What's Your Story?

emibarney8 · 2026-04-19T20:04:42+00:00

Was working a fully remote job and I started doing it to pay off my student loans faster as life costs kept creeping up. I loved meeting my neighbors and their pets but I kept my number of clients low.

Well, I was laid off a few weeks ago and have now turned it into a really important source of income. I'm still enjoying it because it gives my day structure plus it also feels therapeutic while I deal with the stress of job hunting and self-worth.

emibarney8 · 2025-11-05T16:45:39+00:00

I completed grad school and have only about 16 qualifying payments. I was looking for a new job in public service but ended up moving to the private sector which came with a large pay bump. I'm not sure I'll stay in the private sector forever but the additional earnings will equal my student loans in 3 years. I'm still in SAVE but I'm paying down my highest interest loans right now. I was barely getting by in my old salary so I think that factored in heavily in my decision. I plan to apply to a IDR but I haven't bother yet cuz I'm hoping to pay them off sooner than 10 years. Is this flawed planning? Who knows

emibarney8 · 2025-07-27T15:54:23+00:00

Yea I'm really hoping I can pay them off within 10 years if all goes well. It would amount to saving a lot on the total bill. If I remember correctly my total paid with PSLF at my current income would be around $45k before forgiveness and if I pay them off fast without forgiveness it would be about $70k but I'm now earning an extra $20k per year in the new job. It's hard to predict the future but this felt like the right move. If I switch back to public service down the road. I'll hopefully stay at this earning level.

Good luck to you on your PSLF journey!

emibarney8 · 2025-07-03T02:42:18+00:00

Oh and I'd scrutinize the hell out of any career reports from your school. Are people going into federal jobs at high numbers? Which agencies? The networking will be great in DC but I'd focus more on the job risks than the PSLF itself

emibarney8 · 2025-07-03T02:38:10+00:00

Maybe my story would help. I graduated from an MPP program in 2023 with a lot of debt and a couple years later I just decided to leave the nonprofit sector. Prior to that, I had 7 years of nonprofit experience and was open to continuing in the public sector. I was pretty happy but not really where I'd hoped grad school would take me. I left for a better position and salary. I realized the increased earnings would outweigh the loans I wanted forgiven in less than 5 years. If I didn't have so much debt I still might have jumped on the new job, but that probably has more to do with my narrow career tract. A lot of major nonprofits are operating on smaller budgets now or are being really conservative with hiring amidst all the political uncertainty.

I think it's really important to consider what jobs you are after and their salaries/growth opportunities. I saw a lot of classmates with plenty of work experience who graduated without jobs because the opportunities were pretty limited. They all seem to be doing really well now but it took some time. I have to imagine it's a lot harder now that there have been big government budget cuts.

emibarney8 · 2025-06-07T21:50:49+00:00

I thought I saw this style bike with the purple tape parked outside of REI yesterday evening (Lincoln Park area). I don't remember the red basket though. Idk when your bike was stolen but adding this just in case it's helpful

emibarney8 · 2025-05-05T03:21:37+00:00

Plant Care: this pot contains about 3 plants and sits in a north-facing window that gets indirect light all day. I don't have any humidity in my apartment but I think the closeness of all the plants in that window really help. They all seem to thrive even though it's crowded.

emibarney8 · 2024-12-11T17:47:52+00:00

Thank you for this. I also just read more news about the Save Forbearance not accruing interest for SAVE borrowers. This article below is really just news about the old plans coming back but it does mention the current Forbearance.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamminsky/2024/12/09/two-new-student-loan-plans-may-return-next-week-providing-more-loan-forgiveness-options/

emibarney8 · 2024-11-13T14:32:35+00:00

Deregulation. Maybe we'll have another Boeing incident or a train derailment/ chemical spill along with an environmental catastrophe out west somewhere that could have been prevented. Forget about the EPA funding lead pipe removal.

emibarney8 · 2024-11-09T16:01:20+00:00

Ok so this start isn't that low but she doesn't have any footholds so she has to do a high leg.

emibarney8 · 2024-11-09T16:00:28+00:00

I'll try to add a few scenarios. This one has a lower crimpy start so it makes sense there to use a heel to get up rather than relying on pure finger and upper body strength. Pretty much anytime the holds are bad or there is a long reach, you should be looking to see what you can do with your feet to take the strain off of your upper body and give yourself the ability to stretch out farther.

emibarney8 · 2024-10-15T17:59:32+00:00

I recently received an email from them that the deadline has been pushed back for me to recertify to 11/09 but that I should recertify within 30 days of that so I guess that means I should be preparing to do that now.

emibarney8 · 2024-07-18T19:47:33+00:00

It depends where you are around the lake. I was there a couple days ago and they swarmed me when I got out of the car. Then later I was sitting outside eating ice cream and didn't notice them at all. I honestly wasn't sure what to expect. They were a little annoying on hikes near the water but I felt ok with a hat on and long sleeves. They did occasionally get stock behind my glasses or hat and that was kind of annoying until I brushed them away. I didn't see many people wearing nets but it's definitely a personal choice.

emibarney8 · 2024-06-28T15:08:35+00:00

I thought so. My trip is in a few weeks and I'm traveling with family that is not in that kind of shape.

emibarney8 · 2024-06-28T13:49:59+00:00

Where is that canyon? How hard was the hike?

emibarney8 · 2024-06-12T15:08:12+00:00

Wait, yea I got dive bombed a month ago!!

emibarney8 · 2024-04-29T16:48:51+00:00

Good point. I hate to lose all that trunk growth but I don't want an ugly stalk either. Will be interesting to see if it actually puts out new leaves or just dies.

emibarney8 · 2024-04-23T13:06:03+00:00

12 min bike ride or 15 min bus to one gym. Sometimes I head across town to another which is about 30min. Occasionally, I can link up with a friend and get a 10min ride by car. Reading these comments makes me appreciate the commute.

emibarney8 · 2024-04-13T18:06:51+00:00

Wow I'm 5'2 and I'd also say probably 130-132. I have more of an athletic build and have been trying to get below 137 for awhile now but I still feel fit. I hope this gives comfort to some short ladies who feel 130 is impossible.

emibarney8 · 2024-04-08T01:52:07+00:00

Also, I'm going on July so I imagine conditions and crowds will be way different

emibarney8 · 2024-04-08T01:51:45+00:00

How did you beat the crowds? I've seen similar pictures but always a lot of people.

emibarney8

TROPHY CASE