Graduating from college is a really exciting time, as you have the world at your fingertips. However, there is one thing that can really drag you down…student loans. Student loans are super annoying to deal with and can sometimes take decades to pay off, but nobody has time for that. Here are 14 ways to pay off your loans as quickly as possible.

1. Create a Budget:

Assess your income and expenses to create a detailed budget. Find areas where you can cut costs and give more money to your student loans.

2. Don't be a Shopaholic:

With your budget, do your best to minimize non-essential expenses. If you only spend money on rent and food, your loans will be gone quicker than you think.

3. Find a Side Hustle:

Look for opportunities to increase your income, such as part-time work, freelancing, or a side hustle. Driving for Uber or Lyft or delivering groceries for Uber Eats or Doordash is a great way to get a job quickly without needing to go through the interview process. You can then allocate the additional income toward your student loans.

4. Prioritize High-Interest Loans:

Focus on paying off your high-interest loans first to minimize the total amount you will pay over the life of the loans. This approach will save you money in the long run.

5. Additional Payments:

Whenever possible, make extra payments toward your student loans. Even small payments can significantly reduce the total interest paid and shorten the repayment period. Many small payments will help you a lot over time.

6. Allocate Unexpected Earnings:

Use unexpected earnings (also known as windfalls), such as tax refunds, work bonuses, or gifts, to make payments on your student loans.

7. Loan Forgiveness Programs:

You should look into loan forgiveness programs that could be available based on your profession, employer, or income level. Public Service Loan Forgiveness is one example.

8. Automatic Payments:

Set up automatic payments to make sure that you never miss a due date. Sometimes you can get interest rate discounts when you enroll in automatic payments.

9. Employer Assistance:

See if your employer offers student loan repayment assistance. Some companies help employees pay off their student loans. Other employers might offer tuition reimbursement or education assistance programs which you should always take advantage of.

10. Roommates:

If possible, share living expenses with roommates to reduce housing costs and allocate more money toward your student loans. If it is an option, living with your parents or relatives will help you save a ton of money for your loans (if they don't have you pay rent).

11. Avoid Lifestyle Inflation:

If your income is increasing, resist the temptation to spend more money. Instead, continue living within or below your means to pay your loans quickly.

12. Seek Professional Advice:

If you are really struggling, meet with a financial advisor to explore your options and get advice on managing your student loan debt.

Remember, paying off student loans fast requires commitment and sacrifice. Tailor these tips to your unique financial situation, and consistently prioritize making progress toward becoming debt-free.

* Originally published on January 17, 2024, by Bella Nevin