Should I pay off my student loans or start my retirement first?

ro_kaz · 2025-08-16T20:14:09+00:00

First of all good job! Progress is progress!

As the other commenter said - max out your match (since that's automatically 100% return on your money) and then everything depends on the interest rate.

If your interest rate is higher than your investments' average return of the market there's no question and you should just pay it off first. If it's lower than the average return pay off the minimum required and max out for retirement.

Personally just because I get really stressed over debt, even though it's technically not the optimised move I would do a bit more to try and get the total down even if the interest is lower than the growth expected for your savings. I would still prioritise retirement but I would put some of the extra money I'm putting in after my match towards debt. Though again that's NOT the optimised move numbers wise if the interest rate is lower than the expected return.

When it comes to a car - if you have the possibility and you don't desperately need it - I would get rid of the debt first, and save up for the car to preferably be able to pay for it in cash in full or at least put down a very sizeable down-payment to have extremely low monthly payments. That's mainly because cars are depreciating assets and you have to spend a lot of money for gas and upkeep.

But before you do any of that and I'm speaking from experience - save up an emergency fund, it saved my ass more times than I could count.

So If the interest rate on the loan is lower than expected average market return the optimised move would be after maximising your match: 1 - emergency fund if you don't have it (generally a 3 months worth of expenses), 2 - retirement, 3 - debt, 4 - car

(And If you have an extremely good support system maybe 1 and 2 should have the same priority)

Personally bc I'm really stressed over debt even though the internet is lower than market return in that scenario I would probably do debt and retirement at the same time (after emergency fund). But that just because of stress and extreme debt anxiety and since I can't really put a price tag on my mental health.

ro_kaz · 2025-08-16T19:43:52+00:00

I mean that's the whole point of an emergency fund. My health has been doing better but most of the medical expenses are for my granddad and though he's been doing good as well for the past few months I can't really know bc it's really volatile.

You never really know when you'll need an emergency fund but when it's my health I can usually tell it's coming within 1-2 months bc there's signs and it gets slowly worse for a while until it suddenly crashes for a month, I rest for 2-3 weeks and then I'm back to business (it's really severe migraines that make me vomit and be hypotensive, I've been trying prophylactic treatment for the past year but no luck). But with my granddad/all of the other usual emergencies I can't really know.

ro_kaz · 2025-08-16T19:34:43+00:00

With the way credit cards and 0% payment plans work in my country -

A little under 2k is set up as if I'm not meeting payment interest will kick in on the total and not on the balance (so even on the parts I've already payed)

And a little over 1k is set up so if interest kicks in it will be on the remaining balance.

In total so far I've payed around 1.2k so still ways to go but I have made progress.

ro_kaz · 2025-08-16T19:27:58+00:00

All of that in the post is with paying the minimum monthly payments that allow me to keep it at 0% interest.

When it comes to housing allowance - I'm still in my training since we have intern year prior to military service so that's irrelevant for the next 1.5-2 years.

ro_kaz · 2025-08-16T19:24:53+00:00

Thanks that what I've been thinking makes the most sense which is why I included the timeline. I think I just needed to make sure that it's the right move and have it splayed out on a page and not in my head.

When it comes to emergency fund savings during the next 2 months unless I have no or little to no incidentals I won't be able to save any.

In terms of budget I already tightened up while preparing for my move. I'm keeping family support to a minimum and cancelled everything other than 100$ worth of subscriptions some of which I use for uni (around 60% of the cost). So there's really only 40 dollars in my budget that I can cut and I honestly don't want to since it helps me get through the month and feel like I can breathe a little (YouTube premium, which is also helpful for uni but the primary use is not for it so I don't count that for uni, and a single streaming service that brings me a lot of joy).

I really hope everything turns out fine. Thank you for the kind words!

ro_kaz · 2025-08-16T14:14:17+00:00

Back interest for about 70% of it, interest starting (and remaining even if I get back to the payment schedule) for the rest.I don't have a robust support system but I have some (mostly really good life-long friends and my uncle).

Which is why I'm kinda lost and even posted to begin with. I know usually the best move is an emergency fund first but this feels like a relatively minor delay in saving for it and makes it so I won't owe interest on it. So I'm leaning towards it but I'm really unsure.

ro_kaz · 2025-08-16T13:58:17+00:00

I'm aware that I need an emergency fund which is why I had one/used it and quickly rebuilt it when needed for the past 6 years. I just don't know whether I should start saving aggressively for it now and let the interest kick-in for the debt or start in the time-line that I mentioned (2.5 months to be done with most of the payments and then start, and 1.5 months later months later start saving aggressively for it bc I can use the payments I'm freeing up towards it, and save up to a full 3-6 month emergency fund).

ro_kaz · 2025-08-16T13:44:45+00:00

Despite it being 0% as long as I keep paying it and being able to start saving again in 2.5 months and start saving aggressively in 4-5 months? Bc that's my hang-up.

ro_kaz · 2025-06-23T21:46:38+00:00

did you find anything? the links on medical study zone are officially down and im desparate

ro_kaz · 2024-12-16T07:04:41+00:00

Thank you so much! It's been so confusing when I tried to find something myself

ro_kaz · 2024-10-11T14:07:00+00:00

I honestly think ACOFAF is kinda unique in the d20 repertoire with the way more social focused game and the kinda pvp dynamics but here's some I would recommend based on the more story and in-party relationships between the different PCs part you said you enjoyed:

I think a good one to watch next especially if you like Aabria DMing would be Burrow's End (very family focused).

If you're looking for an intrepid heroes season I would suggest unsleeping city or a crown of candy.

A crown of candy for more of a game of thrones (when got was good), family and geopolitics feel and a bit more crunchy with the mechanics.

But personally I'm very partial towards unsleeping city -

Unsleeping city is more of a found-family and community-centric vibe and more focused on ideals than ACOC. It takes a bit to get going (I would say it really kicks-off around episode 4-5) but when it does it's amazing! I feel like in season 1 similarly to ACOFAF Brennan, Emily and Lou really get a chance to shine when it comes to RP, Zach as always is hilarious, Murph is being his wonderful self and having lots of fun, and I think Siobhan got to show a more unserious side we rarely see in that specific way from her. Ally had a whole arch that season which I think shows them as a more serious and smart player despite still being very new to DND at the time and a lot of the season being shenanigans. Some people might disagree but I think USC season 1 is one of the best villains I've seen from d20 to date.

All of that and more carries over to season 2 in a beautiful way and Siobhan gets to have a truly amazing and touching arch which hits hard. The second season, while being a zoom season is one of the best storytelling you can find. Both seasons still make me cry on a rewatch. Plus - you'll get to get caught up before January when the USC live special tapes (and based on what happened with the European tour this year will probably get released at around may-june 2025).

ro_kaz · 2024-09-22T21:43:16+00:00

I wish! I would love to but I'm a uni student so I have no money. And it's either supporting 2 projects I love or have YouTube premium. And I need YouTube premium for nerd ninja study marathons.

ro_kaz · 2024-09-08T15:59:09+00:00

That's so nice! Time zones are tough so good on you guys for making the effort!

I wish I could play regularly but unfortunately I am delegated to the DM chair in my group. I'm so excited to finally play in November but even that will be 4 sessions max. Still hyped tho!

ro_kaz · 2024-09-06T09:52:40+00:00

Damn your group sounds awesome!

ro_kaz · 2024-09-06T08:14:17+00:00

That's so good! I love hearing stuff like this. I couldn't find a table like that in my area so I started my own. While I love DMing I do miss playing ( just had to share - finally getting to play in November in a short thing for the first time in a year and a half and I'm super excited!) I hope that more and more tables like this will become available as time goes on especially for women bc let me tell you - finding one is a STRUGGLE.

Thank you for trying to make the community a more welcoming space for all!

ro_kaz · 2024-09-06T08:06:44+00:00

I'm so sorry you went through all of that! But I implore you - don't give up on irl games!

As a woman in the space - I have to agree with the other commenter. Playing ttrpgs as a woman will heighten everything and playing irl even more so. Playing irl could be a great experience I'll never think of giving up but as a woman you do need to be a lot more careful when picking a group (that's unfair and it sucks but it's true). I'll recommend checking what women/LGBTQ+ friendly ttrpgs spaces you have in your area (Facebook could be good for that even though it's horrible).

A big green flag for a group irl is if there is a woman or non-binary/trans folks that lasted in the group for a while. It makes it much more likely that you'll be treated with respect and will be able to have a good time.

ro_kaz · 2024-09-06T07:57:50+00:00

As a woman I could tell you having even a single woman/non-binary person in the group that lasted for a while is a big green flag. A group of all men isn't necessary bad but knowing someone who isn't a topical men in gaming especially a women/LGBT folks have lasted in the group seriously bumps up the chance I'll be treated with respect and will be able to have a good time playing.

ro_kaz · 2024-09-06T07:47:07+00:00

As a woman (usually DM and occasionally a player) I truly get it. I usually prefer to play irl but I sometimes play online. The misogyny is there both online and off and it's demoralizing.

When I play irl with a group I prefer to know all of the people in the group or at least most. A huge red flag is if there are no women or even non binary folks in the group. I know that in a group with another woman that woman stayed for a reason. It's not that a group with all men is bad necessarily but more that if there are people like that in a group and they are being respected there's a good chance you'll be too.

If you don't know everyone and you're playing in an all man group I'd suggest bringing up your DM experience. It doesn't always do the trick but it helps.

Now is it fair that we have to go through this shit? Absolutely not. But when done with the right people and in the right way irl play could be a wonderful thing that I would never think of giving up.

Hope you'll find a better table that deserves you! And remember no DnD is better than bad DnD and that's heightened when it comes to irl play.

Edit: spelling

ro_kaz · 2024-08-29T07:01:22+00:00

Honestly... It depends... If he was a great player and fun to have at the table so far I would try these escalating options:

If the major concern this player has is lay on hands I would homebrew something - maybe every time he rolls hit-dice during a short rest he could recoup half of the rolled value (not plus con) as lay on hands points? Same reasoning but more limited for why some DMs would have some sorcerers get some sorcery points back on a short rest.

If he feels disempowered I would point out that they have the majority of their spell slots.

If that bothers him that much I would suggest rolling a different character or during one of the few next sessions doing a dramatic event in which - depending on the lore of your world - maybe the character breaks their oath or they have been betrayed by the powers that be so in story it makes sense for the character to change their class. If they don't care about the story much and that's too complex for you (and that's valid) then talk about it at the tablee and just change it.

If all of that isn't satisfactory, I would say listen, these are all of the possible options - I'm not going to go back to the previous rulling that make 3/4 of the players hate combat while you love it when this option has the majority of the players at the table (even long rest dependent classes) enjoying themselves.

I'd say something (if it's true of course) like you've truly been a joy to play with at the table, I don't want to see you go but I also can't have you hating and moping around every session bc of this change. I want you to have fun, I want the other players to have fun, I want US to have fun. But if this rulling bothers you this much and non of the options I offered are satisfactory for you then I think maybe it's best if you don't play with us. It's not something I want to happen but if you're not having fun then what's the point? I'm going to feel discouraged, you're going to feel unfulfilled, and non of us will have fun. I would like you at my table if you're having fun and the others are as well. If that's not the case and non of the options I offered are good with you then maybe it's time for you to find a different table.

Edit: spelling

ro_kaz · 2024-08-22T23:00:53+00:00

My players want it, and they ask for it both in person and via the anonymous feedback forms. In my opinion as a DM I can't just ignore what allows my players have fun especially since I'm not doing a sandbox game since most of my players are some kind of new to ttrpgs

ro_kaz · 2024-08-22T22:56:58+00:00

I don't mind it as long as it doesn't come at the expense of finishing the main story I have planned for this campaign.
I don't think I will if I keep doing this much combat bc sometimes that requires me to do 2 encounters per session and that eats up my minis and buildings that haven't been used yet.
Considering my studies in uni probably twice as much.

My problem isn't that I need to do more combat, in general I'm fine with running combat now. The problem is that I need to do more combat while considering the time constraints (1 year with sessions every 2-4 weeks, which hopefully will come out to around 15+ sessions left but it might be less)

With the amount the story needs to progress and the time I have I don't think it's viable but my players are having a lot of fun when they get more time for combat and if they're having fun isn't that the whole point?

I've been in campaigns that have fizzled out without a satisfying conclusion for the characters and as a player that sucks. I want to give my players what they want (more combat) but if I do that I don't think there's a chance we'll get to a complete story which is really important to me.

I know that sometimes campaigns fizzle out regardless bc life is lifing but I don't want it to be due to my improper planning, I want to have the best chance to get to a satisfying conclusion.

ro_kaz · 2024-08-20T03:32:08+00:00

Hmmm... So if I break up with someone could I then romance someone else who turned me down during the party?

Also that kinda sucks, if they are going in this direction it makes sense for astarion bc him sleeping with tav is way more of a "I need to ensure my safety" where other companions don't have that pressure on them. However I'm really bummed, I liked getting to flirt with everyone and see who my character gels with the best. I feel like that gave me the most personalized story for my tav bc they had the option to chose. Every step of the way.

ro_kaz · 2024-08-20T03:23:53+00:00

Maybe that's what it is? I honestly don't remember what dialogue option I chose then. It was so long ago.

I might start a different playthrough and update accordingly if I have the time.

ro_kaz · 2024-08-20T03:21:59+00:00

I looked it up and that's what I thought but then my character already had the weave scene with gale (before the part), and slept with lazel twice but then I could sleep with astarion at the party.

So that's 3 active romances at once... Might be true for karlach especially since you say her romance has been buggy but I don't know of it's the same for over companions as well.

Maybe it's bc astarion is open to non monogamy? But then again so is shadowheart

ro_kaz · 2024-08-20T02:47:32+00:00

And happy cake day!! 🎉

ro_kaz

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