About this episode
Student loan repayment plans are in chaos. From the PAYE and ICR confusion to the ongoing servicer challenges, borrowers face an overwhelming mess. We break down what's happening, what changes might be coming, and how to stay ahead in an unpredictable system. On the investing side, we're tackling the dominance of U.S. stocks since 2008, asking whether their reign is coming to an end. We'll explore the rise of cryptocurrencies, the risks of betting too heavily on any one market, and why diversification remains critical to long-term financial success. Key moments: (01:23) How reopening the ICR plan lets high-income borrowers qualify for forgiveness and PSLF (03:16) U.S. stocks have outperformed international markets by 3.5x since 2008 (07:23) Bitcoin's wild swings, why it mirrors U.S. stocks but amplifies market moves (11:45) Why investors tend to chase risky stocks and overlook safer opportunities (15:40) The importance of a diversified portfolio for professionals, no matter your student loan debt (16:49) Key investment strategies to prioritize as 2025 approaches Links mentioned: Department of Education Announces Borrowers Can Now Apply for Additional Income-Driven Repayment Plans WSJ: Young Men Are Making Risky Bets on Crypto and Politics—and Raking It In Right Now Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts , Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to the newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!