Best Studentloans Podcasts (2026)

What if there was a third option between grinding it out in corporate life and chasing extreme early retirement? What if you could work less, be more present with your family, and still feel confident about your financial future? In today’s episode, I join Paula Pant on her top-ranked podcast, Afford Anything, to talk about the middle ground betwee…

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Married Filing Separately: What Student Loan Borrowers Need to Re-Check at Tax Time 32:41

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10h ago32:41

32:41

Filing taxes married filing separately can be one of the most powerful tools for lowering income-driven student loan payments. But it's also one of the easiest ways to make costly mistakes if you're not careful. Meagan McGuire, CFP®, ChFC®, CSLP®, walks through what borrowers need to double-check before tax season hits. You'll learn when filing sep…

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Options If You Don't Have Enough Financial Aid Or Student Loans To Pay For School 11:15

3d ago11:15

11:15

By Robert Farrington

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What Is The 529 Plan Penalty And How To Avoid It 6:40

1d ago6:40

6:40

One of the biggest fears families have about using a 529 plan to save for college is the dreaded 529 plan penalty. There are many ways to save and pay for college, and the absolute best way to do it varies depending on your specific situation. A 529 plan, which is designed to help you with higher education expenses, is a type of tax-advantaged acco…

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Coast FIRE w/ $300k by 30 | Anders Skagerberg (BEST OF MKM) 20:11

9d ago20:11

20:11

What if you could reach a point where your investments were doing the heavy lifting and you could finally slow down without falling behind? Would you keep pushing forward, or would you take the exit and design a life that fits right now? In today’s episode, Anders Skagerberg shares how he and his wife reached Coast FIRE in their early thirties and …

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Holiday Encouragement for Borrowers 12:26

2d ago12:26

12:26

The holidays can stir up a lot of stress, especially when student loans are still hanging over your head. In this episode, I want to slow things down and offer some perspective. We talk about why extreme frugality isn't required to build wealth, why "rich enough" beats "obscenely rich," and how your education and earning power already put you in a …

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5 Things Your Millionaire Neighbor Isn't Telling You 8:28

3d ago8:28

8:28

It's currently estimated that there are about 3,000,000 millionaires in the United States today. And given that there are about 300,000,000 Americans according to the latest Census data, that means about 1 in 100 are millionaires. Even more startling is that means that you probably know someone who is a millionaire, and you probably live within a s…

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How Students Can Avoid The Full Cost of College 11:19

14d ago11:19

11:19

For many parents scrolling Facebook, the same comment keeps appearing under college-related posts: “I don’t know how we’re supposed to pay $30,000 a year for college.” The fear is understandable. Sticker prices at four-year colleges have climbed for decades, and tuition figures are often presented as unavoidable facts. But the assumption behind tho…

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Why Private Lenders May Not Replace Grad PLUS Loans 8:47

15d ago8:47

8:47

Starting in 2026, Grad PLUS loans are ending, and there will be new borrowing options for graduate and professional education. The new borrowing limits ($20,500 annually for graduate students and $50,000 for students in designated professional programs) represent a sharp break from the prior model that allowed borrowing up to the full cost of atten…

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Student Loan Delinquencies Hit New High as Borrowers Face Fresh Uncertainty 7:09

15d ago7:09

7:09

The vast majority of student loans in the United States remain effectively paused, and delinquency rates are climbing again, according to new data from the nonpartisan California Policy Lab (PDF File). The analysis, released Wednesday and based on credit bureau records through the third quarter of 2025, offers one of the clearest pictures yet of a …

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$950k Net Worth by 35 Years Old | Joshua Weekley (BEST OF MKM) 16:47

16d ago16:47

16:47

What does it really mean to be “almost a millionaire”? And is that number as important as the freedom you gain along the way? In today’s episode, Joshua Weekley shares how he and his wife built a net worth of nearly $1 million by age 35 without extreme deprivation or risky bets. Instead of chasing shortcuts, Joshua focused on consistent habits, aut…

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SAVE Lawsuit Settlement and What It Means 20:24

16d ago20:24

20:24

The SAVE plan is officially dead. Learn what the SAVE lawsuit settlement actually says (not the rumors), who really needs to pay attention right now, and what you should do next. We walk through why millions of people are still stuck in SAVE forbearance, what repayment plans are actually available going forward, and how upcoming rulemaking could re…

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Status Report: Student Loan IDR Backlog Still Near 800,000 9:41

17d ago9:41

9:41

The Department of Education has filed its first status report (PDF File) since the government shutdown in response to its lawsuit with the American Federation of Teachers. The report offers a snapshot of how income-driven repayment and Public Service Loan Forgiveness backlogs are moving — and where they remain stuck. The report filed on December 15…

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Delivering Wealth, With Naseema McElroy 41:04

13d ago41:04

41:04

In this powerful Money Memoir episode, Lauryn Williams sits down with nurse, mom of three, and financial educator Naseema McElroy, founder of Financially Intentional, to talk about what it really looks like to build wealth—starting with very little. Naseema shares how growing up with a single father and limited financial guidance shaped her early m…

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Holiday Tipping Guide 2025: Who to Tip, How Much, and What to Give 6:17

20d ago6:17

6:17

Tipping during the holidays isn’t about keeping score — it’s about showing appreciation to the people who help you all year. Whether that’s your babysitter, delivery driver, or building staff, a thoughtful tip or small gift can mean a lot. Every year, as it gets closer to Christmas, I see more and more stories about holiday tipping etiquette and wh…

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Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) vs. IBR, PAYE, and SAVE 9:01

21d ago9:01

9:01

Millions of federal student loan borrowers are entering a new repayment era. After years of uncertainty (payment pauses, injunctions, administrative forbearances, and changing policy) the United States is preparing to consolidate repayment options, ending multiple plans (including SAVE, PAYE, and ICR) and replacing them with the Repayment Assistanc…

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U.S. Six-Year College Graduation Rate Stays at 61% 5:51

22d ago5:51

5:51

The latest national data on college completion shows a stark picture: the cohort of students who started college in fall 2019, only 61.1% earned a degree or certificate within six years. That figure has hovered between 61.1% and 61.4% since the 2016 cohort. While the pattern of stability shows a trend - it's also a reminder that one-in-three colleg…

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Court Deals Final Blow To End SAVE Student Loan Repayment Plan 8:40

23d ago8:40

8:40

A long-running legal battle over the Biden administration’s Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE, plan reached a conclusion on Tuesday, when the U.S. Department of Education and the State of Missouri announced a proposed joint settlement agreement (PDF File) that would terminate the program, pending final court approval. The announcement, which …

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Mortgage Free in London (Bye Corporate Job!) | Ken and Mary Okoroafor (BEST OF MKM) 29:54

23d ago29:54

29:54

What would your life look like if you woke up tomorrow and your home was completely paid off? How much freedom would that give your family? And how much more possibility would you feel if housing costs disappeared forever? In today’s episode, Ken and Mary Okoroafor from The Humble Penny share how they became mortgage free in one of the most expensi…

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IBR Problems and How to Fix Them 17:39

16d ago17:39

17:39

Income-Based Repayment has turned into a maze for a lot of borrowers, from unexpected forbearances to confusing "partial financial hardship" determinations that don't add up. Learn why so many borrowers are stuck in SAVE forbearance, what's really going on with IBR denials, and what the Department of Education says it's going to fix by early 2026. …

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How To Handle An Inheritance Step-By-Step 9:58

24d ago9:58

9:58

Getting an inheritance is the epitome of a mixed blessing. You receive a financial windfall, but the cause is the death of a loved one. On top of complicated emotions, you may be dealing with the largest sum of money you’ve ever seen. Nobody is born knowing how to handle an inheritance, and few people are prepared to handle one. But if you’ve recei…

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Can You Use AI In Your College Essay? What 24 Admissions Offices Told Me 12:18

25d ago12:18

12:18

Students today are worried about whether AI use is allowed in college admissions essays, whether schools use AI detectors, and if an application can be rejected over suspected AI content. As AI increasingly weaves its way into our lives, we are entering a new phase of college admissions. More and more, AI has become second nature for students in th…

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Student Loan Forgiveness for Lawyers 9:04

27d ago9:04

9:04

Practicing law can be a fulfilling and lucrative career, but the price of a J.D. keeps rising. In 2024, the average law school graduate had $130,000 in student loan debt. That’s more than twice as much as a starting public defender earns in a year. Outside of the public sector, lawyers tend to earn more ($120,000 on average). But with a six-figure …

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How To Read A Financial Aid Award Letter And Package 18:48

28d ago18:48

18:48

Getting a financial aid award letter is the first step in making a college admissions decision. You’ve been accepted to your school of choice and have been awarded a financial aid package. This is certainly an exciting time, but once you open the financial aid award and begin reading, your excitement turns to confusion and frustration. Welcome to t…

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How New Federal Loan Limits Could Shape Nursing Programs 8:19

29d ago8:19

8:19

The Department of Education moved this week to counter a wave of online claims about how the federal government will classify nursing programs under new student loan limits taking effect next year. The guidance, released in a post titled "Myth vs. Fact: The Definition of Professional Degrees", attempts to clarify how the term “professional degree” …

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House Democrats Propose Misguided HSA Reforms 18:46

30d ago18:46

18:46

House Democrats are moving to curb the benefits of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), arguing that the popular tax-advantaged accounts increasingly double as investment vehicles for the wealthy rather than a way for families to pay medical bills. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, a longtime Texas Democrat and the ranking member on the House Ways and Means Health Su…

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Coast FIRE w/ $730k by 36 | Marko Zlatic of Whiteboard Finance (BEST OF MKM) 22:58

1M ago22:58

22:58

Have you ever wondered what would change in your life if you finally reached the point where your investments could grow on autopilot even if you stopped contributing? What kind of freedom would that give your family? And what possibilities might open up if you did not have to hustle at 110 percent forever? In today’s episode, Marko Zlatic from Whi…

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Introducing the Student Loan Planner Community 15:16

23d ago15:16

15:16

We've been working on something big behind the scenes, and today I finally get to share it. We launched the SLP Insiders app, a dedicated community built for borrowers who want clarity, connection, and a calm place to ask questions without getting pulled into the noise of social media. Learn why we built it, who it's for, and how it can help you st…

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How To Give A Gift Of Stock (For Kids And Family) 7:34

1M ago7:34

7:34

Giving a gift of stock is a fantastic way to help a child (or anyone) learn about the power of investing to build wealth. Plus, there are some really fun ways to gift - such as a framed stock certificate. When you ask a parent what their kids want for Christmas, they’ll likely start with a long sigh followed by, “Well… She really likes K-Pop Demon …

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From Hustle to Harmony: A Money Memoir on Motherhood, Wealth, and Success, With Rianka Dorsainvil 38:06

25d ago38:06

38:06

In this Parenting and Finances Money Memoir, Lauryn Williams sits down with fellow Certified Financial Planner™ and mom of two, Rianka R. Dorsainvil, CFP®, for a real conversation about motherhood, money, and what it costs to build a "village" in today's world. Rianka shares how growing up with limited resources shaped her commitment to building so…

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Would You Rather Have A Penny That Doubles Each Day For A Month Or $1 Million? 10:13

1M ago10:13

10:13

Would you rather have a penny that doubles each day for a month or 1 million dollars? I saw this question the other day, and it reminded me of one of my favorite stories from high school math (yes, that's pretty nerdy, but this is a personal finance blog). So, before I tell the story, think about it: If a genie appeared and gave you a choice, what …

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Student Loan Forgiveness And Insolvency: Avoid The Tax Bomb 10:00

1M ago10:00

10:00

The student loan debt tax bomb can happen when you have to pay taxes on the student loan forgiveness you received. However, most people will avoid the tax bomb due to a tax process called insolvency. While some student loan forgiveness programs, like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) are tax-free, others - like when you get your student loans …

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The Hidden Expense Driving Up College Costs: Room And Board 8:04

1M ago8:04

8:04

When families talk about the rising cost of college, tuition tends to dominate the conversation. But for many students, tuition isn't the largest expense. Room and board, which covers housing and meals, often makes up the majority of the bill. Even at the most expensive colleges ranked by tuition, room and board adds a significant price. Recent dat…

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FIRE Millionaire Couple at 34 Years Old | Lauren & Steven Keys (BEST OF MKM) 25:45

1M ago25:45

25:45

Have you ever wondered what life would look like if you designed your days around freedom instead of work? What would change if you could travel for months at a time, pick projects you actually enjoy, and still watch your net worth climb into the millions? Today you’ll hear how Lauren and Stephen Keys, creators of Trip of a Lifestyle, built a milli…

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Why One-Third Of College Students Drop Out Without A Degree 8:25

1M ago8:25

8:25

More than one in three students who enroll in college never complete their degree. That figure is not just a statistic - it represents millions of families who invest time, money, and hope into higher education, only to see it fall short of its promise. Only 62% of students who start college earn a degree within 6 years, according to data from the …

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Tax-Free Forgiveness Strategies 38:34

1M ago38:34

38:34

A lot of borrowers are wondering how to get their loans forgiven without getting crushed by taxes later, especially with that 2026 tax-free forgiveness deadline creeping closer. In this episode, I walk through the lesser-known ways forgiveness can be tax-free, how timing affects whether you owe anything, and what thoughtful planning looks like if y…

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How California Helps Families Save: A Conversation With Treasurer Fiona Ma 44:55

1M ago44:55

44:55

California families have more tools than ever to save, invest, and build long-term financial security but many people don’t know these programs exist or how to use them. In this episode, Robert Farrington sits down with California State Treasurer Fiona Ma and Thomas Martin, Executive Director of CalABLE, for a candid, wide-ranging conversation abou…

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Trump Administration Could Defund CFPB By 2026 7:02

1M ago7:02

7:02

The Trump administration has escalated its campaign to defund the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau - setting in motion what could be its effective closure within a year. In a court filing (PDF File) this week, the administration said the CFPB cannot seek additional money from the Federal Reserve - its usual source of operating funds. The bureau…

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Could Your Nonprofit Job Lose PSLF Status? 7:56

1M ago7:56

7:56

For nearly two decades, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program has offered a straightforward promise: make 120 qualifying payments while working full-time for a government agency or a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and any remaining federal student loan balance will be forgiven. The idea helped schools, hospitals, local governments, and nonprofits recru…

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Trump Admin Moves Six Education Dept Programs As Breakup Begins 5:19

1M ago5:19

5:19

The Trump Administration continues its efforts to hollow out the U.S. Department of Education by sending six programs to other federal agencies. The U.S. Department of Education announced the changes in a press conference on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. Although federal law assigns responsibility for these programs to the U.S. Department of Educatio…

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Strategic Default For Student Loans: What You Need to Know 10:12

1M ago10:12

10:12

In 2011, some protestors encouraged borrowers to refuse to repay their student loans as part of Occupy Wall Street. They said that if enough borrowers joined this protest, the lenders would have no choice but to cancel the student loan debt. Few people participated, and even those that did only lasted for a month or two. Nobody went into default as…

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5 Family Giving Traditions to Start This Year 47:17

1M ago47:17

47:17

In today’s episode, we explore the power of generosity and the traditions that can help our kids grow into grateful and giving adults. We walk through five simple and meaningful family giving ideas, including Big Tip Tuesday, the Big Give, glovebox giving, and volunteer habits that bring families closer. Then we sit down with Angela Rozmyn from Wom…

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Money Tips for New Parents: Navigating Costs After Baby Arrives, With Chloe Moore 38:05

1M ago38:05

38:05

Becoming a parent changes everything—your routines, your priorities, and definitely your finances. In this episode of our Know Better, Do Better: Parenting & Finances series, Certified Financial Planners Lauryn Williams and Chloe Moore break down what really happens after the baby arrives. From unexpected expenses and child-care costs to school dec…

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Future of PAYE, SAVE and RAP with Stanley Tate 51:21

1M ago51:21

51:21

Listen in as I sit down with my good friend and one of the sharpest legal minds in the student loan world, Stanley Tate. We walk through the latest PSLF battles, what the SAVE-forbearance mess really means for your timeline, and how the coming transition to RAP and old-school IBR could reshape repayment for millions of borrowers. We also get into P…

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Is There Such A Thing As A Guaranteed Return On Investment? 8:29

2M ago8:29

8:29

By Robert Farrington

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How to Research Stocks If You're A Beginner Investor 10:43

2M ago10:43

10:43

Investors have likely heard that investing in stocks is a smart move for your financial future. But that’s only true if you build an investment portfolio that aligns with your financial goals. Unfortunately, the process of investing in stocks seems shrouded in mystery for many beginners. The good news is that researching stocks doesn’t have to be o…