Just paid off my student loans. Graduated University in 2013 with a degree in Visual Communications (Video Production/Graphic Design) and repayment started in early 2014 with a starting balance of $30,000. The beginning was really rough. Could only find part-time/full-time retail work for the first couple years, only making about $15,000. In the beginning I could only make minimum payments on the loans while I cut my budget to the bone and lived with several roommates for 2 and a half years. About 2 years in, paid one of the loans (it was split into two smaller loans) in full with a lump sum of $7,000. Midway through, found a full-time office job that paid better and I'm currently making $30,000. Carried my frugal habits into my new job (minus roommates) for the last 2-3 years. I started making $100 payments every week to keep the interest from accruing now that I was making more money. I slowly saw the balance slide from $23,000-ish to $10,000 overtime. Today I decided I HAD it with the loan and made a final check of $9,500 to be done with it. I'm so glad it's over with and done. I'm both excited and nervous, because I only have $3,000 to my name right now, but it is MY money. For the first time in my adult life, I have a positive net worth. It feels great to finally be able to say that.
August 30, 2018 at 07:30AM
