Thanks for the encouragement!

Thanks for your comment. I’m 26 so I know I still have some time. I’m anxious thinking about saving for retirement and other things and knowing I have all this debt.

I don’t think refinancing is an option with federal loans, but I will look into it.

I’m currently putting my income from that job into a HYSA and plan to make a payment on the highest interest loan before the interest starts accruing. Maybe I will make a small contribution each month to my IRA to make myself feel better.

I won’t finish my degree until August. I have to stop working in May because I’ll be doing an unpaid internship and studying for the board exam from May 8- July 26. But once I start working I’m already planning on getting a full time job and a PRN gig on the weekend.

I ran the numbers through the federal student aid repayment calculator and they estimate monthly payments of $1710 on the standard repayment plan. I’ll be living with my fiancé so my expenses will be fairly low.

I’m also scared of the tax bill if I get my loans forgiven, which is one reason I don’t want to go that route.

I guess the best decision to save it and put it towards the loans. I just feel anxious about having basically nothing for retirement

Thanks. I have read through the prime directive and I know saving for retirement comes before paying off debts. However, I won’t have an employer sponsored retirement program until I start working. When I do, I will definitely contribute to that enough to get the full match.