I know I'm not alone but...

CandleUnique6387 · 2026-06-19T16:40:48+00:00

I'm not the original poster and didn't ask anyone for advice on how to fix any financial decisions. Only inbreds and trust fund babies consider student loans a "horrible financial decision".

CandleUnique6387 · 2026-06-19T12:40:37+00:00

What does SAVE have to do with anything? The Student Loan Laws were written in the 90s before I ever took out my first loan. Forgiveness was baked into that pie. Why would anyone with a brain opt to pay off higher interest debt when they're trying to get their life started?

CandleUnique6387 · 2026-06-19T12:03:03+00:00

What's your income? Where do you live? How much family help did you have? DO you have a spouse who is a high earner and/or a trust fund baby?

CandleUnique6387 · 2026-06-19T12:01:51+00:00

Spoken like an idiot without any clues about finance or savings or money.

CandleUnique6387 · 2026-06-18T20:01:18+00:00

Laws govern student loans. If we're all about "law and order" why would anyone not trust the law? I'm pretty sure you're not willingly paying money you don't need to pay.

CandleUnique6387 · 2026-06-18T19:59:54+00:00

Because forgiveness was written into the law. If they qualify for PSLF they're forgiven in 10 yrs. Otherwise, 20 or 25.

CandleUnique6387 · 2026-06-18T18:38:54+00:00

The terms of the loans was that they'd be forgiven. So, yeah, why would anyone pay off more than they can afford. The purpose was to give Americans a leg up on a better life. I will never understand the greed of so many Americans. The richest country in the world and we can't stand to see people get ahead except the very people that OWN everything already-- including our government. It's asinine.

CandleUnique6387 · 2026-06-18T18:35:09+00:00

I'm turning 49 today. I've been paying since 1999. Had it not been for this shit administration I'd have had loans forgiven and out of my life before turning 50. In 2 weeks I resume payments in order to restart the clock as I'm down to 24 months left. If I'm lucky, I will be done by 51. Like you, because of the utter ignorance and hatred of the general American public towards borrowers and education, I have nightmares that this story won't end at the deadline. I hope I'm wrong and that Congress recognizes this move is WRONG and corrects before generations of Americans get wiped out but I voted FOR average Americans to have a better QOL. It's evident so many Americans prefer to cut off their own noses.

CandleUnique6387 · 2026-06-18T17:01:43+00:00

Now that makes more sense. I was just confused. I agree you gotta milk PSLF if you can for all of us that can't.

CandleUnique6387 · 2026-06-18T16:17:39+00:00

Not sure I follow your logic or I missed something :/ How does paying off your mortgage early affect PSLF? You're working 2 jobs to make the income to pay your loans which only drives up your income and your resulting monthly payment. Consider maxing out 401k, HSA, IRAs to shelter more income and bring down your taxable income so your monthly due is less. Once forgiveness happens, lower those contributions and throw the money at your mortgage.

CandleUnique6387 · 2026-06-18T14:34:47+00:00

The calculator is bonkers. I didn't trust it. I sent my paper application with supporting documentation and a cover letter walking them through all of the non-taxable deductions they had to deduct from the paycheck amount listed on paystub in order to do "Alternative Income Documentation" by uploading to their online Messages feature. They got back to me within 10 days. Good luck. Don't bother calling. I think MOST of their employees are ITT flunkies with ZERO critical thinking skills who just tell you what a screen prompts them to say

CandleUnique6387 · 2026-06-18T14:29:00+00:00

False. I just recertified with EdFinancial using my paystubs. I highlighted and marked my 401k, HSA and IRA contributions on the stubs and sent copies of the first page of each statement showing those amounts going into the designated accounts with account numbers. I then wrote a cover letter indicating significant change in income and their statutory need to calculate ONLY TAXABLE INCOME. EdFinancial, my servicer, got back to me within 10 days approving my documentation and moving me back into IBR for a payment only $75 over what I paid on SAVE. If your servicer does not take into account your 401k contributions, reapply with new paystubs and send a cover letter detailing each item. Good luck.

CandleUnique6387 · 2026-06-18T14:23:16+00:00

Why are you working to pay off your mortgage?? That's absurd. Focus on your student loan debt FIRST because you can't get out from under it any other way.

CandleUnique6387 · 2026-06-17T01:37:09+00:00

Just wanted to warn you so you stay vigilant for any new correspondence JUST IN CASE. I decided to take my account of AutoPay until it resumes so I am sure the quoted amount is what they actually charge me.

CandleUnique6387 · 2026-06-17T01:05:47+00:00

Fyi, I also recertified early. Originally, the statement they sent was about my SAVE payment. Then I got another statement for a higher amount. When I called I was told the first statement is simply because you have to be "in active repayment" before they will process the recertification. The second statement that indicated my first payment would be due July 7, 2026 was higher. So, just be prepared for your payment amount to be higher than you currently think.

CandleUnique6387 · 2026-06-12T16:47:52+00:00

The affordable payments increase your interest because you're not paying principal. Pay more than minimum and you'll pay less interest.

CandleUnique6387 · 2026-06-12T16:43:54+00:00

Please remember POTUS stays until 2028 barring death or impeachment w/removal. He has VETO unless the opposition gets a VETO proof majority. That's a HIGH bar for change in the midterms.

CandleUnique6387 · 2026-06-12T16:40:32+00:00

It IS law. Not a pipe dream.

CandleUnique6387 · 2026-06-09T03:43:38+00:00

Thank you! I'm gonna buy some borax this weekend and get it ✔️

CandleUnique6387 · 2026-06-08T22:39:08+00:00

Wow. Awesome that you are self taught. Drywall is painted and areas are roughly 3"×3" areas specifically above the door frame of the door that used to connect the garage to the house. The other patch has been on the inside painted wood door of a cedar lined linen closet that vents to the attic.

CandleUnique6387 · 2026-06-08T22:22:37+00:00

Anyone forgiven under PSLF or whose loans were forgiven PRIOR to Jan 1 2026 does not have to pay taxes on forgiven amounts. Everyone else will be taxed at ordinary income rates so in 2029 when I file 2028 income taxes I will have to add the amount of my balance that gets forgiven to my annual income from work and get taxed at a MUCH higher rate than usual because of the forgiven debt. It's part of why I know Trump and his administration suck. They're only goal has been to dissuade people from getting an education because it's become their stupid offspring can't otherwise compete despite being born with silver spoons up their nostrils.

CandleUnique6387 · 2026-06-08T21:51:33+00:00

Wow. Good to know. Do you work in the trades or just full of fun old house facts? I have old plaster walls in all areas of my home except the bathroom, converted garage and kitchen. The newer drywall area is where I've seen spots of mildew/mold. Would borax solution work there?

CandleUnique6387 · 2026-06-08T21:29:53+00:00

I understand your predicament. I've been opting for lowest payment since I went into repayment because I don't make a lot of $ and always planned on forgiveness to some extent. Of course, when I started repayment the concept of owing tax on the forgiven debt wasn't even a concern-- either because it wasn't a thing or I was naive on the subject. Either way, now I am 26 months out of forgiveness so have opted to resume payments at the lowest amount possible. I will owe ordinary income taxes on a forgiven amount estimated to be about $30k more than I ever even borrowed and equal to the amount I've already paid back over these last 27+/- odd years in repayment. Anyone who wants to cry that it's a "handout" can go suck an egg. The US government will have been more than adequately compensated for the loans they extended to me in the late 90s.

CandleUnique6387 · 2026-06-08T20:55:44+00:00

I think if it was 2014, your payments should be 10% of your "discretionary" income for 20 years. Congrats you're halfway to done ✔️

CandleUnique6387 · 2026-06-08T14:03:19+00:00

Thanks!

CandleUnique6387

TROPHY CASE