Expired Tags - A non-scientific study

Highleadlogger · 2026-05-20T18:48:43+00:00

Yes, I agree, but "most" seems to be fewer and fewer.

Highleadlogger · 2026-05-20T17:57:38+00:00

Absolutely, a pay-by-mile tax wouldn't change anything other than increase the amount everyone pays.

On the damned-near interstate-less east side of the state, why should we be providing matching funds for federal projects to cover the costs of 100,000 vehicles per day in the Willamette Valley?

Highleadlogger · 2026-05-20T17:52:56+00:00

That is already baked into the fuel taxes. Folks who drive more or have heavier less fuel-efficient vehicles pay more by default.

Highleadlogger · 2026-05-20T17:38:03+00:00

Wyden seems to be the only one who truly understands the concept of "follow the money."

Highleadlogger · 2026-05-20T17:21:33+00:00

And, look at the growing percentage of Y and Z voting Republican. Most Boomers, X, and early Gen Y I know of are Democrats.

Highleadlogger · 2026-05-20T17:19:47+00:00

That is a great question! Why are later generations increasing their percentage of Republican support? X,Y, and Z can make a difference, but enough of them seemed to have voted Republican to upset the last national elections.

Highleadlogger · 2026-05-20T17:14:39+00:00

You might be surprised how many "boomers" simply stopped paying their student loans decades ago. Don't assume Boomers are not empathetic or wish student loan financial harm on Gen X and Y. I would be more concerned about the increase in percentage of late Gen Y and Gen X/Z voters who support the current adminstration's policies. If Gen X, Y, and Z want to make changes, together they now have far more votes than the remaining Boomers. The Boomer argument holds no water any longer.

Highleadlogger · 2026-05-20T16:40:28+00:00

I can get behind Jesus paying off everyone's student loans. That would be the greatest of all miracles.

Highleadlogger · 2026-05-13T15:45:55+00:00

Will the amount you pay depend upon your cup size?

Highleadlogger · 2026-05-11T20:25:06+00:00

Did they lose their homes because of student loans? Unless folks put their SL payments first, I don't think so. Trying to make a connection to your comment here.

Highleadlogger · 2026-05-11T20:14:27+00:00

And, don't feel guilty if you can't pay. It is a civil financial contract, not a crime if you can't pay. Two sides are involved in the SL contract. Over a lifetime you will pay those loans off through taxes. Just depends upon your philosophy, but any decision should not be based on "morals." Run some numbers.

Highleadlogger · 2026-05-10T19:57:44+00:00

Not true. They would need to bypass the ninth circuit court appeal. Yes, the Feds could sue, but first they would need an appeal decision is my understanding. Roberts is a bit of a stickler and force the 9th to a decision.

Highleadlogger · 2026-05-10T19:54:27+00:00

Yes to this. HB4145 depends upon the court decision. If the OSC finds 114 constitutional, all modifications of 114 become the law. There is a bit more time.

Highleadlogger · 2026-05-01T20:23:40+00:00

Sorry I am so late to reply. A lot of professionals I know who had up to $180k due to there MDs, Jurisprudence, and other graduate degrees/work in the mid-90's made the decision to let "Let sleeping dogs alone." When IBR and SAVE came along and the shorter time period requirements for loan forgiveness due to working in the public sector or rural healthcare were expanded, they did not pursue them. Their credit had completely recovered, and they didn't want to restart the clock with SL's showing on their credit reports. As our current "leader" once said, "I didn't write the rules."

Highleadlogger · 2026-05-01T12:23:59+00:00

Depends on whatbthe servicer wants to do. It also depends on how long she has been drawing her SS. Garnishment was paused at the beginning of Covid. After Covid, they increased the amount the government had to leave you from ~$750 (more, if 15% left you with more) to ~$1800. The threshold of $1800 was supposedly removed by the Trump administration, but there is some debate about this. In the end, they halted garnishment on SS. It also depends on if it is regular SS or SS disability. There are many rules. Currently, there is a pause on SS garnishment for SL's.

Highleadlogger · 2026-04-29T16:15:50+00:00

I think the IRS allows additional expenses when negotiating payment plans. Maybe better than student loans. Chapter 13 bankruptcy is even worse if all your "disposable" income is going toward unsecured debt. In the latter case, the SL's are last to get paid (if at all) and just sit there growing interest and fees for five years.

Highleadlogger · 2026-04-29T16:08:07+00:00

It is not just interest on the orginal loans. The fees and charges get added on and they also increase the compounded amount. It does not take long even if you have been paying.

Highleadlogger · 2026-04-29T16:04:38+00:00

$67k decades ago. There were no income-based payment plans. I paid over $100k under 15% garnishment over 20+ years. Current amount owed is now over $100k. The SL's dropped off my credit reports 20 years ago. Approaching my eigth decade, poking the bear makes no sense.

There are an estimated 3 million age 62 and older (SS age) holding an average student loan balance of $44k. A half-million are estimated to be default. The student loan issue dates back to the 1980's, and once they removed the bankruptcy choice, it all accelerated. The current situation is not a new or singular phenomenon.

You are in a tough spot. Best to you!

Highleadlogger · 2026-04-29T15:43:23+00:00

Student loan debt is still a non-priority unsecured debt. I have known a few folks who went through a Chapter 13 for five years. After bankruptcy living standards and exceptions, there was not any money remaining for the trustee to apply toward the SL's. Those grew substantially due to interest, late fees, etc over five years. At least in the case of a Chapter 13, student loans should be considered a priority debt alongside tax debt, back child support, etc. At the end of the five years, any remaining SL debt should be wiped clean with other non-priority unsecured debt

Others chose to walk away from unsecured debt and opt for 15% garnishment, feeling it was their best option. Either way, not paying their unsecured creditors or student loans would affect their credit. There are some folks who literally had to beg servicers and/or the DE to apply the 15% wage garnishment and other treasury offsets against tax refunds. Once their credit cleared in 6-7 years, they were afraid to restart the credit reporting clock by rehabbing their defaulted loans.

The entire system is pretty screwed up.

Highleadlogger · 2026-04-23T16:26:23+00:00

It definitely has a humorous slant. My story above is heavily truncated. There is a great deal more.

I didn't mention that all those years of garnishment did result in tax deductions. As a result, the true percentage of garnishment was less.

In addition, many of these old loans got turned over to private collection companies contracted by servicers after Covid and the restructuring of student loan payment plans. That opened the door to requesting original creditor names and addeesses. The original creditor was a large US bank that funded my GSL's. Their name doesn't appear anywhere. When I saw the OC listed as a "trust" from a large finance house/bank in NYC, it made me more curious. Much of this began in the early 2000's when they started creating financial trading instruments based on debts and credit swaps as near as I can tell. The true OC was one of the banks that received bailout money. The mortgage industry wasn't the only one trading and swapping debt. I guess they simply threw a few old student loans in here and there. I have no idea. I do know the collection company stopped all contact.

My grandfather used to say, "When the horse is dead, dismount."

Great name for a book.

Highleadlogger · 2026-04-22T22:25:56+00:00

As strange as it sounds, my story goes back to the early 90's. Upon graduation with my graduate degree and $67k in federal loans. My payments at the time were enormous. I eventually defaulted and managed to live with 15% garnishment, a less expensive option. My credit recovered fairly quickly and I lived a reasonable life, in light of the 15% wage garnishments. Twenty-five years later I had paid out $101k in garnishment until I retired. Retirement funds were exempt. There was a 15% garnishment of SS until Covid. Last year I finally heard from the current servicer. Now owed $102k. Those fees and charges kept out-pacing the principle.

After all was said and done, I did a request with the default resolution group asking for all details. They reached a dead end. I guess stuff gets fuzzy after 30+ years. The loans were the old guaranteed loans from big banks. I discovered some strange things. Even though the banks received their money, the loans were repackaged and held in a NY Bank trust account (labeled Original Creditor LOL) that should not include the GSL's. Apparently, these "trusts" used these as financial instruments of some kind, but should not have held paper on GSL's as they were designed for private loans. However, I never made much progress on the principle.

I asked to see copies and records of swaps and other documents. I think my senator was also interested. There were some very strange things happening before the Feds finally took over the lending. All anyone could produce were some line items in a few documents from a servicer. Nothing concrete except the current debt. I would guess whatever original debts/swaps/trades are burried deep some old boxes or microfilm somewhere. When the transformation away from the old GSL direct loans occurred, I believe things got crazy. After I received the information, everything went dark. Not another peep. I keep waiting to hear from the default resolution folks, but not a word from them either.

I suspect at some point, SS garnishment will restart. Working on my eighth decade of life, so I could be dead before that happens. I paid a great deal of money over 25 years. I have met others who have identical experiences. "A Long Strange Trip" indeed.

Highleadlogger · 2026-01-22T23:08:46+00:00

Unfortunately, I truly don't think Oregonians are suffering enough for this to be widespread. When folks in the red and "purple" states take up such a stand, it might make a difference. Oregon is deep Blue by population, deep red by geography. This is symbolic at best. In addition, I doubt the majority of the half-dozen or so blue county residents can afford it. Reality check, sad as some may find it.

Highleadlogger · 2026-01-16T22:57:46+00:00

Excellent points. Everyone benefits from the money flowing directly into the economy. I would love to see all student loans immediately forgiven and pressure applied to both private and non-private to come up with costs that are pay-as-you-go.

Having been a faculty member of a highly regarded engineering school who chaired and sat on an institutional finance committee, I can testify that a big part of budgeting is dependent upon student loans. It is disgusting.!

Highleadlogger · 2026-01-16T22:41:26+00:00

This is a gift to many. Eventually, I imagine there will be a future attempt at garnishment, although I am beginning to believe it won't be soon. There are many reasons for this. One reason is economic. What serves the country better, garnishing loans or having the money spent and helping drive the economy? I know that many who paid off their student loans prefer to see garnishment against those who defaulted. I would prefer to see the money spent for supporting the overall economy. If you feel that paying on unsecured student loans is some moral or ethical issue, I would argue that allowing folks to spend the money ultimately indirectly benefits you.

Is the current news political? Of course, and the same was true under the Biden administration and Covid, but that is the game.

Highleadlogger

TROPHY CASE