College | September 26, 2018 | Rob Zodda
New Orleans-based hip-hop artist, Dee-1, has a record deal with RCA, he’s toured the country, and his music videos have millions of views on YouTube. Something else he’s proud of—he paid off his student loans (and then rapped about it).
A: I’m a college graduate, and I’ve experienced what it's like to pay back your student loans, so I consider myself an expert on this subject. I want people to know the quickest route and the best practices. I believe that paying off your loans is a lifestyle decision that you make.
A: A lot of times you just see this big number, this lump sum that you owe, and you say, ‘How in the world am I going to fit that into my monthly expenses and work that number down to zero?’ Just like with anything in life, if you strategize you can defeat whatever obstacle is in front of you. Paying back your loans isn't something that should intimidate you so much.
A: You may have to alter your lifestyle a bit. That doesn't mean you only get to eat once a day to pay your loans back. But there are definitely things that each of us can do to say, ‘Whoa, I can recalibrate how I spend my money and what I choose to prioritize with my income that can allow me to get out of debt.’
A: Keep going! The joy that comes from paying off all your student loans—it’s the highest high out there.
The best way to stick to a budget—live below your means and put leftover money toward your student loans. You’ll pay them off sooner, which means you’ll pay less interest and save money in the long run.
The first thing Dee did when he signed his first record deal? He paid off his student loans. Pay more than the minimum amount due each month. If you get a raise or tax refund, put part or all of it toward your loan.
Keep your cosigner informed (if you have one) as you pay off your loan. If you’re really struggling to make your loan payments, find out what options are available to you.