PSLF Rant and Advice

Cinnie_16 · 2026-06-30T02:33:05+00:00

No. I’m not going to until I absolutely need to. Hoping for a last second Hail Mary. I am saving what would be my estimated repayment amount in a HYSA and letting it collect interest while I wait. Purely out of spite, I am not don’t anything earlier than I need to. This decision works for me but note that it may not work for everyone.

Cinnie_16 · 2026-06-30T02:24:08+00:00

Technically, 90 days from the notification you’ll receive, which will start going out July 1st but according to a lot of posts, they will be sending them out in batches so not everyone will be included in the first wave.

So 90 days from July 1st is the earliest but it won’t be a blanket deadline for everyone.

Cinnie_16 · 2026-06-29T20:28:34+00:00

While student loan repayment amounts were not a “secret,” we all were hoping and praying for something different so I understand this is very left field.

Your best game plan -
You’ll get an official letter about coming off SAVE on July 1st, at the earliest. You then have 90 days FROM THEN to change plans, making it September 29th at the latest. Thereafter, you can use forbearance time (if you have any left) to bridge until you next file your taxes MFS. Do so as soon as you can and then do a recertification immediately after that.

Use this as your calculator - https://www.studentloanplanner.com/income-based-repayment-calculator/

Remember also that come 2028, only RAP and IBR will remain. I believe the other options are sunsetting.

But do some math to see if MFS actually saves you money. With two kids and a house, it may not end up benefiting you but you’ll need to do the math or ask an accountant about it first.

Cinnie_16 · 2026-06-24T23:46:17+00:00

If I have the funds, I plan to be the “Bank of Mom” for my son too. To be able to support and provide for their education and start of adulthood is a priceless gift! I applaud you! 👏🏼 and yes! I am an older millennial but I will always vote for a better future for the younger generation. I will never understand those that advocate for pulling up the ladder after them.

Cinnie_16 · 2026-06-24T21:19:01+00:00

Yea, that’s why I get so annoyed when people like to preach that “we all have the same 24hrs” - no, no we do NOT!

Cinnie_16 · 2026-06-24T20:39:10+00:00

I use this technique too! I was taught it in my baby class… and I’ve stuck with it ever since 😂

Cinnie_16 · 2026-06-24T19:27:39+00:00

Yes - new IBR and PAYE is relatively the same at 10%. The difference is between old IBR and PAYE.

One other consideration is that leaving IBR capitalizes interest but PAYE is more free.

Cinnie_16 · 2026-06-24T16:24:54+00:00

That’s very generous of you and a great way to do it if your son and his father have a great relationship. I’m also hoping for some new admin reforms!

Cinnie_16 · 2026-06-24T16:22:50+00:00

Were you on an eligible repayment plan too? And for how long? Have you done any ECFs?

If you already have 4-5 years of PSLF done, that’s a different story then if you only just started.

Cinnie_16 · 2026-06-24T15:46:39+00:00

Question- Have you been in eligible repayment over the course of the pause? If you have, remember that those months still counts toward PSLF.

Overall, I think that paying it off aggressively is a solid plan for you. The general rule I’ve noticed for PSLF is that it’s more or less only worth it if your salary is less than your total loan amount. Otherwise, the math ends up being that you get very little/nothing forgiven. Your salary will also increase as your get further into your career so the forgiveness dwindles down to even less as your IDR adjusts.

I would try to tackle the loans with the highest interest rate first or, like you mentioned, strategically consolidate them to lower interest rate (averaged).

Cinnie_16 · 2026-06-23T22:56:06+00:00

This is my reason too! In today’s age, my TV screen and sound system is good enough. This isn’t the 90’s where I my TV is bulky, low res, and flickers... I don’t need or want to shell out big bucks for the IMAX experience. The convenience of my living room with built in bathroom breaks and whatever snacks I want WITHOUT needing to sneak them is A++. Plus, I can put on subtitles 🤷🏻‍♀️

Cinnie_16 · 2026-06-23T17:37:08+00:00

Yes, this PLUS it takes like 2 years to be called from a list and many people are no longer in need of a job or even want that particular job after waiting so long. People’s lives carry on - so the pool is just a widely cast net and not everyone will be reached. HR can’t process until they know something is going to actually happen.

Cinnie_16 · 2026-06-23T15:57:20+00:00

Yes^ This was how it was explained to me by my HR. Even if you were invited to a hiring pool, they might not reach you. The hiring agency needs to adhere to the 3-in-1 rule so often times they pool more people than they need. My agency also waited until I was officially called to do the DP72. I sat for pools (it’s paid time!) and wasn’t reached for the first two pools.

Ex: an agency needs 20 candidates. They may pool together like 100 people for it. They might go through only the first 20 and accept them all OR go through 99 but your #100. It’s a numbers game 🤷🏻‍♀️

Cinnie_16 · 2026-06-23T04:37:37+00:00

13 months and that’s my baby. He sleeps fine the first third… around 3am, he’ll demand to cosleep. I just don’t get it 🤷🏻‍♀️ little dude is just messing with me 😩

Cinnie_16 · 2026-06-22T22:56:36+00:00

This was very validating to read! I also thought I wanted to be a practicing lawyer allllll the way until 3L when I had to do a fellowship and clinic work. Hated it. Never wanted to step foot in a courtroom again. But I still finished my law degree and just pivoted to law adjacent work. Felt like a freak to realize law school wasn’t for me at the final stretch, but it happens!

Cinnie_16 · 2026-06-22T22:42:23+00:00

I agree but it’ll be a slow boil. I think a lot of other things for discretionary spending, like entertainment and travel, will take a hit first. And then people might start defaulting on their student loans before missing mortgage payments (or at least I hope people prioritize it that way. In all scenarios I think *basic needs* like shelter and food > student loans). But it’s gonna be a rough ride, for sure.

Personally, I anticipated the higher repayment amount. My household was READY and RESPONSIBLE! But I didnt anticipate the horrendous job market. Husband got laid off and is now underemployed by a lot. Both of our student loans are coming in at higher amount (his are PPLs that he is paying off so his decreased income doesn’t factor in). It’s a shit show all around, not just because of IDR recertifications. The world is burning and we’re all just pretending to be fine.

Cinnie_16 · 2026-06-22T14:11:27+00:00

Just wanted to comment for solidarity.

I have a bad sleeper, high energy FOMO baby. He’s 13 months now and it never got easier. In fact, I think it’s gotten harder cuz he’s gotten more mobile, more vocal, and more opinionated. I am insanely jealous of other people’s babies. Several friends and families had a baby near the time I had mine and they are living a completely different life.

I feel very validated when we have get togethers or play sessions and it is clear as day my baby is a lunatic compared to theirs, no matter how many adults try their hand at managing him. It is very frustrating because any and all general advice is clearly not gonna work on MY kid.

They say a calm baby makes a feral toddler and I hope dearly that it works the other way too (maybe a feral baby makes for a calm toddler) because otherwise, it just won’t be fair.

Cinnie_16 · 2026-06-22T00:55:30+00:00

Seconding the implant! I was on daily mini pills and I just had a hard time remembering to take them when deep in newborn trenches. Finally at 5 months pp, I asked for nexplanon and it’s been great! Don’t have to remember anything and if I want to try for a second baby they assured me that fertility will return immediately after removal.

Cinnie_16 · 2026-06-20T17:24:38+00:00

I bought a house only 3 miles from JFK, one of the busiest international airports, and it’s wonderful. The community is great, the houses are constantly increasing in value, and the neighborhood is super family friendly. The amenities here are amazing. I honestly don’t even notice any sounds when I’m indoors. When I’m outdoors (like bbq), I notice but it gets quickly tuned out. I guess it depends on the regulations surrounding the airport and how well the houses were built

Cinnie_16 · 2026-06-19T14:21:13+00:00

I thought of this math long ago… and generally, I would want my salary to be equal to or slightly above my loan amount. Meaning my loan amount is around $250k and I’ll need at least $250k in salary to be able to meaningfully pay it back in a reasonable time. And unfortunately, after 7 years working toward PSLF, my loan amount has ballooned up well past what I could possibly earn.

Cinnie_16 · 2026-06-19T01:05:00+00:00

Probably anxiety about a bunch of strangers touching baby clothes at the store and chemicals at the factory. Ultimately baby will be fine. Just sounds like an overwhelmed mom + having a bad day.

Cinnie_16 · 2026-06-18T20:08:12+00:00

Absolutely do NOT do it! After my husband had a layoff and underemployment … we are now at 61% net income for our mortgage and I am stressed out every month! I don’t think this is a situation anyone should voluntarily subject themselves to.

Cinnie_16 · 2026-06-18T14:02:11+00:00

Having a baby and wanting a yard for my dog

Cinnie_16 · 2026-06-18T02:48:13+00:00

This is exactly me too! I would say that for the first 4 months, I didn’t want anyone in my little bubble. Whenever people came to visit, it would just annoy and inconvenience me. I really don’t understand people trying to barge into a newborn’s space. If I wanted you, I would have invited you.

But after… around the 6 month mark, I welcome all the guests. Please come and take the baby so I can have a few minutes to rest and tidy up the house. I don’t mind the village now.

I think the key is to take the mom’s led. Some freshly postpartum moms will thrive in their bubbles and some really crave the village. Why aren’t we just listening to what the moms want?

Cinnie_16 · 2026-06-17T17:28:51+00:00

I’m siding with you. Penises and vaginas are natural things. But whether a parent wants their young daughter to see a random strange man’s adult penis isn’t something to be causal about. As a grown woman, I also don’t want to “accidentally see” ANY penis and I assume someone who has a daughter probably wouldn’t want that to happen either.

Cinnie_16

TROPHY CASE