Don’t have many to share this with but I’m done

I am done with this black cloud ive felt over my head for so many years, delaying (and maybe missing out entirely) on so many "typical" milestones seen by earlier generations.

As I post here, during this difficult time for so many, I also want to acknowledge several points:

• unlike some others ive met or have heard from who also have paid their loans, I will not argue against future student loan forgiveness nor demand any repayment myself
• On the contrary, I will continue to advocate for forgiveness by sharing my story, highlighting how our tax dollars go to war and billions of wasteful spending, voting for candidates that call for forgiveness, and contributing to causes/candidates that support forgiveness, where I can
• I recognize the privileges ive had to reach this happy moment. While every cent paid towards my loans was my own, I know there are other privileges such as having friends advocate for a job I got that lead to the career I am in, having healthcare, and not having to financially support any loved ones

I do have 5 figures of debt from medical, pet bills and other life expenses I can now tackle. However, with rolling these payments into that debt, I can expect to clear that before 2027, barring any unforeseen issues.

I intend to celebrate this weekend by going out with my significant other for dinner and drinks. I also will wait one pay period to buy something I want before refocusing my payments on my other outstanding debt. 🙂

For those interested in how I did it, I took a job outside my field of study and passion. I stayed once I realized there was growth potential and the pay was better than the field I wished I could have joined.

During the covid pause, I switched my payments to saving them in a non retirement account (regret). I put the money into index funds.

Once the orange man was elected and the market took its first decent dip, I sold and put it all towards the capital gain taxes (where the regret plays in) and the student loans. From there I stopped contributing to my retirement, except for % matched by my employer. I redirected those contributions to the remaining loans to finish them off.

I have most mostly orange man supporters and cult-like xtians around me who believe a "debt clearing" is coming and told me not to pay it, which I why I share here.

Thanks for hearing my story.