Student Loan Planner

Flying by the seat of your pants isn't a great strategy for your own finances, and it's downright risky when it comes to your aging parent's money situation. Many of us millennials and Gen Xers are suddenly realizing our boomer parents might need help, but where do we even start?

We have a practical checklist for tackling those awkward money conversations with your parents. We'll guide you through insurance basics, tax considerations, and planning for future care needs so you don't get stuck making life-altering decisions in a crisis — have the conversation early so you're not scrambling when it might be too late.

Key moments:

(06:06) One conversation might not be enough and who to include in financial planning talks (11:20) Insurance policies and legal documents every family should review together (22:14) Housing decision factors: staying put, downsizing, and future-proofing their living space (30:23) The family balancing act: dividing financial and caregiving responsibilities between siblings

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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
• Get profession-specific financial planning

Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

The legal battle over the SAVE plan just took another turn. With the injunction now made permanent, what happens next? Learn how this latest court decision affects your repayment plan, the impact on student loan forgiveness, and what it means for current and future borrowers.

We'll also cover the legal and legislative angles, what to watch for in the coming months, and how to adjust your student loan strategy. If you're wondering whether student loan forgiveness is still in play or how this affects your next steps, tune in to this episode.

Key moments:

(02:48) The ICR statute doesn't explicitly promise forgiveness after 25 years (04:44) What the SAVE injunction means in plain terms (07:31) How this ruling could throw a wrench into House Republicans' tax cut plans (12:09) What to consider if you're in the SAVE forbearance or going for PSLF

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

• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe to the newsletter

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
• Get profession-specific financial planning

Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

If you've been setting goals but not seeing results, this might be the missing piece. The simple act of writing down your financial goals increases your chances of seeing them through by 33% to 42% compared to those who just keep them in their heads. Learn why writing your goals makes such a difference, and discover simple strategies to make your financial dreams a reality. From the psychology of goal-setting to small habits that lead to big wins, we're covering what it takes to turn your "someday" goals into real progress.

Key moments:

(03:37) Vague goals get vague results, but writing them down makes all the difference (09:57) Tracking progress keeps you motivated (18:39) A goal-based plan helps you adapt when life changes (23:56) Automation can help you reach your goals without constant effort

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

• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe to the newsletter

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
• Get profession-specific financial planning

Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

The student loan landscape is a mess — uncertainty, delays, conflicting headlines, and a whole lot of anxiety. Should you switch repayment plans? Are you eligible for PAYE? And how could political changes impact Grad PLUS loans and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)? We're answering real borrower questions and sharing practical steps you can take right now so you don't get caught off guard by sudden changes. If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just unsure of your next step, this episode is for you.

Key moments:

(06:08) Should you switch to a new IDR plan or stick with SAVE?

(13:19) Could an executive order eliminate Grad PLUS loans?

(19:32) Can DOGE change access to PSLF or IDR forgiveness?

(25:23) Taking time off for kids? Here's how to manage student loan repayment during career breaks

(32:43) What to expect with student loans and income recertification

Link mentioned:

• Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plan request

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

• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe to the newsletter

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
• Get profession-specific financial planning

Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

This Valentine's Day, we're putting a fun twist on one of the most important (and tricky) parts of any relationship — money.

We're playing a game of "Swipe Right or Left" to tackle common financial questions and relationship dynamics, deciding what's worth keeping and what needs to go.

From engagement rings and budgeting to investing and prenups, we're sharing personal stories, financial red and green flags, and the key to open, honest money conversations with your partner. Expect a playful yet insightful discussion that will leave you with fresh perspectives, practical takeaways, and maybe even a few laughs. Because when it comes to love and money, making the right match matters.

Key moments:

(06:48) Is the stock market a risky move for young couples?

(09:59) Engagement rings: How much to spend, and should proposals be a surprise

(16:47) Estate planning essentials every couple should know

(32:48) When spouses don't share the same financial goals

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

• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe to the newsletter

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
• Get profession-specific financial planning

Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

A lot of borrowers are concerned about what would happen if the Department of Education gets eliminated. We'll walk through exactly what can and can't change based on the law, from Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans to the impact on your student loans. Plus, I'll give you clear guidance and action steps to prepare your finances. If you're worried about recertifying your income or wondering if you should refinance, this episode will help calm your nerves and give you practical steps to protect yourself.

Key moments:

(03:20) Your IDR payments could spike if you don't plan for how you'll file your tax return

(04:54) Potential PSLF and IDR program changes that could affect your forgiveness

(10:24) What a Department of Ed shakeup could mean for your student loans

(14:33) The debt-to-income formula that determines your best loan strategy

(19:41) The reconciliation bill could reshape IDR programs

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

• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe to the newsletter

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
• Get profession-specific financial planning

Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

Most people treat insurance as a set-it-and-forget-it expense — but that approach could be costing you. We're going beyond the basics with industry experts Bobby Jackson and Taylor Walker from Rhodes Advisors to unpack the forces driving rising property and casualty (P&C) insurance costs. Y

ou'll learn why premiums are climbing, how natural disasters and market trends play a role, and what brokers bring to the table. We'll also explore strategic claim filing, the importance of your insurance score, and why personal cyber coverage is becoming essential. If you're a high-income professional looking to protect your assets and make smarter insurance decisions, this episode is a must-listen.

Key moments:

(06:56) Market trends and why insurance costs are rising while coverage gets tougher (18:45) Key factors to consider before switching insurance providers (28:35) How strategic claim filing and your insurance score impact premiums (36:14) The role of personal cyber coverage in protecting your credit and finances

Link mentioned:

• Visit Rhodes Advisors

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

• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe to the newsletter

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
• Get profession-specific financial planning

Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

Confirmation battles are heating up, and student loan policy hangs in the balance. Linda McMahon is set to take over the Department of Education, but will her past come back to haunt her? More importantly, who will actually be in charge of student loan decisions? We address why student loans have been on the back burner, what could change, and how much power the Trump administration really has over repayment plans, IDR adjustments, and recertifications. Plus, we tackle must-hear listener questions to help you navigate shifting student loan policies, avoid costly missteps, and make the best decisions for your repayment strategy.

Key moments:

(00:43) Linda McMahon's confirmation is all but certain, despite past allegations (05:56) Who will shape Trump's student loan policy? With confirmation battles ahead, there's no clear leader yet(06:46) Student loans aren't a priority for Trump's education team — where does that leave borrowers? (15:00) Over 300 qualifying payments and still waiting… should you switch repayment plans, or does it even matter? (20:46) Could Trump erase the IDR account adjustment? Yes, but it isn't likely (32:14) IDR recertification is in Trump's hands, and borrowers need to be ready with the right tax returns

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

• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe to the newsletter

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
• Get profession-specific financial planning

Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

Personal finance is a journey, and we've spent years guiding clients through its twists and turns. Now, we're sharing the top 10 lessons we've learned — insights that can help you tackle student loans, achieve financial goals, and navigate the emotional side of money. Learn how simplicity can transform your financial plan, why celebrating small wins keeps you on track, and how to stop lifestyle creep before it derails your progress. We'll also cover the smartest way to automate your finances, strategies for handling life's curveballs, and the power of saying no when it really counts.

Key moments:

(05:23) Money isn't just numbers, financial success is balancing math with behavior (11:11) Building an emergency fund isn't glamorous, but it's essential (18:10) Why financial planners ask so many questions (24:48) Automating your finances lightens the mental load and leads to big results (29:55) Learn to say no to purchases, bad investments, or family requests — even when it's uncomfortable

Links mentioned:

• Monarch Money

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

• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe to the newsletter

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
• Get profession-specific financial planning

Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

The first week of a new administration always brings a flurry of activity, but despite a wave of executive orders, the Trump administration hasn't touched student loans… yet. What does this mean for borrowers? Let's unpack the silence and uncover what this lack of immediate action says about the administration's priorities. If you're curious about policy changes or want to stay ahead of the curve, we break it down in plain terms to help you understand what's happening — and what could be next.

Key moments:

(01:42) Promises made under the Biden administration might not carry over in a Trump administration

(06:59) Borrowers could be asked to restart payments soon, potentially as early as this spring

(08:27) Should you get an extension to file your tax return?

(10:52) The big legislative focus is what's happening with the reconciliation bill

(16:35) We're still waiting for rulings from the 8th Circuit Court. Will they act, or will Trump's team make the call?

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

• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe to the newsletter

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
• Get profession-specific financial planning

Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!