Student Loan Planner

Travis Hornsby
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Student Loan Planner

Travis helps you navigate the insane world of student loans, especially if you owe $20,000 to $1 million. If you've ever spent too much time on the phone with your loan servicer, this is the show for you. Every week we share tips on loan forgiveness, investing, crushing debt, and how to get to financial freedom when you owe more than most people's mortgage.

  1. Listener Q’s About SAVE, Buyback, Debt Payoff and More

    1D AGO

    Listener Q’s About SAVE, Buyback, Debt Payoff and More

    Got student loan questions weighing on you? You're definitely not alone. This week, we're opening up the Student Loan Planner mailbag to tackle some of the most pressing issues borrowers are facing. Should you switch IDR plans? Is Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) buyback the right move? We also address the very real frustrations with federal loan servicers — the long hold times, the inconsistent information, and the impact of staffing shortages. Beyond that, we'll cover practical tax filing strategies that could lead to significant savings, how to identify potential calculation errors in your loan details, and offer an update on the ongoing delays with forgiveness applications. If you’re ready for clarity on your student loans, this episode delivers the answers you need in 2025. Key moments: (04:37) Stressing about interest accrual could be counterproductive on your path to loan forgiveness (07:45)  The PSLF buyback steps, and remember your qualifying payments don't need to be consecutive (16:53) Despite common talk of "old" and "new" IBR, there is technically only one Income-Based Repayment plan (26:07) A payoff strategy for a high-income physician facing loans without PSLF (43:33) Military families face unique PSLF considerations, with state residency affecting community property rules Links mentioned:  Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Plan Request PSLF Help Tool Compare refinancing lenders   Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Subscribe to the newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

    52 min
  2. Quarterly Taxes for High Earners: What, Why and How To Plan Ahead

    5D AGO

    Quarterly Taxes for High Earners: What, Why and How To Plan Ahead

    Tax season might be in the rearview mirror, but if you're self-employed or earn income outside of a regular paycheck, quarterly estimated taxes are still very much on your radar. We’re showing you how it all fits together — what they are, who needs to pay them, and how to calculate what you owe. Learn key dates to remember, simple ways to estimate your payments, how to use the IRS’s “safe harbor” rule to avoid any unexpected penalties, and simple strategies to avoid underpaying and giving the government an interest-free loan. It’s all about staying ahead without stressing out — or paying more than you have to. Key moments: (01:15) W-2 employees have taxes automatically deducted, while 1099 workers must save and plan on their own (06:28) Simple ways to estimate your tax bill without getting lost in spreadsheets or complicated calculations (17:21) The four big tax due dates to circle on your 2025 calendar right now (20:18) The IRS safe harbor rule helps you avoid penalties, even if your estimates aren’t perfect Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Subscribe to the newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

    27 min
  3. Major Accident at ED About Married Filing Separate

    APR 22

    Major Accident at ED About Married Filing Separate

    The Department of Education dropped a bombshell announcement that would've killed a loophole strategy many of you use to keep your student loan payments manageable, only for the agency to quickly walk it back after public outcry. What actually happened? Was this ED deliberately trying to break the law and eliminate the married filing separate option, or was it just an honest mistake? You’ll hear the latest on how advocacy, lawsuits, and a fair bit of confusion among government officials have shaped repayment, and what it means for your student loan strategy (spoiler: the loophole lives... for now).   Key moments:   (01:58) The income-based repayment (IBR) married filing separate rule is actually written into federal law (05:08) Department of Ed issued a corrective statement claiming the announcement was a mistake (07:15) Recertification dates extended, creating confusion around timeline requirements (09:57) Despite complications, there are positive developments worth highlighting for borrowers (10:58) House GOP advances budget reconciliation bill that could impact student loan programs     Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Subscribe to the newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

    17 min
  4. Markets, Tariffs & Tantrums: What To Do About the Market

    APR 18

    Markets, Tariffs & Tantrums: What To Do About the Market

    Last week, the market went on a wild ride, and it all started with steep tariff hikes — especially on imports from China. The market’s reaction was fast and furious, with sharp drops and an even quicker rebound. So, what’s the deal with tariffs, and why do they send markets into a frenzy? Learn the basics of tariffs, why uncertainty can send investors into a panic, and how fear, headlines, and knee-jerk reactions fuel market chaos. But it’s not all doom and gloom. We also explore practical strategies for keeping your cool, sticking to your long-term plan, and even turning market dips into opportunities. Listen in for the tools to confidently ride out market storms, make smart decisions, and protect your financial future. Key moments: (01:48) What are tariffs and how did they change last week? (06:07) The impact of tariffs on your investments and what it means for your portfolio (11:20) Don’t let a down market scare you — think of it as a sale if you're investing regularly (13:56) Three common ways people react to market dips and why they matter (20:51) We can’t control the market, but we can control how we protect ourselves from it. Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Subscribe to the newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

    23 min
  5. Negotiated Rulemaking Announced (PSLF, PAYE and ICR Borrowers Need to Pay Attention)

    APR 15

    Negotiated Rulemaking Announced (PSLF, PAYE and ICR Borrowers Need to Pay Attention)

    The Department of Education just dropped a negotiated rulemaking announcement, and while it might sound like dry policy talk, this one’s worth your attention — especially if you’re pursuing Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), on Pay As You Earn (PAYE), or using Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR). Learn what negotiated rulemaking actually means, why it matters, and what kinds of changes could be on the horizon for federal student loan repayment. We’ll also walk through the strategy behind these proposed updates, what the timeline might look like, and the political and legal dynamics that could affect how this all plays out. Key moments: (03:20) My initial take: borrowers don’t need to panic just yet — and here’s why (05:35) What these changes could actually mean for PSLF borrowers (06:59) PAYE and ICR might be affected, but IBR is protected by statute  (10:49) The GOP proposal targets nonprofit hospitals, but I don’t think it’ll go anywhere (12:34) With 2026 elections in sight, student loan overhauls will probably stay pretty modest Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Subscribe to the newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

    16 min
  6. Your HSA Can Do WHAT?!

    APR 11

    Your HSA Can Do WHAT?!

    Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) don’t always get the spotlight, but they should. They’re one of the most flexible and tax-friendly tools out there — and we’re digging into why. We’re joined by Kathleen Boyd, CFP®, for a practical conversation about how HSAs work. Learn how much you can contribute based on your health plan, how things change once Medicare enters the picture, and how to use an HSA as a long-term savings strategy (not just a place to park cash for doctor’s visits). You’ll walk away with real-world tips and a clearer idea of how to actually use your HSA. Key moments: (03:41) Who can contribute to an HSA? Individual vs. family contributions (10:20) HSA catch-up contributions once you reach a certain age (13:46) Overlooked strategies for funding HSAs (24:16) Life circumstances and changes dictate how much you can contribute to your HSA (39:08) Why you might want to move pretax money from an IRA to an HSA Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Subscribe to the newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

    47 min

  7. APR 8

    Who Can (and Cannot) Trust Their New IDR Recertification Date

    The Trump administration recently pushed out income-driven repayment (IDR) recertification dates — some all the way to 2027. (I'm not even kidding.) But can you actually count on these extensions? We’re breaking down who should trust these announcements and who might want to proceed with caution. We'll also talk about the bizarre game of musical chairs happening between government departments. One minute it's the Department of Education handling things, then suddenly it's the Small Business Administration, and now the Treasury Department's involved? It's like watching a bureaucratic shell game in real time. Listen in as we try to make sense of what’s going on, what you can trust, and what steps you should take to protect yourself. Key moments: (00:51) President plans to move student loans to Small Business Administration despite questionable legality and no operational details (04:05) Trump White House surprisingly ordered an extension of borrower recertification dates to no sooner than February 2026 (07:14) Court decisions that finally put an end to the SAVE plan could force millions of borrowers into disruptive repayment plan changes (15:05) Maintain your peace of mind by focusing on what you can control in your financial life   Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Subscribe to the newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

    23 min
  8. Retirement Red Flags — 5 Signs You’re Not Ready Yet

    APR 4

    Retirement Red Flags — 5 Signs You’re Not Ready Yet

    Retirement isn’t just about stepping away from your job — it’s about building a life you actually enjoy and knowing how your finances will hold up when the paychecks stop. A lot of people think they’re ready… until they realize they’re not. We’re walking through five warning signs that could throw your retirement off track. From skipping over withdrawal strategies to carrying debt into retirement — and maybe the biggest one? Not having a plan for what your days will look like once work is off the table.   We’ll break each one down with real examples, why it matters, and offer practical ways to course-correct — so you can head into retirement with confidence, not guesswork.   Key moments:   (02:13) Most retirees underestimate their early retirement spending — and it adds up fast (06:55) Without an inflation plan, retiring today at 60 could cut your purchasing power nearly in half by 80 (8:57) A smart withdrawal plan accounts for taxes, market downturns, and required minimum distributions (15:42) Carrying debt into retirement means high fixed costs that drag down your freedom (19:11) Retirement’s not a finish line, it’s a new chapter — think about how you’ll spend your time   Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Subscribe to the newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

    27 min
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4.8
out of 5
164 Ratings

About

Travis helps you navigate the insane world of student loans, especially if you owe $20,000 to $1 million. If you've ever spent too much time on the phone with your loan servicer, this is the show for you. Every week we share tips on loan forgiveness, investing, crushing debt, and how to get to financial freedom when you owe more than most people's mortgage.

Information

  • Creator
    Travis Hornsby
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    384
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Student Loan Planner®. All Rights Reserved.
  • Show Website
    Student Loan Planner

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