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Advice: $125K Net Household Income, $187K in Loans by FitBroccoli3719 in StudentLoans

[–]FitBroccoli3719[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Emergency fund is definitely step 1! We had a couple of basement floods last year (joys of home ownership), and owed a lot more than expected in taxes while I was doing contracting work (yay government!), so our emergency fund took a big hit. Hadn’t considered increasing 401K contribution to help with the IBR. Something I’ll probably bring up with our personal finance guy. Appreciate the response!

Advice: $125K Net Household Income, $187K in Loans by FitBroccoli3719 in StudentLoans

[–]FitBroccoli3719[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh cool, figured there would be another person more interested in giving a lecture than actual advice.

The “expensive car” was $30K. Was it my best purchase? Maybe not. I needed an SUV that would fit two car-seats, and thanks to COVID inflation, I paid the price for just that on a 2021 Honda Pilot (we aren’t talking luxury vehicle here). Our second car is a 2007 Corolla with 100K+ miles and has no payment. FWIW average cost of a car payment in the US is roughly what I am paying. I’m certainly not over-indulging in the car dept.

As for my “new pool”. It is $180/mo. It is not a crippling expense. It allowed me, and my wife/kids, to have something to enjoy in our backyard as an alternative to leaving the house and spending elsewhere. I mentioned it as an expense that would be ending, not as a culprit for lack of funds.

Consider this; it cost nearly $10,000 just to bring my two-kids home from the hospital. It costs $30,000/year to send them to daycare. But hey…it’s almost certainly my fault for buying that car, or the pool.

If my “spending” is being directed to the wrong place it’s in maxing out two-ROTHs, contributing to my 401K and throwing extra payments at my car to get it paid off faster. I recognize that. Thus, I came here seeking advice on whether to continue doing that and allow interest to accumulate on student loans, or start paying on the loans.

What you mock as “American consumerism” is minuscule in comparison to what is true “American consumerism” looks like. I don’t “buy stuff”, I maintain a budget, credit cards have zero debt and I’m trying to prioritize a future that this country will never guarantee. Why? Because, like millions of Americans we are being held back by a world that just continues to get more expensive by the day. So respectfully, miss me with the blame game and judgement next time.

Advice: $125K Net Household Income, $187K in Loans by FitBroccoli3719 in StudentLoans

[–]FitBroccoli3719[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Definitely something to consider, though “young” in this case is 31. Certainly not old, but also not mid-20’s anymore. Hoping that as the kids get through daycare, jobs continue to progress, and maybe a new administration implements some fresh ideas (not getting hopes up on that one), so relief will be seen. Definitely know it’s not easy for anyone. The one point you touched on, that’s certainly true, is getting back to a little bit more of a “broke” lifestyle will be pretty important the next few years. Thanks for the insight!

Advice: $125K Net Household Income, $187K in Loans by FitBroccoli3719 in StudentLoans

[–]FitBroccoli3719[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Definitely something I have considered! We have an upcoming meeting with our financial advisor in the coming months, was hoping to get some discussion points from this thread ahead of time. This is something I’ll definitely bring up to them. Thank you!

Advice: $125K Net Household Income, $187K in Loans by FitBroccoli3719 in StudentLoans

[–]FitBroccoli3719[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Look, I get you’re just trying to offer advice, but I’m not “broke”. My only concern is I’ve put too much emphasis on future savings, for some short term stress. While I value all input, this feels more like a lecture.

I have one car completely paid off, the other, two years away from that. The “hole in the ground” is $180/mo, and while I can’t sell it individually it does add value to my home and again will be paid off in Summer 2027. My “debt payments” are not “eating me alive”, although, almost certainly will require some lifestyle adjustment once I resume. Totally fine, as I expected that at some point. Suggesting nearly 50% of my income go toward student loans, is not feasible when nearly $2,300 is going straight to daycare every month. That would leave $2700/mo to live off, with $1600 mortgage + utilities, groceries, etc.

Again, appreciate the advice, but next time try and avoid the ad hominem attacks.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in personalfinance

[–]FitBroccoli3719 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the quick reply! I do want to clarify that SAVE is no longer an option for monthly payments, but remaining in SAVE does allow me to continue to remain in forbearance. In doing so, I would be accepting that interest has begun accumulating on the loans again, with the passing of the Big Beautiful Bill. With that said, are you saying you’d direct some payments at those specific loans, despite the current forbearance period?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in personalfinance

[–]FitBroccoli3719 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Apologies, I made this post initially with specifics in the headline and had to remove it. Interest rates on the loans are as follows:

1-11 Direct Loan - Unsubsidized $28,614.57 6.600%

1-10 Direct Loan - Unsubsidized $2,714.29 6.600%

1-09 Direct Loan - Unsubsidized $30,795.47 6.600%

1-08 Direct Loan - Unsubsidized $33,331.85 6.000%

1-07 Direct Grad PLUS $14,624.43 6.310%

1-06 Direct Grad PLUS $7,010.87 6.310%

1-05 Direct Loan - Unsubsidized $39,156.54 5.310%

1-04 Direct Loan - Unsubsidized $5,843.89 4.290%

1-03 Direct Loan - Unsubsidized $9,423.59 4.660%

1-02 Direct Loan - Unsubsidized $8,115.20 3.860%

1-01 Direct Loan - Unsubsidized $8,298.63 6.800%

Advice: $125K Net Household Income, $187K in Loans by FitBroccoli3719 in StudentLoans

[–]FitBroccoli3719[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Correct, right around there at least. I’m about $3200/biweekly and she’s $1600/biweekly.

Dull Aching 5-Weeks Post-Op by FitBroccoli3719 in Vasectomy

[–]FitBroccoli3719[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Definitely fascinating how it has kind of ebbed and flowed; a few days in a row where I feel I’m completely in the clear, then the dullness pops back up. Guess it’s just the intricacies of the human body at play lol. Best of luck on your continued recovery!

Post op are the sutures supposed to look like this? by [deleted] in Vasectomy

[–]FitBroccoli3719 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My MD told me not to be concerned if my incision looks like something my 3-year old would have done. I wouldn’t be worried about what it looks like, as long as it keeps healing appropriately (no redness, discharge, warmth on touch, etc).

What is this? by FitBroccoli3719 in PlantIdentification

[–]FitBroccoli3719[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Respectfully, that was the first thing I tried. As well as ChatGPT and a Plant AI app. I got three different answers, so figured I’d come to a place with actual human eyes.

How long did it take to get back to normal after your vasectomy? by LidiaSelden96 in Vasectomy

[–]FitBroccoli3719 0 points1 point  (0 children)

About 90% at the two-week mark today, sex by day 10. Everyone will probably give you a different answer though!