16,505.16
        12/27/16 = $10,578.68
         12/2017 = $9,000 - Goal

Goals:  We are probably not going to attack this loan too much this year.  We are planning baby #2 and will be putting all extra money into maternity leave savings, we are a one income family where Dad stays at home.  After we save up enough to not have to worry (or touch other savings) while on leave we will probably put extra into an investment property.

Total: 2/18/16 = $16,505.16 (7.5% when not in deferment)
        12/27/16 = $10,578.68
        01/09/17 = $10,572.09
        02/03/17 = $10,520.53
        03/13/17 = $10,361.96
        04/03/17 = $10,211.96
        04/11/17 = $9,861.96
        05/01/17 = $9,711.96
        06/13/17 = $9,511.96
        08/04/17 = $9,282.67
        09/01/17 = $8,987.95
        10/04/17 = $8,745.04
        11/03/17 = $8,448.85

        12/31/17 = $9,000 $8,000 - Goal

$53.81 in INTEREST this month!!!! GRRR, I want these freaking gone.

K-12FI

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #166 on: November 03, 2017, 12:58:11 PM »
In the process of training for new teacher certification; if all goes well, I'll destroy my commute and be able to walk (currently 30 mi), get a $5k increase, and be eligible for an additional 17.5K forgiven.

Math test, here I come!


So I did certify for math; however, I switched districts, and left the Math behind to return to High School English... which meant I can only get 5.5K forgiven.

However, this month I just made my last out of pocket loan payment! So long as I teach one more year, all my outstanding loans will be forgiven May 2019!!!

Starting Balance: $32,271.47 (Dec 2014)
Original Payments: $346.21
Extra Payments started: ~12 months ago.
Extra Payments total (11/16-10/17): $17,465
Original Payments (11/16-10/17): $4154.52



10/20/2017   Payment   $1,650.00   $4,699.50 -  Current Outstanding Balance to be forgiven
10/17/2017   Payment   $1,025.00   $6,345.87
10/16/2017   Payment   $840.00   $7,364.85
10/06/2017   Payment   $600.00   $8,203.46
10/01/2017   Payment   $108.64   $8,776.78
09/14/2017   Payment   $411.26   $8,776.78
09/05/2017   Payment   $3,665.26   $9,184.30   
08/21/2017   Payment   $2,889.63   $12,814.54
07/17/2017   Payment   $1,799.08   $15,676.33
07/11/2017   Payment   $38.70   $17,473.72
06/01/2017   Payment   $62.31   $17,436.44
04/20/2017   Payment   $5.00   $17,438.49
04/17/2017   Payment   $1,025.00   $17,442.62
04/14/2017   Payment   $0.25   $18,453.12
04/14/2017   Payment   $1,948.53   $18,453.12
03/15/2017   Payment   $346.21   $20,391.25
03/15/2017   Payment   $40.64   $20,656.98
03/15/2017   Payment   $1,438.89   $20,693.30
02/10/2017   Payment   $264.11   $22,123.16
02/08/2017   Payment   $1,127.00   $22,328.62
01/15/2017   Payment   $346.21   $23,437.65
01/13/2017   Payment   $785.00   $23,694.77
12/15/2016   Payment   $346.21   $24,472.53
12/09/2016   Payment   $661.78   $24,728.36
12/09/2016   Payment   $68.22   $25,390.14
11/15/2016   Payment   $346.21   $25,451.27
11/07/2016   Payment   $619.20   $25,700.40
11/07/2016   Payment   $110.80   $26,319.60

Can I kindly ask what motivated to you make a payment of 25 cents in April?  Just curious.

It was a rounding error for a loan payoff amount; I had them re-appropriate payments and that's how it came out. :/

tanzee

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #167 on: November 04, 2017, 07:16:15 AM »
In the process of training for new teacher certification; if all goes well, I'll destroy my commute and be able to walk (currently 30 mi), get a $5k increase, and be eligible for an additional 17.5K forgiven.

Math test, here I come!


So I did certify for math; however, I switched districts, and left the Math behind to return to High School English... which meant I can only get 5.5K forgiven.

However, this month I just made my last out of pocket loan payment! So long as I teach one more year, all my outstanding loans will be forgiven May 2019!!!

Starting Balance: $32,271.47 (Dec 2014)
Original Payments: $346.21
Extra Payments started: ~12 months ago.
Extra Payments total (11/16-10/17): $17,465
Original Payments (11/16-10/17): $4154.52



10/20/2017   Payment   $1,650.00   $4,699.50 -  Current Outstanding Balance to be forgiven
10/17/2017   Payment   $1,025.00   $6,345.87
10/16/2017   Payment   $840.00   $7,364.85
10/06/2017   Payment   $600.00   $8,203.46
10/01/2017   Payment   $108.64   $8,776.78
09/14/2017   Payment   $411.26   $8,776.78
09/05/2017   Payment   $3,665.26   $9,184.30   
08/21/2017   Payment   $2,889.63   $12,814.54
07/17/2017   Payment   $1,799.08   $15,676.33
07/11/2017   Payment   $38.70   $17,473.72
06/01/2017   Payment   $62.31   $17,436.44
04/20/2017   Payment   $5.00   $17,438.49
04/17/2017   Payment   $1,025.00   $17,442.62
04/14/2017   Payment   $0.25   $18,453.12
04/14/2017   Payment   $1,948.53   $18,453.12
03/15/2017   Payment   $346.21   $20,391.25
03/15/2017   Payment   $40.64   $20,656.98
03/15/2017   Payment   $1,438.89   $20,693.30
02/10/2017   Payment   $264.11   $22,123.16
02/08/2017   Payment   $1,127.00   $22,328.62
01/15/2017   Payment   $346.21   $23,437.65
01/13/2017   Payment   $785.00   $23,694.77
12/15/2016   Payment   $346.21   $24,472.53
12/09/2016   Payment   $661.78   $24,728.36
12/09/2016   Payment   $68.22   $25,390.14
11/15/2016   Payment   $346.21   $25,451.27
11/07/2016   Payment   $619.20   $25,700.40
11/07/2016   Payment   $110.80   $26,319.60

Can I kindly ask what motivated to you make a payment of 25 cents in April?  Just curious.

It was a rounding error for a loan payoff amount; I had them re-appropriate payments and that's how it came out. :/


Gotcha!  I also occasionally make tiny payments on my loans.  In my case, I do it to maintain a sense of progress even when I'm short on cash. 

haypug16

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #168 on: November 06, 2017, 10:03:53 AM »
I haven't updated is a long time but now that my Students Loans are in repayment I figure it's time! The balances I think are higher than last time I updated (I didn't feel like looking for my last post) this is due to me not updating the numbers with the interest. So here's my "new" starting balance;
                 
                         Oct 2017
Loan 1 - 6.8%     6,257.24
Loan 2 - 6.8%     9,517.58
Loan 3 - 6.8%   11,066.22
Loan 4 - 5.84%   7,179.51
Loan 5 - 5.375% 7,135.00
Loan 6 - 4.66%   2,592.43
Loan 7 - 4.5%     3,415.17
Loan 8 - 3.86%   5,496.10
Loan 9 - 3.4%     3,940.29
Loan 10 - 3.4%   5,466.07
             Total 62,065.61

Goal for November is $61,465

ontheroaderic

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #169 on: November 08, 2017, 11:04:52 AM »
3/5/15: $74,618.23 at 5.625% {Starting Balance}
3/5/15: $72,613.01 (- 2005.22)
3/7/15: $72,650.18  (-271.44)
3/9/15: $72,219.94  (-177.6)
4/9/15: $69,889.41 (-2600.00)
5/7/15: $67,086.58 (-3100.00)
6/12/15: $64,281.49 (-3100.00)
7/7/15: $61,917.04 (-2600)
8/7/15: $59,610.78 (-2600)
9/7/15: $57,385.37 (-2600)
10/7/15: $54,931.48 (-2600)
11/13/15: $52,325.25 (-2900)
12/9/15: $49,975.41 (-2600)
1/11/16: $47,557.16 (-2600)
2/7/16: $47,557.16 (-376.81)
3/7/16: $47,451.50 (-376.81)
4/7/16: $45,531.28 (-1941.73)
5/16/16: $$43,161.09  (-2600)
6/8/16: $40,746.42 (-2600)
7/8/16: $38,328.00 (-2600)
8/10/16: $36,104.98 (-2600)
9/8/16 $33,652.74 (-2600)
10/10/16 $29,609.78 (-4038.67)
11/9/16 $27,145.46 (-2600)
12/9/16 $24,662.23 (-2600)
1/13/16 $22,203.78 (-2600)
2/8/17 $19,691.71 (-2600)
3/8/17 $19,463.69  (-312.98)
4/7/17 $16,959.27 (-2600)
5/7/17 $14,435.04 (-2600)
6/7/17 $13,203.99 (-1300)
7/7/17 $11,966.85 (-1300)
8/7/17 $10,725.44 (-1300)
9/7/17 $9,473.36 (-1300)
10/7/17 $8,265.30 (-1300)
11/7/17 $6,995.62 (-1300)

Oh yeah - within striking distance now!

haypug16

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #170 on: November 08, 2017, 11:29:59 AM »
Oh yeah - within striking distance now!

Nice Job! You're so close.

appleseed

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #171 on: November 09, 2017, 09:30:59 AM »

11/7/17 $6,995.62 (-1300)

Oh yeah - within striking distance now!

Inspirational progress! How many months left?

ontheroaderic

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #172 on: November 09, 2017, 11:54:05 AM »
Not exactly sure. We had to reduce our payments to contribute more to wife's 401k - she's on the PSLF program and those payments have ballooned as my balance has shrunk so we need to manage that situation. I'm thinking we'll wait  until we certify for her loan in Jan/Feb, and then just kill mine off in short order. I'm hoping on or before March 28 - my birthday!

Jim Fiction

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #173 on: November 09, 2017, 07:40:36 PM »
I haven't updated is a long time but now that my Students Loans are in repayment I figure it's time! The balances I think are higher than last time I updated (I didn't feel like looking for my last post) this is due to me not updating the numbers with the interest. So here's my "new" starting balance;
                 
                         Oct 2017
Loan 1 - 6.8%     6,257.24
Loan 2 - 6.8%     9,517.58
Loan 3 - 6.8%   11,066.22
Loan 4 - 5.84%   7,179.51
Loan 5 - 5.375% 7,135.00
Loan 6 - 4.66%   2,592.43
Loan 7 - 4.5%     3,415.17
Loan 8 - 3.86%   5,496.10
Loan 9 - 3.4%     3,940.29
Loan 10 - 3.4%   5,466.07
             Total 62,065.61

Goal for November is $61,465

Forgive me if this has already been addressed, but I noticed some of your interest rates are quite high. Have you looked into refinancing options?

palebluedot

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #174 on: November 12, 2017, 04:29:55 PM »


Officially done with the 4.41% loan. The last four remain.



Time for my monthly update. I sent a total of $863.20 earlier this week. On pace to finish in about 10-ish more payments.


Jim Fiction

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #175 on: November 13, 2017, 07:00:07 PM »
So my employer recently announced that they will be working with a company called Gradifi, which offers employer sponsored student loan repayment plans. Details are scant thus far, but some internet research has my interest is piqued. If the plan resembles anything like what I have seen online (employer contributes $X per month, so long as you contribute $Y per month), then it could significantly alter my repayment plans. I want to have my loans paid off by the end of next year, however if my firm will be giving me free money then it probably would make sense to delay full payment to take advantage of the perk. One hang up could be that employer contributions would be considered taxable income, but as long as the post tax amount is greater than what I pay in interest per year it should still make sense to go with the plan.

Anyone else have experience with this?

appleseed

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #176 on: November 25, 2017, 10:51:15 AM »
So my employer recently announced that they will be working with a company called Gradifi, which offers employer sponsored student loan repayment plans. Details are scant thus far, but some internet research has my interest is piqued. If the plan resembles anything like what I have seen online (employer contributes $X per month, so long as you contribute $Y per month), then it could significantly alter my repayment plans. I want to have my loans paid off by the end of next year, however if my firm will be giving me free money then it probably would make sense to delay full payment to take advantage of the perk. One hang up could be that employer contributions would be considered taxable income, but as long as the post tax amount is greater than what I pay in interest per year it should still make sense to go with the plan.

Anyone else have experience with this?

I'd never heard of this benefit before, but it sounds like it could accelerate payments. Nice perk if it doesn't reduce other benefits. There was something on site about millennials wanting loan payment in lieu of retirement contributions.

I celebrated buy nothing day yesterday by sending an extra $100 to the student loans. Once my November payments (Auto draft)  hit on the 28th, the balance should be around $24,900. My goal was just under $25k for the year, so I'm hoping I'll get to throw in an extra $500 next month and get it under $24k. By April I'd like to be out of the 20s!

Thankful for using this group to post and be accountable.

Happy Thanksgiving to those in States (or wherever you might be celebrating)!

Jim Fiction

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #177 on: November 28, 2017, 07:49:50 PM »
I'll be jumping in on the challenge this year.

Loan 1: $1,050 @ 0.40%
Loan 2: $3,900 @ 2.15%
Loan 3: $13,225 @ 4.50%
Loan 4: $15,050 @ 4.78%

Total: $33,225

Loan 4 must die in 2017. Should I finish early (doubtful), I will start working on loan 3.

Best of luck to everyone!

Update to post November Payments:

Loan 1: $560 $510 @ 0.40%
Loan 2: $3,033 $2,943 @ 2.15%
Loan 3: $12,861 $12,809 @ 4.50%
Loan 4: $1,651 $0 @ 4.99%

Total: $18,105 $16,262



Loan 4 is officially dead. If it wasn't a Tuesday I'd be cracking a beer to celebrate! Starting in December I will begin the attack on Loan 3. Just how aggressive I will be will be dependent on what my employer does with their SLR plan I mentioned in a prior post.


So my employer recently announced that they will be working with a company called Gradifi, which offers employer sponsored student loan repayment plans. Details are scant thus far, but some internet research has my interest is piqued. If the plan resembles anything like what I have seen online (employer contributes $X per month, so long as you contribute $Y per month), then it could significantly alter my repayment plans. I want to have my loans paid off by the end of next year, however if my firm will be giving me free money then it probably would make sense to delay full payment to take advantage of the perk. One hang up could be that employer contributions would be considered taxable income, but as long as the post tax amount is greater than what I pay in interest per year it should still make sense to go with the plan.

Anyone else have experience with this?

I'd never heard of this benefit before, but it sounds like it could accelerate payments. Nice perk if it doesn't reduce other benefits. There was something on site about millennials wanting loan payment in lieu of retirement contributions.

I celebrated buy nothing day yesterday by sending an extra $100 to the student loans. Once my November payments (Auto draft)  hit on the 28th, the balance should be around $24,900. My goal was just under $25k for the year, so I'm hoping I'll get to throw in an extra $500 next month and get it under $24k. By April I'd like to be out of the 20s!

Thankful for using this group to post and be accountable.

Happy Thanksgiving to those in States (or wherever you might be celebrating)!

Yeah, student loan repayment/contributions as an employee benefit are a recent phenomenon. Gradifi was founded in 2014 and apparently SoFi is offering some plans now too (just saw that when I was on their site today to payoff my loan in the upper half of this post). I suspect they will become more common as they seem to be in high demand amongst millennials.

My employer has yet to provide any further information on what the plan (or plans) will look like, but there has been no indication it would reduce other benefits. I'm getting a little antsy as the end of the year is approaching rapidly and I want to start mapping out next year's financial goals. Additionally, my wife and I recently found out that we will be expecting our first child in June so that adds an extra variable to plan for!


Ms. Maggie

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #178 on: December 01, 2017, 05:01:21 AM »
December December!

I submitted my last payment before the new year. I hope to be finished by April or May 2018. I'm really looking forward to 4 figures soon... Happy end of the year everyone!

Update:

Student Loan total Aug 2016: 41,000
Student Loan total June 2017: 24,005
Student Loan total August 2017: 18,561
Student Loan total October 2017: 15,222
Student Loan total December 2017: 11, 632

Goal for 2017: down to 14,500 - Surpassed!!

Loan 1: 5,332 @ 6.55%
Loan 2: 0       @ 6.55%
Loan 3: 0       @ 6.55%
Loan 4: 6,300 @ 5.16%

haypug16

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #179 on: December 01, 2017, 09:11:22 AM »
                         Oct 2017     Nov 2017
Loan 1 - 6.8%     6,257.24     6,211.06
Loan 2 - 6.8%     9,517.58     9,447.32
Loan 3 - 6.8%   11,066.22   10,984.53
Loan 4 - 5.84%   7,179.51     7,127.48
Loan 5 - 5.375% 7,135.00     7,085.39
Loan 6 - 4.66%   2,592.43     2,572.38
Loan 7 - 4.5%     3,415.17     3,388.66
Loan 8 - 3.86%   5,496.10     5,452.81
Loan 9 - 3.4%     3,940.29     3,908.91
Loan 10 - 3.4%   5,466.07     5,422.54
                 Total 62,065.61   61,601.08

Goal for November was $61,465. Missed it by $135.47 damn you interest! @Jim Fiction, I really should look into Refinancing.

Goal for December $61,000

p.s. can't wait for CC to be paid off and I can put more money into this! Should start making a real dent by the fall of 2018.

Jim Fiction

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #180 on: December 04, 2017, 06:52:01 PM »
@Jim Fiction, I really should look into Refinancing.

Hi haypug!

It would certainly be worth a look. In my case, I refinanced several loans using SoFi back in March of 2016. I was able to drop from a weighted average of about 6.5% down to about 4.75%. At the time they had the best rates and their customer service was (and remains) excellent. Additionally, the loan writing process was quite flexible. At first, I had hoped to to refinance more loans than I did (see loan 3 from my posts). But when my loan offer came through, the rate was actually a bit higher than one of the existing loans, so I called them up and they whipped up a revised loan in about 15 minutes.

I'm currently weighing another attempt at refinancing loan 3. At the time I was about a year in with my current employer, and length of employment is one of the factors they consider during the underwriting process. I've also had some modest salary increases, and I would likely add my wife as a co-signer, so in all likelihood I would probably get a lower rate. If I decide to pursue another refinance, SoFi will definitely be in the running, though I will of course have to evaluate the other options out there. I recall looking at Earnest and Darien-Rowayton previously. I am sure there are even more options now than there were two years ago when I was beginning the process.

If you have any questions about the process feel free to post or shoot me a message. I'll answer as best I can.

Slow&Steady

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #181 on: December 05, 2017, 07:45:42 AM »
Goals (Jan 2017):  We are probably not going to attack this loan too much this year.  We are planning baby #2 and will be putting all extra money into maternity leave savings, we are a one income family where Dad stays at home.  After we save up enough to not have to worry (or touch other savings) while on leave we will probably put extra into an investment property.

Total: 2/18/16 = $16,505.16 (7.5% interest)
        12/27/16 = $10,578.68
        01/09/17 = $10,572.09
        02/03/17 = $10,520.53
        03/13/17 = $10,361.96
        04/03/17 = $10,211.96
        04/11/17 = $9,861.96
        05/01/17 = $9,711.96
        06/13/17 = $9,511.96
        08/04/17 = $9,282.67
        09/01/17 = $8,987.95
        10/04/17 = $8,745.04
        11/03/17 = $8,448.85
        12/05/17 = $7,952.11

        12/31/17 = $9,000 $8,000 - Goal

We got it under $8,000!  I will not be making another payment before the end of the year and will only be making minimum payments until after baby gets here in March, as many MMMer's have recommended.  I have a very hard time not putting every penny towards debt when I see the savings account start to grow but I know we need to have a pretty fat savings before baby gets here so I am going to try really hard to follow the recommendations that were give to me.  After baby gets here we will have to decide if we finish off this loan or start investing in rentals.  I could go either way depending on the day but as of today I would like to be done with student loans.

eightyeighttoone

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #182 on: December 06, 2017, 11:32:02 PM »
I accept the challenge! Man, it is inspiring to read all these posts. You rock, people!

My goal is pay in full all my student loans in 2017.

Current Balance: 47,356 (about 28k is law school; about 19k is LLM)

I graduated law school in late 2014 and am fortunate to have parents who were helping me out. They were graciously willing to pay on the loans for three years, and after that I would take over. This all sounded good, and my plan was to start making payments in 2018.  Then this June I started reading MMM. "AAH! These loans must die!" was my daily war-cry. My wife and I tightened our belts, and started paying $1,285/mo. I cashed out my 1 yr old Roth IRA. All told, we paid down ourselves $12,500 in the last half 2016. If we can somehow pick up the pace a bit this year, the law school loans will be gone. 

My employer is paying for the LLM over the next three years. For all the obvious reasons, I would like this to be paid off faster than that--I don't know, maybe, say, by the end of 2017? :) Hoping to negotiate a faster pay-off on this in January. Wish me luck!


Well, I didnt meet my goal. Had to slow down payments last month because of sudden car repairs and insurance-company-encouraged/forced-house-painting. But I made some good progress. I think I can kill these off in 2018!


January Balance: 47,356 
June Balance:     39,812
July Balance:    36,450
Sept. Balance: 31,636
Oct. Balance:   29,968

Dec. Balance:  27,590

See you all next year!


haypug16

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #183 on: December 07, 2017, 01:08:59 PM »
I accept the challenge! Man, it is inspiring to read all these posts. You rock, people!

My goal is pay in full all my student loans in 2017.

Current Balance: 47,356 (about 28k is law school; about 19k is LLM)

I graduated law school in late 2014 and am fortunate to have parents who were helping me out. They were graciously willing to pay on the loans for three years, and after that I would take over. This all sounded good, and my plan was to start making payments in 2018.  Then this June I started reading MMM. "AAH! These loans must die!" was my daily war-cry. My wife and I tightened our belts, and started paying $1,285/mo. I cashed out my 1 yr old Roth IRA. All told, we paid down ourselves $12,500 in the last half 2016. If we can somehow pick up the pace a bit this year, the law school loans will be gone. 

My employer is paying for the LLM over the next three years. For all the obvious reasons, I would like this to be paid off faster than that--I don't know, maybe, say, by the end of 2017? :) Hoping to negotiate a faster pay-off on this in January. Wish me luck!


Well, I didnt meet my goal. Had to slow down payments last month because of sudden car repairs and insurance-company-encouraged/forced-house-painting. But I made some good progress. I think I can kill these off in 2018!


January Balance: 47,356 
June Balance:     39,812
July Balance:    36,450
Sept. Balance: 31,636
Oct. Balance:   29,968

Dec. Balance:  27,590

See you all next year!

Nice job! You knocked off $20K in a year?! awesome.

sweetkerryline

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #184 on: December 08, 2017, 08:31:38 AM »
December 2017 Update

Debt at Graduation: Law School (Around $90,000); Undergraduate (Around $15,000)
Total Current Debt: $39,919.00 $36505.93 $35,213.35 $29,924.14 $28,527.18 $23,962.49 $20,969.42 $17,878 $13,000
Monthly Payment [Monthly Payment Goal] (Required Payment): $2800 [$1,500] ($218.50) (Monthly Payment Goal Met)
Total 2017 Payments: Will have to Run the Calculations Later > $26000

I met my annual goal (Paying off at least 20,000 this year) but definitely could have paid these off this year had I not (i) purchased a car and (ii) switched to a lower paying job. Next year is the year I guess. I cannot believe I'm going to finally kill these in 2018.

July Update

Debt at Graduation: Law School (Around $90,000); Undergraduate (Around $15,000)
Total Current Debt: $39,919.00 $36505.93 $35,213.35 $29,924.14 $28,527.18 $23,962.49 $20,969.42 $17,878
Monthly Payment [Monthly Payment Goal] (Required Payment): $1000 [$1,500] ($239.50) (Monthly Payment Goal Not Met)
Total 2017 Payments: Will have to Run the Calculations Later > $23,000

So, I purchased a car and that set me back a bit but I'm back at it. Now I also have a car loan which is regrettable.

April Update

Debt at Graduation: Law School (Around $90,000); Undergraduate (Around $15,000)
Total Current Debt: $39,919.00 $36505.93 $35,213.35 $29,924.14 $28,527.18 $23,962.49 $20,969.42
Monthly Payment [Monthly Payment Goal] (Required Payment): $3154.74 [$1,500] ($287.50) (Monthly Payment Goal Met)
Total 2017 Payments: $18,984.74

Like last month, I am still considering liquidating an investment account or stealing some money from my emergency savings account and just paying the remainder off but pretty sure that is driven by a "I want it now" attitude. Pushing any such thoughts to the side for now.

March Update

Debt at Graduation: Law School (Around $90,000); Undergraduate (Around $15,000)
Total Current Debt: $39,919.00 $36505.93 $35,213.35 $29,924.14 $28,527.18 $23,962.49
Monthly Payment [Monthly Payment Goal] (Required Payment): $4,437.78 [$1,500] ($316.74) (Monthly Payment Goal Met)
Total 2017 Payments: $15,930.10

You guys; I am getting so close. It's so tempting to dump half of my savings into these loans to get them paid off but I am simply trying to stay the course and continue saving for a down payment while also dropping money into my investment account on occasion.

February Update (Part 2)

Debt at Graduation: Law School (Around $90,000); Undergraduate (Around $15,000)
Total Current Debt: $39,919.00 $36505.93 $35,213.35 $29,924.14 $28,527.18
Monthly Payment [Monthly Payment Goal] (Required Payment): $6,739.12 [$1,500] ($469.10) (Monthly Payment Goal Met)
Total 2017 Payments: $11,492.32

As I suspected, I had some leakage in my finances (unsubmitted work reimbursements) which I was able to capture to make an additional $1,400 dollar payment this month. Looks like next month may be a big one as well since I get three paychecks.

February Update

Debt at Graduation: Law School (Around $90,000); Undergraduate (Around $15,000)
Total Current Debt: $39,919.00 $36505.93 $35,213.35 $29,924.14
Monthly Payment [Monthly Payment Goal] (Required Payment): $5,300.00 [$1,500] ($469.10) (Monthly Payment Goal Met)
Total 2017 Payments: $10,053.20

Made my payment early this month. I'll try to sneak some additional dollars in there this month. Looks like next month may be a big one as well since I get three paychecks.

January Update:

Debt at Graduation: Law School (Around $90,000); Undergraduate (Around $15,000)
Total Current Debt: $39,919.00 $36505.93 $35,213.35
Monthly Payment [Monthly Payment Goal] (Required Payment): $4,753.20 [$1,500] ($493.12) (Monthly Payment Goal Met)
Total 2017 Payments: $4,753.20

eightyeighttoone

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #185 on: December 09, 2017, 01:16:22 AM »

Nice job! You knocked off $20K in a year?! awesome.

Thanks Haypug16!

eightyeighttoone

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #186 on: December 09, 2017, 01:22:11 AM »
December 2017 Update

Debt at Graduation: Law School (Around $90,000); Undergraduate (Around $15,000)
Total Current Debt: $39,919.00 $36505.93 $35,213.35 $29,924.14 $28,527.18 $23,962.49 $20,969.42 $17,878 $13,000
Monthly Payment [Monthly Payment Goal] (Required Payment): $2800 [$1,500] ($218.50) (Monthly Payment Goal Met)
Total 2017 Payments: Will have to Run the Calculations Later > $26000

I met my annual goal (Paying off at least 20,000 this year) but definitely could have paid these off this year had I not (i) purchased a car and (ii) switched to a lower paying job. Next year is the year I guess. I cannot believe I'm going to finally kill these in 2018.

Nice work, sweetkerryline! Its goin' down in 2018!

sweetkerryline

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #187 on: December 10, 2017, 02:39:53 AM »
December 2017 Update

Debt at Graduation: Law School (Around $90,000); Undergraduate (Around $15,000)
Total Current Debt: $39,919.00 $36505.93 $35,213.35 $29,924.14 $28,527.18 $23,962.49 $20,969.42 $17,878 $13,000
Monthly Payment [Monthly Payment Goal] (Required Payment): $2800 [$1,500] ($218.50) (Monthly Payment Goal Met)
Total 2017 Payments: Will have to Run the Calculations Later > $26000

I met my annual goal (Paying off at least 20,000 this year) but definitely could have paid these off this year had I not (i) purchased a car and (ii) switched to a lower paying job. Next year is the year I guess. I cannot believe I'm going to finally kill these in 2018.

Nice work, sweetkerryline! Its goin' down in 2018!

Thanks! I'll use my extra paycheck this month to get them down to about $10,000 or so and then shoot for killing them before June (since I'm also trying to save for a house).

appleseed

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #188 on: December 10, 2017, 08:28:28 AM »
Here's what we have:

DB1 - 2.5% - $6,506.81 (monthly payment - $181.98)
DB2 - 2.5% - $6,937.92 (monthly payment - $194.03)
N1 - 2.625% - $7,130.70 (monthly payment - $91.08) *
N2 - 2.625%  - $6,230.26 (monthly payment - $79.59) *

Current total - $26,805.69 (Minimum monthly payment - $546.68)
* extra payment is split between these two loans

Goal - start 2018 at $23,XXX (all paid off by November 2019)

Rest of October updates (extra $250 plus regular payment)

DB1 - 2.5% - $6,329.44 (monthly payment - $181.98)
DB2 - 2.5% - $6,748.80 (monthly payment - $194.03)
N1 - 2.625% - $6,910.72 (monthly payment - $91.08)
N2 - 2.625%  - $6,038.44 (monthly payment - $79.59

November starting total - $26,027

I might send  an extra $50 over just to get the starting at $25k. Psychologically I think it encourages me!

DB1 - 2.5% - $6,163.95 (monthly payment - $181.98)
DB2 - 2.5% - $6,572.35 (monthly payment - $194.03)
N1 - 2.625% - $6,518.16 (monthly payment - $91.08)
N2 - 2.625%  - $5,695.02 (monthly payment - $79.59

December starting total - $24,949.48

It will be tight to get an extra $500 in this month, but I am determined to get that number under $24k for the new year. I will need to adjust things for the beginning of 2018 to make sure we have maxed my husband's SEP account by April, so that may delay some extra payments depending on when he bills certain clients. My goal for 2018 is to get it down to under $10k, which is going to be a real stretch, but not impossible.

Congrats to everyone here making progress and thanks for the motivation/inspiration.

palebluedot

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #189 on: December 10, 2017, 07:10:55 PM »

Time for my monthly update. I sent a total of $863.20 earlier this week. On pace to finish in about 10-ish more payments.



Another loan was killed off this month! I had to take a little bit from my buffer to get rid of the 3.61% loan. Just three left and can't wait to get started in the New Year.


haypug16

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #190 on: December 12, 2017, 09:09:33 AM »
Another loan was killed off this month! I had to take a little bit from my buffer to get rid of the 3.61% loan. Just three left and can't wait to get started in the New Year.

Awesome job! Must be a great feeling knocking those loans out.

Jim Fiction

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #191 on: December 29, 2017, 02:40:22 PM »
I'll be jumping in on the challenge this year.

Loan 1: $1,050 @ 0.40%
Loan 2: $3,900 @ 2.15%
Loan 3: $13,225 @ 4.50%
Loan 4: $15,050 @ 4.78%

Total: $33,225

Loan 4 must die in 2017. Should I finish early (doubtful), I will start working on loan 3.

Best of luck to everyone!

Update to post December Payments:

Loan 1: $510 $461 @ 0.40%
Loan 2: $2,943 $2,859 @ 2.15%
Loan 3: $12,809 $12,302 @ 4.50%
Loan 4: $0 @ 4.99%

Total: $16,262 $15,622




I hope everyone has been enjoying the holidays!

Last payments for the year are in. All told I paid off over $17,600 during 2017 and finished loan four, so the year was a resounding success.

I did back off on my aggressiveness this month, only putting an extra $500 towards loan 3. I probably could have pushed harder, but credit cards were higher than normal due to the holidays.

Looking forward to 2018, my employer still hasn't finalized their new SLR benefit so that leaves things up in the air a bit. Loan 1 will be done in September by just making the minimum payments. Loan 2 is scheduled to be done in July 2019 by simply making the minimums, and is at such a low rate that I am in no rush to pay it off. I would like to get Loan 3 paid off sooner rather than later, but if I can get some free income from my employer to hold off a few years it will likely be worth it. I can also do a re-fi as well and knock down the interest.

Slow&Steady

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #192 on: January 02, 2018, 02:13:45 PM »
Has anybody seen/started a 2018 edition?

I can't get into my 401k today so the only Gauntlet I can obsess about participate in today is the Student Loan one but I don't want to start the thread.

Jim Fiction

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #193 on: January 02, 2018, 08:01:51 PM »
Looking forward to 2018, my employer still hasn't finalized their new SLR benefit so that leaves things up in the air a bit. Loan 1 will be done in September by just making the minimum payments. Loan 2 is scheduled to be done in July 2019 by simply making the minimums, and is at such a low rate that I am in no rush to pay it off. I would like to get Loan 3 paid off sooner rather than later, but if I can get some free income from my employer to hold off a few years it will likely be worth it. I can also do a re-fi as well and knock down the interest.

My company announced its SLR benefits today... and its kind of worst-case scenario. The program is through Gradifi and it is simply a partnering to offer refinance and counseling options. There are no employer contributions included. Will need to check the site tomorrow once it goes live, maybe the refi rates will be really good? Kind of a let down, guess this means it'll be fulll-steam ahead on the loan paydown in 2018.

Has anybody seen/started a 2018 edition?

I can't get into my 401k today so the only Gauntlet I can obsess about participate in today is the Student Loan one but I don't want to start the thread.

I haven't seen one as of yet. Not sure if sweetkerryline plans on starting one, but 2018 is still very young.

RockytopinDC

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #194 on: January 03, 2018, 05:23:29 AM »
We are student loan debt free today! We were trying to finish in 2017 but had to push it over to this year by a few days.

April 2017: ~$81,000.00 student loan debt total.
January 2, 2018: Student loan debt free

With the bull market it would have been better to invest this money retrospectively. But psychologically I really enjoy being out of debt. Full disclosure: we used mostly our salaries but also received a big gift from our wedding of about 15K. The average interest rate was only about 6%. Now we're going to try to keep saving!

JustGettingStarted1980

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #195 on: January 03, 2018, 06:50:19 PM »
Congratulations Rocky!!!

I'm now at $16,437 (from 275K originally). Plan on being done by May 2018, we will see about that.  Psychological benefit will be earth-shattering, I think.

JGS

sweetkerryline

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #196 on: January 03, 2018, 11:11:53 PM »
Looking forward to 2018, my employer still hasn't finalized their new SLR benefit so that leaves things up in the air a bit. Loan 1 will be done in September by just making the minimum payments. Loan 2 is scheduled to be done in July 2019 by simply making the minimums, and is at such a low rate that I am in no rush to pay it off. I would like to get Loan 3 paid off sooner rather than later, but if I can get some free income from my employer to hold off a few years it will likely be worth it. I can also do a re-fi as well and knock down the interest.

My company announced its SLR benefits today... and its kind of worst-case scenario. The program is through Gradifi and it is simply a partnering to offer refinance and counseling options. There are no employer contributions included. Will need to check the site tomorrow once it goes live, maybe the refi rates will be really good? Kind of a let down, guess this means it'll be fulll-steam ahead on the loan paydown in 2018.

Has anybody seen/started a 2018 edition?

I can't get into my 401k today so the only Gauntlet I can obsess about participate in today is the Student Loan one but I don't want to start the thread.

I haven't seen one as of yet. Not sure if sweetkerryline plans on starting one, but 2018 is still very young.

Done! I hadn't planned on starting one as I'm on holiday. But agreed we need something to obsess over.
« Last Edit: January 03, 2018, 11:19:42 PM by sweetkerryline »

haypug16

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #197 on: January 16, 2018, 01:46:15 PM »
                         Oct 2017     Nov 2017   Dec 2017
Loan 1 - 6.8%     6,257.24     6,211.06    6,163.52
Loan 2 - 6.8%     9,517.58     9,447.32    9,375.02
Loan 3 - 6.8%   11,066.22   10,984.53  10,900.46
Loan 4 - 5.84%   7,179.51     7,127.48    7,074.13
Loan 5 - 5.375% 7,135.00     7,085.39    7,119.11
Loan 6 - 4.66%   2,592.43     2,572.38    2,551.94
Loan 7 - 4.5%     3,415.17     3,388.66    3,361.66
Loan 8 - 3.86%   5,496.10     5,452.81    5,408.83
Loan 9 - 3.4%     3,940.29     3,908.91    3,877.09
Loan 10 - 3.4%   5,466.07     5,422.54    5,378.41
                 Total 62,065.61   61,601.08   61,210.17

Loans very slowly going down but I did end up refinancing the higher interest ones so January will have a slightly different listing.

JustGettingStarted1980

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #198 on: February 01, 2018, 06:16:51 AM »
Congratulations Rocky!!!

I'm now at $16,437 (from 275K originally). Plan on being done by May 2018, we will see about that.  Psychological benefit will be earth-shattering, I think.

JGS

This is from my spreadsheet at home:

Year 0               $271,166.06
End of Year 1    $254,606.59
End of Year 2    $250,140.10
End of Year 3    $251,790.69
End of Year 4    $211,956.51
End of Year 5    $202,242.54
End of Year 6    $141,781.43
End of Year 7    $104,341.05
End of Year 8    $68,071.59
End of Year 9    $29,938.83
End of Year 10    PAID OFF 2/1/18 

LAST PAYMENT TO MY STUDENT LOANS EVER TODAY !!!!!

Dug into the E-Fund to pay off $15,807+ today. Very very very satisfying.

In all, it's been around 9.5 years of having this crap over my head. It's great to be able to move on from this stage.

JGS



JanetJackson

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Re: Student Loan Challenge (2017 Edition)
« Reply #199 on: March 12, 2018, 06:43:21 AM »
CONGRATS!  That's so awesome and inspiring!

Congratulations Rocky!!!

I'm now at $16,437 (from 275K originally). Plan on being done by May 2018, we will see about that.  Psychological benefit will be earth-shattering, I think.

JGS

This is from my spreadsheet at home:

Year 0               $271,166.06
End of Year 1    $254,606.59
End of Year 2    $250,140.10
End of Year 3    $251,790.69
End of Year 4    $211,956.51
End of Year 5    $202,242.54
End of Year 6    $141,781.43
End of Year 7    $104,341.05
End of Year 8    $68,071.59
End of Year 9    $29,938.83
End of Year 10    PAID OFF 2/1/18 

LAST PAYMENT TO MY STUDENT LOANS EVER TODAY !!!!!

Dug into the E-Fund to pay off $15,807+ today. Very very very satisfying.

In all, it's been around 9.5 years of having this crap over my head. It's great to be able to move on from this stage.

JGS

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!