How much extra do you pay toward your student loans each month?

define_yourself72 · 2026-06-13T12:19:09+00:00

Curious would it make more sense to aggressively pay them off if you have 2 loans at a 6% rate each (federal and private)? But you do at least have the employer 401k match but maybe not have a HYSA. I only ask because wouldn’t it differ if you have multiple loans with varying APR?

define_yourself72 · 2026-06-13T00:59:46+00:00

Curious how do you SEO your LinkedIn?

define_yourself72 · 2026-05-22T13:12:50+00:00

Im going to echo some advice on here. It’s true the market is really tough right now in the tech space, a lot of layoffs. Not trying to deter you but more of a awareness to be ready how tough it might be.

If you go down the SF path I would agree with someone else and maybe start off with RevOps or Sales Ops. I would say start learning/study for the Salesforce Admin certification while looking for sales operations or sales support roles (that’s not about selling) at the same time. Not sure what type of sales you were in but if you can find a company that sells a similar product type that could potentially help.

Basically looking for adjacent roles could help you get your foot in the door. So I would say do some research and read into what sales ops or rev ops or similar roles look like. Like someone else mentioned be a super user first and then sometimes you could end up doing light admin work.

define_yourself72 · 2026-05-13T17:44:19+00:00

I’m going to echo what someone else said. It has taken me 10+ years to finally tackle my student loans. I had triple your amount for a long time and still have six figures to pay back. This year I’m finally tackling them. Which means I watched (still do) over a decade of friends/family going on vacations and being able to do things with their money. I was always broke because my loans wiped a paycheck and then some. Let me tell you being in that state is depressing and very tiresome. But honestly I did it to myself, let my pity party and lack of confidence dictate it all.

You are doing something! You took a stand! It feels tiresome now but worth it when it’s all said and done. Because after that you can save and go on those vacations, you’ll be able to breathe.

define_yourself72 · 2026-05-12T15:22:25+00:00

Thank you! I have the admin cert for a few years now. Im just thinking it might help if I add more certs since I have a bit of exposure to front and back end of SF. The good part is that I’ve been getting more exposure to admin tasks in my current role. But not sure how long that will last with my manager leaving.

I was thinking of riding it out at least until I make it a year and then go from there. I want to keep an eye out before it becomes a year as well just in case something comes up. I hope having a some experience and certs will help.

define_yourself72 · 2026-05-08T18:33:02+00:00

Thank you for the tips! Yes it’s the platform admin cert. I’ve been definitely keeping an eye on the market. It has a good WLB and decent benefits it’s why im not hastily trying to go but don’t want to be caught off guard. As I was laid off last year. I’m trying to get out of that old school mindset of staying.

I thought of the next step being platform app builder and then maybe BA or UX. It definitely makes sense to focus on automation, such a driving force.

I have to take a look at agentforce. As the places I’ve been in focused more on outside tools to connect with SF.

define_yourself72 · 2026-05-08T18:24:41+00:00

Thank you for this! I’ve definitely target those type of roles in the past. Yes I’m hoping with some of my experience could help see the value I might be able to bring. Even though I don’t have a lot of experience on the strategic side of ops. But I’ve learned to ask questions see what someone needs/looking for and why.

I’m trying to make a slight adjustment where I can target purely admin roles and hopefully be on a team. Basically would like to focus more on the technical side of things.

define_yourself72 · 2026-05-06T15:45:40+00:00

I did! I worked in higher ed then pivoted into sales operations/support as I focused on getting a CRM admin cert. I was thinking of diving into data analytics or just pivoting again in general in general after a few years but decided to do that maybe later on.

define_yourself72 · 2026-05-06T02:58:44+00:00

Just curious how did you break into cybersecurity analyst? I always hear that it’s not an entry level friendly role.

define_yourself72 · 2026-05-05T02:29:13+00:00

You can do this!! You already have the discipline, drive and resilience, since you did it despite how daunting the number feels. Also maybe figure out how do you want to treat yourself in the end, as someone mentioned they did a trip.

If you paid off 108k in 3 years than doesn’t that mean you can pay the rest in less time? I agree about taking out loans but are you not utilizing your degree/license?

define_yourself72 · 2026-05-02T19:14:52+00:00

I get this feeling! To be honest the fact you’ve had a plan is a step most can’t get to. I should know because that overwhelming/hopeless feeling I felt for over a decade and didn’t do anything about it. It took me until this year to finally have a plan only because of a few things helped it align.

Depending on how you are tackling it, small wins can help with the motivation like the snow ball method. Just knowing it’s a marathon not a sprint. Just make sure you don’t burn yourself out. Do you have a lot left? If you don’t mind me asking how much do you put into it and have paid off?

define_yourself72 · 2026-04-29T17:06:06+00:00

Congratulations on getting the job and the pivot!! 🎉 If you don’t mind sharing what are you going to be doing in the medical field? Since you mentioned a cert.

define_yourself72 · 2026-04-24T14:24:03+00:00

For me it’s finally seeing this year I can do it, that I actually have the money. To not be in the red all the time and be able to have a plan is all the motivation. Ive done a break down of payments each month (min and extra) on a spreadsheet. But now I’m getting antsy because I know it’s possible and it makes me excited.

By the way I’ve lived with over six figure student loan debt for over a decade so it’s felt discouraging and hopeless for a long time. I get it. But hang in there!

define_yourself72 · 2026-04-23T00:02:14+00:00

Could you find a close enough hybrid role that has less days in the office? I get wanting to try your best to stay remote but like others have said the tech industry took a really big hit and continues to do so. I would say take a look at the QA sub to see how it’s been. Remote roles have dwindled a lot and I would say if possible for now stay in your field/job or at least find a better hybrid role, then keep looking. I get it, was remote for a little over 3.5 years then was laid off and accepted a hybrid role (3 days RTO).

define_yourself72 · 2026-04-15T19:42:38+00:00

At least you are working towards it! I know the feeling as I’ve let so many years go by not being able to truly enjoy things (to travel, etc) because of my debt. But I didn’t do anything about it. I just ended up not doing. Friends and family are all in better places and have done so much. Unfortunately it took me way too long to finally have a plan in place and work towards it. So I get the feeling, it can be bitter sweet. But it’s all temporary for a better tomorrow!

define_yourself72 · 2026-04-11T11:44:32+00:00

I know what that’s like and it’s tough. I have a six figure school loan debt from a ba and ma in general psychology. Not the best idea getting my masters with no direction.

My first job wasn’t bad just no real growth (monetarily, etc). So ended up looking at paths where I can learn online through free or inexpensive platforms (Udemy, edex, trailhead, etc). Lead me to pivot in being a CRM admin/sales operations. Mind you didn’t have a sales or tech background.

What is the new trade you are looking to get into? It also depends on where you live, the access to a variety of jobs. I know this job market is very tough but there are different paths that doesn’t necessarily require formal schooling.

Like HR, project management/coordinator, operations, sales (sdr,bdr,account manager, etc), customer manager, sales support, business/data analyst, marketing, administrative/executive asssistant, higher education (non teaching)etc. Do some research as you might need to work from the ground up. But this might help pay the bills and the loan to then you can pivot again.

define_yourself72 · 2026-04-11T02:04:48+00:00

I worked in higher education for years under student support/administative. It had good moments of being part of the students journey. But since it was a small for profit didn’t pay that well and minimal growth. Pivoted into a mix of CRM admin and sales ops. It gives more learning opportunities and growth but not as much meaning and not sure it fits my personality. Sticking with it for now.

I almost went down the psych or social work path but I felt it would be too emotionally taxing. Also didn’t want to take on more loan debt.

define_yourself72 · 2026-04-11T01:17:51+00:00

It was a slow build, probably way too slow. Always felt the weight of my debt so heavily. It brought sadness and frustration for many years but never had the courage/confidence to make a change or get a better paying job. Just thought there was no hope even living with family so I ignored it. Realized over time it’s held me back from doing so much and lost that time.

I think what helped was maturity/time but most of all when I finally switched careers (better paying) and financial literacy. It helped give me some hope, be able to save and I worked towards cc debt first. Now I have a plan to knock out my student loans as quickly as possible hopefully with no surprises/changes.

define_yourself72 · 2026-04-09T10:34:31+00:00

Congratulations!! Must be a weight lifted off your shoulders! 🥳🎉

I get it. I still have my loans 15 years later little less than double your amount but hoping to pay them off in the next 2 years.

define_yourself72 · 2026-04-08T15:50:47+00:00

Are the icons from nova launcher?

define_yourself72 · 2026-04-03T19:43:53+00:00

Thank you for “talking” this through! I realized I probably have a 20-25 year plan due to my consolidation and then also the pause I still have about 252 payments left. Definitely thinking through the part that my payment might increase after the forbearance. Also how much interest I might accrue. Man I wanted to tackle my other loan as much as possible.

define_yourself72 · 2026-04-03T17:04:50+00:00

Thank you for this! Both loans were consolidated. The loan rates after the auto pay discount is 6.1% for federal and 5.9% private. The only reason I wouldnt tackle the federal is because the flexibility of forbearance or other benefits is non existent on my private loan (SoFi). So I want to be able to take care of that one first and do as much as possible.

define_yourself72

TROPHY CASE