For 13 years, I’ve been paying on my student loans—13 long years.
What started as a $33,000–$35,000 loan turned into nearly $90,000, because my income couldn’t keep up with the payment plan.
Some people will say, “Don’t take on debt.” I hear that. But here’s my story.
At the time, I was making $36,000 a year. I was debt-free. Then I lost my job. I went back to school because employers wanted higher education. Since I wasn’t working, I burned through my savings paying rent, electricity, water, and my phone bill—so I ended up relying on credit cards again.
Then depression hit. Thought about taking my own life, thankfully I haven't had these thoughts in years. Prayer and good relationships help.
After almost 10 months and thousands of applications, I finally landed a job at Target making $13 an hour—and it wasn’t even full-time. I had already depleted my savings, couldn't get a job , so I decided to go back to school and I used loan money to cover not just tuition, but living expenses too.
After I finished school, I landed a job making $55,000 a year—the most I’d ever made. Then they let me go. I cried, but I was also thankful, because I truly believe God removed me from a mess. Federal agents eventually raided the place and the owners went to jail. I was interviewed by the feds and asked to be their witness. That's a different story.
Long story short, I was unemployed again. I used my savings, what little I had, to pay bills, including my student loans. I found another job making $36,000. I left because I needed more money and found one at $40,000—then my dad fell ill. Because I didn’t meet the FMLA requirements, I was let go.
My dad passed away. My brother sued me (I won, but it still cost me money). And I was unemployed for another 10 months. Living off savings once again.
Eventually, I found a job making $40,000—only to learn my direct report came in making $50,000 . I had been with the company two two years, no raise. I asked for a raise after learning that the person who was reporting to me with no degree, experience my title was senior there's was not was making more than I was. It took months to get it. I finally received it, but by then I’d already decided to leave.
I found another job making $55,000, all while still paying student loans and other bills. Then COVID hit. I left my job, started consulting, and that’s what finally helped me pay my loans down—no interest for a period of time, and I was earning $10,000–$12,000 a month consulting. I threw what I could at those loans. Paid off two and consolidated the other two, now my balance is just under $10k.
Life isn’t easy. Many of us are paying these loans and interest is outpacing the payments—and we can’t keep up.
I understand we borrowed the money. I believe it should be paid back. I also understand lenders deserve to make money. But I don’t believe it should take 13 years to pay off a $33,000–$35,000 student loan. And I don’t agree that someone can pay for years and still watch the balance increase.
People are trying to do better. They want to. But the system is designed in a way that keeps too many people stuck.
How much money is “enough” to finally breathe?
I’m not mad at billionaires for being rich. I’m mad at the greed—and the way it lands hardest on people who have the least margin for error.
I’m also reading more and more about how tens of millions of people are at risk of defaulting on their loans due to the changes that the Trump administration has made. Things are going to get worse, I pray that I'm wrong.
And I’ll leave you with this—something I’ve seen with my own eyes:
Leadership was asked to approve employee raises and said no. That same leadership team’s bonus ranged from $500,000 to $1,000,000 in a single quarter—while employees were making $13.50 an hour, rent was $3,800, and support like food assistance and childcare subsidies were being cut. How can you accept a bonus, quarterly when people are suffering? I don't know I'd rather go without a little so that that mother who's catching the bus, with no lunch could make a little more.
Do some people abuse the system? Yes. Is that most people? No. Should everyone be punished because of a few? Absolutely not.
If we don’t stand up for the people, who will?
Okay… stepping off my soapbox now.
January 8th, 2026 at 02:38 pm 1767883111
January 8th, 2026 at 08:56 pm 1767905798
But the most important thing here is I am glad that you seem safe now and is doing well.
I also agree that many do not seem to care about the people right now, especially those at the leadership positions. And it's just absolutely tragic as the world could be a better place with better leadership.
January 8th, 2026 at 10:40 pm 1767912010
There are some great Representatives from Florida and a few candidates who would be so wonderful. They need supporters like you.
January 9th, 2026 at 01:10 am 1767921043
this is what it look like for us, employers will also take it out of yor pay and put it through at tax time. We also late last year just got a 20% reduction so it was either taken off your loan or if you paid it off after june 1st you got the 20% repaid to you.
2025-26 HECS/HELP Repayment Rates
$0 – $67,000: Nil (no repayment).
$67,001 – $125,000: 15 cents for each $1 over $67,000.
$125,001 – $179,285: $8,700 plus 17 cents for each $1 over $125,000.
$179,286 and over: 10% of your total repayment income.
I think I like our system better than yours
January 9th, 2026 at 04:42 pm 1767976963
January 16th, 2026 at 07:42 pm 1768592532