Do people actually take 10 years to pay off the loans?
I have been out of school for about 4 years ( this includes residency where I was making change) and I am completely out of debt.
I incurred 210K and used about 10 K of my own savings.
I think the trick is to be frugal. Don't think, oh i a in POD school, once I get out i can repay everything. I basically lived like I did as an Undergrad.
Living-Studio apartment
Food- from Walmart or other discount grocery stores, farmers markets, Chinatown but I ate pretty well, no ramen expect late at night after drinking too much!
transport- subway or my dad's hand me down beat up 12 year old Toyota
Clothing-the Mall? heck no, more like Marshalls, TJ Max, Ebay, Before pod school, I threw out most of my high school and undergrad clothing and spent like 500 for a complete new wardrobe. How???
I'll let you on a little secret. If you live in any big city with a Chinatown, Vietnam town, etc. Go there and find a tailor. They will do custom made suit for... $80!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sometimes cheaper if you order more than one. They fit like a glove and to be honest, all the big name 400-800 suits are made in Asia anyways, the only thing American italian, etc on them is the freaking label.
Bought 20 dress shirts- some from ebay, some from online overseas from Asia, and some from TJ max on sale. Out of those 20, I have some good brands like Kennith cole, Perry Elise from TJ max on after xmas sale for.. $5 a shirt. Yeah.
pants, shoes etc-all from online or on sale from outlet stores.
I was out of debt my second year of being a POD (after residency). Then I splurged and bought a...... Kia Soul lol with leather seats!
Residency year one- earned about 40K, used 10 K for living expensives and rent. Paid 30K off
year 2- earned 45K, used 10K again for living, 2 K to fix my car. paid 33K off
Loan after residency + interest was about 150K.
first year associate Pod- salary was 80K, bonus-20 K, totaly 100K
used 10K for living expenses, paid off 90 K
Amount owned- ~64K
2nd year associate- different job, working for a friend's dad. Salary was 90K, bonus was only 5 K (this was due to me getting married and a extended honeymoon/vacation.
used about 30K for expenses ( wedding, honeymoon, travel, stupid rock called a Diamond
😎)
Paid off 60K and my wife paid off the rest which was around 4 K
😍.
I am not bashing anyone, just thought I would give an real life example of how a recent POD paid off their loans! I know I was lucky to be family free during those years so no family related expenses and I had a supportive parents who gave or loan me a few K's here and there when I needed it.
It is all a mentality thing! PAY OFF THOSE DEBTS! Look, interest is basically free money you are giving away. PAY THEM OFF!