We like to prepare student loan borrowers for whatever life throws at you. But even the best laid plans can throw a curve ball. Sim Terwilliger, CFP®, CSLP®, and James Mwombela, CFP®, two of our newest student loan advisors, recently found themselves taking one of those unplanned detours: Challenges along the way to having a baby. Join Lauryn Williams, CFP®, CSLP®, as she talks to the team about breaking the all-too-common silence around fertility and related issues since joining, as Sim puts it, "the club that you didn't ask to join." We'll cover the kinds of wealth that money can't buy and why student loan debt should not derail your family planning plans.

In today's episode, you'll find out:

• Why you delaying having children can have very real consequences for fertility
• How the journey from discovering a potential fertility problem to diagnosis and treatment can easily run to two years
• How you can manage student loan debt and start planning for your family at the same time
• How aggressive student loan pay-off strategies can backfire
• Why you need to start advocating for yourself with billing and insurance benefits early
• Hidden costs to consider that might not be covered by insurance
• How setting cash aside to boost medical coverage can reduce state and federal taxable earned income.
• Family planning tax strategies that can save you big money
• How LGBT couples may be eligible for grants to cover adoption expenses.
• What to say (and what not to say) to friends who may be trying to have a baby
• How to find happiness when life doesn't go as planned

Links related to topics mentioned:

• RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
• Reproductive Facts: Infertility Counseling and Support
• Kaiser Permanente-Infertility Emotional and Social Support
• When Miscarriage Ends a Pregnancy: Understanding the Loss and What to Say

Like the show? There are several ways you can help!

• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts
• Follow on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn

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