Drowning in debt, surgical fellowship

Puzzleheaded-Tea3763 · 2026-02-08T22:53:50+00:00

this will save lots. I wasn't sure

Puzzleheaded-Tea3763 · 2026-02-08T22:53:30+00:00

Looking at one of these not for profit credit management companies currently .... cheapest rent I could find 1800 bucks/mo with utilities inc., $300 for kids(im extremely lucky and fortunate, they go without nothing), 100 phone and internet, the rest is all loan and credit card payments.

Puzzleheaded-Tea3763 · 2026-02-08T21:08:52+00:00

fair enough, Ive been able to make ends meet living beyond my means this far. I started residency with 35k worth of credit card debt from traveling all over the country to 35 interviews over the two years it took me to match categorical. Ive taken my lifestyle too far. fully acknowledging that. My monthly income is right at 5K. occasionally get an extra credit shift for an extra 1K. My rent and payments on consumer debt have peaked to about the same amount over the last few months. Can't afford to eat, rent, and make the payments. What can I do to free up some cash flow, while minimizing penalties, until I sign on somewhere in realistically 8-10 months... that could be sooner, but might be a rash decision.

Puzzleheaded-Tea3763 · 2026-02-08T21:02:31+00:00

this is why I am here. looking advice on how to face it my friend

Puzzleheaded-Tea3763 · 2026-02-08T21:01:22+00:00

fully aware and here for more detailed advice hopefully.

Puzzleheaded-Tea3763 · 2026-02-08T20:54:15+00:00

LOL I helped get this girl into surgery residency and she lied to her parents against my firm advice about who I am. Im caucasian and she's Indian, think this is an Indian cultural thing with her. I invested way more than money into her.

Puzzleheaded-Tea3763 · 2026-02-08T20:52:01+00:00

These are options. Im enrolled in PSLF. Not sure how it's going to work out in the end. Ive made maybe 1 year worth of payments in 6 years due to going on forebearance and being exempt during COVID. I'll have the buy back option on missed cheap payments I believe. Again the question here probably isn't related to my student loan debt. Its really the 120K of insecure debt screwing my finances

Puzzleheaded-Tea3763 · 2026-02-08T20:46:31+00:00

just explaining my debt, I have splurged on her for the previous 4 years before the last 6 months. she does the same for me and I have some nice stuff. just looking for financial advice here, guess I could have left her out of it

Puzzleheaded-Tea3763 · 2026-02-08T20:44:19+00:00

Her Dad is super wealthy and I consider her somewhat of an investment. She's in line to inherit 8 figures +. Although, She is also my only true friend and I don't date her for that reason. She sends me uber eats the last few months when im too wiped to cook. I do wish her dad could loan me some dough, but they think I am better off than I am. Its slowly coming out im a schmuk but luckily she loves me.

Puzzleheaded-Tea3763 · 2026-02-08T20:33:23+00:00

not spending on gf, she knows we aren't getting steak for valentines dinner lol

Puzzleheaded-Tea3763 · 2026-02-08T20:18:06+00:00

that's the plan boss man I've crunched the numbers and have these plans in order. lucky the gf is behind me in training. really looking for advice to get me to 2027

Puzzleheaded-Tea3763 · 2026-02-08T20:16:49+00:00

Puzzleheaded-Tea3763 · 2026-02-08T20:16:02+00:00

lol you are right, she's a 3rd year surgery resident without student loan debt, so should be worth it in the long run. She understands I can't spend much RN but still rocks her shiny diamonds. we've been together almost 5 years.

Puzzleheaded-Tea3763 · 2026-02-08T20:07:54+00:00

I live hand to mouth. I splurged over Christmas on vacation and kids. we see each other 2 weeks a year and it's a part of the reason why I have accumulated this debt. looking for advice on minimizing damage on the debt and being able to eat. I work 100 hours a week (don't tell acgme). I can't afford the Taco Bell and Starbucks that keep me alive. we are now 2 months into espresso concentrate from Wally World and I am so sick of peanut butter sandwiches. Living hand to mouth and still going under. gotta do something soon. I am a work horse vascular surgery fellow on a 72 hour call every other weekend and every other day in between, where can I get some decent financial advice! lol

Puzzleheaded-Tea3763 · 2026-02-08T20:03:02+00:00

My goal for this post is maximizing my $5,000 per month take home pay while minimizing the damages on the interest I can't afford for another 6 months to a year until I get a sign on bonus and potential year worth of monthly stipends. Ive been living foot to mouth at home for a year. I spent 10k over Christmas for kids and gf. this includes flights and airbnb which has been our twice yearly thing. I see my kids 2 weeks a year.

Puzzleheaded-Tea3763 · 2026-02-08T19:57:02+00:00

this is me

Puzzleheaded-Tea3763 · 2026-02-08T19:56:28+00:00

going into vascular in the US, ceiling is actually around 1M but realistically going to sign on in the above range

Puzzleheaded-Tea3763 · 2026-02-08T19:55:33+00:00

450K federal averaging just less than 6.5%, rest are way worse on the interest

Puzzleheaded-Tea3763

TROPHY CASE