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As a future healthcare provider, how do you manage your finances to pay off your student loans as quickly as possible before you begin to start a family?
I will have 160k in student loans in 2032. I maxed out my Roth every year since 2025, and I have a 403B plan with my employer.
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Priscilla’s Answer
I graduated with about half that much in loans and was able to pay it off in a little over 5-6 years. I was very tempted to complete a program that would have left me 150k in loan repayment, but ultimately decided against that for the financial reasons.
For repayment, at baseline, I aimed to keep my fixed costs like rent, low. I do live in a high-cost city, but even then there are ways to look for lower cost opportunities over time. For other costs, I follow commonly shared tips like buying things on sale, being mindful of what you buy so you don't throw away half your groceries, etc.
The main thing that sped up my loan repayment:
- Include your monthly loan payment in your budget. Then, if you have extra money at the end of the week/month/etc , apply whatever amount of it you feel comfortable toward additional payment toward your loan(s). Basically make more payments, even if they're small, in between payment dates. Everything you pay over your monthly payment would apply to your principal loan amount rather than interest, so that's a nice way to speed up repayment.
- However, to balance the point above, I also didn't fret too much about paying off my loans above all other priorities. Because there is the concept of it being "good debt." And the interest on my loans was quite low, as far as loan interest goes. So, for example if I had extra money leftover I would apply some toward extra loan payment, some toward extra savings/investment/etc.
Hope this helps a little bit!
For repayment, at baseline, I aimed to keep my fixed costs like rent, low. I do live in a high-cost city, but even then there are ways to look for lower cost opportunities over time. For other costs, I follow commonly shared tips like buying things on sale, being mindful of what you buy so you don't throw away half your groceries, etc.
The main thing that sped up my loan repayment:
- Include your monthly loan payment in your budget. Then, if you have extra money at the end of the week/month/etc , apply whatever amount of it you feel comfortable toward additional payment toward your loan(s). Basically make more payments, even if they're small, in between payment dates. Everything you pay over your monthly payment would apply to your principal loan amount rather than interest, so that's a nice way to speed up repayment.
- However, to balance the point above, I also didn't fret too much about paying off my loans above all other priorities. Because there is the concept of it being "good debt." And the interest on my loans was quite low, as far as loan interest goes. So, for example if I had extra money leftover I would apply some toward extra loan payment, some toward extra savings/investment/etc.
Hope this helps a little bit!
I'm excited to put your great advice to good use!
Ramez
Updated
Suraayah’s Answer
Hi Ramez, you’re already doing a great job by maxing out your Roth IRA and contributing to your 403b. Most students don’t think that far ahead, so the fact that you’re already investing in your future puts you in a stronger position than you realize. Keep that momentum — it will pay off later.
I’m originally from New York, so I understand how overwhelming the cost of living and student loan debt can feel when you’re trying to build your future. I want to share what helped me, what I wish I had known earlier, and what I’ve learned from experience and from watching others navigate the same path.
The first step is controlling how much you borrow. Only take what you truly need and return any excess loan money immediately. It’s tempting to accept the full amount, but interest grows fast. Keeping your borrowing low now gives you more freedom later.
Next, look at ways to shorten your time in school. If your college offers summer classes, intercessions, or accelerated sessions, take advantage of them. I doubled up on classes, graduated earlier, and saved money on housing and fees. It’s a heavier lift for a short period, but it reduces your total debt and gets you earning sooner.
While you’re in school, find ways to bring in income. On‑campus work‑study is flexible and often related to your field. Part‑time jobs, even ten to fifteen hours a week, help reduce borrowing and build discipline. If you don’t have a strong banking or financial foundation yet, take a few basic business or personal finance classes. Understanding interest, budgeting, taxes, and credit will help you make smarter decisions. A financial advisor can also help you build a long‑term plan as your income grows.
Housing is one of the biggest expenses, so avoid living on campus if you can. Renting off‑campus with roommate's cuts costs dramatically and teaches you how to manage real‑world bills. You can also rent rooms to long‑term students, especially med students. They stay for years, pay reliably, and you learn from them while reducing your housing costs.
As you move into your career, consider travel healthcare. My first assignment was in Hawaii at a military hospital as an LPN. Later, as an RN, I traveled to Guam and visited the Philippines and Thailand while already on that side of the world. Travel roles pay well, help you pay down debt faster, and still let you enjoy life.
To stay motivated, create a visual board of your debt payoff. Seeing the numbers and your progress keeps you focused. Learn the avalanche and snowball payoff methods. Avalanche saves the most money by targeting high‑interest loans first. Snowball builds motivation by clearing small balances first. Choose the one that fits your personality.
A starter home can also be part of your long‑term financial strategy. A house with strong bones, even if it’s a fixer‑upper, can be a smart investment. A one‑level home lowers heating and cooling costs, and you can update it slowly over time. If your family is willing, they may help you with part of the down payment while you’re still in school. Once you move in, roommates can help pay down the mortgage instead of you paying rent somewhere else. That means you’re building equity early, even while studying. Later, if you move for work, travel, or go abroad, you can rent it out and return to it anytime. If you pay it off before retirement, you can sell it after years of improvements or keep it as a fully paid‑off retirement home. Look into first‑time homebuyer programs when the time comes; many offer down‑payment assistance or lower interest rates.
Career growth also depends on relationships. Start building rapport with people in your field early. Even if you begin in an entry‑level job, it gives you a foot in the door. You can move up as you continue your studies, and the relationships you build now can turn into long‑term mentors, references, and opportunities. Consistency and professionalism over time matter more than starting at the top.
I paid off all my school loans last year in under eight months. It was a heavy lift, and I didn’t take vacations during that time, but the freedom afterward was worth it. Watching interest accumulate made me push harder because I couldn’t stand the idea of paying more than I had to.
Before starting a family, stabilize your finances. Pay down as much debt as you can, build savings, and keep your expenses low. Children add new responsibilities, so the more you handle now, the easier your future will be. And when you’re thinking about marriage or long‑term partnership, have honest conversations about debt. Your partner’s debt matters too. Transparency around student loans, credit cards, spending habits, and financial goals is essential. You don’t need to have everything perfect, but you do need to be aligned.
From a parental standpoint, if I were advising my own child, I’d say borrow the minimum, work part‑time, live with roommates, avoid unnecessary debt, build savings early, don’t rush into big purchases, and stay focused on long‑term goals. You can pay off your loans, build wealth, and still enjoy your life. I did it, and you can too.
Dr. Hunter
Create a simple monthly payoff plan you can realistically maintain.
Track your loan balance visually so you stay motivated.
Choose avalanche or snowball based on what fits your personality.
Explore first‑time homebuyer programs when you’re ready.
Have open financial conversations with any future partner early.
I’m originally from New York, so I understand how overwhelming the cost of living and student loan debt can feel when you’re trying to build your future. I want to share what helped me, what I wish I had known earlier, and what I’ve learned from experience and from watching others navigate the same path.
The first step is controlling how much you borrow. Only take what you truly need and return any excess loan money immediately. It’s tempting to accept the full amount, but interest grows fast. Keeping your borrowing low now gives you more freedom later.
Next, look at ways to shorten your time in school. If your college offers summer classes, intercessions, or accelerated sessions, take advantage of them. I doubled up on classes, graduated earlier, and saved money on housing and fees. It’s a heavier lift for a short period, but it reduces your total debt and gets you earning sooner.
While you’re in school, find ways to bring in income. On‑campus work‑study is flexible and often related to your field. Part‑time jobs, even ten to fifteen hours a week, help reduce borrowing and build discipline. If you don’t have a strong banking or financial foundation yet, take a few basic business or personal finance classes. Understanding interest, budgeting, taxes, and credit will help you make smarter decisions. A financial advisor can also help you build a long‑term plan as your income grows.
Housing is one of the biggest expenses, so avoid living on campus if you can. Renting off‑campus with roommate's cuts costs dramatically and teaches you how to manage real‑world bills. You can also rent rooms to long‑term students, especially med students. They stay for years, pay reliably, and you learn from them while reducing your housing costs.
As you move into your career, consider travel healthcare. My first assignment was in Hawaii at a military hospital as an LPN. Later, as an RN, I traveled to Guam and visited the Philippines and Thailand while already on that side of the world. Travel roles pay well, help you pay down debt faster, and still let you enjoy life.
To stay motivated, create a visual board of your debt payoff. Seeing the numbers and your progress keeps you focused. Learn the avalanche and snowball payoff methods. Avalanche saves the most money by targeting high‑interest loans first. Snowball builds motivation by clearing small balances first. Choose the one that fits your personality.
A starter home can also be part of your long‑term financial strategy. A house with strong bones, even if it’s a fixer‑upper, can be a smart investment. A one‑level home lowers heating and cooling costs, and you can update it slowly over time. If your family is willing, they may help you with part of the down payment while you’re still in school. Once you move in, roommates can help pay down the mortgage instead of you paying rent somewhere else. That means you’re building equity early, even while studying. Later, if you move for work, travel, or go abroad, you can rent it out and return to it anytime. If you pay it off before retirement, you can sell it after years of improvements or keep it as a fully paid‑off retirement home. Look into first‑time homebuyer programs when the time comes; many offer down‑payment assistance or lower interest rates.
Career growth also depends on relationships. Start building rapport with people in your field early. Even if you begin in an entry‑level job, it gives you a foot in the door. You can move up as you continue your studies, and the relationships you build now can turn into long‑term mentors, references, and opportunities. Consistency and professionalism over time matter more than starting at the top.
I paid off all my school loans last year in under eight months. It was a heavy lift, and I didn’t take vacations during that time, but the freedom afterward was worth it. Watching interest accumulate made me push harder because I couldn’t stand the idea of paying more than I had to.
Before starting a family, stabilize your finances. Pay down as much debt as you can, build savings, and keep your expenses low. Children add new responsibilities, so the more you handle now, the easier your future will be. And when you’re thinking about marriage or long‑term partnership, have honest conversations about debt. Your partner’s debt matters too. Transparency around student loans, credit cards, spending habits, and financial goals is essential. You don’t need to have everything perfect, but you do need to be aligned.
From a parental standpoint, if I were advising my own child, I’d say borrow the minimum, work part‑time, live with roommates, avoid unnecessary debt, build savings early, don’t rush into big purchases, and stay focused on long‑term goals. You can pay off your loans, build wealth, and still enjoy your life. I did it, and you can too.
Dr. Hunter
Suraayah recommends the following next steps:
Thank you!
Ramez