$300,000 Of Student Loan Debt PAID OFF In 5 Years + 5 Tips For PAYING OFF STUDENT LOANS FAST

Student loan debt is a burden for so many people. And my wife and I had about $300,000 of student loan payments when we graduated pharmacy school. We were aggressive in becoming student loan debt free and worked hard to pay off all of our student loans in just 5 years. And during our debt free journey, we learned some tips in how to pay off student loans faster. This will be helpful if your goal is to pay student loans fast.

00:00 - Start
00:24 - Education Background
00:55 - Student Loan Payment
2:07 - Aggressive Payments
3:18 - Our Strategy
5:29 - Tips To Pay Your Student Loans Faster
11:08 - Final Thoughts

My Camera Equipment:

Social Media:

Advertiser Disclosure: Many of the listings that appear on this website are from companies which we receive compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). The site does not review or include all companies or all available products.

[billervin]

Gained lots of respect for ya Dustin! I paid off $70, 000 and have $15, 000 to go!

[laurensmoneymindset]

Great video! My husband and I are working on paying off $370k of debt (mostly student loans, plus some credit card debt and a car loan). We paid off $50k since we started our debt free journey in Jan of this year. We hope to have it all paid off within 5 years like you guys did! We also refinanced our student loans thru Sofi. It’s inspirational to know it’s possible!

[debtfreetmarie]

I'm in the process of paying off $70k in student loans 😫😫. My tip is make sure any extra payments you make are going towards the principal balance and not the next month's payment.

[TheAndrewLopezFinancePodcast]

Man, you and your wife paid off more debt per year on average than my current salary. That’s pretty impressive!

[Heavy]

Dustin you and your wife have much more willpower than I did. I did a lot of what you mentioned in the video in the beginning. I didn't immediately go out and buy the bigger house and nice car. I was throwing A LOT of money at my student loans because I was on a hell-bent mission on paying them off as soon as possible. That lasted about 2 years.

But if I'm to be honest, it got old, I let myself get discouraged, and I convinced myself that what the heck did I go to school and work my a$$ off for just to live with next to nothing. I convinced myself that my hard work and new job meant that I didn't have to eat crap meals, live in an area I didn't want to anymore, and I certainly was going to drive something a lot nicer than the car that I had during college.

And guess what...it felt good in the moment. I'd say that it felt good for a while. I started making just the minimum payments on my student loans and started living the life I felt like I had worked for and deserved. BUT...that too got old. After the first few months, the new car and the wonderful smell wore off and all I was left with was a really nice car that no longer made me feel good but 2 years more of very high payments to go along with it. My house I never regretted...still to this day I don't. I think you can't live your best life if you truly HATE where you live...and I HATED where I lived.

I would suggest to anyone reading this or watching this video. TAKE Dustin's advice. I really wish I had this or something of such in my ear when I was making the decision to increase my way of living while minimizing that looming student loan debt.

After about another 2 years I finally made the decision to tackle the dang loans again. I did EXACTLY what you mentioned in your video...I ended up working 2 jobs because I had created a lifestyle that required EVERY CENT of what I was making at my first job so there was no room for paying extra on a student loan. But I rolled up my sleeves and did it. Worked 2 full time jobs 6 years. I HATED EVERY.SINGLE.MINUTE of it. I missed a lot of birthday parties, weddings, and even funerals...but I got it done. Putting my student loans on the back burner was one of the WORST financial decisions that I made. It still pains me now...years later to even write about it.


With that being said, I now have a new way of thinking. I give debt the attention and respect it deserves and requires. I won't lie and say that I'm very conservative when it comes to spending because honestly, I'm not. I have a hard time telling myself "no". I don't spend money like it's burning a whole in my pocket but I don't live like a pauper either. My wife and I work, invest, and try to still enjoy the fruits of our labor. It helps that we have no kids (neither of us have ever wanted any - kids just don't fit into our lifestyle) so that allows for us to have a bit more to spend on the things we enjoy.

I will say that I learned a lot going through that time in my life. I had grown to have respect and appreciation for money. I will also say that I learned a lot about myself - 2 jobs will test you on a physical and mental level like no other. During that time I also realized that I will never be a person who will live life with a wish list. If my money is no longer allowing for me to do the things that I enjoy, I work harder or even seek a higher paying job to increase my income...because even now...in my mid 30's....I still have a VERY hard time telling myself no.

[jessicar]

Good job! We were at $15000 at the highest at the beginning and now down to $2700 just on mine now.

[markplymale]

$300K 😳😳😳 great work getting that paid off so fast! That is pretty damn incredible.

Edit: Do you still work as a pharmacist? You make a ton of videos so just wondering if you do this as a side hustle or if it’s becoming your main thing. Keep up the great work!

[MrKingKameleon]

what a great story. $300, 000 in 5 years!! You and your wife make a perfect team! Take care my man and keep the family safe!

[jpknowledge]

Student loan debt is a killer to the soul. Glad to hear you were able to stay disapline and pay it off. Way to go!

[jlin]

hi Dustin, that's really impressive. Student loans are necessary evil, my wife has about 520k loan from her dental school. OUCH!

[danielmondragon]

I'm fortunate to have never had any debt. Congratulations on paying off your loans! Making a plan and following through with it takes patience and discipline, which you definitely have.

[alchemira]

300k student loan???? Wow there is definitely something seriously wrong with the US education system.

[cfont]

I’m watching this when I get off work later!

[duanetv]

Wow! You guys are Bosses! That’s super impressive!

[Fishing_Rod_Engineer]

I was at $9k when I graduated. Down to $5k now 3 years later. But not making payments right now since they are on hold. Interest is pretty low so I am prioritizing investing instead.

[sladesurfer]

Borrowed student loan, graduated, got a six figure salary job then quit to become a YouTuber. The American dream...lol

[JakeBroe]

$4, 000 a month in student loan payments...

[monkyguy]

WOW... I will owe around $230K. I still have this year to finish dissertation, then 6 month grace period. I believe my payment will be $2700 for 10 years. That is more than my house payment. Yikes. I hope to find that magic job after school that pays enough to pay both. D

[ChristopherWalkenPUA]

Dr. Waller....the REAL doctor of credit !

[Martindaskomedia]

That's some impressive work. Congrats